"Shana," a voice said softly. Her shoulder shook gently, and she moaned to be awakened. "Hey, I need to talk to you."

She recognized Dart's voice and forced her eyes to open. He knelt beside her, rousing her to consciousness.

"What is it?" she asked weakly. "Is it time to leave?"

"Almost, but I wanted to talk to you before everyone else woke up."

Slowly, she sat, head pounding. Placing a hand to her temple, she glanced around, feeling the light streaming through the trees around her, taking in the meager camp. Rose was nowhere to be seen, but Haschel and King Albert still slumbered peacefully. Her heart sank when she remembered why Lavitz was not with them. She breathed in sharply as tears threatened.

"Are you okay?" asked Dart.

Shaking her head, she said, "Fine," and stood up quietly, ignoring the swirling feeling in her mind. "What do you need to talk about?"

She eyed him warily, fearing some kind of explosive behavior again. Of course, she knew that Lavitz's death would be hard on all of them, but she had at least hoped to work through it together with Dart. Perhaps she had expected too much of him.

"I need to apologize," he said, casting his eyes to his feet.

Taken aback, she couldn't help but open her mouth in surprise. But before she could respond, he continued.

"I've been... selfish," he said slowly. "I forgot, I guess, that you knew him, too. That we were all friends, and not... not just me and him. You deserve better than that... better than me. And I'm sorry."

Overwhelmed with compassion, she reached out to touch his arm, saying, "You don't need to apologize. You're hurting, and we all understand that. I just... wanted you to talk to me."

"I can't." He glanced up at her briefly. "Not yet."

She nodded, then hesitated before slowly reaching up to hug him. Partly expecting him to pull away, she was surprised when she was able to pull him close and his arms wrapped around her. She wanted to bury her face in his neck and never let go.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Me, too," he replied.

Tossing away her every desire, she pulled back and said, "Let's get everyone up and moving."

As Dart stepped over to Haschel, Shana knelt by the king and shook him slightly.

"Your Majesty," she said. "I'm afraid it's time for us to go."

He woke with a jolt, and fear flashed across his smooth features until he saw her. Then breathing deeply to steady himself, he sat up and nodded. After glancing around, King Albert's eyes reflected the same realization as Shana when he remembered the previous day's tragic events. After running a hand over his face, he said, "Thank you, Shana. I will be ready soon."

After gathering her own possessions and returning them to her horse's saddle, she glanced over and saw Luna, Lavitz's horse, at the edge of the camp and looking east. Stepping close to her, she said her name softly to announce her presence before running a hand over Luna's smooth side. Luna acknowledged her with a snort but continued to gaze through the trees.

Waiting for him, she realized. The two had been very close, she had noticed, and it appeared that his death had affected the mare deeply.

"Hey, girl," she whispered. "You and I will make it through this. I miss him, too."

"What's her name?"

Shana whirled around and saw King Albert standing a few feet away, smiling warmly. He stood tall, though he still walked with a slight limp. His hair was disheveled, and he seemed weary, but sleep and water had worked wonders to bring back his strength. She supposed that the dragoon spirit was partly to blame, too.

Upon seeing Shana's nervous reaction, the king held up his hands.

"I apologize," he said hurriedly. "I did not mean to startle you."

"Oh, no," she said. "It's okay. Her name is Luna."

"Luna," he muttered. "I did not realize that Lavitz had kept her all this time."

"He had her that long?"

King Albert nodded. "She was gifted to him upon joining the knighthoods at eighteen. He named her that day." He approached Luna cautiously, and she turned to face him warily. "She went with him everywhere. They were fast friends."

He reached out to pat her nose, but she pulled back and snorted a warning. His countenance fell as he said, "I should not be the one to ride her."

"She's our best horse," protested Shana. "It only makes sense that you would."

He shook his head with a mournful smile. "She has been through an ordeal, and I am unfamiliar to her."

"But, you can't go on foot."

"It would be easy enough, especially now that I am better rested. But… you are right; I would only slow us down. Even if she despises me, Luna is a good horse. Dart should ride her."

"You... you think so?" Shana was worried that Dart may not like the idea, but what the king said made sense.

"I do," he replied.

She nodded before noticing Dart glancing over at them and decided she may as well talk about it now. Excusing herself, she stepped over to him, painfully noticing the lack of joy on his face.

"Making friends, I see," he muttered, failing to disguise the disdain in his voice.

"We were talking about Luna," she said softly.

He perked up slightly. "Luna. Right. What about her?"

"She's... mourning. And we both think that it would be better if she were with someone who's familiar, instead of a stranger. The king and I think that... you should ride her from now on."

Sniffing, Dart cast another glance over to the horses and shook his head. "I don't know," he said.

His blue eyes were swollen and reddened, and dark circles sat beneath them. His grief had taken hold of his body, and his lack of sleep during their rest was doing nothing to help him. Again, she felt that strong urge to hold him and take away is pain. More than anything, she wished she could. She knew that she would go through a thousand days like today if only Dart could be spared this one.

"I think it would be the best option," she insisted. "She knows you. Better than any of the rest of us."

Dart sighed heavily and nodded. "Fine."

Words of comfort ran through Shana's mind. She wanted to tell him that he would make it through this, and that he wasn't alone. She wanted to make him understand that it was okay to mourn. But she recalled his outburst from earlier and merely nodded and left to gather her things.

The four companions made ready to leave, and just as Shana was beginning to worry that Rose would not return, she emerged from the trees, stone-faced as ever, and managed to get ready in just a minute. And then, with the king in the lead, they headed west, keeping to the trees.

They kept a steady pace for most of the day, generally keeping silent. No one felt like talking as they each ruminated over their missing companion.

Shana could feel Lavitz's void as if she were missing a limb. Several times, she turned to tell him something, only to remember once more that she could never tell him anything again.

Late in the afternoon, King Albert announced that they would keep west until they reached the road running south between Lohan and Kazas. This way, they could approach the Sandora capital from the north and draw less attention to themselves. It made enough sense, but Shana couldn't help but worry that someone would recognize King Albert, or maybe even Dart after his success in the Hero Competition. If Lloyd had really been sent to scout them out, wouldn't Emperor Doel already know about them and put his guards on high alert?

But she kept her worries to herself, instead trying to focus on Dart. He kept to himself almost exclusively, only speaking when spoken to, and then only when asked a direct question. Although he seemed slightly less volatile after his conversation with Rose, she could tell that he was not doing well. As much as she wanted to help him, she knew that it was something that he had to confront on his own. And beyond this, she was still mourning Lavitz, too. She was grateful that they had a mission, something to focus on beyond their own problems, and feared what might happen when they were able to sit still.

She marveled at the king as they traveled on and the sun slowly sank down somewhere beyond the trees. Despite the difficulties he'd endured in Hellena Prison, he seemed remarkably resilient. Besides his small limp and dry skin, the only residual effect she'd noticed was his startled awakening earlier. She couldn't blame him for that; she had experienced something similar once. Even now, with the prison so fresh in her mind, her memories of that foul place plagued her. Only this time, she didn't struggle with her own imprisonment but with the horrible sights they'd encountered on their way out.

She glanced over at Dart. He'd come to remind her a little of Rose: cold, distant, apathetic. She wondered if he would ever return to normal.

He might go back to being Dart, but it won't be the same Dart, she told herself.

As night fell around them, she felt that irritating sensation of darkness waft back over her. She much preferred the daytime, and every night she considered what it might be like to always walk around with a light hovering over her. But given their dangerous situation, she resisted the temptation.

A couple hours later, they found a small pond and stopped for the night, and the trees filled with a familiar bustle as everyone went about setting out bedrolls. They tied the horses near the water so that they could drink their fill, although Shana thought the water too dirty to drink herself. It was a muddy brown, and the specks of green floating around in it did nothing to stay her worry. But the horses did not seem to mind.

Before they could get too comfortable, King Albert drew their attention and announced that they needed to discuss what would happen the following day. The group gathered in a tight circle, and at Haschel's request, Shana happily created a dim light so that they could better see one another.

"We need a plan to get into the Black Castle," said King Albert. "Tomorrow, if I have been keeping track correctly, we should reach the road around noon, at which point we will turn south and approach the city just after nightfall. In this way, we will seem to be little more than weary travelers seeking shelter and a bed."

"Won't they recognize you?" asked Haschel.

"I will not deny that it is possible," admitted the king. "However, I believe that the only person in Kazas who has seen me before is the emperor himself. The rest will have only seen posters, and they will likely not recognize me if I am only wearing this." He indicated his armor and cloak.

"That's still the colors of Basil, though," pointed out Dart. "We should at least spatter dirt over it or something so it's not as obvious."

"That would probably be wise, but it would require the rest of you to do this as well. It would be most suspicious if only one in our company was covered with dirt."

Shana quirked a grin. They were all already filthy from their days on the road, and there would be no need to further disguise themselves.

"So, how do we get into the castle?" asked Rose.

"And that is where we have a problem," said King Albert. "We have to find a way to sneak in, past the guards, and get into Doel's chambers."

"Which are where?" asked Dart.

"Behind the throne room."

"You've been there before?"

"Yes, but only once, and it was long ago. My memory is likely faulty. But that detail I remember, as most of our time was spent in the throne room."

"How are we supposed to get past every guard to get into the most protected part of the castle?" asked Rose skeptically.

"By disguising ourselves," said the king simply. "If we wear Sandora armor, we should be able to get past. However, I have one problem that I have not been able to develop a solution for." He glanced between Shana and Rose. "Doel does not allow women into his military. Only Dart, Haschel, and I could do this."

Rose muttered something under her breath. Indignant, Shana piped up, "I'm not going to sit behind while you all walk into danger. You'll need us in there!"

"She's right," agreed Dart. Shana's cheeks flushed. "We could escort them as prisoners."

"That won't work," inserted Haschel. "It's well known that Doel doesn't like to keep prisoners in the castle."

"I've never heard that before," said Dart.

"Neither have I," said Shana.

Haschel huffed. "Well, it's well known in civilized places, that Doel sends all his prisoners directly to Hellena. He doesn't like blood scuffing his floors." Shana cringed at the thought. "You guys need to get out more," he added.

Holding his palms up, King Albert said, "And so you see my dilemma."

"Hang on," said Dart, his face contemplative as he tried to grab onto an idea. "We have to get into his chambers, right?"

"Yes."

Realization crossed Haschel's face, and he glanced nervously at Shana.

"No," said Rose emphatically.

"What have you invented?" asked the king, bewildered.

"It's not the most honorable way to get us into Doel's chambers," said Haschel delicately. "But, it will probably work. But you won't like it. And apparently, neither will Rose." He cast her an irritated glance.

"What is it?"

"Another thing about Doel is that he's not known for his... How should I say this? For his... chastity." Haschel glanced at Shana again. "He has many servants that he keeps for company. You could say... he has a harem."

"That is... horrible," said King Albert.

Shana felt sick as she realized what Haschel was saying, and she began to study her hands.

"I wholeheartedly agree," said Haschel quickly. "But it may work in our favor."

"We disguise ourselves as guards," said Dart, "and lead Shana and Rose to the king's chambers, telling everyone that they're new... servants."

Shana scowled, and Rose seemed enraged.

"I will not go along with this plan," she said, oozing shadow.

"I am not sure that I will either," said King Albert, frowning. "I understand the potential benefits, but the risks are too great."

Shana mulled over the idea. To be sure, it would make both her and Rose painfully uncomfortable, and it would be quite dangerous. However, if this was the best way to get them into the castle, she felt that she could trust the others to ensure that no harm came to them.

"Rose," said Shana quietly. "I know that it's not... good. But it's our best shot. We should do it."

"You'll go as prisoners instead of volunteers," Haschel told Rose. "That way, you won't have to dress for the occasion, and you can keep your armor, to which you seem... a little too attached, if I'm honest." Thankfully, Rose didn't see Dart's smirk as she glared at Haschel. "But it should be convincing. You are striking, my dear." He winked.

At this, Rose whipped out her hand, and sharp shadows sprang from it and shot toward Haschel's heart.

"Rose!" shouted Shana as she summoned light to block it. The two energies met midair and writhed around, sapping power from each other until both blinked out of existence. King Albert stood abruptly.

"Stop this at once!" he scolded. "This mission will be difficult enough without us fighting with each other. Rose." He turned to her, but she refused to look at him. "I do not like this plan, either, but we should at least consider it. It may be the best course of action to save the greatest number of lives. Please trust that we will not let anything happen to either of you."

"You think that's what I'm worried about?" she said, eyes flashing. She held up her fist, wrapping darkness around it menacingly. "If anyone laid a hand on me, I would grip them with such a terror that their heart would stop. I will not be so degraded to be called a man's plaything."

With a dramatic gesture, she dispelled the darkness as she gave the king a challenging look. When he didn't reply, she stood abruptly and fled into the dark. A protective rage built within Shana, and before she could stop herself, she was spitting at Haschel.

"Are you happy?" she demanded. "Can't you be just a little less insensitive?"

"What did I do?" he asked innocently.

Rolling her eyes dramatically, she stood and followed Rose, cursing the men's stupidity under her breath. Listening past her own footsteps, she followed the sound of crackling twigs and underbrush until it finally came to a stop. Releasing the light above her, she came up behind Rose, who was wrapped in shadow and barely visible against the night sky.

They had come to the top of a low hill, and a small plain sprawled out beneath them, bathed in moonlight. Although she was uncomfortable in the relative dark, especially so close to an enraged Rose, Shana refused the urge to bring light to her surroundings. For several minutes, they stood silently, saying nothing, drawing on each other's company. Or at least, that's what Shana imagined. She couldn't decide if Rose was pleased that she had followed her or simply content to allow her presence.

Just as Shana was beginning to contemplate saying something, Rose spoke.

"Finally turning your attention to someone other than Dart?"

Shana pursed her lips but managed to bite back a retort. As she mulled over what to say, she considered just leaving. It was more than Rose had done for them on multiple occasions. But she couldn't forget that night in Lohan, when she had listened to her and encouraged her.

Never let anyone belittle your worth.

Those words had seemed personal to Rose's story that night, and they echoed in Shana's mind now.

"Why does this plan bother you so much?" she asked cautiously.

"Why doesn't it bother you more?"

"I trust the others. They won't let anything happen to us."

Rose scoffed, shaking her head. "You trust their intentions. That says nothing of their capabilities."

"We're an army of dragoons. How could anyone overpower us? Or you?"

"Any number of things could go wrong. Look what happened in the prison."

Shana carefully sat on the soft, damp earth, and gazed out at the peculiar sway of the trees. The moonlight made the earth seem ethereal, the branches nothing more than shafts of pale light being tossed about like waves. She got the sudden urge to bathe herself in that light, and she pulled energy from the moon high overhead and conjured a tiny orb of moonlight. Not quite a cloak, but it would have to do. A few moments later, Rose joined her on the ground.

Choosing her words carefully, Shana said, "When we went into the prison, we had no plan. We were charging headfirst into unknown odds, trying to beat the clock. This time, we have time to plan each step. If we work together, I know we can do it. And besides," she added with a smile that she wasn't sure Rose could see. "If something goes wrong, you could always just kill everyone."

"Careful, Shana. You might become ruthless thinking that way."

Her cheeks flushed. "It was... just a joke."

Mostly, she thought.

She was certain that Rose would have no trouble killing every soldier working in the Black Castle, but that was precisely why she had to convince Rose to go along with their plan. If they could get to Doel without fighting anyone else, they could spare potentially innocent lives. It was impossible to know how many of the guards in the emperor's service were evil, and how many simply believed that they were serving a greater purpose. They were men with families and friends, with loved ones that they longed to come home to at night. If it were at all possible, she wanted to protect them.

"Do you trust Dart?" asked Shana suddenly.

"I don't trust anything except my own sword."

Her voice turning small, Shana said, "Do you hate us?"

Rose didn't answer immediately. For a second, Shana had the amusing idea that Rose was trying to decide whether she did. While she was afraid of Rose's answer, if she knew, she might have been able to do something about it.

Shana had begun to think Rose might ignore the question altogether when she spoke so quietly that Shana could barely hear.

"No."

Relief flooded Shana's mind, and she sighed.

"That worried, were you?" asked Rose cynically.

"I guess I was."

After a pause, she said, "Do you remember what I told you in Lohan?"

"Yes."

"That's why I don't like this plan. Going in as a harlot, or even a slave, is debasing. There will be more than one man to ogle me, believing I am no more than a frail body to be chewed up and cast out like common trash. In their minds, I will be nothing, of no more use than for their own pleasure. They'll do the same to you. They'll belittle us in their minds."

Suddenly Shana remembered her path to Hellena Prison, now over a month past. She'd hated every garish second within that fetid cell, but her time on the road had been even worse. The eyes of the guards, their straying hands, the hunger they tried and failed to hide still haunted her. She closed her eyes as she recalled the screams of a girl several floors below her, violated several times that night that she'd arrived.

With cold sorrow, she remembered Lavitz's words to her that night, spoken across prison cells. He'd tried to distract her with conversation. He'd asked her where she'd come from and about the people of her hometown. Despite understanding his motive, she obliged and recounted every detail that she could muster to keep her mind off those horrible, piercing sounds.

The wave of grief was unexpected, and her eyes filled with tears. Even as she encouraged Rose to trust Dart, Haschel, and King Albert, she found herself wishing that Lavitz had been there with them. Somehow, it felt that his presence would have made the security complete, and without them, they were exposing themselves to the terrors of her past.

She looked down as her lip quivered. It was as if she kept forgetting about that moment on the top level of the prison, forced to experience the realization of his death over and over again. It came crashing back down on her, and she saw the buffeting wind, the fierce eye, the silver hair, and the flaming sword. Blood spilled over the floor while she stood by helplessly, watching as Dart's heart shattered before her very eyes.

Such had been every hour since this morning.

At least at this point, she'd had some practice with quelling her own emotions, and she managed to squash them back down until they were little more than a low rumble deep in her heart. As much as she hated to admit it, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Steeling herself, she took a deep breath before speaking.

"It's true that it's demeaning. But... no one can belittle our worth unless we let them. Men can leer all they want, but that doesn't change who I am. And it doesn't change who you are. It will never change the fact that you've overcome more than they could possibly understand. In their minds, we may be mindless, frail, physical bodies, but we're so much more than that. And it doesn't matter if they know it, because we know it. I say we go in, heads held high, confident and strong. Prove them wrong. Show them that we know who we are, and that they can't change that."

Although Rose gave no immediate answer, Shana was pleased. It was a speech that she'd needed to hear herself. Whatever reservations she'd had about the plan vanished as she spoke the words, and she realized the value of them, even if she couldn't get herself to believe it yet.

"Fine," said Rose suddenly.

"What?"

"I said fine. We'll do it."

"You actually agree with me?"

Rose stood and offered a hand to help Shana up. "Not really. I just decided that if anyone looks at me twice, I'll kill them on the way out."