Something strange happened today. A girl walked into my room. She was dressed as one of my ladies in waiting, however, I did not recognise her. Well, I know I haven't physically seen her before. I think I have seen her before in my visions though. It was very strange. The visions I remember her face were in visions of the future. So, how was she physically standing in the room with me? She has yet to be born. As I write, her face flashes in my mind again. Her wide-eyed, terrified expression as she looked at me in confusion. Then, she just disappeared. It leaves me wondering if I just made her up completely. No. That isn't right. She was definitely standing in front of me. How did a girl whose face I have seen so far in the future appear in my room?

I don't know much about the future. Those are the visions which come to me the least. Though of all my visions that show me what is to come, her face is the one to appear the most in my mind. She is important, I can feel it. I do not know who she is or how she came back from her time, but if she appears again I will be sure to question her.

~The Diary of Queen Orianna

Nianzu finally returns to the camp after a week. He lands on the ground in his crow form before transforming back into the human I have become so familiar with. I let out a squeal of excitement and run over to him, jumping into his arms. In our short time together with only each other for company, I have grown very fond of the demi-god shifter. I missed him greatly. He laughs as he hugs me.

"Is it done?" I ask him. He nods his head and then frowns.

"What happened to your face?" he asks. I smile and look over to Wyatt and Merissa.

"They happened," I chuckle. "It turns out living on my own in the wild for a few months makes you a little rusty in the combat department," I tell him with a shrug. This past week, the Red Guard have been training me hard. I have never been able to match them completely anyway. They are, after all, the most elite warriors in Vivelle. Only Fallon is able to best them, though I can get close. However, after not training for so long I proved easy pickings for my friends. They did not hold back because I was a princess either. This past week, I have spent a lot of my time being thrown onto my arse with a sword at my throat.

Not long after Nianzu's return, we all gather for a meeting and get ready for our plan to begin. Afterwards, we all go back to our tents to pack our bags. There is something oddly exciting about packing my bag again and readying to travel. I can't wait to see more of Vivelle. Once I have everything, we all gather.

"Okay," I begin as I address everyone. "These next few months are going to be dangerous and difficult as we all already know. We are going to have to tread so carefully in order for there to be as little collateral damage as possible. However, as I have previously stated," I look at Adam and the other Centaurs, "You need to mentally prepare yourself," I tell them solemnly. "By going against my father, you are putting you trapped loved ones at risk." Adam looks down and closes his eyes. After a few moments, he nods his head.

"We understand the risk," he tells me. "We are willing to take it in order to gain our freedom again." I nod.

"Okay. The closest mine is Flon mine. It is very remote with no cities around it and probably the least guarded one," I begin. "I believe that my team will be able to shut it down. We will need some centaurs with us to guide their young back here. Harlon will be in charge of this camp in all the leaders' absence with the help, of course with the Mer King and Siren King. Harlon," I look at the Red Guard member. His dark tanned skin, tall muscular build and stern face making him the perfect person to command. "It is your responsibility to keep this place locked down and a secure place for the Centaurs returning from the mines. You are also in charge of training the Sirens, Mer and the remaining centaurs." He nods his head. "I will most likely be gone for a few months so there is plenty of time to learn. What you all need to do, however, is to plan an escape route in case somehow you are found."

"Yes, your highness," he says. I nod my head and smile at him. Harlen has always been the most sensible in our group and he's the eldest. As much as I love Wyatt, Harlen has a stern maturity about him. Heck, he would even boss me around when we were younger.

"Thank you," I smile at him. Everyone is serious now as I go over it all once again.

"After Flon mine, it is an easy two-week ride to the Lupine boarders. Or," I pause, thinking over the plan I have been forming after looking closely at the maps. "Our team could ride East and make is to Ronzal Mine," I say. The centaurs smile but Wyatt frowns.

"Princess," he says. "Ronzal Mine is only ten miles from the City of Tolro and it is one of the Kings biggest," he tells me. I nod my head. It is a much riskier move. It will be much more guarded and a lot more difficult for a huge pack of centaurs to get away unnoticed. However, I think we can do it.

"Merissa has been investigating a criminal group that is massively active across Vivelle. They call themselves the Knights of the Phoenix," I begin. "They probably have some sort of base within the city and we could ask for their help. We can also blame them for the mines so that suspicions are off me," I tell them. "After that, the Lupine borders are but fifty miles away."

There is silence.

"I like the idea," Nianzu says. "If need be, I can get the princess out of there," he says. I look at him and smile.

"It shouldn't come to that," I tell him. 

"I guess we could give it a go," Wyatt sighs. I grin.

"Whilst we are doing that, Adam and Lexa will need to set up all sorts of false trails to tell my father." Adam smiles and nods his head.

"Okay," I smile. "I think I've covered everything," I reply. "Adam, you'll need to send a team of centaurs with me so they can bring back those we free from the mines. Once they are back, the group will be sent out again to track us to the Mines. It is best if they don't travel anywhere near us whilst we get closer to the city. It will probably take us a few days in the city to find and make a deal with the Knights so they'll have plenty of time to hide and wait for the next group of Centaurs to be free. Then, they can lead them back here."

We all split into our groups and get the last few bits sorted. The Red guard gives me one of the warhorses that was once owned by one of the Guard members they killed. I get my saddle sorted and load up the bags with everything I need.

"Nianzu," I say. "Would you be able to keep an eye out from the skies?" I ask.

"Yes," he replies curtly. I chuckle. I am not sure he is too happy with our party growing and me not needing him as much. I just roll my eyes and go back to Adam and Lexa.

"Best of luck," I say to them both. They bow their heads.

"You too, Princesses," Adam grins. He shouts out an order and his team begin to rush out of the camp. Their hooves thundering against the ground as they weave in and out of the trees and away from the lake.

Fox walks over to me and I pull him into a tight hug. He laughs and kisses my cheek, holding me tightly. We stay quiet for a few moments before pulling away. I smile soflty at him, looking at his light ginger hair, freckled face and bright blue eyes. 

"Be careful," I tell him.

"You know me, I'm always careful," he grins. I laugh and shake my head.

"Uh huh," I reply, "remind me what you did at Shae's eighteenth birthday party again," I state. He laughs and shakes his head.

"What I did is nothing compared to what you and Wyatt got up to," he says and Wyatt walks over to me, patting my shoulder. I laugh and look up at him with a grin.

"That was a mad night," I sigh.

"Yeah," Fox agrees and looks between us. "Both of you stay alive, okay," he says, "We need to get drunk together again. Can you imagine what the celebrations will be like when you return victorious?" he says.

"Holy shit," I begin, "they would be insane," I laugh.

"You both would get into so much trouble," he laughs. Wyatt and I grin at each other.

"That is if Fallon lets us. She is always boring and keeps us seperate," Wyatt moans. I laugh. Fox laughs and we fall into silence again. Wyatt steps closer to him and wraps him in a hug, slapping his back.

"See you soon," he smiles. Fox nods his head and they pull away. Then, Fox is getting onto his horse. A lump forms in my throat.

"See you soon, Princess," Fox says to me as he sits atop his warhorse. His grin confident and wide.

"Goodluck," I tell him, knowing he is going to have to liaise with my father. He nods his head and bows us both a kiss before urging his beast on with a kick and racing after the centaurs. Lexa, Adam's second looks down at me with a grin.

"Do not worry princess," she smiles. "We've been waiting our whole lives to give a big fuck you to the king, we aren't about to mess it up. In the next few weeks, he's going to be looking for you everywhere in Vivelle except for where you actually are. I can't wait to see his puny little soldiers running around the country like headless chickens," she chuckles.

"That will be very satisfying, it's a shame I won't be able to actually see it," I tell her. She grins down at me.

"We will just have to relay the stories to you once we are all gathered again," she tells me.

"Yes, we will," I say softly. Karson, the other Red Guard member going with a centaur group walks over. He already sits on the back of his warhorse.

"Are we ready?" he asks.

"Just about," Lexa replies. Karson nods his head and looks down at me.

"I guess I'll see you all again soon," he smiles as he looks at his friends.

"I fucking hope not, I've had enough of putting up with you bitching every five seconds," Merissa jokes. He gives her the finger before looking at Lexa. She looks at him.

"Let's hope you can actually keep up this time," she smiles before barking out an order of her own. Her team exit the camp quickly, Karson racing quickly behind. I watch them go and feel my heart flutter nervously in my chest. I actually have a chance now. This could really work. Though I know for a fact that some of these people won't be returning and some will be losing those they love. I sigh and close my eyes. That is the price of the games we are playing.

I feel Wyatt's hand on my shoulder and lean into it slightly. He puts his arm around me and pulls me into his chest, kissing the top of my head. I know he is thinking the same thing as me. A long sigh leave both our mouths as we watch our friends dissappear.

"You ready to leave?" he finally asks once they are out of sight. I nod my head and look back around the camp. It is a lot smaller now, though there are still about twenty centaurs along with the Mer and Sirens. They'll be okay sheltered here. I walk over to Harlon.

"You sure you're up to this?" I ask. He nods his head.

"Absolutely," he replies. I give him a hug and kiss him on the cheek. "Good luck Princess," he smiles.

"We've certainly come a long way from the training fields," I chuckle nervously. He nods his head.

"I don't think so," he shrugs. The other red guard members left come over. "We're all still working together as a team after all." We laugh.

"I guess you're right," I say and walk over to my horse. I mount him and look back down at Harlon whilst the others still get on their horses.

"You seriously need to whip all of these people into shape, Harlon," I tell him, my voice now serious. "I have no doubt in my mind that before we can even get close to getting me on the throne, there will be a fight." He nods his head.

"I understand," he tells me.

"Good," I reply before taking a deep breath and look around the camp again. My camp. In the hands of one of the people I trust most. I smile back down at Harlon.

"Good luck, Ana," he smiles.

"You too," I reply and smiles back. "I'll be back before you know it," I laugh.

"When you return, this will be a fully funcitioning camp and army, don't you worry," he assures me.

"I have every bit of fait," I grin. His smile widens. "Now," I shout, "Let's go free some Centaurs!" There is cheering around me and my horse rears. I laugh before we race into the forests. Nianzu flies alongside me. I give him a small nod and he sweeps up out of the trees to look down from above.

I lick my lips nervously as I think of the tasks ahead. However, the nerves quickly vanish as I see my friends riding by my side.

"It's going to be just like old times, like when we trained in the King's Wood!" Wyatt shouts.

"If you say so, Wyatt!" I reply back and roll my eyes.

These next few weeks are going to be very interesting.