After the day with my family and the bath at Jenny's, I feel lighter. Happier. Brighter. As if the worlds are full of hope and possibilities. Strange how two people can so thoroughly change another's life. Day before yesterday, I had practically lost all hope. Jill was worse than ever before, the sickness escalating despite our best efforts, and I was constantly coming into the city to escape.

But then, my path just happened to cross with Sir Hans and Jenny. And now... the entire world seems brighter, more welcoming and hopeful. Maybe if there is such a miracle as my sister getting the help she needs through a chance encounter... perhaps I can save the prince from an assassin.

There is no such thing as chance, rider. You know this just as well as I. But there is always choice.

You're right. We were led to Hans... but if not for you vouching for him, I never would've followed him into his home. How come you did that?

He seemed nice.

Oh, I say, almost nonchalantly. Then her words register. He seemed NICE?

Ow. My brain hurts. You don't have to yell, two-legs.

But I followed someone based on you thinking he could be nice?

Don't get your tail in a wad. It was more instinct—like how I knew to bond with you when we were pups.

Oh, that's so much better. Your instincts told you to trust a guy who could've been hiding an ambush up his sleeve?

But he wasn't. Her voice is much too smug.

Fine, but next time, please have a better reason so we can prevent my heart from exploding.

Your heart won't explode. Otherwise it would have when we faced that two-legged snake... what was his name?

Ewww. Yeah, the one who had a fake grin painted on his face and eyes that slit like snakes. Didn't he call himself the snake-man and had paid a mage for special eyes so no one would recognize him as he terrorized and robbed people in Mid?

No, it was Rattlesnake. He wore a tail made of snakeskins. I know because I had to bite that tail to keep the creep from stabbing you.

Then I stabbed him and all was right in the world.

Right on, two-legs. Now pay attention and stay safe.

With a smile, I return my full attention to my surroundings as I exit back alleys into the bustling streets, my head feeling somehow bare without the hood of my cloak pulled up. I asked Ran to stay with my family, because even though I now trust Hans and Jenny... I would rather be safe than sorry, and we have had many strangers in and out of our cottage over the last few days.

This alley lets out directly in the midst of bustling knights and all manner of nobles: dukes, royals, and counts. Stuck-up peacocks, the lot of them.

I smother a laugh as a lady dressed in a gaudy purple gown with a crown of peacock feathers flows past, fanning her chubby red cheeks with a flamingo pink fan. Poor thing must be hot under all that fabric. I’m sweating in a thin doublet and sheer black silk. She sneers at me and all the pity I felt is dashed away.

I stride up to the counter. I almost choke on my spit as the same ignoramus noble is there who faced me against the Timber killer. Old Henry. He doesn't look up from his scribbling.

“Name.” His voice is strained. He’s wearing a red doublet this time, but still with those golden coins around his neck that must cost a fortune.

I cough. “Sir Rinaldo Timberwolf.” Took me forever to get my voice down to par per Sir Hans. Lady Jenny couldn’t quit laughing until I asked her if she wanted to trade places. Her efforts at a manly voice were outrageously hilarious. Jill and Momma tried as well, to the same eventual outcome. Jack about laughed his head off.

Never thought I would be thankful for my scratchy vocal cords. I’ll never sing, but I may pass as a boy in puberty.

The noble before me glances up with a smirk. “Going through puberty, boy?” It's almost as if he read my thoughts. Didn't that happen last time I was trying to sign up? I just hope this second round actually works.

I paste a thin smile on my face, but don’t respond. Better to remain silent than risk being ousted for the girl I am. I’m practically vibrating with nerves as is. Thankfully, many others are sweating because of the heat and not the nerves heating them from the inside out.

“Go through the double doors there. A servant will take you to a competent knight who will test your expertise with a blade. Good luck, and try not to stab yourself.” He chuckles and waves me off.

Anger bubbles beneath my calm exterior, but I bite my tongue and stride off. Who is he calling an incompetent puberty boy?

I shrug with a slight smirk. It’s better than a peasant girl, I suppose. The deception is set, and if old Henry couldn't see through it... I may have some hope.

The doors are four horse lengths wide and gilded with gold. I step through the large doors and past guards, gawking at the bustling interior. If I thought Sir Hans' home was opulent... his was a pig shack compared to the palace. Gold and silver encrusted chandeliers, pedestals set with the most expensive of large jewels shaped into elegant creatures and beautiful figures of past kings and queens. One portly king in a bust of emerald catches my eye. I suppose the sculptor did the best he could, given the circumstances. But the poor bust is quite ugly, with beady eyes and a double chin, somehow perfectly portrayed in all its hideousness in green.

“Right this way, my lord,” a young servant instructs. He takes off without waiting for my response. I trot along to catch up.

I continue to glance around the place with awe. We pass many rooms near to bursting with palace servants, while others may contain only one or two as they sweep for dust bunnies.

The place is bursting at the seams with wealth. Some displays are beautiful, others gaudy. The red room was downright ugly. With only a glance, I still saw the walls painted the unbecoming shade of dried blood while the furniture was black. The sharp crimson rug gave me the creeps. Skeletons of animals decorated the walls in morbid fashion. I shivered, happy to leave the room behind. I don't want to meet whoever designed such a place.

Most else is quite becoming, with warm emeralds, turquoise, and amethyst lining the walls where we walk and the rooms within. A room of rows upon rows of books catches my eye, and I nearly melt into a puddle. The knowledge in such a place! I stop for quite some time before the servant realizes he lost me and comes back to pull me along.

He shakes his head, a half scowl on his face, as if a full scowl would take too much energy. “Foolish young lords.”

I chuckle. He looks at me with a raised brow. “You’re not much younger than me,” I say to the unspoken question.

He glares at me, as if I’ve stolen his puppy. “But I’m not signing up to fight for Prince Protector. Who would be stupid enough to do that?”

I silently agree, so I say no more on the subject.

“Here you go, my lord.” He speaks the title with distaste. I’m too distracted to respond, and then he’s gone before I get the chance to thank him.

I shrug off the manners my momma ingrained in me. He sure didn’t like me anyhow. Probably wouldn’t appreciate it.

Get your head in the game, rider. The true trial is about to begin, Ran about shouts, exasperation leaking through the bond.

I shrug. You're the one who was stuck on getting thanks from an Eldertree mother so concerned with her child she didn't give us a second glance.

Just. Focus. Her voice is as exasperated as it is amused, but she has a point.

I turn my mind to the coming trial.