*River*

As night begins to fall, we’re given the signal to leave our makeshift camp and start our journey to the rebel base. I don’t like it. We should be heading to Bright Waters, but of course, no one would listen to me. I’m just the spoiled former crown prince, the one everyone wishes were gone. They’d probably trade me with Permiton in a heartbeat, and that’s just if I were lucky. I could have betrayed them, too. At least their disgust with me would be more warranted.

We travel for hours, picking through the harsh terrain by moonlight and dim lanterns. I have to admit, this is part of...