Gem's Perspective-

"Where are you going?" Anthony asked as Gem swiftly walked past him.

"The dungeon. I need to pick up my journal and a friend."

Anthony sighed as he followed Gem out to the dark dungeon.

It was snowing and Gem wrapped her coat around her arms.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination.

When she made eye contact with Ortiz, he snarled.

"What're you doing here?"

Anthony got in front of Gem and grabbed his sword, "The King asked me to protect her. She is here to pick up her journal and speak to her friend."

Ortiz looked salty but nodded and led them in.

He unlocked Gem's abandoned cell, and she picked up her journal.

She then made her way to Oli's cell.

"I wish to speak to him privately and with him in his cell." She said.

Ortiz scoffed and said, "Oh yeah, how do I know you're not going to escape?"

"Because we will wait outside of this room." Anthony said.

Ortiz hesitated but unlocked Oli's cell and the two guys left to stand at the doorway.

Gem practically ran in and hugged Oli.

"Where have you been?" He asked, "You smell clean. Are you staying in the palace?"

Gem giggled, a tear running down her face, "I'm so sorry Oli. I got you in a worse mess than you were in."

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did! You had Tom, the nice guard, you could live out your days in the dungeon without being hurt. I promised you freedom and I gave you pain."

"I'm going to try and convince Everett to let you stay in the castle as well and then we can find my dragon. I heard two guards talking about her the other day. They're taking good care of her. I think Everett wants to ride her, but I know she won't let him."

"A dragon?!" Oli's eyes widened.

"Yep." Gem smiled, "Once you're in the castle and we get Trissa and Tom, we can find freedom."

After another minute of chatting, Ortiz and Anthony walked in.

"Times up." Ortiz snarled.

"What do you mean?" Gem asked.

"Times up." Ortiz repeated, looking even more threatening.

"Just do it." Oli whispered and Gem nodded.

She stepped out of his cell and watched as Ortiz locked him up.

Gem and Oli smiled and waved goodbye to each other and Gem and Anthony left.

As they walked through the plaza, the snowflakes pierced Gem's skin.

She didn't mind though.

She took a deep breath and smiled at the falling snow.

I remember me and fWhip loving this.

She stretched out her hands and started spinning around in the snow, thinking of her brother.

The way he would laugh and dance along with his sister in this weather.

"What are you doing?" Anthony hissed, looking around at the villagers who were pointing at her.

"Dancing." Gem said before collapsing onto the ground and smiling at the sky.

She closed her eyes and sighed, feeling the cold and fun memories surrounding her.

And that's when she heard it.

fWhip's laugh.

She shot up and looked around.

She shook her head and got up, dusting off the snow from her coat.

fWhip's not here. Anthony's not fWhip. No matter how similar they look and sound.

"Er- are you okay?" Anthony asked, genuinely looking concerned.

"Fine." Gem said, keeping her cloak close to her.

"Are you sure? You keep holding onto your cloak for dear life whenever you seem upset." Anthony tried to reach for her shoulder to help calm her down.

"I'm fine." Gem said sternly, moving away, "Come on. Let's get back. I'm getting cold."

"Well, I imagine, you were dancing around in the snow." Anthony said, smiling, but when Gem didn't return the smile, he looked uncomfortable as they walked back in silence.

-

Gem huddled up next to the fireplace in her room.

She had just showered and changed into a nightgown.

Her hair was tied in a braid, and she was drinking tea in front of the blazing fire.

Just then, there was a knock at her door.

"Yes?"

Anthony walked in.

"Er- do you have room for another?" He asked, smiling sheepishly.

Gem patted the floor next to her and Anthony sat down.

He wasn't in his armor anymore, but he still carried a sword.

"Just in case." He told her and Gem smiled before getting up.

She made him some tea and gave it to him.

"Thanks." He said and Gem nodded, sitting back down at her place next to the fire.

"So tell me your story." Gem said before taking a sip of tea.

Anthony lowered his cup, "My story?"

"How'd you get up here? Your parents were knights or something?"

Anthony shook his head, "No my parents were villagers. They knew some magic but not much. They passed away a couple of years ago."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I still think about them sometimes." He looked out the window at the howling snow, "They told me that they feared the new king wouldn't be as nice as King Wade was. They told me to be a knight, get on the new king's good side so then I won't be in trouble."

He chuckled lightly, "And they were right." He said in a shaky voice before cutting himself off by tears.

He started crying and after a moment of hesitation, Gem hugged him.

He hugged back, fully crying now.

"I still feel like I h-hear them. I just wish King E-Everett wasn't as m-mean. Everyone here h-hates him. And I'm s-sorry he won't let you g-go. I know King W-Wade would."

Gem nodded, and feeling like she could trust him said, "King Everett knows magic. I'm pretty sure he's going to attack my brother and family. The owls know what he looks like and can send him post. I'm pretty sure Everett's going to be threatening my brother now."

"I'm sorry." Anthony said, breaking apart from the hug.

Gem sighed and looked out the window, "I'm pretty sure they already sent a letter. Only time will tell."