Naveen

"I don't think anyone knows the real names. The stars are ancient, older than the moon and sun. Or so I've been told. We name them to find meaning and guidance, filling the sky with stories.". I continued with a smile.

Rina:

I turned my head slightly to look at his face close to mine. “What stories of yours do you have written in the stars?” I asked. Stories I heard never featured humans, we were too new a race. The stories told of dragons, and other great creatures.

I raised a hand to direct her gaze to a cluster of stars. "There, to the right of the Moon just over the tall pine is Elysium. She is the shield-maiden of the heavens. The cluster makes the shield and to the right is her ear. Our stories say that she is supposed to be fairer than anyone but she always faces towards her shield and guards the heavens until she can finally relinquish control and let her shield free."

Rina:

I trailed the line of start with my eyes, his eyesight must have been better than mine, for all I saw was a few clustered stars in no particular shape.

"To her left a ways is a chain of stars that form the Celestial body. No one can agree on what it really is, but the common interpretation for my people is a dragon to guide the stars in line.". I point along a wide band of stars.

Rina:

I slid down so my head was in his lap rather than his shoulder. I pointed up to the only constellation I new of. “My father told me that one was a wood sprite who would lead lost children back to their loved ones.” I said softly. “I remember he always used to ask me if I needed the sprite's guidance. It confused me when I was small, because I was not lost. But I realize now he was asking if I missed my home.” There was a small crease in my forehead as I spoke.

I gently touched her hair while I searched for the constelation she spoke of. "The wood Sprite huh? We had a similar one, though ours is....." I hesitated a moment then pointed to one of the brightest stars in the sky. "Meli the child. He is only one star, small but brighter than most. He always guides you north should you be able to find him. The trouble is....he likes to hide himself and is very good at hiding."

Rina:

As he continued to point out the stars and explain each one, I fell asleep with my head in his lap to his melodic voice. I face was turned slightly toward him, and my hands resting loosely on my abdomen.

I almost kept going but when her breathing changed I finally looked down. With a soft smile I carefully brought her into the tent to set her on our bedrolls. Taking a moment to clean up the camp I soon joined her, holding her close until I joined her in sleep.

Rina:

The remainder of our trip took up another full day, with the road almost entirely over grown, so much so that at times we had to cut our own trail through the brush. The total traveling time was three full days from leaving the Moroe's house. It didn't save any time.

We reached Brian's camp at dusk. Many of the solders greeted us, but most were concerned with setting the camp up, the rebels hadn't beaten us by much time.

It was almost disappointing to be around others again, the closeness we'd grown into having to be set aside so we could appear as we used to be instead of what we were now. I missed it already, the banter, the touches, the looks we could share with no one watching. But I respected her wishes.

Rina:

Someone took our horses and supplies with a promise to see them to our separate tents while we went to see Brian. I would have gone alone, but I knew Brian respected Talon, and I might need the back up…

I had lost the scroll in the dark after we had made it to shore that night. It had been ticked into my dress, but when I had been undressed… it had disappeared. I hadn't realized it was gone until we were halfway back to the Moroes. This made me slightly nervous when we went to meet with the head of the camp.

I adjusted my weapons before whispering softly to Rina. "I'm here for you. Let me know how I can help alright?" I stood between her and Brian's command tent and shifted to the side after my whisper.

Rina:

I nodded in thanks before leading the way. Brian looked pleased to see me, but also quite expectant. After pleasantries of which he barely asked if the trip had gone well, he asked to see what the vampires had said. I explained the boat in which we had taken back and how the scroll had gotten lost when we had to practically swim to shore. I of course left out what had gone on with Talon and how that was the ultimate cause of the loss.

I then told him my own accounts of reading the scroll and what it had said. I left out my own name from that as well. Brian was displeased with the lack of proof, and not all together pleased with the information I had given him. He looked at me with a film of doubt in his eyes.

“Do you have anything to add?” He addressed Talon now, practically turning his back on me. I stood close to the entrance with my arms crossed and subdued expression.

"Nothing that has already been said. Her account is true enough and I don't have anything I could add." I told him without glancing to Rina. "I appreciate your gift however, it is a kind thing and will be enjoyed."

Rina:

He nodded and waved it off going to a table and pouring himself a drink. “I had hoped they would have given more information. Something about another rumor.” He said, taking a seat. “What rumor?” I asked steadily, though my pulse picked up. It couldn't be about me. There was no way.

“The queen is in search of her daughter according to someone I have placed in the castle. She received new evidence that she may be alive somewhere.” He answered causing my heart to drop into my stomach. I expected more time. Word couldn't have gotten out this quickly.

“I was hoping the vampires would have more information on that. It would be quite the leverage if we were to locate this girl first. But alas, maybe her information was false, and the queen is chasing a false trail.” He looked right at me. I felt cold, I was silently praying I did not look too pale.

"Even if we were to find the girl, what would we do with her? She has lived this long in obscurity. She is either happy within her life, is dead, or doesn't even know. What leverage could be provided from such a task? Let alone what would you do with her after? If she hasn't come forward by now perhaps she doesn't wish to return to the light." Talon stated while arms folded across his chest.

Rina:

I was deeply thankful for Talon speaking up as I was tongue-tied. Brian looked at him considering. “What she want's is no longer a choice for her. Someone will find her, its a matter of time, and they will use her to accomplish what they will. If it was us, then we would have that power. We could ransom her, to the queen.” his eyes on Talon were now slightly suspicious. “I would think you would understand the importance of it, you having your people as your own agenda.”

"I am always aware of my people's needs. But I am also aware of a person's ambitions." I eyed him flatly. "Brian, tell me. What happens to her after your war?"

Rina:

I was watching Talon rather than Brian. “What happens to the princess? Whatever happens to the rest of the godforsaken family. It depends on how much they resist. We are fighting to remove the corrupt head of our country. I cant afford to stress over the individuals, it is up to them who they side with.” Brian answered.

“What does it matter anyway?” I spoke then , to end the conversation that could have continued for quite a while. “It's a weak rumor unlikely to turn up anything.”

Brian looked doubtful still but waved us away out of the tent.

Talon:

My shoulders stiffened slightly but I made no comment. Brian was starting to sound more and more like a tyrant and I suspected that come to the end of it, he would kill every member of the royal family. Which meant Rina. Turning I left the tent with a faint frown on my face.

Rina:

I gave one last glance at Brian who was watching me closely, before following Talon out. I felt like at any moment I would be overwhelmed with panic, but at the moment I was rather dulled by the information I had received.

"What next Rina?" I asked after we had left the tent. My fingers drummed on the hilt of one of my blades, while I cast about with my gaze to resist staring just at her.

Rina:

I drew in several deep breaths and ran both my hands through my hair. “I don't know.” I admitted moving away from the command tent. “I don't know what to do now...”

"Maleen and Wren then. I think you need a hug." I replied, moving behind her and giving a gentle push to get her moving at a steadier pace.