Rising on the balls of her feet gave Fern an extra inch to her height, it also gave an advantage of a calculated spring should the need arise.  Normally fleet of foot, easily having outrun at least half of the fat constables back home Fern knew, if she were in good shape, could easily outdistance them.  But to what end?  To leave her friends with the sure knowledge that their charade was finished, leave them to what sort of fate?<br/><br/>No.  A resigned sigh held deep within her solar plexus begged to be released.  Fern however managed the impossible, keeping the sigh in check and her feet in place as the pronouncement came.<br/><br/><em>Well, at least we will be all together to plot our escape?</em>