"your a better role model then are parents. At least you don't leave me." Alex scowled.

After a long ride Lori spotted other travelers. "I wonder if there going the same way as us."

"They didn't..." Cal sighed. "You know they couldn't help it, Alex. Mom died, and dad...well, he should have done better. But he went into depression and ignored us and died of alcohol poisoning...okay, dad sucked. But mom didn't want to leave us."

"Well, there's one sure-fire way to find out." Rosemary said. "Let's talk to them." They had their wigs on securely, and were disguised as well as they could be. It would have to work.

"Yeah so you keep saying." Alex barely remembered there mother and held no love for her. "I'm tired."

Lori followed her sister. The other travelers where wary of them but they welcome them to join them once they learned they where all going south.

Cal sighed, giving up. They'd had this argument before. Cal himself had very little memory of their mother, but he did remember a woman who loved them dearly, and he still held some affection for that woman. But he couldn't make Alex feel the same, especially about someone he'd barely met. "Alright, fine. We'll get some sleep." He said.

Rosemary was relieved to be in a group of people for a while, knowing they would be safer and more hidden that way. Safety in number was definitely the way to go for the time being.

Lori found it fun to talk to the other girl there. She was there age and it felt like Anna was with them again. The older woman also made her happy.

"Night." Alex said gentle pulling his blankets close as he drifted off.

((Um...skip?))

((sure.))
Lori stretched not able to believe they where a day from there goal. The forest had returned but the trees where not the pines they had been travelling in before. They where maple and oak and more spread out. She glanced at her sister smiling "we're so close." she squeezed her hand.

Alex was working around after a week of being laid up he was finally able to walk around of course the doctors apprentice was following him to make sure he didn't over do it. He had written to the princess and hoped Cleo would find her soon.

Cal had stayed by his brother's side, helping as much as he could. He was anxious, not sure whether he wanted to continue pursuing the princesses or not. He kept checking to make sure they weren't found by royal guards, since that one had seen him before Lori had knocked him out. He wanted to get moving.

Rosemary smiled and squeezed her sister's hand back. It seemed almost too good to be true that they were this close. She found herself staring at the scenery, finding it beautiful. Over the weeks, she had kept one eye on the sky, waiting for a certain bird to appear. She hid this from Lori, of course, knowing her sister would disapprove.

Cleo finally spotted her prey and when the sister was busy doing her business she dropped onto a branch above Rose and threw a acorn at her head cawing softly.

Alex saw Elliot first and with a curse went to find Cal. "Brother!"

Rosemary grabbed her head, cursing under her breath, and looked up. When she spotted Cleo, she smiled and moved so that she was out of sight of the group, then beckoned the bird to come down. "I knew you'd find me. Did he send a message?"

Cal was just finishing up checking on the horses, getting them ready for travel. Now that Alex was well enough to ride, they needed to get going as soon as possible. He looked up, alarmed at his brother's tone. "What is it?" He asked.

"I just saw Elliot." Alex gasped out. "We need to go!" he headed for his horse.

Cleo flew down and landed on her shoulder holding out her leg. Once she took the note Cleo went to hunt waiting for her reply. Dear princess I'm glad Cleo found you. I'm beginning to do much better and hope to be on the rode soon. We have no seen you knight or that prince. Write back soon Alex. P.S. Cleo like mice.

Cal cursed and headed for his own horse. "Don't ride too fast, or they'll get suspicious. Stay casual until we're out of sight, then gallop hard." He said, hopping up into the saddle. "We'll ride together. He only saw me last time, so they're only looking for one person."

Rosemary smiled and pulled a bit of paper and a quill she kept out of her pack. She sat down and started writing a note back. When she finished, she waited for Cleo to return, mouse already in hand to reward the bird.

Cleo returned and took the mouse gentle holding her leg out as she ate. She looked mildly annoyed but she wanted to go back to Alex.

Alex nodded and followed his brother. "The prince is with him." he spotted Cas with a frown.

Rosemary gently tied the note to Cleo's leg. "There, all set. You can head off whenever you're ready." She said.

Cal swore under his breath. The prince was another one who had seen him- twice the chance for him to be recognized, now. "We need to get out of here before they find us, or we're boned."

"Yep." Alex wondered away with Cal once they left the town he pushed his horse into a run.

Cleo flew off circled once then went off to find Alex. ''Rose where are you?" Lori called.

Cal did the same, managing to stay casual and avoid being recognized until they made it out, then pushing his horse into a flat out gallop. If they could put enough distance between them and the guard, they'd be safe for another day at least.

Rosemary came out from behind a tree, patting her dress down. "Right here." She said. "I needed to answer nature's call." She looked around cautiously. "And remember not to call me Rose in front of other people. I'm Ginny now, at least while people are listening."

"Sorry. I just can't get use to it. Your my Rose." Lori pouted a little then took her sisters hand leading her back to there horses. She climbed on hers and headed after there group thinking about a lot of things. One of them being the older brother, he had been on her mind since they had left them and she couldn't shake him loose.

Alex slowed his horse once they got far enough away. He startled when Cleo landed on a tree branch over his head. "Cleo." he sighed and motioned for her to settle on his arm. She settled there gentle and nestled against him falling asleep.

Rosemary giggled. "I know. Don't worry, once we're safely out of our parents' reach, we can use our real names again." She said, hopping up onto her horse. She had come to dread riding, as every time she mounted a horse she acutely missed her own horse. But she moved on anyway.

Cal went a different route, just in case they were followed, but met up with his brother a few minutes later. "Is everything safe? Were you followed?" He asked. "Who is that message from?" He added, noticing the message tied to Cleo's leg.

"Just a man that is alone the route the caravan is going. Probably just them saying they saw it go by." Alex shrugged. "I'll look at it when she wakes" he knew it was safer on Cleo because she would normally bite anyone but him.

"I can't wait." Lori sighed. "Not that your name isn't cute but I like calling you Rosey." she pouted. "Just another day."

Cal nodded. "Alright. Let's get moving- we'll have to go quick if we want to catch up with the caravan and avoid the royal guard at the same time." He said, spurring his horse on.

"Just one more day." Rosemary repeated. It seemed too good to be true. "And then we'll be safe."

Lori nodded falling silent. They settled in a clearing that night just hours away from there freedom.

Alex followed his brother lost in thought. "I don't think we will catch them. They are a good week ahead of us."

As they settled down that night, Rosemary stared up at the night sky. Her mind was torn between thoughts of freedom, and thoughts of the younger brother. She silently willed him closer, as if simply wishing it would make him come faster.

"But we know where they're going." Cal said. "At least, we have an idea. They'll settle soon enough, and we'll find them again. Besides, caravans move slowly. They're not as far ahead as you think."

"The south is a big place. If there smart they go as far south as they can get." Adam sighed. "Why are we so determined to get these ones?"

Lori noticed her sister staring at the sky and turned away. She settled into her bedroll wishing things could be different.

Cal didn't answer at first, and was silent for so long it seemed that he never would. When he finally spoke, it seemed to surprise even him. "They are worth enough money to keep us off the streets and living comfortably for the rest of our lives." He answered firmly. He didn't want to admit the real reason.

"Sis?" Rosemary whispered. "Are you...happy with what we've chosen? You can tell me what you're feeling, you know. If you're not happy...I want to know."

"I just wish we could have stayed and been happy. I know that we would never have been happy married off to whoever our parents decided. Never seeing each other again. This is all the choice we had. At least we will be happy." Lori turned to look at her sister. "I will miss some of it though."

Alex stared at him in surprise. "You know there are other hunts and other says to get that kind of money right?" he frowned.