Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

The words were muffled the air in which was silent and peaceful. Her name was being called repeatedly, and she didn't like it.
"Miraye...wake up. We've gotta get moving...Miraye...?"

Miraye's arm flew up and smacked a hard object. A yelp of pain was heard clearly, and she turned over. She found herself looking up at Stelon, who was clutching her nose. She didn't apologize, she didn't bother, she didn't think of it. Served her right for calling her up. Miraye was the person who got up alone, and did not like to be nagged at. She sat up, dusted off the dirt from her cloak and stood, shaking slightly. She glanced at Stelon and Imera briefly, and turned.

"We'll make it to the castle by sun set, and the rescue mission will start. Let's just hope we don't stumble into anymore trouble as is." She started to walk downhill, her mind clear and empty of all thoughts. A new day, and the pathways were to be followed.

The group stopped by a town to pick up some food. They hadn't eaten in a while, and Miraye had to slip some food into her cloak while the people who sold the crops talked to some other customers. Stealing was the only way she had to get the supplies, even though she had some money. Food was just a necessity, and not really needed in a time like this. She gave Imera and Stelon some of her catch, and walked around some more when she heard gossip.

"The big ball's tonight, aye. Lord Larkin's sapposesed to be hostin' it."

Miraye froze. Ball? She turned and spotted the speaker. It was an old, raggedy woman who was in the center of attention. Everyone wanted to hear about the ball.

The old woman continued, "Aye. He also has tis guest, some boy fromish Sink. Iks queer, tis is, founs out of nowheyas and jus' brings the boys alongeth." The boy was Tic, that was for sure. She listened some more: "Ther's alson a escaped prisner'. Sum retadeds man runnink around and nots."

Another escaped prisoner, eh? Must be the Matthias person Miraye saw in the flame prophecy. This was enough for her, and she headed back to Imera and Stelon.

"There's going to be a ball tonight at Larkin's castle," she told them. "This will be perfect for me to rescue Tic."
"But how are we going to sneak in unnoticed?" Stelon asked.
Miraye looked around, and something white and sparkly caught her eye. A dress? The shop.
"Follow me," Miraye whispered. They walked towards the shop and opened the door. A lean, tall man looked up from his desk.
"May I help you?"
Miraye flipped her hair. "Well, you see, we're gonna need some dresses for the ball tonight... and.."
"And what?"
"See, we don't have any money." Miraye batted her eyes sweetly, looking sad. "And we really need to go, for we are in Larkin's court..and the Shrike will not be pleased if we don't arrive." She could her the giggles from Stelon and Imera behind her.
"Well, I'm sorry ladies, but no money, no service."
"Aw, you're gonna let down little ol' us?" Miraye walked up to the man, smiled, then kicked him in the stomach. He fell, and she bagged his head with black cloth. She turned to Imera and Stelon. "C'mon, we gotta get something before everyone finds out."
Miraye grabbed the beautiful white dress and the mask from the window. Stelon and Imera got theirs as well. They walked out the store, dresses in their arms, and going out of the town unexpectedly.

They'll be wearing dresses to the ball tonight, and a mask for Miraye. She would need it, to cover the scar from her eye just so to go past the guards at the entrance. Everything was going to work out, but Miraye had this gut feeling that something terrible was going to happen, and it wouldn't stray from her mind.