The sun was not yet up, but Idris was already putting his weapons in all the hidden places. He wanted to be ready for everything, even if he would lose his life in the process. She was worth it, she was the future of this kingdom and he wanted to help her. He was not the only one that was already awake, the most of his men were too restless to even go to sleep. And there was Sennay who had spent the night with his sweetheart. Something he himself wanted to do with Zeudi, but he had seen how angry she was after their kiss, which he completely understood. So he thought it was wise to give her some space. He heard a door opening and some light footsteps in the hallway, was she trying to escape? There was only one way to find out, he walked over to his door and opened it. She was sneaking down the staircase, her sword wrapped in a leather band, hang on her waist. He didn't say anything, he just followed her. She stepped outside through the backdoor, so maybe she wanted to take a bath before going on the road. But she stopped in the middle of the garden, pulled out her sword and started to do some passes. He smiled, interesting they were making themselves ready to go, and she is heading his words.

"Practice, every day."

He watched her as she moved, it was just like a dance. Her movement sometimes a bit uneven and wonky, but still it was not how she did it. It was that she practiced, maybe their daughter... wait what? Their daughter? If he was lucky enough to be her consort and if they were lucky enough to get a daughter, he would personally teach her the way of the sword. And their son, again if they were lucky to get one, would learn how to take care of the people. He got that this was the way that things were done, but maybe it was about time to change them. In his mind, it was indeed not fair that only the women could rule the kingdom. In his mind, the throne should go to the one who worked hard for it. Not only by winning battles on the battlefield, but also by serving the people. She stopped and looked up to the sky, the dark sky started to get some hints of red. So the sun was not as faraway.

"It is time to pack your things, princess. You are going home." He said, she looked at him. A bit shocked and amused. "I am going to wake up the rest of the house, we will eat breakfast on our way there." She nodded and rushed towards him.

"Wait a second." She said, while wrapping her arms around her waist. "There is a chance we will die today. So I want to hold you, and listen to your heartbeat." He nodded and in turn wrapped his arms around her. They were standing there for only a minute, but still it looked like a lifetime. "Thank you." She said, while stepping back.

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"There is nothing you should thank me for." He replied and the walked back to the stairs. Where his men, including Sennay were standing.

"Do not mind use, we will wait until you are done." Simret said, Idris shook his head.

"One day I will kill him." He said.

"Get in line." Zeudi replied. All the men started to chuckle. "But now let's get serious, well all know what..."

"Wait with the speech until you step outside." Sennay said, pointing towards the door. She frowned what did he mean by that? But he came over to her and grabbed her arm. "You need to see this, you all need to see this." Now all of them followed them outside. Idris looked in amazement at the crowed that had gathered on the village square. All of them were armed with something, Zeudi had placed her hands in front of her mouth. "Aranchi, told me that news of the attack has reached the village nearby and folks from there had traveled all night to stand with you, Zeudi. You are our new ruler, not your brother who is letting others do his dirty work." Zeudi nodded slightly.

"I am only not able to promise them a safe return." She said.

"We never asked you to promise use that, girl. We just want to stand and fight with you. This is our kingdom, and you have worked so damn hard to get to know it." The witch doctor, he couldn't remember her name if his life depends on it, stepped forward. Around her body she carried little pouches with most likely herbs, in her hand she had a large rolling pin. He didn't want to make her angry. "Your mother touch you how to cook, sow and how to aid people, not because she believed you needed to care for them. But it was one big getting to know the people you will rule one day, the people that would be in your care. And it those not hurt in getting a lesson in humility as well, something your brother also needed to get." Idris nodded in agreement. Zeudi lowered her head and sighed.

"My mother was a great teacher, and I want to honor her memory. But I also have seen that her lessons were not complete, it is true that in the past men were the ones who protected the kingdom. Making the queen dependent of the consort, which means that men started to believe that it is their right to rule the kingdom. And I do not blame them for that, because what is the rule of the queen? I can only promise that I would at least try to make my children, if I am blessed enough to get them, better." Zeudi said, and she looked at the rogues. "After this is over I want to ask you to replace the men you have killed in my personal guard." They nodded and she smiled. "Well that is enough talk, let's go."