That was, no doubt, a request the Minstrel wasn't expecting to hear. It took a while to process as she stared into Rosa's determined green eyes.

- What are you saying? It looks like you don't want to go back to your kingdom!

- And I don't!

Calandiel felt rage seize her, vaguely remembering something 10 years ago. She took a deep breath and asked:

- What do you mean?

Rosa looked around, as if she feared someone would show up.

- My life is in danger - she spoke at last. - Despite being the legitimate heir, a part of my father's family thinks I shouldn't be the queen.

- And what? Do you think they want to kill you?

- Yes! Strange things keep happening. I'm sure they're planning something else.

Rosa looked really nervous, but Calandiel was already tired of nobility dramas.

- I have nothing to do with this.

- Of course you have!

- Let me guess, if I turn you in, you'll tell everyone that the Minstrel is the lost princess of Celegorm.

- If necessary...

- Who would believe you? Everyone knows me as a man.

- Even if most people don't believe me, I'm sure your father would.

Calandiel's mouth tightened and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Rosa saw an opportunity in that reaction and continued:

- Evelon never stopped looking for you. He said he would only believe you were dead when he found your body. With time, most of the allied kingdoms stopped searching for you, thinking you were dead, except for Celegorm. The realm closed its borders and only allowed the passage of food and people invited by the king. The place is now strange, much more restrictive than it used to be, it has lost its beauty and joy. The king is taking out his frustrations on the populace by increasing his army, for what I don't know, despite being one of the few that still has access to the place. If you are going to Celegorm, even now that the borders have opened, you can be sure that you will not go unnoticed. Especially if I tell king Evelon what I know.

Calandiel was silent, her face slightly creased. After a while she got up.

- You have eaten enough. Go back to where you were and I'll tie you up for the night.

- What? - Rosa stood up pushing the chair angrily. - Will you ask for my ransom? Does my life even matter to you?

- No, it doesn't. And let me say, it's really unbelievable that you'd ask me for favors. I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING! On the contrary! You who should have the minimum of decency and let me go on with my life in peace!

- I'm not asking you anything too much! Just let me go with your pack until I find a place to stay!

- You are beyond belief!

- And you are the most wanted criminal in the world! If I don't return to my kingdom, you only guarantee that I won't tell anyone your secret!

Calandiel felt her head spin and throb. The cut burned and itched, her breathing was labored, and now her good eye saw black spots. She was pushing her body and mind more than it should, given her situation. She tried to calm down, she didn't need to answer Rosa right now. It was a discussion for the pack. She gathered what little energy she still had and said:

- Sleep.

- But what…

Rosa felt her eyes getting heavy and her body tired, despite the rage and adrenaline that reigned a few seconds ago. She staggered and became aware, as in a distant dream, of hands lifting her off her feet.

***

- What are you doing here, boss? - Asked Rocco when a masked Calandiel approached the couple who were exchanging caresses on one of the walls of the fort.

- I asked you both to patrol, not date.

Rocco, embarrassed, started to pull away from Domenic, but Dom grabbed his arm.

- Oi, what's with that bad mood?

The Minstrel sighed.

- Come with me and I'll explain… Valorie and Norori are waiting.

***

The three entered the war room, where they had set up camp. Valorie and Norori were sitting at the table, sorting out provisions. By the fireplace, lying on the floor, was Rosa.

- Sit down, I need to talk to you.

- What is she doing here? - Asked Domenic, irritated.

- I needed to get down from the tower and I had dismissed Norori, I wasn't going to leave her alone there. Don't worry, she's sleeping.

Domenic made a grumpy face and went to sit in the chair furthest from Rosa.

- Is she sleeping, or is she sleeping? - Asked Rocco emphasizing the last word.

- We have a while before she wakes up. But let's be quick. Depending on the decision we make, we will leave today.

- I thought we were going to stay here for a few days - grumbled Norori.

- That was before we kidnapped a queen, Nori! - Rebutted Valorie.

- And this fort isn't discreet at all - added Domenic.

- How was the situation with the peasants? - Calandiel asked.

- We distribute the entourage's money and some pieces of lesser value. They all seemed content, some insisted on staying, even after I dismissed them. We had 5 or 6 who joined the local militia - Domenic replied.

- Excellent. Normally I would prefer that greater numbers join the revolutions, but if we are going to face the royal guard, I prefer the more experienced ones to stay. Do the mercenaries still seem engaged?

- I gave them a part of the money, the militia promised to complete it when we left. I don't think they'll abandon us anytime soon, our cause is even more interesting to them than petty nobles' money. But I don't know if that will last when they find out we have a queen.

- All the more reason to be quick - Calandiel emphasized.

- So, Hobin, what did you want to tell us? - Valorie asked.

The elf looked at the girl. Of all those present, she was the one who least wanted her to hear the story. Cali averted her face and took off her mask, turning her back to Rosa.

- As you well know, this is Rosa, queen of Sunstone...

The others were silent waiting for Calandiel to gather the courage to complete the sentence.

-... She knows me as the princess of Celegorm.

-  And? - Norori asked.

- If we demand her ransom, she will come back and tell the king of Celegorm that Hobin is still alive - Valorie noted.

Norori whistled.

- That's a huuuuge problem!

- So what? - began Domenic. - Let her talk! We'll look for another kingdom that needs the Minstrel.

-  And the plan to go to Celegorm? -  Rocco asked.

- I always hated that plan, you know that.

- It's not that simple! - Interposed Calandiel - Even if we abandoned the idea of going to Celegorm, Evelon has connections with the north and other kingdoms, he would never leave us alone.

- Then we kill her! We make it look like an accident, the Minstrel apologizes and we disappear for a while.

- We're not going to kill her, Dom! - Claimed Valorie.

- And what would be the other alternative? Carry her with us?

- Actually, yes - said Calandiel.

The other four stared at Calandiel, not understanding.

- Our group already draws enough attention without going around carrying a tied person - mocked the bat.

Calandiel did not believe she was defending Rosa's cause. She took a deep breath preparing herself for the next sentence.

- She wouldn't be tied up. From what we've talked, it seems that there are people plotting against her reign. She wants to travel with us until she finds a place to stay.

Norori started to laugh.

- By the heinous face you did when you saw her, I thought you hated her. But it seems to be more complicated! What's the situation? Is she one of your ex-lovers?

The elf scowled at the dwarf. She risked a glance at Valorie who looked so impressed by Nori's realization that she didn't even glance at Cali.

- Is he right? - Domenic asked with anger in his voice.

Calandiel looked from him to Rocco, who, of all, was the only one who knew the full story. The half-orc discreetly shook his head.

- Dom, I don't like that idea either, but between letting the queen travel with us and having Celegorm's army behind us, I prefer the first option.

- But then Sunstone's army will come after us! How is that better?

- Sunstone doesn't have the Ice Emperor's armada on their side!

- And why would Celegorm have it? The emperor barely travels south. What importance would he place on mobilizing an army in favor of one of his subordinates?

- It wouldn't be for Evelon's sake, it would be to capture the Minstrel - Valorie said sadly. - He's been chasing us for years. Knowing Hobin's face will only make the job easier.

- One more reason to put an end to this queen! She can't say anything, six feet underground.

- Dom! - Rocco scolded.

- I'm serious! Think about it. The Minstrel's a symbol of revolution against the nobility. We've killed bad rulers before, of course, but revolution isn't done by being nice. Putting an end to a queen, no matter how great she is as a ruler, still makes more sense than the Minstrel running away with that same queen and her flank and abandoning the people of Hyra and Sunstone to fight the two armies. They would call us traitors!

- He has a good point, Hobin - Norori spoke more seriously now.

- I brought this discussion to resolve as a group - said Calandiel already regretful. - But I'd rather not have to come to that point.

- We don't need to abandon the locals, or even assassinate the queen -  Valorie interjected. - We can send a letter to Sunstone asking for them to go to a city that is opposite to the direction we are going, and say we will negotiate there. When they get there, there'll be a message from the queen saying she's fine and not to look for her.

Domenic and Norori burst out laughing.

- You are so innocent, Val! - said the dwarf - The first thing they would think is that we forced her to write this. As much as the message, I don't know, has codes and personal things from her.

- That's if this whole story isn't a trap to capture us - completed the man bat.

- Well, at least I'm trying!

- Valorie's idea is not bad, we can divert the guards in another direction and gain time. We would flee without harming the locals - pondered the Minstrel.

- If we're going to adopt this plan, it has to be now - Rocco said. - Before the armies of the two countries discover what happened and close the siege.

- Are you really considering taking this total stranger, untied, with us? She almost split Minstrel's face!

- I was distracted... It won't happen again.

- This is so bizarre! She must trust a lot on you or on her own ability to blackmail you, to ask such a thing from a bunch of criminals!

- I don't think it's one thing or the other, I think she's scared to death. She's always been bold, but she wouldn't make a move like that if she didn't have a good reason.

- She should be afraid of us! I refuse to babysit no… Wait! - Domenic stopped to listen better. - Someone is coming up the stairs.

Everyone put on their masks. Calandiel gestured for Rocco to go to the door to await his visitor.

A few seconds later they heard one of the militia men talking to Rocco.

- Sir, I came to inform you that we saw lights in the forest.

- Did we turn off our lights?

- Yes sir.

- Very good. It will not be possible to maintain our initial plan to stay a few days in this fort. Gather everyone, have the provisions put away, the Minstrel will come down shortly to issue new orders.

- Immediately, sir.

Rocco entered the room, closing the door behind him.

- The boy has already come down - Domenic informed. - We have to make a decision now, the royal guard is already reaching us.

- Let's vote -  said Calandiel.

Domenic's mouth twisted, but he nodded.

- I vote for the plan to send the guards to another city and take Rosa with us, until we decide what to do with her - said the elf.

- I agree - Valorie and Rocco responded in unison.

- You already know my vote - said Domenic displeased. - And you, Norori?

- Sorry, man, I know you won't be able to vouch for it, but she's too hot to be killed!

- Oh! Why wasn't I told this before? That's what I call an important information! I totally changed my mind!

- Stop you two! - Interposed Calandiel. - It's decided then. Gather your things, we'll leave immediately.

***