Janner and Maraly sat in their bunkers. They were on an Anneiran ship, headed for Skree. They planned to go to the East Bend first, since Stranders were involved in the kidnapping. Otherwise, they didn't have any leads.

Janner was reading a book, Everything Known about Stranders by Gimsley Fluffertrump. Maraly was sharpening her daggers and practicing her aim by throwing them at a small target hanging on the wall.

The ship was silent, aside from the occasional flip of a page or THUNK! if a dagger hitting the board.

Janner and Maraly had set out last night to embark on their mission to save the children. And to possibly find Liam.

After a while, Janner set down his book and swung his legs off of the creaky bed.

"Maraly, if they are not in the East Bend, where could they possibly be?" he asked quietly. The tension was so thick, it could have been sliced by one of Maraly's daggers.

"Well," she said, after a long moment. "I don't know. But I will look everywhere to find them. Do you remember when you set out to find your bother who had been taken by the Black Carriage, so long ago?" she asked.

Janner nodded.

"I remember seeing a kind of fire in your eyes. Some type of determination to find him. And I can see it in your eyes now. If you were successful then, you can be successful now. Makers will, of course," Maraly said, staring into Janner's eyes.

Janner smiled. Maraly was right. Makers will, the children would return safely home.

Liam woke to a sweet smell of pancakes and syrup. He got out of his bed, and blinked the sleep from his eyes. He hoped he hadn't slept in too late. He went and changed and cleaned himself up in the bathroom before opening the door to his room and heading downstairs for breakfast.

As he walked down the stairwell, he heard the chatter of people and clanking of utensils against plates and bowls.

"MARISSAAAAAAAAA!! GET MORE PANCAKES FOR TABLE FIVE, NOW!" screamed a familiar voice. Liam jumped at the harshness. It was the Inn owner. All at once, A flurry of golden locks flew past his face, and a sweet smell followed. It was Marissa.

Liam saw her rush to table five with a huge plate full of steaming, fluffy, golden pancakes.

"Enjoy!" she said hurriedly. Then she turned and rushed back to the kitchen in a flash.

She must be really busy, Liam thought. He spotted an empty one-seat table and turned to go claim it. But right then, as he walked forward, someone crashed into him!

He was knocked over onto the floor, and so was the other person.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," he began, then he looked up. It was Marissa staring back at him with dismay in her eyes. She was toppled over on the floor as well, pancakes strewn all across the floor. A silver platter was bent under Liam's foot.

"Marissa!" he said quickly. "I am so sorry!" He got up quickly, and then offered his hand to help Marissa up.

He scolded himself when he almost blushed as their hands touched.

"No, no, the fault is mine. I should have looked where I was going," the pretty waitress said.

She bent back down to retrieve the ruined breakfast and platter. Liam got down and helped her as well. Then he heard the room fall silent and harsh footsteps approach them.

"Oy! WHAT IN ALL OF AREWAIR IS GOING ON?!" said an angry voice.

Marissa winced, then turned to see the owner.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Grell. I-"

"Please excuse me, Mr., um, Grell. I crashed into her. It was my fault. Please allow me to clean this mess up," Liam cut her off.

Mr. Grell turned his icy glare to Liam. "Well then, pick em' up! Both of you!"

Then the short man turned and stomped away.

The chatter resumed, and the rest of the customers paid no more attention. Marissa shot him a look.

"I can handle myself. With all due respect, sir, you don't need to take the blame on something that was my fault. I have been working for Mr. Grell for over four years, I know how to handle him."

Liam was taken aback.

"I'm sorry, I was only trying to help."

Marissa's twinkling emerald eyes softened. "Its all right," she said.

They both cleaned up in silence.

Once the mess was cleared, Marissa and Liam stood up.

"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Sadarth. I will bring you breakfast shortly." And with a sweep of her golden hair and her flowing skirt, she rushed off to the kitchen.

Liam wanted to kick himself for lingering there a moment more, watching her leave. He was an idiot. The sooner he got out of this place, the better.

He sat down at the table and waited for his breakfast. He couldn't stop thinking about how mean Mr. Grell had been. Marissa did seem like she was trying her hardest at her job.

Later, after breakfast, he thought to talk to Marissa about something. He needed to know if that was always how Mr. Grell treated her, or if he was just in a bad mood.

As he crossed the empty mess hall to the kitchen to seek Marissa, he stopped at the door of the kitchen when he heard a heated argument.

"Sir, It's been hard for me, and I've worked for you for a long time now, and this money is simply not enough-"

"I don't care! Don't bring your problems to work. And be grateful you're being paid a generous amount. I wouldn't complain if you want to keep your job, and I know that you do."

"You are right sir. But, its been three months, and only two silver coins-"

"GET BACK TO WORK, MARISSA! AND I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD!"

Liam stood slack jawed at the door. When he heard footsteps approach the door, he threw himself behind the corner right as Mr. Grell stormed our. The door slammed shut behind him.

After one moment of hearing Mr. Grell's mumbling and stomping fade, he heard a new sound behind the door.

Soft crying.

Liam recognized Marissa's voice. He crept to the door, and pushed it open.

He found Marissa sitting on the floor. She looked defeated, and tears were slipping down her cheeks. When she saw Liam, she scrambled to wipe her eyes and get to her feet.

"Oh, er, hello, Mr. Sadarth. I'm afraid the kitchen is for employees only. Might you need something?"

Liam's face twisted into concern.

"I heard what he told you," he said quietly.

Marissa looked down at the floor and she looked like she was trying hard not to cry or show any sign of emotion.

"That is none of your concern. Now may I help you?"

Liam stepped toward her.

"This isn't right, Marissa. You cannot let him treat you like this! Two silver coins for three months?! Forgive me, but, how do you live off of that?"

Marissa's head wiped up, and anger replaced her saddness.

"You don't understand, and you shouldn't be sticking your nose into my business! I need to work for him until he dies if I am to inherit this Inn. It belonged to my parents. But they...tragically died four years ago. Mr. Grell is my uncle. He said I could only inherit this Inn of I worked for him until he dies, and I need to! This Inn is the only thing left of my parents, and I have to carry on their legacy!"

Tears gathered in her eyes and threatened to spill over.

Liam was beyond shocked. He almost wanted to hug her, but that was awkward.

Liam looked down. "I'm...very sorry to hear that."

"You keep saying sorry. But it doesn't fix anything. Nobody can help me. He has everyone wrapped around his finger, and no one cares! He won't come to justice until the Royal Anneiran Family comes and smacks him across the face!" she sneered.

Liam almost snorted aloud. But another idea popped into his head. It was crazy, yes. But...

"What if they could?" Liam said, carefully choosing his next words.

Marissa looked up at him questioningly.

"I have...connections to the Royal Family. I can help you escape this place, and we can fix everything. I can't tell you more than that, so you'll have to trust me," Liam begged.

Marissa's eyebrows were raised, and she looked very concerned.

"You're asking me to run away and blindly trust you to fi x everything, Liadro?"

Liam didn't have any other way to reword it, so he nodded.

Marissa was slack jawed, then she snickered.

"You're crazy. No."

"Listen," Liam begged. "If I tell you now, will you promise not to tell anyone else even if you don't agree to my plan?"

Marissa eyed him warily.

"Well...fine," she said, crossing her arms.

Liam was taking a huge risk that could potentially ruin everything. But he decided it was worth it.

"I am not Liadro Sadarth. My name is Liam Wingfeather, the son of Janner Wingfeather of the Shinning Isle of Anneira. I'm here on a...situation."

Marissa's eyes were as wide as pancakes.

"What situation?" she pressed.

Liam sighed and looked around them. No one was listening.

But still, he leaned in and whispered,

"Itzel and Arthedor Wingfeather have been kidnapped. By Fangs. I am trying to find them to get them home safely."

Liam's voice broke, and to his surprise, Marissa is eyes watered too.

"I know what it feels like to loose a sibling," she said softly, hugging her knees to her chest.

"My little sister was taken by Fangs during the War. By the Black Carriage. I never saw her after that. She was the only family I had left. It was never the same after that. She used to always sneeze. Its

like she was allergic to everything around her. I still can't believe she's gone," Marissa said sadly.

Liam nodded, and both of them sat there for what seemed like an eternity.

"Okay, I'll do it."

Liam looked up.

"What?"

Marissa stared at him with her dazzling emerald eyes. "I'll escape with you. And I'll help you find your cousins. But promise me you'll help me get my Inn."

Liam smiled.

"I promise," he said.

Marissa took a deep breath, then her gaze hardened.

"What's the plan?"