Lyra sat awkwardly in the carriage. So, she wasn't in trouble. Or was she? Was it really that bad that the king wanted to personally execute her? No. He wouldn't trouble himself with those tiny matters. So it must be bigger. Gah, why must the king be so confusing.

The skinny man had revealed himself as the vizier to the king. And he also rode in another carriage then her. ("I don't wish to be in the same cart as someone in a lower caste than I")But he didn't say what the king wanted with her. Why didn't they just tell her? The carriage was headed to an airship, and she couldn't help but curse the family who'd put her here.

I just saved your child after he was whipped? And this is how you thank me? And here I could've just let him die. And then you send me to my death.

Lyra was grateful that the servants walking along side the cart had cleaned and tuned her violin. She found she liked them more than the cranky vizier.

Th cart was rather big. It looked like it could fit about five people comfortably, but only she was in it. Too bad they wouldn't let some of the servants ride with her.

Lyra felt the cart slow to a stop. A servant opened the door, and wrapped a scarf around her to protect against the chill. She nodded a thank you to the servant. Two soldiers guided her to a giant air ship. "Woah." That didn't even cover it all.

The vizier took out what appeared to be a large tablet. Those things were very expensive. Only the richest people could afford them. He seemed to be sending a message on it. And then he motioned her over to the ship. "I will be going on another air craft to his majesty's castle. You will be accompanying a War Player, by the name of Victor."

A handsome boy came out, carrying a small drum. He had scruffy brown hair, with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes. "'Ello. You must be Lyra. I'm Victor Carlye." Lyra was speechless for a moment. "Nice to meet you, sir." She remembered her manners, and curtsied. Victor smiled. "Just call me Victor." Lyra nodded. "If you wish si-Victor."

Lyra was in her room on the ship. Her room was bigger than her house at home. She laid down on the giant, feather bed. Quite a change, besides the hard, straw-filled, bed she had at home.

Lyra ran her finger along her violin, which she had put safely on her night stand. Victor had retired to his own room, and she found herself a little lonely again.

Lyra stood, and went over to the night stand, and pulled out the baby blue nightgown the servants had prepared for her. She put it on, and it felt like heaven against her skin. Sighing, she crawled back into bed, and turned off the light on the night stand next to her.

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Lyra had woken the next morning, hungry. She changed into a simple white dress with long sleeves for the cold. Lyra brushed her long, black hair, and put it forward in a braid.

She looked in the mirror. She still was afraid, lonely, and confused. What would happen to her? Lyra turned to look out the window at the passing landscapes. She finally exited her room, looking around.

Lyra then bumped into Victor. "Victor! I'm sorry." She said, looking at him. He was wearing a simple silver tunic, with matching trousers. He chuckled. "That's quite alright, Lyra. I, in fact, was a little desperate for company. It's pretty-" "Lonely? Yeah." She nodded.

"So," Lyra said, rocking on her heels. "You're a War Player?" Victor nodded. "Yeah. I accepted the job after he said he'd pay my family. I've been playing for a while now in his army." Lyra tilted her head. "What's it like? To you know, have a family?"

Victor frowned. "You don't have a family, Lyra?" Lyra looked down.

She never knew her family. All she remembered was a strong father, a caring mother, and a little brother with chubby cheeks. And then, one day, they were gone. Lyra had lived by sneaking into houses for food, begging, and finally being taught by an old woman for healing magic. The woman had died when she was seven, and since then, Lyra had been healing the town ever since.

"Well...no." Victor grinned. "I have a lot to teach you about family."

For three hours, Lyra stayed in Victor's company. It was rather interesting, hearing the Victor boy talk about his old life, and his talent for the drum. Lyra told him her healing skills, and her passion for violin.

Meanwhile, the air ship moved closer and closer to the king's territory.

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Hey guys! Sorry I put cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, but in my sense, cliffhangers always make you excited for next chapter, and I love that!

-Clo