When Chaleek and Jieun caught up with the rest of the troupe in the sitting room, they were holding hands and whispering into each other's ear. Rocio and Taeyang seemed to find it cute and endearing. Candle-Eyes thought it was suspicious. Goda gave Chaleek a thumbs up when he thought Jieun wasn't looking, and his brother seemed oblivious as usual. Jieun smiled as she realized she liked their little group of troublemakers.

"I'd hoped we'd all soak and talk," Taeyang grunted as Rocio elbowed his ribs, "but I guess we can get to know each other another time."

Candle-Eyes shook his head and picked at a large ear.

Taeyang leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "We're a day, maybe a day and a half march from the border. After that we'll be in goblin country. Candle-Eyes is the only one of us who's been down there, and he's the one with the contact who will bring us to the treasure. Once we're there, he'll be in charge. If we pull this off, we'll walk away with our biggest score to date."

"How much would that be in gold?" Chaleek asked, his voice low and gruff.

Taeyang's smile faltered. "I figure one hundred-fifty for full-fledged members, and fifty each for you newcomers and Ryo. He still owes from last adventure's advance."

"That doesn't seem fair."

The others seemed perfectly fine with the arrangement.

"Fair?" Taeyang scoffed. "When I was just starting out, the new guys had to be content with whatever they managed to loot."

Rocio and Candle-Eyes nodded in agreement.

"I don't—" Chaleek stopped when Jieun put her hand on his shoulder.

"Why did you run when the royal guard arrived?" she asked. "You pretended it was for our benefit, but you were bolting before you knew they were after us."

Rocio and the brothers turned to their leader. Candle-Eyes studied Jieun.

"We were given a job by a friend of the governor, but, when we returned with the prize, he refused to pay. We waited a week and, when he still refused, we stole the prize and some choice items from his trophy room." Taeyang shrugged. "We thought the authorities had warrants for our heads."

"Instead, they were after you," Candle-Eyes leaned forward, mimicking Taeyang.

Jieun made a show of looking at Chaleek who slowly nodded as if resigned to what was to come... just as Jelani and Kkachi had planned.

"We're spies," she said. "Well not real spies, but we found out something they desperately want to silence." She let the words hang in the air for a few moments, allowing their minds to fill the gap for her. "Princess Durumi is alive."

Candle-Eyes met Rocio's amused gaze and the two laughed.

"Is that it?" Taeyang leaned back, rubbing his stubbled chin. "Everyone knows she and her people were killed by the goblins, but, even if she wasn't, why would that be information worth hiding?"

"The reward," Chaleek answered.

Their body language didn't change, but The Prince had been taught to read people from the moment he could talk. The truth was in their eyes. They saw the bait.

"Lord Jun has a chest of gold and a plot of land for those who return his daughter to him." Jieun lowered her voice so that everyone had to lean in close to hear her words. "The official bounty hasn't been posted yet because he wants the notices to go up at the same time."

Chaleek nudged her with his elbow.

"They're waiting for some group of specialists to come back from the northern border before the offer is made public," he said. "At least that's the rumor Jieun overheard."

"A group from the north..." Candle-Eyes fluttered his ears.

"Ivory and Killjoy?" Taeyang asked.

"No. They're in Bawikyan," Rocio explained.

"Big Game Huntress?"

"Can't be. She only takes payment upfront."

"The Silver Hornets?"

"Dyson's still bedridden. Someone poisoned him with fish glands."

Candle-Eyes chuckled. "Bet he won't steal from us again..."

Jieun didn't recognize any of the names mentioned, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was their interests were piqued. Now all they needed was a little bit of luck and guidance from The Winds.

"It's awfully convenient that you two ended up tagging along south with us," Candle-Eyes' large orbs flashed bright yellow for a moment and his hand casually rested on the hilt of the knife on his hip.

"It wasn't coincidence. You'd already told us where you were heading. Jieun was returning with the information when the guards raided The Warm Feathers."

The goblinoid was skeptical.

"So you want to turn our scavenging expedition into a rescue mission?" Taeyang asked, his face calculating.

"We could do both," Jieun offered.

"Indeed. Do you know where she's being held?"

She pretended to think, hoping she didn't over act and give away her mounting eagerness.

"The royal intelligence says she's being held near something called The Labyrinth."

Candle-Eyes inhaled sharply.

The next morning, Jieun stood in her room window, looking out on the inn's courtyard where Chaleek sparred with Taeyang. She marveled at her little warrior's impressive sword prowess. Jelani must have trained years to master her craft. If she wasn't hiding her full skill, she'd be outright frightening.

Jieun watched Chaleek intently. She'd hoped to dream about Durumi and the goblin maze, to receive direction from The Winds. Instead she dreamt of Jelani. Dream Jelani chose to run away instead of rescuing Durumi. Her fear of her father, Lord Chaka, was too great.

It had only been a dream, but it filled Jieun with unease. The Prince felt a connection with Jelani that frightened him and the idea of losing that bond left a frozen pit in his stomach.

Rocio knocked on the door frame.

"Let's get going, lady. While we walk, I'll show you how to hide those blades properly."

Jieun blushed. The Prince knew how to use a blade, but had no talent in regards to concealing one.

Grabbing her pack, Jieun and Rocio joined the men. Candle-Eyes waited with Strider. The swigong tried to bite Rocio's hand before nuzzling her head and allowing her to take his leash. They lashed their excess supplies to the beast's back and set out.

Taeyang and Rocio took the lead with Candle-Eyes off scouting ahead. Goda walked beside Strider and Ryo brought up the rear. Chaleek and Jieun spoke in whispered tones.

"So now we range into goblin country and save the princess."

"It will be an epic among epics." Jieun bumped Chaleek with her shoulder. "You may not be Sheba, but you'll be remembered as great in your own right."

"Only if they sing of me."

"They will, I'm sure of it."

"The song must reach the ears of my people, and they must accept it. Only then will my honor be restored."

"Honor... but you can't dishonor yourself by stealing your own property."

"But I defied my father, Lord Chaka. There is even greater disgrace in that." Chaleek shook his head. "I'd hoped retrieving lost riches with these ruffians might be enough to begin my epic."

Jieun took his hand. "Your epic began when you escorted a desperate woman through the dangerous Peach Forest. This will be your second chapter."

Chaleek smiled at that. He reached into a side pocket of his pack and produced a beautifully ornate comb carved from a single piece of peach wood. He placed the intricately crafted trinket in her hand. Speechless, Jieun met his eyes, and his stoic mask dropped for a moment.

"I purchased it from one of the old women at The Sacred Hole. The moment I saw it, I thought of you."

"It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

Jieun touched Chaleek's cheek and stopped in her tracks.

"Do you feel that?"

Strider clawed at the dirt and nipped Goda's wrist. The big man barely reacted, his attention drawn by the wall of fog swiftly encircling them. Taeyang drew his sword with a curse and made hand signs in the air. The rest of the troupe spread out, arming themselves as they moved. Their world consisted of fifty feet in every direction, enclosed by a swirling roil of thick cloud.

"That's sorcery," Chaleek whispered. "Stay close to me."

"Where would I go?"

Chaleek spared a glance back at Jieun. "Stop flirting with me." He managed a smirk before becoming deathly serious.

Jieun smiled.

"Incoming!" Taeyang shouted.

A dozen figures in dark forest gear emerged from the brush wielding short curved blades and claws. The lead attacker met the business end of Goda's club and was thrown into two of his peers. Chaleek made a gesture encompassing the East and West Winds then touched Jieun's arm. Magic rushed across her clothes as she vanished. Chaleek shook his hand, his index finger gone to stone, then stepped into the charge of one of their attackers. In two economic strokes, the man bled on the ground at his feet. A second attacker ran right past Jieun, oblivious to her presence. Not wanting to break the concealment spell by touching anyone, she backed away.

I need to give him the extra gloves in my pack.

Taeyang danced past her, an intense look on his face as his wide sword strokes simultaneously defended and struck at three of their attackers at once. Rocio disarmed a woman, then delivered a crippling blow. The woman dropped as a second foe took her place. Goda and Ryo merely overpowered their opponents with monstrous blows that would have made an ogre proud. A man joined the fray late and rushed Chaleek's exposed flank like a silent and deadly shadow. Casting caution to The Winds, Jieun, jumped into his path, tripping the man as she drove a blade into his chest. The concealment spell broke as the man's momentum bore them both to the ground.

She hit her head and for a moment the world was muted shouts and rolling fog. Shaking away the confusion, Jieun allowed Goda to pull her to her feet. Their assailants lay sprawled on the ground, some dead, others unconscious. Jieun recognized some of the faces. There was a sudden swelling of magic and the fog peeled back as if blown away by a giant. Up the road charged four more attackers.

The troupe regrouped, Taeyang and Goda at the front. Jieun moved beside Chaleek, a knife in each hand. She took a deep breath to prepare herself and nearly choked.

"Stand down!" she shouted, pushing her way to the forefront.

The charging warriors skidded to a halt. The leader lowered her mask, revealing a familiar round face with whispered hints of The Jun Family line.

"What are you doing here, Hanni?" Jieun didn't want to blow her cover, but she wasn't going to let her new friends and cousin kill one another.

"One of my agents said these adventurer's left the city with you in their custody."

Hanni swept the troupe with her gaze, her normally kind eyes venomous. The man beside her lifted his own mask and Shin stared back at her. Jieun glanced back at Chaleek. Naturally, he hid his surprise better than she.

"The young lady asked you a question, Captain Kang Hanni," Taeyang said, easing Jieun back.

Hanni and her people raised their weapons at the physical contact.

"You will remain silent, Lieutenant Taeyang, if you hope to leave this place alive." She looked down at the bodies in the dirt. "You've killed agents of Lord Jun."

"One, I am no longer a member of the guard so your authority means nothing to me. Two, These secret police attacked us. We merely defended ourselves."

Hanni glared at him for a moment before Shin whispered something in her ear. Whatever he said made the vein bulge on the side of her skull and Jieun feared she'd attack. Instead, she pointed at Jieun and Chaleek.

"I need to speak with these individuals. Alone.

"Absolutely not. They are members of The Kissing Herons, and they've done nothing wrong."

Goda and Ryo stepped forward, clubs resting effortlessly on their shoulders.

"Stand down, boys," Hanni growled.

"Hi, Hanni." Ryo said, smiling.

Taeyang gave the big man a scathing look.

"Where's Candle-Eyes?" Rocio whispered.

Jieun realized the last time she'd seen him was just before the attack.

"I am on official business," Hanni said.

She flashed her badge, a blackened inversion of the Jun Family crest. Taeyang glanced at Jieun and Chaleek, the slightest hint of concern in his eyes.

The secret police were a branch of The Jun Family's armies consisting of the best of both the elite and royal guards. No one knew who comprised their ranks, but they answered to a counsel of unknown officials and handled matters of national security. Even Prince Kkachi, heir to the Switang throne, knew almost nothing about them.

"Fine. We can talk," Jieun said, stepping out and away from the others. "Alone."

No one argued.

Chaleek and Hanni joined her a few yards down the road, away from prying ears, while Shin and the remaining secret policemen checked on the wounded.

"How did you find me?" Jieun asked.

"Despite what Lord Jun was advised, I know you and I knew you'd run away." Hanni shook her head. "You were always headstrong and foolish. I gave this description to my agents, assuming you might try to disguise yourself."

Jieun brushed strands of hair from her face.

"It's bad enough you ran, but to take the crown princess with you?" Hanni looked at Chaleek. "Lord Chaka is ready to call in his armies and conduct his own search for you."

"That would start a war," Chaleek said, with Jelani's voice.

"Exactly, your highness. That is why the two of you must return with me to Castle Hwipalam."

Jieun raised her chin. "We cannot."

"This is not a game, cousin. People have died looking for you. More people will die if we don't convince Lords Jun and Chaka to stand down."

"We cannot," Jieun repeated.

Hanni looked up the road towards Taeyang and the troupe.

"Do they have something on you? Are they threatening you in some way? I will cut Rocio down for you, cousin."

"Rocio?" The target of Hanni's threat surprised Jieun.

"Yes, Rocio. Their leader. She lets Taeyang do all of the talking, but she formed that party years ago."

The revelation was less shocking than it should have been. Jieun sensed the truth of it.

"They aren't threatening us. They are helping us. We are going to goblin country–"

"Absolutely not!"

"We must. Durumi is there."

"Durumi is dead, no matter how much I wish she were here with us."

"She isn't dead. The Winds have shown me through dreams and a Black Fox has spoken to me."

"A Black Fox? Don't be absurd."

The bushes rustled and a small jet faced fox trotted over to the trio.