A knock came from outside of the soldiers barracks. One boy opened it to see Leo, who kindly smiled at him. He had blonde hair that was cut short. He had rather large eyes that gazed at her curiously. He looked fairly young for a soldier, maybe 15. Technically, the legal age was sixteen and up. But many runaways lied. That's what Leo assumed this kid was.

"Hello," Leo offered, peering around the room. "Is Capricorn in there?"

The boy blinked at her. "The girls barracks are that way, Miss."

Leo frowned at him. "Capricorn. Is there a Capricorn in this room? Brown hair, cocky, arrogant, and blunt?"

"Do you mean Cap?" The boy asked. Leo was growing annoyed.

"Yes, sure. Bring me Cap," Leo ordered, sick of not getting an answer.

The boy brought forward Capricorn, who looked like he just rolled out of bed. He huffed angrily and grabbed his stuff. "You were supposed to say that this isn't my room, not that I go by a different name."

"You thought of this?" Leo asked, plainly irritated.

"So what if I did?" Capricorn asked. "I'd really rather be sleeping right now."

"It's an honor to do this for your kingdom," Leo scolded him.

"Not all of us are soldiers by choice," Capricorn snapped at her.

"Tell me about it," she muttered under her breath. Then she looked him in the eye. "Let's get going, Capricorn."

"Sure, where's the horse?" Capricorn asked her, still in a tired haze.

"Right out front. I have enough supplies. I will be up front," Leo told him. "Come, we have a long journey ahead of us."

Capricorn groaned and followed her outside. He was getting sick of this girl bossing him around. Seriously, it was so annoying. Who does she think she is?

"Are you coming?" She asked sharply, causing Capricorn to look up.

"Yes. I'm right behind you," Capricorn replied, following behind her.

The duo arrived at the front of the castle. A horse waited with several things in pouches on the side of the saddle. Leo gestured for him to follow, and Capricorn complies. Leo easily swings onto the front of the horse, proceeding to help Capricorn up.

"Grab my waist," she instructed, craning her neck to look back at him.

"Excuse me?" Capricorn asked, taken aback.

"You heard me. Grab my waist," Leo firmly commanded. "Or fall and get a head injury. Either way, it won't affect me."

Capricorn thought for a moment. "Waist it is."

Leo nodded and turned her head back around. "That's what I thought."

The two rode for a bit, taking in the scenery as they left Commetes. Capricorn glanced awkwardly. What should he say to a girl he so easily offends? It's not his fault he has a big mouth. Well, it sort of was.

"So, Solis. That's an unusual last name," Capricorn said, mentally slapping himself. What a great way to make small talk.

"It's been passed down through my family for generations. It's a symbol of our honor," Leo explained, keeping her eyes on the road.

"It's also the name of the kingdom, though. Any idea why?" Capricorn asked. Immediately, he felt like it was a stupid question.

"My great-great-grandfather was a skilled swordsman. He was a great general who proved himself in many battles. One day, he met an archer whom he fell in love with, later marrying. Only a week after their honeymoon, the kingdom was attacked by a kingdom now long forgotten, aided by Flammae. My great-great-grandparents lead a large force to take them down, saving the king and queen of the time. To honor them, they renamed the kingdom after the family name," Leo explained. "And every Solis is expected to be as good as them."

"That's a lot to live up to," Capricorn replied, wide eyed.

"I shouldn't be the one living up to it," Leo said sharply.

"Spill the tea, sis," Capricorn said, holding onto her tighter as they reached a bump in the road.

"What?" Leo asked.

"My sister used to say it. It means to spill what happened," Capricorn said with a shrug. "It was a funny thing."

"Oh. Well, in that case, I'll spill the tea." Leo warily agreed. "The eldest Solis of each family is supposed to take on the legacy. My older brother, Leonardo, was supposed to, but he cracked under pressure. He ran away. I looked so much like him that I cut my hair, bound my breasts, and wore a cup to look like a guy and join the military. Solis or not, women aren't respected in it, especially not in swordsmanship department," Leo kept talking.

"It wasn't my burden to carry. Since Leonardo and I had the same nickname, I was able to pretend that I was him easily. Until a guy walked in as I was showering."

"Oh, no." Capricorn was really getting into the story.

"I was found out. I was reported, but I was doing so well, Scorpio's parents refused to get rid of me. I was promoted to general," Leo finished. "That's my story. What's yours?"

"I don't really have one," Capricorn shrugged. "I'm an open book."

"Everyone has a story," Leo countered. "How did you find your way to the military?"

"My older sister, Madeline, is sick. We're a pretty poor family, so we can't treat her. I needed a job to help out. The only thing available was this. So I've been working as a soldier and slowly making payments towards the cure," Capricorn explained.

"That's really sweet of you, Capricorn," Leo told him, flashing him a quick smile.

"Hey! Who are you and what are you doing in Flammae?" A man shouted. Capricorn looked around to see them surrounded.

"We have a message for the king!" Leo announced.

"Do you have money?" One kid asked, looking no older than fourteen.

"No. I advise you leave now," Leo said, her hand on her sword hilt. Capricorn hugged her tighter.

"What are you going to do?" The fourteen year old asked.

"Nothing you'll like," Leo assured him.

"You-you're just a girl," one kid yelled.

"She's a girl who could whip you're asses," Capricorn snarled. He flipped them off.

"I'd like to see you try without your weapon," the burliest boy asked.

"You want a fight? I'll give you a fight," Leo said, hopping off the horse.

Capricorn hugged the horse as to not fall off. "You're in for it now!"

"Says the guy who's cowering on his horse," snarled the burly boy.

"I would only get in her way. Without me, she'll whoop your added twenty times quicker," Capricorn claimed.

"Now, now, boys," a deeper voice said. "I think I'll be taking these two up to the palace."

"Thank you sir," Capricorn thanked him, sticking his tongue out at the boys.

"No need to thank me," the man said, with a friendly smile.

The two were brought up to the castle where the king was on his throne. King Cepheus looked down on the two with disdain. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I suppose you two are from Commetes? Or perhaps Solis?"

"Both, your majesty," Leo said, bowing to him. Capricorn followed her example.

"Interesting," he said sarcastically. "Do you have a declaration of war or something?"

"The opposite, your majesty," said Capricorn. "We have an offer of peace."

Cepheus raised an eyebrow. He leaned forward and said, "I'm intrigued. Keep talking."

"We have a proposition. The peace treaty is as follows: to ensure peace in all three kingdoms, we are offering Prince Pisces of Commetes' hand in marriage for Princess Libra of Flammae's hand in marriage," recited Capricorn.

"Really? A marriage proposal?" Cepheus leaned back in his chair. "I have one term."

"Which is?" Leo asked, a deadliness flashing in her eyes.

"I want one prisoner released. My general Sagittarius," Cepheus demanded. "If you can do that, then Pisces will have her hand."

"I'm sure we could arrange that." Leo said coldly. "We'll send a messenger with the official answer."

"Perfect," Cepheus said. "I'll tell Libra. Libra!" He called. "Libra, where are you?"

A small servant came out in a panic. "Sir! The princess.... she's gone!"

Twenty minutes earlier....

"Sagittarius has been captured, Libra!" Taurus told her in alarm. "We've gotta go!"

"We don't have the power to free him. I suppose you're right," Libra said, frowning. "We have to trust he'll meet up with us."

"Hurry, get on your peasant clothes and cloak," Taurus ushered her. "We've got to get going before the king notices we're gone."

Libra quickly changed into older ratted clothing and put on a dirty brown cloak to hide her face. She was quite sure she would be easily recognized. "I believe we must be going, then."

"We can go through the servants corridor," Taurus suggested. "It's just this way."

Taurus walked along the hallway as Libra followed warily. "How do you know all of this?"

Taurus pursed her lips and glanced around the corridor. "My mother's name is Corona Borealis."

"The seamstress, who makes many of my dresses. You're her daughter? I didn't know she had one," Libra said, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I was always hidden in these hallways, coming and going as I pleased. Your father always wished to marry my mother, but she repeatedly refused. He doesn't know I exist," Taurus explained. "Not as anyone but the soldier girl."

"Wow... that's something else," Libra said, unsure of how to react. The girl standing next to her could have been her sister.

Taurus and Libra crept along in silence, reaching the end of the passageway. Taurus put a finger to her lips to indicate silence. Libra nodded and started to step more cautiously. Taurus slowly opened the door, peering around it to make sure the coast was clear. Taurus nodded at Libra and signaled her to follow. The two tip-toed along, finally making it outside. A grin broke out on Libra's face as the two made a dash for the woods. A grin that was made too soon. Libra heard a yelp and turned around to see Taurus being apprehended.

"Help me!" Taurus cried, trying to break free.

Libra rushed to her side and tried kicking at the guards, who only grabbed her in return. Libra's eyes widened and she yelled, "I'm so sorry!"

Taurus reached her arm out to Libra in attempt to reach her. "Me too!"

The two were ripped apart by the guards, as they struggled to break free. They were both brought to the throne room to face a furious Cepheus.

"Libra! Why did you try to run?" He demanded, looking irate.

"I didn't want to be here anymore," she retorted.

"And you brought the soldier girl with you?" He roared.

"Yes, yes I did," Libra scoffed. "You want to watch the world burn."

"If the world is to burn, I will be the one to set it on fire."

"And if it doesn't burn?"

"Then it shall bow."

Libra's face went slack and looked at him with solemn eyes. Then, Taurus spoke up, "I will never bow to men like you."

Cepheus let out a hearty laugh. "There are no men like me."

"There will always be men like you," Taurus replied, standing up straighter.

Cepheus glared at her. "On a different note, Libra you will be wed."

"I'm sorry, Imma be what now?" Libra asked, looking pissed.

"You're going to marry Pisces," he clarified.

"No! I can't- I won't-" Libra yelled. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"In exchange for Sagittarius."

————————

Anyone notice the Avengers reference? Anyways, this is my weekly update. Gosh althetics is really busy and annoying. But I'm having fun so I guess that's cool. See you on the Flip side!