With quick motions, Fox was eating some blueberries she had found, and Lyra licked the juice off her fingers. She then plucked a couple strings, muttering something about being out of tune.

Fox noticed, but didn't say anything. She only observed the white ball of heat in the air. It was hot out, and the sun blazing on them didn't help. Lyra fanned herself with her hands. Fox's eyes narrowed. "We need something to cover our head, before we burn up." She fished around in her bag, finally pulling out two scarfs. They both wrapped the scarfs around their heads, to block the sun.

Fox stood, stretching. "Come on. Let's keep moving." Lyra put her violin back in her bag, and followed Fox on her determined trail. She suddenly thought of something. "Fox?" "Hm?"

Lyra took a deep breath. "Why are you looking for Victor?" Fox stayed silent for so long, Lyra thought she had to repeat herself. But finally, Fox answered.

"We were...lovers. Young love, I guess. He left, for his sister, Dawna. He wanted to make money for her, by going to the Capitol. And for me. But Dawna got sick. Terribly sick. Victor got enough money to pay for medicine, but the poor thing died before he could
come home. Not sure what happened, but he left without an explanation for the Capitol. Two years later, I found out he got a career in War Playing. Never came back for me." "Oh."

Lyra felt odd. Victor didn't seem the kind to have past troubles. He seemed...normal. Little did the two know, an air ship was above, with it's engines off.

Victor sat at the controls, Clyde's wife, Lidya, pointing towards the ground. "There she is. A bomb should ensure her death. There's no towns around to see the damage. And you can blame it on a warship passing through. It's perfect."

Victor's hand hovered over the button. How could he do this? He doubted the king would forgive. He would find out about this. Victor was unsure what to do. He stepped back. "I'm sorry. I can't do this." Lidya's face went from shock, and then anger. "Fine." With a quick sweep, she smacked the button. The bomb aimed directly at the walking girls.

And then Victor saw her. The familiar red hair. Marzia. She would only let him call her that. Victor saw where the bomb was pointing, and quickly tried to move it. It already shot. It wasn't directly at them, but they would be in the blast.

Lyra heard a whooshing sound. She looked up, and then screamed. Fox turned, and before she could even yell, the bomb hit a distance away. Lyra was forced off of her feet. She went flying backwards, her body being hit hard.

Lyra slammed against the tree, and slumped. She gasped, hurting all over. She was alive, barely. Black spots covered her eyes, and Lyra passed out. She heard talking, and then between consciousness, saw two hooded people. They were having a heated discussion, waving their hands, and she was soon lifted in the air. Then darkness commanded her vision.

Victor couldn't see either of the girls from all the dust kicked in the air. His panic turned to anger as whipped around to Lidya, who looked triumphant. "Guards! Put her in the prison. I'll decide what to do with her later."

Lidya cackled in mad glee as the guards dragged her away. Victor turned back to the wreckage. Please be okay, Marzia. Please. I'm so, so sorry.