So, Shelby's rescue party had grown from three to four. Riley's sword and knowledge, Chase's ability and charm, Koda's strength and shield (something Shelby had bought for him) and finally, Shelby's spirit. And together, they would rescue the captured prince.

The group had already left the previous village, and had now spent the better part of the morning riding west. Koda riding double with Chase, Riley going over the maps once more, and Shelby at the lead.

"We couldn't find any leads in the other city, but perhaps there are other placed King sledge's minions might have run off to," Shelby said. "Any suggestions?"

Riley folded his map in frustration. "I have some theories, but the only logical place Prince Tyler could be is at the villain's stronghold itself, and no one knows where it is…let alone how to get there."

Shelby looked up into the sky. "There has to be some way, or something we can do."

Koda scratched his hair. "Wait," he said. "I know…legend says…great sorcerer who live in mountain. Old enemy of Sledge."

"What?" Riley asked. He was supposed to be the scholar, and he had never heard of this. "What great wizard?"

Koda continued, "My people…we know of this legend. This great…sorcerer. He show us his magic."

There had never been a record of this man, not in any of the books, or stories Sir Riley knew of. Could this have been knowledge that was known only to Koda's people, and if so, was that the reason why King Sledge wiped them out so quickly? Theoretically, if Koda's tribe were the only ones to know of this sorcerer, and were now gone, there was no one to pass on the knowledge of this man, or where to find him. Sledge would be virtually impossible to locate, or defeat.

"Koda," Shelby asked, "What else can you tell us about this wizard?"

Koda scratched his head, "Hard…to find…but he lives deep…within the mountains of Stars."

"I've heard of that!" Sir Riley shouted…almost a little too loudly. Shelby wasn't sure if he was excited about being able to provide knowledge, or to know something that others did not, once more. "Those mountains are on the far side of the eastern kingdom. The journey is treacherous, and there's never been anyone whose journeyed and returned to tell of it."

"Well," Shelby said, "We'll just have to be the first."

The group continued to travel through the forest, the sun began to set, and Sir Chase suggested they build camp for the night, and Shelby did not argue. They tied their horses, gave them water, started a fire, and allowed the night to engulf them in its world. Shelby had only ever camped out once, a long time ago. The smell of adventure, and freedom called to her for the first time…and in her own way, she chased it.

Koda sat on the far side of the fire, away from Riley and Chase's horseplay. What was it about those two that brought out so much competition between them?

Shelby stood, and sat down next to Koda. He had been helpful, there was no doubt about that, but there was still something wrong. Koda was free, but he still wore that same pained expression that Shelby saw when she first met him.

"Koda," she asked, "Is everything alright?"

"My…brother," Koda began, "I…used to play…and protect him…all the time."

Koda's voice was as soft as velvet, and as distant as a star's light. She understood what it meant to lose the ones you cared for. The princess had lost her parents when she was very young. It was a fairy tale cliché, and yet it was the life she knew. A princess who was without a king and queen. A lady in waiting who watched over her. It was her parents who took her out at night. It was her father who kissed her neck gently, and her mother who whispered songs in her ear.

And with each passing day, Shelby feared she would forget those memories.

"I know how you feel Koda…believe me, I do."

"But…how?" Koda asked.

Shelby merely shrugged. "Believe me…I've known loss." After her parents passed, Lady Morgan stood by her side. She had assumed power until the princess was ready to take the throne herself. Shelby was allowed to roam, and search for that call of adventure. The strong need for freedom that her parents had given her. A search that made her feel as though she were closer to them now more than ever.

"Lady Morgan, a friend of mine," Shelby began, "Says the best thing to do when it comes to loss…is to share it." She placed a strand of her own hair behind her head, "At least then, it doesn't feel like you're feeling it alone." She knew she had no right to ask this of anyone…let alone Koda…but still. "Would you like to tell me about your brother?"

And Koda smiled. "…yes. I'd…love that."