"Water," Aurora said, startling her maid as she sat up in bed.  Someone had dressed her in a clean, simple gown, someone had put a salve between her legs, cool but slightly sticky, that made her remember what had happened to her in the world of the bloodstone, but it eased the pain of her body, and for that she was grateful; after Balthazar's assault, she feared she'd be unable to walk or ride, but she felt hale for the rest and salve.<br/><br/>"My lady, don't get up!  You must rest," her maid protested.  Aurora had no patience for the simple noblewomen that attended her at the best of times, and at the moment, despised the simpering thing.<br/><br/>"Listen Elsie, you will go and bring me water.  Then you will bring Captain Darius --"<br/><br/>"Lady, Darius is only a Lieutenant --"<br/><br/>"Captain Darius, I said," Aurora insisted.  "And if you interrupt me again I will throw you naked into the soldier's tent tonight."<br/><br/>"My Lady!" Elsie replied, shocked.  But she did not linger to see if it was an idle threat.  Alone in the wagon, the princess held up the bloodstone pendant, which had been clutched in her palm tight enough to make an impression of the gem against her flesh, and sent her thoughts to her grandsire.<em>We will return to the Imperial City with all speed, Balthazar.  And we will begin.</em>