- Your Majesty, we found a message at the door of an old fort.

The former queen jumped up from the seat where she was and addressed the newly arrived captain. The woman, who was already nervous about delivering the message, had no reaction and began to babble.

- What are you waiting for? Give me the letter!

- O-of course, Your Majesty.

The captain handed over a crumpled piece of parchment, and Iris immediately began to open the paper, shuddering. She had stayed up all night waiting for news, it wasn't Rosa's but it was something.

"Sunstone Court",

began the message, written in a bold but elegant handwriting, 

"It was not our intention to go this far, but kidnapping a queen was too tempting. We want to schedule a rescue at Oak Hill for the first day of the new moon. At noon, on the outskirts of town, next to the ritualistic oak tree. We will not be stopped at such a place. Your queen is well and will be returned under the following demands:

5 kilos of gold nuggets;

10 kilos of silver;

15 kilos of bronze;

500 grams of small diamonds;

5 quivers of steel arrows;

Two steel daggers;

1 kilo of red dye;

1 kilo of yellow dye;

1 kilo of blue dye;

1 kilo of black dye.

Do NOT try to fool us, we'll know.

The Minstrel."

The former queen dropped the paper, bringing her hands to her face.

- Henrique was right! May the gods protect my daughter!

The shaking from earlier began to get worse, and Iris saw her vision darken.

- MAJESTY?

The captain lunged to catch her before she hit the ground. Iris felt her body faint and sweat run cold. Her heavy head sought the ground, as did her tears. She didn't pass out, she tried to take a deep breath several times, as she already knew from so many years of stress as queen of Sunstone, but never had anything been so impactful. The kidnapping didn't seem real before, especially with Henrique's narrative that Rosa went after the assailant. She had come to think that it might be someone known to her daughter who, by some misfortune of fate, had taken that dishonorable path. But now it all made sense. The Minstrel was known to charm his victims. Henrique was confused in his narrative, but he was certain that the queen had not been forcibly removed from the carriage. If she went of her own free will, it could only mean that she had been enchanted in some way. “But what kind of power is that?”, thought the former queen with a heavy breath, she had already heard rumors about something similar in the northern countries, but she thought it was a legend.

After these moments of reflection, Iris began to compose herself. "How embarrassing," she thought, feeling the sweat slowly dry as servants rushed to bring her drinks and pillows. Even embarrassed, she only dared to get up after feeling well enough.

- Are you better, Your Majesty?

- I am, Captain Nadia. Thank you for supporting me.

- I am here to serve - said the woman already on her feet, making a curtsy.

- For I will need you and your men very much now, captain. You have read the message, I assume.

- Yes, Your Majesty. I am really sorry about this situation.

- No more than me, Nadia - Iris walked towards a sofa gasping for air. - What did you find?

- We found an ancient fort belonging to Hyra. We did not have much evidence of how many people were involved until we found him. There was rubbish and animal feces strewn across the yard, as well as many footprints in the surrounding area. We tried to follow some, but in addition to going in opposite directions, eventually the groups separated. I let some men follow some tracks and went back to give Your Majesty the message. I am waiting for the next orders.

- So the Minstrel would have a large group?

- Apparently, from the footprints, somewhere between 40 and 60 people.

- This is significant… I need to speak with Gabriel - murmured the former queen. - The new moon will be in 3 weeks - she resumed in a loud tone to the Captain - It is a tight deadline, but I am sure we will manage to go to the castle and prepare the ransom. I do not have the items requested here with me and I know it will be safer for Henrique to be in the castle. Gather the men who are with you, Nadia, but keep the others on the lookout. We will leave as soon as possible.

***

Calandiel laid down on the fabrics the doe had prepared for her. She closed her good eye, reflecting on the strange feeling of closing only one. That thought made her even angrier. “What's your plan, Rosa? Did you really take advantage of an opportunity to save yourself, or is there more to it?” she thought trying to assimilate everything that had happened in the last 12 hours.

The rest of their time in the cave was silent. Valorie packed up the entourage and tended to the horses while the others slept. Rosa was backed into a corner and didn't speak anymore, not that the doe had given her much of an opening.

Finally, after hours of headaches and poor sleep, Hobin decided her group had had enough rest. She couldn't wait to get to Stone Vale, get away from that forest full of soldiers, and make some final decision about the situation at hand.

- Guys, let's go - She said, approaching and shaking her comrades. - We've wasted too much time here. Get ready like the Mummers.

- What about the queen? - Valorie asked. - Her dress will surely turn heads.

Rosa, in addition to being dirty and with a torn dress, still sported some exclusive items of a noblewoman. Her own red velvet dress and fine stitching, as well as jewelry, though she'd lost some in the chase through the woods.

- You're right. Remove the jewelry, but the dress, perhaps with some adaptations and a shawl over it, will look more like a traveling artist. Please, Val, can you see if something fits on it?

- Right…

Hobin noticed that the deer didn't like the idea very much, but she didn't feel up to it herself. She wished for forgiveness in her mind and started to prepare for the trip.

As the sun's rays hit her face, Hobin felt her head spin. With some difficulty, she guided her horse out of the cave as she listened to the whispers of Rocco and Norori who followed close behind, along with Dom.

- She doesn't look well at all. Do you know if she managed to sleep? - Rocco asked in a worried tone.

- I don't know, I was sleeping. - Norori answered. - Maybe Valorie knows.

- It's better if the queen rides with one of us… I don't know if Hobin will be able to drive properly in that state.

- You know I can hear, don't you? -  Hobin said.

- Well, then you are aware of our concern - Rocco continued.

- Apart from that from now on we are dressed as performers - added Domenic - the queen won't be tied up and we'll only walk around with hidden weapons, which are more difficult to draw. She might have said that she needs us, but we're not sure, she might take advantage of her state and attack you.

- I'm fine - Hobin grumbled. - And if I don't take it, who will? Rocco is too heavy for his own horse, Norori rides a pony, I'm sure you would find any excuse to make her fall from your horse, and I didn't want to have to ask Valorie to do that.

- Why not? -  Dom asked.

- You're kidding me! Didn't you see them at the party?

- Of course I fucking didn't! But I heard you talking about it all night. Val's a big girl, she won't take it personally.

- Unlike some people...

- Shut up, cage jailer.

- You two don't even look like friends - Rocco said, laughing. - But I don't think Hobin's concern is Val's maturity.

By this time the elf was barely listening to her companions. She looked up when she heard her name.

- Yes... I know Rosa and she can be very charming, or a pest. Especially when she thinks she's right. I don't think the temperaments of the two match.

- We'll all be together, boss. Don't worry, just concentrate on not falling off the horse.

- I'm fine. Why is Val taking so long?

- You asked her to mend a new dress, of course it will take some time.

***

- OWWW! You pricked me again!

- Be still!

- You've already seen the amount of cloth, you don't need me to be dressed to sew!

- It's just a few points! I won't sew everything, we don't have time for that.

- Indeed - Rosa said, starting to tug on her dress. - So it will be faster if I take this off.

- W-w-what are you DOING?

Valorie covered her eyes and walked away as Rosa pulled the dress over her head.

- What's the problem? We are both women. And it's not like I'm naked.

- But you are usin… - Val started to open her eyes - What kind of underwear is that???

- Do you like it? It's the latest fashion in Pales! These smaller clothes help me to wear dresses that are closer to the body.

- Cover yourself up!

Valorie threw a robe towards Rosa, who started to laugh.

- Okay, okay… Who knew a thief would be so prudish.

- What does one thing have to do with the other?

- You know, life on the edge, taverns and brothels...

- Yeah… - Valorie sighed. - Give me the dress.

- All yours - Rosa handed over the clothes. - What do I do now?

- See if you can find any accessories you like in that bag. Artists tend to be well decorated.

- Wonderful!

The deer absently watched the human rummaging through the bag, looking so excited that no one would guess she had been kidnapped.

“Is this good?” she thought, turning her attention back to the dress. "Her being relaxed would help us with the disguise, but this situation doesn't seem right…" In the nearly two years that she had followed the Minstrel she had never seen a person who was kidnapped with such behavior, with the exception of one or another whose actions showed that they did not have good mental faculties. It didn't seem to be the case for the queen.

- How about these?

Rosa turned to show off a pair of hoop earrings and several brightly colored bracelets. In the process she relaxed from the cloth that covered her.

- They're great, but get that fabric up!

- Do you really bother to see an exuberant woman like me?

- Don't think highly of yourself! It just wasn't the education I received.

- I mean, spying is not cool, but if the person doesn't mind… I think beauty should be appreciated, you know? - Rosa said laughing and turning to the bag.

Valorie felt her face burning. The queen was right, she was indeed very beautiful, she had a curvy body, full breasts and smooth, glowing skin. Her face was also very pleasant, although it didn't pique Val's interest. The deer's admiration for Rosa's femininity was limited to that, and it hurt her principles to see the other exposing herself so shamelessly. "So this is one of Hobin's exes? Does she prefer that type?" She shook her head and looked away, focusing on finishing what she was doing.

- It's done - she said, tossing the dress to Rosa and getting to her feet. - Don't make sudden movements so as not to loosen the stitches. When we get to the village I'll sew it better.

- Why not? This outfit makes me look like a dancer! I'll have to dance!

- We are musicians, not dancers.

- Well, now you have a dancer! Because I don't know how to play anything.

Valorie rolled her eyes and began to collect the remaining items to put on the horse. Rosa finished getting dressed, tied a piece of fabric around her waist and put on her accessories. "She really does look like a dancer", Valorie thought, squinting at the queen. "At least it's a lot less noble."

They walked out of the cave into the afternoon light where the others were waiting. Valorie couldn't help but notice the expression Hobin made when she saw Rosa. A mixture of emotions that she didn't know how to identify passed on her leader's face. She began to feel sad, until the elf looked at her and the conflicted expressions softened, a slight smile formed at the corners of Hobin's mouth and she spoke in a soft tone.

- Thanks, Val. You've done an excellent job.

Valorie felt her cheeks burn. To cover it up, she turned to climb onto her horse and hide her face.

- It was nothing.

- Now you are one of us - laughed the dwarf.

Rosa seemed to feel the same way. Her detachment in the cave and her now-bright expression showed that she was no longer nervous as she had been at the beginning of the trip. She told a joke to Norori and walked over to Hobin's horse.

- No dear. You're going with Val - said the dwarf.

- Huh? -  asked Rosa and Valorie at the same time.

Rocco approached the deer and whispered as Norori coaxed the queen.

- Boss doesn't look well at all. We're afraid she'll fall off her horse, or that the queen will do something to her.

Valorie eyed Hobin out of the corner of her eye, her stance hunched and her grip on the reins feeling loose. From what she observed in the cave, the Minstrel had barely slept, so much so that she stirred. If providing a smoother journey meant carrying the queen, so be it.

- Okay… help me put these things in the wagon.

- I think the queen should also be put on the wagon - said Domenic casually.

- Nobody cares what you think, shit face - Norori replied.

- Hurry up, this is not a very common route for a group of musicians. If the guards find us we will be in trouble - Hobin complained.

Valorie finished loading her things into the wagon, along with Rocco, which she took the opportunity to talk to her companion.

- Rocco, you are the closest to Hobin and the strongest here. Pay attention her on the journey, and if anything happens, please run with her to the Vale.

- Don't worry, that was already my plan.

The half-orc landed a light punch on Val's shoulder that made the girl stagger. He mumbled an apology, but she was used to it and just smiled. Out of everyone there, after Hobin, Rocco was the one she'd become attached to the most.

All properly assembled, the trip started again.