Minnie didn't know how long the carriage had been jolting along; it could have been minutes or hours. She had never been more scared in her life… what did these bandits want? If they wanted to just rob them, they'd have taken what they wanted and left already. Hands clasped tightly together, she glanced over at Daisy. Her friend looked just as scared but was clearly forcing herself to stay calm. Minnie did her best to do the same, knowing that the less fear she showed to these people, the better off she'd be.

Finally, the carriage jerked to a stop, and Minnie barely avoided being thrown forward. She heard Daisy huff, sounding almost indignant. But he before either of them could say anything, the sound of boots hitting the ground came through the window. Then the door was yanked open, and another of the masked bandits was looking at them.

"Let's go, ladies," he said, his voice gruff and impatient. "C'mon, haven't got all day."

Not daring to oppose him, they obeyed. Daisy let Minnie step out first, then followed behind. Minnie's eyes darted around, taking in their abductors. There were three of them, two tall and one short. One of the tall ones, who had clearly been driving, jumped down from the front followed by the short one.

"What is it you want?" Minnie asked, relieved to hear no quiver in her voice.

"What's anyone like us want?" the short bandit replied, his odd accent noticeably different from the first one. The third one then spoke, his voice like the first one.

"We wanna cash in. Daddy dearest 'ould pay a bundle for yer safe return."

"Or at least he better," the other tall one said. That sent a chill down Minnie's spine, but she kept her poise calm and looked around. They were outside an old-looking, rundown tower, nowhere in sight of the city.

"Come on, come on," the short one said. "Move."

Taking a deep breath, Minnie drew herself up as tall as she could. She felt Daisy take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. She returned it before striding forward with her head held high. Even now, she was determined to act like the princess she was. Daisy walked beside her for a change, clearly just as determined not to show fear, and she heard the bandits following close behind.

Minnie was almost certain her father would never leave his only heir in danger, but there was still a twinge of doubt. He was a proud man and would certainly be indignant at having any kind of demand made of him. Not only that, but Minnie also couldn't be sure he even felt anything for her anymore. It was a disheartening thought, but she continued to tell herself to keep up hope. What else could she do?

One of the bandits stepped ahead of them and moved to open a door that, despite the run-down state of the building, looked sturdy. He gestured inside, and Minnie and Daisy immediately obeyed.

"Make yourselves at home, ladies," the bandit said with exaggerated politeness. "We'll be here a while."

With that, he closed the door and there was a click of the door locking. Now that no one was watching, Minnie hugged herself as her eyes welled. Daisy moved forward to place a hand on her back, and she could hear the tremor in her voice despite her attempt to hide it.

"It'll be all right, Minnie."

Appreciation filled the Princess… the best thing about Daisy was that she knew when to ignore protocol and simply be a friend. She turned and took her lady's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was about to offer words of comfort herself when her ears picked up a faint sound. Frowning, she listened close.

"What?" Daisy asked. Her hearing wasn't as sharp, Minnie knew.

"I'm not sure…" Her eyes narrowed in concentration, then widened. "It sounds like… horses."

Confirmation came just a few seconds later when one of the bandits' voices rang out.

"Incoming! More bloomin' riders!"

Minnie exchanged a baffled look with Daisy. Her father couldn't possibly have known about this yet; who could these riders be? Fear began welling up again at the possibility that it was just more bandits, but then another voice rang out.

"Let the Princess go, and we won't hafta fight ya!"

Minnie felt her eyes stretch wide… she knew that voice. It was much older than the last time she heard it, but there was no mistaking those speech patterns, that high pitch. But soon more shouts, then the sound of clashing swords drifted through the locked door. Daisy tensed, but Minnie patted her arm.

"It's all right… I don't think they're here to hurt us."

It didn't take long before the clashing sounds began to lessen. Just outside the door, there was a sharp whack, a yelp, then the thud of something dropping against the door. This was soon followed by the sound of something being dragged across the floor.

"Jeez, what's this guy been eatin'?" another voice muttered. Despite the similar speech pattern, this one was deeper.

"Hey, Goof!" the higher voice called. "Think ya can get this door open?"

"Lemme give it a go!" said a third voice. This was followed by the sound of running feet, then a loud cracking sound as something slammed against the door. It burst open, a tall, lanky figure falling inside with a yelp. He lay on his back for just a moment, then slowly sat up. He wore a mask too, but there was no mistaking the dazed look in his eyes.

"Th' door's open," he mumbled woozily.

"Nice goin', pal!"

Two other masked figures stepped in, both much shorter. Minnie didn't recognize the long-eared rabbit, but the other… those sapphire blue eyes and large, round ears were unmistakable.

"Ya all right, ladies?" he asked.

"Y-yes," Daisy said, then glanced at Minnie. But the Princess kept her eyes on the speaker, slowly stepping forward as a hushed murmur escaped her.

"Mickey?"

The other mouse's eyes widened. The rabbit's eyes did as well, before they narrowed, and he stepped slightly in front of the mouse.

"How do ya know his name?" he asked, his tone sharp. The mouse placed a hand on his arm.

"It's okay, Os."

"Mick," the rabbit said. "Can ya really trust her? She could turn us in quick as that."

Minnie felt a twinge of indignation at that and narrowed her eyes.

"Why on earth would I do that when he just saved me? And to answer your first question, it just so happens we met as children."

The rabbit's eyes were still narrowed and suspicious, but he directed his look at Mickey. Mickey was, in fact, a nickname for Michael. He was the son of Walter and Lillian Mouse, who were members of the more modest nobility. Minnie had only known him for a few days, on one of his parents' few visits to court when he was eight and she seven, but they had quickly grown on each other. Their friendship now consisted in letters, but Minnie had always treasured it and often longed to see him again. The rabbit she had never met, but knew he was Mickey's older brother Oswald… half-brother, in truth.

Mickey had told her about his rather early childhood: his father had essentially abandoned him and his mother when he was only three, divorcing her to marry a noblewoman with grander prospects. She had struggled to support them until she met Mickey's father, and the experience had left Oswald deeply bitter toward his father and suspicious of other nobles. Minnie was sympathetic of his misfortunes, of course, but also thought he was being rather small-minded.

It hadn't been too long after her mother died that Mickey's family moved to Pomona, which was near the northern border, and they now communicated only by letter. She knew his parents had died recently, and his letters, while never stopping or being less friendly, had been somewhat slower since then. He had never said exactly what was keeping him so busy, but Minnie had harbored a growing suspicion. It wasn't long after his correspondence slowed that she began hearing rumors of the Resistance against her father. And seeing him now, she was almost certain her suspicions were correct.

"It's you, isn't it?" she said softly. "You're in the Resistance."

Oswald's eyes narrowed again.

"N' I suppose you're gonna tell dear Dad?"

At that Minnie narrowed her own eyes at him.

"For your information," she said in a chilly tone. "I actually agree with you. I know my father has done awful things, and I hoped for a while that he could change again, but clearly, he's incapable of it. I gave up on that hope a long time ago."

Her eyes moved back to Mickey.

"And from what I know, you have no intention of harming him."

Mickey nodded, along with his second lanky comrade.

"Yes indeed, ma'am!" the tall one said. "We don't wanna hurt no one."

Though his eyes remained narrowed, Oswald gave a begrudging nod.

"Then I have no reason to stop you," Minnie said. A few moments of silence passed as they absorbed her words, then another voice called from outside. This one was female, the tone sharp and tense.

"Mick, Horace saw guards… they're headin' this way, followin' the tracks!"

"Boy, they're prompt," Mickey muttered, then looked at Minnie. "We gotta get out a' here."

His other two companions immediately headed for the door, and he moved to follow, but Minnie suddenly felt compelled to reach out and touch his arm.

"Thank you," she said softly. His eyes met hers, and from the twinkle in them she knew he was smiling.

"Anytime, Yer Highness."