Keeva was trying to pick up a book off the floor when there was a knock on her door. She no longer feared that it was Galbatorix, she had learned that he didnt knock he just barged right in. "Who is it?"Keeva asked slowly straightening.

"Its Mona, Milady." The voice from the other side of the door said.

Keeva went and opened the door. "Come in!" Keeva said hugging the girl. Mona returned the hug, but not as freely as the other woman gave it.

"Is something bothering you?" Keeva asked the girl.

"You know me well Keeva." Mona said as she walked across the room to the second rocking chair Keeva had had brought to her room, and sat down.

Keeva again tried to stoop to pick up the book but was afraid if she got down that low she wouldn't be able to rise.

"I'll get it Key." Mona said laughing. As she picked up the book she read the title. "Time passes quickly. Now let me see..." She said looking up at the ceiling.

"If I am counting correctly, I have picked this very book up 16 times in the last 8 months." Mona said a gleam in her eyes.

"How are you feeling today Keeva?" She asked her mistress.

"Tired," Keeva answered. " I never would have guessed that carrying around a few extra pounds would be so exhausting. Now I know what mother was talking about when she said Aislinn made her tired even before she was born." Keeva said lovingly rubbing her swollen womb.

"Have you picked out a name yet?" Mona asked, an excited smile gracing her lips.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have. I decided on Elaina Marie for a girl and James Alexander for a boy." Keeva said smiling. "Now, what is bothering you?" Keeva asked her voice suddenly serious as she sat down in the rocking chair across from Mona.

"Cara and I have been talking and we both agree that you need to run away." Mona said in a rush.

She had learned that she could speak her mind with Keeva and did not fear her response.

"Run away?" Keeva asked. "Even if I wanted to, I have 24 hour guards, even when I'm in the garden and the wall around the garden is 10 feet tall!" Keeva said, but even as she voiced her protests, the fear for her unborn baby voiced its approval.

"We thought about that too." Mona said to Keeva. "There is an army patrol leaving in one hour, they have news of the new rider. My friend is supposed to accompany them, but is ill. Take his uniform and horse and go with them. Cara and I will cover for you." Mona said. She wore an excited smile on her face at the chance of escape for her mistress.

Cara and Mona both knew the cruelty with which Galbatorix treated his new wife both had seen the cuts and bruises Keeva tried to hide and would rather die than see her or the baby harmed by him.

"What about you? If I escape the King will have you killed." Keeva said. "And what of my Mother and sisters? They too will be in danger." Keeva continued to voice her doubts.

"Once you leave, Mona and I will be free to escape, we will go to your farm and take your family with us, we will meet you at the Blackwood forest, and then continue on to the Vardon, they will protect us."

Keeva nodded slowly, sure now that this was Gods plan.