Night was slowly setting in, and the chilly air was felt everywhere. Angelina, Ioana, Sorina, and the others set up camp as they drew closer to the Hoia-Baicu Forest. Vlad the Monk said that they would arrive there by early afternoon. It was almost impossible for Angelina to believe in possibly returning to her era.

Would it still be possible?

Would whatever was in the forest let her return along with her son?

Angelina was in her tent, which the soldiers had helped her and Radu set up. Vlad the Monk believed it was best to rest in a small forest, as it would lead them to their main destination. Her son was sleeping in a small, handmade bassinet that Ioana and the other servants had made. She sat beside the bassinet, gazing at her infant son, feeling tranquil as she watched him sleep. Her backpack was beside her, containing the things she had brought from her era. Taking out her phone, Angelina turned it on, and she took a picture of baby Radu. The battery was about to run out, but it wouldn't matter since she would arrive at the forest. "My baby boy, I'm so sorry that you will never meet your dad. I know you will have many questions about your dad when you get older, but I don't think you will believe me if I told you the truth." Biting her lower lip, she continued, "We will struggle, and I'm scared. I'm scared that you will hate me, thinking I left your dad. I love your dad with all my heart! I wanted you to know how much I begged him to come with us, but he thinks that he has to fight and die to give you a better future!"

"Angelina?"

The young woman composed herself. "S-Sorina?"

"Yes, it is I. May I come in?"

"Yeah, sure." Angelina turned around and sat on a small cot as Sorina entered with a plate of food and a cup of wine. 

"I arrived with food and drink. It is not as much as it would have been in the castle, but it will be enough until tomorrow."

"Thank you, Sorina." Angelina wasn't hungry, but she didn't want to be rude. She put the plate of food beside her while looking at the cup of wine, eyeing her reflection.

"You are troubled, my dear friend. I can see it in your face."

Angelina smiled. "You noticed. Sorry, but I'm just worried for my husband. I-"

"You did everything you could, Angelina. The Voivode didn't want to see reason but he believes what he is doing is right and for the greater good. You mustn't be too hard on yourself."

Angelina knew that Sorina had a point, but she couldn't let it go. She stood up, setting the cup of wine down. "Will you watch over Radu. I need to go and relieve myself." Sorina nodded as she sat beside the bassinet with baby Radu. Angelina was about to leave the tent, but she looked at Sorina before she could. "No matter what, please protect him." The adolescent was confused but nodded. Angelina was outside with her backpack, where she saw the soldiers and Vlad the Monk helping to make the last preparations for camp; Ioana was nowhere to be found. "I need to pee." The young woman walked to the left side, where there were many bushes and thick trees to give her privacy. Feeling safe, Angelina pulled down her underwear and began to urinate.

When finished, she opened her backpack and looked at everything, contemplating everything she had been through with Vlad. It was her things that made Vlad more open to his humanity. It was due to the makings of her era that Angelina gained Vlad's trust and affections. While looking through her things, Angelina couldn't help but hear something ahead that wasn't in the camp. Curiosity got the best of her, and she slowly walked toward where the sound was coming from. 

When getting closer, the sounds got slightly clearer; Angelina realized that people were whispering. "It sounds like Ioana." She eventually caught sight of Ioana, but the older woman wasn't alone; two men, who looked like civilians, were tied to a nearby tree, and their horses were tethered nearby. Angelina listened.

"Lord Vlad the Monk wishes to know of the latest status of the Voivode. You both coming here means that something has happened," Ioana said, looking worried.

Angelina clung to the tree that she had hidden behind. "So they are intel."

"Yes, Lady Ioana. We report that the Voivode and his army have made camp near the city of Târgoviște, waiting for the Sultan's and his army's arrival. The Voivode made plans to slow their arrival by contaminating many of the resources within nearby towns and villages. From what was gathered by other spies, the Ottomans have made camp close to the entrance of Targoviste."

Ioana put her hands together as her worry intensified. "H-How many men do the Ottomans possess?"

The guards looked at one another and then at Ioana. "Perhaps over one hundred thousand. The Voivode thirty thousand or less."

Angelina felt as if her heart was going to explode. Vlad was surely going to get killed if he went through with the battle. She tried everything in her power to stop Vlad from going to war, but ultimately gave up. However, upon hearing about the unfolding events, she felt compelled to take action. "I can't let Vlad and his men get massacred!" Angelina saw one of the horses and slowly walked toward it. When she untied the reins, she stopped. Her son came to mind. What she wanted to do was a risk that could cost her her life. Going through the plan would mean never seeing her son Radu again, but Angelina knew he would be safe with Vlad the Monk. Tears formed as she tightly held onto the reins. "I'm sorry, Radu. Mommy loves you."

She untied the reins, put her backpack on her back, and got on the horse. The noise made the trio stop and notice her. Ioana was horrified. "Angelina, what are you doing!?"

"I heard everything and I am going to try to stop this for the last time! I am going to see the Sultan!"

"Ridiculous! You will do no such thing! You-!" Before Ioana could finish, Angelina rode off with the horse, leaving the trio in shock. 

"She took my horse," said one of the guards.

Suddenly, Ioana got to the last horse, struggling to get it on. "Lady Ioana, what are you doing!?"

The older woman eventually used her strength to get on the horse. "I have to go after her, or she will get killed. Inform Lord Vlad of this; assistance is needed to retrieve her back." Without waiting, Ioana rode after her, leaving the soldiers alone and informing Vlad the Monk of what had transpired.