The soldiers pushed the princess back through the barrack chamber. Lazy soldiers looked up from their games and books, surprised the princess here. They must have thought the dinner was supposed to be longer.

Behind the princess, Robert being pushed followed her closely. Maybe too closely. Many male soldiers glared daggers at him as he passed.

Come on, guys. Robert thought. It's not like I want to be here.

"Come on move?" The taller of the two soldiers said as he brings them to the ladder. The princess went down first. Next was the shorter soldier before Robert went down. Down the ladder, in the hallway, the princess stood waiting for Robert and the taller soldier. They gathered and walked through the hallway towards the far doorway.

They entered the prison hallway and Robert noticed small buckets lining the doors. one on every third cell. On closer examination, the buckets were filled with water. a small enough of water, but still water. A small lade sits inside each one. The soldiers pushed Robert to a random cell.

"You first." said the taller of the two. As he opened the cell and pushed Robert inside. The shorter one did the same with the princess.

"Hey, do you think I can ask for the princess leftover food?" The shorter to the two asked as they locked both doors. "She's not going to eat it."

"Don't be stupid." The other man said as they turned and headed for the doorway. "Like they'll give you extra raions."

Once they were gone. The princess turned to Robert.

“Wow? That was a surprising act up there,” she said. “ Were you an actor before all this?”

“Yes and be careful what you say. They could be listening to us,” Robert said, looking up the hallway. “It's not safe to talk.”

“Oh. I never saw it myself. but I heard Cinta can allow someone to hear through walls.” The princess said, sitting down. "So maybe they are."

They can hear through walls? Does magic here have no limitations at all? How does it even work? Does it have anything to do with that red sand? Is that Cinta? Robert thought as he sit down on his bench. Well, I can't go asking her about it now.

To pass the time Robert mentally rehearsed his memorized stage lines and drink some of the water from his cell's bucket. It tasted like warm lake water. Warm and sandy.

After thirty minutes. Robert finally felt sure enough to risk being overheard. He wanted to answers. He turned to the princess.

“Hey, can I ask you some things?” Robert asked, as he leaned forward and looked through the bars.

“What I thought you said it was too risky?” The princess said as she stopped leaning in the corner and sit up. “What if they're still listening?”

“I don't care anymore. they can listen if they want.” Robert said as he double-checked the hallway. “Why did you lie for me up there? I'm sure they wouldn't have done anything to me.”

“What happened to your manners, Mr. Price?" the princess asked. "I'll not have you speaking to me as they do."

"Sorry, Princess. But I really need to know."

"Oh fine. well about that lie. They might have taken you back and left me there. I just didn't want to be alone with them. You can't trust a Podor to keep his word. By the way, that act in there was really something.”

“It wasn't that good. I was winging it. I took a class specializing in ad-libbing. You gave me a character to fill and it came naturally to me."

“But, it was so convincing. For a moment I really thought you were one of my guards. You had the confidence of one. General Paul would have done something just like that.”

The sounds of voices came from the hallway.

“Quiet, not so loud,” Robert said as he put a finger to his lips. But the princess didn't seem to understand his gesture. “Ah, did you hear that? The guards are still within earshot, so we should be quieter.”

“Why it's not like we're saying anything important.” the princess said, realizing. " and even if we're. They can hear us through the walls with Cinta. so who cares."

“Actually about that," Robert said. as the princess raised an eyebrow. "I wanted to ask you some things? I have many questions.”

“Questions? Like that simple question, you got stuck on earlier? Even a commoner would know that. Well if you weren't..” the princess said, as she rubbed her face. “Oh taint me, that story of yours is crazy. But I'm starting to believe you. Only a child would be that ignorance. Alright, ask your questions.”

Perfect. Robert thought I can ask her what Cinta is and how it related to magic. wait hold on. I always ask her later. I need info. As the saying goes know your enemy.

“So who are they anyway, these Podor? I understand they're enemies of yours, but why are they doing this? Did they start this conflict or did...” He didn't finish, because the princess was glaring at him. She sit quietly for a moment then spoke.

“The Podor empire have been testing our borders with small attacks for some time now. Using ambush tactics to weaken my home land's defenses. A full-scale war could happen any day now." she said, glaring at him. "They started it. Not us."

"My father seeing no other action, choose to seek an alliance with the Gudo Kingdom." she continued and her face softened. "At first I didn't mind that idea. But I soon found out they wanted to seal the alliance with a royal wedding." She

"I was known as my father's youngest and I yet to be married. So it was no doubt who would be picked to go. I knew nothing of this at the time. I was busy doing other things."

"Anyway. To answer your other question; I believe the Podor wish to end the alliance with my kidnapping and hopeful ransom.”

A full-blown War?! Holy Crap! Robert thought as he stretched his head. What have I gotten myself involved in? Once they realize I have no ransom value they'll kill me for sure!

“Hey are you even listening?” the princess asked, checking if she should continue. "Hey, if you not listening. I not going to tell you anymore."

“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. Can I ask about Cinta... ” Started Robert, as the gravity under him suddenly dropped. The ship shook, knocking both of them off their feet. the princess grabbed the walls and Robert grabbed the bars. The wind howled outside, beating against the ship.

“What happening?” the princess asked, holding the walls. “Are we crashing?”

“No. This happened before. I think it's a sandstorm.”

A woman appeared at the doorway. She came sliding down the hallway to them.

“Your highness it's not safe here.” the woman said, as she started unlocking the princess's cell. “You need to move to a safer deck.”

That voice. Oh crap, it's her! The spy! Robert thought, as he pushed his face outside the bars. She here to take the princess away! I need to do something.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” the princess asked as the spy pulled the princess out of her cell and started leading her away. “Let go of me! I'm not going anywhere, with you.”

“Oh yes, you are.” The spy said as she pull manacles out of her beltbag and force them onto the princess. “Captain's orders.”

Holy crap! what do I do! Robert thought, shaking the bars. Do I call the guards? No, she'll kill me before that. I know. I'll say I can help her. “Wait, what about me!” shouted Robert, as he shook the bars again. “ Let me out and I'll help you.”

“Yes, let him out.” The princess said. “Please let him out.” The spy ignored both of them and resumed leading the princess away.

“Wait! Come back!” Robert yelled, at the top of his lungs. “Let me out damn...! Oh crap!” Both women vanished into thin air. One moment they were there, and like a glitchy security camera. The next moment, gone.

“Hey, let go of me you tainted olf hag. Wait your not a Podor... Ah.....” the princess's disembodied voice screamed. A muffled cry soon became stillness.

“Princess Samantha!” Robert screamed, hitting the door. “Crap.”

Hell!? Do they have invisibility now? That's not fair!! Robert thought as he scanned the hallway for any movement. Are they even still here? If I step out now. Could I still be killed, or Hell? If that spy felt threatened by me. She might kill the princess instead. What do I do!

The ship leaned to the side again, and Robert lost his balance. He crashed into the wall.

“Ow.” He yelped, as he tried to get back on his feet. “Crap! Not this again.” The ship leaned again to the other side. He held on. Soon the ship leveled out, and Robert made a jump for the door. He grabbed on and reached for the lock.

After unlocking it earlier, he knew what he was looking for. He put his fingers inside and flicked the wheel violently. The door swung open with him still on it as the ship leaned again. he let go and grabbed the doorframe. The ship leveled out again.

And Robert stood up slowly. he glanced around checking if he was about to be stabbed. Finding nothing, he turns and leaves the prison hallway. Shouting and screaming were coming from above, and the sound of many footsteps ran over him.

What's happening out there? It doesn't sound like a sandstorm? Robert thought as he wobbled towards another door in the hallway. It sounds like a battle up there. Oh hell, what am I even doing, chase them? I should find a way off this stupid thing! If I run into anyone else, I'll get killed. Most definitely, if it was the captain.

The main hallway was empty of people, well it looked empty at least. He didn't want to check any of the side doors. Leaning against the wall Robert worked his way down the hallway. He was groping his free hand out ahead of him. Hoping to not bump into any invisible attackers. He felt stupid and looked stupid, but this was the only idea that came to his mind.

Please no one comes here. I don't want to die. Oh, where did the spy go? Robert thought as he inched along. The ship wobbled again, But Robert remained standing. If only I had a gun. Sure I never used one before. But now I really want one. A nice big scary-looking one.

He came to an open doorway. It was the crew's mess hall. Like the one he finds in the wrecked ship and due to the shaking. It was starting to look a lot like the one from the wreck too. Plates and utensils covered the floor. A kitchen knife was on the floor too. It was a single piece of metal bent into a covered handle and blade. it had no leather grip.

That might be useful. Robert thought, as he entered the room and approached the knife. He picked it up. The cold metal burned in his hand. The battle above was getting louder.

So this is it. I going to have to kill someone, another person. Robert thought suddenly fearing the knife in his hand. Why am I hesitating now? I didn't feel like this when I took the sword? I probably knew subconsciously it was just a big stick in my hands? But this is a knife. There's no other way around it now. I'm going to have to kill someone eventually.

The screaming above got softer as the sounds of many voices filled his ears. They were running down the hallway towards him. Robert turned to the door and dashed behind it. just in time too. Because people rushed past.

“The enemy has taken the main deck and has breached the first. Protect this hallway with your lives.” the inspector ordered. More men run past Robert's doorway. “We will prevail or the empire will fall.”

“Inspector! Inspector” a soldier shouted as he got louder. “The princess is gone! All the cells are empty.”

“Night bird dropping.” the inspector yelled. “Search the deck. We couldn't have gone far.” Someone entered the mess hall and passed Robert. Robert froze behind the door. The soldier looked around the room as another soldier entered.

“What a mess.” The second soldier said. “ Hey, I guess that's why it's called a mess hall.”

“Stop being stupid. Hurry and check the over there.” the first said, as he pointed to the left side of the room. “I'll check over here.” The second soldier started searching under the tables. While the first soldier stood by the door. His head was turning towards Robert's hiding spot.

I'm so dead. Robert thought, readying the knife. Please don't look here. The soldier placed his hand on the door.