Chapter 12

Patrick's mind had not come with us on our travels towards Berlin. Instead it had remained with his sister. I could see it in his eyes whenever he came near me. It was in the way he walked and talked, everything he did was distant. He spoke to Anna in his dreams. At first Gunther and I had disagreed about what to do. But it was decided to leave it alone until he wanted to talk. My brother was prisoner to his own thoughts. His were harder to place. Was it that winter was coming quickly. It was only midway through September and the nights were already cold. Or, I feared, did his thoughts belong to where we were to go.

I had always been taught to fear Berlin. The largest soldier training camp, the harem, and the palace, all lay on it's boarders. Berlin was typically homes to richer people. Retired officers, people who worked in the palace, and of course the royal court. If an officer said he was taking you to Berlin you knew a most painful death awaited you. I had been told that the king was a ruthless warlord. But, my mother always taught me that there was good in every person.

"I do not wish my people to pay with their lives. No, their souls shall suffice." Patrick said skipping rocks a crossed the small pond. Gunther chucked a stick at his head.

"Where'd you hear that?" Patrick hung his head.

"When I was about four years old, my parents took me to Berlin to hear the king speak." he heaved another rock across the pond watching the ripples. "That's the only thing I remember of what he said."

"Come what may, my people shall always pay." Gunther started. "They have ruled themselves and ruined their homelands. Once tall buildings covered the earth. No where could you see farm land. Soon the people of my lands would have starved. Now I shall rule them. I will make them pay. I do not wish my people to pay with their lives. No, their souls shall suffice." I looked at him a little shocked.

"My father wrote that speech. I remember him reading it a thousand times." he looked at me.

"I wonder if he ever thought anyone would oppose him?" Patrick asked. Both of my friends had a strange gleam in their eyes.

"What are you two planning?" I asked standing up and wringing the hem of my skirt.

"If we cut her hair..." Gunther trailed off. My hands flew to my long hair.

"I think we could easily get the clothing." Patrick said with a smirk.

"NO! Nuh uh. I'm not going to dress up like a boy!" I stamped my foot.

"Why not? Three men join the rebellion? Sounds mighty fine to me." Patrick smiled trying to be charming.

"How about these" I said pointing at my chest " I don't think they can be hidden that easily. Plus don't they do physical exams or something?"

"Well, those can be bound and they don't care who or what you are as long as you can hold your own in a fight. Which I think you've proven you can."

"Then why do I need to change at all?"

"You aren't the only girl of your description but you are the only one on the run with us. The name Pride means more than you think." Gunther stated.

"Then change his name." Patrick shook his head.

"I will. But I know a lot of people. Some will recognize me." I stamped my feet and held my hair.

"Sis, it's only hair. It will grow back. By then we will have come up with a better plan."

"Do I need to remind you that we are going into the belly of the beast?"

"Al, have you ever heard the phrase: keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" I sighed.

I was out numbered. Patrick dug around in his sack until he found an extra pair of breeches, and a button up shirt and vest. Gunther provided the ACE roll, that was typically used for sprang ankles and such.. I was then sent off a ways to change. It took ages to get myself wrapped up. I thought corsets were terrible. It was like being slowly squeezed to death. I then pulled on the shirt and vest buttoning both. I had left my dagger sheath strapped to my thigh. But it didn't seem that was the brightest idea. I couldn't get to it. So I moved it to my ankle. Then took the dagger, tied my hair up in a tight pony tail, then cut it off just behind the tie. My head felt ten pounds lighter. I cradled my hair like a sleeping baby wrapped in my dress back to my companions. Patrick's jaw dropped and Gunther just grinned.

"You are now what we would call a pretty boy." Gunther laughed. I shoved my clothes into my pack. My hair was taken down to the shore of the pond and dug a hole. Then I buried it. Both watched this with amusement.

"Can I die now?" I asked coming to stand in front of them.

"No, that's what we are trying to prevent here." Patrick said slowly as if I were a toddler.

"Besides its not that bad." I ran my fingers through my now very short hair. I clutched the once long golden locks.

"I hate this!" The two of them burst out laughing.

Not sure how to walk in with this cloth between my legs I swung my pack over my shoulder and started on the path. I had looked at a map that morning and knew we had at least another three weeks before we reached Berlin. Then we'd still have to hunt out a trustworthy person to find this rebel clan.. For the first time since I told Zack about the ring. I thought of Alex. I wished to have his hand wrapped around mine. I wanted so badly to be safe at his side walking towards the fountain and back to his brother's inn.

It took four weeks. We entered the city at dusk on the fifth day of the fourth week. My legs were chaffed, my mind was numb, and all I wanted to do was sleep for about three years. Gunther and Patrick weren't much better. They just didn't walk like they'd just got off an all day ride on a horse. We paid a steep tax to enter the city and found a place to lodge. Patrick acted as if he'd lived here is entire life. Gunther's relaxed shell was only betrayed by the conflict and worry in his eyes. I didn't have to pretend to be calm or at ease. I was in the belly of the beast. There was no way anyone would look for me here and definitely not look for a male. I had had to cut my hair to keep it short. I kept it down so when needed I could still hide in it. Most men kept their hair long enough to tie back. Quiet like the hair style in the late 1700's.

"Brother, where are we going?" I asked keeping my voice as low as possible. Gunther smirked and ruffled my hair, earning himself a deadly glare.

"We are going to find Paul, Al. I told you that when we left our sister. He's the only one who can save her now." I was the sister. I knew this. It was odd talking about myself in third person.

"Do you think we can find Paul in such a large city?"

"Anything is possible, Al. We are in the city of the king." Patrick said with fake reverence.