Lasreal slides to a stop in the middle of the fight, separating the two sides with a rear, letting out a roar.

Jed is the first to look at me, and I see that he had picked up my bow from were I left it. He lowers it immediately.

"Enough!" I yell, a bit of gruffness coming back into my voice out of habit, commanding attention to me. Both sides stop, and I scan either company, grateful to see that I had come before anyone else could be slain. I stay on Lasreal as everyone watches me, not giving anyone the chance to grab me again.

Kaladin watches me intensely, his sword in hand. The Prince, who had been fighting him, lowers his weapon and looks at me in shock.

I don't look at Lance. "I'll go. But first, let me speak to them."

"What?" Adolin exclaims, his sword in hand. He looks at me with hurt. "You keep from me that your a girl, and your going to leave before you explain yourself?"

I lower my eyes, ashamed. "I know, I owe you all an explanation." I say, directed at my company. "I am the missing princess of Nordic."

"Obviously." Syl buts in, her bow still in hand. "She's too pretty and small to be a boy you imbecile." she says to her brother.

He glares at her. "You knew? And you didn't tell me?!"

She shrugs in response. "Yeah, I knew. Found out the first time we met, when I shot her.'

"You what?!" The Prince roars, raising his weapon once more.

"Oh, don't act like you care." I say flatly. He looks like he'd been struck, and lowers his sword, falling silent.

"I knew, too." Jed says, stepping forward, sheathing his blade. "The first day. I lived in Nordic before, so I knew what my princess looked like." he turns to Kaladin, giving a slight bow. "I am sorry I didn't tell you Kal, I didn't want you to harm her."

Kaladin nods, and flicks his sword indicating that he should straighten up. "I understand. Though that would not have been my intention."

I swallow, looking again to Adolin. "I am so sorry Adolin. I know you trusted me, an I took that for granted." Tears come to my eyes as I speak. "I took you all for granted."

His face softens, and he also sheaths his weapon. "I know, you did what you had to. But how did a girl beat me?" He laughs lightly, but I hear the sadness in his voice.

I smile sadly as we'll. "I've beaten many." Then I turn to Kaladin. "And I am sorry to you, as well Kaladin. You especially. And I am also very confused. Why did you allow Moriar and Grander to be slain?"

His face is closed off as he looks at me. "Because, I trusted you. I still trust you. Just because you managed to lie about your gender doesn't mean you're unfaithful. Unlike those dogs, who would have shot me in the back in a heartbeat. You made half of us believe you were a boy... That takes courage, especially when you had no idea how we would react." He almost smiles now. "And I would still take you back into my group. Your the best of us."

At my sad face, he sighs. "But you aren't made for this. You are an exceptional fighter, but you're no killer. You're a princess, Navan- er, Lyra."

I smile. "Thank you Kaladin." Words cannot describe how relived I am that he doesn't want to kill me.

His face hardens back up again. "But I cannot allow these men to take you."

I lower my gaze. "I am not asking you to. I go on my own will. My kingdom was abandoned by their own princess, and that is unacceptable. I ran away from my duty, and I now know that I must return to it. You are welcome to join me... though I cannot ensure your safety within my walls. My father does not take kindly to mercenaries. Or his own blood." I say, that last part softer then the rest.

Kaladin chuckles. "Thank you, but no. We shan't be seen with a princess, especially one who is wanted. I will not put my families lives at risk."

I nod. "I respect and understand your decision. What will you do about king Alphonse? You did slaughter two of his best, and didn't fulfill your pledge."

He smiles, an action that I am still not used to seeing him do. "Let us worry about our own skins. You worry about yours. Now get out of here, before I change my mind and take you back for a ransom." He says the last bit with a hardened face, but there is a fondness in his voice.

I nod, and smile. "Yes, sir." I spare a look at Lance, who looks at me with pride. I frown and look away.

The others are mounting to leave, when Jed walks as close to me as Lasreal will allow and holds my bow up. "I found this... you're really leaving then?"

I smile down at him gently. "Yes, I'm afraid so." When I reach to take my weapon from him, he slides his hand up further on the shaft so it touches mine, and puts his free hand over it.

"I am sorry to see you leave my lady." He says, bowing low and kissing my knuckles.

"Please," I say, making him look back up. "Call me Lyra."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tried to update fast for you guys, SO glad you liked the last chapter, tried to write it well for all of you! Hope you like this one too, even though its shorter then the last.
A picture of Las!

A big thanks to every one and your support with this book, it really does mean a lot to me... I might even get an editor and try and publish it... but who knows! :) Also, sorry that I didn't post a picture with this chapter, but there will be one in the next one.
-A.