Rosemary sighed. "You would have stayed at the castle, though. Because you're the oldest, you would have been queen. You still can, you know. If you go back, you can marry a handsome prince and become queen. And then you can change the law so that I can come back. We wouldn't be apart forever." She rolled over to be able to look better at Lori. "If you want to go back, you still can. Find Elliot and tell him that the brothers were threatening to hurt me if you didn't obey. Tell him you had no choice but to knock him out. He'll believe you, and he'll forgive you and bring you home."

"We have never given up on a job before, and I do not intend to start now just because it has become a bit more difficult than usual!" Cal said sharply, spurring his horse on to move faster. Trying to outrun his brothers questions, and his own feelings.

Alex watched him go frowning after him. He sighed and followed wishing he could change his mind.

Lori shook her head. "As cute as Cas is I wouldn't be happy with him." she squeezed her hand. "I was raised to be Queen but I want so much more. I want to become a baker." she admitted with a blush.

Cal lead the way silently, trying not to think. Eventually, though, he had to admit he was being silly. He slowed his horse to ride alongside his brother. "If you really want to stop...then I will. I...am probably doing this for the wrong reasons, anyway...just tell me what you want to do, Alex. I want you to be happy."

Rosemary gave a startled chuckle. She certainly hadn't expected that. "A baker? Actually, I can see that. It seems like the perfect job for you." She smiled. "I can picture you owning a successful bakery. The best ever. Actually, I rather liked being a barmaid...though I don't think that's what I want to do forever. When I was little, I dreamed of being a horse breeder. I would love to breed and train horses for a living."

"then that can be are goals." Lori grinned at her. "As long as we have each other we don't need anyone else. If things go south I will go back...begging and pleading if I need to." she grimaced at the idea. "But I would rather bake."

"I want...your going to hate this but. I want to see the younger sister again but without thoughts of trying to catch them. I want to wake up and not wonder if we will get arrested or if we'll have enough money to stay in one place." Alex sighed. "I want you to be happy."

Rosemary nodded. "We'll make our goals happen, then, no matter what." She said.

Cal felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. "That's almost funny...I want the same things. Well, I want to see the older one, but other than that." He sighed. "But even if we go after them and don't capture them...even if, by some miracle, they actually end up liking us...we'll still be on the run from the law. Maybe even more than before. And we still won't have enough money. I don't see how we could ever have that life that we want..."

"We could have it it we tried hard enough. The south is a clean slate. The king has already said anyone going there no matter why will not be touched." Alex smiled. "It would be nice."

"Agreed." Lori grinned at her then settled into her bed roll quickly falling asleep holding her hand.

Cal thought this over. "You really think we could pull it off?" He asked, sounding hopeful. Could they really start over completely? Stop being criminals, become regular people with jobs and, maybe even...families?

"Of course. It's us. We just out ran the royal guard. The princess's own bodyguard no less." Alex grinned.

Cal managed a smile, slightly more hopeful than before. "Yes, I suppose you're right about that." He chuckled. "Ah, now you've made me want it. I'm all hopeful now...this better work out, or I'll get my feelings hurt. And then I'll have to hurt you for making me hope." He teased.

Alex chuckled and shook his head. "If this doesn't work you won't have to worry about hurting me I'll have already done that." he smiled a little and slowed his horse. "Do you hear horses?" he frowned and glanced back. "There coming fast."

Cal glanced back as well. "That can't possibly be good. We need to get off the path and hide, quick." He said, hopping off his horse and leading it into the brush of the forest.

((Should we have them get caught and ruin all there dreams?))

((That would kind of defeat the purpose of the roleplay, don't you think? They're supposed to catch up eventually.))

((Alright.))
Alex hid with his brother breath catching when the royal guard passed them. He couldn't believe they had caught up already they must have been killing there horses. One of the guards stopped and turned frowning, it was Elliot. He glanced at there hiding spot a thoughtful look on his face. Then with a smirk he rode on.

Cal stayed perfectly still, feeling a bead of sweat roll down his back as the guard passed. Once they were gone, he sighed. "Did you see that smirk? He's up to something. We need to find a way to reach the sisters before the guard does." He said.

"we'll have to go the long way." Al bite his lip. "We certainly can't go that way."

"If we cut through the woods and go all night, we could manage it. We'd have to stop to rest the horses every few hours, though, so they don't get worn out..." Cal said, thinking out loud.

"We can certainly try." Alex lead the way threw the forest hoping they would make it in time to warn the princess's.

((skip?))

((Sure. How far?))

(I don't know I'm to tired to think))

((Uh...how about a few days, and the guys catch up just at the same time the guard does, and help them escape?))

((sure you can start))

((Okay.))

Rosemary stared off into the distance as she took a drink of water from her canteen. They were less than a day from the border, and everyone was excited to have their long journey over with. She herself was torn- every night she fell asleep wishing the brothers would appear, and every morning she woke feeling guilty for wanting it. She tried to put it from her mind. They would be free soon, and that was enough to be happy for.

They had ridden hard for several days to catch up with the caravan. The horses were exhausted, ready to give out. Cal sympathized, beyond tired himself. Between navigating the forest, avoiding the guard, riding all night and worrying about his brother's health, Cal had never been so tired. But they were close. They would find the princesses soon, probably within the day...and hopefully before the guard.

Alex stuck with his brother the whole way and was just as exhausted. "I will be so glad when we get there." he sighed then blinked. "Look!" he pointed to a bunch of wagons. "i think we found it!"

Lori stretched glad for the break. She had noticed her sisters mood but was letting her figure it out to excited about reaching the border.

Cal blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and grinned. "You're right, I think we've found them!" He said happily.

Rosemary went to sit next to her sister. "So, we're almost there." She said, unable to keep the smile off her face. "By the end of the night, we'll be free."