The Thirteenth Princess

A Lead to Follow

I awoke what I imagine to be many days later, in a cold dark room. The floor was grey and stained with things I didn't know, and I'm not sure I wanted to. The walls and ceiling were made of concrete, and the door had noting but a sliding panel, which I assumed opened from the outside. There was a barred window, out of which I could see a flowing growth of trees, and a plethora of buildings strewn across the land below. I was in a cell.

I noticed a pile of papers, which was now spread across the floor. Somebody must have slipped them under the door. I tried to crawl over to them, but every muscle in my body ached. I winced, and picked up the papers, trying not to make much noise as I did so. The writing was small, and incredibly neat. In order, or what I assumed it was, they read;

'You're in the palace dungeon. My sisters took you away.'

'Coming to get you soon'

I could only assume it was Zoe who wrote them.

'My cousin Maria is aiding us in our plan too. You can trust her. She will prepare a horse and help us escape. We lost Casper to the wolves, I'm afraid. I will come and get you at 9:00 Sunday. That is when my family is celebrating Christmas.'

'Change of plans. We're coming tonight. Don't cause a ruckus, don't ask questions. Just follow my lead.'