(a/n: Ok, so I realize that maybe the girls' ages don't match up with the relationship and circumstances (read on), but these were the middle ages. It happened….)

Late that night, a sharp rap on the door brought all of the slaves to sharp wakefulness. Morin, a distant relative of mine, slept nearest the door. Quickly she got out of bed to receive the intruder. It was probably a messenger from the Gronigers. My experience proved correct when Thayer, Thar's redheaded servant, stalked into our small quarters.

I was never sure what to think of Thar. He had been away for most of my childhood, training for his lordship. For some reason, the Scanrans don't have knighthood training. They train for diplomacy and ruling at neighboring fiefs, and the title of Knight comes as a bonus. I've always wondered what they call people like Thar. Lord Thar of Groniger, Knight of the Red Lands. Honestly, the Red Lands? Just because the Red Army conquered Tortall, it's still so disrespectful. I guess Scanrans just have no tact or empathy.

"I'm here to get Alexa," Thayer quipped, looking down his snub nose at all of us. I suppose we looked like a meager lot, all covered in patchy rags and tattered blankets, still recovering from our shaky excuses of sleep.

"She's sleeping," Colin said coldly. None of us had ever approved of Thayer. Though he was Tortallan born and raised, he had switched alliances after his entire family was killed by the Red Flag.

Thayer sneered before marching defiantly over to Alexa's cot and shaking it roughly. Alexa growled something incoherent to him and kicked out. He hopped nimbly out of the way and waited for her to get out of bed.

"Follow me."

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It didn't take very much work on my part to figure out what this was about. Within minutes after Alexa's departure I had left through the service door and was stealing through the darkness, heading for the small patch of lights that made-up our village.

I had a hard time making out the house numbers in the dark, and by the time I found the right one, I was cursing quietly.

In no time at all Selene had answered my soft taps on their only window.

"Alexa!" She hissed, wrapping a shawl around her slight frame.

I shook my head. "No, it's Eliza. That's why I came…I need to talk to Sef."

A crease appeared in Selene's brow. She glanced quickly up and down the lane, checking to see if any guards were in sight. If one of them saw a villager or slave awake past curfew, it would mean a flogging. Silently she waved me into their small house.

Already Sef was waiting anxiously at his mother's side. He had only managed to put on his breeches in the dark, and was still fumbling to get his shirt untangled.

"'Liza?" He asked in his low voice. Unlike Selene, he never had trouble telling me and my twin apart. Probably because he was Alexa's steady flirt. "Something wrong?"

I nodded reluctantly and wished that my own flirt, Damian, was home. He had been away for several weeks with his brother on a mysterious errand. "Alexa…she might have a little problem. Okay…a big problem."

Without another word Sef grabbed my arm and steered me outside, his long strides carrying us quickly across the village. We stopped near a lantern, despite the risk, so I could tell him exactly what was afoot. In the flickering light supplied by the flame, I had a chance to examine him. I never tired of looking at Sef, or Damian in that case. Sef was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. His dark brown hair was cut relatively short, brushing just past his mid-ear, but stray locks often fell into his chocolate eyes. His only flaw was the scar adorning his cheekbone, left over from a raid on his house years before. Admittedly Damian was just as nice to look at, but at the moment I was absorbed in the way the light played over Sef's flat stomach. He had not yet been able to put on his shirt.

I think the reason that Sef and Alexa get on so well is that they balance each other out nicely. Alexa is very bold, and somewhat rash. Sef is considerate and responsible, but has a very quick temper if riled. I shrugged when he gave me a questioning glance; I'd been caught staring.

"So, what's wrong?" Despite his efforts, Sef couldn't hide the worried note in his voice.

"Alexa…" I drew a deep breath, trying to postpone the wound I was about to inflict on him. "…she's getting married."

Sef shook his head as if to clear it. For a moment I feared that he would fall over. Instinctively I reached out to steady him. He shook out of my hold.

"You're lying," he accused, talking mostly to himself.

"Not about this." I clenched my fists. After a moment's hesitation, I told him the idea that I had been mulling over all day. "Run away together. You have to."

Sef stared at me, gaping. I knew it wasn't because he didn't want to run away with my sister. No, he was shocked because Alexa was all I had. We were inseparable. And here I was, being selfless.

"Eliza…I…I couldn't do that to you," he murmured, fingering the scar on his cheek.

Suddenly I felt like chaining the two of them together and pushing them off a boat. Didn't he understand? "So you'd rather I have her marry someone she doesn't love--and, knowing the Gronigers, someone completely foul--than let her go away with the boy she loves?" I sighed in exasperation and grabbed him arm. "Come on!" Finally we were heading back towards the castle, back to my personal hell.

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We snuck quietly back in through the service door and into the slaves' quarters. Thankfully Sef stayed quiet, and the shushing was minimal.

"'Liza Girl?" Colin emerged from the shadows. "And--Sef? If you're caught--"

"We know, Colin," I said firmly. "But you know as well as I that Thar will probably betroth her to someone revolting. They have to go."

The older man shook his head in doubt. "It's too risky, Eliza."

Sef stepped forward. "Sir? I love Alexa. I may be only sixteen, but I think we can get away. To Galla, maybe. And then…well, I can't stand her getting married. I'd rather die."

Colin started to walk away, and I distinctly heard him say, "You run away, and you may well do just that…"

Unheeding my friend's words, I hid Sef in an empty cot. Because of the dark, no one would notice, anyway. It was only a short time until Alexa returned. She was strangely calm after her tantrum that morning.

All of our fellow slaves had been waiting up for her as well, despite Thayer's warning about curfew. They milled around her, asking who the man was. She simply shook her head and made straight towards me, and unknowingly, Sef.

"I won't do it," Alexa said shortly. "I'll run away first."

"Good," I agreed. She narrowed her eyes. Normally I'd be the one to tell her that she should keep her head down and do nothing rash.

"Yes, good," Sef agreed, sitting up. Alexa cried out in delight, throwing her arms around him. "We're going to go away, 'Lex. Never you worry."

I sighed, a burning sensation prickling at my eyes. Desperately I tried to keep from crying. "When will you two go, then?"

Alexa turned towards me, eyes bright even in the gloomy darkness. "They want to have a healer inspect me tomorrow, make sure I'll 'birth properly.'" She made a noise of distaste. "So, directly after that would be best, I think." A moment's pause. "I'm going to miss you, Eliza!" Presently she threw her arms around me.

"I'll be fine," I said awkwardly. "Maybe when Damian returns, we can join you two!"

Colin walked up to the three of us morosely. "So, who did he want to marry you off to? And breed, is it?"

Alexa turned toward him, not saying anything. Surprisingly, she blushed. Because of the dark no one could see it, but call it a twin's whim. I know she blushed.

After a long pause, she looked up. "You, Colin."

Well, none of us expected that. In truth, the idea of it was just wrong. Colin's almost like an older brother, or some kind of close relation like that. Apparently, we were all thinking along the same lines.

For a long time no one said anything. We just stared and thought our horrible thoughts. Colin's face was set in an expression that clearly said he was revolted, disgusted, upset, you name it. We all felt it.

"I'm going to miss you, Lex," Colin finally said thickly. "But you better run away as soon as you can. I mean it."

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We hid Sef in one of the gardens behind the castle. He could wait their until Alexa returned from her examination that morning, then they would be gone. I still couldn't believe it. Alexa, my other half, would be gone.

As the day's first ray of light filtered in through our grimy window, the healer's apprentice came for Alexa. She left the room with her head high and shoulders relaxed. If she felt any apprehension, it didn't show.

As usual, we were given our chores by Kara when the morning bell tolled. As usual, I was to scrub the floors outside of Hira and Groul's suite before fetching their breakfasts at the eight bell and tidying their rooms after they have risen for the day. Luckily, Hira's personal maid did the imperious lady's hair--I think I would faint if forced to touch that blond Scanran head.

I was just finishing the main hall leading to my masters' rooms when a messenger rushed past me, tipping my bucket of water on his way. I bit my tongue and held back a curse. This could be important. Rousing the Gronigers was not something taken lightly.

After the messenger was admitted into the suite that once belonged to my parents (Groul threatened him in Scanran first), the man accidentally left the two oak doors slightly ajar. I listened intently.

"…Young Alexa had her examination this morning. Healer Rena sent me right away to tell you."

"We will go ahead with the marriage," Hira said icily. The floorboards creaked as the messenger shifted his weight from one foot to another.

"The girl…she's with child."

My ears immediately started ringing with a deafening trill. I could barely head Groul slam his hammy fist down onto a table, and the sharp crack of wood that ensued.

"WHAT?!" Groul yelled. "These Tortallan wenches have no honor or morals!"

"I should go," the servant squeaked. He swept a low bow. "Your Graces…" I saw him back slowly out of the room. Paying no attention to me, he ran as soon as he was out of their sight.

"That's disgusting," Hira sneered. Silently I thought, You two should look at yourselves.

"Well, we can't waste that man…Colin, is it?…on a girl already serving her purpose," Groul mused. "Alexa can raise her bastard babe by herself. Perhaps her sister…?"

"Eliza?" Hira's shock was evident in her voice. "That child is much too shy. I doubt she would be of the remotest use. Beside, she knows nothing of children."

"You're wrong, wife. I hear them, sometimes. She's somewhat of a leader, quite bold. I also hear them talk of Alexa and her flirt. Sef Hollard, I believe his name is. I'm sure he's the boy ruining our slaves."

"Interesting. Then he must go. Have some of the guards dispense of him, I think. I'll ask Alexa about it when she comes to serve breakfast. Actually," he breath caught in her throat, "she's probably outside this door as we speak--"

But by the time she had stuck her pointy face out of the room, all she saw was a puddle of dirty water and an empty bucket. I was gone.