As the sun settled low in the sky, Lew climbed back up the stairs to the upper deck where it had all finally come to an end.

Well, not all of it, he thought morosely. The real fight starts now.

There, silhouetted against the sunset, stood Luna, her hair waving lightly in the breeze. It was odd, seeing her with her hair down. Somehow it made her seem more fragile, mortal and vulnerable as opposed to the impeccable warrior and leader he knew her so well as. It surprised him, how reasonable that seemed now. Before, it would have been unthinkable, that such a universal force as Princess Luna would seem anything but herself. But one such universal force had changed.

And everything had changed with it.

“A penny for your thoughts, Captain?” came Luna’s quiet voice.

“Just thinking about… everything. And nothing. Life, your Highness,” he said as he took a spot beside her. After a moment, he added, “A few of the pirate captains who retreated have hailed us. Seems Alexander wasn’t the only merchant the Tyrant’s activities pushed to piracy. They’re willing to work for us, in exchange for time in the Navy once the… conflict is over.”

Luna made a silent grunt, but said nothing.

They both stared, quiet, at the sea. The waves were small, even, gently breaking against the steel hull. A calming, staccato rhythm resulted, playing with the light breeze to form a soothing toon. It was an oddly peaceful night, an unnerving close to what had been such a violent day.

“The night comes,” Luna said, breaking their silence. “Ever since I can remember, Captain, I have felt… easier during the eve. Most children fear the dark, but not I. I,” she stopped, idly laughing. “I can remember all the times Father and Mother punished me for staying up past curfew.”

“There’s something I’d never thought I’d hear.”

“I suppose we’ve both been thinking about everything. And nothing.”

Again, silence but for the crashing of the waves, as the last of the sunlight faded and the first stars began appearing overhead.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go to Kvaan, my lady?” asked Lew tentatively. “At least let me go with you…”

“No.” Her reply was certain, but not hard. “You told me, not too long ago, of your fear, Captain.”

“My fear?”

She nodded. “Yes, of having to choose between your duties as a husband and your duties as the Captain of my Guard.”

“Oh. Yes. That.”

She gave him the softest, kindest smile he had ever seen her make, saying, “You do not have to choose, Captain. I’ve made the choice for you. Take the Crystal Chaser, a contingent of the Guard. Go to the northlands and save your wife. I will order it, if need be.”

“I…” Lew stopped, finding the words dying in his throat. He choked back a sob as he felt the cool wind evaporate the tears on his cheeks. “I thank you, my lady. I shall not fail to save the Lady Grania and rally the Torani reserve.”

“There is also that. But save your love, Captain. I think the big Apple and his quest for his sister has proven that to us. It is what makes us strong. Our dearest, strongest connections, bolstering our hearts and uniting us as one.”

Touched by her words, Lew almost missed it. The words between the words, the things unsaid below those lines. “My lady, your sister…”

She turned an eye to him and, this time, he could not miss her own tears. “Sometimes saving the ones you love, Captain, requires that you save them from themselves.” Luna raised a hand and cupped his cheek, softly. “Save her. Succeed. We will need all the good news we can find in the coming days, Captain.”

Lew saluted. “Yes, ma’am. I promise, ma’am.”

“Besides, the warrior, Zecora, will be joining me. She seems to think she owes me some life-debt and must guard mine. So, tomorrow I will take this ship and, with the woman, Gilda, head to Kvaan.”

“Do you think she will remain trustworthy, my lady?” Lew asked, though he wasn’t sure he doubted the deal they had made.

The princess nodded. “I seem to recall seeing some old photos of the current Kvaat Warlord’s children… In particular a daughter.” She laughed at Lew’s shocked face, but cut in before he could speak with, “It will be weeks, or even months, before we meet again. Do not lose your edge. My Guard Captain must be the best of the best, understand me, Lewellyn Shields?”

His back straightening again, Lew replied, “Yes, ma’am!”

Gilda stared at the water, a cigarette long forgotten in her hand as the stars shown overhead. She sighed, unbelieving at the shit she got herself into now. With a scowl, she threw her smoke into tides, watching it float briefly before vanishing from her sight.

“Home, huh?” she muttered to herself, letting a derisive snort out. She rubbed at a bandage, frowning. It looked like her wound was weeping again. It’d need a bandage change. Eventually. With a disgruntled scowl, she turned, intending to head to her cabin. It was gonna be a long couple of days, no doubt about that. And the travel to her home would be the least of her worries. When she was actually back… that’s where the real problem was gonna lay.

“Wait up!” Alice cried from behind, running up to the woman. She looked scruffy, her bow now in an irredeemable state but she herself was no worse for wear.

“Hell you doin’ here?” Gilda asked, cocking her head. “Don’t you got a brother to be with right now?”

Alice scratched the back of her head. “He’s sleeping. They gave him some medicine and it put him under good. He’s fine, though. I jus’ wanted to see ya before I… y’know, went back home.”

Gilda reached to the girl, giving a tussle of her hair. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I reckon I did.” Alice smirked, batting away Gilda’s hand. “And I wanted to say thanks, too. You never had to look at for me. But ya did, and I think you’re the reason why I’m still here. I still don’t really know why you watched over me but I guess that doesn’t matter anymore.” She smiled, lightly punching Gilda’s arm. “You’re kinda like family now. Even if Mac might not agree with me.”

“Just don’t even think about doing it again, you little shit,” Gilda retorted. “I might not be so nice next time.” She returned the smirk, clasping Alice’s shoulder. “Guess that’s all that needs said, huh?”

“Not everything,” Alice said, her smile fading. “You’re goin’ back home now, right?”

“I guess. That asshole wants me back there, so…” She wryly smiled. “Don’t have much say in the matter.”

“You’re gonna be okay, right?”

“I’ve been through worse.” She scratched a cheek. “Though Lew might not be so keen on the whole diplomatic approach when he finds out some stuff about me.” Gilda offered a smile that was at least an attempt to be genuine. “But hell, you don’t worry your head, kid. Something’ll work out.”

“I just wanna know if I’ll see ya again,” Alice said, rubbing her arm.

Gilda paused, the silence the only noise between the two for minutes, before she reached down into a pocket, producing a weathered gold coin. She squatted down to Alice’s level. “See this thing?” She gave a small shake of it. “This is my most favorite thing in the world. Grandpa stole it off a Torini soldier he killed during a skirmish. Dad had it, now me.” She reached forward, taking Alice’s palm and putting it in. “I’m gonna want it back. Just have it ready when I knock on your door one day.”

Alice blinked, staring down at the coin in her hand. “Are ya sure…? This is a family heirloom. Your family heirloom, ya gotta keep it with ya!”

“All the more reason you should have it until I want it back.” Gilda rubbed at her neck. “It just gives me a reason not to get my dumb ass killed over there.”

The girl laughed quietly, gripping the coin tightly as she stepped forward to give Gilda a hug. “Gonna miss you. You and ya dirty mouth.”

Gilda scoffed but returned the hug regardless. “Watch yourself, Alice.”

Zecora watched from beside a crate as the captain and his princess talked. She had no interest in eavesdropping, rather, she had simply decided to escape the relative stuffiness of the ship’s interior and take in the night sky, but overheard the two engaged in what seemed to be deep conversation. So she stood, leaning her arms onto a crate, and drunk deeply into the late evening ambiance.

Her tribe came to her thoughts. Though she considered herself a better leader than the man she left in charge, she knew he had what made a leader: a good arm and a better heart. He’d do fine until her return. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. A hunt far greater than one she had ever experienced before.

And, judging by the sounds of footsteps approaching her, her prey was finally out in the open for her to stalk.

Slowly, clearly lost in his own thoughts, Lew descended the outer steps from the upper deck to the lower. His hands were in his pockets--he was unarmed. And, very quietly, he seemed to be humming a soft tune to himself.

Zecora rose to a stand, giving him a small nod. “A beautiful evening, isn’t it, Lew? The shorthand of your name—may I use it with you?”

Lew was impressed that he barely jumped at all. But he knew it was a testament to how concerned he was at his future mission. He returned her nod. “I consider you a friend, Zecora. So of course.”

She smiled at him, bringing two fingers up to her neck and giving a small bow. “We fought together, that is true. I consider you a friend too.” She gave a tilt of her head after a moment. “A victory was ours today. How many losses, by the way?”

The young man shook his head, his expression turning dark. “Too many. But thankfully few… The medic’s are twenty-four-seven with the injured, though.”

“It’s a number that could be less, but I believe we all did our best.”

“My men do good work,” Lew agreed. “They are the best of the best.”

“Your men are good, I will not deny.” She offered a sweeping hand to the woman still watching the water. “Your queen holds a power too, of which you all imbine.”

“The Orleiths are… something special,” he said slowly. “Bigger than life, y’know?”

Zecora chuckled. “A presence like hers cannot be unseen. It is no wonder she is your queen.”

Looking at the woman standing stock still, backdropped by the endless stars, he shook his head. “As amazing as she is, powerful, impressive, and any other word you might care to name… She wouldn’t have any of us call her queen. She is our leader, our princess, but never that.”

“A queen is a leader that is right to rule. Why a princess, if I may ask of you,” Zecora remarked.

“It’s somewhat difficult to explain,” he started. “But the word… It’s important. The title, it has deliberate meaning. It always has, in our history. And now... “ Lew let out a long, slow sigh. “Our enemy, back home? It’s our queen. Luna’s sister, Celestia. But it goes deeper than that. The… shock at her betrayal--none of us could have seen it coming. Pain like that…” He shook his head sadly, looking back at Luna. “Even though she betrayed everything it stood for, for us, there could be no queen but Celestia. For Luna, even more so.”

Zecora stared once more at the woman’s back. “A family’s betrayal… so vengence is her goal, her grail.”

“No,” Lew said sharply. Then, more softly, “No, it’s not revenge. For Luna--for any Orlaith--it’s duty, responsibility. To the name, the title, and to our people.”

“Duty, I see…” Zecora trailed off, crossing her arms. “Lew, may I ask for you to leave us be?”

The captain shrugged. “I’m off to get some sleep, anyway. Goodnight, Zecora.” He said this last as he left, waving a hand.

The woman offered a hand in return, then approached the princess quietly, not masking her stride, but not announcing it. She joined Luna wordlessly, sitting by the woman and simply observing the view.

Luna gave her a sidelong look. Then she grinned wickedly. “I suppose I should not be surprised. There really is no such thing as a quiet spot on a ship. Not that I mind the company.”

“The village was much the same. Children are the issue, I would claim.” Zecora said, smiling. Her expression died a bit, but she still kept as much of a hopeful expression as she could. “Your men fought, many to the last breath. Have you performed their rights to let them pass onto death?”

Her brow furrowing, Luna said, “Every Guard unit has an attached priest of Elondrie. For those interested, we of course see through their wishes. For my part, I have had little to do with religious matters. It has never much appealed.”

“I understand what you say. For my part, I will remember them, in my own way.” She took in a slow breath, taking in the view once more, before adding on, “The panther they follow still stands tall. It will take much more than that for you to fall.”

“One can only hope. It is, after all, what my entire life has revolved around.” Luna’s voice was low, as if from a great distance.

“Being the one that they look to… tell me, Luna, does it trouble you?” Zecora asked, lowering her own voice to match the woman’s.

The princess let out a quick snort. “An Orleith is born and raised to such lofty stations. And yet… I was the younger sister, so it was never my destiny to rule. So it is somewhat disconcerting, I readily admit. I do not mind it, but could well do without.” She laid a hand to a dagger at her belt. “This is all I truly wish out of life. To fight, to struggle. And to win.”

“That I can understand, at least. To struggle is indeed the nature of the beast,” Zecora said. She turned her gaze away from the sunset, to focus on Luna’s face. “It, perhaps, might make me sound like a fool, but I believe fully in your ability to rule.” Giving a nod towards where Lew stood moments ago, she added, “I’ve seen how you care for your men. Like a mother wolf within her pups’ den.”

“Coming from you,” Luna replied, smiling, “that is a true compliment. You honor me, Zecora. But for them it is easy, yes? They earn good leadership through good work. For an entire nation? Well, I have been trained, if not fully groomed for it. I have traveled all across the North, experiencing firsthand the nature of politics and governance.

“But, for example, as with a new weapon… One can study and practice the use of it, know everything there is about it. But the true test will always come when facing down your opponent. So until I am victorious and standing in front of that throne…” She let out a small sigh. “I will succeed, despite the uncertainty. That is who Luna Orleith is.”

“And that is who you will be.” She chuckled. “Part of how you interest me.” She rose, moving to the ship’s railing and resting her arms against it. “My blood-debt is part of why I leave this land. But I also want to sing a duet that’s grand.” Once more came the laugh, this one a hair self-conscious. “Perhaps that is the wrong word. Your people’s speech leaves my tongue absurd.”

Taking a place right next to Zecora, she placed a hand along the tribal woman’s shoulder before bringing it back to touch her own chest. “You and I are persons of action. I have had trouble with Torani myself, if the difference between Captain Lewellyn’s speech and mine own was not obvious enough. Talking with you is liberating, relaxing, but…” She gave a wink. “It grows late, and our journey begins tomorrow. For tonight, perhaps we could take our conversation in a more active format?”

“For all the words that come from your lips, the best truth does indeed come from your hips,” Zecora answered, running a finger down Luna’s cheek.

“It will be a long journey,” Luna said, taking gentle hold of Zecora’s hand. “Much time for hips and lips in ample measurements. The night has always been my favorite--but I feel my love for it growing as we speak.”

With that the pair headed away, eagerness touching on their steps, pushing them forward faster and faster as they retreated to Luna’s cabin. Left behind were the sorrows of the battle, the fears of the future. The waves rolled on, the ship rocked its inhabitants gently to sleep as the stars twinkled in a clear night sky.

The night sky was dark and thick with cloud cover, the fresh powder covering the landscape testament to the results. The first of the winter snows had been little over a week ago, but it had scarcely let up in that time. It was going to be a long, harsh winter.

But for the moment, the snow had taken a pause. Even the clouds were beginning to thin in places, breaking loose in the chilled, biting winds. The darkness that had hung like a funeral pall before now broke into a stunning brilliance, the full moon’s light free to showcase the wintry scenery below. It was painful, in its beauty, in its intensity, and in the memories it brought back.

Memories of free and happy days. Memories that seemed much more a dream, never to return and end the nightmare that was her life.

She let the curtains fall, blocking the gorgeous view but also the ugly bars that crisscrossed the window. That was her nightmare--the falsity of it all. The room was richly decorated, finely furnished. Her meals were excellent, though she hardly touched them.

But it was all false. A lie, a sham. It was a prison and had been for all too long now.

Cadence slammed a hand against the gracefully carved bedpost. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last. She felt so stupidly helpless.

And it wasn’t the first time it had happened.

That’s what irritated her the most. Growing up, she had hated stories of the damsel in distress. The princess awaiting her prince to be rescued. Yes, there was a certain adorableness to it, emphasizing the femininity and how males liked to beat on their chests in defense of the one they loved. But taking it to the extreme as all those old stories did, that the woman was literally just a trophy for a man to win.... That had always infuriated her.

And yet here she was, a prisoner again, feeling absolutely powerless to change anything. Not that she hadn’t tried.

She pounded the post again. But that was only part of the problem, of course, she reminded herself. Though she hated the fictional concept of it, she was enamored by the fact that her husband was indeed a knight in shining armor when it came to her safety. The fact that she knew he had to be on his way hurt. In longing. In fear.

They had been apart for so long, since the world had gone crazy. She missed him. How terribly she missed him.

She could still remember, the day he had been declared a traitor, along with Luna and her entire Guard regiment. She hadn’t slept for three straight days, not until the news that they had taken a ship and left for parts unknown. That was when she knew: He had to be on the way to save her.

Taking a seat on the bed, she rubbed at her temples in frustration. The last time she had been held captive by the Shadow of Sombra cult, they had hounded her with questions near constantly. But this time, nothing. She had been escorted here, confused as to what was going on, then told in no uncertain terms that she was their prisoner. Again.

And that had been it. It still baffled her. The entire cult had been accounted for, all dead or captured thanks to her husband’s sister and their friends. So how had they come back? And what were they after?

Something told her she needed to find out, before Lew saved her. And if they weren’t going to give her the opportunity to learn… Well, she was no damsel. She could make her own opportunities.

She rose again, sliding the curtains aside completely. The landscape of the north stretched on. Hauntingly beautiful. Deceptively dangerous. Somewhere, across those snowy plains and forests, on the other side of the ocean, she could sense her husband’s presence. It was silly, she knew, but still. Her heart couldn’t lie.

“Lew…” she whispered. “Get here soon. Or I might just try something really stupid.”

The room bore no response as she stood there, watching the clouds blow back in. Soon, it was dark and snowing again. Slowly burying her deeper and deeper in her velvet prison.