"Alright." Lori nodded. "We should still avoid that area of the woods." she sighed. "We need to get him off are trail and soon...if it's the same person."

Rosemary nodded. "Right. We'll be careful for now, lay low. Maybe there's a wig maker nearby we could go to, to try and disguise ourselves better." She suggested.

Lori shuddered at the idea of wigs. "We'll see." she grumbled. "We shouldn't stay here long though. I heard papa talking about a few adventures who where going to head south to develop the uncharted land's down there. We could steal away with them and no one would know."

"That's as good a plan as any." Rosemary agreed. "We'll stay here a few days to recover and stock up on supplies, and then head south."

"This is why we work so well together." Lori smiled at her sister and relaxed on the bed. "This kind of sucks a little." she sighed softly. "I kind of miss being a princess. At this time of day Artemis would be bringing me my breakfast so I could eat while she did my hair."

Rosemary frowned. "Yes, being a princess was more pleasant for you, I suppose. If we were still there, right about now I would be starting my sewing lessons. I would have woken with the sun and been forced into an ill-fitting dress, had my hair pinned to my head in a way that would give me a headache all day, and had to spend the whole day learning how to be a proper lady. As if any lady ever actually has to walk with a book on her head. Why would they teach me to knit? It's not as if I would ever do it, after I was married off to some old man and forced to bear his children. I'd have servants doing everything for me. It would be awful." Rosemary pouted. She was too independent, she hated having things done for her. She wanted her freedom to control her life. She wanted to wear breeches instead of a dress, and learn how to fight instead of sew. "I don't miss that life at all."

Lori deflated at once. "Oh." she stood. "I'm going to get a few things." she headed out clutched the money purse tight. She bought a few things and found a tea shop deciding to stay there and mop for a while.

Rosemary flinched, realizing she'd said the wrong thing, but didn't try to call her sister back. She knew she'd only make it worse. Sighing, she turned and punched the pillow. Why did it have to be so difficult? She couldn't relate to her sister because they'd been treated so differently. It wasn't fair. It wasn't her fault she'd hated being a princess. How could Lori be upset with her for not missing it? Was she supposed to lie and say she did? "Not even my sister...no one understands. No one."

Lori was writing a plan out. It was in case she went back to be Queen she would force changes that would help girls like her sister who didn't enjoy knitting or dresses but enjoyed daggers and pants. She raced back excited "I've figured it out!" she proclaimed. "So that no other girl has to suffer like you did." she presented her the paper. "If I am ever going to be forced into being the queen I have this plan laid out. I would insist you take those girls under your wing of course...are you alright?" she saw the frustrated look on her face. "I know I don't understand you even though I try. I enjoy parties and dresses, knitting and getting my hair done and everything else they ever made me do. Its the way I am just like you enjoy pants. We'll always agree to disagree about that part of are life."

Rosemary sat up when her sister hurried into the room, talking excitedly. She had a paper with a plan for a possible future and it took the younger princess a moment to absorb it all. Once she did, she stood up and hugged her sister. "Oh, Lori...thank you. I know I'm strange and that it's hard to understand me, but you still try...and to think of something like this...you would make a wonderful queen, if you chose that life." She said. "You know...you know if you did decide to go back, I would support you. I won't try to stop you or make you feel bad. You deserve to be happy, so whatever you choose, I'll be happy, too."

"I know but I promised myself I would do this and if I didn't like it then I would go back." Lori shrugged. "We'll do this together like we always do." she flashed her a smile.

Alex was walking around a little when he noticed four guards talking to the inn. He limped to Cleo as fast as he could and wrote his brother a message. "Find him." Cleo flew off and circled the land finally finding Cal she landed on his head and began to peck at it.

Rosemary nodded, slowly letting herself smile back. "Yeah, okay. Together." She hugged her sister.

Up on the hill, in the woods, Cal was just finishing his breakfast when Cleo landed on his head. "Ow! Dammit, alright, hang on will ya!" He mumbled curses at the bird while he pried her off and checked the message she'd brought. "Dunno why Alex is walking around yet, he's not supposed to be out of bed for another week at least...damn liar promised me he'd follow doctor's orders..."

Cleo fluffed out her feathers and nestled against him falling asleep. "Cal we have a problem. The guards are on the girls trail. By the time Cleo finds them. They already be on there way. They may find you. I'll come as soon as I'm sure there are no more trailing behind." it was signed by Alex on the bottom.

Lori pulled away. "What do you want to today? Get supplies?"

Cal swore quietly and pulled a scrap of paper and a pen from his pack. He found a relatively flat rock and started writing a message back, then woke Cleo up and gave her the message. "Don't fight with me on this, Cleo, it's important Alex gets this as fast as possible. Go!"

Rosemary nodded. "That's probably the best course of action. We need to be ready to move as soon as possible." She said.

Cleo glared at him but did as told. She made it to Alex and promptly fell asleep refusing to awaken again until she wanted to. Alex chuckled and took the note. "Good job Cleo."

Lori looked threw the stuff they had and made a list. She split it in half and gave half to her sister "Meet you back her for supper."she smiled.

The note was quick and simple. I'm going to make contact. If they run from me, they'll be one step ahead of the guards. Meet me when you can. Meanwhile, Cal was putting his plan into effect. He had to get one of them alone to explain the situation, so he walked into the village wearing a cloak with a hood pulled up.

Rosemary took her half of the list and smiled back. "Sounds like a plan. Be careful, okay?" She said. They didn't know if that man was still after them, and being apart made them easier targets.

"I will be careful." Lori took her purse and headed out.

Alex relaxed for a while hoping the doctor would release him soon.

Rosemary headed out as well, going in the opposite direction as her sister.

Cal spotted both sisters leaving the inn they were staying at. He hesitated just a moment, trying to decide which one to go after, then made his way down the street.

Lori decided to buy new horses if they where going to go all the way south. She checked the prices and decided to bring her sister back so she could pick one for herself. She went to get rope next humming to herself.

Steadying himself, Cal walked carefully after Lori, waiting in an alley until she was done looking at horses. As she passed the alleyway, he reached out and pulled her aside, covering her mouth so she didn't scream and holding her tightly so she couldn't hurt him. "Don't scream, don't make a fuss. I'm only here to warn you. Your parents are still looking, and the guards are on your trail. Leave before nightfall or they will catch up to you."

Lori bite his palm as hard as she could freezing when she heard him mention the guards. How did he know about that? His brother probably told him but how could she be sure.

Cal hissed in pain but didn't let go until he was sure she had heard him. Once she was still, he let go. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but think of it this way. I have nothing to gain from lying, and everything to lose if they catch you. Besides, I can't keep chasing after you. My brother is hurt...I need to get back to him."

"Thank you for telling me." Lori swallowed. "Go take care of your brother." she knew how that felt to love and care for a younger sibling.

Cal nodded. He took one long look at her, almost like he was seeing her for the first time. "Stay safe." He whispered, and then he was gone, leaving no evidence he'd never been there at all.

Lori raced to find Gemini. "We need to go." she blurted when she found her. "There are guards on are trail."