I'm uploading this from my phone, so we will see how it works! I will note that my writing quality is probably going to go WAY down from this point onward for a couple of reasons. 1) I have never written this part before. Everything else you have head up to Balec and Lucius' argument is a second draft – from this point onward I'm writing a first draft! Because of that, the territory is a bit unfamiliar. I do know the plot but most of the stuff is made up on the spot lol. 2) I'm doing nanowrimo. Writing fast and good isn't the most possible feat. I am editing stuff before I upload, though! 

Anyways, speech over. Here ya go! And… yeah. Brace yourselves. 

The largest room in the castle, with vaulted ceilings and high-reaching windows, was packed. The doors that led to the outside were propped open for ventilation; the cool breeze just barely helped the heat. Tables filled with food and lively conversation lined the walls. Queen Maelfesta, King Maelfesta, King Blakshir, and Prince Blakshir sat at the head of the room. 

The feast had been magnificent – if the chef didn’t freely give away her recipe for pork marinade, armies might fight over it – and the conversation enjoyable. King Eno and King Lucius publicly addressed the crowd, each sharing their excitement for the future, and introduced their party members. Lucius leaned back in his chair with a laugh at the antics of their current entertainer- a musician from Portton. He danced and jived and joked with the audience. 

King Eno wiped his eyes and leaned toward Lucius. “This is brilliant! Wherever did you find such talent?”

“You’d have to ask the queen about that,” Lucius leaned back to gesture to his mother. 

“I’ll most certainly ask her about it later.” King Eno turned his attention back to the entertainment and found himself laughing again at the man’s antics. 

Prince Ramir wore a smile, but his mind seemed to be thousands of miles away. He briefly caught Lucius’ eye for a moment. The smile he offered was hesitant – his brow was almost furrowed in worry. Lucius had little chance to interact with the prince; Ramir seemed to be much quieter than his father. He, being the heir to the Temellon, would be a useful ally, but Lucius wasn’t sure how he could ensure good rapport between them. They were only 8 years apart, but he felt miles away. 

His brow furrowed in thought until Deanna drew him into a conversation with Balec about some of the plans for the week. Their seated dinner gradually turned into a traditional celebration over the hour. The tables were pushed to the side, musicians began to play, and the dancing began. 

For a while, Lucius and King Eno stood to the side of the excitement, They introduced members of their parties to each other in a less-formal fashion. Balec and King Blakshir were excitedly chattering about the tree Lucius had been gifted when Deanna approached. She wore her hair up, braided in a circlet upon her head which held a golden band for a crown. Her dress, light and flowy for dancing, was a dark green. Lucius was just about to excuse himself to ask her to dance when King Eno stepped forward and bowed.

“Your highness, would it be discourteous of me to ask you to dance?”  He brushed his lips against her ring. 

“It is only proper,” she replied. Her eyes met Lucius’ for a brief moment, questioning, and he shrugged. The corners of her lips tilted up in a smile. King Eno took her arm and escorted her to the nearest circle of dancing and laughter. 

Lucius and Balec watched them go with amusement. “He has no idea what he signed up for, really.” Balec chuckled. “The queen does not go easy on dancing, although I am not sure what Temellon’s customs for dancing entail.”

“King Eno was mentioning the musicians he brought; I believe he intends to show us some of their traditional dances during the next feast.”

“How truly delightful!” Balec chuckled. “Deanna will enjoy that.”

“It’s a shame Tahlia(?)  isn’t here to enjoy the show. I know the Duke Callaghan and his daughter are in mourning for their mother, but the timing of it is quite unfortunate.” Lucius’ mind trailed for a moment as he pictured Tahlia's captivating brown eyes, but he stopped himself with a sigh. “I’ll teach her later.”

Balec nodded. His eyes, however, were furrowed at something across the room. Lucius followed his gaze and noticed Jaque. He rarely attended events like this, instead choosing to manage the security from a distance. He was inching around the corner of the room, a foul look on his face. Lucius’ raised his eyebrows at the man. 

Jaque caught his gaze and immediately gave up the unobtrusive approach to rush across the floor. He pulled Balec and Lucius aside. “Did you two hear anything about this sickness? Half of the men I assigned tonight are out sick. They’ve already been replaced but I just now caught wind of this. If they’re all truly ill, it could be a serious plague on our hands.”

“Where did you hear this from?” Lucius leaned down towards Jaque, “Have they been reporting this to you?”

The man shook his head. Sweat was dripping into his eyes, and he hurriedly wiped his forehead. “No one told me. They just swapped positions. Which is fine, if they actually are sick, but I needed this reported immediately. The fact that this has happened on 5 confirmed accounts is frightening.”

“And suspicious,” Balec whispered with a frown. 

Lucius’ eyes widened. “Do you think this is more than a common sickness?”

“The timing is too precise. They happen to get sick tonight? Jaque, you need to find where your men are. Immediately.”  Balec turned to glance at Lucius, who nodded approvingly. “Send Oliver over. He should stay with Lucius.” 

The soldier nodded and turned on his heel. He didn’t run out of the room; to do so would have created panic in those who knew Jaque’s role. There was a rush to his walk, however. Lucius turned to Balec with wide eyes. “Poison?” 

“I don’t know, Lucius. In truth, I am not sure which I would prefer. A plague or deliberate poison.”

A wry smile formed on Lucius’ face. He chuckled darkly. “Am I too young to retire, Balec?”

“Yes. I, however, am not.”

“I’ll have your head for treason if you leave.” 

The two laughed. “I’d never dream of leaving your side, your majesty,” Balec smiled. He held Lucius’ gaze for a moment, and then swallowed thickly. The panic in Lucius’ eyes was contagious. Thankfully, Oliver had joined their huddle in the corner. 

“Your majesty, Balec, Jaque explained the situation to me. It would be best to remain by my side until this matter is resolved.” 

Lucius glanced out to the crowd. Deanna and Eno were still dancing. By the smiles on both of their faces, they were both enjoying themselves. “Deanna is keeping King Eno distracted, but King Eno is keeping her distracted as well. What should I do, Balec?”

Balec glanced at the pair and grimaced.

“It would appear you have a dilemma.” A voice called from behind Lucius. Oliver’s hand flew to his sword in an instant, and Lucius jumped around. His heart was racing, and the person speaking didn’t calm the tension. 

Prince Ramir smiled at the group. “I understand you’d like to speak with the queen, but are hesitant to interrupt my father?”

“Of course. We don’t want to appear rude,” Balec hastily lied.

“Let me speak with him. I’ve been meaning to ask him a few questions anyways.” The prince smiled. The emotion didn’t reach his eyes. 

Lucius ignored the shudder that ran down his spine and attempted to smile back. “I’d greatly appreciate the help.”

Ramir nodded and walked away without another word. Before he could get far, a servant ran through the courtyard doors. His gaze darted around the room until he finally found Lucius, and then he bolted towards the king. The room had gone silent at the commotion. 

“Your Majesty!” The boy exclaimed. 

Balec pulled him by the sleeve and hurriedly silenced him. “Explain quietly, child. You’ve attracted enough attention already.”

The boy flushed, but did as he was told. His voice was barely audible. “A messenger from the Duke Orth was found dead.”

“Dead?” Lucius hissed. He had hardly spared a thought for the absence of Duke Orth after Eno arrived. “Was there a message? A letter?”

“No sign of one, sire.”

Lucius looked at Balec and cursed. “There’s something going on. We need to find Jaque, appearances be darned.”

“He’s coming right now.” Oliver’s eyes were focused across the room.

Jaque was running. His eyes were wide as he came to a halt. “They’re dead. All five of them. More, too. Dead and the bodies hidden. We need to get you out of here before-” before he could finish, there was a scream.

It was followed by the sound of unsheathing swords and more panicked cries. Lucius hardly had time to turn and scan the scene – women and men alike from Temellon were bearing arms – before he was shoved through a door. The kitchens were just as chaotic as the outside. 

Jaque was shouting orders to lock all kitchen entrances when Oliver shouted, “The queen!”

Lucius’ heart stopped. He looked up at Jaque with wide eyes. “I’ll get her, son, you get out,” Jaque replied. Without a moment of hesitation he lept back into the hall.

Balec and Oliver scrambled to bar the door behind him.

“What’s going on?” Servants were yelling. 

Oliver’s piercing whistle silenced the storm. “Arielle,” a servant girl stepped forward. “You know the backways, can you lead us through?” The girl nodded. He turned to the staff. “Give us 10 minutes. Keep the doors barred at least until then. Come up with some story to save yourselves, and the king. Don’t follow our path.” He grabbed Lucius’ arm again and drug him towards another door. 

“Deanna.” Lucius’s fractured voice was hardly recognizable. 

“She’ll be alright. We need to get you to safety, Lucius, come.”

He finally let himself be drug through the dark doorway. The door was shut and barred behind him with a resounding sense of finality. 

“Can you get us to the King’s Chambers from here?” Oliver asked the girl. He handed her a torch and drew his sword.

“I think so. Follow me.”

They set off at a run. 

—

Hopefully the format works. I won't ask any questions for this part; just lemme know your thoughts! I hope this was a shock.  

I also highly reccomend listening to the songs Run Boy RUn by Woodkid and Viva La Vida by Coldplay at some point. They really fit the action well from this point onwards

Whoop, here's some more wriitng! Thanks again SO much for reading. This one is long too.

—

The back ways for servants went all throughout the castle. They were small, narrow hallways that ran alongside the larger halls of the castle. They were dusty and smelled of forgotten air, but used frequently by the castle staff. Lucius had played in them as a child, many years ago. The pathways Areielle led him through were now unfamiliar. 

The group hurried through the passageways without ceasing, up stairways and around tight corners, until the servant girl stopped them before a door. “This is near the royal chambers,” she explained. “At the bottom of the stairs. This is as close as I can get you.”

Oliver sheathed his sword. “Let me around you, Arielle. I must check the coast is clear, and on my word we must hurry up the stairs.”

“I will stay-” the girl began, but was cut off by Oliver’s stern gaze.

“The whole kitchen staff knows you played a hand in the king’s escape. You can’t stay here.” He held her eyes, his dark brows furrowed, until she nodded. He glanced over her shoulder at Balec and Lucius. “Be prepared to run at my word.” As soon as he got confirmation, he turned and twisted the door handle. It creaked, and his breath caught. There was no sound on the other side. He opened the door and peeked out, looking left and right, and finally breathed a sigh of relief when there was no one to be seen. “Come on,” he hissed, throwing the door open and rushing across the hallway. 

Balec closed the door quietly behind them.

They hurried up the steep stairway, only pausing to catch their breath when Oliver stopped them to look around the corner. There were guards, some of Jaque’s men, stationed at both ends of the hallway. He turned to Balec, “Can they be trusted?”

“Are their faces familiar?” The advisor questioned. 

“Their names as well.”

“Then maybe they can be.”

Oliver squared his shoulders and stepped out into the hall without another word. “Guards, have you not heard the commotion? We need reinforcements immediately!" 

The two groups exchanged glances. “We were told to remain here under all circumstances.” 

“By the order of whom?”

“Jaque sent a servant.”

Oliver paused to think. He glanced back at the group, and finally gestured for them to come forward. “We need to get the king to safety.” 

The soldiers drew their swords instantly. Oliver charged at the closest men, not hesitating for a moment to bring them down. One fell quickly, but the other held his position well. The two on the opposite end of the hallway reached him in a matter of seconds and began attacking Oliver on all sides. 

Lucius ran in front of Balec and leaped towards the body, picking up the discarded sword. He attacked the man at Olliver’s back, running him through from behind. His presence offered enough distraction for Oliver to take down the other two. “Hurry,” he cried, “Dispose of the bodies before their blood stains. We can’t leave a trail to be followed.” 

Between the group of four, they were able to carry the bodies to the Queen’s chambers and hide them in her bedroom. Arielle found a dirty cloth to wipe up the blood, and they drug a carpet over the scene to hide any further stains. “It will do for now,” she said, wiping her brow. 

They hurried inside Lucius’ room and locked the door. “Barring it with other furniture would lead to more suspicion. The better we can hide our trail, the longer we have to run.” Oliver explained. Balec was already moving a rug on the floor. There was a trap door underneath, which led to a long, winding set of stairs. Only a few people knew about the secret exit. It was specifically built for the safety of the royal family; there were rooms atop the tall towers and nothing underneath but an escape route. “We’ll need to find help in the city.”

“There won’t be any help.” Lucius called from the window. He was leaning over the edge, staring out at the city beneath. It was in flames. “Listen!” There was screaming rising up from the streets. He could see the open gates of Belfreise from a distance and the army that was pouring in. It wasn’t just the castle that had been lost. His voice wavered. “We’ve lost the whole city.”

“What?” Balec ran to the window and gasped at the sight. For a moment he stood frozen, captivated by the sight. He wrapped an arm around Lucius’ shoulders. “Your majesty. We must get you out of the city.” The king was pale, and his body moved mechanically as Balec pulled him towards the trapdoor. Balec glanced up at Oliver. “Grab anything small and valuable. We will need money.” 

Arielle and Oliver scoured the room for valuables while Balec and Lucius started down the steps. The height was dizzying. Some part of Balec felt sick, but a greater part pushed down the feeling and he held tightly to Lucius’ arm. Arielle, a bag wrapped around her shoulders, stepped down the stairs. Oliver followed behind. In order to cover the trap door, he had to lay down and pull an end of the rug over the door and let go at the last second. There was no one to tell whether the rug lay flat, but they had no other choice. 

“Tie these around your faces. We will need them.” Oliver handed out four ripped fabrics that looked suspiciously like Lucius’ sheets. “The path out of the city leads through the sewers.” 

Lucius blinked. “I forgot about that.” Balec looked up abruptly at his voice. He leaned in to scan his face, but Lucius waved him away. He stepped out of Balec’s grip to tie the cloth around his face. “Let’s hurry. If we are quick, we can find some horses and get to the Simmons’ dutchy in a day.”

The group began the winding descent. There were dust and cobwebs that covered every wall. Some of the old stones had even begun to crumble at the edges. The lower they travelled, the stronger the smell got. There was a section of the Great RIver that channeled through Belfriese. The old architects had directed the currents under the city and the castle, as well as through the moat, and it ran all the way to the cliffs of Tione. There, the sewage was dumped into the ocean. 

Oliver turned right at the bottom of the staircase. “I was recently through here to make sure the route was secure. We will reach the cliffs and there will be a ladder leading us up to the land.” 

“Do you regularly make an effort to travel through the sewers?” Balec asked through his pinched nose. 

“When did you go through my rooms to get there?” Lucius asked at the same time. 

Despite the world falling apart above them, Oliver chuckled. “It is my job to make sure this escape is secure.”

The seriousness of the statement didn’t escape Lucius’ notice, though. He was wading through sewage, his kingdom was on fire, and his mother was missing. She was probably dead, he realized with a start. The burning in his eyes wasn’t just from the smell. Lucius swallowed and put the thought from his mind with a vicious shake of his head. Leopold’s dutchy had the largest population of soldiers; they would be able to take back Belfriese. They had to. Hayne’s, too, had soldiers that could be rallied within a number of days. 

There was hope. 

His voice caught as he spoke; “I owe you all my life.”

Oliver didn’t chuckle, this time. His tone was resolute. “It is my job.”

The others didn’t say anything. Lucius, now finding it difficult to breathe and talk and walk, pulled the cloth closer to his face. The stench burned tears into his eyes – the situation launched his heart into his throat. He ran through plans and armies and tried to work out how, exactly, King’s Eno’s army had made it through Vamir unnoticed. How his spies failed to catch work of the plot. How horribly, terribly, inexcusably he had messed up. He found his racing thoughts turning to prayers – did Kalo Nima look at the situation and laugh?

Look at him and laugh?

So round his mind went. Finally, after about a half hour of dreadful wading, a fresh breeze lifted the sweat from their bodies. Oliver stopped the group about a yard from the exit. “We need to be careful. One slip could send you over the edge.” He walked slowly, feeling with his feet for a secure grip, until he was inches away from the ledge. The sewage poured over the edge of the old tunnels into the ocean below. He gripped a ledge on the wall and leaned sideways, reaching for something, until he grunted in satisfaction. He pulled a rope ladder into sight. 

“I’d like to go first. I can’t guarantee there isn’t someone at the top waiting for us. Your majesty, i’ll need you to find your way here and help the others get on the ladder.” 

Lucius, who had been lagging at the back of the group, stepped forward. The rocks were slippery, and the slight current added tension to his traction, but he managed to find footholds and make it to where Oliver stood. He glanced out over the edge and felt suddenly sick. Oliver pushed him back. “Don’t look down. Just – here-’ He grabbed Lucius’ hand and guided him to a secure hand hold. “Don’t let go, don’t move. When I reach the top and give you the go-ahead, help Balec into this position. Watch what I do and walk them through it.” Oliver let go of the rocky handhold and leaned to grasp the ladder with both hands. He pulled himself onto it quickly, causing the ladder to jump around a little bit, and then began to climb. Lucius watched him with wide eyes. 

Finally, a few minutes after his figure had disappeared over the top of the ledge, Oliver’s face appeared and he waved. “All clear. Next!”

Arielle came forward tentatively. Lucius guided her steps, and then helped her find the handhold. He had to lean back perilously in order for her to get around him. She grabbed the ladder with both hands and gasped as she pulled herself up and it began to swing. “Don’t let go!” Oliver shouted from above. 

“Do I LOOK like I’m about to let go?” She shouted back. Her mouth was set in a grim line of determination as she began to climb. 

Balec began to make his way to Lucius already. He paused a few steps away, digging his feet into a secure foothold, and reached out to support himself on the wall. “Is it a long climb?” 

“It’s not terrible,” Lucius replied. He glanced up at the servant girl; she was almost to the top. “Just don’t let go. Make sure your hands are dry before you start climbing – I don’t know how much grip the ladder has.” 

Oliver shouted down once Arielle reached the top for Balec. He snuck around Lucius like Arielle had done, and hurried up the ladder. Lucius followed behind. The fresh air felt incredible on his skin and to his nose, but his limbs were shaking with exhaustion by the time he reached the top. The others were seated on the grass, their mouth-covers discarded on the ground. 

Oliver helped Lucius over the edge, and placed his hand upon his back until they were far away from the ledge. They could see the city from here. It sat high on the distant cliffs, it’s outline defined by flame.

Lucius’ knees hit the ground with a soft thud. He grasped the fabric of his tunic with shaking fists. The city was on fire – his people were on fire. He felt as if he was on fire, the way his throat stung and heat rushed to his face. He bent over himself, tearing his eyes away from Belfriese, and pressed his hands to his mouth. 

Balec rushed to his side, dropping to his knees beside the king. “Your majesty, we must not lose hope.”

“How can you call me by such a title?! I am no king – “

“Lucius,” the advisor’s voice softened as he leaned down to wrap his arms around the hunched over figure. “Hope is not lost.”

“I failed.”

The crack in Lucius’ voice caused Balec’s vision to blur. He gripped him by the shoulders and pulled his body up – his gaze was hard as he spoke. “Your majesty, we will travel to Simmons for aid.”

“Yes – yes, we must hurry.” Lucius took a shaky breath as he stood. Oliver’s hand hovered behind him, ready to offer support should it be needed. Balec stepped back, although he held his hands out warily. Lucius looked between them and smiled wryly. “I am alright. Balec-” he locked eyes with him, “I shall never ignore your advice again.”

“Even I could have never foreseen such circumstances, Lucius.”

“I just- I don’t understand-”

“We will find the answers, but first we must run.” 

“I might have some answers for you.” The girl had nearly been forgotten. Her voice was firm as she turned to wave the group over. She stood by the cliffs, peering over the edge.

They rushed over and were silent as they surveyed the scene.The Island of Delacruz was visible from the land. The strait of water between the two sources of land was wide enough for a large number of ships – and it was filled with boats. There were boats anchored near the rocky cliffs and large, wooden ladders that leaned up against the edge of the land. 

“Good lord, that isn’t how the army arrived, is it?” Oliver asked.

“THey must have. IF the ocean was any wilder the attempt would have been a disaster. I can’t believe it.” Balec’s skin looked particularly pale underneath the twilight sky. 

Lucius’ eyes were locked on the Delacruz island across the way. His fists clenched until the knuckles grew white. “Either someone wasn’t keeping watch, or we’ve been betrayed. There’s no way all of these ships would have made it through the straight if Delacruz was keeping watch. Even under cover of darkness he’d have to notice lights and shadows.”

“It’s possible, your majesty -”

“Darn right it is! The measures taken to accomplish this -” Lucius could take it no more, he turned his back to the ocean and stalked away from the edge. “Let’s go. We need horses. Where’s the closest village?”

After a few moments of discussion, they decided to walk directly through the land. A diagonal to Simmons’ dutchy would be the shortest route. It was important to hurry, but the group was winded after the trip through the sewers. They walked quickly, but couldn’t find the energy to run. The hope of horses, food, and rescue spurred them on. 

After only a half hour of walking they approached the field and farmland outside of Belfriese. A plume of smoke rose still in the distance- undoubtedly from the sacked capitol. Lucius tore his gaze away from the sight and set his mind to scanning the horizon – any sign of structure would undoubtedly lead to life. 

A small farming village lay just to the west of their path. It took a few minutes to creep their way into the town. The sky was dark, and the town quiet, so most everyone was asleep. “Are we going to steal the horses?” THe servant girl leaned to ask Oliver. 

“Borrow.” He replied. 

She narrowed her eyes but said nothing more. The community stables held about 6 horses total – 4 of which were a stout, farming breed. Only two looked as if they could handle a long-distance ride at a decent speed. 

“We’ll just take the two,” Oliver decided. “The others are old, and I’m certain the town will miss their work significantly.”

“Will they be able to handle the weight of two people?” Balec was already working to saddle up the bold, brown horse. 

“They look sturdy enough.”

The group rushed to get the two horses ready. They fit Arielle’s bag of valuables into one of the pack saddles, and filled the rest with oats for the horses. Food for the humans would have to wait. The silence of the night grew thick while they worked until they were finally ready to go.

Last minute, Lucius grabbed a gold chain from the pack. He placed it on the stable door handle – somewhere that could easily be spotted from inside the horse’ stalls. “To satisfy the owners before we can return the horses, “ he explained when Balec looked at him questioningly, “It’ll have to do.” 

Oliver helped Arielle onto a horse – she was light, but Balec was far lighter. He was tall and skinny in his old age, so Oliver sat in front of him on the horse. Lucius was stuck with the servant girl behind him.

The fit was uncomfortable, to say the least. 

“Oliver, maybe I should stay. I’ve gotten out of the castle – don’t you think I’ll be safe here? Will my presence not slow you down?”

The soldier’s lips thinned as he looked up at the girl. “If you were found out- I don’t want to think about what they would do to you. You will join us until you’re somewhere safe. Assuming that is fine by you, your majesty?”

He wasn’t about to argue, so Lucius just nodded in response. HIs eyes were growing heavy. If they didn’t get moving soon, he was going to fall off his horse. “Let’s go.”

They walked the horses out of the stable and the village, trying to stay quiet, and only began to rush once they were well out of sight of the houses. 

The night was cold – it was the height of autumn. The fields that they rode through, illuminated under the light of the moon, were almost completely devoid of crops. The harvest season was coming to a close. The horses ran – tails blowing in the frigid wind – their hooves thudding against the dirt of well-worn pathways through the crops. Trees started appearing eventually, first individually, then in small clusters, until they were finally covered on all sides by a thick forest. There were paths cleared – they had no choice but to stay on the paths with the horses. Oliver only allowed them a rest under such cover, and only then because the horses were growing restless. 

A small stream relieved their thirst, the horses had a small snack, and the group moved on shortly after rinsing their sewage-stained garments in the cool water. The idea of food carried them onwards. 

Eventually the trees faded into more endless fields, now illuminated under the light of a golden sun. It provided relief for their cold fingers and shivering limbs – Lucius felt as if his fingers were frozen to the reins, and it was quite possibly the only thing preventing him from falling off the horse. 

Arielle and Balec clung to their riders – and at some points had fallen asleep. Oliver had to wake Balec up when he started sliding off. 

A few more hours of riding, some of which involved avoiding farming villages and houses, finally brought them to a large town by a lake. It was surrounded loosely by trees, which allowed the group to dismount and plan their entrance. Leopold’s home was on the far side of the lake – isolated from the town only partially. It was possible they would be seen, even if they went far away from the town, but at this point they would be safe.

Even if King Eno’s men caught onto the trail, and somehow were following their tracks, there would be resistance from the army here. There would hardly be any time to rest, but Lucius knew that it would take a few hours to gather forces. Leopold could handle the work while he bathed, ate, and rested. His body was trembling from the exertion it had undergone over the last day. 

It was mid-afternoon – they had managed the trip in under a day, miraculously. 

Lucius supposed that dire circumstances often produced such speed. 

On their horses again, they raced around the lake with renewed vigor. Their bodies were on the verge of collapse, but hope often has a way of energizing those with nothing left to give. The horses slowed inside the stone courtyard of Leopold’s residence. Servants bustled about, pausing to glance at the strangers, but otherwise paying them no heed. 

Lucius slid off from the horse and felt his legs collapse under him – Oliver barely caught him by the arm. He hoisted him onto his feet and turned to help Arielle down. She collapsed as well. Her legs were trembling, unused to horses, much less riding one for such a long period of time. Balec was talking quietly to a doorsman, waving his hands as he explained the situation. 

“Lucius!” A woman ran down the entrance steps, ivory skirts gathered in her hands. Her dark hair flew freely behind her. “Your majesty, what are you -” just as quickly as she approached, she recoiled. “What is that smell?”

“I’ll explain later, where is Leopold?” His words were slurred with exhaustion. 

“He’s hunting, did you not receive my message? What’s going on-”

Lucius looked at Balec and groaned. How could he have forgotten? He ran a hand over his face. “Never mind – just, we’ve been riding all night. We need a bath, sleep, and food, then I’ll explain.”

Her eyes went wide, but she nodded. “Yes, of course. Eliza!” She waved down a young servant girl. “Let the staff know I want four hot baths drawn – prepare just as many guest chambers with food. Immediately!” 

The rest of the hour was blurred together, yet it still took far too long to get into bed. The four individuals were asleep before they hit the covers.

—

Thoughts? What do y'all think is going to happen now? TTFN!! <3

 

Hi Jazzy, I'm actually 18 too! It's been five years since I've visited the cricketmag website, but for some reason I randomly remembered it today. I used to spend a lot of time creating stories in the Inkwell or Kyngdom, under a couple different names (I think the main ones were Arra and Starbringer), but I'm not really sure why it came to mind again.

Anyway, and my 12 year old sister were laughing at middle-school me's writing that I found on one of the back pages of the Inkwell, when I saw this thread. 

Just wanted to let you know that I love your story, and I'm really happy that you've kept up with writing. I've always hoped to try writing for fun again, but since I'm leaving for college in a month, I don't think I'll be writing anything non-school-related for a while. Good luck with classes and any WIPs that you have! 

(Also, isn't it really strange seeing all the CBer names and suddenly all these forgotten memories come back? I can't believe it's been years already.)

Best wishes, 

Lydia  

Because this one is a bit shorter and slower, I'll post the rest of the chapter sometime in the next few days :D. Thanks guys!

— 

13 hours later the sun rose, and with it came four well-rested, but terribly sore, travelers. The Simmons’ home was already bustling with activity. Servants were waiting to direct them to a comfortable room, at the middle of which was a table covered in food.  The smell of roasted fish drew them in. Despite having eaten the night prior, they still felt as if they hadn’t eaten in days. They sat around the table and ate in silence.

There wasn’t much to say, really.

Finally, after his 3rd helping of breakfast, Lucius pushed himself away from the table. “I am going to find the Lady Simmons. I don’t know what I’ve been doing here, sitting – There is work to be done.” Oliver, despite being in the middle of a mouthful of food, stood to follow. Lucius shook his head. “The security here should be safe-“ but before he could finish, the great wooden doors to the hall flew open.

“I did not realize you would rise so early,” the Lady gasped. “I apologize for my appearance, my servants woke me as soon as they were aware of your rising. I came as fast as I could.” Her hair was tied up in a messy knot, and a loose green cloak thrown over her dressing gown.

The group rose from their chairs to greet her but she waved her hand. “No, sit, I insist. I can tell you have been through a great ordeal. Tell me while I eat – Eliza! Please bring drinks, our guests must be parched!”

She sighed and pulled out a chair next to Lucius. Her eyes scanned the group, curious, until she could restrain herself no more. “Lucius, tell me, why are you here? What happened?”

Now that the question had been posed to him, he wasn’t sure how to answer. Thankfully,  Balec was more than willing to explain. “Lady Simmons – we were in the middle of our celebration with King Eno when his party, men and women alike, began to attack. They had hidden weapons. Somehow this escaped our notice. We fled the dining hall and escaped to the tower, only to realize the city was also under siege. There was no choice but to flee the city, as well. We came here as fast as we could travel, hoping for aid.”

Her hand went to her mouth while Balec explained. “How did this happen?”

“Delacruz,” Lucius added, his words sharp. “They found a way to scale the cliffs of Tione. He allowed the armies to pass, whether by intention or oversight, I do not know. Either way, it was by sea that the armies of Temellon reached Belfriese.”

“Whatever can be done? Is the city – does it still stand?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping Leopold would be here to aid me in a retribution.”

“I sent word to him last night, letting him know of your arrival and request for his presence. I do not know how far he has gone but he may be on his way home already – I am not certain.”

Lucius fell back into his chair with a groan. “Do we wait, Balec? What else is to be done?”

“Haynes is so far away – I fear it would be pointless to ride to him.”

“We must send out a word, at the very least. Do you have spare messengers, Lady Simmons? We must let the Dukes know.”

The Lady Simmons hesitated. “Most of the men are gone on the hunt – but I should have enough spare servants to send. Most of our pigeons for the dukes are out, as well-”

“I do not have time to wait!” Lucius left the table abruptly. He made for the doors, but at the last second turned. He turned again, and began to pace back and forth.

Balec exchanged glances with Oliver. They both wore the same grimace. “It won't be long before we hear word from Belfriese. News will travel fast,” Oliver supplied. “Let us work to call for aid. We shall start with that.”

There was nothing else they could do.

Lady Simmons made arrangements for her scribes and servants to arrive. While they waited, her eyes again scanned the group. Arielle, the servant girl, was sitting quietly in the corner. “I am familiar with the three of you, of course,” she nodded at the three men, “but I don’t believe I recognize the young lady you travelled with?”

The girl looked up from her hands and stood abruptly. She brushed out her dress and stepped forward to curtsey. “My name is Arielle Yversen – I am a servant in the royal kitchens.”

“She helped us escape the castle,” Oliver added.

“I am sure that must have been a terribly daunting task!” Lady Simmons gasped. “You are very brave.”

Arielle shrugged. “I am much safer out of the castle; I think I’m quite lucky. Besides, I’ve never eaten so well in my life, or slept in such conditions.” 

“Oh, well, if the accommodations are too unfamiliar, I am sure the servants would love to have your company.” 

“No. No- that’s quite alright.”

There was a twinkle in Lady Simmons’ eye as she smiled at Arielle. “If you insist.”

By this time the servants had begun ariving, so the conversation quickly turned to their predicament. There had to be some semblance of a plan, of course, to instruct. It all hinged on how quickly Leopold could return. Before lunch time, the letters were sent and the plans concocted.

“Let us go to the town and rally the men there,” Oliver advised.

“I am afraid that isn’t possible,” the lady winced. “Most of the able-bodied men also joined Leopold on his hunt.”

“What kind of hunt is this?” Lucius threw his hands into the air. “You don’t need a whole army for a deer, do you?”

She looked down at her hands. “A large wild boar, according to the rumors. You know how Leopold is – you must forgive him.” Her eyes met Lucius – they were a wild, vibrant green. She lacked the natural brown eyes of a typical Valorian, but was of verified noble birth. She leaned forward, her eyes imploring. “Forgive him, Lucius?”

He took her hand. “Yes, of course, this is not his fault – I only wish he would hurry. The state of . . . everything rests upon it.”

“Let us have lunch, we can go from there.”

Lucius stood from the table and shook his head. “I think I am going to rest more. My head is beginning to ache – my body still hurts from the toll of the last two days.” Had it been two days? Hardly. Lucius scoffed and waved away the worried gaze of Balec. His head was quickly beginning to blister – there was a relentless, throbbing pressure behind his eyes. “I will feel better after a nap, and perhaps another hot bath.”

“I will have the servants prepare your hot water.”

“Thank you, My Lady."

Lucius managed to find his chambers – he had been in such a trance the night before that it was a bit difficult to remember which rooms were his. His clothes were cleaned and folded neatly on a chair in the corner. It was a miracle they had been salvaged – the cloak, the silk fabrics, and the expensive furs still appeared presentable.

 Not that he would wear them again, anyways.Not after he knew where they had been.

The servants were preparing him a hot bath in the adjacent bathroom, but the bed looked too enticing to reject. He cast himself upon it, oh sweet relief, and fell quickly asleep.

—

“Lucius, wake up!” Balec’s voice, and the excitement in his tone, brought Lucius very abruptly back to the land of the living. "We received word from Leopold, he is on his way back from the trip. If we head northwest we can meet him on his way back, closer to Belfriese. Lady Simmons is arranging to send the remaining men in the town after us.”

He threw off the covers and shot out of bed. “Is that the plan?”

“I figured it would be-”

“Don’t explain yourself to me, Balec. Let’s just hurry and go.” 

“Yes, your majesty. Lady Simmons is arranging to have horses packed and ready with food and clothing, and Oliver is taking care of weapons. She asked us to meet them at the front entrance.” 

Lucius took one glance at his ceremonial robes and decided to leave them. Balec and he hurried out of the room and through the castle to the outdoors. There were three horses across the courtyard, in the process of being saddled up by the servants. The Lady Simmons was at the bottom of the stairs, talking quietly with her assistant. She looked up and smiled as the two approached. “I am sure you’ve heard the news, Lucius. The townsmen won’t be ready to fight for several hours, and I assumed you didn’t want to wait around for them when it would save you time to meet Leopold on the way.”

“Of course. Thank you, Lady Simmons. Your hospitality and aid in these difficult times will not be forgotten.” 

Her smile grew tight. Forgoing protocol, she drew Lucius into her arms and embraced him. “You are family, Lucius. You have been so good to me and Leopold, and the girls.”

He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. “Thank you, Alyse. I haven’t seen your daughters around, but tell them I send my wishes. After this whole ordeal is over, you shall have to come pay a visit.”

“I would like that.” She pulled away and patted him on the arm. Her eyes were wet. “Well. I- I will send help to follow you.” 

Oliver walked to the group. He had just saddled the horses with weapons and armor for Lucius and himself. “Only three horses?” His eyes were on Arielle, who was helping load the saddles with food.

“Oh, yes, of course. Arielle!” The lady called, waving her over. She handed a bundle of food to someone else and hurried over. “Won’t you explain what we discussed?”

“The Lady Simmons agreed to take me on as help in her kitchens until the castle has been secured. I believe I am safe enough, here.”

Oliver looked disappointed for a fleeting moment. Balec spoke before he could find something to say. “How wonderful, my girl. We must again thank you for your assistance in escaping the castle.”

“As I said, the situation worked out better for me, as well.”

Lucius glanced at the girl. She was tall and broad, with dark skin and darker eyes. He met her gaze. She didn’t duck away or bow – not like servants normally did. The challenge in her eyes took him off guard. “Thank- thank you. Your assistance will not go unrewarded.”

Her grin was contagious. “Thank you, your majesty.”

Oliver said nothing. 

“Alright!” The lady Simmons clapped her hands together. “Looks like everything is set to go – you have enough food and water for three days of riding, more than enough to meet up with Leopold and make it to Belfriese.”

“Thank you again -” Lucius began, but was silenced by a wave of her hand. 

“On with you, now. You have a castle to save and a kingdom to run. No time for idle chatter – go on, hurry.” The Lady Simmons shooed the three men to their horses. They mounted their steeds and bid her farewell before departing through the gates. 

If they travelled fast and rested during the night, they might meet with Leopold by the morning. “She said he was returning on the Lantern path through the woods. If we head west from here and then ride north along the woods, the path should be obvious.” Oliver glanced at a map to verify the directions, and then clicked his heels into the horse's side. 

They set off at a gallop, away from the lake with a town and a castle. Towards Leopold – towards an army and a war. 

Lady Simmons was going to send out updated instructions to the Dukes – Haynes could meet them in Belfriese in a few days if all went according to plan. Yes, he had been lied to, and for a moment all was lost. But Lucius had a plan to get his city, and his kingdom, back. 

—

<3

Okay, I had some ideas about how things will be working for the next little while. Basically, from this point onward in the story, my characterizations suck. We get to see more of certain characters, but I realized that I didn't know them really well. 20k+ words in the future I do, but if I keep posting stuff unedited then you'll begin to see some conflicting identities. 

Hope that made sense.

Basically, I am going to be totally reworking most of the upcoming stuff for y'all. I am going to keep plowing ahead, too, (because I am way in the future writing-wise) but I want you guys to get the best I can give. You'll probably see me post Tuesdays or Wednesdays, because I don't work 8 hours those days lol.  

The next scene is a disaster in terms of character, so within the next couple days I plan on totally reworking it and it will probably be up by Thursday. Thanks again for sticking with me! 

Anyways, back to writing!

@silver crystal HAHAHA YOU THOUGHHTTT.

—

 

Through endless fields they rode, only reaching the trees
after a few hours of hard riding. The sun was beginning to set, but they
travelled in the reaching shadows of the trees until they found a wide path
through the forest. A wooden sign was nailed to a tree that read, “Lantern
Path.” 

Oliver led them on the path for a ways, and then through the woods. They could see the clearing
through their position, and would certainly hear anyone passing through, but would be difficult to spot behind the brush if someone wasn’t looking. They tied their horses to a distant tree and set up a small tent Lady Simmons had packed. It was a long, thick tarp that could be tied to close trees to provide cover. They chose to opt out a fire – the food that was packed needed no warmth to be eaten – and no one wanted to stay awake to manage the flame. 

By the time they had set up camp, the sun was gone and twilight long past. Distant lights begun to
flicker alight along the path. “What’s that?” Oliver stood to peer out at the trail.

Balec stood as well, curious by the sudden glowing lights. “I assume that is the reason they call
this path, ‘Lantern.’” 

“It’s too cold for light butterflies.”

“And they aren’t moving.” Lucius added. 

Balec was already moving towards the light. Lucius chuckled, but found himself following. Oliver wasn’t far behind. They reached the path and found the lights further into the woods on the other side. They crossed and journeyed a few steps into the forest before stumbling upon a small creek. It was lined with what looked to be cattails that glowed. 

“How fascinating!” Balec gasped. He squatted down to examine the plant, and when he reached out to touch it, the glowing light jumped into the air. His eyes were bright as he watched the seeds fall to the ground. “I do believe this is a *fancy word.* I haven’t seen one for myself, but they are quite common.” His fingertips where he touched the plant were covered in the glowing dust. He wiped it on his pants as he stood. 

“They’re beautiful,” Oliver whispered. “I haven’t seen these for a long time.”

“You’ve seen these before?” Lucius asked. 

“I grew up on a lake.” 

They grew quiet. The silence allowed the sound of the wind to wash over them, and sounds of the
night forest to come alive. The distant sound of hooves grew steadily louder in the calm. 

“Do you hear that?” Oliver glanced at Lucius and Balec to confirm before darting back to the path.
He squatted down behind a tree, motioning for the two others to follow. Whoever rode the horse was in a rush. In a few moments the horse and rider were before them, whizzing by on the path before them. Even in the dim moonlight they could make out the familiar form.

Oliver jumped out of the bushes, calling her name. “Arielle!
Stop!”

Arielle yanked on the reins when she heard her name called.
The horse came to a halt, the sudden change of speed nearly throwing her over its
head, and turned wildly around as she struggled to regain control. After a
moment of resituating she managed to stop entirely. “Who is there?” Her eyes
scanned the dark tree line and the silhouetted figure that had jumped nearly in
front of her. It had to be someone she knew, and the voice and figure were like
Oliver, but a part of her didn’t want to hope. Had she just stopped in the dark
for a stranger, then? Could she get the horse moving?

It was him, thankfully. “It’s Oliver. What – what are you
doing out here?” He twisted around towards the bushes and waved his arm. “Come
on – It’s just Arielle.”

Two more figures appeared from the trees, their tall, skinny
shapes towering over Oliver. They moved towards Arielle, and she dismounted the
horse. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but her grip on the saddle gave her enough
support to stand. Never, in her life, had she ridden so fast. Not that she had
ridden much ever, but that was beside the point. Oliver stepped beside her and
grabbed the reins before the horse could run off. He stroked its neck,
whispering soothing words until it calmed down.

Arielle stood on her own two legs after a moment. She
crossed her arms as she scanned the trio, her eyebrows raised. “Where are your
horses?”

“We made camp,” Lucius gestured towards the woods. Arielle
couldn’t see at all where he pointed, but she nodded anyways. “I think we are
all waiting to hear what you are doing here.”

He seemed so stiff – Arielle tilted her chin upwards at the
king. “I’ll tell you, but I can’t do it here.”

Even in the dim light, Lucius noted the posture of defiance
the girl carried. Had she come all this way to step on him? He ignored the
slight and turned to glance at Balec.

The advisor shrugged. “We’ll walk you back to our camp.
Olive-“

“I’ve got the horse,” Oliver cut in. It had calmed down
significantly from his efforts. It had never been ridden by someone so
inexperienced. It was still reeling from the insult but enjoyed the new person
enough to follow him off the trail. The roots were a bit tricky to maneuver,
but they managed just fine. They were, after all, a thorough bred.

“It might be best to lay off the fires,” Arielle said once
she saw the state of their camp.

“We weren’t planning on one,” Lucius replied, his arms
crossed. He scanned her pose – she seemed confident, still, but the slightest
breeze had her peering over her shoulder with wide eyes. His curiosity piqued,
he again asked what her business was.

Seeing that all three men were staring expectantly at her,
Arielle sighed. What she had heard – it was necessary that the king knew. She
had rehearsed the words several times as she rode, but they left her as soon
the moment arrived. Her legs felt like pudding, her hands were freezing, and she’d
probably never done anything so important in her life. Arielle squatted down on
the ground and focused her gaze on some trampled flowers. “Leopold arrived at
the fortress not long after you left.”

Lucius looked at Balec in alarm. “How did we miss him? We
must head back-“ Arielle’s hand on his ankle cut him off. He looked down at the
girl with his eyebrows raised. They remained that way for a moment, frozen by
the audacity of the servant, before Arielle broke contact abruptly.

She fell back onto her bottom to sit more comfortably. “Let
me finish, your majesty. Leopold came home, but-“ again, the words left her.
Out with it! “He came from the capitol. Apparently the people think both you
and the queen are dead, and in light of King Eno’s attack he was made acting
king. Duke Simmons convinced King Eno to retreat after brief negotiations.”

Balec laughed. “Why, that’s wonderful! We must-“

She shook her head. “No, that’s what the people think
happened. I overheard the Lady and the Duke Simmons talking – Leopold aided
King Eno in the attack. He – let’s see –“ she racked her mind for the words he
had said, “He said ‘everything went according to plan’ and ‘the attack was
successful.’ And he was not very happy when he realized the Lady Simmons had
let you leave.”

They didn’t respond. She looked up at the men to find their
faces frozen in shock. Lucius was staring at Balec, his mouth partially open.
From her position on the ground, she could easily see his hands shaking. He
recoiled suddenly and clasped them behind his back as he began pacing back and
forth.

“You’re certain.”

“Yes.”

“Positive?”

“Yes!”

Lucius ran his hands over his face. “The Lady Simmons was
hiding something – I shoulder have realized.” The moment of relief that had
swept over him when Arielle first spoke was replaced by a gigantic wave of
endless, drowning fear. His thoughts attacked him on all sides and his words
poured out of him just as unorganized. “Why would Leopold betray me? He
betrayed me? Oh heavens – Lady Simmons intended to send us right into his arms?
How did he miss us?”

“Stop yourself! You still haven’t let me finish – Lady
Simmons saved you, don’t you get it!?” Even Arielle was startled by the volume
behind her voice. She paused to compose herself – her gratitude for Lady
Simmons was no excuse for such behavior. Neither was her annoyance with the
spiraling King. “Listen – She arranged it perfectly, you see? She sent us away
from the Duke. If he was returning from Belfries, she wouldn’t have sent us
north first!”

“She could have told me the truth-“

“She’s smarter than you give her credit for! Not once did
she lie to her husband, but still she managed to save you. It is also because
of her that you know this information. She sent me, personally on an errand
directly beneath the window where her and the Duke had this discussion. It was
open, I was able to hear everything, and there was a packed horse waiting for
me at the gate.”

Lucius stopped his pacing to glare at the girl. “She lied to
me.”

“But at what cost? Had she been caught lying to her husband,
the consequences might have been immediate. At least she is safe for now from
your punishment.” Arielle stood up despite her sore legs. She wasn’t as tall as
the king, but was close enough that she could stare him directly in the eyes.

“It’s treason! I’m the king!”

“Not right now you’re not.”

Oliver’s sharp intake of breath let Arielle know she had
crossed a line. Lucius’ leaned towards her, his eyes wild with fury, but he did
nothing more. She was prepared for shouting, violence, anything, but instead the anger left his face and was replaced with
a mask of calm.  He stepped back and
turned, stalking to the edge of the camp.

Lucius took deep breaths, as silently as he could. No one
was speaking – were they all watching him? He felt their eyes lingering on his
back. Arielle, undoubtedly, was still glaring daggers. What right did she have?
She knew nothing of diplomacy or tradition or law. Her words – her words would
never be tolerated back at the castle. Lucius had been so angry, and he still
was, but it left him just as quickly as it came because she had been right. He couldn’t do anything because
she was right. Leopold had betrayed
him, his people thought him dead, his city and castle was in ruins. He was no
king. He was no Maeflesta – his ancestors, his father, had certainly never been so disappointed in their lives.

Balec took a wary step towards Lucius. He was about to reach
out his hand when the king spun around.

Lucius avoided Balec’s gaze. He spoke only because he was
certain his voice would not falter. “And the queen?”

“What?”

That stupid little look on that stupid little face enraged
Lucius more than it probably should have. He took a deep breath and again
addressed Arielle. “You said the people thought I and the queen were dead. I am
obviously still alive. Did Leopold mention anything about her?”

Realization dawned on her face. Her mouth set in a grim line
– Lucius already knew the answer. “He said she’s dead, but they couldn’t find
your body.”

A body. There had been a body. Lucius felt the ground sway
beneath his feet. Balec was by his side in an instant, but he stepped out of
reach. “Did I have to drag that information out of you? You couldn’t explain
everything in a straight line?”

“You wouldn’t let me finish!” She clenched her hands. His
posture, his fake composure, everything about him was arrogant. “Would it kill
you to be grateful? Lady Simmons did her best; I’m doing my best. I didn’t have
to ride that bloody rotten horse to come and tell you!”

Lucius’ nostrils flared. *** “Stop it. Stop – stop talking.” He didn’t know what he’d
do if she kept going – her mouth just ran on and on. Every word that left her only
served to irritate him further. The people that made him angriest – diplomats with
their subtle, passive aggressive barbs – were nothing compared to this blasted
servant girl. The audacity.

Though several insults flashed through Arielle’s head, she
bit her tongue to keep them contained. If she stopped, he would, too. Her jaw
was beginning to ache from clenching her teeth. She turned on her heel and
stalked over to her horse. There was bedding tied to the pack which she yanked
off the saddle and began to untie.

Her compliance – a miracle, really – left Lucius more
confused than anything. The anger fueled a grim satisfaction in her submission.
She was a servant, and damn was he grateful when she finally acted like it. His
body still trembled with tension. There was a pressure behind his eyes that
didn’t want to go away, and it only increased as he watched the girl begin to
make her bed. His tone was hollow as he spoke; “You’re staying?”

“Of course. Where else can I go?” She snapped. When the king
didn’t respond, she glanced over her shoulder at him. His eyes were glazed
over.

Balec reached out to Lucius’ shoulder. His voice was soft. “It’s
getting late, your majesty.”

Lucius startled. He looked around at the others. Balec and
Oliver appeared to be concerned. Arielle, when his eyes fell on her, turned
back to her work. Her motions were aggressive as she untied her bedding and
shoved it under the tarp. Lucius stepped out of Balec’s grasp and walked to his
own horse. His bedding was already laid out, but he pretended to look through
his bags. “Goodnight. I’ll be to bed shortly.” He waved when he heard Oliver
approach him. They were acting like he was about to shatter – that, too,
angered him. What did he prefer? The disrespectful servant girl or the two men
that were treating him like a traumatized child?

He tore through his bag until the others crawled into bed.
They must have known he was avoiding them, but he didn’t care anymore. He just –
he just didn’t. The extreme waves of emotion tore at his heart until it was
raw, leaving nothing but a subdued ache.

It took all his effort to crawl into the same tarp as
Arielle. She was obviously still awake – so were Oliver and Balec, too, when he
listened to their breathing.

Thankfully they kept their mouths shut.

He lay next to Balec. Only when he slowed his own breathing
did the man fall asleep – Oliver and Arielle followed behind. Lucius could hear
their slow, deep sighs and occasional snore. One would readjust occasionally,
the ground rustling beneath them.

It struck him, then. His mother was dead.

Unless Leopold was lying? He could have been. Arielle, too,
could be lying. Lucius rolled over and pulled his knees up to his chest. He had
plans to make – only when he had exhausted all trains of thought did he finally
fall asleep.

—

Hopefully the formatting is alright. Yes. Definitely let me know what you think of this! A LOT happened in the scene, haha. What are your thoughts on Arielle now? What about Leopold?

Hi! I saw you are getting a music major and my brother is too! His is in composing though. He's going into freshmen next year.

@Caroline. Very cool about your brother! Composition is a tough major. Tell him I said good luck, if it wouldn't be weird lol. 

And hi everybody else! This is a bit more of a serious post. Basically, Im going to take an indefinite break from posting. There are a few reasons for this. 1) I just finished Camp Nanowrimo (wrote 50k! Wooo!) And my novel is a mess. I need to spend some time regrouping and brainstorming. 2) I leave for college this month for the first time, even though I'm a sophomore. I'd like to spend time getting ready and, as I get to campus, try and make up for lost time with some of my friends. 3)I'm working a lot up until a leave lol. 4) I need to make time to say goodbye to my friends at home cx. 

It's not that, once the semester starts, I will be too busy to write. It's just that I think I need a healthy break to get my creative juices going again. I need to sit on the story for a while and focus on real life for a bit.  

I am so sorry though! For you all who have been reading this, I just HATE leaving you on a cliffhanger! I can't guarantee I'll be back and when, or if it will be anytime soon, but your input has been so valuable to me.  Nothing makes my day more than when you are just as excited about the story as I am. 

Maybe in five years look up Katherine Joy. That will be my pen name! (Admins, Katherine Joy is NOT my real name.)  I might have published by then. Maybe. Who knows what the future holds? Again, I thank you all. So. So. Much. Hopefully if I come back the upgraded story will be worth the wait. 

I'll still be sticking around to chat the next few weeks, though! Even if I'm not writing I still love talking to yall!