Note: This will feature many Disney characters, as well as characters from Quest for Camelot and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.

Chapter One

Dearest Sister,
The war in Syracuse continues to rage on. In my last letter I wrote that I thought it would be coming to an end soon, but I'm afraid I was wrong. There shows no sign of it ending anytime soon. Most of us have been fighting so long we can't even remember why it started in the first place or what we're fighting for. Though a positive turn of events has occurred just a couple days ago when it was announced we have a new ally in the Southern Isles military- led by none other than Prince Hans Westergaard. There may be hope for us still. Yet, young boys and men are dying every day. Like your husband. I was so very sorry and heartbroken to hear he lost his life in this damn war. I wish I could be there for you right now. But, I know you'll stay strong. You've always been the strongest one of us; a trait I find myself admiring and longing for lately. Every time I watch someone die, I wonder how I'm going to survive another day.

There is some good news, though. The war is moving away from home- south to Corona. This may cause some relief for our country. Perhaps the next time I'm in Syracuse I will be coming home for good. I miss you, Kayley, and I can't wait to see you again.

I must go now. I don't know when my next letter will be, but please continue to write me. Your letters are the only joy I have now. In case something happens to me; good bye.

Your loving brother,
John Smith

Kayley folded her brother's letter and hugged it to her chest. He had been gone for two years now- since the beginning of the war- and she had had a smidgen of hope reading his last letter about the war possibly being almost over. However, learning the war is not only nowhere near ending, but he's going to be heading to the enemy country brings her heart even more sorrow.

Though, she did have some comfort knowing they were going to have an ally with the Southern Isles. Hans Westergaard was an incredible soldier and was well known throughout many countries. He has never lost a battle or war. Syracuse would certainly win this war with Corona; but there was still no guarantee John would be coming home. Kayley had always been strong, but right now she was feeling so completely helpless.

At only eighteen-years-old, Kayley was already a widow. She had married John's childhood friend, Abraham van Brunt (known to everyone as Brom Bones) two years ago, just before Brom and John left for the war. Kayley hadn't seen either of them since. A couple weeks ago, Kayley had received word that she would never see Brom again.

A knock on the door brought Kayley out of her trance. She stuck the letter in her pocket and straightened up her appearance before answering the door.

A well-dressed man Kayley had never seen before was standing on the other side. "Good evening, Madam van Brunt," he greeted.

Kayley fought back a wince. Ever since her husband had died, being addressed by his last name had cause a pain in her heart. They never had a chance to have a child and now his last name was all that was left of him. "Good evening, sir. May I help you?"

"Madam, it has been brought to our attention that your husband is deceased."

Kayley frowned. "Yes, that's correct. He died in the war."

The man cleared his throat. "By law, a woman cannot own any land-"

"I'm aware of the law."

"Then you know you must forfeit this land and house to his majesty the king and leave immediately."

Kayley took a step towards him. "This is my home; I'm not going anywhere."

"Madam van Brunt, if you refuse to leave then I will have you arrested."

"You can't do that!"

"I assure you, Madam; I can. I will return in the morning; if you're still here, you will be arrested on sight. Good evening." The man tilted his hat towards her, then turned on his heel and walked away.

Kayley watched him mount his horse and ride away before going back inside, slamming the door behind her.

"Bastard!" she hissed.

Kayley looked around the small house; it wasn't much, but it was the only home she had. Her father had died when she was a little girl and her mother died last winter after becoming ill. When John left for the war, the king took his house as well. Come tomorrow morning, Kayley would be out on the street and would have nowhere to go. She sat down on the bed and pulled John's letter out of her pocket.

No. She did have somewhere to go.

Kayley reached under her bed and pulled out the small wooden box she had been keeping John's letters in. She then gathered some clothes and all of the money she had and made her way out back to the stable. The only animal she now owned was a white horse. She strapped what little she was bringing with her to the horse's saddle, took one last look at her house, then mounted her horse and took off riding out of the village.

It had gotten dark by the time she was outside of the village. She was suddenly glad she had brought her husband's pistol with her, but she wished she had thought to bring a lantern.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Startled, Kayley pulled on the reins and brought her horse to an abrupt stop. Standing in front of her was a young man holding up a lantern. He was slender with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. An earring in his left ear caught the light from his lantern. He had a sword sheathed to his belt. Kayley eyed him suspiciously. He couldn't have been more than eighteen or nineteen.

"It's awfully late for you to be out riding alone," he said. He had a familiar accent that Kayley couldn't quite place, but she knew he wasn't from Syracuse.

He was right, though. Kayley had a long journey ahead of her and it was likely that she would run into some trouble riding alone.

"What is it that you want?" she asked him.

He unsheathed his sword. "Give me your money."

Kayley pulled out her pistol and pointed it at him. "I have a counter offer. Escort me to Corona and then I'll give you gold."

"Yeah. Right. I don't trust you."

"I don't trust you, either." She pulled a couple of coins out of her coin purse and held them out to him. "But, I'm not asking you to trust me."

He took one from her and examined it. "I can only take you as far as the border."

Kayley dropped the rest of the coins into his hand. "That'll do."

"Then, we have a deal."