Hey you. Yeah, you. With the face. You better review this chapter, because I'll know if you don't. Reviews give me energy, so take 2 minutes and help me out :D

Thank you to my reviewers, and a HUGE thank you to Syner for beta reading!

Also, HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! FOR ME, EXAMS ARE OVERRRRRR!

Do you know what it's time for? INSIDE JOKE THEATRE!

Cat + Buttered Toast = Flying Cat! (Stolen from a friend)

Soggy Crackers + Revenge = Porridge! (Weird conversations with me and my brother)

Oh, hey, I never do disclaimers, do i? I never remember. Well, I don't own Fire Emblem. I dont make any money writing for Fire Emblem. Only half the plot in this story is my own, but it follows the game's plot. Which I dont own.

Alrighty, chapter starts... NOW!

Chapter 2

"Ny, get up and get packed. We're leaving." Winnie hissed to a groggy and disoriented Nyala.

The younger girl just blinked and brushed away lazily some strand of hair from her face. She had just been woken up by an all-too eager looking laguz hovering over her at an ungodly morning hour and was too tired to even think about how the wolf could have gotten into her house, especially her room.

She sat up and rubbed her eyes before asking in a hoarse voice, "Winnie? What's going on?"

Winnie grinned, all the while making shushing gestures. "You heard me. We're leaving. Ya know why?" Even though it was a rhetorical question, the mage answered quickly.

"The Dawn Brigade, you're getting them to recruit us. We're meeting them at their base in Nevassa."

"Kest told you, didn't he? Damn, I was hoping to get to laugh at your reaction. Anyways, he's right. I've been meeting with them since the first time I ran into them, which I didn't bother to tell you about."

Nyala raised a questioning eyebrow and asked, "And why not?" The laguz girl had always been one to keep secrets, but never had she kept anything big hidden from her friends... why was she starting now? Nyala wondered. It stung her a little.

Winnie's grin faded to a mere tentative smile. "Didn't wanna get your hopes up, Brandy. I know how much you want to leave town, and I think you'd have gone on a rampage or something if you had found out, only to be let down in the end."

Slightly offended, the branded girl replied, "That was pretty deep, even considering your use of the term "rampage" and calling me "Brandy"."

Being called Brandy- the nickname Winnie had been calling her for years because of her Brand- annoyed Nyala to no end. The worst part was that it wasn't really a nickname anymore, the whole town called her that now. Only her family and, of course, herself, still seemed to refer to her by her given name. "Brandy"... it wasn't even creative!

"Either way," The wolf continued, ignoring the other girl's comment. "I met them, talked to them, and know we're joining them, so pack your stuff already."

"This is happening sort of fast though, Win. I mean, I only found out about your little secret meetings yesterday. How many times have you met with them?"

Winnie shrugged. "A couple times, various locations, disguises, the whole bit." The laguz had begun unceremoniously tossing everything her hands touched into a large rucksack Nyala owned as the mage watched her, frowning slightly.

"We're going to Nevassa today then, I suppose? And how are we getting there? Its days of walking on foot, and I can't afford a horse, obviously." The girl questioned as her friend continued to pack for her.

Winnie grinned widely, showing pointed canines. "Why, we're stealing horses! So glad you asked, Brandy!"

"Excuse me!" Nyala cried out loud, her eyes wide. There was no way in Tellius she was going through with that- she couldn't. "Win, you can't be serious! I don't care how many times you've done it; you nick them all the time according to Orland! But there is no way on Tellius I am stealing anything... besides food!"

She huffed angrily. Her friend had a talent for cunning; she enjoyed stealing large things (such as people's horses) for a few moments just to see if she could and could usually pull off whatever trick she wanted. Nyala helped her out of the ones she got caught in.

The wolf gave her signature charming grin, amused by the mage's reaction.

"We actually only need one- you and Orland can ride together and I'll be in my halfway form." Winnie mused, watching her friend shake her head, trying to clear it. Winnie was many things, Nyala knew, but she never thought of her as a real thief, just a prankster. What would her parents think? And what would Kest think when he realized his sister left for good to fight and kill at only fifteen?

I can't go through with this... this is all happening too fast... she thought, her lips forming a thin line.

Winnie read her face easily and put a comforting arm around her, surprising her. It was unusual of her to do something like that. "Brandy, everyone in Palean knew this would happen someday, especially you. I know this is sudden, but we have to leave when they're not expecting it if we want them not to try and stop us. Not to mention you'll still be fifteen this time next year, and Daein can't wait that long."

Nyala looked up at the wolf, meeting her light brown eyes and solemnly nodding her head. She knew she was being stupid and that Winnie was right, but it still didn't do much to dull the pain of losing her family- and she hadn't even left the house yet. Her friends weren't leaving as many people, the people who wanted her even though she was Branded. The only Branded in the world whose parents and town loved her, that was what she was leaving behind. Winnie didn't understand what it was like. She had everything Nyala didn't, it seemed, they were like opposites. The wolf was charismatic, care-free, loved, and a natural leader on top of being stunningly beautiful all the time.

Short, mouse-brown ringlets that stayed close to her head and springy but were still long enough to blow in the wind, light brown eyes that promised fun and light-hearted times , but could be so serious and truthful as they were right now. She was also very strong physically, being a master fighter and agile and tall and lithe... the list went on forever it seemed. She did have times where she lost her Winnie-like qualities only to be replaced by her other side- the angry one. Sometimes the same things that bothered Nyala bothered her too, but that side most never revealed itself.

Nyala, however, was grossly skinny, with lank black hair and uninteresting features, a gaunt face and heavily lidded eyes. She had olive-toned skin like her mother had, the only adequate proof she had Gallian blood in her. Hard grey eyes that were almost frightening to meet because of their coldness and piercing stare. People often assumed she was a naturally mean person when, really, she was the nicest of her friends. Orland and Winnie both had respective issues, and Winnie often had bad ideas she needed to steer away from, which the mage was glad to help with. She was scrawny, the runt, and worst: incredibly weak. She couldn't cast a decent spell and had no physical power at all. Her only talent was how articulate she was, good at dealing with situations, planning things, and she could keep her temper. It wasn't much to live on, but it had to suffice. Her life, she felt, was like she was always standing in the others' shadows, a mere figment in the background, only to be outshined repeatedly by her brave and interesting companions.

Winnie never seemed to let her forget her place either. She spoke for her, thought for her, decided her every move for her. She spoke for Orland too, even though Nyala knew she knew him better- another one of her scarce talents- she could read people well. It seemed like she was Winnie's pet. To be belittled and ignored constantly ate at her, and she longed for confidence. She never did anything first or better than the wolf. Not only that, but Winnie was rather harsh with her too. She yelled at her if she found out the mage had stayed out late and had completely lost it when Brandy and Orland were attacked by the thieves.

Well if Brandy was her pet... then Nyala wouldn't be. They would be two separate people, one belonging to another, the other strong and confident and powerful. To her, though, she knew that day would never come. The New Nyala was only a dream.

"Fine, sure. Let's pack, and then we'll go steal a horse, and leave. I never want to see this place again."

"Then we leave tonight."

Nevassa, Daein.

The base was really just a rickety old building, and rickety was an understatement. The place barely had a roof; it was more like flimsy material draped over rotting crossbeams. The walls were holed and looked likely to collapse on themselves at any moment, and the floor was but packed with dirt. Sothe had guessed it had been a simple house that had caught fire, using the charred remains of the ceiling for evidence.

Micaiah, Edward and Leonardo entered the base after making sure there were no soldiers left to see them. Feeling down in luck, Micaiah sighed quietly as she slipped into the house and sat in a small wooden chair, which was also slightly burnt. There was no table in the house, so Edward and Leonardo pulled their chairs to form a small triangle with the girl, all facing each other. Nobody said anything. They were all too busy worrying to talk, including the Maiden.

What if they don't get back in time? When are the other three coming? What are we going to do?

The questions raced through her mind, expecting answers, but the silver-haired girl had none. Her far-sight didn't help in this situation because she couldn't choose what she saw, and she could only choose when to use it on occasion, when she was strong enough. The rest of the time, she survived off only a sense of impending danger and an idea of how to deal with it.

"Where are they?" Someone asked, and Micaiah looked up at her companions.

"Sorry?" She said, wondering which of her friends asked- she had been too deep in thought to listen.

"Shh!" Leonardo shushed her quickly, making her frown.

"It was someone outside!" He explained in a bare whisper. Everyone sat deadly still and silent. Someone was outside, right there, and they were looking for them. Hardly breathing, they listened to the muted voices. All of them were too frightened to move.

"I know they're around here somewhere." A deeper, second voice said.

"Maybe they're inside." The first voice replied, and Micaiah's heart skipped a beat. The doorknob turned and the Maiden squeezed her eyes shut, wondering why she didn't see this coming and expecting yells of "here they are!" but none came.

"Afternoon." said Nolan, walking into the base. Micaiah's eyes flew open as she wheeled around in her chair as best as possible, considering it had a back on it. She took a deep breath and grinned, relived. She stood and walked up to them, slowing her breathing and unclenching her fist, balled from panic.

"Nolan, Sothe!" She said, beaming at them. "You're back early!"

Sothe nodded. "We didn't expect to be, but we had to leave town early. Begnion soldiers appeared out of nowhere overnight. We had to fight maybe fifteen off by ourselves."

"What?" Asked Leonardo as he and the myrmidon came over to greet the other two men.

"Someone in town must have tipped them off, but the next day they were everywhere. We were forced to leave early." The thief repeated differently, looking at Micaiah instead of the archer. All of them instantly forgot about the scare they just had, intent on learning more from Sothe's story.

"Goddess, and I thought we had trouble!" Edward said, frowning slightly. Sothe raised an eyebrow.

"What happened?" He questioned when Edward didn't bother explaining himself.

"Bandits. Maybe twenty or so, just an hour ago, right here in Nevassa!"

"Damn it. It means we're leaving, then, I suppose?" The three who fought off the bandits all nodded silently. "What about the other three? They're supposed to be here within today or tomorrow."

"I know," The Maiden answered, averting her eyes. "I think... we should stay put for as long as possible, but if they don't arrive by evening tomorrow, we leave." She decided. It was a day long trip, and they were pushing it by hoping they would arrive early.

She went to sit in one of the chairs again, and put her chin in the hand she had propped up on her knee. She knew she had to be the decisive one all the time because she was the leader, but the stress was doing bad things for her mental stability. She only wished she was really as level-headed as everyone saw her.

Leonardo grinned suddenly, turning to Sothe and Nolan. "You scared us to death, by the way." He started, and Edward chuckled. "After running away from Begnion soldiers, we don't exactly want to hear two voices outside our base wondering where we are. Why were you even wondering where we were? Couldn't you just walk in and save us all from heart attacks?"

The two offenders laughed, Sothe's a dark chuckle and Nolan's a loud booming one.

Things lightened considerably up a little after that, and the past day was forgotten in favour of dinner. Micaiah and Leonardo were the only reasonable cooks- Nolan and Sothe didn't have the patience, and Edward either burnt things or undercooked them. Their dinner consisted of bread, cabbage, and the sausage Micaiah heated with a very weak Fire spell. Sausage was considered a treat for them, because meat was expensive. It had been given to them by a young woman whose store had been spared by the team during a bandit raid.

Dinner was eaten quietly, surprisingly calm for a group who could have soldiers burst in upon them at anytime. Well, that was being a bit dramatic. No soldier was stupid enough to come without reinforcements, and the nearest base was a while away. The subject was tentatively brought up after dinner, while the Dawn Brigade sat around a small fire lit in the grate. It provided little warmth in the clammy stone house, but it felt safe.

"So when are those new arrivals coming?" Edward asked no one in particular, staring into the flames. His eyes reflected flickering red light.

"They'll probably leave tomorrow morning and get here by the morning of the day after- which may be too late. The longest I think we can wait is until tomorrow evening. I have a feeling that if the Occupation attacks, it would be at night." Sothe reasoned. The others nodded, straightening up not really looking at each other. Micaiah couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed- hadn't they just been over this an hour ago?

"I guess we'll wait for as long as we can... but we can't cut it too close." replied Edward, shaking his head. "This is eating at me. Either they come or they don't, and it could make such a difference..."

Nobody commented. The frustration level was running high, and nobody wanted to say something they'd regret. Voicing the tension wasn't a very good reliever, it turned out. Micaiah sighed to herself, noticing idly how much she had been doing that lately.

"We should talk about something else." She suggested, smiling. Everyone stared, waiting for her to start. "Any ideas?" Meek laughter followed, but no suggestions.

"We could..." started Leonardo, only to stop when nothing came. "This is hard."

Talking about something nice shouldn't ever be this difficult, thought Micaiah with yet another sigh. They were in a rut. If only a miracle would occur. Even Yune was bored- she seemed to fall asleep on her shoulder.

"It's far later than I thought." Micaiah declared, rising to her feet, as did Sothe. "I think I'll sleep for a bit. Nolan's on first shift, right?" She asked.

They did shifts of keeping watch at night in rotating intervals. Who knew what could happen when everyone was in slumber…

"Yep. Until three, then it's Ed." Nolan replied casually. He wasn't as bothered as everyone else, Micaiah could tell. He radiated it nicely; it was good having him around.

"Goodnight, everyone." she smiled and waved, departing the room with Sothe trickling after her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Sothe. What's bothering you?" she leaned against the door to her room.

"You seem to trust the wolf girl a lot already. How do you know she's even on our side? The laguz helped taking down Daein!" He questioned in a whisper, not bothering to hold back one bit when talking just to her. He didn't appear to want the others to hear his suspicions. Micaiah hesitated. It was a fair question.

"I trust her because I get a good feeling from her." Sothe relaxed completely.

"Why didn't you just say so?"

"...Because I also feel there's something weird going on. Your point was valid- she should hate us, shouldn't she? But I suppose if she was born here, she'd be more likely to side with her country than not... is she? It could easily be either... her friends she claimed are beorc, however, so she must not have anything against us...? There are so many questions. I feel she is not racist in the least, however. She strives for integration, even, I could tell. But what if...?" Her slender fingers, gloved in withered leather, came up to massage her temples. She and Sothe ended up just looking at each other for a minute, knowing how the other was feeling and not needing to talk. The silence hung until Micaiah made a move to open her door.

Sothe nodded and muttered a brief "goodnight" to her before heading back the way he came, presumably to watch the fire again.

Slipping into her room, the maiden attempted to relax, but how could she, while standing in a charred room that had once belonged to a child? The room she was standing in had been a young girl's, without a doubt. Singed handmade dolls and beaded necklaces were scattered around, littering the ashy floor. It smelled of smoke and must. Micaiah couldn't help but feel the lingering remorse in this house the family had left there... it was powerful.

It was times like these that made the Silver-Haired Maiden wary of her gifts. Seeing uncomfortable things in the future was one thing, but being able to sense emotions was another. It could be compared to the talents of the Herons and their ability to look into the hearts of others, only hers wasn't as strong. At times like these, when the... scent... of the emotions was this powerful, it could almost make her feel them too. Some people who didn't know her well said she just had a strong sense of empathy, but she and her friends knew it was another gift from the Goddess to her.

This room belonged to yet another child who was ruined by the war... what did her family do to upset the Occupation Army? Look at a soldier funny? Help a neighbour? Buy bread? Of course, it could have simply been an accident. Maybe something just caught fire and lit the house, and had nothing to do with Begnion's forces. Micaiah had a feeling it did.

The room felt like sorrow and joy, memories, family, and, of course, love.

Absentmindedly, she roamed the room, gathering her scarce items to pack. A thin blanket, a box of matches, a Light tome. There was barely anything to put into her rucksack, which was light-weight and made from jean. Durable and comfortable, it sat high enough on her back to not inconvenience her while running. It was the little things like that that saved her life sometimes- it was so unpredictable, even for a fortune-teller. The time she was cornered in an alleyway with a few Begnion soldiers and had to run into the woods with Sothe after casting a Shine spell was one example.

Her hands rummaged through a small pouch of healing items, looking for an herb. The pouch only held three herbs and a single vulnerary. Granted, the vulnerary had quite a few doses left in it, but they were for emergencies. They would have to survive off herbs if one of them were to be injured. She pulled one out of the bag and pocketed it. Her intuition was telling her she'd need it later.

After procrastinating a while longer, she decided it was time for her to face sleep. She wasn't really tired, and the questions floating in her mind were troubling her. She did feel a little relief that Nolan and Sothe had come back though and it was one less thing to worry about.

Finally she lay down and shut her eyes, sighing deeply and pulling her thin blanket over her. What a day.

Meanwhile, in a town outside Palean.

"This is ridiculous! You'll get caught!" Nyala whined at Winnie's retreating back from her hideout behind a bush. Here she was, in the middle of the night, sitting in a bush with Orland as they watched Winnie commit her first real felony. The start of many, the mage noted, as they would be killing soon. She had never killed before and had never planned to, until the Mad King's War.

She had been almost thirteen then, the cycle of months in the differences in her aging had lined up well there, so in her seventeenth year- three years ago- she was how old a fifteen year old (which she was now) would have been at that time, except for the fact three years ago she was almost thirteen, and now she was just barley fifteen. But it was close. Nonetheless, she was too young to fight in the war at twelve years old, so she never killed anyone.

Watching Winnie sneak closer to the barn made her realize exactly what was already becoming of herself. Sprung from her house in the middle of the night, leaving only a note for Kest and an empty bedroom, void of clothes and tomes. Walked three hours on foot to a farming village none of them knew the name of. Now she was hiding in a bush to steal a horse from an innocent person and make an escape, join a team of the most wanted people in the country, kill soldiers and free their country.

She learned to cope with it last night as she lay awake in bed, fully clothed underneath the covers with a packed backpack under bed. There was so much she was leaving behind- a family of people who wanted her, the safety of the integrated town... she had heard stories of how Branded were treated all through the continent. She had left the only safe place to hide, with a laguz, too. Daein was not a laguz country.

Orland nudged her with his elbow, refocusing her attention to the wolf and the barn. Winnie had wanted to go in as a wolf and create panic, so the farmer wouldn't notice one of his horses was missing as he tried to calm his livestock down. This plan was quickly squashed by Nyala, who insisted that if she stole a horse quietly, there would be no commotion and the rancher wouldn't know of the theft until morning.

So Winnie was quietly sneaking towards the barn, making sure to stay out of line of sight if someone were to look through the window facing their direction. The door creaked as she pulled it open, and Nyala's body sustained a sudden shock of fear. The paranoia of getting caught was inevitable. Winnie paused for a minute to listen if anyone was coming, and after deeming it safe, proceeded to walk into the barn of sleeping animals.

Seconds ticked past in the bushes, where all the two there could do was watch and wait. Nyala had no idea how to wake up a sleeping horse without scaring it, but apparently her friend was willing to try. She was absently tearing a leaf to shreds while giving Orland nervous looks every few seconds, which were always returned by a patient stare that calmed her down for a moment. Several times she could have sworn there was something behind her, or the farmer's door opening, or an angry animal cry.

Winnie's been in there a while now... her mind informed her. The panic manifested itself even more as the wolf didn't come out. It had been nearly fifteen minutes now. Was she in there, frozen with fear? Was the horse refusing to move? Was she even okay? There were other questions too. What if we get caught? What if we're seen? What will happen when my family realizes I'm not home, nor Orland, nor Winnie?

She ran her fingers repeatedly through her hair until Orland placed a hand on her arm, attempting to calm her. For once, it didn't. She began panicking.

"Orland. I can't do this. We'll get caught, and I don't think I can handle killing anyone, if I even survive that long. Why am I even here? I can't fight! I can't steal, and I can't survive like the Dawn Brigade does. I've never done anything like this before- you and Win can pull through, but not me. I'm young, I'm weak, and I'm a bloody coward. I'm scared, Orland! I can't do this!" She cried, wrapping her arms around herself, as in to hold herself together. It was all too true. What had we been thinking? We can't just walk off into the real world and expect to learn how it's done. We've no experience. It all came crashing down on her, realization pouring in. This was stupid. Nobody could do this- except for maybe her friends. They were strong and smart and quick, but she was weak and a coward. Nyala the Brave was a fairytale, but Brandy was just all too real.

Orland was shaking his head, desperately trying to tell her she was wrong. He thought she could make it, but what were his thoughts compared to the ones of who knew her best? He insisted that she was wrong. His eyes were asking her to try. Since when had he had so much confidence in her? She was better friends with him than Winnie, but she hadn't known he really cared for her... but now... she could feel it. It was in his face, his eyes, around him like an aura. She had always had a keen sense on how people were feeling, but never had it been this strong. This was something else- no longer a sensitivity to emotion, but a power. Something new. She could tell how he was feeling without trying or looking to deep. Meeting his eyes for the first time in the silence that followed her outburst, she smiled a little.

He really didn't want her to leave, he valued her friendship... and he thought she was strong. A strange warmness flooded her body as she smiled wider. Orland looked confused, he was watching the emotions flit across the Branded's face with a signature raised eyebrow. She could feel his confusion at her mood swings too.

"Orland- this is weird. I can... tell how you're feeling really easily. You may as well be talking." She breathed, fearing his reaction while trying to contain her excitement. The older of the two shook his head, frowning.

"You know, like how I've always been told it's like I can read people's minds!" Her eyes were wide with amazement at the sensation, but then, it started to fade. The power was slowly dying out, getting weaker and sorrier as quickly as it had came. It was so sudden... it just came and left before she could even register what was happening...

"It's... gone now." She mumbled, beginning to run her fingers through her hair again. "I swear, for a minute I could tell exactly how you felt and what your emotions were, but now it's back to how it usually is- it feels like a guess again." Curiosity overwhelmed her, but she was so excited she was grinning to herself and bouncing on the balls of her feet slightly, making her ankles ache. Orland remained straight-faced as he nodded his head, telling Nyala he believed her. As usual, he didn't have much else to say. He didn't seem to like coping with mood swings.

This new power posed a question, however.

She was debating back in forth in her mind by this point: leave or stay? If she went back, she wouldn't have to miss her family and town, wouldn't have to fight, worry about getting killed, and could safely rest in the comfort of her own home never knowing what became of her only friends. If she stayed, it was a bit more of a dilemma; she risked death every day, but could be with her friends and take her country back. She was weighed down by pros and cons, her heart pulsing at the thought of death, and in a state of confusion brought on by life questions having to be decided all at once. So many contributing factors; her nonexistent fighting skill, her surviving skills, her tact, her friends, her life, her family, her guilt, her worry, her inexperience, her fear, her decision.

She was already grieving the loss of her family and safety, and her paranoia was creeping back to her. Orland was slowly shaking his head as he watched her face change yet again.

That's it, I have to go back.

All of the sudden, the barn door creaked open and caught Nyala off guard; she squeaked and flinched. Orland coughed a chuckle. Light from the barn flooded into the darkness of the surrounding, and a large, unidentifiable silhouette appeared from the light. Winnie emerged sluggishly, and apparently walking backwards. After emerging fully, Nyala could see she was leading something- she had gotten a horse. She had it by a rope, maybe tied onto its saddle, and was tugging on the resisting silhouette. Finally, a smallish horse trotted out of the barn, whose door was quickly shut by the wolf-girl.

Nyala and Orland breathed sighs of relief as Winnie and the animal shuffled towards them. Winnie was grinning devilishly and awaiting praise. She really was incredible.

"Amazing. How on Tellius did you pull that one off?" muttered Nyala, still trying to remain quiet. Apparently not everything was impossible as she had thought... not that it made a difference. Outside her head, the wolf chuckled.

"Don't you listen to a thing I say? I'm magic." Her hands carved an imaginary rainbow into the air before her. Apparently, that was all she had to say. No bragging? "Now let's go- this horse doesn't seem to like me much, it keeps biting at me."

They lead the horse farther into the woods before getting on- Nyala secretly debating back and forth with herself as she walked further and further away from the direction of home- so no one would see any movement by any chance they were to look out the window. Orland climbed on first, extending a hand to help the Branded girl on afterwards. His eyes purposely flashed something easy for her to read-don't run. She froze, panicking mentally. Something then compelled her to get on the horse, though. Was it the way she knew Orland wanted her there? Or was it how she learned there was finally something she had- that emotion reading- that no one else did? Against the dark side of her mind's protests, she took his hand and allowed herself to be led into a point of no return. Her mind shouted different things at her.

The horse was either black or dark brown, but it was too dark to tell at the moment. Short mane, white stripe down its muzzle, and well built for heavy loads. Nyala had never had horses on her farm back home (her heart ached at the thought of Palean) because Barrett's farm was solely for crops. She had always liked the look of them and had ridden them before, but they still frightened her a little, like so many things did. She wasn't very fond of being up high, falling off, or sudden movements, which basically summed up what riding a horse entailed. Sitting securely behind Orland, who was good with animals, she watched as Winnie transformed.

Her transformations were beautiful. She involuntarily threw her head back and howled a low note towards the moon, the haunting moan filling the air and echoing off trees. Sleek brown fur burst from her every pore as her fingernails shot into curved claws and face grew long and doglike. Collapsing onto all fours, she nodded once up at them and led the way, confident in her directional skills. Trying not to feel envious of her grace and beauty, Nyala could only sit as the horse followed suit on Orland's commands.

The walk was silent. Unable to talk in her half form, Winnie just trotted in the lead, occasionally sniffing the ground. Orland obviously didn't say anything. The horse certainly didn't. And so Nyala sat in silence, torn.

XXX

3 hours later

XXX

This was only the beginning, and yet Nyala already found herself in that place. That place was the dark little room in her mind, telling her she was wrong. Right now, she was at its mercy as it kicked her and beat her, insulting her restlessly until she was on the edge of tears.

You should be home. You're a coward, not a fighter. You aren't Winnie. What were you thinking? Can you imagine how crushed Barrett and Kest will be when they wake up and your bed is empty? You acted on a whim, trying to prove you are braver than you are by agreeing to this. You didn't think to stop and respect how safe you were and how well you had it at home. You're fifteen and Branded. Why didn't you think this through?

Over and over, her dark room kicked her while she held her face in her hands, wishing it weren't true. All of these things twisted in her chest until she felt sick with fear and guilt. It was too late to turn back.

It was maybe three marks past midnight now, and her twisted chest had been stifled into a dull throb. She cleared her mind of bad thoughts and her eyes of tears, putting on her brave face again, no matter how she felt inside. Showing emotions wasn't weak, she knew, but it didn't make anything better, did it?

Unexpectedly, Winnie came to a stop and shifted back to her beorc form, and turned to face her friends. Orland had seemed perfectly alert the whole ride, or at least flawlessly hiding three hours boredom. They waited for her to speak.

"I think we should rest for a while, we need energy for tomorrow. If we sleep for three marks, the sun will wake me up and we'll keep going. If I'm right, we'll make it to Nevassa by sundown tomorrow- or rather, today, considering it's technically morning."

Groaning and stretching, the two got off their horse, which immediately found a tree to lie under.

Nyala never thought sleep could be such a wonderful thing as it was now- she craved every minute of it and was greedy for some. Even if it was to come in the form of under a tree with an angry horse that had nipped at her, it was still better than nothing by far.

"Mean horse you stole, Win." she muttered, not letting any of her inner emotions leak into her conversation. Winnie chuckled and stretched out near her, putting Nyala between her and Orland, who was staring at the cloudy sky.

"I imagine I'd be pretty peeved if I were stolen by someone I don't know in the dead of night and forced to walk miles in the cold with lots of weight on my back." she joked, giving her horse a sorry look.

"Never thought about it that way. What are you going to call it?"

"Easy! I dub her Miss Winnie the Second!" she proclaimed, grinning.

"Firstly, Miss Winnie, it's male. Secondly, Winnie is a terrible name for a horse; it's like calling a dog Bark or something."

Winnie the First laughed a little too loudly for the magnitude of the joke, which was quite low, and didn't stop for a while. Nyala smiled privately to herself- laughing must've felt good right then.

Woo, that was LOTS of typing! So? Good? Bad? Wanna break my wrists so I can never write again? Or maybe tell me you're leaving for vegas with your new true love by tying a note to my cat and hanging it from the ceiling for me to find after you're already long gone?

Also, review! I know how many of you just hit the back button, but reviews take like, 5 minutes and help me out a lot! I feed off them :K people who review every chapter are appreciated. Criticism is loved! :D

Out of muffins. Does anyone like omelettes?