The next morning I woke up, feeling fairly well rested but still a little fatigued. But mostly it was an emotional fatigue.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," I heard Nod's voice from across the room.

I covered my face briefly. I didn't like anyone to see me right after I got up, but then I figured it was pointless.

Nod noticed. "Are we playing peek-a-boo.. or what's going on here?" he teased me, laughing.

I put my hands down and stretched. "I didn't peg you for a morning person," I said, yawning.

"I'm not, but I've been up for hours," Nod answered, sipping from a tea cup he held in his hands.

"Oh gosh what time is it?" I asked, a little alarmed.

Nod laughed. "It's only nine. I didn't want to wake you up," he said. "Alisia woke up about an hour ago though," he remarked, motioning to the infant scooting around on the floor. "She's almost crawling."

"Almost," I repeated with a smile, sitting up. "Not quite yet." I stood. "Let me brush my teeth and everything and then we'll go see Ronin." I was nearly to the bathroom before I realized that I was not in my own house and my toothbrush wasn't here. I went back into the living room to find Nod staring at me with puzzled, sparkling eyes.

"Not where you thought you were?" he asked quizzically, taking another sip of tea.

"It's early," I protested. "Give me a few moments to adjust," I laughed. It was kind of funny. I'm not really a morning person either. It sounds cliché—but maybe Nod just brought out the best in me. I'm also usually not conversing with someone who can actually speak at nine in the morning.

"Do you want to—do you want to go to your house and get ready?" Nod questioned, a bit of hesitation in his voice.

I looked to the sides of the room. "I'm not sure," I replied honestly.

"It's clear," Nod reassured me. "We have guards there now. They're not hidden anymore."

Suddenly I remembered. Yeah, I was supposed to have hidden guards. "Where were they last night?" I asked, a bit angrily. Ronin wouldn't have been so beat up.

Nod looked down, and he looked a little angry too. "You were with us. You were supposed to be safe. It just—nothing worked out the way it should have," he stated. He looked up at me, sorrow in his brown eyes. "I'm sorry, MK," he said softly.

My brow furrowed and I crossed the room to sit in the chair next to him. "Sorry for what?" I asked. I grabbed his hand and we interlaced fingers. "Nod, you have nothing to be sorry for. We didn't know what yesterday would bring. It's no one's fault," I comforted him.

"Let's go home. I'm not scared. It's going to take more than a psychopath to force me out of my house," I said firmly, my mind made up. I was going to live at that house. I was going to take Leafmen training. I was going to be able to protect my family, and Mandrake was not going to frighten me.

Nod, Alisia and I cautiously stepped into the house. There were two guards at each door. Even though I told Nod I wasn't scared.. I kind of was. I stared at the stairs, only remembering the last time I went up them.

"I'll go first," Nod said, touching my back, just to give me peace of mind. He started up the stairs and I followed him. I heard his whistle of shock. "Wow." He verbalized the damage. "This place is wrecked."

"Yeah," I agreed a bit sadly. My bed was ripped up, my dresser overturned. My heart dropped when I saw the picture of young Ronin and Tara—frame cracked. I rushed over to it, and picked it up. I carefully removed the picture. Thank goodness it was okay. Then we crossed into Alisia's room—crib smashed. Mobile on the floor. The scene was burned into my brain. This was what scared me the most. The fact that someone would be so hung up on murdering a child. It made me sick. I clung tightly to Alisia, and Nod put his arm around my waist. I leaned into him, letting him support me. It felt nice to finally be able to do this.

I looked up at Nod, smiling brightly at him, to find he was already looking at me.

"I'm so glad you like me," I declared, grinning at him. Nod laughed and lowered his forehead to mine. "I'm glad you like me too," he affirmed, kissing my lips lightly.

I laughed and passed Alisia to him. "Here, take her and go downstairs so I can get ready," I said.

"Let's go Ace," Nod put Alisia on his hip and went back down the stairs.

I quickly threw my hair back up into my signature ponytail and threw on a shirt and some pants. I wasn't feeling too frilly today. I went back downstairs and breezed by Nod and Alisia on my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and then returned to the living room.

"Ready?" Nod asked me, picking Alisia up off the floor. That was another reason I had to stay here. This was Alisia's home. The only home she'd ever known. To move her would stress her out. And an unhappy baby equals an unhappy mommy.

"Let's go," I confirmed, walking out the door. I was nervous to see Ronin in the hospital. The last person I saw in a hospital was.. well.. my mom. And we all know how well that turned out.

Nod fastened Alisia in her carseat on the saddle and mounted Zeeba, offering his hand to pull me up. I took it and slid onto Zeeba gracefully.

"Here we go," Nod acknowledged, and Zeeba kicked up into the sky. "Are you nervous?" Nod asked me as we flew.

"A little bit," I admitted. "The last person I saw in a hospital was my mom."

"How did she die?" Nod asked curiously.

"Cancer," I answered forlornly.

"What's that?" Nod enquired.

"There is no cancer here?" I asked, shocked.

"I've never heard of it," Nod said.

I rested my head on Nod's back. "Consider yourself lucky."

We landed in front of the medic's and Nod and I slid off of Zeeba. I turned around and gathered Alisia in my arms. I groaned suddenly, realizing I'd forgotten something. "The diaper bag," I moaned.

Nod popped around to the other side of Zeeba and got into the saddle bag. Suddenly he raised the diaper bag above the saddle, so I could see it. "Got it right here," Nod smiled triumphantly. He tossed it to me and I slung it on my free shoulder.

I let out a relieved sigh. "Oh thank you so much Nod," I laughed. "You're a life saver."

He walked around Zeeba and put his arm around my waist and we walked into the medic station. I walked to the receptionist station and cleared my throat a bit. The flower jinn at the desk looked up casually, and then when she recognized us, stood in shock. "Your Excellency," she greeted us.

I blushed and looked to the side. "We're here to see General Ronin?" I expressed.

"Just this way," the flower jinn said, and she led us down the hall. "He's been recovering. A few broken bones, plenty of scrapes, but he should be fine in a month or so." She smiled at us. "But you know the General. It'll be hard to keep him off his feet that long."

I nodded knowingly, smiling back at her. She opened a door for us and I held my breath as I walked in, trying to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to see.

Hospital beds had a way of making everyone look small. Ronin was larger than life, but even he looked frail in a bed with bars on the side.

I knocked on the door frame, not wanting to just startle him. Hospitals made me shy.

Ronin fidgeted in his bed when he heard the noise, then looked up at the door. When he recognized us, he let out a breath of relief. "Hey," he greeted us. "How are you doing?"

I smiled just a bit and sat down in the chair next to his bed. "Better than you," I teased gently. I put Alisia down in my lap and she reached her arms out for Ronin.

"Hey kiddo," Ronin breathed, reaching out a hand to run a finger affectionately down Alisia's face. Ronin turned to Nod. "Did you alert the kingdom?" he asked.

Nod bobbed his head in confirmation. "I sent out an alert. The Leafmen are at their posts," he said seriously.

Ronin jerked his head in our direction, his eyes never leaving Nod's. "They're your responsibility now," he reminded Nod.

Nod bobbed his head again. "I'll take care of them," Nod vowed.

Ronin nodded, complacent. Gosh, it was really hard not to cry. He cared so much about Alisia and I. We also loved him very much.

"Finn will be my replacement until I can walk," Ronin told us. He smiled at us to lift our spirits, "And if I have anything to do with it, I'll be walking very soon."

"Don't rush yourself, Ronin," I warned him. "Just go slow and heal the right way."

Ronin made a scoffing sound. "MK, your father was in here earlier," he said in knowing tone of voice.

The sentence hit me like a ton of bricks. Nod and I looked at each other in panic. We stood up, and Ronin smiled ruefully and shook his head.

I carefully leaned over Ronin and kissed his forehead, "Get better," I wished to him. "Uhhh, I have to go explain things to my dad."

"Yeah," Ronin agreed, "You should go do that."

Nod and I rushed out of the medic, fastening Alisia into her seat hastefully.

"We are so stupid," I moaned. "I cannot believe I forgot to do this. This is so important." I put my hands to my head. "I am such a horrible daughter."

Nod gave me a fierce look. "MK, stop," he removed my hands from my face and kissed my forehead. "You are not a horrible daughter. You've had a lot going on. Let's go, come on. Hopefully he'll be home."

We rode past Ronin's house and my house, until we reached Dad's. He didn't live too far from me, but it was far enough. We landed in front and found him sitting in a chair on his front porch, waiting for us.

He did not look happy.

As soon as I dismounted, he stood and I rushed to him. "Dad I am so sorry I didn't come sooner," I apologized, "I just had a lot on my mind, and I-" as I continued, my dad's resolve melted, and he wrapped his arms around me.

"I am just so glad you are okay," Dad said. Dad looked past me and saw Nod standing next to Zeeba and Alisia. He walked over to the bird and reached his hands into Alisia's baby seat, lifting her out. She flung her hands out and attatched them to Bomba's glasses, and he chuckled. "No you silly thing, these aren't for you," he gently scolded.

Nod suddenly looked like he remembered something. "Uhm, Professor, could I speak with you?" He gave me a nervous glance. "Privately?"

My eyes narrowed and I raised my eyebrows. Nod took my hand and grinned at me. "Don't panic," he teased me. "We'll just be a second. I promise."

Dad looked just as confused as me, but he agreed. "Oh. Sure, just come in," he said, leading Nod into the house and taking Alisia with him.

I was alone outside, but I didn't mind. Until I heard a noise behind me. I flung around, and called out, "Who's there?"

There was a rustling in the bushes across from me. I almost shouted for Nod, but then Finn appeared out of the bushes.

I laughed and placed my hand on my chest, over my fast beating heart. "Finn! Oh my gosh, you scared me," I breathed.

"Sorry, your Excellency," Finn apologized, with a smile and a small bow. "But I've brought your permanent security." Two more guards appeared out of the brush. One was a woman in full Leafmen armor, and the other was a man.

They walked up next to Finn and bowed to me. I couldn't help but feel a little silly. I was dressed like I was going for a run. But I knew with the recent attack, the extra security was completely necessary. Maybe when I completed my Leafmen training, it wouldn't be.

"Two of our finest soldiers, Maple and Redwood," Finn introduced them.

"Hello," I greeted, a little nervously. I wasn't exactly sure how to act.

Maple dropped her guard for just a moment. "Actually, your Highness, you're not supposed to speak to us," she said with a smile. "We're just here to guard you. It's not proper to have a relationship on duty. It could affect our reflexes or responsibilities."

My mouth formed an 'o' of surprise. "Oh," I absorbed. "Well. That's nice to know. Thank you, Maple."

Maple nodded and went back to having an impassive expression and standing stiff as a board. In a weird way, that kind of comforted me. The two guards emanated positive energy. A warm glow. Suddenly, Nod, carrying Alisia, and Dad emerged from the house.

"Finn," Nod greeted him. "Whatcha doin?" he asked.

"I brought guards for the Royal Advisor and her Queen," Finn said, raising his eyebrows in amusement at the sight of Nod and Alisia.

Nod tilted his head, a bit pleadingly. "Is that really necessary," he muttered to Finn.

Finn looked sternly at Nod. "Nod, you know it is. You're still too young to do this on your own."

Nod sighed. "Alright," he relented.

Finn turned to go back the way he came when he suddenly stiffened, like he remembered something. "Oh, and MK, Nod. The council would like to meet with both of you," he said, but it sounded like a warning.

I was confused. "What for?" I had only met the Council one time.

Finn looked like he was deliberating against something. "I'm not sure," he finally said.

Nod's face looked crestfallen. "I think I've got an idea," he murmured.

I looked at Nod, suspicious. "Nod.." I started.

He sighed and looked up at the sky. "This is not how I wanted to do this," he cursed.

"Nod!" I spit out. "What's going on?" I begged.

Nod smiled at me, tenderly, and took my hand. "Could we maybe leave Alisia at my mom's for about an hour? We can go out and talk it over," he pleaded.

I tucked chin in. "Alright," I said, my eyes narrowing. "But I'm still suspicious," I told him, a smile growing in my face.

Nod laughed. "That's alright," he said.

Sorry guys, I feel like this is a limbo chapter. But I have a feeling you're going to like the next one. Nod tries to outwit the Council!