A/N- Just wanted to say that I'm going to replace most of the chapter, fixing plot holes, spelling errors, page breaks and italics. If any of you get confused with the plot holes, then just assume there aren't any lol because I'm 99% sure I've fixed them. Also edited the first few chapters quite heavily because of how old they were. Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Thanks for following and faving! Bethany x

Chapter 27

Tobias POV- 4 days until the ball,

My eyes move back and forth, keeping attention on my surroundings. I skim the factionless's faces, trying to pick out any that seem suspicious. Looking at the upcoming stalls, I feel my Dauntless group close behind me.

It's late afternoon by now, and the plan hasn't gone as smoothly as I had hoped.

It was only 10 or so minutes ago when the guards came to get us. I had expected a few, not really understanding the sheer mass of people in this village. I had counted 12 standing outside the holding room. A short one at the front of the group had wryly smiled, letting us know that they would be joining us- Scarlet's orders. Scanning the group of guards, my eyes fell on Charlie. I found it near impossible to get a read on him- he wasn't giving the same energy as the other guards.

The odd guard was pushed to the back of my head for a few moments, the most pressing issue being that my plan had to be scrapped. It was futile to try and disappear without one of these guards noticing.

With all eyes on us, I had to come up with a new plan; one that was easily enough communicated without words. I assumed the best thing to do was to cause a distraction. But what could be big enough to get that many guards off of our backs?

My eyes now land back on blondie, walking in front of me. Maybe I don't need a distraction.

"Hey, blondie!" I call, picking up my pace slightly to catch up with him. He turns his head, a scowl plastered onto his face. Maybe I shouldn't call him that. I smile awkwardly, elbowing him in the side. "Look, Charlie- can I call you Charlie?" He moves slightly to the left, putting some distance between the both of us. "Have you had a chance to think over my proposition?"

His face scrunches up as he looks towards me. "What are you on about?"

Our eyes meet without issue, and I realise we're about the same height- he may even be a tad taller. "About the possibilities in Dauntless?" I grin as his brows pull together. "I think you've got a ton of unused potential, potential I can see-"

"You don't know me," he cuts me off, "I came from Dauntless, why would you think I'd go back?"

We finally make it to the plethora of stalls, and I see the first one is selling fruit and vegetables. I pick up an apple, tossing it from one hand to the other. "When did you leave?" I lean against the stall, trying to relax.

Charlie looks as if he's deciding whether it would be smart to tell me or not. "6 years ago."

I would have been just starting out 6 years ago. "And was there a reason why you left?" I chuck the apple to the other hand, but before it can reach it, Charlie swipes it out of mid air. He places it back onto the pile, smiling apologetically to the lady behind the stall.

My eyes quickly glance to the others as they walk past us, watching as they stop at every few stalls. I keep note that Lauren, Zeke, Uriah and Bud are still behind me.

Charlie shrugs, and my attention goes back to the situation at hand. "Just didn't mesh with how it was being run."

I move onto the next stall, knowing he'll follow. I take a quick glance at the other guards, and catch one pair having a small conversation, their attention off of us.

"You haven't even given my Dauntless a chance." I say, scanning the small shop. This one's filled with jewellery.

"And what's so different about your Dauntless?" He pushes defensively, "what's stopping the next Prince from doing something I don't agree with? This cycle of leaders who have different views to me? Someone who is just inevitable, a leader that I can't control?"

Looking away from the jewels, I grab his eye contact to make sure I have his attention. "I know my uncle wasn't the most popular Prince." After a few years of the start of my rule, he left- taking his retirement away from his faction. Prince Axel only comes to visit a few times a year, but won't tell anyone where he's stationed.

My uncle and I got on fine enough, but our views of Dauntless have never quite matched. Our interpretations of the manifesto was the main reason we used to butt heads. "But I'd like to think I'm not a lot like him. There's not much I can do about the future generations of Dauntless, but I do like to think our home has improved immensely over the last few years." His eyes shift around, the thoughts in his head painted onto his face. "You'll have to come and see for yourself if it's a Dauntless you could support."

"You boys interested in anything?" The woman behind the counter cuts in. I'm just about to shake my head, but my eyes still scan the pieces. My gaze moves back up, some sort of magnetic pull towards one hair pin. It's dainty, the sort of pin that I'm sure slides into some kind of up do. There's a sun and a moon at its centre, the sun's rays ever so slightly encompassing the moon. Small stars dangle from the centre piece, cascading from their sky. There's no gems in the pin, which I'm thankful for; instead it's just the silver shapes. I had assumed all the jewels were platinum at the beginning; but when I look harder I can see the material looks duller than the metal should be.

"Where'd you get this silver from?" I ask the woman behind the table. I point at the pin, and she leans over the stall. Her dirty blonde hair falls over some of the jewels, sliding over them as she pulls back.

"Oh, that one!" She smiles wittingly, picking up the piece. "Mined it myself."

I scoff, "sure you did." I'm beginning to understand that mostly everything in this town has been produced by the factions. I wonder what would happen to them if we did cut them off.

The shop keeper holds the pin out, her face telling me to take it. I reach out gingerly, taking the pin from her grasp. It's even more impressive up close.

"Pretty, right?" She says, sounding impressed with herself. I nod unconsciously, knowing who it would look prettier on.

"What do you do for payment, here?" I ask without hesitation. Now that I've seen it, I can't leave without it. I look up from the pin, my eyes shifting from Charlie to the woman.

"We trade." She says, her eyes falling back to my hands holding the pin. "I think that will do." I look down at my hand, too, and see what she's looking at. My Dauntless ring sits on my finger, pretty beat up from the wear and tear of being its Prince. I don't think too hard as I quickly remove it. There's not many items that I'm attached to, this ring being one of them. I chuck it at her, and she pockets it quickly. I know the value of that ring is beyond what the pin in my hand is, but I find it hard to care.

I move past the stand after the trade, not wanting to watch as the woman thinks she's just swindled me.

"You got anyone in mind for that?" Charlie asks, coming to walk next to me.

I nod, but don't say her name. I don't know what I think I'm doing- it's not like she's a secret. My eyes stay looking ahead, and for the first time in a few minutes, I can't see Shauna's group.

My shoulders involuntarily relax, thankful that some of them have disappeared. At least now I don't need to use Charlie.

When I look behind me, I still see Lauren, Zeke, Uriah and Bud. The guards that were in front of me have seemed to have disappeared, too. Hopefully they're not on Shauna's group's trail. I catch Lauren's dark brown eyes as I look behind me, a small smile forming on her lips. I look back to Charlie quickly, not wanting any of my actions to seem odd.

His lips also pull up, and his gaze moves behind me. Before I can wonder what he's looking at, he says, "so, what type of proposition are you proposing?"

I grin as I hear the curiosity radiating from his voice. "One I think you'd be very interested in."

I make a slight hand gesture behind me as I talk to the guard, in hopes Zeke or Uriah see it. None of the men seem to be looking at them, so it's the perfect time to run. I don't know what the guard issue looks like behind me, but I trust that they've scouted the area enough to make the decision when to move.

"I'm open to anything you're interested in." I don't have a position in mind, and all my government jobs have been filled. But that doesn't really matter, because I'm not giving him a job. All he needs to do is think so, then I can hopefully turn this situation back in my favour- making mine and Lauren's exit smoother later tonight.

"You found anything in the stalls, Four?" I hear Lauren say as she comes round my side. I'm still holding onto the hair pin, and watch her gaze move downwards.

"Pretty," she says tightly. My brows draw together, wondering what's wrong. I place the pin in my pocket, removing it from view.

She, too, removes herself, walking further ahead.

"She's pretty." Charlie says, his brows raising.

I choke out a laugh, shaking my head, "good luck with that." I've known Lauren for what feels like forever- and I've never seen her show interest in either gender romantically.

I walk past him, catching back up with Lauren. "We're good?" I ask under my breath. She's been the one with the best view, being the furthest behind.

"Huh?" She asks, wide eyes looking up at me.

Confused, I try to think of a clearer way to say it without it being too obvious. "Our friends?"

"Oh." She nods, her attention going to the fabric draped over some wood. "Yeah, yeah, all good."

I grab her upper arm lightly, making her stop. "What's going on?" If somethings wrong with the plan-

"Nothing." She shakes her head, and I drop her arm. One of her hands reaches for the spot I just vacated. My eyebrows pull together as she sighs, looking up at me, "well, actually-

"There you are, Tobais." I glance up, taken off guard. Scarlet stands a few metres ahead, a flock of guards surrounding her. I realise with dread that they are the same guards that had gone missing a handful of minutes ago.

I move forward marginally, positioning myself in front of Lauren. I don't know what Scarlet is up to, and having Lauren stay here with me was my idea, so she's my responsibility. My eyes shift to Charlie, but he's leaning against one of the stalls, just watching how things pan out.

"You need something?" I ask casually.

Her eyes move around lazily, "where'd your friends go?" From the looks of it, I don't think she needs an answer. Her lips are pulled up, her arms crossed over her chest.

"What have you done-"

"I've done nothing, Tobias. They are not prisoners to me." Shrugging, she moves closer. I hold my ground, eyes glued to hers. "You, on the other hand…"

I spin around, hearing a bunch of footsteps. The vendors aren't in their stores anymore, but instead, men and women, holding guns.

"Four," Lauren says tightly.

I turn back to Scarlet, knowing she's more dangerous than any gun could be. "What do you want, Scarlet? Why do you want me here?"

"I guess you're not as smart as I thought you were." She smiles, but this time it does reach her eyes. There's no humour emanating out, only calculated coldness. That coldness slowly burrows itself into me, and I force myself to keep looking at her, but those eyes burn the longer I stare. "Well, I guess you aren't Erudite, so I don't know what I was thinking." She takes a step forward, her guards moving with her, "but I'm sure that Princess of yours would have been able to figure it out; I've heard she's got quite the head on those shoulders- too bad she's not here."

"Spit it out," I grit, done with meaningless words.

She shrugs nonchalantly, "You're merely just a pawn in my game, Cousin. You have no use but to be a hook to my fish."

Frustration washes over me, flooding through my veins. "Who are you luring here?"

"I think you know who." Is all she says before hands grab me from behind, and my arms are rendered useless.

Tris POV- 3 days until the ball,

"Take this," Eric says, pushing a pill into my hand.

Taking it off of him, I inspect it. "What's it for?"

He stuffs the blanket back into his bag, having taken it out to find this mysterious tablet. "It's going to temporarily change your hair and eye colour." Zipping up the backpack, he chucks it onto his back, "for you, it should turn on your eumelanin receptors, turning your hair brown. Mine, on the other hand, will turn them off, leaving me blond." He pops the pill in his mouth quickly, taking a drink out of the bottle to help it go down. "Eye colour is kind of the same, but dips into our genetics, finding something different to our own."

"And how long does it last?" I ask unsurely, looking down at the pill as I move it between my fingers.

"A few days," he replies nonchalantly, "just stay away from any cold water- the chemicals will react and render the formula useless."

Nodding slowly, I force myself to take Erudites concoction. Arthur needs me, needs this book- he wouldn't poison me before I've even had the chance to find it.

The thoughts don't make the pill easier to swallow. I pop it in quickly, taking the water bottle out of Eric's grasp.

"How long does it take to come into effect?" I ask, moving back towards Bess. We've packed up our things by now, ready to finish our last short leg until we make it to the lake.

"An hour or so- it depends on the metabolism, so it's up to your body how quickly it wants to absorb into your system."

I pull myself up on Bess, wondering how I'll look as a brunette. My mind unconsciously shifts to Natalie, and a lump in my throat forms. Maybe I won't ask for a mirror.

Teddy begins moving, so I get Bess to follow.

For the next few hours we ride in silence, not talking about what happened last night. I watched as Eric's hair slowly lightened, an odd change, but one that I think suits him well. When he looked over to me, the air almost got sucked out of my throat. His eyes were almost the spitting image of Tobias's. I had rubbed my own, a slight burning sensation coming along with the change.

We continued on, not speaking about much at all. The air stayed thick with unspoken words, and I just couldn't help myself, "what did you mean, last night? About believing what I said?"

I wait patiently for him to answer, letting Bess take the route she wants. I look down at my hair briefly, and a warm brown stares back at me. Shoving it behind me, I tuck any loose strands behind my ears, not too comfortable with the change. My eyes move to my surroundings, mainly the sway of the trees in the ever present breeze. Familiarity starts to seep in, the woodland looking older than the ones we've travelled through before.

My eyes shift to Eric, drawing back onto him like magnets. The need for confirmation is overwhelming. If I can just get Eric to back away from the unyielding influence of his Uncle-

Huffing, he cuts off my thougts, "you just kept yammering on about how Erudite was being run and in the end it was impossible to not think about it. So I thought about it, and thought and- I don't know." He sighs, running his hand through his light hair. I try not to be offended. I don't yammer. "I still respect my Uncle, and his team- but I just kept thinking about how sometimes I'd be in meetings and he wouldn't even look at me- let alone talk to me. And then he'd give work that I should be doing to his advisors-" he cuts himself off, shaking his head. "I don't know what I should do, but I do know that I'm the Prince, not him."

I press my lips together, trying to hold back my enthusiasm. I don't want to make any predetermined decisions and freak him out. He still doesn't sound completely sure of himself, so I'll keep Tobias and my friends' activities to myself. "Well, I'm glad my persistence has done some good."

From the corner of my eye, I can see him looking over. I just about see a small smile on his lips when his head pulls away suddenly. My head flips to the direction he's looking, bringing Bess to an abrupt stop.

"Whats-" I begin, but Eric throws up his hand, one finger staring at me. I clamp my mouth shut, my eyes darting around. Please don't be that mountain lion.

I feel Bess tense, and rub her neck in what I hope is reassuring motions.

"Do you see something?" I whisper to Eric, praying he hears. I watch him nod ever so slightly, head leaning slightly to the left.

I lean over, too, trying to get a better view. But either because Teddy is in the way, or the being is out of sight completely, I don't catch anything. Swinging my feet to the side, I jump off of Bess, passing her reins up to Eric.

"What are you doing?" He hisses down at me, but still takes her reins.

"Getting a better look?" I answer back, annoyed at the questioning. Isn't he supposed to be the smart one? I'm the smallest between the four of us, so I'm obviously the best option to get closer.

I creep around Teddy, and hear Eric hit the ground. I hold back a groan, but force myself to move forward.

I get to one thick trunk, my hands scraping on the bark. The roughness makes me think of not that long ago hanging off those jagged rocks, my hands battered and bloody.

I stick my head out partly, only one eye getting a clear view. I feel Eric come up behind, his tall body bound to tower over. A quick glimpse of undeniably human movement has me hitting back into him, using the trees cover once again.

"Definitely a person." I confirm, looking up at Eric's face. He's close, and I want to move back, but I can't.

"Did you see what they're wearing?" He asks, looking down at me. Beginning to feel uncomfortable in the deepest pit of my stomach, I look away. "I don't know, black maybe? Who knows if they're from the factionless village." I resist leaning my head back around, not knowing where they've gone to. "How far away are-"

I cut myself off, hearing voices. My head spins back to Eric, eyes wide. The voices are getting louder. They're coming our way.

My hands splay out in front of me, trying to ask what are we going to do. Eric, not as frozen as I, puts a finger up again.

I do what he says, and stay put- even if all I want to do is go back to the horses and run. It's becoming all too real, meeting the people in this camp and having to figure out a way to retrieve-

"Wait," I say, latching on to the main voice. It's a he, for certain. And I think he's telling someone off. I lean in that bit closer, unable to help myself. He speaks low, and matter of fact. And I know I've heard it before. If they can just speak up-

"God, give it a rest. I get it!"

I move from my hiding spot with little thought, running towards the voices.

"Tris! What the hell-" His hand just brushes my arm, but not quick enough to get a full grip.

Pushing around the trees, I find them, still arguing in a larger clearing. "Uriah!"

Their heads whip to me, and I see Zeke step in front of his brother. "Who-"

Uriah pushes past Zeke, his eyes narrowing, "Tris?"

I'm only confused for a few seconds at their sudden distrust. Then I remember my appearance. "Oh, yeah," I laugh weakly, feeling slightly self conscious, "this isn't permanent."

The boys move closer, Uriah's face getting closer to my own. "Your eyes, too?" His stare holds mine, his eyes flickering from one to the other as he picks up a piece of my hair, "how'd you do it?"

"Tris! Are you-" I turn my head, watching as Eric cuts himself off. "Oh. It's just you two."

I smile as I turn back to the boys, "looks good, right?"

Zeke's brows raise as he nods his head, "It does, actually."

Uriah, cutting in, exclaims, "okay! Enough about the hair!" He turns to me, pointing between Eric and I. "What's going on? Why are you with Eric?"

Eric, moving slightly in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why don't you answer why you're out by the lake first."

The boy's eyes shift to mine, and I shake my head ever so slightly.

Unable to not answer Eric, Zeke skirts around the question, "you'd have to ask Four."

Questions of my own are piling up in my head, mostly about the missing Prince.

"Is he with you?" I ask, hoping it doesn't give anything away.

The boys shake their heads. Zeke's gaze travels down, coming to a stop on my leg. His head moves back up, his eyes landing back on mine. I cut in, before he can question anything in front of Eric. "You should go grab Teddy and Bess, Eric."

"Bess?" Zeke questions, and I'm about to lose my calm exterior when Eric nods, walking off to get the horses.

When he's out of ear shot, I pull the two away. "Are you unable to keep your mouth shut for 2 minutes?"

Shrugging, Zeke says, "got a lot of questions to get through."

I stop just behind a worryingly large tree, turning to the brothers. "My leg's fine- the gem has some weird healing powers. The girls and I went to Erudite to see if they have Tori- they don't. Arthur needs Bud's journal, so has sent me and Eric here to get it off of some factionless village- so Tori must be there. I need the book because he's holding Christina and Marlene. Riding Bess because Snow would be a disaster." I take in a deep breath, racking my brain for anything I've missed. Apart from Natalie and Andrew, I think that's all. "Now your turn."

Uriah's mouth opens, then closes like he's lost for words. "Our turn?" He gets out, sounding astonished. "Erudite has Mar?"

Maybe I should have told them to go first. "Yes. And I need the journal to get her back so if you can tell me what you've found before Eric gets back then that would be great."

Zeke, stepping in thankfully, starts talking. "Four was sure the factionless didn't have the book- he thinks it's in Erudite."

I'm shaking my head, "no, there's proof that some woman in this village has it." I look around for my bag, then realise it's still attached to Bess. "I've got an image, but it's only the back of her head. It's in my bag somewhere."

Zeke looks over to Uriah, dread setting in on his face. "My god, we're fucking screwed."

"What is it? What was Four's plan?"

"Hey, Tris," Eric calls, and I force my shoulders to not drop. "Come take Bess, she doesn't like me."

Frustration eats at my bones, and all I want to do is scream.

I move over to Eric, hands in fists. I grab Bess's reins off of him, getting her to move forward without issue.

Bess seems to lighten up when she notices Zeke. He comes over, giving the side of her neck a pat.

"Where were you guys heading?" I ask as Uriah comes closer. I can no longer see Eric, Bess being in my way.

Uriah leans against a nearby tree, his legs crossing at his ankles. "Back to the castle, we were going to stop off-"

He springs off, eyes wide as he turns to Zeke. "Please tell me you know where Bud is."

Zeke's hand slaps to his face, and I swear I hear a bit of laughter escape. "We're in so much trouble."

I drag my hands down my face. If only it was just Christina and Marlene with me, I wouldn't have half as many issues as I'm being faced with right now.

"How do you lose someone as large as Bud? How do you forget he's with you?" I try to keep my voice level, but I think I'm about to go into hysterics myself. Bud's disappeared- probably off to find Tori by himself. Tobias's whereabouts are still a mystery and so are the rest of our friends.

"Zeke," I start, my mind flickering through pages to think of a plan, "get on Teddy with Eric. Uri, you're with me." Zeke makes a face, and my hands shake to slap it off, "we can't waste anymore time. You either get on Teddy or you can carry on back to Dauntless." My voice leaves no room for discussion. Zeke holds out his hands in defence, moving over to the brown horse.

Letting out a breath, I turn to Uriah, lowering my voice. "You're going to tell me everything- starting from Monday."

Uri nods, looking up at the saddle on Bess's back. "Keep her back slightly from Eric, and I'll tell you what I know."