We landed, dust kicking up from my heels as I tumbled to a halt next to Rex. The others followed, many landing in shrubs and others on their faces.

“SHH.” Smalls loudly whispered to those around him. “Once you have freed the slaves, meet on those hills up there.”

We nodded, and the prince moved ahead, myself sticking to his side. We crept through rows of tents and shacks. They were filthy and covered in ash and grime, no lights shone from the windows. In a few windows, clumps of wilting flowers hung in pots, slashed to bits. A light drizzle rained down, and dusk fell.

I realized how long we had been traveling, and I suddenly felt tired, but pressed on. We cut through more deserted homes, wrecked streets, and chaotic fields. It smelled like charcoal and smoke, and some wafted through the air.

Smalls motioned me on faster, and we sprinted through the streets until we heard the bustle of the main roads. We stopped to catch our breath, and Smalls signed the word ‘preymark’ ‘

I nodded. I kept two in my satchel, in case Bastille dragged me on a crazy mission, and soon we looked like two slaves.

“They’ll recognize you.” I signed, and Smalls nodded, smearing dirt on his face. I did the same, and we silently slipped onto the street.

We struggled to stick together in the road, and I pulled the prince to the side of the road to catch our breath and form a plan.

“Fleck?” I heard a voice.

“Oh come on! These stu.pid disguises aren’t…” I began, but cut short seeing it was Trinity who had spoken.

“Aye.” I said, “And my friend, Eddy.” I saw Smalls cringe. “We are here to liberate you.”

“I have longed for this day!” Trinity exclaimed, smushing a box of cookies in her pack.

“We must wait for Blackstar’s signal.” I said.

“Can’t you two speak Natalian?” Smalls whispered.

“oh sorry my friend, tis a requirement of Lady Bastille to speak in such tones in the Shade Hills.”

“Oh dear, I shall do my best to imitate such mannerly tones. I should know this however, seeming that I am a prince.”

“oh my dear friend, we do not expose such things as identities in the Shade Hills. There are certain rules you must learn, dear Eddy.” I said in response.

“Dear me, you must make a book on such topics! How genuinely thrilling.” Smalls said.

“I have more pressing requirements on my time and skills then,” I began, bowing dramatically, “writing rule books on simple subjects.” I sniffed in disgust.

Trinity was trying not to laugh. Well, until Midnight pranced across the street from us, dragging Bastille along.

“My wonderful cousin Midnight, you must be drenched. Come and have some tea, please.” I said. Midnight grinned, Bastille rolled her eyes.

“You lot are a bunch of idiots.” She complained.

“It is good to see that our team from old adventures is back together for a lovely fight. And what a beautiful evening to spoil with such things as battle.” I said.

“Idiot.” Bastille grumbled.

“Oink oink rutabaga.” I said.

“What does that mean?” Bastille asked.

“Well, my cousin and Lady Bastille, it means oink oink rutabaga.” I replied.

“I deny all family connections with this idiot.” Bastille said.

“Oh dear, where hath the prince gonneth?” Midnight asked.

“I don’t kno—” I began, but was interrupted by a boom in the distance. “The signal! Let’s get the Prince!”

“Your compromising my position idiot!” Bastille yelled.

“AND YOU LOVE TO COMPRIMISE MINE!”

“IDIOT!”

“RUTABAGA!”

“NAYSAYER!”

“FRIED CARROT!”

“OATHBREAKER!”

“BOILED CABBAGE!”

“TRAITOR!”

“CELEREY!”

“how is that an insult?”

“It’s not! That’s the point! Now youre an idiot Bastille!”

“No I am not!”

“DUCK!” I yelled.

“that’s not an insult either!”

“The battle’s begun! Flying arrows! Duck!” I yelled, pulling Bastille to the ground.

Both of us started punching and kicking each other, anger bubbling. Arrows streaked overhead, but we were too enthralled in combat with each other we didn’t care. Suddenly, I turned to look at the field. It was a massacre.

We had been so caught up in our silly personal battle that we hadn’t seen the war around us. It was bad. Very bad.

uh-oh... Bastille's yelling insults and Fleck is just yelling vegetables....

-Fleck Cove!