I rise automatically at the sight of Lagi in the doorway. My legs tremble, still weak from my journey into the mountains, but I stumble towards him regardless. I nearly trip over my own feet in the excitement, escaping a fall only because Lagi catches me in his arms. As he steadies me, I squeeze him to me, thinking how nice it feels to be reunited with a friend from back home. I swear I can almost smell the salty scent of Tetoa Bay in his hair.

Sobs begin to wrack my body. I thought I had accepted my isolation the moment I left my mother and sister, but seeing someone else dear to me makes me realize how lonely I've been. After a treacherous journey to the Kilneu Mountains, I feel I can finally let my guard done.

"Fetia, you fool," Lagi says.

My chuckle in response breaks up my sobs. I finally pull away from him and wipe tears from my eyes. I take a few deep breaths before I find my voice again.

"How are you? Have you heard from Palila? Is everyone okay?" The questions leave my mouth rapidly, barely giving Lagi any time to process them or myself to breathe.

"Fetia, you should sit," Kesuk interrupts. "Your body is still weak."

Lagi nods and holds his arm out for me to grip onto for balance. He leads me back to the sofa, and I lower back down into my warm pile of blankets. Lagi sits comfortably beside me, while Kesuk finds the rocking chair situated in the corner of the room. I'm vividly aware that he's present, but at least he is giving us space. Siku lets out a grunt as he comfortably positions himself back in front of the crackling fireplace.

"I still don't understand," I say, glancing at Kesuk in confusion. "How did you—"

"Kesuk and I have been on friendly terms the past few months," Lagi answers for me. "The other soldiers do not take kindly to those from Landiani, even before the assassination. I went looking for a quiet place to eat my lunch one afternoon after getting tired of insults, when all of the sudden, a large white dog snuck up and stole my sandwich," he says, smirking at Siku.

"I offered Lagi a homemade meal as an apology," Kesuk explains. "Ever since, he has been coming here for an occasional meal and some company."

Lagi nods. "There are not many chances to make friends in the army. It was nice to make a new one, especially someone who knew the pain of living under the rule of the Magnuvians. I do not know how I would have survived these past few months without Kesuk's kindness."

"I suppose I have to agree with that," I say, flashing Kesuk another smile of gratitude.

"When the assassination occurred, rumors spread quickly of the individuals responsible," Kesuk says. "A member of the royal guard, the head maid of the princess, and a clever Landiani chief who had schemed it all. Lagi knew right away that the two women involved were close childhood friends of his from Tetoa. We spoke briefly of it shortly after King Ruben's death, but

we kept our lips tight for fear of being accused of conspiring. The subject never circulated between us again until I found you. Luckily, I ran into Lagi at the marketplace today. When I told him I had potentially taken in one of his childhood friends, he came running right away. I suppose your reactions confirm you two do indeed know each other."

"Thank you for bringing him to me," I say to Kesuk. I bite my lip nervously. First Kesuk saves my life, and then he reunites me with Lagi? I wonder how I will ever be able to repay such kindness.

Kesuk rises, the rocking chair creaking beneath him. The sound wakes Siku, whose ears perk up. 

"I'll give you two some privacy to catch up," Kesuk offers. "I bought some clothes and supplies for you, Fetia. Let me know when you would like them."

I thank him once more and wait until he and Siku are situated in his bedroom before addressing Lagi once more.

"I had to get out of Landiani," I say.

Lagi is quiet for a moment. "So all of it is true, then? Your family schemed to kill the royals?"

I nod. "Yes,  but...it did not happen as you think."

"What do you mean?" Lagi asks. He is curious, but I can see hurt reflecting in his eyes, too. I know my decision negatively affected him, as well as his loved ones, and I know I will never be able to make up for that. I feel an immense amount of guilt sitting with him beside me now that the excitement has worn off.

I place my hands in my lap and stare down at them, too afraid to look Lagi directly in the eyes. "I was a willing participant in my mother's plan – yes. While Kiana served in Magewell, I served as a maid to Princess Asteria. My mother asked me to kill the princess and then join her and Kiana in Magewell for the slaughter of the king and prince. But...I could not do it."

Lagi pauses, and I fear suddenly he will devolve into the same lecture as my mother – how dare I show mercy to those who have caused our country so much pain? How dare I spare an entitled princess whose family has destroyed our lives?

Instead, Lagi only quietly replies, "Why not?"

I debate telling him of my love affair with Asteria for just a moment. I am sure he would not judge me. He loves Palila, and I am sure he knows how blinding love can be. However, I feel I owe it to Asteria to keep our love secret. I dig my nails into my palm, cursing myself for continuing to protect her, but I am nothing but truthful to my word.

"I just could not bring myself to do it," I say "Killing another person intentionally? It must rob you of your humanity."

I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, knowing Lagi has been forced into this position already. However, when I gather the courage to look up once more, he does not seem angered. He only nods in understanding.

"I don't deny the Magnuvians have wronged us," I continue. "But my mother's sense of justice is not right. The more I pondered it, the more I realized her plan would only beget more violence. And I suppose I was right about that, given how things have shaped out..."

"So, then what did you do in Esterpool? Sit around and do nothing?" Lagi asks.

"I wish I were noble enough to say that's true, but no...I still partook in her plan, almost to the bitter end. I lied to you, to Palila, to everyone in Landiani and in Magnuvia, including the princess herself. I schemed with my mother and sister and exchanged valuable information about the royal family."

"So then what happened with the assassination?"

"My mother and Kiana seemed to know I wouldn't follow through. Perhaps they never trusted me to begin with. They carried out the plan two days earlier than they initially told me. When news came to Esterpool that the king had been killed and the prince injured, I fled as soon as Princess Asteria left to Magewell. During my escape, I somehow ran into my mother and sister, and that is when..." My voice cracks. "That is when I found out Taika had perished in Magewell."

"Oh, Fetia," Lagi says sadly. He tenderly touches my shoulder. "I am so sorry to hear that. I know how important he was to you."

I wipe away some tears from my cheeks. "My mother and Kiana do not mourn him like I do. They think he was making a necessary sacrifice. But I know his death was my fault. He would have never joined them in Magewell if I had been there."

"Do not say that," Lagi urges. "I'm sure Taika was only trying to protect you. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I always liked Taika, even if his intentions were similar to your mother's. Your mother and Kiana...they are alive and well?"

I nod. "We had been living on the outskirts of Satavau for the past few months," I whisper. I doubt Kesuk is eavesdropping, but I still worry. My mother and Kiana have made their own choices, and yet I would still feel awful if I were somehow responsible for them being discovered.

"They are not with you?" Lagi asks, looking around even though we both know that no one is here save for us, Kesuk, and Siku.

"No. My mother has already restarted her plans for vengeance. I am certain if I do nothing, she will succeed this time. I fled when I realized I could not follow her any longer."

Lagi blinks at me in shock. "Wow."

"I know. It was stupid and reckless of me to come here—"

"No, no. I am so proud of you, Fetia," Lagi says.

His words alone bring tears to my eyes. "What?"

"I never liked your mother." Lagi says it so bluntly that I am in shock. I almost feel an urge to defend her, but I know Mama has not earned my defense. "I never liked the unholy grip she seemed to have on you and Kiana," he continues. "I never thought it was my business, so I never said anything. I know you two had a tough childhood after your father died, and your mother seemed to bring you comfort. However, it always felt like her love for you was disguised as something else."

"Manipulation," I answer.

Lagi frowns. "I'm sorry. You've been through so much. But how does it feel now, being away from them both?"

"Lonely. Isolating," I say. Even with all my family has done to wrong me, I cannot deny the sadness I felt when I chose to leave them in Satavau. I play with my fingers, remembering then how it felt to walk through the jungle by myself, to journey into Kilneu, all on my own. There was loneliness in that journey, and yet, there was something deeper lurking too.

"But also...liberating. I feel like I'm finally free to become my own person now that I am no longer my mother's pawn." Sure enough, there is a slight smile on my face, the first since coming here.

"I'm glad," Lagi says.

"But enough about me. How are you?" I ask.

Lagi frowns. "The battlefield is stalled until spring. No one wants to fight in the harsh winter. I'm thankful to be out of combat for now, but they've been sending more Landiani soldiers our way with each passing day. I am sure once we resume our fighting, we will be sent to the frontlines to die."

"You can't think that way!" I exclaim. "You have Palila to think about. Please, have you heard from her at all? I have been worried sick about her being in Tetoa."

"She's safe," Lagi says.

Finally, it feels like my heart can stop pounding.

"She wrote to me shortly after Tetoa was taken over," Lagi says. "Her parents' business remains open and is doing well, but they have strict curfews in Tetoa now. She only goes out of the house to go clam fishing, but no more than that. I am sure she is miserable being cooped up, but it is the only way she can remain safe. The village is a mess. Have you heard?"

I nod. "That's why I am here now. I want to make sure no village ends up like Tetoa again, and one day, I hope we can both go home peacefully."

Lagi nods. "I have to ask – why Kilneu, Fetia? Did you come here to find me?"

"It was a thought that crossed my mind, I suppose, but truthfully I needed to put distance between myself and Landiani. Even with the war going on, I knew that the elements would make it difficult for me to be pursued. And I suppose they are also quite difficult to survive in," I say, stretching my weakened legs.

"What is your plan now, then?" Lagi asks.

I take a deep breath. I had hoped nearly dying on a mountain would give me some more clarity, but my plan is still muddled. I have a vision in mind, one that I have a slight idea of how to achieve, but it is not as clear as I hoped.

"I need to find allies – those who think differently than my mother and sister. If we can gather large enough numbers, perhaps we can start rebelling against the Magnuvians. We can deny them our goods, our services, and maybe...maybe demand our freedom." I take a deep breath. "It is a stupid plan, I know."

"It's hopeful," Lagi says. "Realistic? I am not sure. Rebellions have been staged in the past. They never have been successful."

I sigh.

"But...the Magnuvians are weakened by the death of King Ruben. Maybe...maybe there's a chance."

"Will you help me?" I ask.

Lagi pauses. "I need to think about it. We should invite Kesuk to speak with us about this. He would be interested."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" I ask quietly.

Lagi nods. "Certain. Besides, we cannot scheme very well while we are in his house. Why don't you go get dressed into some of the clothes he brought you? We can talk over some food. Can you stand on your own?"

"I think so," I say. Even still, Lagi holds out his arm for me to grab onto as I stand. Before I turn towards Kesuk's room, I smile at Lagi. "It truly is good to see you."

"You as well," he replies with a grin.

I am still a little wobbly as I approach Kesuk's bedroom, but I find more footing more easily this time.

"Kesuk?" I ask, knocking on the door. "I would like to try on those clothes now if you do not mind."

Kesuk opens the door, holding a large sack of clothes. The bag sags in my arms, threatening to throw me off balance. I am sure whatever he bought me must be thicker than what that old woman sold me in Sura.

"There's a spare room down the hall," he says, pointing toward a closed door on the right. "Hopefully they all fit. I had to make some guesses."

"Thank you," I say.

As I open the door to the spare room, dust circulates in the air. I sneeze as I inhale some. Clearly the room has not been used in some time. The shut curtains mask the dust-covered floors and furniture. In the corner is a twin bed, its sheets wrinkled and pale. Boxes are piled in all of the corners, making it difficult for me to access the mirror on the far wall. Kesuk must be using this room as storage for now.

I shut the door and ditch the heavy coat I have been using to cover myself this morning. I then spend the next several minutes trying on the clothes Kesuk bought me. There are about four outfits in total, and each fit decently well. There is a pair of pants that could benefit from a belt, and one of the coats reaches so far down that it touches past my fingers, but they are all still wearable.

I lie out each of the outfits and choose one for today – long, thick gray pants, a cozy wool sweater, and a heavy brown winter coat lined with some type of animal fur. Immediately after dressing, I feel much warmer and realize how foolish I was acting trying to traverse through the mountains in the thin winter coat I purchased in Sura.

When I return from the spare room, I find Lagi and Kesuk seated at the table, conversing with each other. Kesuk's head turns as I enter.

"Did those clothes work?" he explains.

I nod. "For the most part, yes."

"You look like a proper Kilneu citizen now," Lagi says.

I glance down at my outfit. While my favorite clothes will always be my lightweight blouses and skirts from Landiani, I find at least that Kilneu's standard clothing is warm and comfortable. My winter outfit is nowhere near as tight or itchy as the horrid maid uniform I was forced to wear in Esterpool.

"I hope you don't mind, but I was repeating to Kesuk some of what you shared with me regarding your plan," Lagi explains.

"Right," I say, pulling out a chair next to Lagi to sit.

"I would be honored to be one of your allies," Kesuk says.

"Are you sure?" I ask. "I'm not sure how much Lagi has told you, but I do not have anything thought out that well. I cannot say for certain my plan will even work. Plus, it will be dangerous associating yourself with me. It very well could be a death sentence."

"Now how do you expect to gain allies with that attitude?" Kesuk says. "Truthfully, I do not know how much longer it will be until I am drafted by the Magnuvian army, and that to me sounds more like a death sentence. I would rather die trying to fight for my country's freedom than while committing crimes on behalf of the Magnuvians."

I nod, but I suddenly grow frightened by Kesuk's agreement to join me. When I left Satavau, I was only responsible for my own safety, but now I am responsible for his, and Lagi's, and eventually, if my plan continues, many others.

"What should our next course of action be, then?" Lagi asks.

"I think firstly, we should discuss your living situation. Do you have anywhere to go?" Kesuk asks.

I hesitate. Kesuk looks to Lagi, but Lagi shakes his head.

"There is no way she can stay in the soldier's base," Lagi says.

"That's what I suspected. Fetia, you are welcome to stay here for the time being," Kesuk says.

"Are you sure? Truly, you have done so much already. I do not wish to take advantage of your kindness any more than I already have."

"It is no trouble, and truthfully, I am not sure where else you could go right now that would fly under the radar of the Magnuvian soldiers."

"Then...I would be happy to stay here. Thank you," I say

"Next course of business – your plan right now is to seek out more allies, correct?'

"Yes."

"Then I can begin asking around about interest in gathering numbers for a rebellion. I know there are some trusted individuals living in Kilneu that I can reach out to already. They will hopefully have connections to others," Kesuk says.

Lagi turns to me now. "Fetia, I do wish to help, but I cannot have as much involvement as Kesuk. They are already watching me closely since I have connections to you, and I owe it to Palila to keep myself safe for her sake. So if I have to pull back or lessen my involvement over time—"

"I understand. Truly, it's good just to see you alive."

Lagi smiles in response.

"Let's plan to meet here regularly to discuss strategy," Kesuk states. "Lagi, I do not expect you to do much sleuthing, but if you catch any word of soldiers who might be interested in joining our cause, then feel free to share that here, too."

Lagi nods. "I'll do my best."

I suddenly feel guilty, knowing they will be doing the bulk of the work while I sit here in Kesuk's home. Kesuk must notice my quiet because he says to me, "Do not worry about pulling your weight just yet. You've been through a lot. Your focus should be on your recovery."

"Okay," I agree.

Lagi glances out at the window. "I should be heading back. We have training this afternoon, and the commanders like to punish those who are late."

I rise and give Lagi another hug as he departs. "Stay safe. I'll see you later." It feels nice to have those words leave my mouth. I do not know where this plan will take me or what's to come, but for the time being, it will be an improvement having someone from home support me in all this.

"You take care of yourself, too," Lagi says. "Like Kesuk said, focus on your recovery. I cannot imagine all you have been through in the past few months."

I nod, afraid that I will tear up again if I attempt to speak.

"Let's meet again five days from now," Kesuk suggests. "Fetia needs some time to recover, and I will need some time to start making rounds on other citizens in Kilaun."

We nod in agreement, and a new wave of excitement floods over my body as the reality sets in that this is really happening. I am beginning to chart a new path, separate from my mother and sister. I hope that these are the first steps to a more hopeful future.