Alvina was brushing her knight's horse when the stable-boy came running up.

"Have you heard?" he asked between gulps of air. "The princess killed the queen and fled the castle! The king has already stripped her of her title!"

Alvina's eyes widened. The princess, a murderer? It was impossible! Alvina's knight had trained the princess in combat, and she'd had no royal airs about her. She was the most authentic member of the nobility Alvina had ever met, and even less political than she was deceitful. No, there was absolutely no chance Tahra had done what they were saying. In fact, the king had probably killed his wife and blamed it on her! Alvina had never had a good feeling about the king.

"Does everyone believe that story?" Alvina asked.

"Obviously," the stable-boy said. "I mean, why would the princess run if she isn't guilty?"

Alvina rolled her eyes. The boy was a dolt. She gestured to the horse. "Okay, thanks. I gotta finish this up."

He looked confused. "Everyone's gathering in the square. The king is gonna make a speech. Finish it in the morning."

What the stable-boy didn't realize was that Alvina wouldn't be around by morning. She had already decided to go find the princess and help her. Nobody would listen if Alvina told them the princess was innocent, so there was no reason to stick around. Plus, it might give her an opportunity to prove herself.

"Fine," she said, stepping toward the boy. "Let's go."

The boy turned to leave, and Alvina slammed her fist into the back of his head. He dropped like a stone.

"Idiot," she said, throwing the saddle onto her knight's horse. By the time the boy woke up, Alvina would be long gone.