"You came, I honestly thought no one would."

"It took a lot of thinking about to be honest, but we can't have a revolution without revolutionaries can we?" As I re adjust to the light I see a small but awkward lop sided smile. "Plus, The Princess would have had my head if I hadn't come for you."

I was suddenly acutely aware of how exposed I am, the first time in about 36 hours I've brought myself to care for my vulnerability. This poor excuse of my outfit exposed every curve, lump and bump. My breasts lay naked, the material that once covered them now almost ripped to shreds. A soft cluck came from between my legs where a chicken had nested itself next to my knee. My arms ached with an ever present throb from the restraints on my wrists. I hung my head as his eyes scanned me in pity. That man had broken every part of me, I was bruised from head to toe and covered in bodily fluids, blood and sweat.

"If I'm being perfectly honest, you suited my old uniform better." He offered his sympathy in a witty line.

"Shut up, Ben." I managed, shaking my head slightly the rattling of the shackles that bound me restraining any further movement. "The key, should be by your feet. He left it there, in my view but something about these shackles, stop me...please. Just get me out of here" My head was battered and my vision faded.

"Don't worry, you'll be home soon."

"QUICK STEP LADIES, THOSE CAGEY BASTARDS HAVE JUST LAUNCHED A PROJECTILE" Hollered one of the Privates somehow managing to be louder than the battle around him. His comrades halted their defences momentarily to see a burning mass headed in towards Mourningwood Fort. One man by the name of Ben Finn noted that the "projectile" was at too great a height and steep an angle to be launched from the Graveyard to the back of the Fort. He also the noticed the almost bewildered stares, if that were even possible, of the Hollow Men as he aimed Flintlock Steel Rifle at before blowing their rattled bones to smithereens.

The heat emanating from the mass was enough for every man in the Fort to break out into a greater sweat, it also seemed to spook the Hollow Men. So much so they retreated back like they knew something the Soldiers didn't. Major Swift ordered everyone to the walls as the burning ball hurtled into the centre of the Fort, the shock wave rattling the stone walls. A cloud of steam filled the yard, and when it eventually raised into the atmosphere every man in the guard had some sort of weapon aimed at the landing point. They muttered amongst themselves quietly.

Swift parted his men and cleared his throat, they all stood to attention. "Private Jammy, if you would?" He asked, but Jammy knew it wasn't a gesture it was an order.

He quaked, "Why me sir?" His voice breaking in fear.

"Because you're a Jammy Git! And there is no way your dying tonight, mate." Jammy looked towards the voice, seeing his friend, Ben with a roguish smirk directed at him. "Ain't that right Swifty?"

"Shut up, Ben." Major Swift sighed at his Captain . "Now then, Private." The commanding officer urged in an almost delicate voice that the man wouldn't dare to disobey.

Private Jammy summoned all of his courage and took out his pistol, which wouldn't have done him much good, his shot was fluky at best. As he edged closer the more he felt the need to move away. The crash site couldn't be more than 10ft away but it seemed like an eternity to him. Hollow men he could deal with, he knew how to kill, in a manner of speaking. But something about the unknown frightened him.

"Hurry up you daft sod! We don't have all night, those bag of bones have retreated for now but when the realise nothing has happened they'll come back in force. Plus, me gruel's gettin' colder." Snapped one of his fellow Brigade members in agitation. Jammy turned his head back at his comrade with an apologetic look, but the man look just as jittery as he did.

Biting the metaphorical bullet Jammy briskly stepped into the steam, his gun rattled in his shaking hands. After peering for a long moment he called out.

"Oh my Avo."

"What is it, Jammy?" Various men called out, each one of them cocking back the hammer on their weapons.

When he didn't answer Major Swift asked impatiently. "Well boy, what's there?"

Jammy turned to the Commanding Officer and looked with a puzzled stare. "It's a girl, Sir."

Ben and Swift exchanged glances, a girl?

After embers fizzled out and the steam had entirely died away the first and second in command stepped up. Swift had ordered everyone bar four men to watch his back just in case Jammy had gone a bit do lally. But by jingo, he was right. A girl had fallen from the sky He's seen some strange things by the hand of magic; such as battling the un dead, not zombies mind you, for the past couple of months but this just took the gauntlet.

"What do you think Captain ?" Swift asked for Ben's opinion in the hope to break the awkward silence.

"I think she's my type, Sir." He offered, but never looking the Major's way, he was too captivated.

The girl that lay curled up in front of them was fast asleep, like hurtling through air on fire had not stirred her slumber even a little. She was as naked as the day she was born, Swift had noted ashes on her body, possibly the remnants of clothing? She had a short boyish hairstyle and and a chunky figure, something uncommon in Albion. Especially of recent. Pale, freckled skin, a small pursed mouth, button like nose and traces of acne like she wasn't long a woman.

"No Ben, I mean I think she is a Will User you idiot."

"Oh, I suppose that's good then?"

" More than that she doesn't have gauntlets, like mercenary scum we've had to deal with. She could be a hero."

It was the last word that caught the Captain 's attention, hero. Ben Finn before his military career was something of an Adventurer determined to explore the world and follow the footsteps of the Hero's of old. Especially the previous Queen. Whom apparently specialised a little more in Will than Skill, or Strength. Something he'd read up on vivaciously during his time at Brightwall.

"Well that's all very well and good Swifty, but she's not going to be very menacing without any clothing, I think to be honest if we showed up at the castle with her our Dear King would full out laugh." He frowned bitterly, recently they had become uncaring for their ruler, for obvious reasoning

Ignoring Ben's quip the Major kept his serious tone. "I'm leaving her under your care, find her some clothes, keep her safe until we can do anything about her. "He then brought his voice to little more than a whisper" I've heard word from the Castle that Walter has disappeared into the night. I suppose we shall be expecting to hear from him soon. Don't let her get the better of you, and for Avo's sake Ben, keep your lewd thoughts to yourself."

"I'm shocked you suggested such a thing Swifty." He gave a cheeky wink to his superior who sighed and with a bit of a struggle brought himself to his feet.

"Alright someone bring me a blanket!" Shouted out Ben to no one in particular. It was Jammy who came to his call with the rough military issue blanket. Ben put it over the girl and attempted to lift her, bloody hell she was heavy. As he eventually got to his feet with the help of Jammy he noticed something strange in the impact zone.

"Here, Jammy, you see that?"

"Aye."

"Pick it up for me will you."

The soldier looked wary. But did as his Commanding officer asked. Private Jammy reached into the crater, retracting his fingers when he touched the object the Captain had seen. He removed one of his many bandages that covered his body and wrapped it around his fingers. Quickly he grabbed for it again, but now it was entirely cool. Which perplexed Jammy entirely. He took it over to Ben Swift and handed it to him who had now placed the girl in a impromptu tent.

"What is it?" He queired, seeing the spark in the man's face.

"Something bloody impossible, Jammy. Something impossible." He said pawing at the circular tablet.