PRINCESS AURORA ESCAPES her dream. Wet sweat soaks her clothes.

“Athena!”

No response.

She stumbles to the door. She catches herself on her reading chair. “Athena!”

Faltering, she leans a moment against the doorframe.

It takes her a minute to reach Amye’s quarters. She presses the door chime. You better not be drunk. I need you.

Amye hangs out of the door as it opens. “What do you want, your highness?”

“There’s a Sandman attacking.”

“I don’t care.”

“What about Reynard? You still care about him…don’t you? We have to help him.”

“Get his new girl to protect him.”

“Amye, what’s wrong with you? Where is the woman teaching me to protect myself?” Michelle asks.

“She just wants a drink.” Amye mumbles, “She wants to forget.”

“The woman training me would never forget her friends.”

“You’re more trouble than you’re worth, princess.”

“I need you to help me. You’ll never win him away from Leeka if you don’t save him.”

Neither of them notices the slowly melting dream catcher outside the Commander’s quarters.