Katherine

The first rays of light rise above the trees in the distance. The horses and the men come in hundreds led by a man in his early thirties, straight blonde hair pulled into a tail, a full dark blonde beard, green eyes that pin me, wearing a leather body armour with intricate designs over his battle garments.

I must say it is a sight, almost like the coming of a saviour. I take some steps forward to let Lord Lyme know who I am, in spite of being dressed in men clothes. He stops his horse, dismounts it and hands the reins to a guard. As he walks toward me, I look him over like a prey, trying to find anything that will give away his weakness.

"I hope I am not to early, Your Highness," Lord Lyme says. "I like to start the day before the first rays of light light up the sky."

"Lord Lyme," I nod.

He studies me as I speak. His expression is neutral. He doesn't give anything away, and suddenly I am the prey. My hand goes for the hilt of my sword.

"I find your camp a bit too small for someone who is fighting a war with Saldrian," He comments, his eyes wandering around the wild fields. "I arrived at the right moment."

"You did. Shall we go to the tent for a more private conversation?"

"As you wish, Your Highness," He says, and then his eyes move to something behind me. "Commander Odair, how long as it been? Five, six years?"

"Five." I glance at the sour expression on Finnick's face.

"Times does fly by."

Lord Lyme places a hand on my upper back and pushes me towards the camp. We enter the tent alone.

"You may sit, if you want."

"I prefer to stand." Lord Lyme says, taking a glance around the space. "Let's not make this more awkward than it is. I am not here to make friends with you. I do not care for your sympathy. I do not care for what you mean to the others out there. I am simply here, because I must honor the alliance between my kingdom and Baluster. However, you are not from Baluster."

"There is no one else. Would you like to talk to Commander Odair?"

He looks at me.

"Odair shouldn't even be here. He doesn't have experience." His voice sounds like poison.

"Finnick is the most competent person I know."

"He only knows what is behind Baluster's borders." He takes a step forward. "If you are truly a princess, you would know who to trust. But you are just a girl playing war games."

"Maybe I am just a girl," I say, going along with his conversation. "And you are only a man, not a king. So why come here? Why did Esbart make you their spokesman?"

"Let's no dwell on subjects that don't matter for the cause." He turns away and walks to the table with the maps. "Tell me about the plans you made."

I wait a moment to compose myself.

"So?" Lord Lyme glances at me.

"We are still working on them." I say, approaching the table. "But they all seem to fail. I suggested the sewers. However, they probably aren't the same since the last time I was there."

"You clearly have no idea how to win a war." He laughs, not afraid to mock me.

"How could I possibly know that? I have zero experience at this!"

"At least you admit it."

"Are you here to join our fight or to mock my inability to command?"

"Both." He crosses his arms. "The moment I heard you needed Esbart's help, I knew you weren't able to handle an army.

"Lord Lyme, we are here to save the prince. If that is too much to handle, I suggest you mount your damn horse and go back to Esbart!"

We stare at each other for several minutes. Different ways to kick him back to Esbart run through my mind. He is probably thinking about the best way to torture me.

"I guess I have to establish order in here."

"As long as your decisions don't prejudice Baluster's soldiers, you are free to opiniate."

"I can work with that." He turns to the map, grabs a wooden doll and places it right over Saldrian. "Send a man here. We need to know how the guards' watch works, when it ends, when it begins, their moves. Everything."

"I don't want to send a man to his death."

"Of course he won't be inside the city." Lord Lyme gives me a side-eyed look. "He will be just outside the walls, hidden from prying eyes."

"Okay - "

"Surely you know you can't protect anyone in a war."

I stare at the wooden doll, trying to evaluate my choices. What if Lyme is sending a Baluster soldier into a trap? What if he is doing the right thing? I push some strands of hair behind my ear.

"Alright, I will send a man to Saldrian. What about other plans?"

"This is our plan for now." Lyme straightens his back to look down at me. "From there, we can formulate an attack plan."

"You are jesting." I say, incredilous with his decision. "If we wait too long, the opportunities for Peter to make out alive will get scarcer!"

"The prince isn't an exception to the rule, Princess." The corner of his mouth rises in a jesting manner before he turns and leaves.

I sit down and bring my hands to my head, trying to clutch the bit of hope I have left in me.

"Katherine?"

I look up. Finnick stands by the entrance with a worried expression.

"I can't do this, Finnick."

"Can I kill him?"

I chuckle humorlessly, pondering his proposition. I wouldn't mind watching Lyme suffer for a few minutes, but I would be no better than him. I can't let Lyme take me down to make him feel better about himself.

"That sounds tempting, but no." I stand up. "I have to show him I can take his beatings. Choose one of your best soldiers, Finnick, and get him ready to leave for Saldrian."

...

I watch as Boggs trains the most unexperienced men from Baluster. They can barely hold the heavy swords. Some try, others drop their arms in defeat. I wonder how I will be able to lead them to Saldrian to fight a more experienced army. Finnick's men are very experienced, but they will certainly be out-numbered by Coin's men.

I bring my hands to my face to blow some warmth into them as the cold breeze blows harder.

"Your Highness."

I turn around at the sound of my name. Finnick and a young man halt their steps, both with an expression of determination and hesitation. Finnick pushes the young man forward. He bows.

"What's your name?" I ask the young man. He looks twenty something, but I am sure he is barely eighteen.

"Andrew Homes, Your Highness."

"I am sure Commander Odair has enlighten you on the situation." He nods.

I am hesitant to tell him the rest of the matter. I don't feel well sending a man into his own death.

"You have four days at maxinum to gather all the information you can about the Saldrian's Royal Guard. Then send a bird with the information and return right after. Do you understand?"

"I do, Your Highness." He regards me with an expression of fear.

"Alright. Send him off, Commander."

I quickly look away, fearing I will regret my decision. I will add Andrew to the mental list of people I owe a life. I just hope I don't have to scratch his name. He must return to the safety of his kingdom and his family.

"You look pale, Katherine."

Boggs approachs, beads of sweat running down his forehead. I sigh deeply.

"I just sent a boy to his death."

"You have to put aside the guilt."

"I try, but it resurges to haunt me." I pin him with a questioning look, "Am I insane for thinking this whole war wouldn't have happened if I had died three years ago?"

"You are," Boggs says. "Who would lead us if this war happened anyway?"

"I am not a leader, Boggs."

"You don't have to be, Katherine." He smiles. "You just have to show us that you believe you are."

"Not even that." I offer him a tiny smile.

"Then I can't help you." Boggs sighs, running a hand through his head. "Keep doing what you do. It will be alright."

Boggs returns to the men. I take a look at the camp. My list will be longer by the time we march for Saldrian.

...

Coin

Alma admires herself in the looking-glass. Her body could have been sculputed, if it wasn't for the lines of age and spots on her skin. For many years she fought to keep her beauty intact. She commited unhuman crimes. She brought hell on earth. And yet... She can't stop her body from aging.

Foremost, she can't control her power. Her stepdaughter contaminates the air with her presence. The people look at her and see...

Hope.

Katherine gives people hope, the prince said.

Alma turns away from the looking-glass and walks to her tub, already prepared for her weekly bath. She leans against the wall of the stone tub, her arms resting on the edge, while her head falls back to stare at the high ceiling.

The moment she closes her eyes, a knock on the door echoes inside her chambers. Alma swallows the shout and glances at the empty room.

"Come in."

The door opens with a creak and closes with a loud thump. She listens to the approaching footsteps. From the sleeping chambers appears her brother, the black robe falling from his shoulders to the floor. The white hair, once blonde like hers, is held back in two braids. His white beard has been recently trimmed.

"Corionalius, it must a serious matter."

Two weeks ago Alma was caught by surprise with her brother's arrival. For so many years she thought he was dead, killed by some poor bastard from Alighter. And now he was standing in front of her, smiling at her with new eyes. Eyes of a liar.

Alma adored him when they were young, but she didn't trust him. She still doesn't. However, he is her brother, blood of her blood, and they must work together to eliminate everyone who did them wrong.

Corionalius approaches the tub.

"I have news about the princess."

"You are going to ruin my bath."

"Good news." He smiles slyly. "She has joined forces with Esbart. They are located north of Saldrian."

"Good news, indeed." She agrees, feigning interest.

"It also seems we will be receiving the visit of a soldier."

"Kill him."

"Don't do something so reckless. He could be more useful to us alive than dead, Alma," Corionalius says.

"Come here." Alma beacons him closer.

He stops beside the tub. Alma takes his right hand in her left one and squeezes it.

"I am glad you came back," She says. Her squeeze turns into a harsh grasp as her nails sink into his palm. "But don't contradict me again. The final decision is up to me, not you, little brother."

"Always, Alma."

He rips his hand from hers and leaves her side.

"I will keep you informed on the soldier's arrival."

"Good, Corionalius."

Alma closes her eyes. She listens to his footsteps and at the door. She tilts back her head to enjoy the moment of peace.

...

Katherine

Day one goes by without concerns. Baluster and Esbart's camps keep to their sides. Lyme doesn't care about the soldier I sent to Saldrian. He doesn't set foot on our camp the whole day. By nightfall, I give up on him showing his face.

Day two goes along the same way. Eventually I join the training. I teach the men what Finnick taught me, which isn't much. Yet they are grateful for the lessons.

Day three. The same cycle.

Day four.

I stay in bed after the horns wake up the camp. There is no use in getting up for I will be witnessing the same routine. Nonetheless, I have to get up. Outside is the real world. It is my reality.

I fetch my clothes, put on my boots and the cloak made of pelts. It has kept me warmer in these last days than the woolen cloak I wore in these last three years. Just outside my tent is Finnick. He watches me with tired and grave eyes.

"Emergency meeting, Katherine." Not a greeting this early in the morning means trouble.

"Fill me in," I plead as we walk.

"Lyme wants to see you. He is already waiting for you."

"Just that?"

"He wouldn't say anything to me." The harshness in Finnick's voice confirms my suspicions. There is an ugly and unresolved subject between him and Lyme.

"He should have."

I push the curtain aside and enter the tent. Lyme is sitting on one of the benchs, playing with one wooden doll. I clear my throat to catch his attention. Lyme slowly glances at me as if he already knew I was there, offers me a courteous nod and calmly stands up.

"The horns blew ten minutes ago, Your Highness."

"What is the emergency, Lord Lyme?" I approach him and stop at a safe distance. Finnick follows me, his presence like a shadow.

"Your soldier has been captured."

"What?"

I take a glance at Finnick to see if he feels the same way. His eyes are sharp as he watches Lyme. I return my eyes to Lyme.

"How do you know that?" I ask incredulous.

"My guard saw your soldier being captured by men from Saldrian."

"You sent one of your guards to spy on ours?" I take a few steps toward him, already expecting this from Lyme. "What about a head's up? Better yet, why did your guard not help mine?"

Lyme stays silent as he watches me explode with rage.

"You are a traitorous bastard!" I shout at him. "You agreed not to prejudice any of Baluster's soldiers with your decisions!"

"Your potential to lead is as good as a donkey's. I am right in not confiding in you my decisions when it comes to my men."

"That doesn't matter! You led Andrew into a trap!"

The line over his name is becoming thicker.

"How would I know it was a trap? Perhaps your soldier is not as good as you claim him to be." Lyme throws the words at my face, but specially at Finnick's. "You didn't ask for my final opinion."

"Are you throwing a tantrum, Lord Lyme?"

"It is called an eye for an eye."

I stare at him, not understanding what is happening at the moment. This man wants equal rights when he didn't even ask to see Andrew. He acts like a child, because he wants to.

"If you wanted to see Andrew, you should have asked."

"I thought it was explicit in my previous order."

I huff at his stupidity.

"Anyway, you should prepare your army for a possible attack on Saldrian." Lyme continues like nothing happened. "I am not wasting more time here, now that our most valuable asset has been sabotaged."

"Baluster people still need more time. I am also waiting for Bluemoon's army."

"Bluemoon? You got Heavensbee on this?" Lyme laughs loud. "You are really desperate if you called upon Bluemoon."

"They are an ally."

"If I knew of this sooner, I wouldn't have agreed on this alliance." He crosses his arms. "But it isn't my kingdom. If you want to destroy yourselves before this war begins, go ahead. I will be on the sideline enjoying the spectacle."

"You are a coward."

"I didn't hide from the queen, Princess," He says, throwing my past at my face. "Now, do you want to save the prince or not?"

"I need four days."

"Two."

I exhale, taking my time to agree with him. I nod. Lyme offers me a victory smile, one that is meant to mock my submission to him.

He walks by me, but I halt his steps by grabbing his arm.

"Insult me again," I glare at him. "I won't be so kind next time."

"I'll be waiting, Princess." He spits out with a sly raise of his mouth.

I drop my hand and let him go back to the hole he came from.

...

Peter

Two Days After

Screams echo in my cell.

I take a step to the right to see if I am able to glimpse the source of such commotion. The small window in the door offers me the silhouette of an armour.

Another scream.

I can't tell if it is a male or a female. I take another step to the side. Next to the armour is a spear and behind it a door left ajar. Another step. The rope around my wrists bites into my scarred skin, prompting me to go back to inicial position.

I release a shaky breath when I try to move my shoulders.

Footsteps echo in the corridor. I glimpse Coin's profile and three guards. She glances at me. Right under her eye is a drop of blood. Her expression is one of frustation and accomplishment. The silence clouds the dungeons when a heavy door closes behind her.

I wait a few minutes and then decide to speak.

"Can you hear me?" I say loudly, hoping the person will answer me.

From the within the silence, I hear a cough.

"...Yes," A weak voice says.

"What is your name?" I carefully speak every word.

The person coughs again.

"Andrew." My new companion murmurs hoarsely.

"Where are you from, Andrew?"

A long pause in the conversation makes me think he gave up.

"Baluster."

A shiver runs up my spine when I hear my kingdom's name.

"How did Coin find you?" My voice takes on a more desperate note.

"I have... been... two days outside... Saldrian..." Another pause. "What... what is your... name?"

"Peter."

He quiets down, making me think he finally gave up. The silence lasts too long.

"You're the prince."

"Yes."

Andrew suddenly laughs. It is a weak sound, but I can hear the happiness in his voice.

"You're in luck. You have... three kingdoms trying to... rescue you."

"To rescue a fool..." I whisper to myself.

A drop of water falls to the floor. A gull caws outside my cell.

"Do you have a plan?" Andrew asks.

"If I had a plan, believe me, I would have been out of here a long time ago."

I came here to do one thing and to die doing it. Now I regret every decision I made. I was stupid to think I could kill Coin. Vengence is too sweet not to give in more than one time.

"I still believe the princess will come."

"Katherine?"

"She's the only princess I know."

"She is leading an army of three kingdoms?"

"With Lord Lyme's help."

"Oh, this is getting very interesting!"

I can only imagine Katherine and Lord Lyme's conversations. Katherine will attack him in any way to get him to agree on a subject.

...

Katherine

Two days turn into three days.

The army is ready for the battle, but the commoners are having a bit of trouble with their positions within the army.

This isn't important for Lyme, for on the third day he decides to leave, to pack everything and take his men with him. There is no warning. Only the act of walking away.

However, he leaves in a good time, for Heavensbee's men arrive after one hour. People would expect me to cry my eyes out at Lyme's fall out. On the contrary, I couldn't be happier. I burst with joy at the sight of the camp previously occupied by Lyme.

Now that Heavensbee's men are here, it is time to go insane. Finnick summons us all to a meeting that last more than half an hour. I watch the group of people around me talk, but I don't hear them. Their mouths form words and sounds. It is quiet ridiculous.

I look down at the map, at the wooden dolls, at the lines, at Saldrian. The doll shapped like a woman stands right over the kingdom's name. I could just grab it and break it in two, hoping it would kill Coin.

"Katherine!" I look up instantly. The men eye me with concern and confusion. "Did you hear what I said?"

"What did you-"

Finnick sighs, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Your opinion on the new attack plan."

It takes me a few minutes to understand his words. I straighten my back, take a glance at the men and once again look at the map.

"I'm not sure, Finnick." I look at Finnick. "Perhaps we should stick to the old plan and blend Heavensbee men with ours."

"That will bring a lot of trouble."

"Then I don't know! There's no time to adjust our army to the new plan." I snap at him.

"With Lyme gone, we have plenty of time."

"I am not wasting more time, Finnick!" I shout, banging my hand against the table top. "I don't give a damn if our soldiers aren't perfect. We leave now or I will."

With that I leave the tent with my mind running in loops. I spot Heavensbee's men sitting on the ground, standing on their feet, talking and polishing their swords. All of this is done in a state of serenity.

I walk around the camp without a purpose. It is impossible to think of plans when everything we were working on has crumbled. I don't feel that my place is here. The determination to fight for my right to lead this army is completely gone. I am just a girl playing at wars.

Boggs finds me after some time near the outskirts of the camp. I sit on the wet grass, the sun having melted the thin layer of snow.

"I thought you'd have left the camp by now," He says, sitting beside me.

"I'm predictable, aren't I?" I point out, my eyes on the green blades in my hands.

"Finnick feels guilty for pushing you to decide."

"I shouldn't have yelled at him."

"You don't believe that." I hear the playful smile in his words.

I let the blades fly with the breeze.

"What did you decide?" I ask, glancing at Boggs.

"Stick to the original plan." Boggs says, his eyes searching for something in the distance. "We want you to communicate it to the newcomers."

"Do you still believe I can lead an army?"

"I never said I didn't." He finally looks at me. "Whatever you are feeling, don't let it get to your head. We will rescue the prince."

"I just don't want to arrive at Saldrian to find..." I can't make myself finish the sentence. "I don't want it to be too late."

"I'm sure the prince is holding on pretty good."

"You never know with Coin."

"No." Boggs exhales.

We stay in silence, no need to make small talk. He suddenly stands up and offers me his hand.

"Maybe I don't know the queen, but I know you. So stand up and get your mind straight. People need you."

I raise a brow at his motivational speech.

"You sure have a lot of faith in me." I take his hand.

Boggs helps me up. A pat on my back and we return to properly greet the newcomers.

...

More than three hundred people stare at me.

I wish for the oak chest beneath my feet to swallow me as I take in the expressions of fear, weariness and hope. Am I prepared for this moment? Absolutely not. I am terrible at speaking to large crowds.

My eyes roam the camp in search of a safe spot, but it is in vain. Everywhere I look is occupied by a person ready to believe my words and fight for my cause. I glance to my side, hoping Finnick will take my place and deliever one of his many speechs. His hand pats the back of my knee.

"I would like to welcome the newcomers." I begin in a shaky voice. I cough to clear it. "Lord Heavensbee has offered us his help in this time... of need. Our original plan maintains. So I ask... I ask our soldiers to aid the newcomers to find a suitable position within it."

The expressions don't change, and with reason. There is no confidence in my speech. No strenght. No power.

"I know I'm young and that you see me as an unexperienced girl." I say, taking a different approach. "You may think I will only bring bad fortune, but I'm still learning." Some people nod subtly. I raise my chin and speak louder. "With your help, I'm certain we will win this war. We will take down Coin once and for all and restore peace to Panem!"

A few shouts spread around the crowd. Soon everyone is shouting and cheering me on. I feel the smile in my face growing with each cheer. Finnick pats my knee again.

"Good job." He congratulates, helping me down.

As everyone clears out, I turn to Finnick.

"I believe I owe you an apology," I say, following him.

"Apology? For what?"

"You know. For shouting."

He halts his steps to laugh.

"I have gotten over it." Finnick declares, as a few chuckles leave his mouth. "On the contrary, I should be the one asking for forgiveness. It wasn't my place to demand something of you."

"A servant can ask a princess for something. But I forgive you, Finnick."

"I'm most humbled by your pardon, Katherine." He squeezes my shoulder. "Now, keep up that leader attitude. It'll help you on our journey."

We resume our walk.

"I'm quiet amazed at my speaking skills at the moment." I admit, feeling satisfied with myself.

"It took you long to find them."

"Perhaps I just needed a push." I look at him. Finnick smiles without glancing at me.

"Talking about encouragment, before we arrive at Saldrian, I would like you to address the commoners." Finnick suggests. "Boggs felt their spirits lowering with Lyme's departure."

"I'm certain that won't be necessary now that I addressed the whole camp."

"Still, Katherine. It would be good for them and for you. I believe it would help you get over the fear of talking to strangers." Finnick says, looking down at me and giving me a wink.

"I am not that timid, Finnick." I gently punch his arm.

"No, but sometimes you stammer." Finnick jests, stopping before his tent. "And before you harm me, I advise you to prepare your horse. We leave in two hours."

I smile at him, grateful for his understanding.