In the end there was little to do but go on. J'onn's injury was a setback, but the return of Kara's curse was a ticking clock, and they had to make their best efforts to outrun it. And staying in the same place put them at risk of another attack from the dragon, something none of them had any desire to face. Though there was plenty of uncertainty surrounding the decision to continue to the North, it was the only decision that could be made.

M'gann was firm, however, on her declaration that they should stay where they were for the rest of that day, and after the chaotic events of the morning, no one really minded. Once M'gann had finished tending to J'onn's wound and reassured them all that, yes, he would be alright in a few days' time, Kara actually found herself enjoying the chance to rest. In no time at all they had a fire started, helping to offset some of the unusual chilliness that had been growing since they turned north. J'onn leaned against a boulder with his injured leg propped up, M'gann keeping a close eye on him as she set to work preparing a meal. After untacking the horses and letting them graze a little ways off from the campsite, Kara gathered up a handful of stones and drew a grid in the dirt for a makeshift game of checkers, challenging first Winn and then Alex (although Winn had to move Alex's pieces for her).

The day passed quietly and quickly. With the help of a map, Kara was able to determine that they would reach the border of the North Kingdom in two days. She pressed Alex and J'onn for any more information they might have on the Snow Queen, any small detail that might help to decrease the risk. But there wasn't much that they hadn't already told her; the North Kingdom had been all but isolated for years. She was as prepared to face Reign as anyone could be, although she still hoped that it would be Samantha they met when they reached their destination.

"Even once we get to the North Kingdom," she said as darkness was falling, "how do we know where to start looking for whoever this person is who knows about Princess Lena? It's not like we can search the entire kingdom."

"With any luck, we'll have help from Cat," Alex answered. "And if we don't, we'll just have to find some way to ask questions without raising anyone's suspicions."

"We'll find a way, Kara," J'onn assured her. "We always do."

They lapsed into silence after that. Since the attack from Lex, they had started taking turns to stand guard at night. Tonight it was Alex who stationed herself on a branch to watch for danger- she probably made a better sentinel than anyone else, Kara thought with a smile, since her frog form was too small to see in the dark. With Alex on guard, any possible invader wouldn't know they were being watched until it was too late. And it gave Alex something to do, something that made her feel like she was helping the group.

Kara burrowed down beneath her blanket, fishing the portrait of the Luthor princess from her pocket and holding it up to the last fading starlight. She had no idea what intrigued her so much about the missing princess, and she had no idea why finding Lena was so important according to Cat, but she couldn't deny that she felt a connection. Finding Lena, like embarking on the quest, was just something she had to do.

Now if only I had any idea how to do it.

By the time they reached the edge of the North Kingdom, it was hard to remember that the rest of the world was in the middle of a bright, cheerful summer. They hardly saw the sun, and the wind was so cold that it felt more like autumn. Not even the pine trees were left now, nothing but bare grey rock. Some of the mountains still had snow on the peaks.

"We've crossed the border," J'onn said on the second day. "We'll reach the capital city by nightfall. If we're going to find answers about Lena, I'd say we'll find them there."

"So what's our plan once we get there?" Alex asked. "If a pack of strangers shows up asking questions about a lost princess, it's bound to raise some eyebrows. We're going to have to be a little more delicate than that."

"The first thing to do is figure out which queen we're dealing with," M'gann put in. "Reign, or Samantha. From what I've heard, Samantha bears Kryptonia no ill will, so if she's in control right now we could just go right to the palace, explain who we are and enlist her help. That would be the easier option. But if we're dealing with Reign, that obviously wouldn't be safe."

"And like I promised," Kara said, "if Reign is in command when we reach the capital, we'll turn around."

But J'onn was shaking his head. "I won't hold you to that, Kara, not anymore. I had hoped the attack from the dragon in the dark might be an isolated incident. It's clear now that that isn't the case. Whoever cursed you is going to send that beast again, so there's no need to waste time looking for them. Until the dragon returns, we'll focus on finding this mysterious Luthor princess."

"Well, I would hope so."

Winn and M'gann startled, but by now Kara knew that voice, and her face lit up. "Cat! You're here! But what about the Midsummer's Day rule?"

"That rule only applies to idiot mortals who have no business seeking fairies out," the fairy said, swooping down to hover gracefully in front of the horses. "My own mortal godchildren are quite another story. And even if it wasn't, do you really think some ancient edict on a dust-covered scroll somewhere is going to stop me from doing anything I want? Because if you think that, you don't know me very well."

"I suppose your presence means we're at another critical crossroads," J'onn said.

"No, actually, it means that I don't want to see any of you get yourselves killed, which is the likely result of walking straight into Reign's kingdom with you injured, Sir Knight."

Kara drew in a sharp breath. "So Reign is in charge right now."

"She's not, but she will be before the week is out. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't realize that yourself. Does summer usually look like this?" Cat swept an arm out to indicate the barren landscape.

"I was afraid of that," J'onn said. "Well, if this Luthor princess is as important as you say she is, I assume you have some sort of idea how we can find her safely."

"Of course I do. Your timing is impeccable, actually. It's Princess Ruby's birthday, and her mother's planned quite a celebration. She's finally opening her kingdom back up, and she's doing it in style. Three nights' worth of royal balls, starting the day after tomorrow, with every noble from here to Metropolis in attendance. And if there's someone who knows where your missing Luthor is, they would more than likely be among the nobles. It's a golden opportunity."

"So you want us to go to the party," Kara said.

"Oh, no. No, no, no. That would be disastrous. Kryptonia isn't one of the kingdoms that Samantha's opened up to. And a good thing too, with Reign simmering so close under the surface. No, Kara. You'd do well to stay as far from the palace as possible. No one must know that you, any of you, hail from Kryptonia."

Kara's brow furrowed. "But if we can't go to the palace, how are we supposed to find the person who knows where to find Lena?"

"Well, it wouldn't take all of you to find them. All you really need to do is have one person infiltrate the party, someone who wouldn't be recognized. It'd be a simple enough matter to ask questions about Lena after that, under the guise of court gossip. "Have you heard about the Lost Princess, oh, really, what have you heard-" that type of thing. It would hardly even raise an eyebrow."

"Normally I'd suggest Alex for that," Kara said. "But that wouldn't work, for obvious reasons. J'onn's hurt, and I can't risk being recognized-"

"M'gann can't risk that, either," Cat interrupted. "Someone might remember her from her high-society days." She crossed her arms over her chest, an impish smile playing over her face. "Well, that just leaves one, doesn't it?"

Almost in unison, they all turned to look at the person she meant. For a moment Winn just stood there, clearly confused, and then he seemed to realize what Cat was suggesting. His face paled. "Me? Oh, no. No. Absolutely not."

"I second that," Alex said. But Cat waved a hand in dismissal.

"Oh, come now. All you have to do is act like you belong there, have a good time and work in a question or two here and there. It's hardly even dangerous!"

"Except for the part where you want me to sneak into the palace of a woman who could transform into a magical tyrant at any moment!"

"Cat's right, Winn," J'onn added. "You're the only one of us who wouldn't be recognized."

"I won't be recognized because I'm a commoner! Which means I'll never even make it into the palace anyway!"

"Nonsense. I'm an all-powerful fairy. Disguising you will be as simple as picking daisies. No one will even guess that you're not royalty."

Cat may have intended the words to be reassuring, but Winn's eyes went wide. "You want me to impersonate royalty? Do you have any idea what could happen if I'm caught?"

"So don't get caught," Cat said with a shrug, as if the answer were obvious.

Winn stared at her in open-mouthed horror for a moment. "No. No. No, you're crazy. I can't..." Suddenly he turned to Kara, eyes pleading. "Please, Kara, tell them this is insane. I can't do this! You know I can't!"

"Actually, Winn," Kara said, trying to hold back a smile at his obvious panic, "I think you're the only person who can do this."

"What? You're supposed to be on my side!"

Alex rolled her eyes. "Alright, look. Kara's right, you're the only person who can do this. So I'll go with you. I can hide in a corner or something, where no one will notice me, and I'll keep an eye on you from there. It's not like I'll be able to do much if things do go downhill, but if it makes you feel better, so be it."

Winn nodded vigorously, obviously missing the hint of sarcasm in Alex's voice, but he still didn't look entirely at ease with the idea. "Are you sure there's no other way?" he asked, putting his hands behind his head in the way he did when he was nervous.

"Well, we won't force you into anything," J'onn said, "but right now I really don't see any other option."

"Come on, Winn," Kara encouraged. "Cat and Alex will make sure nothing goes wrong. It might even be fun!"

Winn bit his lip, then nodded. "It doesn't look like I really have a choice, does it?"

"We do have another problem, though," M'gann spoke up. "Winn, even if Cat can make you look the part, you don't exactly...act it. No offense intended, but I've been around plenty of royals in my time, and you don't really have that way about you."

"Mmm, she's right about that," Cat said, looking Winn up and down with a critical gaze. "Well, it's a good thing the first of the balls doesn't start until the day after tomorrow."

"Why is that a good thing?" Kara asked. Cat glanced back at her, eyes twinkling.

"Because, if Winn's going to masquerade as a prince, that gives the rest of you a day to teach him how to be one."

A silence fell over the group as they took in the fairy's statement. It was Alex who broke that silence, with a long, exaggerated sigh.

"I have a very strong feeling," she said, "that we are all going to profoundly regret this."