"Woah!" I jolt awake as I feel my body fall to the side and hear a male voice call out.

I open my eyes as my heart beats fast from the sudden scare. I see I wasn't on the ground as I thought I would be, despite the fact I didn't feel myself hit the ground. Instead, I was being held by someone I had never met.

I shove away from the man resulting in my actually hitting the ground this time. I scramble to my feet and look around. We seemed to be in a horse stable. There were many people walking around getting the horses unsaddled and brushed down as well as fed and watered.

"What's going on? Who are you?" I turn to the man as I stand straight and realize my hands were free from their bonds.

"Calm down," he gave a light laugh as he held his hands up to show he meant no harm. "Sunoo asked me to bring you into the castle."

I eye the tall raven haired man up and down. "So we're finally at the castle..?" I didn't really ask it as a question, but still I didn't know what else to say.

"Yes, I'm Sunghoon." He said while offering his hand.

"Seori.." I say back as I take his hand for a second before letting it go.

"If you would follow me, I will take you to your quarters for the night. The king has planned for us all to meet at first light." I just nod as I let him lead the way, throwing a glance over my shoulder to make sure Max was comfortable. When I saw he was busy eating away at some grains, I turn around and focused on where I was going.

Nothing was said as we made our way up to the grand castle. I had to admit I was an awe, but I would not show it. I had never seen a castle, even with all my travels my first year that I was free. The floor was polished stones, the walls were lined with tall windows to allow light during the day, but as it was night, all the candle stands between the windows were lit aflame allowing some light to guide us on our path.

I followed him up a grand staircase to another long hall that resembled the one below, this one just had doors lining one wall. We make it to the middle of the hall when we stop, by this door stood two guards, their backs stiff and their eyes held forward. He opens the dark wooden door, then stepped to the side and waved his arm indicating I should enter.

"A handmaid will be by soon to bring you some food and a change of clothes, if you wish to bath just ask and she will run you a bath. If you need anything during the night, just ask one of the guards and they will see to your request." Sunghoon said and paused before closing the door. "Ah, any questions?"

"Can there not be guards outside of my door?" I ask knowing they would not remove the guards.

He offered a small laugh and shook his head. "From what Jay has told me, they'll be needed."

Before I could respond and put my opinion in on what I thought about Jay, he had already closed the door. I huff and turn to take in the room. There was a fire place on the left wall, a table and chairs sat in the middle and then a full sized bed on the right wall between two windows with a dark red duvet. The wall across from me had two windows as well that had a tapestry between them. The tapestry showed a picture of knight in his white horse on top of a hill, not very eye catching to me.

~~

After I had ate and bathed I was back in my room complaining to myself on the fact I was in yet another dress. When I had asked the maid for something else she had simply laughed and apologized.

I was tired but my mind was racing. How would I get out of here? What all were they expecting from me? Did they know all the details about the map and stones?

To many thoughts to allow me to rest, so I paced the room back and forth. I would stop here and there and look out the windows to try and see if there was anything to