Author's Note: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while and that this chapter is shorter than usual. February has been hectic with a multitude of things. Plus, I had major writer's block trying to come up with a transition chapter for between last chapter and what is coming up soon. Hope you enjoy my story.

     My brother and mother escorted me out of the dining room while my father sent everyone else except for two guards back to work. "I'm so sorry, Autumn, dear... I tried my best... to convince your father... to let you stay, but... no matter what I said or did... he refused," my mother spoke in between her sobs. 'Don't worry, mother, I'll be fine. I do have weaponry experience, and I know how to fish and hunt. Plus, I could gather berries.'

After I finished my attempt to comfort my mother she hugged me and said "I know Autumn, but I still worry and wish you could've stayed". The two guards that my father said would accompany me the rest of the day had, sadly, just arrived. Then my brother spoke up. I had forgotten he was there. "Mother, lets go into your room and talk while Autumn gathers her belongings." "Okay Kaleb." I couldn't believe it, Kaleb had ignored me and then left with mother; he didn't even talk to me.

As Kaleb was escorting mother out of the room, he made a slight pause at the end of the hall. Before he turned the corner, he turned to look at me and silently spoke the words "be in the bathroom in about 20 minutes." I knew what he said because I was able to read his lips.

I walked up to my room and started to gather my belongings. I grabbed a huge bag from the corner of my room to use to hold my belongings. I packed the following: clothes (just a variation of shirts, shawls ,and leggings; no skirts or dresses except for my turquoise one), a lot of apples, two down blankets, a small pillow, my bow and quiver full of arrows from earlier, and I put on the throwing knife holders with the throwing knives from earlier, as well. I put on a belt with a sheath on it. Then I sheathed the sword from my father.

At that point, it hit about 20 minutes after Kaleb had requested me to meet him, so I started to walk out. As I went to walk out, the guards tried to stop me and/or follow me out. 'Guards I'm just going to the bathroom.' "Sorry Princess Autumn," both guards said in unison. I walked out of my room and across the hall into the bathroom. The guards followed me and each stood about a foot to the side of the door.

Since the door to the bathroom was open, I assumed I would have to wait for my brother. Next thing I knew someone jumped out of the storage closet, for towels, and covered my mouth so that I didn't scream in shock. Once I realized it was my brother I mumbled 'Okay, Kaleb.' into his hand. Kaleb moved his hand immediately. "Sorry, but I couldn't let the guards know I was in here and I had to leave the door open, so that you could come in." 'It's okay, Kaleb; you just startled me.'

"I know what father is planning to do with Shriauku." I couldn't believe that I had almost completely forgotten about Shriauku! 'What is he planning to do?' "Father is going to slaughter Shriauku in two days, outside, in front of the castle. Since you don't leave until tonight father decided to wait a day before killing Shriauku because he didn't want you to try to save him. 'Thank you very much, Kaleb.' "Your welcome, Autumn. Save Shriauku, sis." 'I will.' Then Kaleb and I hugged.

After we finished our hug, Kaleb walked back into the storage closet to hide so that the guards wouldn't see him. I walked back into my room along with the guards. It would be time for me to leave in a few hours, so I took off the throwing knives and holders and belted sheath. I put the belted sheath on the floor and the throwing knives and holders in a drawer. Then I laid down on my bed, for the last time, and fell asleep.

When I woke up, I had just under an hour before I had to leave. I put the throwing knives and holders back on, grabbed the bag I packed, and went to the stables and saddled Midnight. Lastly, I walked back into the castle and bid farewells one final time before I was off.

I went back to the stables and got on Midnight after I bid my final farewells. I rode the long way to the river in the clearing, behind the the field. It took about two hours, granted, that also included the many rest breaks, snack breaks, and water breaks for me and my horse.

I made a fire just like earlier today. Then I pulled out my pillow and blankets, laid down my pillow, and wrapped up in my blankets; so that I was covered up and laying on the blankets. I planned to go to sleep soon so that I could wake up early to plan how to save Shriauku. Within 20 minutes I fell asleep.

When I awoke, the sun was still rising. I stayed sitting on my blanket and decided I would wait until it was brighter, to search for berries; so while waiting I watched the sunrise.

After a short amount of time I started my search for berries along the riverbank. I collected a handful or two and ate them. After eating the berries I had collected, I started to plan how to rescue Shriauku.