Fox and Lyra buried Barley, though it took a lot of work. The two stood over his grave, with their heads bowed. Fox looked numb, and Lyra could only keep her eyes closed. It hurt to think about Barley. He had tried to betray her, but he was going to help her. And he died for Fox. No love could be better. The only thing Fox had was Barely's small wooden flute, which she held tightly in her hand.

Fox kneeled onto the ground, her hands brushing the soft dirt. Lyra couldn't believe that Barley was dead. It just didn't seem real. But the only thing Lyra could think about, which she was guilty of: What would she do now?

Lyra couldn't go back to Fenrir. She could always go back to the other city, but she just couldn't leave Fox like this. She hadn't even known. And from the looks of it, Fox and Barley had been pretty close.

Lyra slowly put a hand on Fox's shoulder, and she seemed to flinch from her touch. "Fox, we should get a fire going, of we'll freeze. The moon's already up." Fox stayed silent for a long moment, and then she nodded, not speaking.

Together, next to Barley's grave, they had a small fire going. Fox still didn't speak, and Lyra warmed her hands in front of the fire. She slowly pulled her violin out of her bag, and then ran her fingers along the base, the strings, the neck. The smell of the wood comforted her, and reminded her of her teacher. The violin was old, but very playable. It was a faded shade of blue.

Fox clears her throat, and Lyra looked up. Fox looked a bit awkward. "Um, I don't know how things are gonna play out." Her voice sounded broken, empty. "But I have a hunch we'll be with each other for a bit, and with Barely gone-" she swallowed hard. "I'd like to know who I'm traveling with. Fully. So, would you lend me your ear, Lyra Gray, if I lend me yours?" Lyra slowly nodded. "Yes. Absolutely."

Fox sighed. "Alright. How about, you ask a question, and I answer no matter what. And truthfully. And then I ask, and you do the same. Deal?" "Deal." "Okay. You want to go first?"

Lyra tapped her chin, thinking. And then she decided.

"What's your real name?"

Fox stared at Lyra, and then a slow smile came to her face. Sad, but genuine. "Marzia. My mother was from another country, called Italy. It's where I got my name." Lyra was a bit timid. "Can I call you that?" Fox/Marzia thought for a long time. Lyra waited patiently. "Fox is preferred, but Marzia's okay too, I guess. Now, it's my turn."

"Who taught you violin?"

Lyra wasn't expecting the question. She waited a long moment, and then finally spoke.

"An old woman, named Eskar. Though she mostly went by Es. She was very experienced in healing, because she was born from a rich Count in Fenrir, so she was given daily lessons. I'm not sure why though, she never explained. She told me she used to be very rich, and she got everything she asked for, until the war came, after America collapsed in economy. Yes, she was that old. The king's lineage took over, and her family was taken of their riches. Her father was drafted in the war, and never returned. She had not siblings or mother, so Es had to fend for herself at just seventeen. She stayed that way for a long time, and became the town's healer. She was eighty, a good age, when she found me. I got my natural healing abilities, and then, with a bit of help, she had me sculpt it into war playing. I practiced after she died, and here I am now."

Fox nodded a bit, staring at the violin still resting in Lyra's lap. Lyra bit her lip. "My turn."

"Why are you wanted by the king?"

Fox looked at the bright moon, and scooted a bit closer to the fire. "Lyra, have you ever heard of the Rebellion?" Lyra tilted her head. "No." And then her eyes widened. "You mean-" Fox nodded.

"Yes. I'm a member. Our ultimate goal is to bring back what was once upon a time. Equality. Freedom of speech. The right to happiness." Lyra felt afraid. "But that's highly illegal!"

"Yes, but it's also right. And everybody knows it. They're just too afraid to stand up. To fight for what they believe. I was part of the Rebellion. Barley always warned me, always told me it was dangerous, but I never listened. I have a whole list of crimes I committed against the monarchy." Fox snorted. "More like dictatorship."

Lyra rubbed her arms in the cold. "Maybe that's enough questions. We should get some sleep." Fox nodded, and then pulled out their bags. Lyra wrapped the warm blanket around her body, shivering a bit. It thankfully made her tired.

Lyra saw Fox's hand on Barley's grave before she finally closed her eyes.

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-Clo