Oh! I-I came here completely by mistake! I mean, it wasn’t a mistake, I wanted to come here! I-I wanted to come by to just look around and maybe… maybe see your flag?

I’ve just walked past it so many times whenever I go to my room, a-and I really liked how the sun makes it shine! It’s so bright and pretty.

My flag, huh? Well, I’ve heard through the grapevine that Caroline and Dusk were going to get you one of your own, is that right?

Yes! I’m going to be getting one just like yours, and I want to hang it up so the light shines on it too! Mama Caroline and I are going to get the black, yellow, and purple one to share!

But she said I get to hang it up wherever I want! I’m getting them for my birthday next week! *Giggle*

That’s pretty exciting, Atticus! If you want, I can help you hang them up. *light laugh* I don’t think you’re quite tall enough to reach the top of the walls yet.

There you are, you speed demon! *Sigh* I turn my back for three seconds and you vanish.

Hey mama! I was just talking to Sharp about our new flags for my birthday! Are you excited? I know I'm excited!

That’s awesome, sweetheart! How about you head back to our room, okay? Show me just how fast your little red legs can go. I’ll meet you there in a minute.

Okay! Count starts now! Bye Sharp, see you soon! 60, 59, 58, 57, 56....

I apologize if they disturbed your focus at all. They’ve just been talking about how cool your decor is and I knew it was only a matter of time until they got more and more nosy.

Oh no! They weren’t a bother at all! I could tell Atticus was excited, and you know how kids are when they have their minds set on something. They’re a very sweet kid, trust me.

Well, I’m glad. I’m sure it made little Attie’s day talking to you. I’ll see you around, Sharp, I better head back before they vanish yet again.

See you around, Caroline.

*Lunis sighs*

Hey Jack? How are you doing?

I just wanted to stop by and ask if… if you’d be up to tell me what happened yet?

I know you said you didn’t want to tell me until you were ready, but it’s been a few days, and I’m starting to get a little worried.

Alright. I understand.

I did bring you something, though.

I know you haven’t left this spot or eaten anything since we’ve gotten back, so I figured this would help.

Please let me know if I can do anything for you.

*Commotion heard outside*

Jackson! Get up!

*Jackson growls*

*Apollo growls, annoyed*

Good grief, come on! Get up! The time to lay around is over!

*Jackson grunt*

*Groan* What’s the deal?!

First of all, you gotta clean yourself up big guy, you look like you were just thrown around in a tornado.

Thanks, buddy.

Haven’t you heard? General Dusk wants all soldiers to report to the castle. That means you too, in case you’ve missed the memo.

Yeah, clearly. Is something going on?

Dusk spotted Cursed spies sniffing around earlier today. She sent out spies to investigate and they found the Cursed army advancing towards the border.

Apollo. How many days has it been since you found me with my eye scar?

Why does it matter? We need to get moving!

Please, just answer me!

*frustrated grunt* It’s been three days, Jackson!

It’s been three days? I’ve completely lost track of time! Oh man, oh no… this isn't good...

I’ll follow up with him about that later…

We’ve confirmed that Ares has planned an offensive attack on the Kingdom of Thorns. Your mission is to keep us informed of their exact location. I need to know how close they are.

Move!

Queen Hesia, King Augustus, please listen to me. It is not wise at all for either of you to enter the battlefield. Both of you must stay here under the protection of your knights and guards.

With all due respect, General, this is not our first battle.

But our last battle was ages ago, sir! You are not as agile as you once were.

Dusk, I am only going to say this once. I will not let my citizens think I am using them as puppets while I sit comfortably in my castle.

I’ve fought with my soldiers since I was a princess, and I have no intention of stopping now.

Do you not have faith in us, general? The Kingdom of Thorns fight as one, and we fight together. We will march into battle with our soldiers.

But!

Sometimes I think you’re the only thing keeping me sane anymore, Caroline.

You’re doing amazing, Duskie. Don’t let my brother’s stubbornness get to your head– Hesia’s too. We will all be safe. Your soldiers are more than prepared.

I still worry for them, how can I not? It’s been so long since the last battle. What if I fail them?

You worry because you care. I have faith in you, and so do they. Good luck out there, you’ll do fantastic. Remember, I love you.

You better not come back from this fight covered in injuries.

Ah, but who else would keep you on your toes as much as I do, huh?

Oh, so that’s how you refer to it? Keeping me on my toes?

Uh huh!

You know, you may not realize it now, but one of these days you’ll be thanking me for how much I stop by.

We’ll see, Apollo.

Seriously though, be careful out there. I’ve only been head medic for a few months but I’ve seen some pretty nasty stuff.

I… I’d really hate to see you like that.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were genuinely concerned about me!

Well, it’s a good thing you know better then, right?

Apollo!

Be careful.

I will.

Oops! Sorry! Didn’t mean to bump into ya!

It’s all good, Attie, go find Caroline, alright? We don’t want to see you peeling out on the frontlines just yet.

*Giggle* Ok Lunie! Good luck!

Since the day my aunts adopted them they’ve been a ball of energy. I don’t know how anyone in that family gets any sleep. *laugh*

Lunis. I-I really don’t even know where to begin. But out of the million things racing through my head right now, the biggest is how sorry I am.

I’m so sorry for everything I must have put you through these last few days. How scared you must have been for your safety. How concerned you must have been with what little I told you. If I were you, I would be terrified out of my mind!

I know it’s not an excuse for how I’ve been acting, but things have been… so hard. I can’t even explain how much my life has been flipped upside down, and how helpless I’ve felt.

I-I’ve been lost inside my own head, sulking in my pain, which probably just made it worse. These last few days have completely gotten away from me.

I didn’t even realize how much time has passed until Apollo forced me out.

My behavior hasn’t been fair to you. At all. And I see that now.

But, if it’s okay with you, I’d really…really like to make it up by fighting by your side today. When this is over, I’ll tell you everything.

Apology accepted. I’d be honored to fight with you.

OW! Apollo!

Come on you two! We have to head out, we can’t be the last ones outside! Get your butts in gear!

Well well well! Look at you, Vivian! That’s some smart strategy, I would have never guessed to mask myself in river clay. I couldn’t even smell you when you were coming up here. I gotta say, I’m impressed!

It’s the bare minimum, don’t get too cocky. Spies are supposed to mask their scent.

When have we ever had a spy cover their scent more than lavender? Pardon me for being impressed by her wit!

If it were Jackson, we’d be hearing nothing but praise.

Speaking of which, he’s one of our biggest threats now. While I have faith that my talk with him scared him enough, he could very well be out on the battlefield today.

If he’s as smart as you think he is, he’ll stay out of it.

You don’t give that kid enough credit, Vivian, he’s stronger than you take him for.

You could take a couple of notes from him.

Ares!

I go out of my way to go above and beyond, yet I’m still overshadowed! Jackson this, Jackson that, Jackson, Jackson Jackson,

when I’m right here!

Oh, cut the dramatics, Vivian! Just shut up and do what you’re told, would you?

Are you freaking kidding me?! Alright, you want to see strong, dad? That’s what you care about? Fine! I'll show you strong!

No! God damnit! Stay back, stay back! Stop charging, you idiots!

Ares, just let them go! We were about to enter anyway–

Shut it, Vixy! Don’t you dare defy my commands! Look at what this moronic brat has done, she could have just compromised this whole mission!

*angry grunt* Go out there and reassemble the offensive lines!

NOW!

Hold your formation!

Hi fellas! Nice night, isn’t it?

I find it rather amusing that you chose to fight instead of staying inside your castle. What, do you have a death wish?

Oh, the glory I’ll get when I tell King Ares that I killed the Queen!

Grah!!

You aren’t worth my time, Queenie. I’ll let Ares handle you.

I wouldn’t count on it, darling. Run along before you get hurt.

Oh, thank god you’re here. I need help, my leg, I-I think the tendons were cut. I can’t move my foot at all. Please, Rowan.

What a pity. Sure makes my job easier, though.

What...?

I-I think we’re far enough away from the fight. Are you taking me to a safer spot?

If you want to put it like that, yeah.

Rowan? You're getting pretty close! Could you move back?

Rowan? Rowan?!

*Scream*

You-you’re a spy! You just murdered that Thorn soldier!

Someone help!! Help!!

Help me! Someone help me!

Nobody can hear you. The ravine covers your screams.

*Panicked crying and yelling*

Stay together, you bunch of cowards! *angry grunt*

Don’t let them get that close to me again. You’re getting sloppy.

This will be too easy.

*Hesia yells*

Hesia won’t be able to resist coming to her wounded husband’s aid. Two birds with one stone.

Hey! You two! Watch my back, I’m getting the King.

Your wife is hiding up in the trees! Please, I’d be honored to help bring you to her!

No, I’m fine. I can get myself to a medic, thank you.

No, I insist, your majesty, it’s the right thing to do!

I don’t need any help! Please, devote your efforts elsewhere, lass. I’ll be alright.

I’ve been a King for a long time, and a soldier for even longer. Take one more step near me and I’ll have no choice but to defend myself.

What will your wife think when she finds your broken, bloody body all alone in the woods? Will she blame herself for not being there for you?

*Augustus grunts in pain*

Do you regret fighting today? Do you feel fear knowing Hesia, Lunis, and Apollo won’t make it tonight?

That you won’t be there to protect them while I rip them apart next?

Keep my family’s names out of your mouth!

I’ll admit, this is going to be so fulfilling for me, Augustus. You and your family are responsible for making my life a nightmare.

*Vivian growls*

Your comeuppance is long overdue, your Highness.

Wait! That voice…

I-I know you, I met you a few months ago! You’re Iris’ little girl! You graduated with my children! I… thought you were their friend! Don’t do this, Vivian.

*Sly Laughter* Friend! I’m sure they still believe that. Seems stupidity runs in the family.

*Augustus cries out in pain*

*Vivian grunts* *Augustus cries out in pain*

*Impact grunt* We can’t hold them anymore! Go, before they get to you!

*Augustus whimpers in anguish*

*Vivian grunts*

Where did she go?! *Frustrated grunt*

Of course, Jackson chickened out, now I have to clean up his mess.

Stay right where you are, Vivian.

*Vivian laughs, cold and calculated*

I did it, Jack. It took me far longer than I’d care to admit, but I did it.

Did what, Vivian?

You’re a hell of a thorn in my side, Jackson, but I’ll give you some credit. You aren’t the worst Thorn cat I’ve ever had to come to blows with.

What did you do, Vivian?

Get out of my way and I’ll spare you this one time. Lunis is the one I want. She’s the one I can’t stand.

Don’t you dare smile in my face and belittle her!

*They both growl at each other*

She’s such a fake. Especially the ‘sweet little princess’ act. Her smile, her laugh… it's all an appearance. A charming tactic meant to fool citizens.

It clearly worked on some better than others, didn't it?

What the fuck are you implying?

Don’t think I never noticed how much time you spent with her and her pint-sized little stooge of a brother. I’ve seen how you act around them.

You’re so… gullible.

You left our family, me, for her. What do you hope to get out of it? A little girlfriend? Huh, Jacky?

You’re the one that left, Vivian. I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth.

Oh, so quick to blame, Jack! What will she think when she finds out that you knew about the attack and said nothing? You could’ve saved him, you know?

Saved who? What did you do?

But after all this is over, if you and she survive that is, you’ll have something to bond over.

Think of it as a gift!

God damnit, tell me!

I figured, she broke our family so I broke hers.

You ran away from your dad, so… what's the harm in taking hers away?

Fight me, Jackson, hit me! Hit me! I dare you! You’ve already replaced me, what's the harm in giving me a few scratches for all I’ve put you through?

*Jackson grunts in pain*

Hurt me, Jack, maim me! I’ll kill her if you don’t stop me, I’ll kill everyone!

*Vivian laughs manically while fighting tears*

You don’t deserve this curse at all! I was supposed to get it, not you!

You’re ashamed of it! The least you could do is give it to me, after everything you put me through!