A/N: Hello, welcome back to The Trial! I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to update, I have been rather busy with another story. Anyway onto the chapter, my dear friends.

Chapter 23: The False General

Ardyn nodded and followed Dorian, excited to complete the long journey. He thought back to the wolves glaring at them from the forest. They had probably gone hungry one day because of him. He shook off the feelings of guilt. They had left it out in the open, any animal could have grabbed it. But, he had been the one who had taken it. Ardyn shook of the feelings of guilt. What's done is done, he thought. Dorian might not think that though. I wish I could change that.

Finally, the pair made it to the desert. Silently, they began the long journey across it. Ardyn looked around the area and saw lush, green undergrowth. "Hey, Dorian, I see a forest, I think," he said.

Dorian looked up, clearly surprised. She then shook her head. "You must have been hallucinating, I don't see any plant life around here. God forbid any animals live here." Just as she spoke, a tiny lizard ran past them, not even bothered by the heat. "This is always what happens whenever I hope something isn't here. Like that one time, I hoped there wouldn't be poor people down a dark ally. Sure enough, I was surrounded by angry homeless people calling me a fraud and a loser."

"They were angry because they felt like they had been wronged. Don't worry though, I know that you always try to find a way to help others. It's like with Altissia. We always could have tried to find a different city to save, but you saw it and knew that we needed to help those people. You're a wonder, Dorian, that's what makes you special," Ardyn said, bringing her in for a hug.

Dorian closed her eyes, a content look on her face. "Maybe we should try to find some shelter, it's starting to get dark."

Ardyn nodded and went to find a place where they could sleep. He looked around and finally spotted a small clearing fully exposed to the moonlight. Ardyn looked around for anything that could hurt them and didn't find anything. He sighed and saw a small shape under a beautiful moonstone. Curious, he lifted it up and saw a beautiful pink tulip. He picked it and smiled. Dorian will love this. I can ask her if she likes me then. Ardyn smiled at the thought. When he made it back to her, he saw that she had already settled beside a cactus.

"Hey, I found us a clearing," Ardyn whispered. Dorian nodded and stood up. They made the trek back to the clearing, the sun casting shadows on the sand as they walked. As the sun went down, they made it to the clearing. Dorian looked around and smiled. The moonstone in the center of the clearing was casting a beautiful glow in the area. "Hey, Dorian, I've been meaning to ask you something from the moment we entered that forest."

"Okay, spit it out," Dorian said playfully.

"Dorian, princess of Lucis, will you go out with me once this battle is over?" Ardyn asked, feeling hot in the face.

"I wish I could...but I can't," Dorian said.

"W - Why?" Ardyn asked, confused.

"I have a kingdom to lead, I can't take one second going out with the person that my people despise. Don't you understand? They think you killed my father. So I'm sorry, but I can't," Dorian said, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I - I understand," Ardyn said.

"Hello," a voice said. Both Ardyn and Dorian turned on the voice, their weapons out. "Oh, sorry, no need to bite, especially since you are out numbered. I am General Stark, general of the Imperial Army and you are under arrest."

Suddenly realizing what was happening, Dorian and Ardyn looked at each other in horror. Then, they were in cuffs and taken away, their beautiful clearing leaving sight. Suddenly, Ardyn noticed something, there was something off with this "general". He fell into step with Stark.

"You aren't actually a general of the Imperial Army are you?" Ardyn asked, Stark's eyes flashed with fear and he shushed him quickly.

"Yes, I am not a part of the Imperial Army, but these dumb Majitecs don't know that. I'm not even a general, I just heard about you saving Altissia so I decided to try to help you. I hope you would be willing to accept me," Stark said.

"Good, we accept your help. Let's hope this plan works," Ardyn said, falling back.

Or we'll all die. We can't hide this plan forever.

A/N: Dun dun dun! Stark is not a general! What a surprise! Anyway, he's going to be pretty important for the rest of this story, so get used to him. Have a good rest of your day/night. See you all later! Remember to review, favorite and follow.