Chapter 3, um I mean 4 :)

Hey thanks for putting up with the long wait. Here it is. So I did the math and chapter three is so long that I think I might just end up spliting it into 2 chapters. But that means finding a good place to split. For now, we'll call this chapter 4, even though technically its chapter 3 part 2.

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Klaus walked out of the quest quarters but then when he came to the turn, he couldn’t remember if it had been the third left after the second right or the second left after the third right. Or something in between. He decided after a while to follow his instincts. He walked down the steps he came to and noticed the sun coloring the sky orange outside. Soon he’d have to meet back up with Ivan.

He kept walking down the stairs and came to another split. He took one way but it only led to a small side room, probably for storing food. He retraced his steps and found the next room’s door locked. But, the key hung on a nail next to it. Taking it down he entered. The room was dark, but there was a large bowl full of oil in the middle. He grabbed a candle outside and threw it in the bowl. The light cascaded across the room that was packed with gold. Klaus stared around at the riches that surrounded him. His mouth hung open as he tried to comprehend the vast mountains of gold, ivory, and precious stones.

Outside the Captain saw the colomn of black smoke coming up out of the roof of the treasury. He called two gaurds and gave them whisepered instructions. Then he walked to the door that led to the treasury. If this was a thief he would regret the day he had been born.

Klaus walked around the massive piles looking at variety of riches. On one hill he saw a man made out of gold. On another he saw an elephant of silver with real ivory tusks and diomand eyes. Everywhere were ornamental swords and shields and crowns and it was all too much to take in.

The next moment the door burst open and Klaus jumped like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The sneering Captain stood in the doorway.

“So, what have we here? A thief? I hate thieves.”

“No it’s not what it looks like!”

“Who are you boy! You’re obviously not one of the Goodwife’s birds. Now would be a very good time for you to start telling the truth. But maybe a stay in the dungeon will help you remember.”

“Wait listen. I’m not a thief! I got lost and I-”

“Silence! You will receive ten lashes for interrupting me!”

Klaus was about to turn and run when he saw the two gaurds enter behind him with spears ready. He let out a defeated sigh as they took him away. The captain gave a menacing smile as he waved his spear under Klaus’ nose.

“Where to Cap’n?” Asked Burt

“The dungeon.”

“The royal one or the-”

“No! We are not having a repeat of what happened with the girl and he won’t be getting any special treatment! Now take him out of my sight!”

“Wait! What girl?! Is her name Bella?!? Please! Sir if you know where she is tell me!”

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Holly had gone to see Aconite but as she was waiting for the Healer to come back she had suddenly felt an urge to leave. She didn’t know why but she knew she had to go. Her leg was feeling better but it still bothered her.

She walked through the castle not sure which way to go. She had gotten lost again and faced the fifth dead end in a row. With a painful sigh she slid down the wall and sat on the ground, leaning back as she tried to remember how to get out. As she looked down she noticed a gap running under the wall. Lying down with her nose to the crack she could smell fresh air underneath. All she needed was something to lever the wall with.

She grabbed a wall sconce but instead of coming off it tilted to the side and the entire wall moved up into the ceiling. The cool dank air flooded over her as she stepped in. She grabbed the other wall sconce that was still lit and began walking down the staircase she found.

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Ivan was still in the library as the sunset over the land of Alexandria and the Castle Alexander. He turned the page of a large leather bound volume half as big as him. It was a manuscript of the History of Alexandria. He couldn’t put it down, the tales of kings and queens, heroes and monsters, and above all magic drew him in.

He got up and took his candle down from the fireplace to go find a codex the large manuscript talked about. It would answer a lot of questions he had about the magic in Alexandria. He wondered up and down the aisle following the catalogue but couldn’t find the book. He kept looking but it wasn’t where it was suppose to be.

After a long time of frustrated search he went back to his chair by the cozy fireplace. Then as he sat down he remembered how many times in stories he had read, an item people looked for was hidden in plain sight. He began to furiously search the chair. He tore off the pillows, dug deep into the chair, felt along the lining, and tipped it over to check the bottom.

“Ahhh! This is getting no where!”

He yelled as he threw a pillow across the room. It struck the big globe and caused it to turn ever so slightly. His eyes went wide as realization dawned on him. Yelling with excitement he grabbed the fireplace poker and raised it above his head crying victoriously.

“Of course! Its in the globe! I should have thought of it before!”

But just as he was poised to shatter the antique artifact with the brass poker he heard a grinding and scarping sound behind him. Turning he gasped as he saw the whole fireplace had moved to the side revealing a secret passageway. Walking over to the fire place poker stand he saw the small button the poker had been depressing.

He pushed the button and the whole fireplace swung back into place. He released it and the passge was opened again. He repeated this several times, scratching his chin as he thought. Satisfied that the door would not close on him he grabbed a candle and walked in.

What he hadn’t noticed was the fireplace was now over a small string that it burned through quickly. The string snapped and a large sword fell from the rafters. It embedded itself into the secret button with a clang of metal on stone. All Ivan heard was the slam of the fireplace behind him as the darkness fell on him.

“Well, I guess I have to go forward now.” He said with a gulp.

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Klaus walked with the guards across the green to a large wooden door with metal studs covering it. The door led to a long torch lined passage way and at the end to an antechamber with four other doors leading from it.

“Hey! Who went into the broken cell!?!” The Captain roared.

“Oh, er sorry Cap’n. I found it like that.” Said the poor guard.

“Well someone couldn’t have just walked out of the empty cell now could they!”

“Sorry Cap’n.”

“Why are you down here anyway?!” The captain fumed.

“Oh, er yes, um, Burt thought it would be a good idea if I, er watched the, um, animal. In case, it, you know, tries to…”

“Escape?” The Captain rumbled.

“Y-yes…” Said the poor guard.

“Here’s a real prisoner for you to guard!” He said handing Klaus to the guard.

Klaus was placed in the cell with Silver and watched through the bars as the Captain and his men marched away. He truned and saw his cell mate was a small golden retriever who looked intently at him. It just sat there staring at him in an unnerving manner. He called the guard and soon he heard the whole story about Bella from him.

“So, what’s going on with the dog?” Klaus asked nervously.

“Oh, the animal is here as a way to control the little girl. Once we’re done with them both they’ll be let go. The Captain may seem mean but he’s really a big softy at heart. Wouldn’t hurt a fly that one.”

As the guard continued his monochromatic mumbling Klaus felt the dogs eyes burning into the back of his head. He turned nervously and walked over to the animal. He placed his hand on Silver’s head and immediately he was overcome with a feeling. Like when he was in front of the forest. The room grew dark and in the back of his mind he knew he had collapsed into the dusty straw.

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Holly kept walking. As she followed the stairs she came to a fork. She marked the way she had come with an x and continued on. Coming to another fork she repeated the marking system. By this time the fencing outfit had become bothersome. She decided to keep the leather gloves, boots, and pants, but dropped the padded breastplate and made her way through the darkness.

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Ivan came to a fork in the tunnel. He drew a coin from his pocket and flipped it to decide on a path. Then he was off. His face was itching beneath the mask but he decided to keep it on. His candle was beginning to get lower and lower and he picked up the pace. The tunnel finally brought him to a large storage room of some kind.

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Holly stepped into a large storage room of some kind. She immediately noticed the white figure walking in from the opposite side with the low burning candle. She pulled own her fencing mask which she had luckily forgotten on top of her head.

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Ivan saw the masked figure on the other side of the room. From the leather outfit he thought it must be a soldier of some kind, but the mask was what worried him. He didn’t notice the sweater the figure was wearing because of the darkness, but he did see the sword in its hand. Trying hard to stop his hands from shaking he tried his hardest to sound like Aconite.

“Elo. I am birdie man of Mother Aconite.”

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The thing seemed friendly, Holly thought, but all the same she was still on her guard. She decided not to talk at all, so as not to let it know she was just a young girl.

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The masked warrior didn’t give a reply. Ivan felt sweet begin to run down his neck. He moved to the side and the warrior did too. They were circling one another slowly, as if they were in a duel. Except Ivan had no sword.

“Em. Wheel. I seek information.” Ivan said

The figure nodded and continued circling.

“Look. For. Girl and Dog.” Ivan said with many hand motions.

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Holly knew something was wrong. The man in white was asking about Bella and the dog. That must mean that he didn’t know where they were. Or maybe he was looking for a reaction from her. Either way, she decided to remain quiet as they stopped circling one another and stood still watching. The silence was deafening.

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By now, both had circled completely around to the other side of the room. As the candle and torch light vaguely illuminated the silent scene, the tension built in the very air around them. Then Ivan reached down and grabbed a heavy cloth at his feet and threw it at Holly. Her torch was extinguished and he quickly ran down the passage behind him. Holly, thinking he would be upon her any second dodged and weaved out of the room into the darkness behind her and quickly sprinted down the passage Ivan had come from.

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The Captain came to the room where Bella was being kept. He sighed as he pushed the solid gold door with diamonds studs open to reveal the richly decked marble room. It had crimson gossamer drapings everywhere, with a silver fountain of a cherub pouring water into a large pool with colorful fish swimming inside of it on one side and a large solid ivory bed decked with lion pelts and with a curtain made of butterfly wings sewn together in the other corner. In the middle was a small table set for three people with small porcelain cups and plates on it, and seated around it were the two gaurds and Bella. He cleared his throat and immediately the two sprang to attention awkwardly. The little girl just scowled at him for interrupting them.

“Well, if you’re all done with your tea party it's time for you to go before the Queen!”

“Wait, first I need to get my new crown I found.”

“No, no! Wait that’s not yours! Here give it.” He said reaching for the crown.

As he did, he slipped on a pillow, tripped on a small chair and went flying into the fountain. Bella picked up his keys and ran out the door locking it, as the two dim witted guards were trying to help the Captain out of the fountain.

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Klaus was in the white room again. He sighed as he realized he was probably asleep. Another gold star appeared in front of him as he sat down on a glass chair that appeared out of nowhere.

“You, who are called Klaus, listen.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know don’t listen to the voice.”

“Just listen to me! I don’t have much time.”

“No, I’m tired of these stupid dreams. What do you people want from me!”

“Wait. This is not the first time you have seen this place? Others have spoken to you? Speak boy, I have no time for your childishness!”

“Y-yes. There were other stars. And, and a voice.”

“What did they tell you?”

“The stars told me not to listen to’her’ and the voice just asked where I was.”

The star sighed a sigh of relief then spoke with urgency, “Good, listen, when you awake you will be free. Follow the dog. Its name is Silver and it will guide you well. It knows not only this castle but also where your friends are.”

“Alright.” Klaus answered as he felt a soft breeze begin to blow against his face.

His eyes opened and he was in the cell again. Silver was standing by him, still watching. He looked and saw the door hanging by a single hinge and the gaurds all knocked unconscience. Then he followed the dog out the door and back the way he had come to the green as the pale moon began to rise.

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Holly continued following the passage. After many twists and turns she found herself at a fork. One way had the footprints in the dust of the creature in white. She decided to go the otherway. This led her to another long passage filled with spider webs. At the end she came to a circling flight of stairs that led upward to a small room, an antechamber to a large richly decorated parlor.

“Yous der! Tek off da mask!” It was the nurse from before.

Holly complied. There was no point in trying to hide her identity anymore. She stepped forward trying to look lost.

“Sorry, I got lost trying to find my room. Could you please direct me to the guest quarters?”

“Geest korters only for geests! I know yur seeker-et. Yous no substitoot. You is imposter!”

Holly decided that the time for being subtle had passed and that she had been in the room long enough. Throwing her mask toward the nurse, she started running.

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Bella ran across the green as fast as she could. From behind her she heard the sound of expensive crashing followed by the captain’s steaming roars as they were gaining on her. She came to the first door to the main building. She tugged and pushed but it didn’t budge at all. She ran to the next one but had similar bad luck. The building had all been locked down for the grand ball that night. She continued down the side of the building trying more doors as the Captain drew closer.

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Ivan had come to the end of the passage after taking the other fork. There in a small room illuminated by a single shaft of white light was a stone pedestal. Upon the stone pedestal lay an open, worn leather tome.

Ascending the three small stone steps Ivan stood breathlessly and traced the intricate design across the vellum pages. As he began reading the old Latin script his curiosity was kindled. He read faster and faster as his brow furrowed and pages turned with increasing speed. As he finished a sentence, he picked the book up wide eyed. Just then, a button depressed by the book clicked up and the spot he was standing swung down, dropping him still clutching the book down a long shaft.

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The glittering candle light and classical music filled the air as servants attired in their best scurried about with silver dishes and goblets and wealthy and noble guest mingled about in the large pillared main hall of the castle. Princess Alexi was radiant in her lilac silk gown and diamond tiara as she moved through the throng greeting familiar faces and new acquaintances.

The evening was going just as she had planned. There were few things that the Princess enjoyed more than a ball. Usually she didn’t worry too much about the details, but she did take a certain pleasure in paying attention to certain small details, such as flower placement, food temperature, and of course, color coordination.

Not that Alexi ever worried too much. After all, she was the princess and nothing bad every really happened. As she moved fluidly through the main room, past the musicians and the conductor, she came to the throne at the very end of the hall. There, next to the dais, was the door leading to her private parlor and beyond that the Queen’s personal quarters.

“Yer Majesty.”

“Goodwife Aconite. I’m glad you could be here for the ball.”

“An’ how goes it with the Queen?”

“The Queen is peaceful today. She has not been this happy in a while.”

“That’s comfertn’ news.”

And so the evening went on. Everything was going excellent until just after sunset. After the evening star had risen, before the moon was at its zenith, the first problem occurred. Alexi was sitting on the throne, enjoying the evening’s entertainment, when the door behind her opened and Holly ran in.

Holly was followed closely by Alexi’s nurse. Both froze when they realized they had run into a room full of people, who were all staring at them at that moment. Alexi gave a nervous laugh then motioned for the musicians to keep playing. Soon the ball was back in full swing, though the conversations were now mostly centered on the strange interruption.

“Your majesty-” Holly began, but she was cut short by the Princess’ raised hand for silence.

“It’s fine. I’m sure you have a perfectly good reason. But first let’s get you into some better cloths for a ball.”

“Bhut m’lady.” The nurse began, but she was silenced by the same hand.

“Laburnum, this is my new friend. Whatever it is she has done to upset you cannot be so great as to be worth this commotion.”

And so the three walked quietly out of the throne room and into the small parlor. Laburnum the nurse was steaming with irritation. Holly was glad she had a chance to explain herself to Alexi while the two went into the room to find a suitable dress. They talked and Holly spun a tale of how she had simply gotten lost in the castle. Laburnum was completely silent, but the scowl never left her face.

Then the three were back in the hallway, Holly wearing an emerald green dress, with her hair held back with a light green headband, set with a jadestone. She felt strange in the new outfit but Alexi had insisted and so they walked through the crowd, Alexi introducing her to many people, none of whom she could recall.

As they made their way past the left side entrance, the right entrance burst open, letting the cool night air in with it. The entire ballroom again became silent as the grave, and all eyes stared on the two figures now before them. One was dressed in long flowing white robes, while the other was a small golden retriever puppy. The one in the robes tripped as he stepped forward, and fell into the group of musicians. A cello bow knocked his mask and hat off as he tried rising.

“Klaus?” Holly said shocked.

“Holly?” Klaus asked with even more shock on his face. He had never seen her in a gown before.

“Well, it seems tonight is the night for ill-timed interruptions.” Alexi said slightly irritated.

“I’m sorry your majesty. This is one of the friends I told you about before. Princess Alexi, this is Klaus.” She said introducing them.

“And the dog is yours as well?” Alexi asked with a grimace.

“Well, no you see, this is the dog that led-”

But before the sentence could be finished, the dog jumped towards the left hand doors and began barking excitedly. A second later there was an urgent knock on the door. Alexi motioned for the gaurds to unlock the door. A small girl with curly blond hair tumbled in.

“Bella!” Holly and Klaus called at the same time.

Bella ran to the two, who embraced her warmly as the side doors burst open as the captain and ten guards entered. The captain was red faced and panting after the short sprint, and dripping water on the expensive rug. Taking a few seconds to catch his breath fully he called victoriously.

“Ha! I’ll show you little girl! You think you can make a fool of the Alexandrian Guard. Well, I’ll lock you up for ever and ever!”

“Captain!” Princess Alexi said with fire in her eyes, “What are you doing!?! You’d better have a good reason for this disruption!”

“Well, you see…um…the girl…and the dog….” He stuttered under her heated gaze.

“That mean captain’s been chasing me and trying to hurt silver, and not giving Burt his vacation time, and saying naughty things.” Bella chimed in.

“What! That lazy good for nothing got more vacation than he deserves! And he-” But he was interrupted by the firey glare of the Princess. “But, but, you see she was a prisoner. They were all prisoners!” he said pointing to Holly and Klaus.

“What?” Alexi said frustrated. “Holly is my new fencing tutor, and friend.”

“Dat is vat I try to say before.” Laburnum the nurse interjected, “Dis girl. She is not reel tooter. She is fake. She told yous lies abowt being teacher!”

“Is this true Holly?” Alexi asked with shock.

“Yes, but it was only because we were afraid.” Holly said not daring to meet Alexi’s gaze. “We snuck around because we had to save Bella and we couldn’t let the Queen capture us.”

With this last comment the whole room gasped. The awkward silence stage had long since past, and now the entire ball had gathered to watch the exciting events unfolding. Alexi seemed perplexed by the last statement. Rubbing her temples as if she was trying to comprehend she asked pointedly, “What made you fear the Queen so?”

“We saw what she had done to the land. How she enslaved the people to work in the flower fields while sending all the flowers and perfumes away to make money for herself.” Klaus said, stepping forward.

“What proof do you have of this?” Alexi asked trying hard to keep her turmoiled emotions hidden.

“Just look at this castle. The money had to come from somewhere. The money to pay the musicians, to pay for the food, and to pay for the servants.”

“Also,” Holly added, “The Queen was the one who sent the Captain to capture Bella. That’s why we feared her.”

“It's true.” The captain said holding out the order and pointing to the wax seal, “It does bare your seal, Queen Alexis.”

Holly and Klaus gasped with shock as they stepped back. Alexi’s eyes were closed as she spoke through gritted teeth.

“After my mother passed away, I chose to retained my title as Princess Alexi, but it is true, I am actually the Queen Alexis, the one you have slandered so.”

Just at that moment, a panel in the roof opened and from a secret shaft Ivan fell on top of the captain, still clutching the tome. As he dusted himself off and adjusted the spectacles, he gave a haggard cough as he tried to act nonchalant infront of the staring audience.

“Um, just thought I’d drop in?” He said nervously, but instead of laughter he was greeted by the sound of cricket song from outside.

“You must be one of the imposter’s friends.” Alexi said coldly as she walked away. “You have all betrayed my trust. Laburnum, Captain, see to them as you see fit.”

“Wait!” Ivan called as the soldiers began surrounding them. “Don’t do this! There’s something you don’t know.”

All eyes turned to him, and Alexi herself turned her head slowly to signify she was listening. Ivan gulped as the tale quickly slipped trhough his lips,

“While exploring the library I found an ancient book. It's about the Circle of Witches!”

The room was filled with a universal gasp and recoil at the mention. Ivan held up the book as he continued,

“The Circle of Witches, the evil group bent on taking over the world, has infiltrated the castle! One of the people in this room is not what they seem!”

Everyone in the room began talking all at once, with nervous glances flying left and right. Then Ivan opened the book and read a passage difficultly as he was translating from Latin.

“On Summer’s night, when moon light was bright,
The wicked one came nigh,
The regal mask, hid the evil task,
Do not believe Regina’s lie.”

Many confused eyes scanned the room looking for someone named Regina. However, Laburnum cried out in horror as realization struck her. Truning to Queen Alexi she clung to her, begging, “Please! No! Tell me dis is lie! Milady, yous kannot be vitch!”

All eyes turned to Queen Alexis. Her eyes went wide and she raised both hands but before she could make another move, Aconite had lept forward with her staff raised. A bright light filled the room as she utter magical incantations. Doves fluttered in through the doors and windows and began circling around the princess, creating a tornado of white feathers. As Aconite spoke, her voice seemed to echo and rebound and she struck the ground with her staff with each step she took.

Alexi had thrown her hands up to protect herself from the birds, and as she did, a large purplish bubble appeared around her, and with a resounding pop, it sent birds flying in various directions. Everyone looked on her with horror, but then Aconite held her staff with both hands and struck the ground a resounding blow, saying, “Luxia Regina Mortum!”

A white circle appeared on the ground around Alexi. “Well, there you have it.” Aconite said, now without her former accent. “Long have I sensed a growing evil in the Queen and suspected this much. Do not fear. She can do no harm while she is in the enchanted circle. Her words and actions cannot leave its bounds. This witch will never again trouble this fair land. ”

The worst ball in Alexandrian history was over and the people left chatting animatedly about the revelation of the Witch Queen. It was decided that the Witch Queen be kept under the silence charm to prevent her from using any magic spells. At one end of the main hall, several figures sat on the once lush red carpet, surrounded by dead candles as they talked in the cold gloom of night. At other end was Alexi in the circle sitting pensively, glaring towards them.

“I can’t believe the Queen is a witch.” The captain said, staring down at the ground. “All these years of following her orders without question only to find out she’s a witch!”

“Ve vere all fooled." Laburnum said, wiping her eyes with a large floral handkerchief.

“I don’t understand how none of us could have sensed any evil in her.” Holly said as she pulled off the long elbow length gloves.

“Witches are notoriously cunning Holly.” Ivan said, looking up from the book. “It’s not your fault you couldn’t recognize her as one.”

“So, since all this is over, I guess we can go home.” Klaus said, laying back on the carpet.

“Yeah. We can go home.” Holly said looking down.

“Well, it's to late for you to travel, especially through the Forbidden Woods.” The Captain said, “You can spend the night if you want. In the morning I myself and a company of guards will escort you home safely.”

“Thank you.” The three friends replied.

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As pale Luna paraded through the glistening heavens, watching down on the still castle, her light flooded down to a figure in a lilac evening gown, sitting in the now dark and abandoned throne room. The figure looked up at the moon, and held her hand up, letting the light cascade on her hand. Then she whispered into her hand. Satisfied with the message, she closed her eyes again, and opened her hand, as her echoing words traveled up the moonbeam.

End Chapter

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So I had figured out everything almost a month ago, how I was going to have everyone barely missing each other and then have the final climactic scene with Alexi/Alexis. I wrote everything in about three days, last week, but when it came to the ending climax where Alexi is accused, I just couldn;t figure out her character, how she would react to things. Then last night, it happened that a certain person, who shall remain anonymous, compared a certain Rider to a princess inspiration struck. So then I just had to add the last part in and here it is. Its probably very confusing, so ask away if some parts seem incoherint or unintelligible. Until next time.

Peace

Busy busy busy...

Okay before I give you the good news I need to apologise in advance for the following. I just need to vent a little.

Sorry I haven't updated lately but to say things have been hectic would be an understatement. Last week was my "vacation". Lets just say that if that's vacation I think I'm glad I'm at the point where I won't be getting summer vacation anymore. Aparently vacation means that,

"Jean has more time so he should be able to do more for us"
-parents, siblings, pastors, friends with issues that need counseling

But that was last week. Lest talk about this week. Yesterday was my first day of class. I missed my class because Jason broke his arm, the bus came ten minutes early, and my grandmother's new husband turned out to be possesed. So today, between watching my baby sister while my mom took Jason to get his cast, and moving my grandmother's junk from her house to our house to her storage place, I completely forgot I had to be in court today for a seat belt ticket. And it's only Tuesday. I still have the whole week ahead of me for things to get "better". So I'm sorry, but in the midst of all this I've had to put writing on hold.

There now I feel better. Well, I do have to say that it hasn't been all bad. Saterday night I was surprise dby all my friends with a graduation party. To any who read this now I would like to say thank you. I know I wasn't my normal fun self, but I really did appreaciate it and it was great. I felt loved.

Oh, and before go some blog news. I have just figured out that I can actually allow anonymous comments so if you have wanted to comment in teh oast but didn't have a blogspot now you can. I just ask that all anonymous ones please be signed. Thanks.

Wel, I'm off to do my Mythology homework and maybe finish chapter 3. I might post either or both. We'll see.

Cheers

Chapter 3, Part A

Eh, so I figured that its almost been a week since I said I would post. Sorry, things have been crazy. Planning 3 suprise birthday parties and two going away ones along with finals can drive a person kinda looney if you get my drift. Anyway, heres the first part of chapter 3. I'll do my best to get the next one up sooner. Now that schools done you would think I would have more time... :(

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Chapter 3

The darkness was everywhere. It was complete, utter, stifling darkness that pervaded everything. Holly walked along the tiled floor, feeling her way through, as long thin hair-like roots matted against her head and face. With one hand she felt ahead of her in the darkness and with the other she guided herself with the wall. She walked on until she felt a dusty rough wood door in front of her. Pushing on the door, she heard the ancient hinges creak as light flooded her eyes.

Holly was standing in a small stone room. High above her a single small window let in a thin shaft of white light that fell across the wooden door, the straw covered floor, and the rusted shackles. She was in a prison cell. Walking over to the door she pushed it open easily. In the antechamber she was in she saw five doors leading in different directions. She tried three of them and found them locked. The fourth had a passage similar to the one she came out of. The last one led to a long stone hallway lined on both sides with torches. She followed it to another large door, this one with metal studs across it.

She stepped out of the door into a side courtyard. Across the green she saw the huge castle’s main building. Surrounding the green was large walls with various buildings attached to them. She heard voices from behind her and quickly ran into the main building. Her leg wasn’t hurting as much anymore, but when she exerted herself she felt it throbbing again. She looked around and found herself in a large columned hallway. The columns were capped in gold and large paintings hung on the walls. The carpet was lush and red and trimmed with gold. At the far end of the hall was a dais with a gold floral throne. She heard a door open next to it and she quickly ducked into a door on her side.

She found herself in a long room with an equally long table set with fine silverware and linen napkins with many candlesticks spread around the clean white room. She walked to the other side and through a passage that led to the kitchen. There were many people bustling about and they didn’t seem to even notice her as hurried calls were made to prepare the Queen’s dinner.

She walked past the busy people and into the next room. There she found an equally long room, but this one was dirty, low lit, and full of servants eating and laughing. She snuck along the wall still not drawing any attention. She walked out quickly and found herself on the opposite side of the main building standing in a similar courtyard. A door to her right began to open and she lept into the nearby bushes, biting down hard to stop from crying out from the pain in her leg.

She crawled into an adjacent building. It was dark but she found her way to another doorway. By this time she was thoroughly lost. She saw she was in the servant’s quarters but had to retreat hastily when she heard people coming from all directions where ever she turned. Back in the dark room she found some flint and tinder quickly lit a wall sconce. She was in the armory and heard voices behind both doors. She was trapped.


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The faded red cart pulled up to the castle gates. The large looming red gates were set a foot deep in the wall which meant the wall was probably three times that thick. Goodwife Aconite sat on the bench surrounded by her doves. She smiled her toothless grin as she looked up at the soldiers on the wall with her clouded eyes.

“Good afternoon Mother.”

“’An to ye me sonny.”

“It’s a good thing you came. Her majesty has been asking for you the last few days. Her fencing tutor seems to have caught some kind of sickness an’ has been in bed the last few days. Oh, and the cook broke his arm again.”

Aconite’s smile broadened, “Oh aye. I did forsee he’d pay no heed to me warnin’s.”

“That and the cows aint been giving us much milk lately.”

“Well, it seems I’d best hurry in then.”

“Is all your magic dispelled yet? You know the doors won’t open unil you do.”

“Oh that’s right. One last thing.”

She tapped her long white cane against the cart floor and two of the doves flew over next to her and in a burst of white smoke transformed into people. Both were dressed in long white robes with red bell shaped hats. Each one wore a chalky white mask with large round eyes and an elongated bird beak.

“I’ll be needin’ Pom an’ Pokko to aid me wit yon cows.” She said as the gates opened and she rode in with her cart.

Aconite pulled her cart up in front of the large decorated doorway of the main building. She got off and directed the two figures to take the cart away as she hobbled up the stairs leaning heavily on her cane. She talked merrily with one of the guards and was soon joined by the hearty cook who gave her a kiss on each cheek and like everyone else called her mother. A scrub girl ran up to tell the cook about a mysterious person she had spotted passing through the kitchen. The three left for the kitchen as the two white figures pulled the cart into the stable against the far outer wall.

“That was close.” Said Klaus, taking off his mask and dropping it in the hay.

“Careful! Someone might see us!” Ivan yelled jumping on top of him and pushing him into the heap of hay.

“Get off of me.” Klaus said trying to stand up.

“Then put the mask back on.” Ivan insisted.

“Fine.” Klaus complied. “ But I don’t see why we have to wear them constantly.”

“Because,” Ivan said getting up. “ apparently everyone around here knows that Goodwife Aconite’s birds are ancient. If they see us without the mask and our cover is blown we’ll be thrown in the dungeon and will be no help to Bella.”

“Lets think of a plan then. This castle too big for us to search from top to bottom.”

“Hmm. What if we split up? We’d cover more ground that way.”

“I don’t know. If we get in a dangerous situation we’d be best off together than apart.” Klaus said pensively. “but I guess it does make sense. You take the left side, I’ll take the right.”

“Right. Lets meet back here by nightfall if we don’t find anything.”

The two left the stables and began walking along acting as if they had important business to attend to. Klaus entered a room that was nicely decorated but not too fancy. A few maids were making beds with sprigs of lavender tucked between the sheets. They noticed him and bowed. He asked for directions to the dungeon. After a long series of jumbled and difficult directions he walked on. Ivan also found himself in the guest quarters. He simply kept walking, having no idea where he was going.

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The Captain held his head as it felt like a hundred nails were running down chalkboards. Of course there were no nails or chalkboard, no there was something far worse. Bella had not closed her mouth since they had first picked her up. He had thought there would be no easier task then taking the young girl the Queen had ordered arrested to the dungeon. But they had to stop five times on their way for bathroom brakes and water stops. And then there was the talking, whining, screaming, and complaining. He was sure she hadn’t taken a pause to even breathe since they had left.

“My puppy better be okay. Did you ever have a puppy? I bet you didn’t ever have one or else you wouldn’t have hit Silver like that. Only mean people would hurt a poor defenseless puppy like silver. Only mean people even hit to begin with. My Granny says that hitting is bad and only bad people hit. That makes you a bad people. Granny also says-”

“Enough! I can’t take it anymore! If you say one more word about your mangy mutt I’ll cut you into a million pieces!”

“No you won’t! The Queen wanted me alive. Burt told me so.” She said motioning to one of the other gaurds. “And besides you’re not big or strong enough to cut anyone into a million pieces. That’s not muscle, that’s fat.”

As she giggled and a few of the gaurds suppressed smiles, they Captain grew more red by the minute. He stared straight ahead as they kept going acting as if he couldn’t hear her. That just made her talk even more and even some of his dimwitted soldiers were getting in on it. He gave a few dirty looks but one in particular didn’t get the message and in an instant the Captain smacked the back of Burt’s head hard, the metallic sound echoeing on the path.

“What did I say about hitting! When we get to the castle I’m telling the Queen about that. Then you’ll be sorry. She’ll make you eat broccoli or carrots or squishy icky green peas. And she’ll send you to bed with no dessert. And give you a bath with ice cold water. And she’ll make you clean up the stable poop. And she’ll-”

“If you don’t shut your mouth right now I’m gonna toss your runt into the pond when we get to the castle! So be quiet!” The captain yelled steaming.

However this threat of his had a new and entirely unforeseen consequence.

“Waaaaaa! Waaaaaa! You’re mean! Waaaaaa! Silver can’t swim. She’ll drown! Waaaaa! Waaaa! My poor puppy! Waaaaaa! Waaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!”

And so it went until they finally came to the castle. It was late afternoon when they arrived and not even the sight of the spectacular castle up close could stop Bella’s crying for her dog. They entered by the side gate and made their way around the circular green.

“What do you want us to do with her captain?” Asked the dimwitted Burt.

“Throw her into dungeon until the Queen has time for her.” The captain said smiling, relieved at the thought of getting rid of the nuisance.

“But Captain, it’s much too drafty in the dungeon. She could get a cold.” Burt said worriedly.

“Don’t talk back to me! I’m the Captain! Put her in the south cell, that one doesn’t get any drafts.”

“Um, well actually we’re busy renovating the south cell. It wasn’t completely up to code so…”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Said the captain, smacking his forehead for the umpteenth time that day.

“I guess that leaves the royal cell…” Burt said hopefully.

“What! The royal cell is only for imprisoning nobility in the finest comforts.”

“Or we could ask the queen to stay in the royal cell and put the girl in the Queen’s chambers.” Came the dimwitted reply.

Sometimes the Captain couldn’t believe how moronic his troops could be. “Don’t be an imbecile! Put her in the royal cell. But throw the mutt in one of the dungeon cells.”

The Captain and the rest of the guards took their horses to the stables. As they were putting them away, the captain noticed the chalky white residue on some of the straw that had been pushed down. He was about to inspect it when he was called by a page who summoned him for the Queen.

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Holly decided to try and act as if she had a reason to be in the armory. Taking a blunt training sword off the wall she unlatched the door and stepped out looking at it intently as if she knew what she was doing.

“Ah, excuse me miss.” Came the tall thin page’s calls.

“What? Can’t you see I’m very busy? I need to inspect all the swords today to make sure they haven’t caught rustiatis.” Holly said toughening her voice.

“Rustiwhat? Never mind. You must be the substitute sword instructor the Queen requested.” The page said hopefully.

“Why yes! Yes I am. That’s me Cidrek Von Skouwselhuimer. I have arrived!”

“This way please.”

She followed the attendant looking nervously for a way out. They went back out to the green on the opposite side from the stables and there was a party of attendants and maids. In the middle stood a young girl probably 16 or 17 with long black hair and deep brown eyes. She wore a fencing uniform like Holly, and by the look of determination in her eyes Holly knew she must be Holly’s “student”.

“So is this the one that has come to replace my instructor?” She asked.

“Yes, Princess Alexi. This is, er, um…your substitute tutor.” The page muddled.

“Well, let’s see how well you can do.” The princess said, lowering her mask, saluting with her sword, and calling, “En guard!”

The two went at it. They were both apprehensive at first neither sure about the other. They started of with a few basic thrust and parries as they circled one another. Then they went at it. Steel gleamed in the dusky air as the biting blades hummed through the air. They met with clashes that echoed around the castle. It seemed the two were equally matched. The second round started and as they went on, it seemed Holly was getting the upper hand. She was even beginning to enjoy it. However, each time she put her left leg down it send pain up her side causing her to loose focus. Still, soon the princess called for a repast.

As both took their masks off to drink some water, the princess was surprised by Holly’s age. She asked her about it as they rested before the next and final round.

“Oh, I was a child prodigy. I learned many things the many years I was on my own.”

“Well in that case if you don’t mind, I’d like you to stay on as my person tutor, and maybe even friend.”

“I would like that, but unfortunately I have to leave soon. I’m actually looking for my friends.”

“Well, stay with us then for at least a few more days. I heard the Healer arrived today. She can take a look at your leg. If this is how you fight with a twisted ankle I don’t want to know how well you truly are with the steel.”

“Um. Sorry to intrude your majesty but the Captain of the guard is here. He wishes to speak with you. Alone.” The page said nervously.

“Alright. Tell him to come here. In the meantime, one of the servants will show you to your quarters my new friend.”

Holly left and entered the main building again. A man covered in armor passed her on her way through the columned hall. She quickly slipped away from the servant girl and decided to go look for Bella. As her leg throbbed with pain again she sat down and caught her breath. After a few seconds she decided that maybe seeing the Healer might not be such a bad idea.

The Captain walked up to the princess who was pulling off the last of her cumbersome padding. A woman dressed in a plain brown dress two sizes too small had just finished speaking to her. He saluted but before he could say anything she interrupted him, “I actually don’t have time for your report right now captain. I was just informed that some of the plans for my grand ball need adjusting. Apparently the red flowers will not match the purple ribbons. You can talk to my nurse if there were any pressing concerns today.”

As she walked off followed by attendants, the captain turned to the large plump lady in the faded brown dress.

“As the Queen ordered, we found the girl she had foreseen and we captured her. She is in the royal cell right now.”

“Oh, is good. Yous half alvays bean goot capten.” The nurse said in her heavy accent. “Is okay. Queen vill see yous reel son. Den she give yous much revard for ketching girl.”

“Thank you. I’ll go and see to the night watches before dinner.”

“Many tanks. We sleep safe wit yous her.”

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Ivan was hopelessly lost. He had wondered up and down passages and everything looked the same. He rounded one corner only to face another. Then the next thing he knew he was standing in front of a large mahogany door with curly gold script running around it. He pushed it open and there he found himself in the largest library he had ever seen. Books lined the shelves going from bottom and disappearing in the darkness far above. The faded leather spines spoke of millions of subjects and topics. He was in heaven.

As he walked forward he remembered Bella and Klaus and Holly. He should be looking for them. But then again. He was hopelessly lost already. If he looked around he might find an atlas or map of the castle. Besides, he would only be in there for a few minutes. He stepped in and closed the door behind him.

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Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Birds song filled the air as the morning sun steamed the dew off the green grass. Bella was woken by a large slobbery kiss from Silver. The dog was barking excitedly and running back and forth on the red dirt road. Bella sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She wasn’t in the clearing anymore. She was sitting on a red dirt road at the edge of the forest. In front of her was a small green hill.

“Where are we Silver?”

She stood up and walked up the hill, following the dog that was running back and forth. The earth was wet and spongy beneath her feet. When she got to the top her eyes went wide with amazement as she looked over the gently sloping land.

“Wow. It’s amazing.” She said in a whisper.

The landscape sloped gently down from where she stood. The red path continued on either side of her, winding like a snake through the many green hills. Between the hills were countless small farms, all with small white plastered farmhouses with red tile roofs. Each farm grew a certain type of flower and the result was stunning. A checkerboard of colors spread across the terrain. Large clouds of bumble bees and white butterflies ascended and descended in the perfumed air.

Far away in the distance, the crowning jewel stood proud, a white castle with large white walls and red tiled towers. Climbing rose was slowly spreading at certain points on the five white towers and the side of the great wall. The two red roads that encompassed the entire land both met at the castle in the distance.

“Hey, you up there!”

Bella turned to see five soldiers on brown horses and covered in shining metal armor standing on the road. They didn’t seem very friendly. Silver growled and pulled on Bella’s dress. Bella got the message and began to run down the opposite side of the hill, into the field of red poppies. She heard the soldiers calling and the galloping of hoofs behind her.

She looked back and saw three of the horses crest the hill behind her and two come galloping into the field from either side. The red petals flew in the morning breeze as the chase went on. The horses were gaining on her, but just as the gap was closing fast, Bella ran into the field ahead of her, a large sunflower field.

She was hidden by the sunflowers and crept stealthily through the green stalks and rows, trying hard to be quiet and listen for the soldiers at the same time. She heard two of them hacking at the sunflowers on her left and turned sharply right. She kept going until she couldn’t hear them anymore. Bella and Silver came out into a small clearing in the middle of the field, where a lone scarecrow stood guard over the area.

Bella rested next to the scarecrow, when she heard a noise behind her. She spun around straight into the floral design on the Captains shining armor. Silver launched teeth barred at the captain but a second soldier brought the heavy end of a spear down on the poor dog’s head. The helmeted Captain spoke with contempt as he nudged the unconscious animal with his armored boot.

“No one ever escapes the Royal Guard of Alexandria. You’d do well to remember that little girl. Take her away to the dungeon.”

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Klaus was surrounded by white infinity, but it felt like he was in a small space. He focused really hard on his surroundings, and slowly they came into focus. He wasn’t surrounded by infinite white light, we was in a white room. The walls seemed to be made of glass and the light was outside the glass. He reached to touch the white glass, when he heard another voice, different from the first. It sounded warm and motherly, like a soft glow inside when you get a hug.

‘Where are you little one?”

‘I don’t know. I think in a glass box.”

“No, not the dream. In the real world. Where are you?”

“In the forest I think.”

“Which forest?”

“The Black Forest. The last think I remember was the green robed people coming out into the clearing,”

“Ah, so you have seen the Elves. That must mean you are in the Encircling Forest.”

“Who are you?”

“The one you truly seek. Tell me, so I can find you, where in the forest?”

“Well, when we came in the sun set to our right so we must have com in from the…”

“Klaus!” The other voice, like a chorus of young children.

In the middle of the room two rows of green stars appeared. They floated on either side of Klaus, and he suddenly felt like he was drifting down a river. Or like he was being carried by many hands. He heard a sound like lightning splitting a tree, and his eyes snapped open again.

Klaus looked around as he sat up. He saw Ivan sleeping soundly next to him on a red dirt path. He stood up blinking as sunlight hurt his eyes. Wait, sunlight! That meant he was out of the forest. He looked around as he ran over to Ivan.

“Ivan, wake up! Look, we’re out!”

“Five more minutes.” Came the mumble.

“Ivan, I mean it. Wait, how’d we get out?”

“Maybe the giant spiders carried us out in comfy web hammocks.”

“I’m serious.”

“And I seriously need five more minutes after last night.”

“Um. Iv, where’s Holly?”

Ivan sat up and looked around, squinting without his spectacles.

“Don’t know. You think the spider got her?”

“What! Stop talking nonsense! Why would they eat her and not us? And why would they carry us out here?”

“Do I look like I know?” Ivan said getting up and stretching, “The point is, we’ve been separated. So, now let’s see if we can find Bella. Holly is sure to be looking for her too and so we should run into her. Right?”

Klaus was about to reply but his mouth just hung open as he stared in disbelief at the sight that greeted his eyes. An old faded red cart pulled up on the road. It was driven by an old, scraggily looking lady, with bushy white hair extending to the seat and a large grin on her face. She wore a large white burlap robe with faded red trim, and a faded red scarf to keep her hair back. Her milky white eyes stared in their direction revealing her blindness. And in her hands were two leather reigns that extended and hung on nothing on the air in front of her.

“Come now young un’s. I canna sense yur der, even ifen these ol eyes of mine aint what they use to be.” She said chuckling to herself. “My name is Goodwife Aconite, the Healer. Are ye by any chance looking for a young girl and a hound?”

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Holly clenched her fist angrily as she stormed through the last part of the forest. How would those two be able to even take one step without her? They’d be captured or worse if she didn’t get to them first. And then she would do a lot worse. As she came out into the midmorning sunlight, she found herself on a road. After climbing a hill she saw the roads end both at the castle in the distance. A couple of farmers were in the middle of their poppy field, shaking their heads and pointing at large portions of trampled crops.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning lass.”

“You didn’t happen to see two dimwitted boys walk past here this morning?”

“Sorry, the only dimwit wesaw this morning was that stupid Captain of the Gaurds. Imagine ruining twelve bushels of the finest poppes just to capture a little girl and her runt.”

Here the wife came in as well.

“Oh yes, and my lands, what a fuss that youn un’ made when they went to take her. She wouldna budge untl they agreed to take the dog too. Serves em right though. Taking a poor little girl like that to the dungeon of Castle Alexander.”

“Excuse me but what is the fastest way to the Castle?” Holly asked urgently.

“Well now,” The farmer sad stroking his beard. “Both roads are about the same, aye. But ther be the harvest road. It runs smack dab down the middle of the land to the Castle. It’l get ye there in half the time.”

“Thank you.” Holly called as she set off at a run down the indicated path.

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“Oh aye. I do remember yon olden days. Back before the wick’d Queen Alexis took the trone. She’s an hard handed tyrant that un. Mark ye well. See how she works the poorfolk. All so she can send the flowr’s away an take most of the money. Tis truly a sad state of affairs.”

“And you say she’s the one who has Bella?” Klaus asked as he adjusted himself on the faded bench of the cart.

“Oh aye. My doves did come and tell me all ‘bout the struggle yer friend put up.”

“Why would soldiers capture an innocent girl? It doesn’t make sense.” Ivan called from the back of the cart.

“Well, as I was sayin’. After the new Queen took contr’l, she passed all manner of strange un’ unnatur’l laws. They say she ain’t all there ‘n the head.” Goodwife Aconite said smiling, “But then, there are some that say the same of me.”

Klaus and Ivan smiled as they continued down the path and arrived at a house where a farmer waved Aconite down. He came up huffing and puffing and showed the healer to his house. There his young son lay very still on a bed. They couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not. Aconite took a charm off her braclet and placed it on his chest then spoke some mumbled words. The charm glowed softly and the child coughed and sat up. Aconite took the charm back and then went to her cart, returning with a small package of herbs. She gave the farmer instructions for caring for the child and then they were off.

“Wow that was incredible!” Ivan said eyes wide with fascination, “How did you do that?”

“Oh that was noting.” She smiled and her eyes seemed to dance with laughter, “It’s just a pinch of white magic to do the trick.”

“So wait.” Klaus said reluctantly, “Are you a… witch?”

“Heaven’s no child.” She laughed, “I ain’t no witch. I’m what ye would call a healer. You could call me a white witch I suppose, but white witchcraft aint nothing like them dark arts.”

“But you do use magic.” Ivan asked, skeptically.

‘Well, the best magic, I alwas say, comes from muder nat’r herself. The wondr’s pow’r o herbs canna do wonders.”

“And you do all this healing for free?” Klaus asked, looking across the flowery plains.

“Oh aye. People aughtn’t have ta pay a price to live and thrive,” She said as she flicked the nothing pulling the cart. “Now, yur friend. She’ll be kept in the dung’n I suppose. Now, if ye want to save her, as I’m figur’n ye do, ye’l need to get into yon Castle. I think I might have a way.”

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The bees bumbled lazily in the afternoon sunshine. Holly was still jogging up the overgrown path when she came to a fork. She figured the path must be working around a field and meeting back up again so she decided to just keep going through the field. It was made of giant tulips, and she had a difficult time making her way through the rubbery stems.

As she was going along, she suddenly felt the ground beneath her left foot begin to give way. She jumped forward of the crumbling ground. Her heart jumped into her chest and she felt a ting of panic as she felt no solid ground but instead the rushing air as she fell into a large deep pit.

Holly hit the ground and rolled instinctively. Standing up she felt a pain in her left leg. It didn’t feel broken but the throbbing continued none the less and she knew she wasn’t going to be able to climb out. She sat down and looked around. To her one side, where the path should have been there were stairs coming down to the bottom of the pit. She looked closely and saw that the floor was actually paved with stones that had been overgrown with moss over the years.

Getting up painfully, Holly began limping along the paved path towards a wall of earth. She placed her hand on it, closed her eyes and buried her finger tips in the soft reddish brown dirt. Then her eyes snapped open, and with a cry she swung her staff and broke into the underground passageway that had been blocked up. Slowly and deliberately Holly stepped out of the afternoon sun into the dark, damp passageway feeling her way with her hands on the root covered walls.


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End Chapter


So that was a lot shorter than chapter 1. I don't know if its too short though. I know the next part needs to be all one chapter and its gonna be long thats it needs its own chapter. Anyway, so yeah sorry I didn't get this up sooner. This has been my final projects week, next week is finals, and then I'm free! kind of... yeah most difficult pert here was writing for Aconite. She has this intense Irish-Scottish accent. I'm trying to jump between the two so she can't be pinned down to one or the other. So yeah, I'm looking at havng the next chapter up by Saterday. Until then,
Cheers

The REAL Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The morning sun rose over the golden hills. The mountain air was crisp and cool, the light from the sun reflecting of the white slopes and onto the small, tight village of St. Ian. The small brick houses with their black slate roofs and square chimneys were all waking to the new day. A tabby cat ran through the single main street, following St. Ian’s only road from its origin at the beginning of the woods. She ran on the gravel path, passing the bakers house, where the smell of fresh bread was filling the air, and the basket weavers house where bunches of reeds were drying on the porch.

The cat continued on, passing the tailor and shoemaker, cheese-maker and the doctor and a dozen other small families all plying some trade or another. Eventually, the cat came to the last house at the end of the road. It was no different from any of the others. It had a red painted door with three windows in the front, only one having real glass in it. The animal leapt up on the porch just in time for the door to burst open and four angry figures to walk out.

“For the last time Bella, you cannot come with us!” A boy of about fifteen with curly dark brown hair said.

“But it’s not fair! You all get to go and watch them all day! I have to stay here and clean their smelly wool!” A girl with bouncy short blond hair and blue-gray eyes yelled, fist clenched indignantly at her side.

“What Klaus means is you’re just not old enough to watch sheep yet.” An older girl said with shoulder length auburn hair.

“But I’m almost eight!” The young girl yelled, “It’s not fair! I don’t even have any friends to play with!”

“Bella, here.” The other boy with the spectacles said. “What about that cat over there? You could play with her.”

“I HATE cats!!!” She screamed, and the poor animal quickly disappeared behind the house.

“Either way, you’ll have to find a way to keep busy while we’re gone.” Klaus said as the three left to release to flock from the fold behind the house.

Bella left them to go pout and get a warm roll from Franz the Baker. Klaus sighed, Holly shook her head, and the other boy, Ivan, cleaned his spectacles on his shirt. They all knew she was still too young to take the flocks up the mountain but she made a scene every few weeks. The three friends grabbed their long staves and walked up the hill, keeping the few stragglers in line.

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The warm mid day sun shone down on the hills, burning the grass golden and causing the crickets to sing in response. The three friends were underneath their favorite tree, an old large laurel with deep green leaves that kept the warm stifling shade warm and stifling. Klaus felt his eyes growing heavier, as usual this time of day. Ivan poked him, smiling over the top of his glasses.

“Could you at least try and do your job?” He asked teasingly.

“Klaus has a hard enough time as it is.” Replied Holly with a wink, “He’s much too worn down because of all the questions that Mrs. Paige had given him for homework.”

“I don’t see you guys being much brighter.” Klaus said , closing his eyes and sighing.

“Oh yeah, well lets see if your memory is as good as you think. Here keep your eyes closed and describe Ivan for me.” Holly said with a smile that smacked of pride.

“Alright. Let’s see. Ivan is my age, fifteen, though he is a few months older. He has straight black hair that he parts on the side and combs over, though some always hangs in his eyes. He has blue eyes and a pair of brass spectacles. Um he usually wears the same diamond patterned sweater, with the grey and blue diamonds, and long grey pants, even in the summer. He… also always wears a scarf of some kind, and… oh and he’s a bit shorter than me.”

Ivan seemed to wince at the last comment but verified the rest. Holly made a mock bow as Klaus opened one eye. “Your turn!” He said with a slight grin. “Describe me.”

“Well, you’re laid back, careless at times. You’re way too passive and would sleep the day away if you coul-“ Holly was interrupted as Klaus cleared his through pointedly. “Oh fine. You’re as tall as me. You’re eyes are dark brown with some slight green wisps. Your wear the same kind of sweater as Ivan, though your shirt is always untucked and drooping out from underneath it. Let’s see what else. You never grin openly, always out one corner of your mouth or the other.”

Klaus grinned as she said it and Ivan found it very amusing. Klaus groaned slightly as he rolled over on the warm grass and looked at Ivan, “ You can go next since you think its so easy.”

Ivan sighed and closed his eyes. He said nothing for a few seconds then began speaking at twice normal speed.

“Holly is fourteen. She’s as tall as you, about 5’ 7. I don’t know her weight because it’s rude to ask but she is not fat or skinny, just slightly muscular. She has wavy auburn hair down to her shoulders and intense viridian eyes. She wears a sweater like ours except green instead of blue. And a skirt instead of pants obviously. Her right ring finger is slight smaller than her left one. She is left handed and has a small brass earring in her right ear. She likes sports and is good at fencing. Very good at it. She also-”

But before he could finish he was hit from both sides by a hail of acorns from Klaus and Holly. He stopped talking, and cleaned his spectacles again. Klaus and Holly sat down against the tree again, and a still quietness enveloped the three friends as they watched the sheep graze on the grass. They were often silent like this when they thought about their parents.

Ivan’s parents had died during a great war and he had been sent to live with his grandmother and his niece, Bella. That had been when he was only seven. Klaus had been found when he was not even a year old. He was raised by the local shepherd and when the shepherd disappeared into the woods, he was taken in by Ivan’s grandmother, who moved the family into the sheep farm. Holly had come to stay in the town a few years back. She had lost her mother at birth and her father when she was 5. She had wandered into the town and Ivan’s grandmother had opened the doors to her.

They watched the sheep intently as their minds wandered. Their thoughts were interrupted when they saw a black smudge moving up the hill. They relaxed when they saw the white bonnet that Granny always wore. She must have come to berate them for not bringing Bella.

“Ivan! Ivan, come here!” All three went down the hill.

“Granny, I can explain. Bella was just having one of her usual fits.” Ivan began, but he was cut short by the look on her face. “What happened?”

“It’s Bella.” The old woman said breathlessly, “We can’t find her. Franz said that she stopped by but after that no one saw her.”

“Maybe she went to hide from us and fell asleep.” Holly offered.

“But we can’t find her anywhere. The only place left she could be is…” but the old woman dared not say it, and stifled a quiet sob at the horrible thought.

The three friends and the old woman made their way down the hill and up the path. When they reached the village they immediately saw that everyone had stopped their daily work and had gathered in the middle of the road, by the old laurel tree. Granny ran up calling for Bella and asking if she was hurt. As they drew near they saw the crowd part slowly not daring to make eye contact. In the middle was the schoolteacher Mrs. Paige. She was sobbing.

“What is it? Did you find her? Did you find my Bella?”

Mrs. Paige and Granny both burst into tears as she shook her head no. The between sobs the story came out. Mrs. Paige had been sitting by the laurel tree when a golden retriever puppy ran past her, followed by Bella. They ran around the village and Mrs. Paige let them, thinking it would do Bella good to have a friend. But then, it happened. Bella chased the dog past the laurel tree, past the cheese-maker and the doctor, past the shoemaker and the tailor, past the basket-weaver and the baker, straight into the Black Forrest.

With this news all eyes turned towards the ominous evergreen woods. Holly, Klaus, and Ivan ran up the gravel road to the forest. There on the trail lay one of Bella’s pink bows from her dress. Holly picked it up and Ivan called into the woods after Bella. Klaus had never been this close to the woods before and he suddenly felt as if they grew tremendously in size, taking up the whole sky and earth. He felt dizzy and disorientated. His eyes grew heavy and he felt like weights were hanging from his shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Holly and Ivan ran to him as the world turned sideways and everything went dark.


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In the darkness a bright light shone. It lit up the whole world and bright white light seemed to be coming from everywhere and filling Klaus’ senses. He opened his eyes and blinked at the fierce white light. From out of nowhere, he saw a single golden star suspended in the air in front of him appear.

He jumped back when it spoke like a chorus of soothing voices.

“Let the dreamer dream, of things unseen
But let him no answer give
Heed your task, and when she asks
Don’t answer that you may live.”

The golden star shone brighter and brighter, blinding Klaus to everything else as the warm light flooded his veins with fire. He felt as if he was falling and drowning in the light. His head started pounding with pain. He faintly heard the sound of crickets chirping come into focus. He opened his eyes and saw the ceiling of his room above him.

He sat up, painfully clearly feeling the bump on his head throbbing. He got up slowly and sat at the edge of the straw bed. The door creaked open and Ivan came in. He sat next to Klaus and spoke quietly.

“You were out for six hours. Sorry, we didn’t catch you in time.” Ivan leaned forward as he cleaned his glasses and asked, “You want to talk about it? I’ve never seen you faint like that before.”

“I don’t know what happened. It was weird. I know I dreamed something but now I can’t remember any of it.”

An awkward pause.

“Their not going after her. You know that right. They say there’s no chance. We can’t…we can’t save her….”

“How’s Granny taking it?”

“Well, she’s been crying a lot. It was good that she had you to take care of though. She hadn’t left your side until just now. She cried herself to sleep.”

“Ivan, you know everything there’s to know about our village. Tell me honestly; is it true that no one has ever come out of the Black Forest?”

“For as long as this village has been here, no one has ever gone into the forest and come back out.”

“Are you sure? I mean someone must have come back. At least once…”

“Well…”Ivan suddenly became very focused on cleaned his spectacles very thoroughly.

“Ivan, what is it you’re not telling me!?!”

“He’s not telling you what you don’t want to know.” Holly said from the doorway. She was wearing a long dark cloak over her clothes and had her hearding staff in her hand.

“What are you guys talking about?” Klaus asked getting worried.

“You.” Ivan said looking down as Klaus’ eyes went wide with shock.

“Granny knew the shepherd that found you. On the night he found you he cam to her and told her what happened. You weren’t found. You were given to him, by a woman in a long dark green cloak, who came out of the woods. She gave him the basket and left saying that she’d be back someday. Then she went back into the forest.”

“What! Why didn’t anyone ever tell me this”

“Granny didn’t want you to know. She thought you’d go back into the forest to search for your real family. She couldn’t bare the thought of loosing you.”

“Well, how come she knows?” he said pointing at Holly. “Am I the only one who didn’t?”

“Calm down. I made Ivan tell me.” She said as she quickly grabbed Ivan’s wrist, swung it around and pinned his arm behind his back.

She released him after he called uncle for the umpteenth time and walked to Klaus. “So now that you know, what are you going to do about it. For some reason the woods didn’t kill you. You may be the only one who could rescue Bella.”

Klaus looked her in the eye, his thoughts running back in forth as he tried to make sense of everything. He saw Ivan fix his glasses and shake his head as if to warn Klaus to say no. Holly had waited long enough.

“Well, I know what I’m doing. Bella needs someone to save her!”

And with that she picked up the lantern and walked out the bedroom through the kitchen and out the door. Klaus and Ivan followed her, running to catch up to her brisk pace.

“You can’t possibly be serious! Klaus may have made it but whose to say you will. Not just that, whose to say the woods would even let him through this time. He’s not a baby anymore!” Holly kept walking as if not hearing Ivan. “Besides, you heard what everyone said. She’s been in there too long. All we’d be doing is adding more grief to the village. Holly you’re not listening, we don’t know what’s in there!”

Holly spun around, set the lantern down, and said, “Does it really matter? Because I’ll tell you what’s in there! There’s a little girl who’s scared and doesn’t know how to get out in there. Klaus she needs us!”

“Klaus there’s nothing we can do.”

“No, we can do something! We should have done something! We should just have let her come with us and none of this would have happened!” Holy said shamefully.

Another awkward silence as the warm night breeze swayed the tree tops gently.

“You guys don’t have to come with me. I hoped you would, but you don’t have to.” Holly said walking up to the woods.

“Wait. I’m coming with you.” Klaus said, “You’re right Bella does need us, and, well.. I want to find out what happened to…them.”

“Are you guys listening to yourselves! You want to go into the forest! The Forest!”

The two just walked into the forest, the heavy thick darkness surrounding them all around. The scent of pine assaulted their sense and they felt the resin soaked pine needles cling thickly to their shoes and pants. They groped onward in the darkness for awhile until they saw a light coming from up ahead.

“If you insist on going to your doom in a forest you may want to remember the lantern. That way you can see what’s eating you.” Ivan said with a rueful grin.

“Thanks Iv.” Klaus said smiling as he realized they had only walked a few feet and already they had been turned around.

“So, let’s look for clues.” Holly said.

“You know this forest isn’t as bad with some lantern light” Ivan remarked nervously, inspecting some whitish vines, only to find his hand sticking to them.

“Guys! Run!” Holly yelled.

The two looked at what she pointed at and saw several large hairy spiders crawl down the trees. They were the size of a sheep and were a strange iridescent red color. They also seemed very hungry.

The three ran down the path in the woods as fast as they could, scrambling up inclines, and down gulches. Far back at the entrance to the woods, by the gravel path, two big thick trees seemed to expand until they were almost touching, blocking the path. From her small house, Granny blew out her candle as she said, “Be safe my dears. And please remember the dream Klaus.”

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Bella had caught up to the dog earlier that day, before sunset. She had followed the dog to a clearing surrounded by bluish green bushes. The dog, which she had named Silver, had gone and laid down by a small pool next to a tree and a slab of moss covered granite. They reached the clearing as the final rays of the sun colored the sky pink, with the blue clouds running across it.

As the white moon rose above the tree tops in the blue sky, Silver let out a howl. As it did, the bushes around the clearing suddenly opened millions of plate sized bright pink flowers that let off a dull glow. The clearing was filled with the scent of vanilla and roses. In the pond, Bella saw large bright blue fish swimming around that also let of a soft glow. The bubbles from their mouths rose up in the water and out of the water into the air, and floated around the clearing.

Silver ran around, jumping up trying to bite the bubbles, and Bella joined in, jumping to pop the bubbles. She bumped the tree and what had looked like bark turned out to be large brown moths that had been sleeping on the tree. With a flutter of dusty wings the moths flew off, revealing their glowing purple wings.

Bella danced with the moths, the bubbles, the dog, and the moon. It seemed as if magic and music was all around her and on the air, coming from the mystical woods. Next to the stone slab she found a patch of large ripe strawberries and ate as the sweet red juice ran down her chin. Then she drank from the cool fresh pool and lay down on the soft moss. Silver lay down next to her and soon she fell asleep to the dull glow and the beating heart of her puppy.

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“Poor Bella. Think how terrible it must be for her in this dark, humid forest. She’s probably sitting somewhere huddled in a little ball to afraid to move.” Holly said.

“I’m just glad we got away from those spiders.” Klaus said, stopping to take a breath.

“I tried to warn you abou- hey what’s that!” Ivan said noticing something purple sticking out of a bush.

“Its one of her bows! She came past here! Everyone, look for a trail.”

They began doing what they normally did when a sheep got lost. As they moved around looking for the regular signs, Klaus found branches that were broken and still white. She had been past here recently. Holly was the one who found the tell tale shoeprints, following the tell tale dog prints.

The three set of at a brisk jog, identifying more signs as they grew hot on the track. Dog fur, small pieces of cloth, flattened patches of grass all pointed a clear way. They picked up the pace when they noticed a set of new tracks following Bella’s.

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Bella felt herself gently swaying as she opened her eyes groggily. She was aware of soft short fir beneath her, and the trotting sound of hoof beats. She could somewhat distinguish a figure with long blond hair in front of her. She was singing.

As Bella heard the song she felt herself drift back to sleep, unable to resist the siren’s song of slumber. The horses heavy breathing and rhythmic heartbeat reminded her of something long ago but she could no longer focus as sleep over took her.

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The three ran through a clearing with a small pool and a single tree. By the light of the lantern they saw small white flowers on the bushes, ugly brown moths on the tree, and pale bland fish in the pool. They saw the clear imprint of where Bella had slept. They also saw the dogs tracks go off into the woods, and then what looked like hoof prints come into the clearing.

They were about to follow the new trail, when they heard what sounded like a dirgefull drum beat. Voices sang from the trees a very saddening song, and the trees seemed to grow again. Klaus felt himself suddenly grow tired. He sat down, looked over and saw Ivan already asleep on his knees with his face in the dirt and his hindquarters in the air drooling into the dust. Holly lay down on the moss against the tree and closed her eyes. Klaus, felt himself slip away too.

As his eyes were closing, he vaguely saw several figures in long light green robes walk forth and snuff out the lantern. Darkness fell with his eyelids.

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End Chapter


So thats Chapter 1. It's a bit long. In the end I may end up chopping the various chapters up into smaller pieces or recombining them in diffrent ways. Well what do you think? Leave me a comment and let me know. By the way, P & L as thanks for being such supportive readers I referenced you (in a very subtle way) in the chapter. Thank you and good night.