The morning sun casted it light upon the great city of Betancuria. Right then, the Temple bells ring and the city aches to life to its toll, a cacophony of voices crying out for salvation. Or reprieve. It's a new day for Betancuria and soon enough, its streets are bustling with activity. Citizens from all walks of life limp ever onwards while the crimson banners of a foreign power tower above them. These are the colors of Dhorn and they dot across Betancuria like festering wounds. A constant reminder of their occupation. Yet in spite of all this, the citizens of the city carry on with their lives. Attending to their daily tasks with all the dignity that could be afforded to a conquered people. In northern Betancuria's merchant district is a quaint little restaurant known as The Bear Pit, a popular eatery that serves patrons both highborn and low. In the confines of the Bear Pit's second floor are living quarters for any of the staff who couldn't afford to live elsewhere. And it's where I currently reside.

The day started like any other as I wake to the sounds of activity from the streets below. I tried to get up but then the cold morning air assaults my nostrils and all desire to leave my bed disappears. I lay there in blissful warmth for a few moments, but then I remembered. I have work in the kitchens today. Chella wants me to prepare the ovens before the Bear Pit opens for customers. I sighed, opened my eyes and pull away from the bed. With a stretch of my arms and a yawn, I'm on my feet. The first thing I do is make my way to the floor's only bathtub before anyone else could get to it. I quickly undressed and sink into the water before the cold morning air could reach me. I closed my eyes to let the warmth of the water seep into my pale skin to the scent of flowers in the air. This was the one moment that I felt like myself again. When it passed, I slowly opened my eyes as reality set in. I sighed and begin lathering myself. I could scarcly believe that only half a year ago, I was the princess of Betancuria with all of the luxuries of the world at my beck and call. My family had been the ruling monarchy of Betancuria for the past three hundred years, but that ended in a single night. How quickly things could change. After finishing, I put on a dress and a smile and then finally headed downstairs to the main floor of the restaurant. Chella was there, overseeing the kitchen staff. She's the ruler of the kitchen and swings her spoon like a scepter, thus everybody obeys her. She turned to me and a bright smile appeared on her face. "Well good morning, my little ${1Name}."

"Good morning, Chella." I replied.

"Master Nathan was here earlier and told me that he wishes to speak with you. He's upstairs, in his rooms." Chella said while pointing back to the stairs.

"Did he say what for?" I asked. A sinking feeling crept up in my gut. Nathan Geigers is the proprietor of the Bear Pit and was present when I was first taken in.

"No, but you had best go to him." I turned around before Chella could see my smile falter. As I walked away, my mind raced. Why now? I haven't spoken to Master Nathan since...

That night. It was one of crimson banners and bloodied blades. I was never averse to seeing blood, but it was the screams that stuck with me. The desperation on my lord father's face when he ordered for a final stand against the Dhorne. A blur of violence and death before a black gloved hand pulled me off the balcony. Vico. How he-! No. I won't bring back these painful memories! I took a deep breath to steel myself, but dark thoughts still came to me unbidden. Did I finally outstay my welcome here? I knew that it couldn't last. I may be the fallen princess of dead House but I was still of royal blood. Doubtless he has plans to marry me off to a foreign noble for some political gain.

"${1Name}." A weary voice cut through the miasma of my own thoughts. I stood there blinking for a moment and realized that I had just been let into Nathan Geiger's office. His dark eyes studied me as I gathered my wits together. With a swish of skirt and a bow, I gave him a quick curtsy.

"Are you content working in the kitchens?" He asked.

A question about my well-being was the last thing I expected, "It's not so bad. Chella is quite kind to me."

"I hear from her that you've been asking to leave the Bear Pit."

My shoulders slumped as I let out a sigh and looked to my feet, "Being in the kitchens day in and day out, I just wanted to..."

"We are keeping you inside for your own protection, ${1Name}." I could feel a pout forming on my lips but stopped when I felt his stern gaze upon me. "While we've been hiding you, the Dhorn have killed everyone who was in any way associated with your father. I shouldn't have to tell you what would happen should they get their hands on you."

"I know." I wrapped my arms around myself, finding little comfort in his words. They'd kill me, flay my skin and rape my corpse. And hopefully in that order.

"Although I firmly believe that working in the kitchens has been good for you, I have a proposition." Nathan simply said, "I'd like you to work for me."

"What? I already work for you!"

"I don't mean in the restaurant, ${1Name}. I'm talking about the other side of the business."

Oh. The infamous thieves' guild of Betancuria, known as "The Family" and led by Master Nathan. The few times I'd hear news from outside about the untimely death of a Dhorn official. I knew that it was the work of the Family's top assassins. They were resisting the occupation in their own way. It was dangerous, risky and also extremely enticing to a certain princess. Needless to say, it all sounded too good to be true, there had to be a catch I wasn't seeing. So I asked, "What could I even do for you? I doubt that my knowledge of courtly manners and politics could be that useful for you."

His wizened eyes seemed to smile at me, "You'd be surprised. I don't expect you to be in the field right away. What you'll ultimately be doing will depend on the talents that you show." He also added, "And you'll be out of the kitchens."

"I like the sound of that."

"Good. You'll have Caron Davis will teach you everything you need to know to be one of us. I believe the two of your are well acquainted?"

Caron Davis is not part of the Bear Pit staff, but he's around every now and then, running errands for the kitchen. He's always been friendly with me and willing to teach me a few roguish tricks, but I suspect its just an excuse for him to lay hands on me. The memory of Caron teaching me the finer points of pick pocketing filled my mind when his name was mentioned. I blushed when I remembered his fingers up my skirt as he was demonstrating, "Yes, I know him well."

"Good. That should take care of the need for introductions." Nathan's gaze was now focused on a stack of papers on his desk. "Caron will be at the markets at this time. I'm sure he'll have a riveting lesson plan for you. Do you know your way around the city?"

"Of course, Master Nathan." I didn't. But I really wanted to walk around without some escort shadowing my every movement. And if I got lost, I can always ask for directions with a wink and a smile.

He seemed satisfied with my answer, "This will be all for now. I expect you to take those lessons seriously. Afterwards, we shall speak about your future. Don't disappoint me, ${1Name}."

I nodded and gave him another curtsy before leaving out of the room. A barely suppressed giggle escaped my lips as I bounded downstairs with Chella's name on my lips. She was already there, expecting me. "Well? How did your talk with Master Nathan go?"

"He said that he'd like me to work for him."

Chella pulled me into an embrace, her big arms holding me tight. "He thinks you are ready to venture out into the city again!" She let me go after a moment and cautioned me, "Please, my little ${1Name}, do be careful, will you?"

"I will."

With that, Chella pulled out a handful of gold coins from her apron pocket and handed them over to me. It was payment for all my hard work. My hands grasped the coins as if they were the most valuable things in the world. I looked up at Chella with a wide grin and thanked her. She returned to her work and I left the kitchens to enter the city for the first time since I came here. I winced as soon as I opened the door. Footsteps and voices echoed in my ears as my eyes adjusted to the morning light. Betanuria. It'd always seemed so distant to me, even as a princess. My father had forbidden me from venturing into the city and I saw no need to disobey him. The city looked so chaotic from the palace, full of listless people without purpose. The idea of being near commoners frightened me and I was content to remain separate. Living among them, I realized how sheltered I was. For good or ill, I could never be that spoiled princess again. I crossed my arms and tucked them under my breasts when the wind whistled as it passed through narrow alleyways. I was not prepared for this chill. My dress was thin and short, far more suited to the sweltering kitchens of the Bear Pit. Despite that, I welcomed the cold air. It was refreshing in its own way.

As I continued to wander around the city, I noticed that there were fewer and fewer people walking in the streets. No Dhorn patrols too. It was becoming apparent that I took a wrong turn somewhere. I tried to recall my steps when suddenly a pair of hands groped my breasts from behind, pulling me out of my thoughts. I let out a loud grasp as the hands dipped under my shirt, plucking at my nipples. My own hands followed them to the wrist, but they wouldn't budge. Between the sound of my own gasps, I spoke up, "Unhand me, now!"

A low voice whispered in reply, "You look like a sweet little thing. How much?"