A little girl stands in the dank company of the Bowerstone sewers. As she looked around her stone surroundings, music started to play. The sound was achingly familiar. The girl followed the noise. It originated from a small pile of mud in the corner. She put her hands in the mud pulling out a small iron box. The sewers disappeared, a burning Bowerstone surrounded her. Oblivious to the flames and gunfire, she held the box and sang,

"Sleep my little children, brave;

Tomorrow you'll awake to better days.

Sleep my children, all my love;

Tomorrow you'll awake to a better dawn."

Beka shot up from her pillows, her back drenched in sweat. It was still pitch black outside. A whimper came from under the covers. She pulled the covers off, revealing Sparrow. Beka had found Sparrow as a pup. He enjoyed hanging around castle; Beka would sneak some bread or fruit from the kitchen for him. She decided to take him in as her pet shortly after her parents died. She gave him her father's famed nickname, Sparrow. He consoled her through her grief for her parents, and recently, for Logan. When Logan took the crown two years ago he was still the brother she remembered, only busier. He cared for the people, he cared for her. He was young and foolish, but he was a good-hearted leader. Last year he came back from a trip to Aurora changed. He rarely slept or ate; he barely ever talked to Beka. He started to make large budget cuts and raised taxes higher than they had ever been in Albion. He was distant and cold, Beka was worried he would never be the same again. She didn't think this was what her father wanted for Albion, or for Logan. Sparrow licking her fingers pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked down into Sparrows furry face.

"I'm ok, boy," She petted his head gently;" I'll be okay." Beka tossed and turned almost all night. As she began to fall asleep, the sun slowly rose in the gray morning. She was fast asleep when the sun settled full and bright in the sky.

-Jasper sighed as he opened the door to Beka's room. She was still asleep, just what he needed. He sighed and clapped his hands.

"Time to wake up sleepyhead," A loud groan ensued from the bed. Jasper walked over to the curtains.

"You're a young girl you should be up and about long before this hour," Jasper paused to open her curtains, "Shall I wake your sleeping partner," Pulling the covers off to reveal panting, grinning, Sparrow. He barked and leapt out of bed, to sit in front of Jasper. He reluctantly petted Sparrow.

"I laid your clothes out by your dresser; Master Elliot wishes to see in the gardens, I'm sure you're excited to see your young friend. Have good day madam." He turned to Sparrow, "Alright you have a good day too, you silly dog." When Jasper reached the door he turned around and said,

"Oh I'd stay clear of your brother he's rumored to be in an ill temper today."

"Thanks Jasper," Beka got out of bed and began to dress after Jasper left. She internally thanked Jasper for leaving out trousers. She wanted to go into the city later that day. After she was finished dressing she looked in the mirror. Jasper had laid out her favorite pair of trousers they where a dark blue, and they matched her cream blouse. All along the sleeves and neckline was the light blue embroidery. Both brought out her blue eyes. She then turned to her hair; the dark brown haystack on top of her head did not look promising. She brushed it quickly. After trying to have it lay somewhat straight, she gave up and tied it back with a piece of leather. She pulled on her boots and hurried out the door towards the gardens. As she walked to the gardens the palace staff all seemed to be whispering amongst themselves, although most greeted Beka with smiles. The entire palace was talking. Beka rolled her eyes, it didn't take much to send them gossiping like magpies. Still they seemed more nervous than usual. I wonder what happened, most aren't this jumpy. Sparrow's barking dragged her out of her thoughts. Elliot was sitting on a bench near the pair. Sparrow ran over to him almost running into the bench. He put his paws up on Elliot's knee.

"Ahh the strong defender," He looked up, "And the lovely princess." Beka ran up and hugged him.

"I thought you'd never get up," She shot him a questioning look. He was being very odd today. He kept playing with his hair or straightening his clothes; he looked nervous.

"There's a rumor going around that your brother had a factory worker executed," Shock was clear on her face.

"That, that's not something my brother would do. I know he's been odd lately but-" Elliot took her hand.

"There just rumors, only rumors. The staff is a little uneasy; if you could talk to them that would really help. They're in the kitchen." Elliot and Beka walked slowly to the kitchen it was at the far end of the castle. Beka had no idea what to say. She remembered an old saying her father had, "Be caring and reasonable and most of all be brief." She smiled to herself her father was not an orator or politician he was a fighter. He grew up in a gypsy camp; he knew nothing of etiquette, the court, yet they made him king. Her mother greatly helped him. She had been a friend and a guide. By the time the reached the kitchen, most of the heads of staff had assembled. Beka took a deep breath. She looked in the corner, there was Sir Walter. Never fails. Always here when I make a fool out of myself. He gave her a smile and a thumbs up. She just shook her head. She turned to the heads of staff.

"I know you've all had some tough times lately, and I know my brother has been a preoccupied to notice. But I ask you to ignore any wild rumors you hear. I know it's not much but I will talk to my brother about improving conditions for you and your families outside the castle." The staff all smiled and thanked her. Walter walked over to Beka and Elliot.

"You call that a royal speech! You didn't scream, you didn't threaten and you were far too reasonable. It was bloody marvelous! Anyways I came to tell you to meet me in the training room as soon as you can." He threw a wink in her direction before departing. Beka aimed a kick for Walters shin. Unfortunately Walter dodged her kick. She almost fell over. It took a moment for her to regain her balance. Beka quickly hugged Elliot and followed Walter up the stairs. When she caught up to him, he gave her a concerned look.

"I'm afraid the rumors you have been hearing are true. Things are getting worse in Albion daily. Your brother can't continue to ignore the people." He shook his head. He started talking to himself. Beka ignored it until they reached the training room.

"Walter," He visibly snapped out of his thoughts.

"Yes, of course grab a training sword." He continued as she grabbed a sword from the rack on the wall. "I don't want today's fight to be just sparring. I want you to really fight me." Beka took a deep breath. Walter had taught her every since she could remember. She had never been able to match him in skill with the sword. I am not going to win this fight. She assumed her ready stance, feet apart, sword back, head up.

"Begin." Walter immediately lunged forward, she quickly jumped to the side and blocked with her sword. Beka swung her sword up and around to strike at his mid-section. He parried her block and struck her thigh with the flat side of the blade. It didn't injure her but it would definitely leave a bruise.

"Watch my torso it will give away where I will strike before my arms do."
She nodded. They continued sparring. Walter was a difficult opponent, but he was getting tired faster than she was. Towards the end he said,

"Strike me as hard as you can. Don't hold back anything. Strike!"

She took a deep breath, pulled her sword up and back to slash across his body. She struck hard and fast her muscles groaning at the effort. The clang of the swords was deafening. She looked up into Walters shocked face. She panicked. Had she hurt him? Had she completely missed?

"You only went and broke he showed her the hilt of the sword with the blade cut off only inches above. Beka beamed she had no idea anyone could do that even her. Walter looked elated. He was obviously pleased. At that moment Elliot burst through the door.

"Walter, Beka come quick there's some sort of demonstration outside the castle!" Walter and Beka immediately followed. When they got to the courtyard, they saw numerous people standing outside all holding signs and yelling. Walter groaned,

"Balls! I was afraid they would o something like this. Don't they know what Logan is capable of?" The three of them all looked at each other and then at the mob. They all knew no matter what this was not going to end well. Walter turned to the others,

"I'm going to try to talk some sense into Logan." Walter ran up the steps to the war room. Elliot grabbed Beka's arm.

"C'mon lets follow him, find out what's happening." Beka nodded in agreement. They ran up the stairs quietly after Walter. They peeped through the keyholes once they reached the war room. Beka could see and hear her brother.

"Shoot to kill start with the ring leaders, if necessary kill the rest." Walter yelled, "You can't do that!" Beka gasped as Logan kicked Walter.

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do." Beka turned to Elliot

"We have to stop this." Beka burst in to the war room, surprising Walter and Logan. Logan rolled his eyes.

"The war room is no place for a child, get out."

"I can't let you kill all those people." Logan chuckled

"So you're the king now, you want to make the decisions fine." He motioned for the guards to seize Elliot.

"Choose, I kill the boy or I kill the leaders of the angry mob. You want to be king, you choose." Beka stared at him.

"What!"

"Choose!" Elliot looked at Beka. He took a deep breath and said,

"Choose me, you can't let those people die choose me." She panicked she looked from Elliot to Logan. How could Logan do this to her she was his sister.

"I'm growing impatient choose, or they all die." She closed her eyes. She tried to speak but her voice cracked.

"Elliot," She whispered, "I choose Elliot." The soldiers dragged him out of the room.

"Never forget what he's done," he yelled to her. She ran up towards Logan, and screamed, "I will never forgive you for this!"

"Good than you will never cross me again." He smirked. Beka stormed out of the room.