"Alright, I've got about a hundred duvats left," Thorel sighed, counting the scintillating coins in his palm before slipping them back into the small velvet bag he carried at his waist. "According to my Auramap, there's a village about a quarter mile north of here. It's actually Kyanah Creek, the birthplace of Raliyel Novisty, the Empire's most famous Rhenan...not that you care. Anyway, I'll go up to Kyanah and buy us some new clothes. I should be back in less than an hour. Meanwhile, you guys stay put. You don't want to be seen."

"New clothes?" Megan raised an eyebrow.

"Would you rather go into town soaking wet and dressed like humans and get arrested by the first Ice Guard you see?"

"Good point," she sighed, folding her hands in her lap.

"Oh, and Vivi," Thorel tossed something silver into my lap. "Here's five deccen, in case you need it."

I picked the coin up, staring at it intently.

"What's the matter, Arystenn?" Thorel joked. "Never seen anything smaller than a five hundred?"

"Or maybe it's just been ten years since I last saw Lessaenite money." I stuck my tongue out before pocketing the little piece of metal.

"Wait," I reached out, tapping the Warrior Chief's shoulder before he could proceed into the woods. "It's very risky for you to go out there. The odds of you being recognized are tremendous. You're kind of the second most powerful person in the Empire."

"Most of the time, people only see what they expect to see," Thorel smiled. "They're certainly not going to anticipate a billionaire like me to casually walk into their remote village in jeans and a muddy t-shirt," he laughed. "And since when is anything about this entire venture not risky."

"True," I nodded, still feeling a bit uneasy as he walked off into the trees.

"Are we going to be alright?" Kelly asked, gently nudging my shoulder.

"Yes, we are," I confirmed. "We're going to be perfectly okay. You just watch."

For a while, we sat where we were, talking quietly amongst ourselves as the searing heat of the sun dried our clothes and caused the sticky mud all over our bodies to form dusty cakes on our skin. I wasn't complaining, it made us look more Rhenan.

"Hey!" I jumped at the sound of a startled voice to my right. A skinny boy with curly, brown hair emerged from the foliage, dressed in typical Rhenan attire. "This is my family's lake! No trespassing!" He warned. "If you wanted to swim here, you could've just asked. We're not monsters, you know."

"We're very sorry," I apologized. "We didn't know anyone owned this lake. We'll leave if you want us to."

"Everyone in West Arabella knows the Novistys..." the boy trailed off, giving us a strange look. "And you talk funny. You must not be from around here."

Ugh, my Glaisse accent was creeping back up! It must've been the Empire air...

"We aren't," I said simply, not wanting to elaborate on the subject.

"You're all kids," the boy frowned, his expression turning from inquisitive to downright suspicious. "Where are your parents?"

"You don't want to know the answer to that question," I sighed.

"Come on, stop being difficult," the boy kicked a loose stone out of his way. "I'm just trying to be friendly. I'm Ervyn Novisty. What's your name?"

A Novisty! He must've been related to Raliyel! After all, Thorel did say that this was her hometown. I thought about how best to answer his question, and figured that one lie would lead to another, entrapping me in a net of falsehood. It would be wisest to just tell the truth. This boy didn't seem like a threat.

"Hello, Ervyn," I smiled, shaking his hand. "I'm Viviana Arystenn."

"Ha-ha, very funny," Ervyn rolled his eyes. "What's your real name? If you're hiding from the Empire, I won't tell. I've always wanted to meet a real Flame."

"We're not Flames," I shook my head. "And I'm not lying. I'm actually Princess Viviana and these are my friends, the Glitches."

"Prove it."

"Sure." I took a deep breath, extending my Aura past my arm and exposing its silver tinge, which was about all I could get it to do on command.

"Whoa!" Ervyn's eyes widened to the size of small saucers. "I am so sorry, Your Highness," he bowed awkwardly. "Forgive my, er, tongue-tied state," he stuttered. "I'm not really used to speaking to royalty."

"It's alright," I laughed. "I'm not really used to being royalty."

"You should really come up to Kyanah Creek," Ervyn suggested. "It's almost Picking day for the Warmatch Interplanetale. Rhena's swarming with Ice Guards this time of year, you'll be safest at our house."

"Actually, Thorel just went to your village. He should be back soon."

"Chief Thorel Myers of the Warrior Clan!?" Ervyn gasped. "So the rumors are true? He turned his back on the Queen when she threatened to kill Princess Tara?"

"Yes."

"Who else did you bring along, Eleanna Myers?"

"I wish," I looked away.

"Alright, guys, here's the stuff," Thorel stepped out of the trees, a stack of plain tunics and several pairs of brown pants in his arms. "Who's that?" He frowned at Ervyn.

"Ervyn Novisty, Your Excellency."

"No titles, please," Thorel requested.
"It's just Thorel outside of Glaisse."

"Of course," Ervyn nodded. "If you'd like, you can stay with us in the village. I'm sure my sister wouldn't object. It'd be an honor to have you."

"Thank you, Ervyn," Thorel smiled appreciatively. "Why don't you lead the way? You know this forest far better than we do."