They sent out a warning two weeks ago, they asked that we send out the royal family or our kingdom would go up in flames, but the citizens of Avleok are loyal. But as the flames began to rise people seemed to wish they’d changed their minds sooner, including myself. Now I’ve fought many battles but fire does not cower at a blade, so here I am, armed in the armor of an Avleokan warrior, not only trying to fend for myself but for my entire family. We’re not much, it’s just me and my ten year old siblings, Isae and Aerieth. They’re just a couple seconds apart they both have crystal blue eyes, but the similarities end there, Isae has jet black, shoulder length hair, is very agile, and is tough as stone through and through, Aerieth on the other hand has short fluffy blonde hair -like my mother- a large frame, and let’s face it he’s a softy. So here I am in the midst of an attack with a ninja and a teddy bear.

“Lill what are we going to do? We don’t have anything to stop fire and there are people guarding the docks, and there is three of us, and-”

“Aerieth, Lillian is trying to help but she can’t if you are busy blubbering away about things we’re all trying to figure out, okay? So while Lill tries to figure out what we’re going to do, you can go pack safety bags okay? Candles, matches, food, water, and warm clothes, can you do that?” Isae cuts in, ordering him around like his mother. She’s really the only one who gets him though. He freaks out about everything but Isae always seems to know exactly what to say. I think she might just have that charm on people because I’m already forming a plan.

“Hey guys come here!”

“Did you come up with something? Are we gonna have to sneak past the armed guards? We’re gonna have to do it aren’t we. We’re gonna get killed!” Aerieth started, then he began to pace, mumbling something about deep breaths.

“Aerieth, listen. You go finish packing your bag, I’ll explain later. Make sure you bring Sargent.” Isae assured him. “You we’re saying?”

“Yeah sorry I wasn’t aware I was speaking to a professional. So the castle is completely built of stone. And-”

“No way, we can’t break into the castle! Lillian that is preposterous, and even if that were a sensible plan, the whole thing is surrounded by guards!”

“Ah that’s were your wrong. They guards are all distracted by the fire and the ones guarding the castle will not be on their a game considering they have family out here running for their lives, so we can easily sneak by with the right disguise!”

“So we’re actually doing this? Like for real?”

“We’re going to try. Do you and Aerieth still have that training armor?”

“Yeah but it’s hardly enough to protect us from enemy fire!”

“That’s okay, we just need to pretend. You and Aerieth go get dressed, the fire is getting closer and closer.”

“Okay Lill. I trust you. Aerieth put on your armor!” Isae hollers once she reaches her and Aerieth’s room. I hate to put them in this situation. There’s so many things that could go wrong. I began to pace. We could get hit in the way. A guard could tell us to remove our helmets. Someone could discover us in the room we’re hiding in. Or we could-

“Lill? Lill! We’re ready are you coming?” Isae asks, both her and Aerieth standing in the doorway.

“Yes. Of course, now let’s try to go over the plan.” I walk with them out the door and lead them through a path behind the backs of houses.

“So what do we do when they notice we’re kids, because I know times are changing but I’m almost certain kids can’t join the royal guard!” Aerieth says, beginning to pant again.

“Aerieth, I told you I’ve got this. I have a plan, you just can’t say anything okay? Just pretend you can’t speak. Bite your tongue, clench your fists, I don’t care. Just don’t talk, got it.” Isae orders, and though I’m pretty sure she would’ve preferred he say ‘yes ma’am’ but Aerieth just nodded.

“Okay,” I said taking a deep breath when we we’re just a few feet away from the entrance. “Deep breaths. Stand tall. Don’t talk Aerieth.”

“Halt. State your name and business.” A guard orders, holding a hand out in front of us, and tightening his grip on to the hilt of his sword.

“Captain Lillian, sir. That’s Sergeant Aereith,” I gesture to my little brother, praying that guard doesn’t recognize our family. “And that’s Lieutenant Isae, sir.” Before I can continue Aereith opens his mouth and blurts,

“Careful she bites. Erm, sir.”

“We’ve been ordered back to the palace, sir. The prince requested our audience, sir.” I say in my most formal voice, hoping the guard will let the joke slide.

“Your Lieutenant and Sergeant, look a little short. Short enough to be I don’t know, children? And I’ll have you know that practical jokes will not be tolerated, especially not at a time like this.” Just as I’m about to explain some big lie, Isae pipes up, her voice slightly deeper, almost older.

“Children? Ha! I have dedicated the past ten years of my life to this kingdom, and you have the audacity to call me a child? How old are you, boy?”

“Uhm twenty- twenty two, ma’am.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Kids these days think they can go around making assumptions, disrespecting left and right, who do you think you are? Now if you would excuse us I have places to be, the Prince doesn’t like to be kept waiting. You don’t want to be the reason the Prince is kept waiting. Do you, sir?”

“N-no ma’am.”

“Then goodbye.” Isae scoffs, shoving the guard aside, and leading us straight through the front door.

“Oh my god. I thought we were goners.” I whisper as once we’re out of ear shot.

“Through here before we talk.” Isae whispers, leading us into what seemed to be a guest room.

“How can you be so confident in everything you do? You just stood up to a fully armed man twice your age, and then you walk around the palace like the kind himself! How?” Aerieth pouts plopping down on the canopied bed after removing his helmet. I decide to take mine off too, it was getting a little hot, trapped in there with all of my thoughts. Looking around I begin to notice paintings of a man my age, not just any man. This is the princes room. Oh no. Not good. Not good at all.

“Guys we’ve got to go. Now.” Just as everyone begins to get up, the door creeks open. At first I think maybe it’s a servant come to change the sheets. But as my eyes meets the servants they start to look familiar, their the same eyes as in the painting. He wasn’t a servant at all. I was staring at the heir to the throne.