I have translated another page of the book. It has taken a while, especially as I have to be very careful. I am worried about what I read. The chapter tells of Visara and her Lupine army, tearing through human villages and slaughtering everyone in their way. Burning them to the ground. All to send a message to the human king. This is not something we have been taught. How can monstrosities like that go unforgotten? How can she have been so worshipped if that is how she won her throne? There was more to Visara, I think. She must have had some power before she was given The Gift. One that could rewrite her own history. Or scare people into making it so. I know I must translate more of this book, but my mind is not as it used to be. Soon, I shall know the secrets.

~The Gift. Written by Master Audwin. Master Scholar during the reign of King Orion and the King Chosen Matthais.

The knights hand the girls a set of clothes to change into. Black trousers and leather jackets with large hoods. Then scarfs to cover their mouths and noses and weapons.

"Are you sure you three are up to this?" Ren asks. Shae narrows her eyes at him.

"They're mine," she growls and spins her blade in her hand. "Let's go," she snaps and rushes off toward the castle. When she gets there, she takes off the glove of her good hand and crouches, running her hands along the cobblestone path. An image appears in her mind of people walking around. She frowns, feeling her head start to pound. Then, the image she wants appears. The Fae. All on horseback. Looking as pure and magical as ever. Looking at the regal race, no one would realise their cruelty. The image is still clear, which means it is fresh. It had only just passed midday after all. The Fae would have only just started their journey back.

Shae takes off running, following the direction the Fae were heading. The knights and her sisters follow behind her. Darting secretly around corners and along the top of buildings. Every few minutes, Shae will touch a floor or wall and follow the visions. After a mile or so, she comes to a stop and pins herself to the wall. Her breathing is heavy as she peeks around the corner. The street opens up and walking down the middle on horseback are six Fae. Surrounding them on foot, are at least twenty warriors. A mixture of Fae and her father's men. She looks back at the knights and nods her head.

Ren nods back and begins to gesture to his crew. They all at once begin to climb up the walls of the stone houses. Like ants.

"You should follow them, princess," Ren says. Shae watches Fallon and Rayana dart up with ease.

"No," she replies. "I have another part to play," she tells him. She takes off down another street, rushing through the narrow allies and paths whilst the crew jump between the buildings above her. She is faster on the ground though and it isn't long before she is ahead of the Fae. She peaks around another corner.

"What are you doing?" Ren asks in her ear. She turns to glare at him.

"Why have you followed me?" she asks.

"So you don't get yourself killed," he snaps.

"I can look after myself," she snarls back.

"Don't be so stubborn," he growls and she shrugs him off.

"Someone has to go and make sure they don't look up," she tells him as her eyes watch the Knights and her sisters darting along the rooftops to get into position around the Fae. They are silent and graceful as they flip and jump across obstacles. Stopping at certain points to draw their bows and arrows before waiting for the signal.

"It doesn't have to be you," he tells her and grabs her arm. She shakes him off.

"Why, I thought you'd be happy that I am risking my life instead of one of your soldiers. I am just a spoiled princess after all," she snaps as she pulls off her hood and scarf. She looks into Ren's brown eyes which are narrowed in a frown. Though that is all she can see of his face. The rest is covered. "You have made your feelings very clear, Ren," she snaps. "Don't pretend to care when you don't," she tells him before darting out of the ally.

"Shae," Ren snaps reaching for her to pull her back into safety. She is too fast though. The group of soldiers and Fae bring their horses to a stop as Shaelyn does.

"Princess," the High Future Fae says. "What are you doing here?" he asks with a frown.

"I am sorry to stop your journey," she pants, pretending she has just rushed here. "But I had to tell you all something before you went," she gulps. The Fae narrows his eyes and Shaelyn looks at him. His skin is like that of most Future Fae. Silver. His pointed ears stick out around his silver hair and his deep blue robes are lose against his slim body. He is strangely beautiful. Holding himself proudly and though he doesn't have the huge bulking form of most warriors, Shae knows that to get into a sword fight with him would be very bad.

"Does your father know you are here?" his wife asks. Shae shakes her head.

"No," she gulps.

"I think the guards should escort you back to the castle, where you belong. Make sure you tell her father of this. We do not like to be disturbed," she continues. The guards go to step forward.

"Wait," the High Lord says. "I want to hear what she has to say," he says, his voice smooth with that musical accent. Shae licks her lips nervously as she tries to stall them as long as possible so that everyone can get into position.

"The mine. Where your daughter was killed," Shae begins. The Fae frowns and leans forward.

"How do you know of that?" he asks. Shae gulps.

"Does it matter?" she asks. "Don't you want to know what my father isn't telling you?" He nods his head to continue.

"It was the work of the Knights of the Pheonix, that's what he said right?"

"Yes, we know this girl. Get on with it."

"That was a lie. The person who raided the mine was Illyana and the Red Guard loyal to her. Father knows this and is covering for her," she explains. Her father doesn't know, but Shae knows that the statement will piss off the Fae. Sure enough, their eyes widen and the Fae Lord lets out what Shae believes are curse words in Fae.

"The knights weren't involved," she carries on as he begins to turn to go back to the castle. "Well they weren't then anyway," she says. He turns to look back at her with a frown.

"What do you mean, brat?" he asks with a snarl.

"We weren't working with the Knights of the Pheonix at that time," she shrugs. "Now, however," she pauses and smiles. "Is a different story" It is then when the Fae seems to realise what Shaelyn is wearing and the weapons hanging at her hips. His eyes widen.

"Ambush!" he shouts, but it is too late. The Knights who are already in position, fire from their hiding spots on the rooftops. Arrows fly through the air and hit their targets before there is a chance to react. Half of the soldiers drop dead, the arrows finding the week spots in their armour. The others flank around the horses of the Fae as they draw their swords.

"Get out of my way," the Fae lord snaps and begins to charge his horse toward Shae. She smiles watching as the knights descend down the houses with incredible speed. Her eyes spot Fallon amongst them immediately, even though her face is covered. Fallon leaps from the rooftop and almost flies through the air. She lands right in the middle of the formation that had been created and cuts down two Fae with expert precision.

The Fae lord and lady charge toward Shae on their horses. She stands her ground, letting the energy flow through her. The ground begins to rumble beneath her and she smiles as they get closer and closer. Adrenaline pumps through her body and her heart races in her chest with excitement. Just as she is about to tear the ground from beneath them, a force slams into her side. Throwing her body out of the way of being trampled by the horses.

"What are you doing?" she snarls at Ren as she stands up and looks at the Fae who decide to flee instead of fight. "They're getting away!" she growls at him.

"I just saved you from getting trampled!" he shouts. She glares at him.

"Stop getting involved! I had it under control!" she shouts and rushes out into the path again. "Watch my back," she orders as soldiers free from the fighting come for the two of them. Shae looks at the retreating Fae rushing down the streets. A twisted smile crosses her face as she puts her fingers together. The energy flows again and she pulls her fingers away from her in a sudden movement. Like tearing paper.

There is a boom as the ground splits right beneath the horses. The horses fall, their riders with them. The battle stops at the sound and Shae runs toward it. Ren following having quickly dispatched of the soldiers. Shae comes to a stop at the edge of the hole she had made in the road. Looking down, she sees the Fae struggling beneath the weight of their horses. The Fae lord tries desperately to move, but can't.

"You stupid bitch," he snarls. "Your father will pay for this," he growls. Shae's eyes light up as the grin fills her face.

"Good," she replies. "It means this wasn't for nothing," she tells them and holds out her hands again. The roots within the soil begin to twist and grow as Shae manipulates their energy. They wrap around the Fae Lord and Lady. Tightening around their wrists and throats. Shae's hands move and twist as she instructs the roots to their places. She clenches her hands together as the roots squeeze. Fallon and Ray appear on either side of them, removing their hoods to watch the Fae die. All three smile down at the cruel fae leaders, happy to finally be able to take their anger and suffering out on someone. Shae yanks her hands. The roots jolt, snapping the necks of the Fae. Shae breathes heavily before moving her hands again. More delicately this time, making the plants retreat back into the soil. Leaving nothing but the Fae's bodies broken beneath the horses in the ditch.

Her body shakes once she is done and laboured breath leave her mouth. Ray touches her shoulders. 

"You can relax now," she says. 

"Ren!" someone shouts and all the girls spot a blur in the air. A soldier, not quite dead fired an arrow straight for Shaelyn. There is another flash of black. A bird of sorts. Before a man barrels into Shae and throws her out of the way of the arrow. Shae groans as her back hits the ground.

"What the fuck?" Fallon snaps going to help Shae. The man stands up and dusts off his long black coat.

"So," he says looking at the three shocked girls and Ren. Their minds trying to comprehend the fact that a moment ago, he was a bird. "I guess putting yourself in dangerous situations is a family affair," he sighs, almost sarcastically.

"Who...What the fuck are you?" Fallon asks with a frown, drawing her sword. Rayana's eyes look over the man with a curious expression. His black hair is long, silky and straight as it falls down his back. Half tied up. His smooth skin has a slight tan to it and his coat is plain and long. Almost touching the floor. Though what they all look at are his eyes. One a very light brown. The other a blue so pale it is almost silver.

He sighs again and raises an eyebrow at Fallon's sword.

"Nianzu," he says with a sarcastic grin on his face. The girl's expressions remain blank. "Your sister sent me," he continues. Fallon puts her sword away and inspects him closer. She then remembers Illyana's letter about a special friend and sending him to protect them once she is in a secure location.

"What are you?" Ren asks.

"Does it matter? I am here to protect the princesses and I'll probably do a better job of it than you," he tells him. Ren frowns.

"Shit!" Fallon mutters, looking up at the clock tower. "We have to get back to the carriage."

They rush through the city and change back into their clothes whilst they go. Covering them with a cloak. Emlyn spots them in the crowds and turns the carriage down into a quiet street. They quickly rush toward it, jumping inside and taking the other accessories from their ladies in waiting. The ladies in waiting quickly remove their outer dresses to reveal simple city ones before jumping out of the carriage and walking casually away. Their new strange friend flies above them, now a crow again.

"What the fuck is going on?" Fallon asks Ray. She shrugs.

"I don't know everything," she snaps back as they enter a crowded street again. Their faces light up with smiles as they begin to wave at the people.

"What good are you then?" Shae jokes.

"Haha," Ray mutters sarcastically.

They finish their journey through the city and go back into the castle.

"What's going on?" Shae asks their grandfather as he stands at the gates waiting for them. The guards surround them quickly and protectively.

"You do not need to know," he says. "Just hurry inside," he orders. The girls look at each other and rush into the castle with their guards. They look up before heading in, seeing the crow fly into an open window. They give each other looks before turning and following the guard.

"Is this necessary?" Falon asks as they are taken to a secure room. The guard says nothing and leaves them alone inside. They all jump as the crow appears and smoothly transitions back to man again.

"Okay," Fallon says, looking at him. "You need to tell us what the fuck is going on," she orders. He sighs.

"I am a demi-god," he sighs. "My mother is the goddess of beasts and I can transform into any of the animals she created," he replies, bored. The girls all widen their eyes.

"Demi-god?" Shae whispers. He nods his head.

"Yes, now I have already had this conversation with your sister and I don't want to repeat it. Can we just move on to you telling me everything I need to know about this place in order to protect you?" he hurries.

"Where is Illyana now?" Fallon asks with wide eyes. 

"She is with the Lupine," he replies. 

"The Solavar, who is it?"

"I already told you..." Ray says to Fallon.

"I just want to make sure," Fallon grumbles and Rayana rolls her eyes.

"I don't know, I didn't ask for his name. Ana just sent me here as soon as she knew it was him," he shrugs. 

"Describe him to me..." she urges. He glares at her.

"I don't know. Tall, muscular, handsome with hair," he gestures around his mouth. "And a massive sandy coloured wolf." The girls all grin.

"See, Ana is with Kai," Ray smiles.

"If Kai is the Solavar, that will make it easier for Illyana to get the Lupine on her side, right?" Shae asks.

"Not necessarily," Nianzu says and tells the girls about how Illyana will have to spend the next few months proving herself. In fact, he ends up telling them most of their journey since they met. The girls sit in silence, listening to him and how Illyana is doing. Shae has tears in her eyes.

"She is so close now," she gulps. "We might stand a chance."

"Unless Grandfather kills us first."

"I am here to make sure that doesn't happen. Now will you please tell me what I need to know?" he asks. Fallon nods her head and explains the situation as well as their plans. They stop at the sound of a key turning in the door. Nianzu transforms into his crow form and flies out of the window, landing on the perch outside. Sebastian walks in and takes a seat. They curtsy to him and he gestures for them to rise.

"I have some questions for you, girls," he begins. They frown, looking at him confused. He runs his hand through his hair, stressed. "The Fae Lord was killed on his way out of the city," he begins. The girls gasp and look at each other in shock. He looks into the eyes of each of them, slowly analysing them.

"I want to know if you had anything to do with it."

"How could we?" Fallon asks. "We were on the carriage all day waving at the people," she says. He looks at her and lets out a sigh. His eyes fall onto Shaelyn. The one he targets in order to get to her older sisters. The one who slightly shakes at his presence. Though he can't tell if it is fear or rage. Either way, it doesn't matter to him.

"Shae?" he asks. "Anything you wish to add?" She shakes her head.

"Nothing, grandfather. We had no part in it." The lie comes out so smooth. Her face doesn't give anything away and neither does her voice. Sebastian sits back and looks at his granddaughters. Knowing that they are skilled in manipulation and lying. They are, after all, his grandchildren. His eyes scan each of them again before sighing. Something nags him, telling him that somehow, they were involved. However, he isn't going to act without evidence. He is all up for a good beating. But, not when one isn't needed. Not when it can undo the work he's already done.

"Very well," he tells them. "You may go back to your rooms. Because of this event, for your safety, there won't be any more visits to the city for a while."

"Yes grandfather," they say at the same time and leave the room. They go to head to Fallon's room.

"Your own rooms, girls," he orders behind them. They give each other a look before splitting up to head to their own rooms for the night.

Nianzu sulks around the castle. He had not been here very long before Visara had ordered him to The Lost Wood. Though, it is pretty easy for him to find his way again. He observes the guards at all the princesses doors and continues on his path. Not wanting to risk anything yet. Instead, he focusses his attention on finding their grandfather. He transforms into a black cat when he finds the man. He is in his room with two other women. He can't see them. However, with his heightened senses, he can hear them through the door.

"You have the princesses under your control now, stop worrying," the voice of an older woman says.

"I am not sure," the man replies. "They are... sneaky and good at playing the game."

"Let's just cut off more of their fingers until they submit fully," a younger voice says. Nianzu forces himself not to let out a hiss and charge in there. Though not as a cat.

"Amalie," the older woman scolds. "There is a time and a place for torture. It isn't always very effective."

"I just want them out of my way. Cordelia especially. She has Kristoff wrapped around her finger and every day it is getting harder and harder for me to get through to him."

"You must have found something to use against her?" Sebastian says.

"I think she sneaks out, though not since you have put in place these new guards." There is silence.

"Not yet," he begins. "But in a few months time, I'll loosen the guards around the girl's rooms. Then, we'll watch from a distance. See what they get up to." Nianzu continues to listen in on their conversation before hearing one get up to leave. The cat rushes away from the door and makes his way toward Fallon's room. The guards by her door don't pay attention to the creature as it scratches on her door. Fallon opens it and lets the cat inside.

"Good boy," she says and strokes its ears for the guards to see before closing it. Nianzu immediately transforms back to human form and glares at her.

"Do that again and I'll scratch you," he mutters. Fallon rolls her eyes and sits down.

"So, tell me. What is your plan?" she asks. The two sit down and whisper all through the night about what they are going to do. Not stopping until they have some sort of idea on what to do and how not to get caught. 

"This could work," Fallon replies.

"Let's hope so. Illyana will kill me if anything happens to you lot." Fallon smiles and then sighs. She misses her sister.

"She talked about you a lot," Nianzu tells her. "She is proud of you all." Fallon smiles again and lies back down.

"We're proud of her too," she replies. "We are in this together. It will work. It has to. If it fails, I am going to bring everyone down with us," she warns. Nianzu doesn't answer. He just shifts into the form of his cat and curls up on the chair. Fallon laughs and shakes her head. He is a strange creature. But useful. Very useful.