The arrow flies, and I don't even think.

I just move.

I whirl around Runaan and catch the arrow midair by its shaft, mere centimetres away from hitting his back.

I drop the weapon immediately, too stunned by my own actions. Soren and I make eye contact across the balcony, he is just as astonished.

"Don't kill him!" I shout towards Soren and the stream of oncoming guards, strenuously thinking of a decent excuse.

Claudia saves me the effort, "she's right, we can find more practical uses for this one. Tie him up!" The guards promptly obey the order and I see the closest person to family I have left, be hauled away.

I try my best not to look too anguished while Soren approaches me. He doesn't say any words, merely analyses me for injuries before clasping his hands on each of my arms.

I look at him a moment. Grateful for this one mercy, that he survived. But then I remember who didn't, and the weight crashes down again. Tears collect in my eyelashes and Soren's face becomes blurry. I feel his strong arms wrap around me and I am overwhelmed by grief.

I hate myself for this constant vulnerability, but a part of me will always be thankful for Soren's ability to let me feel vulnerable.

"I promised him..." I try to voice my cause of despair but choke on the words. "Callum-" I can't speak, "I promised Callum... I broke it." I look up at Soren, his eyes equally as pained.

"It's not your fault," he tells me. The statement is somewhat true, but at the same time I can't help but carry some form of guilt.

It is- was our duty to protect the King.

All those years of training, preparing, protecting. Even they couldn't save him.

I bite my lip, trying to prevent it from quivering, and just nod my head. He bends down and whispers near my ear, giving our words some privacy, "my Dad said there will be a funeral tonight-"

I interrupt him, "what? so soon?"

He relays his father's words, "in a time of war we must move forward." They hurt. It makes everything that just happened, and everything that will happen, so... real.

"I'm with you." He promises. Our gazes catch at the words and... I trust him.

I trust that he will stand with me.

That he will choose me if it comes to it.

I will have to wait and see.

             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The whole kingdom gathered among the streets, even at such a late notice. Fires burning, candles lit, some even carry lanterns.

But all stand with their heads bowed.

Honouring.

I try to keep my head held high, to show no fear of the certain upcoming war, but I am too tired.

Soren seems to share the same exhaustion. Claudia and I walked on either side of him, more than a few paces behind Viren, Opeli and... Harrow's body.

Claudia hadn't brought up the recent events we shared in that dodgy dungeon today. We had shared some glances but nothing more.

Soren yawned, triggering me to yawn also. Claudia looks between us both and whispers, "hey, keep your heads up." She adds a smile and I hope I have been forgiven for my earlier betrayal.

"Sorry," Soren mumbles, "long night." I couldn't have said it better myself. A long night with a long list of knew memories.

Claudia's face grows eager, "here, drink this," she reveals a bottle. "I call it 'hot brown morning potion.'"

"I like the sound of that," I chime. Soren takes the shot from his sister but hands it to me in offering. I accept, sniffing the liquid before tipping some back. The warmth of the mixture eases it way down my throat, it's heat a comfort, but also a kick. "That's good!" I laugh.

"Ooo lemme try!" I hand the makeshift cup to Soren and he drinks some too, instantly perking up. "Like, really good," he chuckled.

We reach the end of our road and make a stop. Citizens behind us mimic the action. The King's body had been lowered onto the cement Dias. Lord Viren stands at the bottom step. "Today we woke to a devastating truth," he announced, voice fake pained. "Our King had been taken from us!"

The crowed gasped. They knew he had died but probably didn't know under what circumstances.

Viren continued, "he was slain by the forces of Xadia, vile Moonshadow Elves!" He spat the words whilst looking at me. I wonder for a moment, if he has figured out what I am.

I want to shout, you didn't kill my captors, you killed my parents you bitch!

I wisely keep my mouth shut.

Opeli spoke before Viren could continue his manipulative words. "Wait!?" She yells in question, "where are the Princes? They need to be here!"

Claudia looks at me then. I was most likely the last person seen with Ezran, who was also accompanied by a Moonshadow Elf. I see how that looks dodgy.

But I know they are both alive-

Viren resumed his speech, "The Princes...are dead."

The audience share my surprised reaction.

I had seen them leave the castle gates. I know-knew, so therefore know Rayla is good. The Princes are alive.

Viren shouts, "Light the pyre!"

"No!" I step forward. "The Princes are alive, I saw them both an hour ago completely unharmed!"

The crowd was shocked again.

Claudia remained silent, not backing me up in any way. Soren just looked at me confused, I'm sure he saw Callum and I speak before he left. He must believe me?

Viren ignored me completely, turning towards Opeli. She stares him down.

"No." She states firmly, extinguishing her flame with a swish of her staff. Her companions do the same, cupping out their light.

Viren doesn't seem to care. "Claudia," he says, a command. She steps forward, squishing a spider in her hand. At first I'm just confused.

That is until she starts murmuring unintelligible words. "Claudia stop-" I move forward to grab her hand or something, but fire ignites form her palm.

Like a shooting star, it soars overhead, coming down only to individually light four braziers leading up to the dais.

Then, it sets the King's body aflame.

Everyone gasps in shock. I stumble back, my hand going to cover my own mouth to keep the sound from escaping.

"We are at war!" Viren shouts. He would have set the pyre either way, "today we must mourn sevenfold... for tonight, there will be a coronation!"

This man is going to get us all killed.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soren transferred me information that General Amaya had gone to look for the Princes. I quite like Sarai's sister, she is a complete badass. Helped me train a lot over these past years.

Soren apparently then had to speak with his father, which I was not allowed to be present for.

It seemed Viren's trust in me was dwindling. If he was a smart man, he shouldn't trust me at all. I wont be fighting for that bastard.

When his talk with his father finished, Soren joined me on the North facing balcony.

Where, I found out a bit late, the crowning is taking place. It seemed the entire kingdom was at the bottom, ready to hear the announcement. So was I. Viren emerged from inside and strolled over the the edge.

"People of Katolis!" He begins, "King Harrow's death has wounded us deeply. But the loss of his sons, our Princes! Is a greater injustice!"

I stood there astounded - in the worst way possible. Keeping my voice low, I whispered to Soren, "they are alive."

All I got was an apologetic look. He was acting different, I wondered what his father must've said to him.

"By taking the hiers to the throne, our enemies sought to leave us without a leader!" Lord Viren was good at speaking to people, I'll give him that. Even if the information was utter bullshit.

The High Mage continued, "though it is a heavy burden," he put a hand over his heart, "I will humbly take up the battle in Harrow's name! I will become, Lord Protector of the Realm!!"

Like hell he would-

Opeli appeared from inside. Finally someone with better judgement-

She held the King's Crown in her hands.

No.

I took one step forward, my voice low, warning. Soren grabbed my hand, holting my movement. "Opeli." Her eyes meet mine and I can tell she agreed with me, but she didn't stop her actions.

As the Crown was about to touch Viren's head, a horn sounded in the distance. Two figure came into view.

"STOP!" It was Commander Gren and General Amaya. Amaya was signing furiously, Gren speaking for her. "Stop the coronation! The Princes are alive!"

Opeli smiled, Viren scowled.

I looked at Soren with an I told you so plea in my eyes. I barely received a half smile.

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following day I met Viren, Soren, Gren and Amaya in the courtyard at noon. I had caught up with the General the previous night so I greeted her this morning with a kind smile. It was planned that Amaya and her sentries would go back to the breach. Commander Gren would remain to lead a rescue mission.

Amaya began signing, Gren translating for her, "I expect to be notified when the Princes are found. And safe."

The High Mage bowed, "of course, I'll send word to the breach immediately." Amaya seemed satisfied with that and left.

Soren began speaking, slowly, tauntingly. "Oh, Gren, bad news. There's been a change of plans." He said it with a leer that I didn't quite recognise.

Gren looked at him confused, I feel the same, "what are you talking about?"

I backed up the Commander, "pray tell Soren, what are you talking about?" Soren and I hadn't talked since our minimal exchange of words on the balcony last night. He was being weird. Now this? I certainly haven't heard this new plan. I thought Gren was leading the expedition while Soren and I were accompanying him...

Viren explained, "oh, I've decided you're off the mission Gren, Soren and (Y/n)," he pauses to look at me, "well, depending on (Y/n)'s behaviour, will lead the rescue expedition."

That couldn't be right-

"What?" Gren sounded hurt, "General Amaya was very specific that I was to lead this!?"

"Oh perhaps there was a misunderstanding?" Viren was mocking him and it wasn't right.

"Gren will still accompany us though, correct?" I question.

Viren ignored me like he always does. Complete asshole, "Soren, set up a meeting for Commander Gren and I... to discuss his concerns... somewhere quiet." He took a casual breath, "(Y/n) can join us if she pleases," he looks to me for an answer.

Before I can say yes I'd love that, Soren replied. "No, she's fine with the plan, I'll remind her of it in a minute."

Viren started walked away, "good, so Gren, around 9 tonight?"

The commander replied, weary of the situation. "Yes, uh 9 suits my schedule." His voice wasn't convincing.

"Very good," the High Mage said, and then he was gone. Gren sensed the tension between Soren and I, making up an excuse to slip away.

When I knew we were alone, I hissed at him, "Soren!? What the hell!?" I don't really know what else to say. That's what I feel.

"(Y/n) now we can lead it, and there will be less people so it's easier to focus. Just you, Claudia and I." Okay it was getting out of hand.

"I'm guessing this was your dad's idea?" His silence is my answer. "Soren why do you need to please him? Impress him? Three people!? That's absurd!?! Hardly a rescue mission..." I gather my thoughts, "you just lied to Amaya!?!?" Again, he doesn't reply, I continue. "Soren you don't always have to do everything your dad tells you!?" I regret what I said as soon as it left my mouth. His expression falls and I can tell the words hit deep. "Soren-" I don't know how to apologise for that. Ughhh I hate myself sometimes. "I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry." Truth. "I- I'm just confused." Also true. I look to my feet and then back up to him.

His eyes meet mine and his expression tells me he understands. "It's okay, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the change in plans."

We just stand there a moment longer.

Both in thought.

This was a small change of plans, Gren would forgive and forget. At least I am still going on the mission.

It is okay.

I still trust Soren.

He is with me.

He will choose me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~