Kael stayed up all night debating whether or not to tell Marra about his reason for leaving his home. He had a feeling he could trust her. He just didn't want to drag her into something she would regret knowing later.

He put his hand through his hair in frustration. He'd made up his mind and he wasn't going to change it.

It was dawn now; a cool gray mist blanketed the floor of the forest like a sleepy haze. Sunlight peaked cautiously over the horizon as if it too sensed Kael's anxiety for the coming day. He decided to get up and look around the forest for something to eat. He looked back at Marra and decided not to wake her. She would get up on her own, eventually. He left her sleeping peacefully and disappeared into the foliage.

Marra woke to the sound and smells of something cooking in a skillet. She glanced up to see Kael stooped over the fire.

"What's in the pan?" She asked groggily sitting up. Something smelled delicious.

Kael looked at her across the fire beaming like a young boy. "I caught us a bird for breakfast and cooked it. Here, have some." He handed her a small tin plate.

Marra took it eyeing the meat apprehensively. "How long have you been up?" She asked before shoving a bite of food onto her mouth. Surprisingly, she liked it.

Kael put the pan aside. "I've been up since last night. I had too much on my mind."

"Like what?" Marra was determined to find out what he was hiding, even if it took all day.

Kael sighed, "I hoped we could talk about this later. But since you obviously have no patience, I will tell you now. But you have to answer something first." He shot her a glance with his piercing blue eyes.

She motioned for him to continue.

"Now I know you admitted to being a runaway, but I'm curious as to why you ran away." He watched Marra's face for a reaction.

Marra straightened up where she sat. She would tell him gladly. It wasn't a secret. "Well," she began, "I worked at an inn. I went to work there after both my parents died in a fire. I was only six then and I had no relatives to take me in." Marra decided to leave out the details surrounding her parents death. It wasn't something she just talked about. The memories were too painful.

She continued, "So one day this woman took me in to live with her and work in her inn. The reason I ran away was because Nella, the innkeeper, treated me like a slave, even whipping me when I did something she didn't like. I finally couldn't take it anymore. So, I left."

Kael nodded, saying nothing. He was horrified that someone could be so cruel, though he knew it was possible.

"Now," Marra said turning to him, "You're turn."

Kael took a deep breath, then released it. "I really don't want to involve you in this. So before I do, I'll just tell you. Once I tell you this, you'll have to help me. And it could cost you your life."

Marra just stared. She hadn't expected that. But she really wanted to know now. Besides, there was no one to care if something did happen to her. And as for helping him, she had nothing else to do.

"Must you know?" Kael begged his eyes on Marra's perplexed face. This girl didn't deserve the burden he was about to ask her to help him carry.

"Oh do get on with it!" Marra shouted impatiently.

Kael opened his pack a pulled out a yellowed piece of paper. The corners were coming apart; he'd read it so many times.

"My father gave this to me and told me to read it if anything happened to him. He passed away five days ago and I read it just as he asked. Here, just read it for yourself." He handed Marra the paper. Even though he'd read it repeatedly the past few days, he still couldn't believe its contents.

She took the envelope and opened it. It read:

Dearest Son,

I have written here in this letter what I have failed to tell you in person. This will come as a shock to you. However, I assure you it is very true. I swear it.

You may have heard of King Derek, although he died before you were old enough to speak. He was one of Stalderel's finest kings and a very fine man. If you remember the story, you will know he died suddenly and unexpectedly one day from unknown causes. And His wife, Queen Renasia, died the year before in childbirth. What would have been his only child and heir died with her.

Now I must tell you what I know about the story and have kept from you all your life. When Queen Ranasia died, her child in fact lived. I was one of the kings most trusted knights and his best friend. King Derek confided in me that he suspected his power mongering brother, Soren, had a plot to kill him so that he could make himself king, killing anyone who stood in his way. So when Renasia became with child, King Derek asked me to take the child as soon as he was born to a country estate and keep him there in secret, out of his brother's reach. King Derek died the year after I took you to live at the estate and I know in my heart it was at the hands of his brother, who is now "King" Soren.

As I am sure you have now guessed. You my boy are the son of King Derek and Queen Renasia, Crown Prince of Stalderel. I have taught you all I know and have loved you like you were my own. Even though you never knew your real father, he was a great man and his people loved him very much.

Now you must decide what to do. You can take back the throne which is rightfully yours, although it will most likely result in a war. Or you can burn this letter, melt the royal insignia ring which I have enclosed in this envelope as proof of your heritage and continue living as you have. If you choose to fight, find my old friend Sir Belron, a former knight. He was also loyal to King Derek and may be able to help you. He owns a tavern in Craneir called "The Falcon". I know you could be as great a king as your father was. I have faith in you and know you will make the right decision.

Your loving father, for you were like my own son.

Sir Landon

Marra's hands shook as she handed the letter back to Kael after reading it. Her mind was reeling from the utter shock of the treasonous letter. Finally, she spoke up. "You're a prince?" Her voice sounded squeaky and small to her ears.

Kael winced at the title. It would take some getting used to.

Marra didn't wait for him to answer. "Well what are you going to do? You are going to fight, aren't you? How are you going to get together an army?" She began asking questions as they popped into her head.

"Hold on, one question at a time. You're so excitable." He laughed at Marra's enthusiasm, "Of course I'm going to fight! King Soren deserves to pay for what he's done, to my father and this country." Kael stuffed the letter into his pack. "So I guess that means you're with me?" He said turning to Marra.

"Of course!" She shouted, "King Soren is the worst king in the history of Stalderel! His taxes have forced the poor into becoming almost like slaves for the higher classes just so they can get food for their families. And he's done horrible horrible things. I've seen it myself." Marra's voice lowered in resentment. She kept to herself her other reason for despising the king. It was King Soren's army that started the fire that killed her family. It was his way of stopping the growing public uprising that had left her orphaned. She'd always hated the king and now her reason for hating him only deepened with her new knowledge of how he obtained his crown. And now was her chance to get back at the man that killed her family.

Kael watched as Marra's green eyes flashed with passion and anger as she spoke. She was such a strange girl. All the girls he had ever met were quiet, polite and soft-spoken. They would certainly never give their input on political matters. But not Marra. She had courage…and a fiery temper.

"So does this satisfy you as to why I'm here in these woods?" He said raising one eyebrow.

Marra folded her arms across her chest. "Yes, it does. Thank you for telling me. I guess this means we're going to find Sir Belron's tavern once we get to Craneir, right?"

"Right. If he was a knight under my father, maybe he still knows who is loyal to King Der- I mean my father, and would help me form an army."

Marra pulled at the bandage on her arm as she thought. "Shouldn't we be leaving then? Craneir is three days away."

Kael put aside their empty dishes into his pack. "I'd thought we'd leave once I put out the fire."

Marra slung her pack onto her shoulder and looked back at Kael. He was already ready and waiting for her. Suddenly she felt a raindrop hit her nose. Marra looked up to see dark clouds rolling in. She groaned inwardly. The thought of walking through the cold wet rain and mud was not a good start to ones day. Kael on the other hand didn't seem to mind it.

They walked for a while but soon the rain started coming down harder and Marra was becoming more and more miserable. She wished desperately for a warm bed and dry clothes.

Kael watched Marra in amusement. Her wet skirts kept twisting around her legs and she kicked them with frustration. Suddenly she looked up and sent him a glare.

"What are you staring at? Why don't you trying wearing a skirt some time!" She retorted pushing a wet clump of curls off her forehead.

"Come on, it's not that bad. We can stop for a few minutes if you'd like." Kael offered. He'd been in far worse rainstorms before.

Before she could answer, Marra felt a strong arm around her torso, holding her in a suffocating hold, and a hand cupped over her mouth.

"Looks like you're stoppin mates." answered a deep grizzly voice behind her.

A/N: Mwahaha, I'm leaving this chapter with a cliffie as punishment for those who read this and do not review. Come on; just leave a little note saying you read it. Pretty please? Thank you to those who have reviewed! I'm sorry it's taking me a while to update. I'm trying to make them more frequent. :) I'm thinking about changing the name of this story. So suggestions are welcome!