"Take Lady Margravitz to her tent." The king's voice jerked my eyes away from the tent entrance where my father had just disappeared. Lady. The new title seemed strange to my ears. A guard gripped my shoulder, forcefully but gently, quite unlike how the guards had previously handled me. I guess I was someone important now. He guided me out of the tent, through the maze of all the other tents. Lose sand slid through my sandals and in between my toes as we walked. Finally, we came to a stop in front of a plain brown tent. How the guard knew this one was mine, I had no idea, because it looked exactly the same as all the other tents we had passed. He released my shoulder and prodded me inside, but remained outside the entrance. It felt nice to have my own personal space.

It wasn't too personal however, as there was a girl standing inside the tent. The only furnishings was a bed and a small wooden table accompanied by a single chair. The girl stood between the two pieces, hands folded neatly in front of her. She was a pretty thing, tall and slim, with skin as pale as the moon itself. She wore a light, airy dress the color of butter that showed off her shoulders and the splatter of freckles there. She had a well-rounded face, dainty features. More freckles stretched across her nose under a pair of the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Her hair reminded me of the red hot flames in the center of Papa's forge, and the thought sent a stab of loneliness through me. I hastily looked away, down at the table, where a platter of food and jug of water stood. I didn't walk any farther into the tent.

"Who are you?" I asked warily.

"Apologies, my lady," she said in a musical voice, dipping into a curtsey. The slightest of blushes touched her pale cheeks. "My name is Ava. The king has assigned me to be your maid."

"Maid? Why would I need a maid?"

Ava smiled patiently. "All court lords and ladies have attendants, maids, squires, or servants. Usually more than one. We change bed sheets, help dress, fetch meals, empty chamber pots, and deliver letters, anything you require."

"I don't know how I feel about having a maid," I said uncertainly. I had spent my entire life doing things for myself. I didn't need someone to do them for me.

"Don't think of me as a maid," she said, taking a small step towards me. "Think of me as your confidant. You are being thrust into a world that you don't understand. I can help you." She suddenly looked down, seeming bashful. "Dare I say that some court ladies view their maids as friends."

"Is that what you want? To be my friend?"

"I will be anything you want me to be. I am here to serve, my lady."

I shuffled nervously. "Well if you want to be my friend, then my name is Nakida, or Kida. None of this 'lady' business."

"As you wish... Kida." My name on her tongue sounded sweet. "Would you liked something to eat?"

"Would I," I said, making my way towards the table. Gods save me, there was fresh meat on my plate, which looked like it may have been made of silver. Rarely did we get fresh meat in the camp. There was also some leafy greens that I couldn't identify, and half a potato. Steam rolled off it, melting the slab of butter, which was another thing I rarely got to enjoy. Ava poured some water from the jug to a silver goblet and stepped back.

"I'll see if I can find you some clothes for the morning." And with another curtsy, she was gone.

I ate in silence, pondering the turn my life had taken. Just days ago, I was afraid I was going to be sent to my death. Now, I'll be on my way to court, a newly appointed lady, living in those stories my mother used to tell me. I still didn't know what the king wanted from me, so I would have to tread carefully. If he was serious about getting me tutors and helping learn and understand my magic, I could use that to my advantage.

I took a small sip of water. After days without it, water was the most blissful thing I could have received. Remembering that I no longer had to ration my water, I drained the goblet and poured myself another, draining that one too. On my third cup, I finally felt like I had enough. Looking at the water, I was overcome by the realization that I didn't have to hide my magic anymore. The circumstances could have been better, but I could practice my magic freely now. With that in mind, I set the goblet back on the table and raised the water from it. The magic flowed through me, temporarily erasing all my fear and sorrow. It felt good to swirl the water around the tent knowing that I couldn't get in trouble for it. Ava reentered, carrying a bundle of clothes. She stopped when she saw the water, but instead of fear on her face, there was wonder.

"Wow," she breathed, following the water with her eyes. "That's amazing."

"You aren't scared?" I asked her, remembering those few lords who had made the sign to ward evil when they saw my abilities.

"Why would I be? Water is amazing. Water is the driving force of nature. We could not live without it any more than we could live without air." A burst of wind rocketed around the tent, playfully chasing my water as it continued to dance though the air.

"You're an air user." I didn't frame it as a question, but Ava nodded. The wind died down and I slid the water back into my goblet. "I've never seen a magic user outside the Imperial Army."

"There are quite a few of us, especially in the city." Talk of our journey to the capital silenced me. I picked at the rest of my food until Ava asked if I was done and removed the plate. "You should get some rest." She set the clothes down on the table as she removed the platter. "The king says we leave at down."

I stared at the bed. It was similar in size to mine back at home, but instead of being made from straw, there was an actual mattress. Slowly, I walked over to it and sat down, marveling at the softness. Ava smiled at me before departing. I lay back on the bed, staring at the top of the tent. I didn't think I would fall asleep, but my body was weary and had other ideas. I awoke to Ava standing over me, looking exactly as she had the day before.

"It's time to wake up, Kida," she said gently. "We will be leaving soon."

Light was starting to creep into my tent with the rising sun. I was surprised by how refreshed I felt, and instantly hated myself for feeling that way. I was about to leave everything I knew and loved behind. I would trade all the comforts in the world to stay behind. I shouldn't be enjoying them. Ava held up the clothes she had brought, a lose tunic and a pair of trousers that fit like a second skin. She also had me trade my sandals for boots and gave me a pair of gloves. With a brush she had brought with her, Ava gently brushed the tangles from my hair and braided it away from my face, reminding me painfully of Khalie. I hadn't gotten to say goodbye to her. After assuring me that my things had been collected from my house to come with us, Ava rushed off to place my dirty clothes and sandals with them. I stood alone in the tent, picking nervously at my new clothes. They were optimal for desert life, so I was confused about why I had to wear it. Once I stepped outside, I understood why.

Ava had returned and was standing next to a large brown horse. He was saddled, with a guard holding the reigns steady, and clearly meant for me. I stopped short, staring. Ava cupped her hands and crouched, looking at me expectantly.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Ava faltered a bit. "You've never ridden a horse?" Then she blushed. "Of course you haven't. I am so sorry, my lady." I was about to protest the whole "my lady" part, but Ava shot a meaningful look at the guard and then launched into an explanation about basic riding that I only understood half of.

She cupped her hands again, and this time, I stepped into it. She hoisted me up with surprising strength and just a touch of air magic. I swung my leg over the side of the horse a little too hard and promptly flung myself off the other side. I landed with an "oomph" in the sand, cushioned slightly by a burst of Ava's magic. The horse snorted and shied away as Ava rushed around to help me up. She turned her laugh into a cough, but I could see the amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Try again," she urged. Rubbing my sore backside, I tried once more, and this time succeeded in settling myself into the saddle. I gripped the reigns like Ava showed me, feeling vastly uncomfortable. While I had attempted to mount my horse, another set of servants had come and taken down my tent with quiet efficiency.

Ahead of me, I heard a shot to move out, and as one, the group began to move forward. Ava gripped my horse's bridle and led it forward, so all I had to do was stay seated. I looked down at her. "Don't you get a horse?" She shook her head. "What if I demanded you had one?"

"It would be your right," Ava chuckled. "But I hardly think the king would be accommodating. Besides, I think its best I stay down here to guide you." I couldn't argue with that.

As my horse began to move forward, I swiveled in my saddle so hard that I almost fell off again, just so I could get a last look at Syncoy and my life as I knew it.

*******

Later that night, when we stopped for camp, I realized how much cooler the air was. According to Ava, we were still another day or so away from leaving the Southern Sands altogether, but already, the air wasn't as dry. The sand dunes had begun to level out, leaving nothing but an endless sea of flat sand. I had remained quiet for most of the ride, thinking about home. I had continued to look behind me until Syncoy was swallowed up by the desert. Once it was out of sight, I was lost in my own thoughts, too overcome by homesickness to engage in conversation.

Once we had stopped, servants bustled around, raising tents and starting fires to cook the night's meal on. While Ava hold the horse still, I ungracefully dismounted. "Ow," I huffed as I landed. My legs were sore from riding all day, and though the gloves had protected most of my hands, I could tell they were going to blister too.

"You'll get used to it," Ava said, seeing me wince.

A tent for me had already been set up, so we slipped inside. It looked exactly the same as yesterday. "I'll get you some supper."

"Can we eat outside?" I asked suddenly, looking around my sparse surroundings.

Ava gave me a small smile. "Of course," she said and disappeared.

Rubbing my sore muscles, I stepped outside, looking around. The sky was fading from orange to purple as the sun set, and the camp was a flurry of activity, ignoring the beauty before them. I sat on the ground, removing my boots and digging my toes in the sand. Leaning against one of the poles holding up my tent, I watched the sun set until Ava returned.

She was carrying a bowl that looked like it contained some sort of steaming stew. I noticed that she only had one bowl for me, and none for herself. "Won't you join me?" I asked, accepting my bowl from her.

She brightened considerably. "Can I?"

"Are you not allowed?"

She blushed. "No, I can if I'm asked, I just wasn't sure if you would allow it."

"I thought we were going to be friends?" She smiled at me, and I returned the gesture for the first time in days. She scrambled off to find a bowl of her own and then joined me, settling beside me in a flurry of skirts. "This is nice," I said, sipping at my stew. It was surprisingly good.

"It is," Ava said.

I turned my gaze to the sky, where the first twinkling stars were starting to appear. Seeing my gaze, Ava said, "Is this why you wanted to eat outside?"

I nodded. "I love the night sky. When I was little, my mother and I would sit outside and she'd make up stories for all the stars."

"I'm sure she's going to miss that."

I looked down. "She died when I was six."

"Oh." Ava looked down. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." This was a new voice, a male voice, warm and rich. I looked up to see none other than the crowned prince standing over us. Ava hastily jumped to her feet and bowed. I followed more slowly, not bothering to hide my scowl. In the fading light, the prince's brown hair took on a golden hue. His eyes were and endless sea of brown, much lighter than his father's cold gaze. There was a spark in them that the king seemed to lack. I instantly liked him better than the king, but I still wasn't ready to be too friendly. His family, after all, was the main cause of all my problems. "I don't think we have been properly introduced. I am Prince Draxton."

"Your Highness," Ava said. I only nodded my head.

"It must have been a terrible thing," the prince said, "to see your mother die at a young age and then grow up without her."

"I didn't see her die," I said hotly. "The guards dragged her away in the middle of the night and then returned the next morning with her pile of charred bones for us to bury. They let no one witness the execution."

"Oh." Prince Draxton had the decency to look ashamed. "In any case, I am sorry for your loss. I know that won't make up for what cruelties my family has put you through, but my father has ordered me to be your magic instructor when we return to the city, so we will be spending a lot of time with each other. I hope we can be friends, my lady."

"Unlikely," I said darkly.

Prince Draxton didn't look offended by my declaration. He simply offered me a bow and farewell, nodding to Ava as he passed. "Private lessons with the prince, how exciting," Ava said once he was out of earshot.

"Yes," I said blandly. "How exciting."

Ava patted my arm sympathetically as we sat back down and resumed our meal. My stew suddenly tasted bland. I glanced in the direction the prince had gone, a pit of dread settling in my stomach.