The next morning, everyone was woken up by birds. That wasn't normal. Birds rarely ever came into this part of the woods. Kanan got out of the bed and peered out the window. She saw birds around. They all seemed to be gathered in one spot. Kanan walked into the main room of the house to find that Leah and Ruby were already awake.

"Be careful. Birds never come out here." Kanan warned them.

"They don't?" Leah and Ruby shared confused glances.

"The magic of this place tends to drive them away." Kanan explained.

A knock sounded on the door. The three of them froze. No one should be outside. Yō jumped up from where she was laying on the couch and stalked closer to the door. She was ready to attack whoever was outside if she needed to.

Kanan hesitantly opened up the door. Outside stood someone that Kanan didn't know. There were birds on her shoulders. Kanan realized she was the reason the birds were here.

"Um… can I help you?" Kanan asked.

The girl said nothing. Her face was covered by a hood. Kanan couldn't make out anything about her. The girl suddenly pointed at her. A bird squawked and flew into Kanan's face. Kanan let out a yelp as she tried to shoo the bird off of her.

The girl walked inside while Kanan was occupied. She grabbed Leah by the arm and tugged her out the door. Leah sighed and followed her. Ruby watched them with concern. She ran after them with Yō following behind.

The bird attacking Kanan flew away. Kanan looked out and noticed that both Ruby and Leah were gone. Kanan looked out of the door and saw footprints and paw prints. She ran off after them.

Kanan neared them at a pond. She snuck closer. Ruby and Leah were sitting with the mysterious girl. Yō was also sitting there with her. She was protectively sitting between Ruby and the girl.

"Why can't I stay? They aren't bad." Leah complained to the girl.

"Do you realize who they are?" The girl asked.

"They're really nice people! They saved me when I was taken hostage. They helped onee-chan and Riko get away from dad too." Ruby defended.

"They use magic."

"Only one of them does." Yō stated.

"You use magic too. What does it matter?" Leah complained.

"They are exiled for magic. You shouldn't be around them." The girl stated.

"She was never exiled for magic." Kanan stated as she stepped into view.

"Oh really? Then why is she hiding out here?" The girl challenged.

"Because she was accused of a crime she didn't commit." Kanan stated, "She was imprisoned for it and was helped out of jail. She can't show herself or else they'll turn her in."

"Is this the witch from the Diamond kingdom we're talking about?"

"Yes." Kanan nodded.

"Alright. I guess maybe you guys aren't so bad." The girl sighed, "But we are leaving now, Leah."

"No! I don't want to!" Leah protested.

"This is not up for debate. We are going home."

"But, nee-sama!"

"No buts. We are leaving."

"Wait. You're Sarah?"

The girl sighed and pulled down her hood, "Fine… Yes, that's me."

"You use magic? Isn't that, like, illegal?" Yō questioned.

"Yeah. There's a reason I hide my face." Sarah nodded.

"What type of magic do you specialize in?" Kanan asked.

"Nature stuff…" Sarah replied.

"That's really cool!" Yō jumped up, "I've seen some magic of it before. It's amazing!"

"You think so? It's such a bland magic compared to the other types…" Sarah was surprised.

"I have to say, nature magic is the most beautiful. It also is actually a lot more deadly than people think it could be." Kanan said.

"I shouldn't have magic to begin with…" Sarah sighed.

"How did you get magic?" Ruby asked.

Sarah shrugged, "No one is really sure what happened. They believe that someone cursed a gift my family received for my birth and… the curse was for me."

"Do you think you could've just been born with it?" Yō asked.

"There's no way. We did a check. There's no magic in either sides' bloodline." Sarah stated.

"That's strange…"

"Leah, why do you want to stay with them?" Sarah asked.

"I want to help them." Leah stated.

"They have two kingdoms after them right now." Sarah reminded her.

"Can't you call your kingdom's army off?" Kanan asked.

"I could, with a reason. What reason is there?"

"They're working against your beliefs." Leah stated.

"How so?" Sarah questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Could you guys explain it?" Leah asked Kanan and Yō.

"Basically, Dia and Riko are fugitives. They will be killed if they are caught. Killed because, one, Riko apparently isn't allowed to be a date of Dia's, and two, Dia isn't a pure blooded princess." Kanan explained.

"So… you're telling me, Riko is being killed for who she loves? And… Dia, because she isn't pure?" Sarah asked.

Kanan nodded, "As much as the King tried to convince people he was okay with people dating the same gender, he really hates them. And, he doesn't want people to find out about Dia. Soon she'd be tested for magic and the likes for a marriage. Then it'd all come out. He doesn't want that."

"Well, Leah, I guess you're right. The army will be called off. I will not let this go. He promised the people and he better keep it." Sarah growled.

"So, what are we going to do about him?" Ruby asked, "Dad isn't going to just give in. If he does, he'll do it behind everyone's backs and lie. That's how it's always been."

"I think a war may be eminent between our kingdoms. It's already of the verge due to new trade deals." Sarah replied.

"Will you be fighting on our side or for your own ideals?" Yō asked.

"We'll fight on behalf of the citizens of their country. They have no voice. We'll give one to them." Sarah stated.

"I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Would you like to come and see them?" Kanan asked.

"Oh, they are with you?"

"Yep. We broke them out." Kanan nodded.

"I guess we should go and talk to them about this." Sarah said.

Kanan and Yō led the way back to the house. By the time they made it, everyone else was up. They were all worried about where those four had gotten to. It was a relief to see them okay.

Hanamaru tensed up at the sight of Sarah. She definitely wasn't keen on royalty from that kingdom. They were the first to pass laws restricting witches.

"I see we have Sarah now. What brings you here?" Dia asked.

"I came for my sister." Sarah replied.

"I see."

"So, things are going down in your kingdom, huh?" Sarah asked as she sat beside Dia on the couch.

"Unfortunately." Dia replied with a sigh.

"Well, I think I can get my kingdom's army to fight for you guys. They'll help." Sarah stated.

"You'll join the war?"

"Yep."

"You guys could come stay at the castle and aid us." Leah offered.

"You sure?" Kanan asked, glancing at Hanamaru.

"Yes. You'll be protected. No one will hurt you guys." Sarah promised.

"I'm a witch. I can't go." Hanamaru stated.

"You can. I promise you'll be kept safe." Sarah replied.

"I don't trust you." Hanamaru huffed.

"What can I do to get you to trust me?" Sarah asked.

"Show her your magic."

Everyone looked at Sarah. Some wore expressions of shock, while others wore expressions of awe. Sarah sighed and held out her hand. A green glow surrounded it and then a flower was formed out of nothing into her palm. Sarah held it out to Hanamaru.

"You…" Hanamaru was at a loss for words at what she had just witnessed.

"I'm not sure why, but yes, I can use magic." Sarah said.

Hanamaru took the flower from Sarah and examined it. It felt real. Sarah kept her gaze at the floor. She wasn't sure about how the others would react to her magic. It was illegal for royalty to have any connection to magic at all.

"Sarah, it's fine. None of us care."

"Yeah, join the misfits. We all are kinda strange in one way or another."

Sarah slowly looked around at everyone. They all didn't seem to care. They really didn't mind if she was able to use magic.

"I guess I can trust you." Hanamaru stated, "Just don't think I won't revoke it at any moment."

"Shall we prepare to head out?"

"Yes. Let's do that."

Everyone broke off to do their own things. Kanan and Hanamaru spoke to each other.

"What about Yohane? What if she can't follow us there?" Hanamaru worried.

"Why don't we just ask her?" Kanan suggested.

They went into Hanamaru's bedroom. Yohane appeared very faintly.

"Can you follow us out of this house? Or are you bound to a certain distance?" Kanan asked her.

Yohane nodded. She wasn't able to speak.

"So, you can follow us?" Hanamaru asked.

Yohane nodded to her. Hanamaru smiled. She was glad that they didn't have to leave Yohane here all alone. Yohane faded from sight shortly after.

"Let's pack what we need." Kanan said.

"Alright." Hanamaru agreed.

Soon enough, everyone was ready to set out. Sarah and Leah led the way back to their army. Sarah spoke to them and explained the situation. They all obliged to the new rules and prepared to depart. They all would be separated into different carriages for the journey. Sarah, Leah, Chika, Hanamaru, and Ruby were in one, while Kanan, Riko, Mari, Dia, and Yō were in the other. Dia didn't like that her and Ruby were separate, but she didn't complain.

Soon enough, they were off to the Snow kingdom.