Lynde had been called to Orrin's study for a reason she didn't know. The study had a lot of bookcases, which she still wondered why nobles liked them so much. On a desk near the center of the room sat Orrin with Trianna and a few others standing near him. He smiled when he saw Lynde. "Good, you're here," Orrin said. "Now we can begin."

Lynde was still unsure of something. "What is it that we're doing?" she asked.

"We are declaring ourselves independent of the Empire here and now," Orrin said, gesturing to a piece of paper. "We're going to send copies of this to Queen Nasuada, Queen Arya, King Orik, the heads of the Urgal tribes, Lord Risthart, and as far as our influence can reach. No longer will Surda be strong armed into being a subject of Nasuada. We shall shatter all bonds and may we never submit again to their promise of equality. The only way we shall be equal is if we are separate."

Lynde nodded. She vaguely understood what was going on, but she did wonder why he thought any common man could read it. "What do you want me to do?"

"I ask for your signature on this to show your support for our cause."

Orrin offered her a quill, but Lynde had to refuse. "I can't write," she said.

He seemed disappointed, but understood. He then looked to Trianna. "Perhaps you can show her?"

Trianna frowned. "I did not join your rebellion to teach writing lessons, but very well. Lynde, come over here." Using a few scraps of paper, Trianna began to teach Lynde how to write her name. First Trianna wrote it, and then encouraged Lynde to copy it. Artsanna also helped her remember it, since her memory was so good. After some practice, they decided she was ready to sign Orrin's paper.

Lynde was very nervous. Everyone else seemed to have written their names—she couldn't actually read them, but she guessed that was what they were—at the bottom of the paper, and hers would look out of place with how little she had used it. But she no choice, and did her best. As she hesitated Artsanna helped to guide her hand. When she was done she was surprised to find her name blended well with the others.

Good work, Lynde, Artsanna said. You can sign your name. Now perhaps you'll learn how to write everything else.

One step at a time, Lynde replied.

"Now we are set," Orrin said. "Our rebellion has begun. The Empire will rue the day they stole our lands, our brothers, and our freedom." He motion to a servant to take away the paper. "Now my friends, our tasks must begin."

"What can I do?" Lynde asked.

"You can stay here," Orrin replied. "Your support is all I need and I would not want to risk your life on the battlefield." Lynde was disappointed that she didn't get to do anything, but at least she didn't have to kill anyone.

After Orrin gave out their assignments everyone was dismissed. As Conleth escorted Lynde back to her rooms she decided to strike up a conversation with him. "So how long have you worked for King Orrin?" she asked.

"Since I was twelve," he answered simply. "My parents are servants so I'm a servant."

"That sounds like a rough lot in life," Lynde replied.

"No rougher than what you would have to put up with," Conleth said. "You probably would inherit your family's trade too had you not had the luck to become a Rider."

Lynde shrugged. "My mother was a healer. My first one, that is. Gelsey took me in after my parents were taken or left. She was a sewer."

Conleth looked curious at her. "What happened to your parents?" he asked. After she told the story of her mother being a magician and her father going after her, Conleth seemed impressed. "That is quite a story. I'm glad it didn't happen to me."

"Yeah, and I wish it didn't happen at all," Lynde replied. "But that's what drives me. As long as I make sure nothing like that happens again I can be happy."

"You know, most people wouldn't go to such extremes," Conleth said. "Most people get over it."

"But I'm not that sort," Lynde said. "Gelsey always taught me that to ignore what happened to you will weaken you, but dealing with problems helps you grow. It was mostly to get me to go to the healer when I pricked my finger sewing, but I apply it to everything else."

"I'm not sure that's best," Conleth said. "But it certainly makes sense of why you act like that."

"Like what?"

"Nothing. I spoke out of turn."

"No, you don't have to do that," Lynde said. "You and I can be equals, if you want to."

"Ma'am, if we were equals, I wouldn't be showing you to your room," Conleth said. He glanced behind Lynde. "Speaking of, we're here."

Lynde looked behind her to find that he was right and they were at her room. She turned back to him and said, "Thank you. If you ever want to talk, don't hesitate. You know where I live."

"Yes I do," Conleth said. "And no I won't."

"You won't hesitate?" she asked.

"I won't talk," Conleth replied. "Good day."

Lynde frowned and went into her room. She was upset by Conleth's unwillingness to talk, especially since he was such a good listener. There was something about him that made her want to pursue him, but she wasn't sure what.

Is it that you want to mate with him? Artsanna asked. She then joked, I can run him down for you, though getting through the castle halls could be difficult for me.

Lynde was shocked at her. No! And why have you been listening to my thoughts so long?

I am bored, Artsanna replied. While you plan rebellion I have little to do.

Well, how about hunting?

That would require me to fly over the city, and to have so many look at me would make me feel exposed, Artsanna answered.

Sleep?

I have slept long enough.

Well I can't think of anything else you could do, Lynde said, frustrated.

Perhaps help you learn to read?

No, I don't want to start that now, Lynde replied. Though you might help me decipher a dream I had. It was very strange, and vivid. It wasn't like any dream I had before.

What was it about?

After Lynde gave Artsanna her memories of the dream, she realized something. I thought you could see my dreams, Lynde said.

Not when I am asleep, Artsanna clarified. This dream does seem strange though. You may want to talk with Rose about it.

Okay, but if she thinks it's nothing, I blame you.

Lynde left her room to go to Rose's. She had to tell Conleth that she was only going to Rose's and that he didn't have to go anywhere. When she knocked on the door to Rose's room she answered, "What is it you want, Lynde?"

Lynde frowned at Rose. "You come and talk to me whenever you like and when I want to talk you're like this?"

"Just tell me what it is," Rose said tiredly. "I didn't sleep at all last night."

"Why?" Lynde asked.

"I was contacted by an old friend."

Lynde was curious. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter," Rose said, shaking her head. "What do you have to say?" After Lynde explained her dream, Rose was very interested all of a sudden. "You didn't have a dream; you had a vision."

Lynde was confused. "I did?"

"Yes, and by the sounds of it, of the past."

"Why do you say that?"

"The signs are all there," Rose said. "It was clearly about the fall of the Riders, as well as their eventually rise during the war."

"I thought for sure it was of the future," Lynde said.

"It could be of that, but it sounds too much like the past to be the future. Though with how much history has been repeating itself lately I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen." Rose looked grave as she said, "I sincerely hope though, Lynde, that it was not of the future, because if it is then Alagaësia is in for a war beyond what has been seen in a hundred years, and should never have been seen again."