She took one of the mysterious seeds and tossed it in the sea. The rest scattered and blew away.  It was the only seed that shone like gold. She knew it was the seed that no one else could own. Immediately, she wished she hadn't, but did she have a choice? Behind her, the gray knights were getting closer. She could hear the horses pounding through the forest.

Surprisingly, the seed floated instead of sinking.  She saw it bobbing on a wave, before it disappeared. She should have known better.  "It's light as air but as valuable as a queen's fortune," the wizard told her that morning.

Once again, she didn't think. (Wasn't that her biggest problem?) She threw off her cape, and dove into a breaking wave. Coming up for air, she gasped and felt something in her throat. It was either the seed or a bit of seaweed. She'd have to get to shore before she knew, but the knights were there already. So she swallowed hard, before a wave threw her down.

Standing up, she stumbled onto the beach, her hands empty. “I have nothing,” she cried.