I spent a week in the area, learning how people lived and how the changes to the laws were affecting them. People were happy to talk to me about it, and I had several dinners with various families in the area.

There were jobs to be done while we talked, and I certainly helped where I could. I even learned a few new skills while I educated myself.

For once in my life, I recognized how privileged I had been. Mom and Dad never once struggled to support us, and our farm was plenty prosperous. How many other rebels were like me? How many thought they were lower class or poor, just to have a similar background to me?

Well, one way to find out was to return to the rebels camp and attempt to enlighten them. I certainly didn’t think I could talk down an entire rebellion this way, but if I could convince a few people they were wrong, it would be a victory.

So back to the camp I went. I was welcomed back easily, as every hand helps, but it didn’t stay that way. I set myself up in the center of camp to announce my findings… and promptly found myself booed out and running for my own safety. I did see a few looks of consideration, but not many.

Oh well. I tried. The next question was what I would do now. Return home and continue my comfortable lifestyle? Or join the king’s army and defend the work he had started?

I suppose, by this point, it wasn’t really a question for me. A letter to my parents later, it was time to talk to an army recruiter.

Army training wasn’t particularly eventful. The rebellion went on for quite a while, and I proved myself capable as I worked. Before I knew it, I was promoted through the ranks until the king himself asked me to join his personal guard. It wasn’t exactly an offer I expected, being a previous rebel myself, but I took it willingly.

Now, I help coordinate movements by the king to try to bypass rebel hotspots. Tomorrow, we’re heading to a talk the king is to give. Word came in yesterday that a rebel party planned to ambush us on our previous route and time frame, so things were moved up by a week. Something still feels off about this.

I guess only time will tell if this is just paranoia talking, but I intend to remind the others to remain on alert at all times. The rebels could easily predict this move. Protecting the king has to be our top focus at all times.

If all goes well, maybe we can wind this rebellion down in another couple of months.

---

Marcus fought the two guards who had moved him from the fight, trying to return to where he and his men had been ambushed. “I have to help them! I can fight too, you know!”

“We all know you’re more important to the kingdom than we are,” The older guard sighed. “We must wait until things calm. If you die, all of this was for naught.”

“Besides, Eli took charge of it. The boys a natural leader. Let him do his thing,” The other guard smiled. The king sighed and stopped trying to get away from them, waiting.

When the fighting calmed down, the older guard went to investigate before returning. “We’ve won- three dead on our side, the rest are in various states of wounded but look likely to recover.”

“Good- let’s go get them out of harm’s way, and decide our next move,” Marcus ordered, heading back to his men. The two guards followed, on alert for more attacks.