Sam smiled at the dwarf and nodded in thanks as he went off to the tent she would share with his sister. She turned and peered into their tent and considered the mattress for a moment before looking down at Dorothea with a half smile. “Hope you don’t mind sharing a bed, Princess. Because there’s no way that I’m taking the floor.”

She cast one last glance over to where Marshal August Derrick was secured to the tree and she saw that his eyes were closed. But the night was long and cold and she doubted he would get much sleep out in the open. He looked vulnerable. Sam found herself hoping that the cold or any forest creature wouldn’t kill him overnight, and then wondered why she cared.

She turned away and went into the tent and began arranging blankets and pillows on top of the straw before lying down and bundling herself up. It wasn’t the softest bed, like her bed back home, but it was more comfortable than she could have hoped for and she was warm. Sam gave Dorothea one last look before smiling a bit. “Night Dorothea.” Then she turned on her side and closed her eyes. 

Sam had been afraid that her thoughts and troubles would keep her awake, that her conversation with August would replay over and over again and haunt her to sunrise. But maybe she had been more tired than troubled because she slipped into slumber rather quickly. But not before she had had a little bit of time to ponder over August’s words and wonder if he could be telling her the truth. Despite her exhaustion and how deeply she had been sleeping Sam woke early the next day. She could see dim sunlight through the canvas of the tent and knew could only be minutes away. Sam pushed herself up and turned her head to look at the doorway of the tent, a determined gleam in her eyes.

~~~

Prince Liam had gotten out of bed before dawn with a similar sort of determination. However he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. He had tossed restlessly all night, unable to drift off due to thoughts of Dorothea in a dungeon or Dorothea in a cage. He doubted he’d sleep peacefully until she was safe again.

He had dressed quickly, wearing the colors of Itelia over his chainmail, and strode purposefully through the castle and out into the courtyard where his caravan was already assembling and preparing for the journey. Will was there, wearing the same colors as Liam, and the other fifteen men where all Eldonians who had volunteered to retrieve their lost princess. They were loading saddle bags and other supplies onto the spare horses and Liam was nodding approvingly. Until he saw something unexpected.

“Will, what is that doing here?” he asked suddenly, his brow furrowing as he pointed to the carriage positioned behind the other horses. He hadn’t asked for a carriage. Carriages may have been able to carry their supplies but they also were too slow.

Will looked to where he was pointing and went a bit pale. His expression was unhappy and slightly annoyed. “The Princess Raquelle will be joining us, Sire.”

Liam looked at him as though this were some sort of practical joke. “…What?”