"I'm ready now for what's coming. I've seen it now with my eyes closed and I know how this ends.

I'm unsteady, but I won't quit running. No, I'll never let you go.

It's the final hour and I feel my heart racing. I feel my body bracing for that final blow. Lord knows the glory I've been chasing. It's stripped me of everything so there was no worry, no fear, but it would never vanquish the fire that burns in my heart.

But now it might be the end."

Clem walked up the spiral staircase and came to a door at the top. She thrust open the wooden door and walked into the Captain's quarters. She walked up to a wardrobe and pulled the doors open. She stared up at what hung on the wall, something she rarely ever wore unless dealing with formal or ceremonial matters.

Pulling it down, she wrapped a cloak of dark blue velvet around her shoulders with a silver trim around its edges. The black outline of a shield draped across her back, with two swords crossing each other at the blade, set in the middle.

Clem looked back at herself in the cheval mirror that stood in the corner of her room. She pulled her sword from her side and watched the blade shine in the reflection, now cleared of the slick red substance that was the marking of her efforts to defend the kingdom. She looked over at a picture that lay on the desk, her hardened demeanor faltering for a minute as she gazed over the faces contained in the photo. She closed her eyes in a moment of silence as she let thoughts shuffle through her mind. Waves of emotion washed over her as she thought about everything that led her here and what the possible outcome of her actions could bring.

But once she regained her sight, she was stripped of those feelings and stared back at her reflection with a vengeance. "My heart, for Katolis."

Sunlight showed through the entrance of the castle's front doorway and the Captain of the guard walked out into the courtyard. Her cape ruffled by her movements with every step she took, swaying back and forth behind her. The guards at the entranceway soluting her as she walked past, but her face remained expressionless as she kept her gaze outward toward the horizon. As if she were to say that they were beneath her and barely acknowledge their presence.

She walked with a purpose as she made her way towards a small group of people gathered towards the center of the courtyard. And anyone daring enough to get in her way would be considered a fool. But eyes remained on her, for it was not every day that one saw the Captain in her truest form. For the cape that hung from her shoulders was the ultimate thing that truly separated her from any ordinary knight and raised her status to that of Captain of the Royal Guard.

She halted in front of one of her guards and he nodded at her. "General?"

Clem didn't even look at him as she adjusted the gauntlet around her wrist. "Bring me, Thunder."

The knight's eyes widened at her request and he stumbled over his words when he replied. "I-uh, Y-yes, of course. R-right away, General." He whistled to two other bystanders telling them to come with him and left without another word.

Clem struck her sword into the cobblestones beneath her feet with force, causing the ground to chip away some, so her weapon stood upright when she let it go. Then with her free hand, she readjusted her other gauntlet on her left arm. She watched as two horses were brought over, both white in appearance making the blue and gray armor they were wearing pop with color against their sleek coats.

Her elite guard stood not too far away, along with some of her top commanders in the force and she addressed them. "I'm taking two Royals with me..." Which is what she referred the members of the queen's personal guard as. "...and one of you will be put in charge while I'm gone."

David seemed put off by this though and he went to protest, never being able to hold his opinions to himself. "You're leaving? But General, you can't leave when you're needed here. The kingdom no longer has a leader to look to."

Clem didn't acknowledge his replies, however. He didn't know about the promise she had made. "Nothing is going to stop me from doing what is most important, and that is getting the queen back. I won't ask that anyone should come with me, so it's volunteer only."

She looked to her group and was pleased when she saw Louis step forward. "Me and Sophie will gladly accompany you on this journey, Captain." They both bowed to her.

She smiled and nodded at him. "I wouldn't have it any other way." And both Louis and Sophie climbed up into the saddles of their horses.

That's when the sound of shouting reached her ears and a harsh neigh from a horse. She looked across the courtyard to the direction of the stables where the same three men were seen trying to wrestle a large black mustang into submission. The horse neighed loudly and stood up on its hind legs, pulling the reins from the knight's hands. The three men crowded around it trying to regain control of the lively stallion, but the crowded space only made him lash out more as he stood back up on his back legs and gave another harsh whinny, flailing his front legs in the air.

Clem rolled her eyes at her knight's feeble attempts to calm the large creature. She brought a hand to her mouth and gave a sharp whistle.

At the sound, the horse landed back on all four feet, calming instantly. Its eyes landed on the Captain and it slowly walked up to her, the sound of its hooves tapping against the stone pavement.

Clem reached out her hand and the horse brought it's muzzle up to her hand and she stroked his face gently. "Easy, Thunder." She talked to the horse as if he were a person. "Ready? Where going to get Violet back." She whispered as she patted his neck. The horse shaking its head in what could be considered a nod in agreement.

"That's the Captain's horse alright." Came a mumbled voice as they whispered to their comrades. Clem barely catching it.

"What was that?" She shot a look towards the three men who had previously gone to fetch her horse.

"Uh...nothing, Captain." He quickly went to cover for himself, falling into silence at a quick glare from his commanding officer.

Clem sent him a look, that said she wasn't pleased by his remark. "That's what I thought." She pried her sword from the earth and returned it to its place at her side. Then she brought a foot up, placing it into the stirrup, and in one swift motion swung herself into the saddle of the large stallion.

It'd been a while since she'd been placed in the saddle, for guarding the castle and the queen was her main priority. So she didn't really get to go anywhere unless escorting the queen somewhere, a mission that seemed to present itself far less than she liked. For riding reminded her of one of her first memories with the young queen, back when they were still just kids.

"You're really good at that." The young blonde said to the girl next to her. "I don't think I've ever seen him so calm."

"Thanks," Clem said from next to her as she leaned over the railing to stroke the muzzle of a large black horse. "What's his name?"

The princess of Katolis stared up at the muscular animal trying to remember what she had heard from earlier. "I think some guards called him Thunder."

"Thunder?"

The blonde nodded in confirmation. "Because he's so big, when he runs it sounds like the rumble of thunder." She explained. "He was a wild horse before he was brought here, but all the knights are afraid of him. He won't let anyone get close to him, let alone touch him. You're the first person he's never shown aggression towards."

Clem smiled at the blonde but caught her curious gaze. "You want to pet him?"

But the question seemed to startle the older girl. "I-I don't think he'll let me." But it only got Clem to smile more.

"You just need to remember that horses have feelings too. Just be gentle. Here..." Clem held out her hand for the other girl to take. Violet was hesitant to do so, but let Clem take her hand and guide her closer towards the muzzle of the black, beast. Thunder stomped his foot in a fidgety manner and Clem felt Violet's hand tense under her own, wanting to pull away. "It's okay. I'm right here, he's not going to hurt you." Clem kept one hand on Thunder's neck to keep him calm as she brought Violet's hand up to stroke his face.

Violet let out a soft gasp as her hand made contact with the sleek coat of the mustang, but Clem felt her relax when Thunder accepted her touch. "See he's not so scary. He's just misunderstood. Isn't that right, Thunder?" Clem asked the horse, to which he seemed to shake his head in agreement and got the brunette to giggle.

Violet looked at the interaction between the horse and the girl in amazement. "Do you know how to ride?" She asked as she gave Thunder's nose one last pet.

Clem nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. My Uncle owns a farm and he raises horses to sell. He taught me to ride and how to care for them." She turned her attention away from Thunder and to the princess. "Have you ever ridden a horse?"

Violet nodded. "Yeah, my brother showed me how. He's a knight, and the Captain of the Royal Guard."

"That's cool," Clem replied. "It must be awesome to live in a castle like this."

But she watched as Violet's face fell at her remark. "Not really. I never get to go anywhere and my parents are always telling me what to do and how to act. Being the princess of Katolis is no fun." She pouted. "I think your job is cool. You get to train to be a knight one day. I wanted to become one just like my brother, but my parents won't let me. They always go on a rant about how I'm going to be the ruler of Katolis one day, but I don't want to be queen. It's no fun." Violet folded her arms in disappointment as she stared at the stone pattern on the ground.

Clem nodded in understanding. "I never wanted to be a knight either, but my decision was kind of made for me." Her gaze drifted to the ground sadly. "After my parents died, this was the role I was thrust into."

Violet sent her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make a great knight one day."

Clem smiled at her comforting words. "Thanks. And I'm sure you'll be an amazing queen someday too."

Violet felt heat rush to her cheeks at the brunette's compliment. "T-thanks, I-uh..."

But someone calling her name snapped her out of it. "Violet! Let's go, you have work to do if you're ever going to be queen of Katolis one day." Her father said strictly.

Violet turned to Clem. Her gaze drifting to the ground sadly, not wanting to leave the brunette. "I-I'm sorry, I have to go. Bye." She sent Clem an apologetic look before running to catch up with the king.

Clem stopped petting Thunder and watched the young princess leave. Her eyes not drifting from the girl until she walked up the steps and into the castle where she was out of sight. But even then, her gaze remained until she felt a gentle nudge against her shoulder from the horse behind her. She smiled and went back to stroking the velvety softness of his nose. "I think she'll be a great queen. And I'll be a great knight just like she said." Clem told him. "I'll protect her no matter what. You and me both...Thunder."

Clem gave Thunder another pat on the neck. No one else had tamed such a spirited horse. He was eight hundred pounds of pure muscle, with the heart of a mustang. His obsidian coat appeared glossy in the morning sun, giving him a shine that appealed to his look. But it also fell cause for the feeling of intimidation as he wore the metal coloring of Katolis. He may live under the captivity of the kingdom, but he was still wild at heart and paid no mind to listen to anyone besides her. Though she figured Thunder had a soft spot for the queen just like her. For Violet was about the only one besides Clem that he actually allowed to have any sort of contact with, without lashing out.

David still seemed agitated at her departure, however. "With all due respect General, you can not just leave the kingdom defenseless. The queen has disappeared and that means that the role of leadership is turned to you." He got down on one knee and bowed to her. "Let me go. I will rescue the queen, and you can stay to rule."

However noble his intentions claimed to be, she didn't trust David. She may have trained under his guidance, but she knew he envied her for surpassing him in both skill and rank. "No, it must be me who goes. For I...have Sworn to The Sword in my promise to bring back the queen of Katolis."

If it wouldn't have been such a serious promise, she probably would have found the expression across his face amusing. For David appeared utterly baffled by her claim, but he regained his composure seconds later. "Very well, then I shall hold down the fort until your arrival."

"That won't be necessary, Commander." She told him before nudging her horse forward and turning him slightly to face her Royals. She pointed at someone and gestured them forward with her hand. "Step forward Commander. While I'm gone I'll be leaving Agar in charge. She will be acting Captain in my place until we return." Clem pulled a letter from her saddlebag and presented it to her knight.

David was shocked by her choice of action, but it quickly turned to outrage. And while he bit back his tongue to a point, he still let his anger show. "So that's how it's going to be? I outrank everyone in our troops! I'm the most experienced knight in our forces!"

Clem looked at him unamused. "I don't doubt that Commander." She told him honestly, but her face grew hard and serious. "But I don't trust you, David. There is more to leading than ruling with an iron fist. Your skilled, David. There's no doubt about that, but you run on discipline and a short temper. Something I will not leave the subjects of Katolis in the hands of."

He went red in the face from rage at his flaws being pointed out. Only seeming to prove the Captain's points further as each minute passed. "It seems to me that you seek a higher status compared to your fellow knights, and that is not what we stand for. I doubt your true intentions as a knight of Katolis." She folded her arms in disproval. "Tell me, Commander, where do your true loyalties lie? Because if you cannot accept the decisions of myself and others included, your title is worthless. And you dishonor that of a knight's role."

David gestured at himself. "You doubt my intentions?! What about you General? Are you're intentions as true as you say they are? Because from where I stand it seems there's more than meets the eye. You swore to the sword to bring back the queen, for the kingdom of Katolis! But do you really do it in honor of the queen, or because you see her as something more?"

All eyes in the courtyard turned to her at David's outburst Gossip traveled fast, and that was twice someone had called her out for her true interest in finding the queen. She was enraged at David's accusation. He had stepped out of line on multiple occasions, for his way of thinking brought him to believe that he was better than everyone else. She had always let it slide to a point, but she would not stand for it this time. She had half a mind to sentence him to the same fate as Marlon, but killing two people in one day for the same outburst would not do well for her image. The more blood she wore on her hands would only prove the point she was trying to dismiss.

Clem glared at him, a look she wore when she was out to kill, but her sword remained sheathed. Thunder could sense her mood, however, and stamped his hoof against the ground in irritation. "My intentions have remained the same from day one. I am a servant of Katolis. A servant! And my loyalties would run deep whether I hold the title of Captain or not! I would sacrifice everything in the name of Katolis, something it seems you cannot do!" She looked to the symbol that lay against his shoulder and pointed at him. "You dishonor that mark and everything it stands for! You are lucky that you do not suffer the same fate as Marlon, least I strip you of your title!"

David glared at her, his anger past the point of boiling over. He had lost the battle and it infuriated him that he had been shown up at the hands of someone younger than half his age. He stormed off, pulling his sword from his scabbard and striking it into the ground. Then pulling his helmet off and throwing it to the ground as well.

Clem continued to glare at him as she watched him walk off, until he could no longer be seen. Then her gaze shifted to that of her knight she had previously given the title of acting Captain too. She gestured with her head in the direction of an open space where no one resided. "Walk with me."

She clicked her tongue getting Thunder to move forward slowly, allowing her knight to keep pace on foot. She stopped a few yards away, where they could talk without anyone intervening. "I have no doubt in the choice I have made with giving you this assignment. I've seen your work, I know you're capable, and I know that Katolis is lucky to have someone as skilled and honorable as you."

"I will do my best to uphold that, Captain." She said and bowed her head to the General. "But what about David, does he know that..."

Clem lifted a hand to silence her, cutting her off. And her face grew serious as her next words left her mouth. "Do not trust David. It may be a month from now, it may be a year, but he will stab you in the back."

She nodded in confirmation. "I'll be careful. Though with all due respect, Captain Agar isn't very subtle."

Clem gave a slight chuckle at her words. She pulled the reins and turned Thunder around to face back in the direction that they had come from. She spoke with a smile as she addressed her knight for the last time. "I'd embrace your title soldier. After all, it's not every day you get to take the place of the Captain." And she sent a wink in her direction.

Her newfound Captain cleared her throat, slightly put off by her General's rare show of humor. "Ahem, true. Fair point."

Clem nodded one last time to her before her expression changed back to her serious form. She gave a loud sharp whistle, grabbing the attention of Louis and Sophie. "Let's move out!" She pulled on the reins and Thunder gave an excited neigh as he reared back slightly, before lunging forward and taking off at a run. Louis and Sophie following her lead. Hooves thundered over stones as the three of them passed under the archway of the gate, the last glimpse of them before they disappeared in the far off distance.

The air was cool and crisp, with a thin mist covering the elevated land. The sun no longer helping to warm the chilled air, for the fog blocked its immense rays making the sky above a bright gray color. As if the clouds above were filled with dread, but hope still shinned behind their gloomy attributes.

A puff of air could now be visible with each light breath from the queen of Katolis as they continued their journey up the side of the mountain. Despite having her hands bound with rope and being escorted into the highlands of the mountains by an assassin, Violet remained quite calm. For some reason, she did not fear her kidnapper or the possible outcome of death.

She wasn't sure how long they had been walking, but she was surprised by the distance they had already cleared. She didn't mention it, but she looked quizzically at the red-haired assassin as if trying to understand her motive for doing this. There was a reason she was still alive. Delta had not been so merciful with the leaders of Richmond and McCarroll. To send an assassin and not have her throat slit by the end of the day, meant that there was more than what meets the eye.

"You know that you don't have to do this. Lilly may be the queen of Delta, but that doesn't make her automatically right in her motives." Violet told her kidnapper.

Minerva held a straight face, but Violet could pick up the hint of amusement in her voice. "Queen Lilly has her reasons for things. I assure you her motives are clear. She has made a commitment to protect her people. Delta is strong, but the queen has taken it upon herself to make it stronger."

"Meaning you need me to achieve something," Violet replied knowingly. "You storm my castle, send your knights on a suicide mission, but do not take my life. You seek to use me, but whatever you hope to accomplish I will not partake in." Violet stated sternly.

Minerva turned to face her, a smirk forming upon her face. "Ya know, you're a smart one, princess. A much more formidable opponent than the last royals we took down." She said as she ran her hands across the queen's shoulders.

Violet was not amused by her tone, however, and kept a straight face not giving into her teasing. She pulled away from the girl's lingering hands. "First off, it's queen." To which Violet received an eye roll for. "Secondly, power is not always driven by strength. Lilly says she is doing what's best for her kingdom, but a king of fools wears a heavy crown. And ultimately it is too late when they find that they almost drowned."

Minerva rolled her eyes again. "Whatever you say, princess." But then she smirked as she pulled a crooked dagger from the sheath at her side. She walked up to the blonde and poised the side of the blade at her throat, but she did not get the reaction she was hoping for as Violet's unamused stare did not falter. "You are correct in saying that queen Lilly has motives in your capture rather than in your downfall. But you still serve your purpose whether you wish to participate or not. As long as you remain alive, you are of use to us."

Violet felt perplexed by her words. If she wasn't meant to do anything or meant to offer anything up, but to simply keep breathing, what could Delta have use for in her capture? "How so?"

The assassin smirked at her and she tossed her blade in the air catching it once more in her hand. "Isn't it obvious? I thought you were the smart one." She took her dagger and stabbed it into the side of a tree that stood nearby, so it remained lodged into the bark. She leaned up against the tree with her arms folded as she stared at the young queen. "At the last summit of the Pentarchy, I thought you made it quite obvious where your true loyalties lie. It was obvious to Lilly what was going on."

Violet watched as Minerva walked around her, as if the young assassin had to keep herself busy as she talked and was not able to sit still for more than a minute. "You are not as innocent as you seem." She pulled her dagger from the tree once more and walked back up to her prisoner. She lifted Violet's chin with the end of her knife. "You've committed high treason against your people. For you...have fallen in love with your own knight."

Violet's eyes widened and for the first time on this journey, her heart started to pound in her chest. What Minerva spoke of was the truth, but she would not admit that to the girl. She regained her composure quite quickly and hoped that Minnie had not noticed the underlying fear that had made itself present. She jerked her head away from the knife's blade and continued to glare at the redhead.

But Minerva only shrugged her shoulders while resheathing her blade. "I don't blame you. If it had been me, I probably would have fallen for her as well. But Lilly is willing to overlook that, with how skilled your knight is."

Violet's head snapped up at Minerva's words. Things were finally falling into place and she understood what the Delta was after. Minerva smirked at her prisoner's realization and she leaned in close to Violet's face, her voice just above a whisper. "It's not you that Lilly wants, it's your Captain."

Dread filled Violet at the redhead's words. Lilly wanted Clem to fight in her war, and she was being used to draw her out. She wished that she could say that their troubles were in vain, but Violet knew that if Clementine was still alive she would no doubt come after her. There was a sliver of hope that she could have sent out a group to come and rescue her, but to believe in that would mean lying to herself. Clem not only took her job seriously but with the hidden reminisce of her feelings for the blonde being added to that, there was no denying that her knight would be the one to try and rescue her.

Minerva seemed pleased with herself at finally getting the blonde to feel some kind of fear. "Better get comfortable princess, we might be here for a while. After all, we can't let them get too far behind."

She pushed Violet down, so she was now sitting on the ground with her back against a tree. Violet glared at her as the assassin walked off a little ways away, but it didn't last long, for feelings of dread and worry now clouded her mind. Thoughts of Clementine ran through her head, and it pained her to know that her knight was charging right into a trap. Why did she have to go and fall for the Captain of her guard when she knew it was dangerous? It made her think back to when she had first realized her newfound feelings for the brunette.

Violet leaned up against the railing of the high balcony, very uninterested in today's activity or lesson if you will. It seemed that the older she got the more boring these "lessons" seemed to get. And at age fifteen, this one in particular was not only boring but completely against her interests as a person.

The sun was slowly reaching the horizon in the west and it set light against the bricks of the castle's walls that made it glow like the color of honey. It was beautiful to see the deep orange set behind the hills and turn the land to gold...that is if you overlooked the sea of people that stood below. Royals and Nobel men walked through the gates and up to the palace doors, each stopping to bow and waving up to the queen and princess of Katolis. They were here to discuss royal matters with her father, the king.

Violet hated greeting new people, but it was expected of her as the future queen of the kingdom. It wasn't as bad when she had been younger, but now at fifteen she always dreaded the conversation that came with it. Another lesson that came with being the heir to the throne. And she despised the words that fell from her mother's mouth. "You know Violet, I think it's about time you started thinking about the future of our kingdom."

The young blonde rolled her eyes at her words. "Really, how so?" Came her sarcastic reply, as if everything she already did wasn't preparing for the future. But her attention was suddenly pulled to something happening across the long courtyard to the space where the knight's usually trained. Her mind barely listening to what the queen had to say.

"One day you will be the queen of Katolis, but a queen also needs a king. You're old enough now, that you should start considering who you ought to marry." The queen told her as she continued to wave at the nobles lingering below.

Violet scrunched up her face in disgust at the thought. King? She didn't have a problem with the people of Katolis, but she did when they were being pushed into marrying her. But she didn't dwell on the thought long, as her focus returned back to the courtyard. Her mother not realizing her drifting gaze from the nobles to the training grounds as a yell was heard.

"Again! Keep your sword poised and ready for incoming attacks!" She heard David, one of their commanding officers, yell. She watched him circle a sparring match between two of his knights. One, in particular, catching her eye. A brunette she knew, who was training to become a knight in their forces. She felt herself smiling as she watched the two duel. Clementine's sword never leaving her opponent an opening to strike.

"You could marry a prince or even a noble boy. It is of the utmost importance for it will help to strengthen the kingdom. And it is your honor to uphold as future queen." Her mother lectured on. But Violet's attention was not there as she nodded. "Mhm...yeah..." She straightened her back standing up from her slouched position against the railing to get a better view of the fight below.

For a moment she saw Clem's gaze turn and the knight in training caught her stare. The sudden distraction making her unaware of the approaching sword. Violet felt her heart hammer in her chest in worry for the younger girl, but at the last second, she watched as Clem sidestepped and blocked the incoming attack. She forced her opponent's sword down and with a swift motion came in for another hit then swung her blade up forcing the steel weapon from the other knight's hand. The sword fell to the ground with a clatter and Clem kicked her attacker down, who was now defenseless, and pointed the edge of her sword at their throat.

Violet saw two guards who stood watch, pass gold coins to one another, clearly betting on who would win. Nick losing his money to Luke, with a scowl on his face. Violet couldn't help but chuckle at the interaction as she tried to hide a laugh with a hand.

"What's so funny dear?" Her mother asked, still not taking her eyes away from the crowd.

Violet cleared her throat at being heard. "Uh...nothing." She quickly covered up.

But her attention was turned back when she heard the sound of David's loud voice again. "Alright, that's enough for today! That's ten in a row for Clementine. We'll continue again in the morning. Your dismissed soldier!"

David and the other knights departed, but Clem lingered for a moment more as she once again caught the blonde's gaze. She turned and placing an arm over her chest, bowed to the princess with a smile across her face. Then giving a slight wave, she turned to leave.

Violet felt her face become hot and butterflies fluttered around in her stomach at the brunette's gesture. But she couldn't escape the smile that she wore as she watched the young knight leave. Maybe ruling wouldn't be so bad after all.

Their treck had slowed now that they had reached the base of the mountain. The terrain being much rougher than the rounded hills that surrounded Castle Violet, since thick forests coated the lower half of the mountain base in trees. The sky had also crept into overcast, as if the clouds had sensed the change in the atmosphere and the graying skies reflected their mood as they rode farther from home.

Clem raised up a hand telling the two behind her to come to a halt as she pulled Thunder's reins to get him to stop. She slid from the saddle and walked a few paces to the left as she searched the ground. A patch of black stood out from the greenery around her. She walked over and knelt down next to a small gathering of charred wood. The remaining pieces consisting of black charcoal and gray ash.

She raised her hand over the dead fire but felt no heat rise from the ashes. She dipped her fingers in the graying flaky material that had settled at the bottom, leaving black smears across her fingers when she rubbed them together. It was barely warm to the touch.

"What'd you find?" Louis asked from behind her.

Clem stood back up and dusted off the rest of the ash from her fingertips. "It's a signal fire." She stated plainly as she walked back over and climbed back onto Thunder. "That's why the fight had ended so suddenly. It was a sign to retreat. probably when they had kidnapped the queen."

"Come one, we need to keep moving." She nudged Thunder forward, past the fire.

"Where are you going?" Louis asked from behind her. "The trail is that way. Just look at the tracks from their horses." He pointed at the path they had previously been traveling on that was littered with the indentations of horseshoes leading up the slope.

Clem almost wanted to chuckle at his misunderstanding. "Exactly, there expecting us to follow them. But the soldiers will not have the queen." She pointed across the slope to the other set of mountains residing from the west. "The raiders came in the windows from the west. They had split into two groups. One to rush the front, and another to flank us from the side, therefor so did their assassins. They would have met back here and then split from the path. The soldiers will be waiting for us, but we will not be there to greet them." She pointed to a narrower path leading upwards. "We're going this way."

She clicked her tongue and pushed Thunder forward. Louis and Sophie not disagreeing with her logic as they followed her up the rocky path.

It was tough navigating at first, without a well-worn trail to follow. The horses having trouble gripping the slope, forcing them to proceed slowly and with caution. But the walkway soon opened up and grass lead underfoot once more. Though they still traveled at walking speed keeping an eye out for hidden danger or any signs of people in the area.

They rode on in silence, with the only noise being the sound of the horse's hooves against the ground and the soft gusts of wind that would blow through the pine trees. But as they continued onward, Clem could pick up the whispered chatter of the two behind her and soon she felt lingering eyes burning a hole in the back of her head. She gave an annoyed sigh giving in and pulled her horse to a halt turning him so she could face the two "Alright, out with it."

Louis and Sophie stared at her for a second. They seemed shy to ask what was on their minds, possibly worried that they might receive the blunt end of a blade if they spoke up. But Louis found his voice, even if it came out unsure of himself. "Uh...are you...?"

Clem raised a brow at his lack of clarification. Louis wasn't one to normally be quiet. "Yeah?"

"I-it's just the queen..." He fiddled with the reins in his hands.

Clem sent him a questioning look, not liking his choice of words. "What about her?"

Louis looked towards the ground, not sure how to answer without possibly angering the Captain. "Um...are you...uh...together?" Louis winced as the words came out, not knowing if that was something okay to say. He had been told he'd be executed if he revealed what he'd seen.

But Clem seemed unsure of her answer. She had shown more aggression lately whenever confronted with this question and it was not doing well for her image. After all these years, no one had ever questioned her motives. Now in just one day, she had been asked three times about her true relations with the queen of Katolis. And it was making her start to question herself.

Her and Violet had both known the risks of having a forbidden relationship. It was considered high treason for her to have any sort of romantic relations with the queen. A law set in place so a knight would not put their feelings for someone above all else. She was meant to defend the kingdom of Katolis and the queen, but was not to let her feelings for Violet get in the way of that.

Clem had been taught how to bury emotions, but the love she felt towards Violet was not something she could simply push aside. Her love for the blonde was something her heart could not deny. Whenever she had asked the queen about the fear of getting caught, Violet had always reassured her that she would have the rule removed. Though it would be looked down upon in the other kingdoms, Violet had no problem with letting the rule slide. Breaking tradition was something she was known for.

Clem sighed and shook her head. "My mission is to rescue the queen and that's what we're going to do."

Louis and Sophie both glanced at each other before the redhead spoke up. "But you love her... don't y..."

Clem cut her off sharply, her hardened demeanor returning. "We're done having this conversation." She slid herself from her Thunder's back and dropped to the ground, then gave him a pat on the neck as she took hold of his bridle. Something to keep herself busy to avoid answering her knight's questions.

But Sophie wasn't about to give up, for Clem wasn't just their Captain, but also a friend. "Clem, it's okay if you have feelings for her. We understa..."

"I said we're done with it! That's an order!" Clem snapped at her, cutting Sophie off. She pulled the reins over Thunder's head so she could lead him. "Were stopping here for the night. You can build a fire, but keep it small. We don't want anyone to know we're here." She said without looking at them then she walked a few yards away.

Louis and Sophie slid from their own saddles but sent each other saddened looks. It was clear that the situation troubled the brunette, but they didn't care if she had feelings towards their queen. Especially if Violet clearly reciprocated those feelings. After all, she was the queen and what she said goes.

But the two knights respected their Captain's commands and their small group remained quiet as they set up a makeshift camp. And in half an hour the sun had quickly set behind the mountains and it left them in the glowing light of a small fire. The wood giving off small crackles every now and then as the flames lapped up the fuel it had been given to burn. Clem watched the wispy smoke trail rise into the sky along with flittering sparks before they were put out and brushed away with the gentle blow of air.

Sophie and Louis had joined in a hushed conversation next to the fire. But Clem felt useless sitting idly. So she rose to her feet and walked over to where they had tied up the horses. Thunder saw her approach and gave a whicker of a greeting. She smiled and gave him a pat on the neck. Then she moved to the saddlebags at his side and pulled out a journal along with her letter she had left for Violet. Closing her bag she walked back to the fire and sat with her back against the trunk of a tree.

She opened the journal's pages to where she had last left it, a pencil resided in the crease. Thoughts of Violet swirled around in her mind, feelings that she couldn't tell anyone, feelings she couldn't explain. So she grabbed the pencil and pressed the charcoaled end to the pages.

"Forgive me for my weakness, for I don't know why but without you it's hard to survive. For you are the one who gets me through it all and I would risk everything to keep you safe here with me. You are the one who made me a better person. But you were the one who was born to lead.

As a knight, it is my role to protect, as is for you to lead. But with you gone, I feel like I have lost my sense of purpose. My arms where your castle and my heart was your sky. For I was always there for you when you needed me most. And it was you who made me strive to be better than I already was every day. Whether they were good or bad days, we helped each other get through them all.

You make me rise when I fall..."

Clem sighed as she looked down at the written words across her page. Even her thoughts didn't sound right, like even she herself doubted her true intentions. It was as if she had forgotten how to function properly without Violet in the picture. And she hated having so many feelings of uncertainty.

She placed the pencil back in the book and closed it shut with a dull thud. Setting it next to her she looked at the letter that lay at her side. She picked up the scrolls of parchment and ran her hand across the broken seal. Unscrolling the letter she skimmed over the words, her words that she had written for the queen. Words she had feared would be her last. But now it was Violet's words that she feared she would never hear again.

Her heart battled with her mind. It'd been less than a day that she'd gone without the queen and she felt as if she was already falling apart. But she'd been through the struggles before. Countless nights pacing the small confines of her chambers, or silent walks around the castle's halls patroling for danger. Things she'd do tirelessly to suffice the worries she had over the queen's safety and well-being.

She went to roll her message back up when her finger caught the edge of the paper and she felt the sheet turn into two. She pulled the edge away to reveal another page of the letter and her eyes widened with interest. The sheets had been stuck together, meaning Violet hadn't read her entire message. She stared down at the second page the words at the top catching her eye.

"In this letter, I will share with you a lie, a wish, and a secret."