A/n: Okay, back to where we were. I'm sorry this took so long to post. I had a major case of writer's block, but I think it's cured now. Anyway, review!

Chapter Fifteen

There I was, wallowing in self-pity, when I felt something sharp prod my back. "Not so fast," a deep voice rumbled. "Where do you think you're going?"

In one swift motion, I pulled my sword from my belt, spun around, and knocked the sword out the hands of my follower. "Show yourself," I said, examining the face shrouded in shadow; I was unable to make out any distinguishing feature.

"Nora," a familiar voice said, "it's just me."

Sam stepped out from the shadow, his face contorted into a perplexed frown. He was no longer in his nightclothes, but dressed and suited up like he was ready to go somewhere. He was looking at me strangely, like he knew something was going on.

I picked up his sword and handed it to him. "Oh, Sam," I replied. "I thought you were a bandit or something."

He shook his head. "I thought the same of you. What are you doing sneaking around at night?" he asked.

"Oh…" I murmured. "I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd go for a walk."

"With your horse?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I, um… thought he could use some air," I explained.

Sam laughed. "Nice try, Nora," he replied, sitting down. "Sit. Tell me what's really going on."

I gave him an earnest look. "Nothing is going on," I said innocently.

"Nora…" Sam whined. "I think I know you better than that."

I sat down and put my chin on my knees, drawing my legs up and wrapping my arms around them. Sam was looking at me, genuinely concerned. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to tell Sam, but I also wanted to keep my guilt to myself. I didn't want him to think me a coward. Suddenly, I realized why I was worrying about. Why didn't I want? What was wrong with me?

"Okay," I said. "I was…running away."

Sam laughed. "I figured that," he replied. "Why were you running away, Nora?"

I sighed. "The Oderians. They're after me," I explained. "They chased me that night."

"So?" he asked.

"I endangered all of you!" I cried. "Your lives are at risk when you're around me!"

Sam shook his head. "So?" he asked again.

"So! I didn't want to imperil any of you anymore! I thought I'd leave, so all of you would be safe."

"Nora," Sam said sincerely, "we are all aware of the fact that being with you puts us in danger."

"You are?" I asked.

"Yes!" Sam replied. "But we don't care. We've signed on to this, we've got a reason to support you. Is it a dangerous mission? Yes, of course it is. But sometimes, the benefits outweigh the negatives. We've just got to have faith that the Lady is on our side, which she is, and that the tables aren't turned against us."

I gave Sam a wary look. "Are you just saying that?" I asked. "Do you want something?"

Sam gave me a wicked smile, and suddenly pounced on top of me. "Well, Nora…" he said seductively.

"Come off it, Sam!" I cried, pushing him off me.

Sam rolled over and looked me straight in the eye. "Okay, but seriously," he replied. "I don't think any of us regret being here, Nora. You've no reason to feel like you have to run away to protect us. We know the decision we're making by being here with you."

I smiled. "Thank you Sam," I said.

He nodded. "Any time," he replied. "Now aren't you tired? Come on, primrose, let's get to your bedroll."

The next morning, we all awoke at dawn and prepared ourselves for the day, silently. There wasn't much to say. Today we were going to get to Frell, and it was already on everyone's mind. Ophelia stirred the fire and starting making breakfast. Everyone moved to sit down around the fire as she dolled out crude porridge.

"Porridge?" Tom whined. "Again?"

"Quit your moaning," Jocelyn snapped.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" Chaz replied. "I'm sick of this mush too."

"Mush!" Sidney yelled. "Ophelia works hard to make this stuff!"

"Come on, everyone, stop," Mac said calmly.

"Shut up!" Sidney shot back.

"Watch it, Sidney," Tom replied warily. "That's my best friend."

Sidney stood up. "Come again, Tom?" he spat.

Tom stood up and drew his sword. "That's my best friend."

"Stop it!" Sam cried. "All of you, stop!"

Everyone threw innocent looks at Sam. He frowned. "Listen, all of you-"

"No, Sam," I interrupted. "Let it be."

We all looked down and ate our porridge in silence. It was good, but I had to agree with Tom. I was sick of porridge. After we'd all finished eating, we started to clean up camp and get ourselves ready for the day. Ophelia and Jocelyn had grown tired of wearing breeches, so I was the only girl still dressed as a boy.

"Nora," Sam said, "don't you think you should wear a dress today?"

I shook my head. "Nope," I replied.

"But you'll be seeing your parents," he explained. "Don't you want to look like a lady?"

I shook my head again. "I'd rather get the job done, looking less glamorous, then mess up but look good," I replied.

Sam grinned. "That's the primrose, for you," he said, walking towards his horse.

Everyone saddled up and kind of looked around awkwardly. "Do we have a plan?" Ophelia asked in a small voice.

"I've got one," Chaz said.

"Since when?" Tom replied.

"Ummm…" Chaz stammered, "since now."

"Well?" I asked. "What is it?"

Chaz shrugged. "We should ride into Frell as fast as we can, and go straight to the castle, and get to your parents immediately," he explained.

Sam snorted. "I figured that went without saying, Chaz," he replied.

"Me too," Mac said. "Nice try, pal."

Chaz laughed. "I know," he replied. "I just made that up."

We all had a good laugh.

"Planning is futile," Ophelia whispered, her eyes closed. "Chaos is inevitable. Your worst fear must come true."

"What?" I cried.

She snapped her eyes open. "The Lady," she replied. "She thinks it's pointless to have a plan, because-"

"We heard you, love," Sam said. "What does it mean?"

I closed my eyes. "I know what it means," I replied. "The worst fear is that I'll be captured, I'd assume?"

Everyone nodded. "That's not going to happen, Nora," Jocelyn said. "We're not going to let that happen."

I glanced around at everyone's resolute faces, and sighed. I couldn't let anything happen to them. But if I got captured, our original plan goes to pieces. If it was unavoidable that I'd be caught…couldn't we just plan around that?

"Wait," I said. "I'm getting an idea."

"Oh, no," Tom said.

"Shut up," Jocelyn replied. "Tell us, Nora."

"The Lady says its inevitable that I'd be captured, right?" I explained. "Even though it's terrifying, it's the truth. You can't deny the Lady. But, what if we planned around me getting captured? What if we had it all laid out, so everyone knows what to do the moment they see me get taken?"

Sidney shook his head. "No, no," he said, rubbing his forehead. "That's too dangerous."

"No, Sidney…I think Nora's right," Ophelia replied. "After all, she's really the only one they want, right?"

"Right!" I cried.

"And if they get her, but all of us do everything in our power to save her…" Ophelia explained.

"Exactly," I replied. "Exactly."

Sam grinned again. "Primrose," he said, "you are a genius."

"I'm getting a headache," Sidney complained.

"What are we waiting for?" Mac cried. "Let's start planning."

A/n: Oh boy!! Cliff hanger! Review!