LARA’S POV As we made our way out to the waiting chariots and guards, I kept thinking of the advice of the queen. In truth, leadership is not an easy task and would require only the strong, self-willed, and one with a lot of wisdom. Would I be able to lead as I should, will I be the queen that my people would need? What if I become lost on the way, and I am not as good as Scarlet, what if I turn into a beast due to the intoxication of power, what if I fail Scarlet and make her regret giving my husband and me this mantle? All these are negative thoughts. I must remain positive and determined if I want to succeed. I have watched Scarlet do it over the years, and I know it is not an easy task. But with the right mind, I can do it too, I should be able to do it too. There were a total of five chariots waiting for the journey, and about thirty travelers, the queen, the Chamlar, lord Nathan, Dawn, Kendra, and Mia, ten slaves, and the guards. “I will be in the third carriage together with Dawn, Kendra, and Mia. My Chamlee, you will stay in the second carriage with two guards, lord Nathan will be in the fourth with two guards, while the rest will be in the rest carriages. I want the girls with me” Scarlet announced. “Very well, my lady, if that is okay by you” the Chamlee replied. Lord Nathan spoke next. “The arrangement is perfect, my lady. You remain in your carriage no matter what happens, I and the Chamlee would take care of it...” While lord Nathan was still speaking, I noticed that Dawn was putting on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve. Every other person was fully covered as a result of the weather and it will not be good for her to travel dressed so lightly. When they were about to leave, I approached her and said. “Dawn, I would suggest you wear something thicker. This will not be good for the weather” “It is just the beginning of winter, how good can it get. I bet it is not even snowing yet at Diamond Cut” she replied. “You are right, Dawn. But the journey would go through the woods and the east is no good weather, especially in this season” I explained. “Lara is right, Dawn. Take with you something thicker. I wouldn’t want you catching a cold during the trip” Scarlet said. “How cold can it get for a day? We will arrive at Diamond Cut before night anyways” Dawn inquired.“You don’t have to wear, just hold it with you” Scarlet replied. “Okay, I will grab something from my bag” Dawn replied and went to find her bag amid the already loaded boxes. Scarlet turned to the guards and said. “You all have to be on alert. No one is aware of the journey today, but you would all agree with me about how fast words travel. It is still early and the sun has not risen. We would take a break at noon and hopefully, we will arrive at our destination early” After listening to Scarlet, they began to find their way to their respected carriages. “We would see when I return, Lara” Scarlet said to me. “Safe trip, my queen” I replied. I wasn’t expecting it but she took me into her embrace. The hug lasted for a split second and soon she was in a carriage ready to depart. Truly, the only constant thing in life is change. It was just like yesterday when we would always be together to protect and fight for ourselves, now we have to be apart to protect and fight for others. I found my way to the other side of the carriage where Dawn was seated, she has just finished speaking to Landon. I called out to her. “Dawn...” “Hey, Lara” she responded with a huge smile. I know that feeling, seeing one's family after such a long time. I also felt the same way the day I saw my mother after such a long time of being away from her. Her smile was sincere and contaminating so I returned it with an even bigger one. But no matter how much I tried to bring my smile from the heart, it only appears on my lips and didn’t go farther. “Lara you want to say anything, be quick about it the carriage is about to move” she demanded. “Dawn...” I murmured. I fought hard to stop my tears from flowing. She is like a sister to me and I can't help but fear that I may never see her again. “Okay, Lara, I understand how you feel. Do you want me to say hello to someone for you? You know you’ve been gone for too long” she asked still in her charming smile. “Not that, Dawn... I just wanted to ask if you can consider...” I stopped. What right do I have to ask her to remain here? This is an amazing moment and I will not be the one to steal this joy away from her.“What is your request, dear? I will surely do it for you” she promised. Will she really keep to her promise and remain if I ask her to? No, I know that is not possible. Of course, she wasn’t expecting that I was about to ask her to cancel the trip. “Lara...” she called. “Of course, Dawn, I just wanted you to inform ma Patricia that my mother is with me now and that she is fine. Make her know that my mother will not return. She is safe with me” I had to lie to her. She must not find out my main reason for speaking to her. Of course, Scarlet is with her and there is no way that she is going to allow any harm to get to her. Soon enough, the carriage started to leave. Mia and Kendra brought their hands out and waved at me and I waved back. I will miss them too and I eagerly await their return. I watched with mixed feelings as the carriage strode off. I don’t know why, but I wanted to plead with Dawn to stay back and visit another time but I couldn’t bring myself to. Deep within me, it felt as if she was leaving never to return. But I immediately dismissed my fear. Maybe I was just overthinking and believed sir Tim would never approve of Landon, or on the other hand, maybe my fears are valid and something terrible would happen to her. But what else can I do? For now, all I could do was wish every one of the travelers the very best.