Sam's POV

The King wasn't lying. It wasn't the cruel joke that I'd hoped it had been as I rushed straight here. I was hoping to see the Duke sitting in his cell nibbling on his morning piece of bread, asking me why I look like I'd seen a ghost. But that isn't the case. Danak Staph is a lifeless corpse lying in a pool of his own blood, with no hope of ever seeing his beloved again. I rest in knowing that Annalise is safe with Thomas, as I has just received word from him late last night. Now I dread having to send them a note about this.

My most recurring thought as I stand in the open doorway of the dungeon cell is, "How am I going to tell Lyra about this?". I feel suddenly tired as I scrub my face with my free hand, standing in front of a gory scene. It is a good thing that I never get attached to them, or else I would likely be distraught over it. Now I just feel worn as I worry about how this death will affect those around me, and what I wil do about it.

Danak had his throat slit in the middle of the night, as I know from previously inspecting the body, and he now lays in the soiled, mildew dusted straw in a scarlet stain of blood. In the firelight cast by the torch in my grasp I can see that his eyes are wide open from the terror he must have felt as he died. His once dark eyes are now pale and lifeless, never again to see anything of this world. I wish very suddenly that dead men could speak. Then I would know who to blame for his murder.

I said I would protect him. I should have been the one guarding his cell. Maybe then he would not be dead. "Who was Guarding him last night? I thought Cam was on duty." I ask the red bearded Claudius, who was put in charge of finding the killer. I suppose the King wanted to make it look like he cared, at least. But I know that I can at least trust Claudius to aid me in catching the man who did this.

Claud's thick brows are drawn together as he strokes his chin, a deep frown pulling at the lips that hide behind his beard. "It was supposed to be Camiseal, but I've already asked him. He said that Sebastian came down and told him that Lyra ordered him to switch out with Cam for the night. I assure you that Lyra gave no such order."

I turn to him, ready to scour the castle for the blue-eyed serpent. I knew that there was something off about him since I first saw him, but a murderer is not something I would have taken him for. The King may have been the one to employ Sebastian, but once I did some digging, I realized that the darkness of his intentions goes far beyond that of Aizen. The Snake is working for someone other than the King, and I know that the death of Danak was his doing. Of course, there is little way to prove that he did it, since the only eye-witness is dead. Because of the high death risk of Danak, his cell was not near the other prisoners, so no one else would have been able to see anything. Could it be that Sebastian was working for the Staph family this whole time?

"And where is he, then? Have you spoke with him already?" I ask, turning from the scene of Danak's crippled heap of a body. I can't help but feel pity for the poor sod. He may have lived if this hadn't happened.

Claudius turns to me, eyes glinting in the firelight. "It would seem that no one has seen him since then, Your Highness." I know that Claud has discovered the same thing that I had- Sebastian is working for someone other than Aizen, someone more sinister who moves his pieces from the shadows. Whether or not that person is a member of the Staph family has yet to be revealed, but I intend to find out and take care of it before the day of my wedding. I will not have Lyra upset and worrying over something like that. She needs to focus on ruling this country, and I need to focus on keeping her safe.

"Well, let's get going. We need to find Sebastian before he gets too far away." I say, brushing past the giant of a man.

Claudius turns and follows me up the grime covered stairs. "You intend to come with? But Sir, what about-"

"I will settle this and be back long before the wedding date. Do not worry," I say. "But first, I have to tell Lyra that I am going away for a few days and inform her about Danak's demise. Do not wait for me, go ready your men and I will gather those I intend to take and meet with you later. Do not let his scent get cold."

"Yes, Your Highness," Claudius obeys, parting with a bow once we get to the upper level of the castle. I turn to go immediately, but he grabs my arm to stop me. His eyes are serious when they meet mine. "Be careful."

I give a short nod. "You be careful. I'll meet with you soon. Please refrain from doing anything terribly rash before I arrive. Lyra would be very upset if you were injured."

Claudius chuckles deeply, as if the thought of himself getting injured was funny, and releases me, giving a steep nod. "Yes, Sir."

We part ways and I rush off to find Lyra, dreading the news I'm about to break to her. After asking around for the Queen and the Princess, I find myself standing outside of a room far before I am ready to do so. I swallow before nodding for the Guards to announce me.

Kaladin is one of the men posted outside of the door, and he gives me a curious look. Apparently he hasn't heard yet, even with the network of connections that he apparently has in the castle. As far as I know, the body was only found a few hours ago and Kaladin has been with Lyra this whole time. He couldn't know, yet.

I slightly tip my head towards him, signalling that I'll inform him of what is going on in a moment. A Guard waves me inside and I poke my head into the doorway.

"Sam? What's wrong?" Lyra's voice comes from behind a screen. She peeps her head out a moment before she emerges, fully dressed in her men's clothing. She looks like she couldn't be happier to get away from the hundreds of skirts that are strewn out throughout the room as she hastily straps her sword around her waist.

I motion towards the doorway, pressing my lips together briefly. "I'm very sorry to interrupt," I pause to bow to Alandra. "But I have something to speak with the Princess about. May I borrow her for a moment, Your Highness?" I don't want to be the one to inform the Queen of such a ghastly matter, even though she does deserve to know. I fear that a woman such as herself might faint if I told her. 

Alandra stands from the cushioned stool she was perched on and nods her head gracefully with a smile, looking slightly worried. She is nearly the exact opposite of Lyra, with he delicate face and frail looking body. Even her voice is more elegant and soft than her daughters. "Of course. Take as long as you need."

I escort Lyra outside, a hand on the small of her back as I try to ignore the way she is looking up at me. She's obviously read my expression in a way that lets her know that something has happened.

"Sam? What's wrong?" She asks once the door is closed behind us, sounding anxious. We now stand in the hallway and I've made a point to be close enough to Kaladin for him to hear our conversation, whereas the other Guardsmen is too far away. Lyra looks up at me with questioning eyes, and I don't take my hand away from her waist. Damn it, I don't want to leave her.

"I have some bad news." I start, clearing my throat.

Lyra raises an eyebrow. "Well? You cannot leave it there, now you have to tell me."

I swallow and glance away, towards Kaladin. He reminds me a bit of a shadow melding into the dark bits of the wall behind him, but the sapphire eyes of his glint in the light, reminding me of his presence. He must have made an ungodly good assassin when he was younger. Even now I can tell just how dangerous he is, and I'm very grateful to have him on our side.

"Danak was murdered last night," I say, loud enough for Kaladin's ears. The mercenary doesn't move his body, though his jaw seems to tighten. I meet his gaze briefly before looking away again. He didn't know about it, after all. That is good news for me, because now I know that it couldn't have been him who committed the murder. Even if I am sure that Sebastian is the culprit, I cannot be close-minded towards other suspects until further evidence proves the snake guilty.

Lyra bites her lower lip and looks down, obviously upset. Any shred of her previous good mood is now gone. "You're sure he is dead?" Her voice sounds surprisingly strong when she speaks.

"I inspected the body with my own eyes." I conclude, trying not to remember the gruesome sight.

Lyra nods. "Do you know who killed him?" She asks, voice soft.

"We have reason to suspect the snake, Sebastian. He hasn't shown up since last night, when he told Camiseal that he was ordered to take his place guarding Danak's cell. Cam claims that the Duke was alive and well when he left."

Lyra looks up slowly, pain in her eyes. "One of my men did this?"

My gaze softens and I find myself reaching to place a hand on her head, trying to comfort her. "Lyra, I would have hardly called Sebastian "one of your men". He was working for your father, and I suspect, someone else, as well. I have no proof yet, but I am leaving to find the suspected killer with Claudius and a few others."

Lyra looks at me with the most heart breaking look I've ever seen on her face. I don't ever wish to see it again, especially if I am the cause like I am right now. "You're leaving? After dropping something like this on me?"

"Please, don't look at me with those eyes," I say, voice pleading. I tuck a strand of loose hair behind her ear and try to smile. "I will be back with Sebastian in tow before the wedding date. I would never dream of leaving you alone. I will not abandon you, I give you my word."

"Good. You'll love the dress that I had no say in picking out. I expect that I will look positively feminine," She says, sounding like she is trying to make the situation lighter. "I don't suppose they would allow me to have a dagger slipped somewhere in the bodice, do you?"

I smile and ruffle her loose hair. "I suppose that you will do what you wish, no matter what you are told you may or may not do. After all, you will be Queen, soon. I daresay that you will not need such a weapon, though. I will protect you with my life and breath if something were to happen."

Lyra takes my hand in hers and touches her cheek with it, closing her eyes. "Promise me that you will come back." She breathes.

I pull her fingers towards my lips and kiss them tenderly. "Of course I promise. Please do not look so upset, I will be back shortly- three days at the most," I give her a half smile. "Then you may come after me."

Lyra laughs, even though her eyes are moist, probably with disappointment. "How did you know that I was thinking of that?"

I pull her close to me and kiss her head. "Because I know you better than you think," She looks up at me and in that moment I never wanted to kiss her more badly than I do now. I want to, so badly. The way that she looks at me is so very unfair. As I lean down to press my lips against her cheek, I know that I will do anything and everything I have to in order to get back to this woman safely.

~

Jed's POV

I wake Syl and Adolin at the crack of dawn with two kicks and a splash of water on their faces.
Syl shoots up from her position with murder in her eyes and curses me enough for a life time in under one minute. That is a talent of hers, truly. Before we met, I didn't know that it was possible to say that many fowl words in so short a time. It makes me glad to be back with them.

The two groggily get their things together and saddle their mounts back up very slowly. I'd already put out the fire and packed Grey's back full of supplies, and I toss some bread and cheese to either of the hung over siblings.

Syl fumbles to catch the food. She smells the cheese and frowns, then throws it back to me with distaste. She spits and goes to her gelding to water and grain him, muttering more swears under her breath.

Adolin pulls out a few herbs from a satchel and sticks the leaves into his mouth, sucking on them. He offers some to Syl, saying that it will help with the pounding in her head.

"I doubt it." Syl growls, but takes some anyway and stuffs them between her lips and gums. I think she begins to feel better, but her rotten attitude remains as usual.

I chew my breakfast, adding Syl's cheese to my bread. "How close are they?"
I ask around a mouthful, using my free hand to stroke Grey's muscular neck.

Adolin speaks from the other side of his horse, where he is tightening the girth around the animal's wide belly. "An hour from our current position. We've been keepin' space between us, since Kaladin figured you might be comin' with us in the long run. He has that amazin' way of knowin' things like that, don't he?"

"If we leave now we'll be able to close a thirty minute gap to get closer to them before they begin to move for the day. Maybe a forty minute one if we gallop the whole way." Syl concludes with a sigh. She thoughtfully smacks some dirt from her gelding's coat.

"Well," I say, stuffing the rest of the bread and cheese into my mouth. "Let's mount up and get moving, then." The sooner we can get back, the sooner I can see Lyra again. The though crosses my mind prominently as I step into Gray's saddle and I slightly shake my head to clear my mind. That is over now, she is marrying someone else. We were never really anything, anyway, nothing ever happened between us. At least, nothing significant enough to want her to marry me. The only reason I am going to go back to Nordic is because of Kaladin.

"Oi, you're frowning." Adolin says, kicking me from his seat on his horse beside me. The corners of his own mouth turn down slightly, as if knowing what I must have been thinking.

"I'm not." I retort, casting a glance to Syl. Luckily she is too busy puking into the bushes beside her to notice anything but herself. Once she straightens, she wipes her mouth and climbs into her saddle without complaint. She always has been a trooper when it comes to things that ail her.

Adolin gives me long look before looking away, back at his sister. "Ey, you comin', or what?"

Syl spits from her mount and casts him a dirty look, mumbling a swear under her breath. "I'm on mi damn horse, ain't I? Lay off it." She growls and kicks her horse into motion behind us. We have to start at a cautious walk due to the brush and several rocks, but once we get back to the deer trail that Kaladin meant for us to use, we are able to move into a canter, careful in splitting up at points to maneuver around trees and holes in the ground.

It is obvious to me that Grey is not used to this sort of riding environment, and I get the impression that she was bred for a dirt track meant for horse races. She moves awkwardly around and over obstacles, ones that Hamais would have taken quite easily. Her large grey ears never stop moving, whether they are pointed back at me, listening to the soothing words I whisper to her, or pointing in every other direction, looking for something to scare at. I keep my grip on the reins firm and in control, though my seat stays relaxed. If she feels like I am nervous, she will pick up on it and try to spook and take off. She needs to know that I am in control and that everything is fine. I rub small circles into her shoulder to calm her.

Once Adolin motions for us to halt, we fall into a line and he begins to go over their plan with me. Syl dismounts and hands the reins of her gelding to her brother. After receiving a nod from him, she takes her quiver full of arrows and he strung bow and slinks into the trees ahead. She had been breaking away from the group to go ahead and scout frequently, and it seems as though we've gotten ahead of Alphonse's group by cutting through the woods.
As Adolin continues to speak, I understand that Syl is going to take care of the guards that were sent out ahead of the King's carriage, and then I come into play.

Ever since I joined this group, I always played the decoy in these kinds of situations. Mainly because Kaladin knew I wasn't one for killing anyone and I typically look like an innocent character. Or at least, I used too. Now I have to work hard to make my eyes wide and unsuspecting, but most people still believe that I'm "Just a farmer's son who became lost on his way back to town". It worked much easier when I was small, but sometimes it still works. Either way, it isn't like I need them to take me in, I just need them not to kill me while I buy enough time for Adolin and Syl.

Once Adolin finished explaining the plan to me, I leave all of my weapons except for a small dagger inside of my boot and exchange my clean shirt for a dirty,  torn one that Adolin fishes out of his bag. By the stains on it, I suspect that he's been using it as a rag rather than something to cover his back with. I try not to think about the smell as I pull it over my head. I dismount from Grey and start off through the woods after Syl. It has been a few minutes since she headed out, and that is plenty of time for her to finish up the job.

Once I break free of the brush and step onto the road, I am not surprised to see the bodies of four men laying with an arrow each sticking out from their throats or chests. I hadn't even heard any screams or shouts, proving that Syl's stealth is as sharp as ever, despite her hang over. She has one of the dead men by the feet and begins to drag it towards the woods.

"Don't just stand there. Help clean this up before the caravan arrives." Syl barks, apparently feeling better enough to give me orders.

I glance down the road and begin to help her hide the bodies. Once we have them well hidden in the brush in either side of the road, we being to scuff dirt over the blood stains with our boots, careful not to miss anything. After making certain that there is no obvious evidence left, Syl disappears into the trees to one side, and I trust that Adolin is hidden somewhere in the shadows on the other side of the well-beaten path.

I assume my position as horses become audible up ahead. I stoop to quickly ruffle my clothing and take a handful of dirt to smudge onto my face and clothes. I begin to walk forward and put on a hopeful expression as the first group of guards near enough to see my face. I wave my arm like an idiot and put on an stupid grin.

The King's carriage is, as expected, between two squads of guards who march either in front of, or behind it. Two armed men stand on either side of the carriage and one well-dressed man drives the horses onward. There is nineteen men besides Alphonse, who remains unseen inside of his transportation, face hidden behind the windows that are laden with lavish curtains. That man is as much of a pig as I remember. 

Two guards split away from the group that guards the front and near me as the others halt with the carriage. One of the men shoves me out of the middle of the road by my shoulder. "Out of the way, boy." He snaps.

I make my eyes wide and innocent. "I-I'm sorry, sir. Is there any way you lads could give me a lift back to town? My horse tossed me a while back and took off towards home without me."

The first guard scrunches up his face. "Are you daft? We're heading the opposite way. Get lost and let us through." 

I pretend to ignore his tone and stand on my toes to look around him at the carriage. "Oh, I see! There's a King in there, ain't there? How exciting! Here I am, just walking along and here I come across a King! Just wait until mama and papa hear about this-" I babble on like an ecstatic boy. "But that ain't the King o' Nordic, is it? Even thought that must be where yer comin' from... did we have a visitor while I was off? Did I miss somethin' exciting?"

The second guard draws his weapon and steps forward threateningly. "No. Now step to the side of the road and let us pass, before we kill you and toss you aside ourselves."

I hold my hands up and put on an alarmed expression. "Oh! No, please, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. It's just that I'm a peasant boy and never seen a King before..."

"Well isn't that just grand for you? Outta the way."

"Oh, um- okay." I stammer, stepping to the far side of the road.

The guard sheaths his sword and the two turn around to head back to their posts. What they find, though, is not what they were expecting. A beautiful red headed girl and a blood covered boy, the bodies of their comrades laying in pools of scarlet behind  them.

Kaladin would be proud of the two for efficiently using the stealth and speed of professional assassin's that he taught to them, even if they aren't quite as good as him yet. Kal could have taken them all out by himself without a single groan from any of his victims. The art is to move so quickly that the man standing next to the first one never know what's happening until his own throat is slit.

The two men left standing don't have time to even draw their weapons before a throwing knife lands solidly into either of their necks. After they are taken care of, the siblings turn swiftly back to the carriage to take care of the King who never had a clue as to what had just been happening.

He lifts the curtains and peeks his fat head out his window. "What is taking so lon- Sweet Mary!"

Syl gives the bulbous king no time to finish his sentence, ending it swiftly with a knife. "There," She comments, thin ribbons of blood splashed across her pale skin. She pulls three leaves from her mouth and spits them onto the dead Alphonse's face. She turns to look at me over her shoulder. "Now your Princess is safe."

~

Author's Note

*Drum roll*

It's here! Finally, right? I'm glad I finally got this chapter out to you guys. Sorry it took so long >.< I was finally able to write the assassination scene with the help of coffee and the Death Cab For Cutie station on Pandora. Score.

There's a picture of Grey, you know, if Grey was a stallion. But that's what she looks like, for all of you non-horsey people. Pretty, isn't he/she? I think so. Anyway, I found the perfect model for Lyra now! I'll post a picture with the next chapter, since I can't find the woman's name. I also found a good picture of Syl, so be excited to see them soon!

I apologize if this chapter seemed a bit sloppy, my writing hasn't been at its best for the past few weeks. It might be because I'm getting ready to start my freshman year of college... so scary and exciting! Updates might slow down even more than usual as I finish up this story because of starting big-girl-school, but we might get lucky. I'll definitely use a lot of my time between classes for writing, though. You know, when I'm not stroking out about due dates and assignments. Or doing Homework... Or studying. I'll find time to chill, eventually! I'm curious, are there any other college-kids here?

Okay, now that I'm done with my nervous rant, I can say thank you to you nuggets in a serious voice, even though I say it every chapter... Thank you! I honestly adore you guys, thanks for keeping me going (Along with Jesus, coffee, messy buns and my dogs, of course). I love you nuggets, therefore I will except your helpful criticism if you'd like to give it! Even though this is a draft of Runaway Princess and it's basically me just shoving sand into a box to later make sand castles, I appreciate and consider your thoughts on it.

Now, I think I'm done with this Author's Note now... unless I'm forgetting something, which I usually am... eh, okay. I don't remember anything specific. Love you guys and God bless!

XOXO,

-A.