Jeddediah's POV

"Quiet!" I bellow at the siblings, but they ignore me as they continue they're squabble.

They wouldn't listen to me, because I'm not Kaladin. I know that, but he hasn't returned yet this morning, and I am the only one left with any sense at the moment.

They're voices echo off of the trees around us as they quarrel , oblivious to me and my indignation at the behavior.

I'm not certain what set them off this time, but with the siblings together there is always bound to be an argument around the corner. Looking at them now, I see Syl throw a punch at her brother, but he dodges it and laughs, sticking his tongue out at her. His immaturity surfaces once again.

Begining to become annoyed, I pick up a stone and throw it at them. "Enough you two, someone might hear us." I hiss, glancing at the trees and mist around us as if a spying person would leap out to confront the source of the noise.

The morning is still young, and carries a bite in its breath but the birds around us are unfazed as they carry on with their daily business, sailing back and forth through the brisk air.

The stone had knocked Adolin in the head, and he rubs his sore spot with a scowl. He throws it back with more force than I did to him, but I still catch it with ease, ignoring the way my palm stings at the connection.

I finally seemed to have gained at least his attention. "Why don't you go make a round? Kaladin made it clear that we should keep a watch on the perimeters here. "

We are staying at the fringes of the forest around the out side walls of Nordic, keeping watch for the men that are out for Lyra.

So far we haven't noticed anything leading to them, but we're all still on alert. Well, some of us anyway.

The scowl on Syl's face never leaves as she stands up and slings her bow over her back angrily.

"I'll do it," She states moodily, preparing herself to go stomping off. "Since this idiot can't even lie properly. He clearly cannot do anything by himself." She mumbles as she crashes past me and into the trees to our left.

I say nothing, only turn to Adolin with a raised eyebrow. He returns it with as shake of his head, and he picks himself up from the ground to come sit with me near the fire.

"I have no idea," he says, throwing his hands up in the air. "I don't understand women, especially my sister." He concludes, then looks at what I am doing.

I had been fiddling with a thin leather strap, and at Adolin's noticing, I slip it onto my wrist and ignore him.

He's quiet a moment, before opening his mouth. I stand up and go over to the horses as he speaks to avoid looking at him.

"That's hers, isn't it?" His voice is soft, and holds no judgment.

I don't speak, only stoop my head in a nod as I busy myself with my beast's feet.

It's the strap that Lyra had used to tie her hair back from her face. I found it when we followed after her, pressed into the mud by many horse hooves. We soon veered from the trail that they had taken on the way to the castle to avoid being spotted, even though we kept a day behind them always.

Kaladin is somewhat of a tracker, and he is the one who pointed the strap out. Perhaps he thought I may want to keep it, or perhaps he thought nothing of it.

Either way, I dismounted to pick it up, and I've had it around my wrist ever since. I'm not sure why I hold on to it, as if it was a part if her.

I shrug it off as I let my mount's hoof drop, and pat his rump as I stand. I begin to adjust the already perfectly fitting bridle of the horse, then check his already secure saddle and saddle bags, busying myself in attempts to keep her memory from my thoughts. She's hardly left them since she agreed to come back to her people.

I look up at it now, thoughts of her returning. We are stationed behind the kingdom, where the trees are closest to the surrounding wall.

Mid noon yesterday Kaladin ordered is to stay here and continue our rounds, and that he would return in the morning. He didn't say where he was going, and we didn't ask. He sometimes goes out when we are near a town at night, and returns in the morning. I still am not certain what he does in that time, but he is my leader and friend, so I never intrude on his privacy. We let him have is time.

A rustle in the foliage causes me to take my eyes from the castle as Kaladin steps through the trees.

His midnight hair is disheveled and he appears exhausted as he comes over, foot falls heavy with lack of sleep.

I go to meet him, eager to hear of any news concerning Lyra.

Before I even open my mouth, he raises his hand to stop my words, holding a finger to his lips. "No, no questions. The perimeter is safe for now, I checked twice before coming back. Someone should inform Syl that she should not mutter to herself while on duty, it gives her away- as if that flaming hair of hers weren't enough to make her obvious amongst the trees. " Kaladin murmers, mostly to himself as he makes his way past me to his horse.

"But-" I start following at his heels, about to ask of Lyra despite his previous order.

He turns to me with a half-hearted glare. "Stop." Even when he is weakened with loss of sleep, his voice still holds command and authority. "I haven't slept for two days, and I will rest now." As he speaks, he rifles through the packs on his mounts back and the one in his arms.

The first few nights here he has been reluctant to close his eyes for more than a moment, always alert and aware of the surroundings. Staying up all night to watch over Lyra by no means helped his fatigue.

Kaladin had taken a bundle for a change of clothes and some other things, Mostly weapons I assume, for his time away in Nordic. He now rifles through his belongings, sorting each item in its proper bag.

I wait in grudging silence as he finishes, remaining at my place until he is inclined to speak with me again.

I begin to toy with the leather around my wrist when he finally turns.

Kaladin's face is worn, but he gives one of his almost half smiles when he sees me still continuing to wait like a pup.

"I will not go back to her tonight." He says simply, as if stating that the sky is blue or the tree tops green.

My eyes widen, and am about to argue with everything he's said, my mind already working on reasons why he should go.

Kaladin sees this, and shifts his weight, reaching out to clasp my shoulder. "You will."

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Lyra's POV

A pounding in my head had surfaced at the end of the meeting with my father, the weight of the conversation suffocating.

Prince Sam and Lance had decided to show up in the throne room to see what the commotion was about, so every time I glanced away from my father's troubled face, I saw two more.

I have a hard time seeing why Sam is bothered by the news, but he looks almost guilty of something.

All I could do at the time was ignore it and make a mental note to ask him about it later.

There was talk of war, or sending spies to Azgän, but I argued against it, saying that there would be little sense in that if the mercenaries have already departed. And war? That suggestion was quickly shot down. We haven't the men to risk at the moment, and we are still weakened from the last battle that occurred when I was young. The one that I lost Lance in... nearly.

It is strange how though he hadn't been slain during that time, it still feels like I lost him that day, even with him standing here now. It reminds me for some reason, of how fragile human life really is, and how easily we forget it.

We came to the conclusion that tripling the amount of guards would be the smartest thing for now, and I am currently on my way to inform Hener that he will now be appointed a position as part of my Guard. I know that Hana would want to do it himself, but I still haven't received word of his return. A deep regret has started to settle in the pit of my stomach at giving him permission to go last night.

My father asks to speak with my mother alone, sending me on my way with half of their Guard as well as my current men. Personally, I'm beginning to get tired of the flock of people trailing me already; I've never been much for a lot of attention, it makes me nervous. I know that will be something I have to grow out of if I want to be queen, but it isn't that I lock up under pressure, I actually work quite well under it. That doesn't mean I have to relish it.

It takes us a while to find Hener, as he had a day off today- well, before the extra security detail was enforced. We find him at the mess hall, were he is sitting and drinking with some of the other Guards. All eleven men are all still in uniform despite their free day; The men never know when they may be called in to duty. Now would be a good example.

The place is deserted, save for the men and a cook in the kitchen. Throughout the entire castle there are three cooks, one, the best of them all, is the royal cook. He feeds the royal family and the court. Second, is the cook for the Guard, and third is for the servants, stable boys and the like.

Why not have just one cook for everyone? My father believes in the best food for the best people, then handing out any left overs to peasants: curtisy of my mother. Uncommon for a Queen, yes, but she doesn't believe in wasting even a crumb of food.
That's the good in her heart.

The King thinks that by rank of importance is how the best quality food should be distributed. I suppose that it is better than being served the scraps of others, like typically done.

At my presence, all eleven Guards stand so abruptly that their table nearly tips over, and press their right fists into their left shoulders, bowing.

I wave a hand dismissively. "Rise and continue your conversing. Hener, may I have a word?"

Hener straightens up and nods deeply, following my lead in stepping away from the group.
"Yes, My lady?" He asks, slightly tilting his head. I don't think he notices he's doing it.

I make a slightly worried expression. "You haven't heard from your brother, have you?" I ask hopefully.

His brows raise slightly, his features softening at my distress. "No, I wish I could say otherwise, princess."

I nod, glancing away a moment before looking back to his face. "Well, it is still early in the day. But that is not why I came here. I know your brother would want to be the one to be privelaged with informing you of this, but in his absence, I shall tell you."

His eyes falter at the mention of his brother, but he quickly picks back up again.

I smile, and gently touch his arm, smiling softly. "How do you feel about being placed in my Guard?"

He looks ecstatic, right next to looking exasperated and worried. "D-did something happen? " He means was someone murdered, or am I replacing Hana, as if I could ever do such a thing.

I shake my head, lips still turned up gracefully and give a soft laugh. "Oh, no it's for no reason such as that." I proceeded to tell him of the new regulations, and he seems to understand with relief.

"Ah, I see. Thank you for clarifying, your Excellency." He pauses his Knightly charade to give a small smile, unable to conceal his excitement entirely. "I would be honored."

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A/N

I know, it took a while, so thank you guys for your patience... not very action packed, but a long chapter I hope you enjoyed!

Love your support, I'm so grateful! I see how many reads I've gotten on this book, and it makes me feel so overwhelmed that people like it so much! Thanks again for the support and voting and commenting, I love hearing from my readers :)

Love always,

-A.