We're getting close to the end. Or are we?

..... yeah, we are.

Review.

It was two whole weeks before you were asked to bring in Almedha's food again. You don't know whether to be relieved or not. Did Ashnard suspect that you had been listening? Was allowing you to server her majesty a sign that he trusted you; or was he testing you? It made you uneasy, your stomach queasy.

Almedha no longer looked sick, but she was still in bed from "exhaustion." By now you were beginning to have you doubts about what was really going on. Perhaps Ashnard truly was trying to poison his wife. But then, why a poison that was taking so long to kill? There were so many questions and no answers. The queen looked at you as you entered. "I know you…"

"I've worked here for many months; m'lady," you answer; setting the food in front of her.

"Yes… What was your name? No, wait, it doesn't matter. You're a servant right?"

You nod.

"Good, then I order you to listen to me."

"M'lady?" This can't be good. Earlier thoughts of Ashnard trying to test you entered your thoughts.

"I'm not beorc. I'm a laguz."

It takes all you have to keep your jaw from dropping. How could the queen say such a horrible thing about herself? She must truly be sick.

"Don't look at me like that! I'm telling the truth. I'm from Goldoa, a princess of the Dragon tribe."

"M'lady, I… I can't-"

"Let me guess," her tone is biting, "You're afraid that I'm testing you; so that I can throw you into the dungeon for being a traitor."

She was half right; but in reality it wasn't jail you feared.

"Well I'm not giving you a choice, so you'd better listen; or I'll have, you killed. Ashnard, that bastard, he's taken my son. I know, don't say it: I had a miscarriage. But I didn't. He has my son, he's using him because he thinks he has some sort of special power."

"M'lady… why are you telling me this?"

"Because, Ashnard is keeping me weak. I know he's been having you people sneak something into my drink. He doesn't want me to be able to fight back. I need you. I need you to go get my son from that bastard."

You shake your head, there's no way. This is treason in the highest regard.

"I told you, you don't have a choice. If you don't save my son; I'll have one of the other's 'slip up' and mention your plan to Ashnard."

Your face must have revealed how mortified you were; because Almedha chuckled. For all the bad things she spoke about Ashnard; they weren't too different. Neither was afraid of using other people without concern to the people's safety or wishes. You were caught between two ways to die. One: Refuse Almedha and have her get you killed for treason you didn't commit. Two: Do as she asked and commit treason; then get killed for it.

It didn't look too good for you.

"Well?"

You bite your lower lip in thought, "Alright, M'lady. I'll do my best." What else was there to say? This was the only way to buy yourself some time to figure out what to do.

The queen smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you… please, save my son."