The moon hung low over Seagard’s gray stone walls, casting long shadows as the castle slept. Emma slipped quietly from her chamber window, the rough fabric of borrowed trousers brushing softly against the cool night air. The town below beckoned, alive with distant laughter and the crackle of fires. She wanted to have fun without guards always watching her every move.

She paused at the edge of the village square, where the lowborn her age was hanging out. She came up to them as if she wasn't the daughter of their liege lord.

"Hey, mind if I join you all?"