The DragonOrb

Mary/Milo

Mary

We were in sorry shape. Two capable, two injured, one prisoner, and no way of getting food or shelter unless I dared to show who I was and risk the wrath of my wonderful mother. Not only that, but I had the feeling I was being watched as we made our way into the little town. Drake kept trying to liven the mood, even though he was obviously confused and discouraged. As for me, all I had to do was look over at my fiance, and I could find it in me to smile. Unfortunately, that was about to come to an abrupt halt. We'd reached the inn I'd been leading us to.

"I hope you know what you're doing," groaned Milo from the back of the group, where he and Brooke leaned against each other like two sticks in a tepee, ready to fall over any moment. "If I know your mother at all, which I do after working for her for two years, then she'll send soldiers if even a rumor of her precious princess reaches her."

"It'll probably be fine," I said in the bravest voice I could manage. "I know the innkeeper, and besides, if worse comes to worst, you could always disguise me, like you did to yourself."

There was a groan from both Drake and Milo.

"We're not even going to start on the flaws in that plan. Maybe if you disguised yourself . . ."

I looked at Milo. "Sorry. I haven't quite learned that trick yet."

"Then think of another plan B, unless Rogdan can do it."

I looked at Rogdan. He shrugged. "If it comes down to it, sure. But you should probably learn that."

I sighed, shaking my head, and took a deep breath. I pushed through the door, my little band of friends right behind me. I smiled at the innkeeper.

"I need a favor. Could you give me and my friends a room? Maybe keep it quiet? "

He grinned at me. "Of course, Your Majesty. Shall I inform the queen, or . . ."

I smiled sheepishly. "She probably doesn't need to know about this."

He nodded and handed me a key and gave me the directions to the room. I headed upstairs, more than a little bit relieved, and opened a door. The room was empty except for a small wash-basin in the corner. There were no windows, which was a little bit of a relief. I closed the door and locked it behind Brooke and Milo as they came through the door last. They promptly sighed and collapsed against a wall, Milo groaning and Brooke most likely complaining, even though Milo was the only one who could hear her.

Rogdan magically created five chairs, cushioned and everything, and Drake, Rogdan, and I claimed three of them. Milo and Brooke looked at the two remaining chairs and shook their heads in unison, apparently too tired to move even that far. Rogdan shrugged and left them there.

"So," I started. "We have business to attend to. First off, quick formal introductions for our new friend Drake here. I'm Mary, the princess, obviously. This is my fiance Rogdan. This is Milo, who apparently infiltrated the castle two years ago when I 'disappeared' and started building his way up to Captain of the Guard. This is Brooke, an ex-servant of mine, who has been running around saving our armies on the battlefield. Any questions?"

Drake looked at me, then around at everyone else. "So I was right. The four most powerful people in the Seventh Kingdom, and possibly in all of the Seven Kingdoms, and you've been bickering for how long, now?"

"Since yesterday around noon," grunted Milo from where he leaned against the wall.

I nodded, my lips pursed. "You can learn more about histories and such later. Right now, I have to tell you the reason I came back."

I instantly had everyone's attention, and I used that, pulling a scroll out of the bag I'd brought along. The scroll contained only a picture, but it may have been, at that point in time, the most important picture to ever grace the paper of any scroll. It was a picture of the DragonOrb.