Once I had managed to get our king off the ground, we walked for another few minutes. We explained new routes we had created, easier ways to get back, and how we could confuse Jestrye soldiers and trap them in the woods. King Tinyl seemed to approve of most of these ideas. We didn't want to hurt them, just trap them until this whole thing blew over.

  "In a week or so they'll calm down, this is the angriest they've been in a long time, but they always work it out. I believe it's more important that you all are safe. And this tour has given me that reassurance." King Tinyl said as we headed back to the community.

  "I think that shows how good of a king you are. You care about your citizens. That's important to us. So we will help you however we can." I said. Thankfully King Tinyl smiled because that was really embarrassing.

  Janais nodded in agreement with me. "I know you don't approve of praise King Tinyl. But it's our opinion that you should be more open to it. Your citizens care for you just like you care for us. We'd love to help out in absolutely any way you can."

  "I appreciate that girls. And later tonight I will come back with more detailed missions for you." He seemed to be more at ease. He was still stressed of course, but his shoulders had relaxed some and his eyebrows weren't as furrowed as before.

  "We will do whatever you ask of us King Tinyl. I can't think of a better way to be of service to you." I spoke. "I don't want you to push yourself too far, please don't hesitate to talk to us."

  He nodded. He wasn't the best at expressing happiness or approval so his nods are the best I ever get. "I'll be back soon. Thank you for the ideas. I'll bring them up to my generals."

  And just like that, he was gone. He vanished into a small cloud of snow. A small smile crossed my face as I looked at Janais. "Let's go relax. He'll be back soon, Marion must be getting worried about us by now."

  We walked the last few hundred feet to our community. "You know what? I think King Tinyl needs a right hand. He handles all the countries affairs by himself, it's a miracle that he's been doing so well. I'd be sick to my stomach." Janais chimed when we got back to camp. She wrapped her hands around her stomach. "Just thinking of it makes my stomach hurt."

  "Who could help him? He's a god. I don't think anyone we know would be qualified. We can only ever hope he reaches out to us when he needs help. Otherwise, I don't see us getting him to admit he needs help."

  "You have a point Anahi. I just hope the job he gives us tonight is more interesting than trapping some dumb smelly men in the woods."

  "I don't think those dumb smelly men will bother us too much. After all, we do have Marion." Janais and I both broke out into laughter. Marion walked up to us and gave us a confused look.

  "What's so funny." He asked.

  "Smelly men in the woods." I managed to get out. We slowly regained our composure. "King Tinyl will be back soon. We should get ready to have another meeting."

  After we had gathered everyone at the grand table we waited there for King Tinyl. Before he arrived we heard loud bangs from the forest. Normally it would be a bear or moose running into a tree, but they rarely do that 6 times. And it's never this loud. We all stood up and some men walked in front of the table towards the noises.

  The last thing we expected to see was our king, our god, come crashing through the woods, falling on his back as he entered the clearing. He was already scratched up, with scuff marks on his arms and face. We all looked at him shocked. He had never looked so angry before or so beaten. I didn't even know a god could look like this until now.

  King Tinyl stood up. He brushed off the snow from his shoulders and pants and looked back towards the trees with a disapproving glare. I had never seen him so upset over anything. My stomach churned and my heart went into my throat as we stared at him. He began to take a few steps towards us.

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  My legs moved on their own, I ran to him and grabbed one of his arms to help support him. He gave me a half-smile that clearly was forced. I gave him a genuine smile back and helped him sit down at the head of the table again. This poor king, maybe Janais was right. He does need help. Especially now.

  He let go of my arm and relaxed into his seat. He made Marion's father move down a seat to make room. He then gestured for me to sit by him. Normally this would cause an uproar, making an elder member move for someone as young as me. But none of us dared opened our mouth to go against the king's wishes. I sat down beside him and he held out his hand to me. A took his hand lightly and gave him a reassuring smile. He squeezed my hand lightly before addressing the table.

  "I have jobs for every one of you. Some are dangerous, and some aren't. Whatever role you're assigned plays part in the bigger picture. Since this morning alone Oton and Oldtur have gotten more rash. They both refuse to listen to reason or to back down." He signed. "Because of my interference, they both have marked Droice as an enemy. I will not send my people into senseless slaughter. We will trap their soldiers. We will use all of your skills. But we will never attack first, only defend. We will protect our homeland."

  Everyone nodded at his speech. We never liked fighting, we just cared about each other and our woods. No one in this community would let that all be taken away from us. We loved our home, our king, and each other.

  King Tinyl loosened his grip on my hand. I hadn't even realized he was still holding it. I slipped my hand away and folded mine neatly in my lap. I had spaced out for a moment. He was never one to need reassurance. He was always so calm and collected. All I could do was think I hope he lets me help in a meaningful way. I want to be useful to him. He's going to fall apart.

  "I'll speak with each of you individually regarding your assignments. go into your homes I'll join you soon." King Tinyl said as I came back to reality. We nodded and each headed to our homes.

  I waited for nearly two hours. I paced my room, sat on my couch, and eventually grabbed a book and lit a candle. I changed into a long loose light lavender skirt that fell to my ankles, and a simple black top that tucked into my skirt. I sat in my window, I had filled the area with pillows and blankets. I sat down in the middle of it all and leaned against the window frame. From here I could see the stars peeking through the trees. I hadn't even noticed how dark it had gotten. I opened my book and began to read. The full moon gave me more than enough light, the candle made the pages look warm and gave a little extra comfort.

  A small knock came at my door. "It's open!" I called.

  King Tinyl opened the door steadily. "Hey, Anahi." He gave another forced smile.

  I shook my head. "You're not the best at cover-ups. You know that right?"

  He shrugged. "You can't blame me for trying." He came to the window sill and took the book out of my hands gently. I gave him a small smile.

  "I can, but I'll let it slide today." I brought my legs to me and sat crisis cross. He took the seat in front of me in the window.

  "Tomorrow you're going to have to leave. Everyone is. I'm relocating some of you. The old and the sick will come to the palace and stay with me until this comes to an end. But you're going on a very special mission for me. And this needs to be kept a secret, for your safety. Understand?"

  I nodded. "Of course. I'll help however I can." He slowly grabbed one of my hands and squeezed it. "I can handle whatever you throw my way King Tinyl."

  "I've told you to stop calling me King for a couple of years now Anahi. Honestly, the last thing I want to be reminded of right now is that I'm a king."

  "But you are the king. On top of that, you're our god. Why would you push that aside?" I asked.

  He just shook his head at my curiosity. "I'll make you a deal, accept this mission, and I'll tell you exactly how I got here. Deal?"

  "Yes!" I gave him a smile. "So what's this mission Tinyl?"

  "Well, you're going to be my eyes and ears on the road. I'm sending you to gather a few things for me. It sounds easy, but it isn't. You'll have to enter other countries. Including those at war. It could go sour very quickly. But I don't trust anyone else to do it."

  "Of course I'll do it. I can handle myself just fine. And I'm already cleared to cross borders freely. I don't think you could have chosen a better person for this job. I can do it."

  He smiled, and this time it wasn't fake. "Thank you. I left a list on your bed of all the details. Janais will be with you too. She's adept in magic and can be helpful out there."

  I couldn't cover up my relief that I wasn't going alone. Janais is very determined when it comes to working. She never lets people down.

  "Can I hear all about you now Tinyl?" I asked, I was curious now. "You may have piqued my interest."

  "For you, I'll tell the story a thousand times. Get comfortable. This will take a while."

  With that, I leaned against the window frame and looked at him, ready to hear the story of my god.