"Military! They are probably looking for the rebellion!" Ana nodded, "Then we can't go back to the base, in case they follow us." She hoped she wasn't too loud as they ran, trying to speak over the sound of hooves.

Of course, horses are always faster than humans, and soon they were running through back ways to escape the military. Soft pants left their lips as they headed into an alley. They were near the base but couldn't risk going in yet with them so close behind. The two watched them race by, their hearts racing as fast as the horses, and just as loud too. When they finally got to the base, they reported what happened. Military found them and were probably going through their stuff as they spoke. Everything would have to be in code because everything would be bugged now.

***

After hours of code-making, they finally got to training. No flashy moves. It was a rule. They practiced knife throwing – something Lucky was very good at – and sword fighting, which Cherri and Ethan could do well, and finally magic. Apparently every Merstux has some level of magic in them, and Ana contained a lot. She learned how to shape shift and heal from Asthar, learning that shifters always only have one form. For Ethan it was his panther form, and a snake for Asthar. They practiced how to shift with her for a while before asking her to try it on her own.

With a few deep breaths, Ana closed her eyes, and when she open them, she had shrunk. Everything was different, and Ana wasn't sure how to feel. A mirror was held up to reveal she had become a black fox with heterochromian eyes – one the usual blue and the other a violet – and the tip of her tail was silver. A rarity and beautiful. The two men just stared in shock before Ethan found his voice. "Doesn't she..." Asthar nodded, "Yeah... Yeah..." Ana watched the two mumble incomplete words to each other before finally speaking up. "What? What's wrong?" She was nervous in her new form, finally changing back to speak with them properly.

Ethan was the first to speak again, "The queen... That was her form when she was still alive. I think Asthar was right... You were our missing ruler... She disappeared after the war," he explained and looked over at the blonde, who was only nodding in agreement. "I told you I found her... Breathtaking," he spoke softly, gazing at her with something more than admiration.

Ana blushed and looked away in the shy embarrassment, missing the short glare Ethan sent Asthar. He had fallen for the girl to, and, as before, he would learn to lose her to the competition. "Shouldn't we get back to practicing? How about our provisions? We should be stealing more, right?" The brunette interrupted the moment, a hard look on his face. He couldn't be mad at his queen, but Asthar was another story. He was bad to begin with, but stealing her heart twice? He couldn't be okay with that. He went on to train harder, playing little tricks, but he felt bad after each one, being the honest man he was. Asthar mostly accepted them, smirking all the while because he knew why by the end of training. Ethan had spent all his energy and then some. He felt sick and slipped away, about to leave, when Ana caught him. "I saw you train earlier... You're really good," her sweet as honey voice.

Stars were out and shining brighter than any Earth view. They were laughing about gnomes or bol'shoy in the native language of Sneg. Ethan began to sing to Ana, mumbling the words

Mujhe sitaaron se pyaar hai, chaand ke saath.

Main tumhaaree aankhon mein khud ko kno deta hoon.

Raat ka sannaata, mere daud dil kee dhadakan.

Pichhale raat ek saath, mera khagoleey aashchary.

Ana didn't understand a word of it but could jump to the meaning fast. Her nose burned as tears filled her eyes. She couldn't look away from the guard. "Will you translate it for me someday?" she asked weekly, watching his face grow slightly red with blush. "It's an ancient language... Maybe..." he said and gripped her hand. Sadly, their moment together was over. They made it back to the inn, going to their separate rooms.