Vivian was alarmed when she found herself being cleaned, then dressed, before being led to the stables. Terror filled her mind as she imagined what kinds of horrors awaited her at the hands of Viola. The two men escorting her were treating her with far more gentleness than she had recieved at the hands of others over the past week.<br/><br/>They came to a stop at a stall with a magnificent chestnut mare. A stable hand was inside placing a saddle on the mare with measured accuracy. Within moments, the stable hand was finished and led the mare out of the stall. At some point, one of the men had disappeared and was now returning with two stallions. Vivian suddenly got the clue. She was supposed to get on the horse. Carefully, and with much pain, she mounted the mare.<br/><br/>A moment later, Jade and two more men came riding into view. Vivian's eyes widened when she saw Jade. She was unharmed, and almost happy looking.<br/><br/>"Vivian, I'm sorry about last night." She said gently, attempting to place her hand on Vivian's knee. When Vivian jerked the horse away from her with a wild look in her eye, Jade's shoulders slumped. She was feeling the weight of guilt wrapping itself around her again. "I've negotiated a small freedom for you." Gesturing to the horses, Jade smiled. "We're allowed to spend time together, riding."<br/><br/>Vivian nodded, but remained silent. Jade examined Vivian carefully. Her once fiery friend was now broken and submissive. Guilt crushed her inside again as they began riding in silence with their four guards behind them.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">I know you probably don't want to hear this, but she'll be okay eventually. She's hurt. She's been broken by your father's pets. Give her time, and she'll soon be her old self again. </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Somehow I doubt that, Mia. And you're right, I don't much care for your opinion. We're prisoners here, nothing more. And all you're doing is making me feel worse about the situation.</span>Jade led her horse to a nearby riverbank, removed the necklace around her throat, and tossed it into the river.