-America-

When I finished my retelling, Maxon sat in silence, his head cradled in his hands. It felt wrong to watch him while he was like this so I kept my gaze trained straight ahead.

"What have I done?" He whispered, seemingly towards himself. "I'm so sorry," he finally said, looking up at me through his thick eyelashes. "I didn't know it would be like that; it must have been my father –"

"I don't need your excuses," I said sternly, cutting him off. I was sick of excuses and apologies. What happened had happened and now we were all left to pick up the pieces and move on accordingly.

Maxon hugged his knees to his chest, his eyes lowered. "So, you have a plan?" he murmured so low that his voice was almost swept up in the wind.

"Not exactly," I started my brow furrowing. "But, I know that right now the entire rebellion is scattered. If what I'd heard from the soldiers is true, our numbers have been nearly slashed in half, and if what I'd heard from the few rebels that I've been able to come into contact with is true, only a third of our forces have been, er, dispatched."

"And this is in regards to the Northern, or Southern rebels?"

I looked at him for a moment, hoping the confusion was obvious on my face. "North, South, what?"

"Oh, um, well. It always was apparent to us that the rebels were split into two distinct groups: the Northern rebels, who are responsible for the more frequent attacks, and the Southern Rebels, who are more lethal and who – fortunately – attack less frequently, often maybe one or two times a –"

"I know what you're talking about, and to be honest you're partly right," I said with a sigh. "The main force of us is what you call the "Northern rebels,' the 'Southern rebels,' are a section of us that broke away a while ago to pursue a more, um, radical, approach to our common cause. We still worked together, and lived together at times; they just had different leaders and objectives."

"So you had an alliance?"

"You could have called it that, yes. And, to answer your question the information I got is about both of the groups. We've converged."

Maxon stood up again and was pacing the roof, a thoughtful look on his face. He didn't say anything so I continued.

"If I could get them somewhere safe, somewhere where the number of soldiers is limited I could –"

"You could what? Lead them in another rebellion?"

"No I could help them get some peace of mind. Contrary to what you believe, Maxon, they are people. They're all in hiding, most of them are likely starving or injured. They just want some semblance of a normal life."

He had stopped pacing and was staring at the ground. "Why am I even listening to you? A simple rebel. I am the crown prince of Illéa; I could have you executed, and be on my merry way."

"But, you're not going to do that; you want redemption." I said quietly. He stared at me, his princely veneer thoroughly shattered. Maxon looked as if I had jumped up and shaken him, which is what I suspect my words had done.

"What is it that you need me to do?"

"I need the means to such a thing. This is thousands of people we're talking. They'll need food, shelter, and medical supplies –" I paused for a moment to think, I'd never thought I would get this far.

"Go on," he prodded

"And, I'll need to know where the soldiers are concentrated the least. It's also very important that, when you're down in your meetings to make sure that no one suspects where we're going."

"What do you mean?"

"For instance, if they figure out that we're going southeast, you convince them that we're going northwest."

"Of course," he agreed. Then stopped and narrowed his eyes a bit. "But, how do I know you're not just swindling me?"

I smirked a little; he was smarter than he looked.

"Because I'm willing to give you a, um, deposit, of sorts. You see, my friend Kel, she's a six she can stay here and work as a maid. And if I end up swindling you; you can have her executed, if not, then when this whole thing is over she can go free. Sound like a deal?"

One of his eyebrows was arched severely, and he paced a few times before answering. "I am not one for taking hostages, but I do suppose that in this situation it is necessary. So, yes it is a deal."

"Good," I said unable to fight back the smile in my face. This was happening, really happening! I felt like dancing, and I almost did before I remembered that I was here with Maxon. And then, I remembered something else. "How do I know that you aren't going to just report me to the guards?"

Maxon looked at me his expression surprised like it had never crossed his mind that I wouldn't trust him. "I am a man of my word," he said, sounding hurt, one of his hands snaked into his pocket. "But, here," he produced a golden ring. I recoiled, what was he doing?

"Here take it!" he tossed the ring to me and my hand shot out to catch it. I turned it over in my palm. The metal was cool and smooth. There was a flat circle on the band that seemed to have something imprinted on to it.

"It's a signet ring," he said, answering my question before I had even asked it. "Whenever there are official laws or decrees passed, they are stamped with the king and the crown prince's signet rings and in order to show that we both support it. And, by carrying that ring you show that you are working in my behalf. It can get you plenty of places that you normally wouldn't be able to go."

I stared at the little metal piece in my hand. Something this small couldn't be as powerful as he was implying. Could it?

Glancing over at his hand I realized something. "Why don't you wear it?" I asked.

He lifted up his hand and started staring at his palm. "I, um, it's too big. The last one to wear it before me was my father."

"oh," I said lamely.

"I was supposed to get it resized, but I got busy," he said, his voice trailing off. "So, Am-er-i-ca," he pronounced each syllable of my name slowly and carefully. "It will take me several days to conjure up these means you require, so it seems you will have to stay in the city for now. You and your friend can stay in the old hunting lodge, not too far from here." He pointed towards the forest behind the palace. "It's several miles in that direction. You can't miss it; it's a large brick building."

I peeked with excitement, a house meant electricity and more importantly hot water. It had been so long since I'd had a real shower. So, I was unhesitant as I nodded my agreement.

Maxon walked over to the edge of the roof and looked down for a moment. "I'd recommend you go now," he said. "The others are leaving. I'll meet you later at the lodge."

I started off towards the stairwell when I thought of something. Turning around quickly, I asked, "So, Maxon, this means that – that we're working together?"

He quirked his eyebrow, "Yes."

I had almost turned when I saw him extend his hand out to me. "I do imagine you'd want to shake on it," he said, his carefully constructed mien now back in place. I cocked my head, ones were strange, but I took his hand anyway and "shook" it. Then I ran like my life depended on it, probably because it did.

This chapter ended up being longer that I anticipated which is why it wasn't posted yesterday. So, yea. Anyway, I hope those of you who are getting out of school right now (and even you all who aren't) have a nice summer! xoxo