Lyra was dressed carefully with her injuries in a white dress, so she could attend a meeting with Lilia Brooks. She would be told why she was here after the meeting. Her arm and stomach ached, but thanks to the advanced medicinal equipment that the Revolution stole from the king, her foot was healed, but a little sore.

Lyra followed a couple of people towards the meeting area, which was a large table, where about twenty four people sat. Lyra sat next to Fox in an empty chair.

Fox smiled. "Hey." She had a black eye, and she held crutches. Otherwise, no other injury was exposed. Lyra nodded. "So. This is the Revolution." Fox nodded. "Here comes Lilia." The woman sat at the head of the table, her stern eyes glaring at them all.

"As all of you see, we have a new guest, and an old sister, Fox. We welcome them both to the table." A murmur of greetings were spread across the table. Lilia cleared her throat. "Try your best to make them feel comfortable, and help them with injuries. Lyra Grey."

Lyra felt the eyes of twenty four people, and swallowed. "Yes?" She squeaked. "Do not be afraid. We mean to help." Lyra was about to nod, when a man spoke. "Isn't she the one wanted for war playing with the king? Won't she put us in jeopardy? And have you seen how long Fox has been gone? Can we trust her?"

Lilia's eyes flicked to the bald man, who had a scar across one of his eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat as mutterings of agreement flowed around the room. "Yeah!" A voice protested. Lilia stood, and banged her hand against the table, making the people in the room jump. Lilia observed them all.

"Jerry," she said slowly standing to walk next the scar eyed man. "What if I told you a secret?" Jerry looked confused. "General?" Lilia bent down to make eye contact with the man. "This may come as startling to you, but-" she yelled with a loud passion.

"We are all wanted! We all would be put to death if caught! Is Lyra no different? Isn't everyone here seeking shelter, wanted?"

The table was silent. Lilia swept back to her chair, ignoring the startled Jerry. She sat down, her hands on the table.

"As most of you know, remember last week, in the town of Eskel? The Eskel Massacre?" Scattered nods came across the table. "There was a peaceful protest, about forty who were there? Simply protesting raised taxes and stolen silks? Do you know what happened to the people that were in the protest?"

There was silence, until Fox spoke quietly. "Twenty nine of them were murdered. Six are slaves in the Western States, and the other five are young children, who instead were sent to Florida prisons, to work the mines."

Lyra swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes observing her feet. Lilia looked at them all. "Now imagine us. Not even peacefully protesting. We mean to overthrow the king. I don't think my own uncle, the very king, would forgive me. And I'm glad at that. I hate him. And so do all of you, or otherwise you wouldn't be here. Would any one you, with families, want to die? Would you want your family to be tortured in front of you, and next you would be killed? No? I watched it happen to my father, the king's very brother."

Lilia took a breath. "As for Fox-" she glanced at the girl. "I'd trust her with my life. Any objections?" Silence. Lilia didn't say anymore for a long moment. "Meeting dismissed. Lyra, meet me in my office please. You as well, Fox."