Sleeping Handsome

Kingdom of Layfette Archive 4







Reise was furious. He'd seen the gypsy around the castle now, and had heard about her harrowing escape from the forest trolls after they demolished her house. The guards had made short work of the trolls with a few canons and some flaming ammunition. Now there were troll heads on the display in the army training grounds as trophies, and Jollel was taking up temporary residence in the castle! What was worse, was that King Xander and Samiya's father had both learned that Jollel could communicate with her wolfdog companion, and could check in on Samiya and the sprites anytime they wished! Things were not going as he'd planned. He was going to have a stern set of words for Noctis about his string of failures.

Of course, the merpeople in the lake would also have to be taken care of. He couldn't risk them feeling remorseful about their agreement and going to King Xander with the information about who'd hired them. He would have to kill every single one of them. That would be an easy task, but the fact that he had to do it all was daunting.

He stomped through the halls, coming back from his most recent training in preparation to be king, and already feeling haggled and tired. He had a pounding headache just thinking about all the messes he had to clean up! He growled to himself, passing his father's court, where his mother, father, and Samiya's father were all gathered with the gypsy to discuss what to do next. Of course, he didn't have to stop and eavesdrop. He had ears and eyes in every wall of this castle. No... right now, he needed to get to his study and contact Noctis. He had his own planning to do.

It took Noctis much longer than usual to appear after Reise had contacted him and the reason came clear when he slowly climbed through the window. He was beaten and bloody from the bite wounds he had received from Eon and his expression showed his fury. "What can I do for you now, your highness?" He asked through gritted teeth as he slumped down into a chair, not even bothering to bow or show any sign of respect to the prince before him.

Reise was not at all pleased to see Noctis' disheveled and bloody state. He narrowed his eyes and growled in frustration. "That mutt is becoming cumbersome!" he snapped. "Is it really so hard for you to do one simple task?!" He turned to his table of enchantments and potions and tossed a bottle of shimmering blue water at him. "Drink that." he spat. He then moved to lift a large, black, silken feather from his table, holding it up for Noctis to see. "Do you know what this is?"

Noctis glared at Reise as he caught the bottle of water then slowly unstoppered it and drank down the contents. "No.." He replied and had to stop himself continuing on to say he didn't care. This job was becoming tiresome and he kept losing to those sprites and that dog. Something Noctis wasn't used to. His secluded life back in the forest was beginning to look more appealing.

Reise gave a little, curling grin. "This, my dear minion, is a Hagraven feather. A Harpie." he said pleasantly. "And imbued in this feather is my signature. Your task now, Noctis, is to deliver this to her. She will know what it means." He moved closer to Noctis and offered him the feather, watching his wounds as they started to heal--the result of the blue potion he'd given him. "Take this to her, and she will be your new partner. Hopefully she'll help you make a bigger dent in the progress of those meddlesome women and that dog." he said, frowning angrily. "Do you think you can do that?"

"Of course I can." Noctis snapped before snatching the bottle from him. "Where does this harpie live then?" He asked as he stood up again, feeling his strength returning from the magic water.

Reise grinned. "Good. She lives in a cave, deep inside the woods... Where the trees turn black." he explained. He then turned, moving back to his table. "Meanwhile, I'll try to figure out a way to disrupt Jollel's communication with that mutt. She channels spells through him, which is how he's so powerful. But if they cannot contact one another... Then they lose their strongest ally, leaving the sprites to fend for themselves and the princess. It should be easier to pick them off after that."

Noctis nodded as he tucked the feather away safely in his pocket. "You cut the tie between the gypsy and the dog and i'll deal with the dog. I look forward to the day very much." He said with a growl before looking at Reise. "So this harpy..how dangerous is she?" He asked deciding it was best to know what he was in for.

Reise chuckled darkly. "She's lethal. But you don't have to worry. She won't attack you if you be sure to present her with this feather." he nodded firmly. He then grinned at Noctis. "I'll be sure to cage the mutt for you so you can have your revenge." he nodded.

Noctis didn't look convinced when Reise said the harpy wouldn't attack him but he decided not to question this further. "So when I get the harpy what exactly is it you want me to ask her to do? Or will she know..." He asked.

Reise nodded at Noctis, turning to look at him again. "She will know what to do." He moved to him then and offered him a smaller vial of the same blue liquid. "Keep this on your person... just in case you get hurt again by that blasted wolfdog. It isn't enough to heal you completely right away, but it'll speed up your healing process." he nodded. "Now go, Noctis... and don't fail me again."

"Yeah yeah.." Noctis grumbled as he took the extra vial from Reise. If I lose again i'm just going to go home.. He thought negatively before moving to the window. "Just hurry up and become king already your highness..once you take power this will all become easier." He said over his shoulder before climbing out and disappearing again.

Reise watched him go, giving a scoffing snort at him as he disappeared out of his window. He moved to tuck things away again and then walked out of his room and back out into the hall. He headed back towards his father's courtroom, where everyone was still busy discussing things with Jollel, and he slid into the room. He nodded at his mother and father in greeting, and of course Samiya's father as well. Jollel, however, received only a scowl.

Jollel frowned at Reise in return and straightened her posture as she watched him settle beside his mother. "As I was saying... so long as Eon stays with them, I can keep an eye on them. I can see everything through his eyes... So far, everyone is doing fine. They had a little incident with the merpeople in the bottom of the lake... but they all escaped unharmed." she nodded. She didn't want to tell them about the shifter... or his fight with Eon. So far, Eon was considered a hero, a protector of these girls, and he couldn't seem weakened, not even by words. "Eon also serves as a channel for my spells, so that we can better protect them." she said firmly.

Xander sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes. "I hope your plan works, Jollel. I want my son back! And Samiya's father is going out of his mind with worry!" he snapped, motioning to his fellow king with a wave of his hand. "My people are beginning to doubt me, Jollel! They're demanding answers! We have two royal descendents missing, both of which were prospective heirs to the throne!" he scolded.

Reise then seemed to get an idea, and he grinned, though it was subtle, and he cleared his throat before speaking, "Father... It's far too dangerous for the princess to be out there, searching for Dyllin. What if something horrible were to happen to her? Then where would their kingdom be?" he asked and looked between the two kings. He took a steadying breath, then puffed out his chest boldly. "Allow me to go, father. I'll find them... I'll send Samiya home safely, and I will continue the search for Dyllin with the sprites."

Everyone in the room fell silent, and Jollel's eyes grew hard on Reise. "No." she said sternly, then pointed a scolding finger at him. "This adventure, this peril, it is for Samiya to bear! The fates foretold it! No one else can take her place in this role, prince! If you were to do such a thing, who knows what could happen to either of you! This is how things are meant to be!" she snapped.

"How dare you speak to me that way?!" Reise suddenly bellowed at Jollel, but Xander held up his hand and roared,

"ENOUGH!" Jollel and Reise both fell silent, though their glares were loud enough. "Jollel is right, Reise! I'm trusting her as my counsil now, and you are busy training to replace Dyllin should he never return!" he said sternly. "We cannot afford to lose both heirs!" Anaita was tearing up again, dabbing at her eyes and trying to keep her composure at Xander's words about Dyllin never coming back. He then looked at Jollel and growled out, "How do you keep contact with the group? Is there any way Samiya's father could use the same method to check in on his daughter?"

Jollel finally peeled her glare from Reise's gaze, and turned it on Xander, much more softly this time. "I use my crystal ball... It's in my room right now. I can show you where it is, your highness, and of course you can use it anytime to check in on Samiya." she nodded. She smiled at him reassuringly, even as she heard Reise turn and leave the room angrily. "In fact... I think I should go check on them once more. I think I have an idea as to how we can find Dyllin." she nodded, looking around at all of them. "Let me have this night to see if it works... if it does, I'll use the spell on a nightly basis until we find him. Starting tomorrow morning, you can check on Samiya to your heart's content." she said and bowed to him before turning to go.

Jollel moved through the hallways swiftly. She had seen Reise pull away from the group discussion, no matter how subtle he'd tried to be. He had heard her say where her crystal ball was, and she needed to make sure he didn't find it. Once she got to her room, she closed and locked the door, then did the same with the windows and pulled the heavy drapes shut so her room was dark. She lit over a dozen candles, making the room glow warmly, and she knelt on the floor in front of her crystal ball, looking into it. She could see the world through Eon's eyes... they were in the woods, just passed the lake. Iswe was awake now, which was good... and they were all settling to sleep, save for Sein, who was keeping watch. "Good..." she whispered and smiled. "Perfect timing. Eon, listen closely, my love... find a thistle bush... Take one of the flowers, and place it on Samiya's head between her eyes. We're going to find Dyllin on another plane." she explained, smiling into the image. She watched him do so, and then lay back down, watching Samiya sleep with the flower on her forehead. Jollel then began to sprinkle vampire dust over her crystal ball and whisper some words. It would take Samiya to a dream land... a place she could see Dyllin.

It had taken a while, but now the connection was established. Eon would know what to do to keep it going, should they lose communication. She relaxed back from her crystal ball and breathed deeply, looking and feeling a little pale. She stood up on wobbly legs, lifting her crystal ball. She would have to hide it for a little while... So Reise wouldn't find it and destroy it, or hold it hostage from her. She looked around the room she was in, but nowhere seemed truly safe enough. He would be able to trash her room and find it in no time. She sighed and bit her lip, looking down at the ball in her hands. "Alright then... Here it goes." she whispered. She was already really weak and tired, but she would rest after this, she was sure.

She concentrated, and the crystal ball began to shrink in her palms until it was the size of a small pebble, or a crystal for a necklace. She then brought it up in her hands, and pressed it firmly against her chest. With a final, tired, breath, she forced it into her body, storing it in her chest beside her heart. He would never find it there. Someone so heartless would never think to search a heart. Once it was done, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious and exhausted. Eon, my love... You know what to do.

Just as she finished this task, her bedroom door burst open with a powerful gust of wind and sickening crack as the lock was broken forcefully. Jollel gasped, throwing her arms up to shield herself from the debris that flew around her room, peeking from between her arms at Reise. She grit her teeth as the wind died, watching him, her arms returning to her sides. "What do you want?" she asked with a spiteful bite to her words, her eyes hard.

Reise glared back in at her. "That crystal ball. Where is it?" he demanded, his hands in fists at his sides. "Tell me!"

Jollel stood firm, her hands fisted at her sides as well, her muscles tense and ready for whatever he may attempt. "I don't have it." she lied firmly, then grinned. "I gave it to your father."

Reise's glare hardened even further and he scowled at her. "You lie." he hissed. "You have it. I know you do, I can feel its power." He stepped into the room, but jumped back quickly when a wall of fire suddenly erupted from the floor.

"STAY BACK!" Jollel demanded, her hand out, controlling the wall of fire.

Reise studied the wall of fire, then gave a small, crooked smile and a gruff chuckle. "How crude." he said, then lifted a hand. The flames were suddenly transformed into large, dark, and poisonous vines that were covered in thorns, which sprouted quickly from the floor and into the room, making the wooden floors crack under the strain. They coiled upwards towards the ceilings and towards every wall in the room, surrounding Jollel in a small opening until only her eyes were revealed to Reise. "You have one last chance, witch." he growled. "Give me the crystal ball and you'll live."

Jollel had been a bit surprised initially at his ability to so easily overpower her, but she had relaxed as the room filled with dark, poisonous vines, all the thorns pointed inwards towards her to keep her trapped. At his words, she wrinkled her nose and snorted. "Like you would really let me live, even if I told you the truth?" she shook her head. "You have grown darker, Reise... far darker. It won't be long until you are completely lost. You can still save yourself, young prince... There is still time. Still hope... But if you insist on following his evil trail, Reise... Then I should give you one last prediction." She let the silence ring between them before she said softly, "Dyllin will end you. It will be the only way to stop you."

Reise held his glare on her, even as her words stung his chest--more than he thought they would. Would his own twin really kill him? He supposed it was possible... After all, he'd considered killing Dyllin several times already. He then gave a twisted grin and whispered, "I'd like to see him try." With that, he closed his outstretched hand, making the vines constrict around Jollel suddenly, crushing her amongst the poisonous thorns that were the size of swords. He heard a crunch, and grinned triumphantly. He huffed. "You were less of a challenge than I'd originally anticipated." he said and turned. He decided to let his plants feed on her blood for a while.

But what he didn't know was that the crunching sound he'd heard was actually Jollel encasing herself in a protective shell and the vines constricting around it only enough to make it crack, but she was safe inside. Eon... Reise is trying to kill me... I cannot afford to use the energy to keep up your form any longer... I'm sorry. I will have to return you to your true form... but in addition, I will give you a gift. I'm sorry, my love. I will try to help as best I can from my current position... I promise.

---

---

Reise was feeling rather self-accomplished now that Jollel was dead. He moved through the castle with a purposeful stride now, smiling at everyone he passed. This level of cheer was unheard of for Reise, and took the maids and butlers rather off-guard. It even perplexed his mother when he saw her at breakfast. Now he was on his way to see his father in his throne room. His father had called on him afterall, and he suspected it had something to do with his impending crowning ceremony.

When he burst into the room though, pushing the doors open with a thunderous boom, his smile quickly melted off his face at the sight of two faces--one familiar and the other not so, though both equally unpleasant. Idre was there... dirty and tired, looking like she'd trekked through the forests of Cuole on her own--which she had. At least until she'd met the second face in the room--a feline face.

They were all watching him, and he subtly gulped back the anger and nerves in his gut. He moved into the room, though his stride was less excited now, and made to stand beside his father. "Father, what's going on? Why is Idre here? She is supposed to be with the group to locate Dyllin." he said, looking at her.

"According to Idre, Jollel is in danger... and she was called back here at Eon's beckoning." Xander said firmly, glancing at his son. "Idre will be working with Jollel from now on." He then looked at the other guest, putting a hand on her shoulder. "This is Ziane Pe'Tula. She's the daughter of our good commrades in the deserts." he explained. "She's also going to help with the search for Dyllin."

Reise had given Idre a brief glare before turning his attention to Ziane, taking in her tall, proper stature, her black- and grey-striped fur all over her body, and her lengthy black hair surrounding a whiskered face and large ears. She had a nub tail that twitched irritably when he looked at her, and she wore a full suit of leather armor and clad with weapons. She seemed to be a threat not to be taken lightly. Nevertheless, despite his true feelings towards her addition, he bowed at the waist to her politely. "Princess Ziane." he said firmly. "Good to have another helping hand in the search for my brother." he lied and stood up straight again.

Ziane bowed in return, though silently, and then looked at Xander expectantly. He gave her a short nod, and she turned, quickly leaving the room. It was cryptic to Reise... and he wanted desperately to know what his father and this foreign princess had decided on. Idre left not long after, going to seek out Jollel, and at that knowledge, Reise had to subdue his grin. She would find a gruesome sight indeed. He cleared his throat and looked at his father. "Father, about my crowning ceremony--"

"We're pushing the date back." Xander interrupted, making Reise stop short and blink at his father. Though he tried to keep his expression under control, the shock and frustration was still evident there. "I'm sorry, Reise, but you're not ready yet. Your tutors are telling me that you are rather... cumbersome to work with, Reise. You are not focused, and are rather... paumpous." he coughed. "Your war skills tutor said you completely disregarded his instructions in the exercise... and that you'd said some pretty disturbing things."

Reise closed his gaping mouth slowly, straightened himself and brushed down his shirt, clearing his throat awkwardly. "I disagree. I believe what I said was completely reasonable."

"You mentioned something along the lines of, 'sacrifices must be made, regardless of who they are fighting for'?" Xander questioned, his eyes growing stern on his son. "A king would not think this way. A proper king would try to save as many lives as possible, not be open to risking them for the sake of a petty war."

Reise frowned at his father and shook his head. "That's not what I said. And even if it was, that tutor is pulling my words from proper context! He's twisting my words! Father, would you really believe a tutor over your own son?"

Xander stood up straight again and sighed, running a hand over his hair before looking at Reise firmly. "I'm sorry, Reise. But we're pushing your crowning ceremony back until we hear more about the whereabouts of Dyllin. Now that we know he's alive..."

Reise narrowed his eyes and grit his jaw, then sighed and nodded. "As you wish, father. I hope all the best luck with the search for Dyllin." He waited until Xander nodded in dismissal, then turned and headed out of the room quickly, trying his hardest not to stomp or slam doors as he went.

---

Idre moved through the halls quickly, quietly, until she came to the door that king Xander had said would be Jollel's. But she stopped short when she saw the massive vines and thorns that were blocking the door. They were poisonous, she could tell.. dark creations. She frowned and reached towards them, and just the threat of her light touch made the vines shrink away and disappear. She gulped and pulled the cracked and broken doors open, gasping at the sight of the large bundle of woven vines and thorns in the center of the room. She moved towards them, watching them part and die away from her proximity, and she put her hands over her mouth with a gasp when Jollel came into view, trapped in a large amber oval of pure power. She was crystalized. She gulped and put her hands against it. "Oh dear..." she whispered and then knocked lightly on it. "Jollel?" she asked weakly. When nothing happened inside, she gulped again and whimpered, sitting down on the floor in front of her. "Oh boy..." She had a feeling this would take some work. She hoped the group was okay....

---

A large portal suddenly erupted in the ceiling of Reise's private chambers and seconds later Samiya tumbled through landing on the bed with a thud. She quickly pulled herself up and tried to jump up and reach the portal, hoping it would take her back but it quickly disappeared. With a frown she jumped from the bed and finally took a moment to try and figure out where she was. It didn't take long to realise she was back in Layfette inside the castle in what could only be Reise's room. She hurried to the door and attempted to throw it open but growled in annoyance when she found it was locked. I have to find my father and the King and Queen! They need to be warned. She was going to make Reise pay for this.

Iswe tumbled onto the bed after Samiya but bounced off and landed on the floor. Groaning softly, she laid her head down on the hard floor. "You, princess, are going to be the death of me." Sighing heavily she shook her head and sat up slowly. Rubbing her blue hair she stood and moved towards Samiya.

Samiya spun round with a gasp startled by Iswes voice. "What are you doing here?" She asked in surprise, wondering why the Drow would send a guardian with her. "You didn't follow me, did you? Why would you do that? Dyllin is the priority, not me. I do not need people thinking they have to risk their lives for me." She said in an exasperated voice then moved to Iswe And gave her a hug. "Well you're here now, seemingly trapped just like me. I guess we'll just have to wait and see why Reise wishes to see me but its obviously not going to be good and the chances of him letting us stay together are doubtful. Wait...maybe you could go and find Jollel and Idre!" She suddenly looked hopeful, knowing with the others help they'd escape quickly and maybe even create some trouble for Reise along the way. "You should hide! If Reise didn't know that you were here then you can go and look for the others without him bothering you and i'll keep him distracted so he won't suspect a thing." Samiya smiled excitedly, it seemed some good might come from being brought to the castle. With Jollel and Idre back with them they would be a lot more powerful and it would be easier to track down Dyllin. "Under the bed, quickly!"

Iswe watched the princess as she talked and moved about. A small smile spread across her lips. Of course she'd followed her, how else would she be here? She wasn't just going to let her be sucked into a black hole! She had been about to say just those things when the princess told her to get under the bed. "The bed... we can't find something better?" Sighing heavily, Iswe shook her head as she dropped to the floor and scooted her body under the bed. "Ridiculous."

The door to the room suddenly burst open. Reise walked in, and without touching the door, it slammed shut behind him again and locked firmly. He grinned as he looked at Samiya, his eyes traveling up and down her body. His skin seemed paler than usual and his eyes were more sunken in and shadowed, seemingly with exhaustion. He took a step towards Samiya and folded his hands behind his back. "Princess Samiya... how lovely of you to visit." he chuckled.

"It wasn't exactly my choice." Samiya snapped back as she moved around Reise so he would have to turn to face her and put his back to the bed where Iswe was hiding. "Very pushy that drow of yours. You should really think about teaching her some manners. Now what is it that you want exactly Reise? If you hadn't noticed i'm a little busy trying to find your brother so he can get back here and show you what it means to be a true leader and a king." She folded her arms over her chest whilst continuing to glare angrily at the man before her.

Reise's smile instantly disappeared at her words. He wrinkled his nose in a snarl and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself and clamped his mouth shut again, giving a heavy breath through his nose to keep himself in control. This woman infuriated him. He closed his eyes, counted to five mentally, then looked back at her with a renewed, though tight, smile. "Well, that's exactly what I wanted to speak to you about, actually... my brother." he nodded. He took another couple of slow steps towards her, a hand at his mouth as if in thought. "See... Dyllin is gone now. As in... not here... meaning he cannot take the throne. Meaning, he cannot marry you. But your kingdom... needs a king." he said with a shrug and gave her a crooked smile. "So I have a proposal for you, so to speak."

Samiya's eyes widened slightly as she realised what he was saying and she quickly shook her head in response. "The answer will always be no Reise. I am marrying Dyllin and that is final. So unless you tie me up and drag me down the aisle your plan is failing already." She smirked lightly then unfolded her arms and raised a hand to fix her hair. "So will that be everything then? I really should be on my way.." She asked with a raised eyebrow, still smirking at him.

"I thought you might have that reaction, princess." Reise sighed and shook his head solemnly, moving towards her. He suddenly wrapped his hand around her throat and pinned her to the wall, glaring hard into her eyes as he only slightly choked her. "Which is why I'm going to make this perfectly clear: you don't have a choice. If you don't marry me, Dyllin dies, and your kingdom dies with him. Understand?" he growled lowly, an electric energy buzzing through his body and into hers, giving her a little jolt. "I'm more powerful now than you could ever imagine, Samiya. And if you don't do as I say... I will make your life a living hell... every day for as long as you live."

Samiya wrapped her hands round Reise's as she tried to prize it from her throat. She silently begged Iswe to remain hidden knowing that if she were to suddenly jump to her rescue then all hope of escape would be lost. It was obvious now that Reise was powerful and alone, a princess and a sprite would be no match. Her eyes widened as she listened to Reise speak and fear quickly rose in her stomach. She couldn't let Dyllin die and put her home at risk just because she was stubborn. A single tear suddenly rolled down her cheek but she refused to let anymore fall. "Alright..I accept." She said in a quiet gasping voice. As long as Eon and the others rescue Dyllin and he is safe..thats all that matters.

Reise's lips upturned into an evil grin, and he nodded. "Wonderful!" he said, pulling his hand from her throat and letting her fall to the floor again. "I shall tell my father at once." He took a breath, one that was short, crisp and happy, rubbing his hands together. "He'll be very pleased, as I'm sure yours will be too. But just to be sure you don't tell them my real plot... I'm afraid you won't be allowed to see him until the wedding night." he sighed, shaking his head. "It's just too risky, you understand. Get comfortable, princess... This room is where you'll stay until our wedding." he winked. He turned and headed for the door then, opening it, but pausing just before he left, and looking back at her. "Oh, and by the way... try not to have too much faith in your friends to find Dyllin. They can burn this entire country to the ground... but they will never find him." he grinned darkly. "I just don't want to see you too heartbroken to find that out yourself. Besides... They'll all be dead soon anyways. So try not to stress. We don't want you looking depressed on the big day." He smiled again, then blew her a kiss before he left the room with a laugh, slamming the door shut and locking it, then throwing an enchantment over it, heading off down the hall.

Samiya fell to the floor with a thud and didn't bother getting to her feet again as Reise spoke. Once he had left she finally began to weep, the tears dripping onto the stone floor. "Iswe..you need to go help the others. Find Dyllin. Its the only way..I can't leave. You heard Reise he'll kill Dyllin if I do..this is up to you know." She said through her tears as she looked towards Iswe's hiding place. "Please hurry..I don't want to marry him.."

Iswe came out from under the bed and checked the door. Growling that it was locked she glanced around the room she saw windows and checked every one of them. They were locked as well. Slamming her fist into one she turned back to the princess with sad eyes. "I'm sorry, Samiya, I don't have this type of magic. I'm afraid we're both trapped in here."

"You have to try and get out! Only you can go and get help." Samiya replied as she finally got to her feet. "The next time Reise comes here i'll distract him and you make a run for it. You're our only hope Iswe." Her tone was pleading. She knew Reise would have to come back eventually, this was his room after all. She began pacing back and forth nervously as she imagined what it would be like if she were forced to marry the younger twin, unable to stop herself shuddering at the thought.

There was suddenly a light knock at one of the windows. Outside of the pane, there was a small vine, tapping at the glass and looking for a way in. Soon, several more joined it. They were climbing up the walls, coiling around everything they could find and finally twisting, trying to squeeze their way into the room through the windows. Eventually, one of the panes buckled and splintered, and a few vines curled their way in. After a few more moments, one of the windows' locks popped through, dangling off of a vine loosely and the window slowly swung open.

Samiya jumped slightly at the light knock then smiled suddenly when she saw the vines. "Idre!" She exclaimed as she hurried over then watched as the window was forced open. Finally something has went our way! She thought then spun round to grin at Iswe. "Idre knew you were here. She's getting you out. You can climb down the vines and go and find her and Jollel now. Then you have to and get Eon and the others..find Dyllin, once you've done that then come back for me. Its the only way to keep everyone safe. If I leave now Reise will kill everyone I love. Now hurry..someone is bound to have heard the glass break." She said quickly as she glanced at the door, knowing that Reise would probably be angry at her supposed attempt to escape.

Iswe sighed heavily debating on what to do. Rolling her eyes she hugged Samiya tightly. "Be safe." Nodding her head she hurried up and out the window. Looking down she frowned deeply before slowly turning and climbing her way down the vines.

"Be careful!" Samiya called after Iswe then watched as she disappeared out the window. When she was gone the princess hurried to clean up the glass on the floor, hoping to save any trouble then pulled the heavy drape across the window to try and mask the fact that the pane was in fact missing. "That will have to do.." She whispered then turned to look around the darkened room before moving to the large desk and looking through the litter of papers there. Maybe Reise has been careless and left something of importance here.. she thought hopefully.

There was a buzz from the door then, and it flew open. Reise narrowed his eyes into the room, his presence just feeling... heavy. Shadows seemed to wisp into the room around him. He focused his eyes on Samiya. "Stay away from those papers." he hissed, moving into the room and slamming the door shut, hearing it lock behind him as he moved to her. He swatted her hands away from the stacks of papers--which happened to be a pile of spells and enchantments--and snatched them away, fixing the pile. "You're so meddlesome." he grumbled. "What broke?! I felt an intrusion!"

Samiya stepped quickly away from the desk, glaring at Reise as she did. "Someone threw something at the window.." She lied as she moved to open the drape and show him. "But you needn't worry i'm not going to try and escape." She turned to look at him, frowning heavily. "You really don't look very well Reise..maybe you should cut back on the dark magic."

"What would you know about dark magic?! What would you know anything about the sacrifices I have made?!" Reise suddenly snapped, his eyes stone-cold as he glared at her. "Do not speak of things you know nothing about, princess!" He hugged the papers to his chest a moment, then turned and carried them to a drawer in the desk, tucking them inside and locking the drawer with magic, before looking to the window. He sighed heavily, then waved his hand in front of it. But before he could replace the pane and lock with the magic, he paused, narrowing his eyes. Vines? He grit his teeth and let out an enraged growl. "That bitch nymph tried to let you out!" he snarled. He snapped his fingers and suddenly the vines wilted and crumbled away into ashes, and the window was no longer fixed... but replaced with more stones instead. He did the same to the second window and once he was sure there was no way more vines could get into the room now, and no way Samiya could escape, he turned on her. He glared at her, gritting his teeth, the circles under his eyes a little darker than before. Finally, he growled and moved to the door, his hands in fists. He would kill that sprite himself.

"Please don't leave me in here!" Samiya begged moving to him and grabbing his arm to stop him leaving. "If you're so intent on us getting married then we have to plan the wedding. No one will believe it if it looks like it has just been thrown together." She spoke quickly knowing that she had to try and distract him and stop him going after Iswe and Idre. "You have to allow us to act like a couple..people will grow suspicious if I suddenly reappear and we marry the next day, don't you think?" She hoped the sprites would have the sense to hide away somewhere the prince could not find them.

Reise paused and looked at her, glowering down at her touching his arm. He didn't like to be touched. He frowned at her though, when he realized she had a point. It would be all too suspicious if she suddenly showed up out of nowehere, when she'd last been heard of going out to search for Dyllin. As much as Reise didn't want to make it so, she would have to make appearances to her father, and his parents... Make it seem she had given up hope of finding Dyllin and was now in love with Reise. He rubbed his chin, then looked at her with a sort of dark grin. "Very well. We'll make some appearances." he nodded. "You can plan the wedding with my mother. She has so been looking forward to a wedding... and with her dwindling health..." He trailed off, and for a moment, Reise looked sincerely weakened and sad. He loved his mother deeply, and it hurt him to know she was sick and getting worse.

"Your mothers unwell?" Samiya asked showing honest concern. "Isn't that reason enough to stop this madness?" She asked quietly as she withdrew her hand from his arm. She sighed knowing that her words would most likely fall on deaf ears. "Shall we start this now then? Go and visit our parents I mean.." And protect Dyllin and all my friends.

Reise straightened up and brushed down the sleeve of the arm she had grabbed, as if her touch had been dirty. He adjusted his coat and royal emblems, then nodded at her. "Very well. But first..." He turned to her and grabbed her chin roughly, prying her mouth open painfully. He didn't kiss her, but his face came close, and he blew a spell into her mouth. When he pulled back, he nodded at her. "There. Now you cannot say anything to my parents or your father about my involvement in Dyllin's disappearance." He said, dusting his hands. "You will tell them all that you lost hope in finding my brother. And that you realized you have feelings for me." he said sternly, looking at her with a deathly glare. "Understood?"

"Fine." Samiya snapped then suddenly raised her hand and gave him a stinging slap across the face. "Don't ever touch me like that again." She returned his glare then straightened and dusted off her own clothing. "Lets go then, shall we?" She added, refusing to show him any fear.

Reise had reeled from the slap a little, and touched a ginger hand to the stinging and now reddening cheek. He blinked at her, then gave a dark grin. "Yes. Let's." he said softly and opened the door with a mere flick of his fingers. It unlocked and swung open, revealing the hallway, and he motioned for her to go out first. "Our families are in the main dining hall at the moment."

Samiya stepped past him, her head held high in defiance. She walked in the direction Reise had indicated, ignoring the hushed whispers by passing maids and guards at her sudden reappearance. The thought of tell her father that she had realised her feelings for Reise made her sick but if it would keep Dyllin safe then she would do anything. Taking a deep breath outside the main dining hall she pushed the door open and left it open for Reise. Her father had been sitting with his head in his hands and for a moment didn't look up. Finally he lowered his hands and his eyes widened at the sight of Samiya and within seconds he was by her side pulling her into a hug. "I've been so worried!" He gasped unwilling to let go until she prized his arms from round her. "I'm sorry father..I just had to go search for Dyllin." She frowned lightly then glanced at the king and queen. "I'm sorry..but I failed. He's gone." She bit her lip as she tried to control her emotions.

Reise had to fight to smile at her words. Even as his mother and father had stood to welcome her back to the castle and their faces had dropped at her news. Anaita, the queen, put her hands over her mouth and her eyes instantly filled with tears. She was paler and her hair seemed more limp than normal, which were tells of her increasing illness. She put a hand against her chest, as if her heart ached, and she whimpered, looking at her husband.

Xander frowned heavily down at the ground, his hands in fists at his sides. "You tried, Samiya. That's all that matters. You all tried." he whispered, his voice tight with emotion as well. Reise was almost infuriated at the amount of emotion they were all showing for his goodie-two-shoes twin. He instead moved to hug his mother to hide his displeasure, cradling her as she began to sob. Xander sighed and moved to Samiya, pulling her into a gentle hug. "Thank you, for all of your help." he whispered. "We will find the culprit... even if Dyllin is lost, there will be justice. I promise." he whispered.

Samiya sniffed lightly allowing Xander to hug her before pulling back lightly to look up at him. "I only wish I could have found him. He was my best friend and i'll miss him dearly. But I did not just return to deliver these sad tidings...I..I wish to speak some truth which should have been said long ago." She glanced at Reise as he hugged his mother and had to stop herself glaring at him angrily. "For years I have known that I had to marry Dyllin..it was custom and nothing could change it. But he was not the one who had captured my heart." She took a breath to try and steady the sick feeling in her stomach. "I have cared dearly for someone else and now after all the recent sadness I feel I should admit to these feelings to try and allow Layfette to regain some happiness. The one I have wished to marry for all these years was actually...you, Reise." She said causing her fathers mouth to drop open in surprise.

Reise and his mother broke their hug to look at Samiya. Reise had to admit, she certainly knew how to sell it. Reise smiled at her, his eyes seeming softer after having hugged his mom, and Anaita had gasped, her eyes still teary. She wasn't sure whether she was upset over Dyllin, or happy for Reise and Samiya. She looked between them both, then let out a happy splutter and pulled herself from Reise to hug Samiya.

Xander was honestly shocked. He stepped back from Samiya and looked at her father, then at his own son. "Really?" he asked, seeming unconvinced.

"What's the matter, father? Am I not... worthy of Samiya's affections?" Reise challenged, glaring at his father a little. He rather disliked how little faith his father seemed to have in him nowadays.

"N-no, Reise, that's not what I mean, I just... It's shocking, really. You two never seemed to interact much over the years..." Xander said quickly, looking between them. "You just seem... an unlikely match, if I'm honest."

"Oh, Xander, stop. You know as well as I do that love can find anyone." Anaita said softly, giving him a hopeful smile as she pulled from Samiya and stroked her pretty blonde hair affectionately. "This is a wonderous thing! Out of all this sadness... and the loss... a ray of sunshine is beaming through." she nodded with a bite to her lip, still feeling her heart breaking for Dyllin, but unable to keep herself from being happy for her other son. "Our kingdom will still have a new king... and the two kingdoms will still be joined, as we'd hoped." she nodded, giving Samiya's father a reassuring smile. "Oh, this is wonderful."

Reise loved his mother. She knew perfectly well how to take the focus off the bad and doubtful and turn it to something beautiful and happy. She seemed to dissipate shadows and clouds with simply a smile. He straightened and folded his hands behind his back almost proudly, watching his mother fawn over Samiya. Things were going exactly as planned. "Then I suppose you have no objections to helping Samiya prepare for the wedding, mother? We would like to wed as soon as possible."

"Of course I don't mind! Oh, I was praying for a wedding..." Anaita giggled with a weak smile, seeming a little tired all of a sudden. "We'll start planning immediately!" She turned to a maid and asked her to run to town and find the best dress-maker in the village, as well as a tailor for Reise, and a cobbler to make shoes.. a smith to make jewelry... a florist, a baker, there was so much to be done! She looped her arm through Samiya's. "Come, dear. I want to show you my wedding dress... perhaps we can alter it to fit you?" she smiled sweetly.

"That sounds wonderful." Samiya replied trying her best to give a convincing smile. She wondered how soon was soon to Reise. Knowing his mind it'll be a matter of days. She thought unhappily. "We'll make this a grand affair your highness. A wedding that we will all be proud of." She said as she clung to Anaita's arm.

Her father watched her still in shock before turning to look at Reise. "And you..do you return these feelings to my daughter? I need to know she will have love in return." He asked feeling the same kind of doubt that Xander did. This all seemed so sudden.

Reise looked at Samiya's father as Anaita led her away to take her to her room to find her wedding dress. He narrowed his eyes, but it was brief and subtle. "Of course I do." he lied. "I have always felt something for Samiya... I just never thought it would be reciprocated. But now... I am the happiest man in this kingdom, and perhaps in the whole world." This was true. Dyllin was missing, nowhere to be found, Scabbar and Alavara would be killing off anyone who stood in his way, and Samiya's kingdom would soon be his. He would be unstoppable in a matter of days. He gave his father and Samiya's father a smile, then cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse me... I have more tutoring lessons to attend." He turned and happily strolled from the room, though he kept a close beacon on Samiya.

Anaita lightly rubbed and patted Samiya's hand, her eyes on the ground as she walked with her towards her room, tears still in her eyes. "Oh, you'll have to forgive me, Samiya... I am happy for you and Reise, truly... but my heart is still breaking for Dyllin. I hope you understand..."

"I understand completely...even though I have admitted my true feelings for Reise..my heart still aches for the loss of Dyllin. He and I..we had so many plans." Samiya replied with a weak smile. "Maybe he's not really gone..maybe he will return."

"Oh, Reise is a good boy. I'm glad he's found someone who loves him... Not that I was worried, but I never imagined it to happen so quickly. He's a very... misunderstood boy." Anaita said gently, looking up at the ceiling with a small smile, but it seemed sad. "He's always been so shy and gentle... not nearly as outgoing and adventurous as Dyllin. But I know he has a kind heart. He's my baby... My only baby, now..." she whispered shakily, choking on her pent up emotions. "I hope he is a good king... And I hope he is every bit the husband you want."

Samiya wished that she could scream out loud how evil Reise was but his spell was holding her tongue. She gritted her teeth then looked at Aniata. "I hope he does you proud your highness." Was all she could manage to say on the matter. "H-how soon do you think the wedding will be? I could tell Reise was quite eager to do it soon."

Anaita gave a small chuckle and dabbed her kerchief at her eyes lightly before nodding at Samiya. "Oh yes... Reise is a boy--though now I suppose a man--who knows what he wants and when he wants something.. he gets it as soon as possible." she nodded. "I have no doubt it'll only be days until you're wed. I do hope that's not too soon for you, dear? If it is, you should let him know. I'm sure he'll listen." she nodded. "But for now, let's try to have fun with it, hm?" she asked, finally opening the door to her and ZXander's royal master bedroom. It was a wide room, expansive, and full of lovely linens, chairs, a king-sized bed, and beautiful dark oak furniture. She moved to a tall, double-door armoire and opened the doors, digging inside for her lovely wedding dress. Unlike the normal wedding dresses of the time, it had short sleeves... It was a ball gown, white in color, but with blue trim lace on the bodice, waist and skirt. She also pulled out the blue satin shoes and the matching white and blue lace veil, offering it all to Samiya with a warm smile. "I know blue isn't really your color... you prefer red, if I remember correctly?"

"You remember right your highness." Samiya replied as she took the dress and other items from the queen. "Shall I go and try it all on?" She asked nodding towards the bathroom that was through a door at the bottom of the room.

"Oh yes, please!" Anaita nodded, motioning to the bathroom as well. "Just keep in mind that all of the blue can be dyed red, dear. I know the dress is a little outdated, but try to keep an open mind." she giggled playfully, then making gentle shooing motions with her hands.

Samiya merely nodded before turning and wandering into the bathroom. She changed slowly and only when she'd placed the veil in her hair did she look in the mirror. Sad tears quickly filled her eyes at the sight, her heart aching at the thought that she should be wearing this for Reise and not Dyllin. She tried to calm herself and took a few deep breaths before moving back into the bedroom. "Well..how does it look?" She asked, hoping that the Queen didn't notice her sadness.

Anaita looked up from where she'd been sitting on the bed, and she gasped, then tilted her head with a sweet smile, tears instantly refilling her eyes. "Oh, Samiya..." she whispered, standing up and moving towards her slowly. "You look... so stunning, I-" She cut herself off with a gulp, sniffling and smiling as she admired her. She moved to adjust the skirt and veil, holding her at arms length to further appreciate the gown on her. "Goodness... You wear it better than I ever did." she chuckled, but it was a sad sound. "You are beautiful, Samiya... absolutely gorgeous." She then looked into Samiya's eyes and her own green eyes showed her deep sadness for Dyllin as well. "Samiya... I have to ask... are you sure...? About this? I just... always envisioned you with Dyllin. I don't know if it's because that was our plan since you two were born, or if... if it's because I actually saw something spark between you and Dyllin." she whispered, her face turning confused and worried. "I love Reise... don't get me wrong, I love him so much and I want him happy, but... Oh, I dunno..." She sighed and tried to busy herself with brushing down the gown instead, shaking her head.

Suddenly the tears began to flow freely from Samiya's eyes but she knew she couldn't tell Anaita the real reason for them for several reasons. "I'm sorry..these past few days have been so hard." She gulped quickly wiping her eyes. "I'm happy about the wedding..so please don't worry yourself and don't tell Reise I got upset." She said the last part in a pleading voice, not wanting the prince to know she had crumbled.

Anaita seemed to sense her deep sadness, and she pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair under the veil and shushing her, crooning to her gently. "Oh hush, Samiya... it'll be alright. I'm sure Dyllin is just fine... I'm sure he's out having himself an adventure and he'll be back." she nodded with a bite of her own quivering lip. She wanted to believe that's what was going on. "Don't tell Reise... but his father thinks he had something to do with Dyllin's disappearance..." she whispered in a hushed voice. "I can't say I agree, but... he's been acting strangely lately." She sighed and pulled back to look at Samiya in the eyes firmly. "Samiya... you have to promise me... that if you have any idea about what is going on with Reise, if he has any connection to this.. you'll tell us?"

Please don't make me promise that.. Samiya thought as fresh tears fell from her eyes. "Of course.." She whispered weakly as she clung to the Queen. "Everything will work out for the best. I'm sure of it." She sniffed then cleared her throat. "Okay.. so what kind of flowers do you think we should have?" She asked wanting to change the subject.

Anaita gave Samiya a grateful smile and tilted her head. "Well.. if you're going to have red on your dress... I think red roses and white carnations." she shrugged with a smile. "What do you think?" She pulled her towards her vanity table and motioned for her to sit down. "And I have the perfect jewelry for you to wear... oh, and we'll have to have a crown made for you... You'll be crowned as king and queen on the day of your wedding." she nodded.

"So soon?" Samiya asked in shock. She had figured Reise wouldn't be crowned King for a while but now it seemed she only had days to stop this. "What a big day it will truely be..a wedding and a new king and queen." She moved to sit down where Anaita had motioned to. "Roses and carnations sound perfect by the way." She smiled into the mirror as she looked at the Queens reflection.

Anaita gave her a tired and weak smile, then turned to hold up a small necklace. It was silver... and lined with rubies. "Perfect." she whispered. "It has a matching set of earrings as well. You can keep it all. I never wear them... Red is not my color." she said softly, though her voice sounded saddened, her eyes seeming dazed. In that moment, in the mirror, the queen looked very familiar. In fact, she looked almost exactly like Jollel.

Samiya gasped and leaned a little closer to the mirror as if to check she wasn't seeing things. "Jollel? Is that really you?" She whispered. "Please tell me i'm not imagining things.."

Anaita lifted her eyes to look at Samiya's reflection and she frowned in confusion. "What are you..?" she asked gently, then looked at herself in the mirror and then gave a small sigh. "Oh... yes..." she gave her a weak smile and moved to sit beside her on the vanity bench, sighing sadly with her back to the mirror now. "I suppose I sometimes forget how much like my sister I look.." she whispered sadly.

"Jollel's your sister?" Samiya asked trying to mask her disappointment that the other woman had been trying to contact her. "She was the one to give the prophecy about Dyllin and Reise..didn't you want to believe her?" She asked in the hopes that she didn't sound rude.

Anaita turned to look at Samiya and she gave her a saddened smile. "Oh, I did... I desperately did." she nodded, folding her hands in her lap sadly with a nod. "But I also... didn't. They were my babies, Samiya... and Xander... he was determined not to let it be so." she whispered sadly. "He convinced me that Jollel was just jealous, and that she hadn't meant it. That it wouldn't come true." She sighed and hung her head sadly. "No one knows about my heritage... that I grew up a gypsy... or that my husband loved my sister first."

"The king loved Jollel first?" Samiya asked in a stunned voice as she turned in her seat to look at Anaita. "How could that be your highness? He seems to love you so much.." Surely Jollel would not have punished Dyllin because of some silly jealously towards her sister..

Anaita nodded sadly, but her face seemed to hold some sort of daydream look... as if she was remembering. "Well... when your father first met us both, he was very young and we were traveling with our parents through Layfette. He was intrigued with the fact that we were gypsies and twins... And he started to fall in love with Jollel... I could see it happening before my eyes. But... she didn't love him back. I did, however..." She bit her lip and blushed, fingering the fabric of her dress. "She knew I loved him. It was love at first sight for me, just like it had been for him with her." She sighed and smiled. "So when he asked her name... she told him it was Anaita. She gave him my name... and the next day, when they were supposed to go on a date... he went with me instead. And we have been in love ever since." she explained. "So I knew that Jollel wouldn't do something like this out of jealousy. She gave him to me, Samiya. She let us be happy... she wanted that for me."

Samiya listened silently then a thought suddenly struck her. "Jollel is gifted with great power..do you have any power?" She asked wondering if there was some way she could get the queen to help without raising the alarm with Reise. Take the castle back from within! She thought feeling suddenly excited.

Anaita blinked and looked at Samiya a moment, then blushed and bit her lip. "I used to work with magic.. but I gave that all up when I married Xander. No one was supposed to know he was married to a gypsy." she shrugged. "I haven't used magic in so long, I... I'm not sure I would be able to remember any of it." she frowned a little.

"Oh..well thats alright." Samiya replied, her shoulders slumping slightly in sadness. She looked in the mirror again at her reflection before turning to look at the queen. "Woiuld it be alright if I went and rested. I feel suddenly very tired." She said wanting to just get away from all this wedding business.

Anaita seemed a little disappointed that Samiya was already leaving her company, but despite her sad and sickly eyes, she gave her a smile and nodded. "Of course, dear. It's been a big day for you..." She laid a hand on Samiya's and smiled more sincerely. "Welcome back... I'm so glad you're safe." She stood up and kissed her cheek, then motioned to the bathroom so she could change back into her own clothes. "I'm sure Reise is waiting for you. We can chat again at dinner time."

"Oh yes..Reise. Of course he'll be waiting." Samiya replied with a frown as she hugged the Queen back then turned and wandered into the bathroom and quickly changed out of the wedding dress. If it hadn't belonged to Anaita, Samiya would have been very tempted to throw it out the window. With a sigh she carefully carried it back out into the bedroom and after handing it back and bidding farewell she left the room. Glancing left and right she turned and headed in the direction of Dyllins room deciding to try and hide there.

Dyllin's room was empty--at least to the eyes it was. But it was full of memories and emotions. As Samiya entered the room, she would have felt something of a presence pass through her, and just like that, she was transported back in time to when they were children. She would be able to see a younger version of herself, playing with a childish Dyllin on the floor, playing his game of jacks, or her doll. Dyllin laughed when she threw the ball and he swatted it out of her reach. "There! Now you have all the time in the world to grab all the jacks!" he would say, pointing at them. He would watch her snatch up all the jacks, but hide the very last one from her. When she reached for it, he leaned in and suddenly kissed her cheek. He blushed, but to pass it off as a joke, he would make fun of how red her face got, before finally giving up the jack when she would start to pout. "I'm sorry." he said softly, petting her hair. "But you smell just like strawberries! And now your face is pink like one!" he smiled innocently. Back then, they had only been children... and though Dyllin invited Reise to play with them, Reise only stood and watched from the doorway with a deep pout, his eyes glaring at his brother before he would run off to find a book to read with his mother.

Samiya had froze when the memories flooded back but slowly a soft and sad smile spread across her face. She remembered the fun she and Dyllin had when they were children and the more she thought about it the more she realised how long she had been harbouring feelings for him but refusing to allow herself to feel them. Sighing lightly she stepped into the room, running her fingers along the edges of the furniture until she reached the bed and sat down. I need to speak with Dyllin.. She thought hoping they still had their connection in their dreams. She crawled onto the bed then closed her eyes, allowing herself to slip off to sleep which she hoped would be undisturbed by Reise.

The connection was almost instant. As soon as her mind drifted off to sleep, she was thrusted into the cloud world where she usually saw Dyllin now. She would feel the weight of him as he was curled around her, his arms wrapped protectively around her dream-state body. He had his face buried into the back of her neck and hair, both arms wrapped tightly around her, and legs intertwined with hers. He felt her join him, and he smiled. "Finally..." he breathed. "I was starting to get scared after the shadows chased you out..."

Samiya turned in his arms and rested her head against his chest. "I was worried we had lost our connection, it brings me hope that we haven't." She said quietly. "I'm back at the castle..caught and brought back by order of your brother. Dyllin, he's forcing me to marry him." She bit her lip lightly then looked up into his face with sad eyes. "He says he'll kill you if I don't.."

Dyllin frowned deeply as he looked back down at her, then sat up with a sad sigh, looking at the ground in deep thought, one knee drawn up and his elbow on it, chewing on his thumbnail. "You can't. Don't do it. If I know Reise... he's making you marry him so that he has control over your lands... He's going to corrupt them." he whispered. "He'll kill everyone you love back home if you give him that power, Samiya, you can't give into him." He looked back down at her sadly. "Don't worry about me, but you can't let him twist you around like this..."

"I'm not going to let him kill you Dyllin. You know he would kill everyone I love if I didn't agree to this..but hopefully the others will find you before the wedding and we can fix this before the I do's." Samiya replied as she sat up then gently touched a hand to his cheek. "We have three or four days at the most. Your mother has already let me try on her dress.."

Dyllin's eyes deepened with sadness as he listened to her, then he sighed heavily and nuzzled his face into her palm, kissing it lightly with his own hand holding it. "I'm sure you looked... stunning..." he breathed in a tight voice. He refused to cry in front of her, even in this dream world. He took a deep breath and then turned to face her again, kissing her lips firmly. "I love you." he breathed against her lips when it broke, leaning his forehead against hers lightly, his eyes closed and blushing a little.

Samiya's cheeks reddened but she smiled and kissed him back. "I love you too..and I know that we'll be married. Not Reise and I. I just have to play along with him until the others find you and bring you to help me. I think I might actually allow myself to be the damsel for once." She joked with a soft chuckle. "I'm trying to hide from him at the minute. He'll find me soon enough and probably make me dress up for dinner and pretend to be deeply in love with him.." She looked disgusted at this thought." But for now i'm safe in your room."

Dyllin frowned a little as he pulled back to look at her more. "My room?" he asked, thinking about it. "My room... Something... It smells familiar." he frowned deeply, rubbing his head as it began to pound. He winced and gulped hard, giving a small whimper. "I hear people... lots of people..." But it was dark. He couldn't see anything. And hot. Stuffy. "I... I think I'm outside..."

"Outside?" Samiya replied as she listened to him. "Is there anything you recognise, smells or sounds so maybe we can try and figure out where you are. Come on..I know you can do it. Do you smell trees? sea air? Just anything Dyllin.."

Dyllin tried to concentrate, keeping his eyes closed and biting his lip, thinking hard and trying to listen. "I hear... people. Lots of people... and water..." he frowned, putting his hands over his ears to try to hear better. "Kids. Lots of kids, laughing... but it's all muted... It sounds like it's coming from above me." he whispered. "It sounds like I'm... in the water. I can't smell anything but dir--" He paused and gasped. "I just heard something... metal... like a coin."

Samiya listened to his words feeling confused about what he was describing until he told the last part. She gasped and her eyes widened before an excited grin spread across her face. "A wishing well!" She suddenly exclaimed. "Does that seem right to you? You're enclosed somewhere with water and coins are being dropped from above. It makes sense!"

Dyllin opened his eyes to look at her. "A well..?" he asked, seeming unsettled at the idea that his body was trapped in a well. He gulped and nodded. "There's a well in the middle of the city, remember? We used to toss coins there when we were kids." He grabbed her hands and kissed her knuckles. "You're so smart." he whispered and smiled with a blush. "You need to tell the others... but don't let Reise know that you know."

"Of course." Samiya replied with a nod feeling unsure of how she was going to tell the others where he was. "I can't believe you're so close. I probably could see that well if I looked from your window. Reise must have thought he was so clever bringing you back here, I guess he doesn't know that you and I can speak with each other like this."

"And I'd rather he never knew that. I wanna keep you to myself here." Dyllin said softly, giving her a blushing smile before moving to kiss her again firmly, stroking her cheek and giving an excited breath against her lips. "I can't wait to be outta that damned well... and kick Reise's ass for this." he growled. "He's going to regret this. Everything that he's done to me, to you, to my mom and dad... to the people of Layfette, he's going to bear the consequences."

"Soon..You'll be out of that well in no time and then you can teach Reise a lesson." Samiya replied with a smile. "And once he's been dealt with the you and I can get married.." Her smiled widened. "I'm sure both our parents will then expect grandchildren not long after.."

Dyllin blushed at that, but he smiled and moved in to nuzzle her neck, giving it a teasingly light kiss. "I'm okay with that." he whispered, bringing his body closer to hers, touching his thigh to hers. "If you are, that is."

Samiya blushed then leaned against Dyllin affectionately. "Well its tradition that we produce an heir and we wouldn't want to ruin our kingdoms customs." She said jokingly. She couldn't believe they were talking about children when only a few days before she was certain she never wanted to marry. But now this felt right and she wouldn't want it any other way.

Dyllin chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Fuck traditions. I say we do it just for fun." he winked and then hooked his fingers under her chin, bringing her lips to his in a gentle kiss. "Only when you're ready, of course." he whispered, and smiled. He admired her face a moment, then kissed her again deeply.

"I think we should wait a while..enjoy our lives together first. Even when we're king and queen we could still travel, visit the different kingdoms and pretend its official business." Samiya replied after he had kissed her. "We'll have to visit Ihara and Ziane's homes to thank them for their help. They've been helping me look for you." She smiled again then kissed him. "I probably should go.." She said softly. "We don't want Reise to get angry or suspicious and I have to get ready for dinner with our parents."

Dyllin pouted a little, gripping her hand in his lap tightly. "I don't want you to go." he insisted gently, then sighed and reigned himself in, frowning at the ground. "But I understand why you must." He blushed and looked at her with an apologetic and also slightly hurt expression in his eyes. "I'll miss you. He turned to kiss her again as she began to fade from him. "I love you. Find me soon..."

"I will. I promise you that." Samiya replied before he had completely faded and his room reappeared. With a sigh she stood up and moved to the door and after glancing outside quickly hurried from the room and over to the one she used when she stayed here and knew housed several of her dresses. Slipping inside she moved first to the bathroom to bathe then picked out a beautiful flowing royal blue dress. After she had dressed she fixed her hair, pinning it up into a loose knot before placing her royal circlet on her head. Time to find Reise. She thought with a frown when she was happy with her appearance. Leaving the room she wandered the halls in search of the prince.

Reise was coming from his fencing lesson, still dressed in the light armor and carrying his helmet proudly, his lance at his hip, and he spotted Samiya before she spotted him. "Ah! There you are!" he grinned. "My, you look perfect for dinner." He grabbed her arm once they were close enough and pulled her aside, keeping his voice low now. "I trust things went well with my mother? You didn't upset her, did you?"

"Of course I didn't. You seem to be doing that well enough on your own without my help." Samiya snapped as she wrenched her arm from his grip. She glanced over his attire and a small smirk spread across her face. "Fencing were we? I take it they had to go easy on you..never were the physical type were you?" She took great pleasure from the small insults she could throw at him. "But I suggest you go and change..not exactly an appropriate outfit for dining now is it, dearest. I suggest something with blue..so we match. Well what are you waiting for, off you go then." She clapped her hands in a commanding way then motioned for him to leave.

Reise's smile and semi-good mood instantly melted away, and his eyes flashed from blue to black rather angrily, like thunderstorms were brewing in his pupils. He grabbed her arm again, this time tight enough to threaten breaking bone, or perhaps tearing her flesh from it. "I would be careful, if I were you. I have a short temper, Samiya, and I find it difficult to control my actions when pushed over the edge." he said in a threateningly low voice, glaring at her. "You wouldn't want something to happen to your father... or anyone else you care about, would you? It would be tragic if a massive fire were to rip through your entire kingdom because of your poor attitude towards me." He raised his brows at her a little and made sure his words sunk in before he released her, then stood up straighter as he turned and headed off down the hall.

Samiya watched him leave the looked down at her arm that was quickly bruising into the shape of Reise's fingers. She pulled her sleeve down to make sure they were covered then taking a deep breath she moved towards the dining hall. "I hope I am not late.." She said as she pushed the door open and slipped inside.

Xander and Anaita were only just sitting down, Xander holding the chair out for Anaita as she sat in it and then gently pushing it back in to the table before taking his own seat at the head of the table. He sighed heavily as the servants placed their silverware out, along with napkins, and he looked at Samiya's father, mumbling a few words before he noticed Samiya coming in. "Ah... There she is." he smiled, standing up for her respectfully.

"Please sit, your highness." Samiya said with a smile as she moved to the table and sat down. "Reise will be down soon. He needs to change out of his fencing attire." She said and could only manage a weak smile to each of the before she turned her attention to her empty plate.

Xander nodded and sat back down in his seat, moving to hold Anaita's hand on the table's surface and frowning at Samiya a little. The room was filled with a bit of an awkward silence as they waited for Reise, and finally, Xander coughed a little and looked at Samiya. "Samiya... if I'm not being too forward... you don't seem very happy about this arrangement with Reise."

Samiya looked up and quickly shook her head. "No! I'm fine really. Its just been a long few days, i'm just exhausted after everything. A lot has changed. I just wish it was all over and I could just relax." She smiled again then looked at her father as he cleared his throat and after glancing at Xander he turned to address his daughter. "Well why not bring the wedding forward..tomorrow maybe? Then you and Reise could go away for a few days and forget about all the troubles."

Xander frowned a little at Samiya's father but he nodded. "Yes, I think that's a wonderful idea." he said softly. "Let us handle all of the details... you just relax, pamper yourself with Anaita in the castle's spa tonight, and just look forward to tomorrow?"

"No!" Samiya cried as she turned quickly to look at Xander and her father whose mouth dropped open in shock. "I-I mean its not enough time to plan. I'm sure Reise would agree." She looked between the two of them as her heart raced. If the wedding was tomorrow then things were looking bad. She just had to wait and see what Reise would say on the matter as she assumed his word would be final.

Xander and Anaita had also both jumped at her sudden outburst, watching her with wide eyes. They exchanged a suspicious and confused glance, then looked back at her. "Alright. If you're sure." Xander said softly, frowning at her.

Anaita was watching her with concern also, and seeming somewhat... guilty. She gulped and looked down at her plate, then sighed and stood up. "I'm sorry... I'm not feeling well. I think I'll take dinner in my room tonight..." she whispered.

Xander stood up with a worried frown at his wife now, shaking his head. "Are you sure..? Ana, please, Reise will be so disappointed..." he whispered, putting his hands on her arms and turning her away from the table so they could whisper.

After a few back and forth whispers, Anaita shook her head firmly and said sharply, "Xander! He's a grown boy now. He can handle one meal without me." she hissed. "I'm not feeling well. Please, just let me go." She pulled herself from his hands and moved around him, her face down and moving out of the room quickly.

Xander watched her go guiltily, then sighed and moved back into his seat, putting his hands over his face. "I'm sorry." he mumbled once he put his hands down again, frowning at the table as plates of hot food were placed in front of them. "Her health has been... waning..."

"Maybe we should postpone the wedding until she is feeling better.." Samiya replied after she had watched the exchange between the king and queen. She pushed her chair back and stood up. "I should go and see what is taking Reise so long. Seems he's lost track of time." She smiled at the two kings once last time before hurrying from the room. Her father frowned then looked at Xander. "Do you get the feeling shes hiding something from us?" Samiya hurried through the halls then threw Reises door open and stormed in slamming it shut behind her. "You must stop this!" She shouted. "Your mother is clearly unwell because of everything you have done."

Reise turned to face Samiya from where he was currently buttoning up a white shirt, his pants pulled up, but still undone so he could tuck his shirt in when it was done being buttoned. His hair was wet, telling that he'd been in the bath only moments before, which is what had been taking him so long. "What are you talking about?" he hissed, grabbing for an amulet to wear around his neck and weigh his collar down. "Mother's health dwindling is not because of me."

"You fool! Are you so determined to think that what you're doing is having no effect on your family? Your mother grows sicker with every day Dyllin is missing. You will lose her if you do not act soon." Samiya replied as she stormed over to him and glared at him. "She's just had to excuse herself from dinner and its obvious your father is feeling strained. You are ruining their lives." She snapped her hand out and grabbed the amulet first, clutching it tightly as she watched him. "Don't you feel any guilt?"

Reise growled and let his hand fly, slapping Samiya hard across the face. He glared at her, his eyes black all over, as if his pupils had swallowed everything, including the whites of his eyes. "My mother is NOT DYING BECAUSE OF ME!" he snapped loudly. "She's not sick because Dyllin is missing! Why would she be?! She has me now, and I'm far more now than Dyllin ever was!" he growled, taking a threatening step towards her. "How dare you say things that you know NOTHING about!" he growled.

Samiya just stood in shock when Reise slapped her and she didn't hear his words for a few moments until she shook herself and looked back at him, still clutching his amulet. "Your mother is sick because of what you're doing! She loves you and Dyllin! And its breaking her heart that she doesn't know what has become of him..you are a disgrace!" She shouted as she tried to stand her ground against his threatening steps.

---

Idre was waiting for Iswe at the bottom of the vines, watching her climb down with a nervous look in her eyes. She bit her lip and whimpered, clutching her hands tightly in front of herself, almost in prayer that Iswe would be okay. Once Iswe touched the ground, she wrapped her arms around her tightly in a hug with a relieved sigh. "Sister!" she whimpered. "I found Ma." she breathed, speaking of Jollel. "Come, I'll show you!"

Iswe threw her arms around Idre, clinging to her. "Gods, I'm glad I can trust you." She giggled softly as she ran a hand through her sister's hair. Holding her back she gave her a good look over, more worried about her sister than herself. "You okay?" Placing a hand against Idre's cheek she nodded to her. "Okay, let's go..."

Idre nodded and took her hand tightly, turning and pulling her through the garden and back into the castle. She made sure to bypass any rooms that had the possibility of holding Reise at the time, and moved back towards Jollel's room, which was masked by layers and layers of vines. She led her inside, and in the room, Jollel was still encased in the thick amber in the middle of the room, but it looked as though it was starting to melt away, like candle wax.

Iswe came to a halt just inside the room and stared. "How long ago did you find her?" Moving forward, she walked around their mother, staring at her. The amber appeared to be melting as she looked at it. Furrowing her eyebrows she glanced over at Idre.

"Just yesterday." Idre nodded, biting her lip with a frown. "I found her this way, surrounded by poisonous vines trying to crush her. I cut them away and she's been recovering ever since, but the amber is melting so slowly..." She sniffled and moved to put a hand on the amber, feeling its wet, sticky surface. "I was hoping your water could help errode the amber away faster."

Iswe nodded her head as she eyed the amber for a few more moments. Taking a step back and a deep breath she shrugged her shoulders. "I haven't had much chance to rest but I can give it a go." Taking a few more steps back she closed her eyes to calm her beating heart then... Water began pouring down from the ceiling onto the top of Jollel's ambered cell putting weight and pressure on it to hopefully help with the erosion process.

The sappy outside of the amber began to melt away, and Idre bounced excitedly as she watched it. "Perfect! It's working!" she yelped, clapping a little. She moved to the bed and started to peel back the sheets and pillows so they would have somewhere to place Jollel when she was free, and then ran into the bathroom to run a bath. She wasn't sure how dirty Jollel would be. "Just keep it up as long as you can, Iswe! Don't push yourself! I'm sure you're still exhausted!"

Iswe stood there for quite some time, allowing her powers to take her energy until she couldn't handle it any more. Falling to the floor, she just laid there, panting with her eyes closed, exhausted from using her powers so much lately. "I'm sorry..." She whispered through her chapped lips.

"Oh! Iswe, don't be!" Idre said after rushing to Iswe's side when she'd seen her collapse. She knelt beside her and put a hand on her head, giving her a soothing smile. "Don't be silly... you tried. We can keep trying." she nodded. "You need rest. I'll grow you some food with the magic seeds ma gave me. Get into bed." she whispered and hooked her arms under her, trying to help her up.

Iswe groaned softly as she was helped to her feet. Kissing her sisters temple she walked slowly to the bed before crawling into it like a sick child would. Laying her head on the pillow she gave another groan, of appreciation this time. The softness under her body was wonderful, as if she were laying on a big puffy cloud, floating through a beautiful blue sky on a warm day.

Idre smiled a little as she watched her sister settle into the bed, and she moved to tuck her in gently, stroking her hair and hushing her affectionately. Though on the outside, she was gentle and calm, on the inside she felt like the victim of a constricting tornado of nerves and fright. She couldn't breathe. She could only hope that Reise wouldn't find them yet... not until Iswe had her strength back and Jollel was freed from the amber.

Turning her eyes up to her sister, Iswe frowned deeply. "You're not injured anywhere are you?" Always more worried about her sisters than herself. Idre's stroking hand soothed her, calming her mind and body. Allowing her eyes to drift close she stayed quiet until her sister spoke.

Idre gave her a soft smile and shook her head. "No... No, I'm not injured. Stop worrying about others, if only for a little while, sister... You need to rest." she whispered insistently, stroking her hair some more. "You need to get your strength back before you can try healing anyone else again." she nodded. She then frowned a little and bit her lip. "Iswe... how did you get back here? Where are the others?"

"Princess Samiya was sucked into a portal and I jumped in after her. The last I saw of the others they were in a strange forest. Reise has the princess locked in his room. The others were being attacked by... well... a lot of things." Sighing heavily, she allowed herself to stop worrying about making sure her sister was okay and calmed down.

Idre gasped, putting her hands over her mouth in shock. "Oh! That's aweful! I hope they're okay!" she frowned, putting her hands against her chest in worry. She put her hand on Iswe's arm and gave her a soft smile. "You're so brave. Now we know where the princess is.. I just hope she's safe. I hope the others are alright too..."

"The princess is safer than all of us. Reise intends to marry her. I doubt he would hurt her." Sighing softly, Iswe ignored her sister's comment about being brave. She wasn't too sure about that, she just does what she feels is the right thing to do. She wouldn't call that brave.

Idre frowned a little and sighed sadly, shaking her head. "That poor girl... being forced to marry someone so ruthless and evil..." she whispered, frowning at the floor. "I feel so sorry for her. But hopefully we can fix this before she has to do that."

"We can... I have faith." Iswe smiled softly at her sister before closing her eyes. "I'm going to take a short nap. But don't let me sleep to long. I want to try again." Sniffling slightly she hunkered down, getting comfortable before her exhaustion took over and she fell asleep.

Idre watched her sister as she fell into sleep, and she smiled knowingly. "Poor dear..." she whispered, stroking her hair. She stood up and sighed, looking at Jollel and tilting her head as she studied her face trapped within the melting amber, her hands folded politely behind her back. "C'mon, ma... We need you." she whispered.

---

Reise paused then. He blinked at Samiya as a certain number of her words sunk in. "Doesn't know what's become of him...? You're saying my mother needs closure." he said softly, his eyes fading back from the black orbs they'd been moments ago as he looked at the floor and rubbed his chin in thought. "Very well... perhaps I can come up with something... to give her closure. My mother deserves that much."

Samiya narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you talking about?" She questioned not trusting whatever it was he was thinking. "Whatever you're planning, just forget it. It will obviously just cause more trouble. Oh but if you want to do something helpful tell both our fathers that its an exceptionally bad idea to move the wedding to tomorrow. You can't even want it that badly.."

Reise gave a snort and snatched his amulet back from her suddenly, wrapping it around his neck and fastening it, then finishing buttoning his shirt. "I would have the wedding tomorrow, if I could. But unfortunately, there's just too much going on right now for that to be possible--like faking my brother's death for my mother's closure." he said sharply, studying himself in the mirror as he fixed his clothes and hair. "And making sure your friends and that gypsy witch are really dead." he grumbled.

"Faking his death?! Are you crazy? That will destroy your mother.." Samiya gasped then shook her head. "Why am I even bothering..you'll never listen to me. Which room am I staying in tonight, I wish to retire now. I'm not much in the mood for dinner with you anymore."

Reise turned to glare at her. "My mother will have closure. It will be hard, but it'll improve her health." he nodded firmly. "And you'll be staying in here with me tonight, dear." He said shortly. "Where you belong. Can't have you snooping around this castle and getting into things you shouldn't be."

Samiya frowned and folded her arms. "I'll make you a bed up on the floor then shall I?" She said with a roll of her eyes, making it clear that she wasn't prepared to share a bed with him. She had to try and figure out how she was going to get a message to the sprites about where Dyllin was being kept. I wonder if any of the maids know where they are? They could pass on a note..

Reise wrinkled his nose at this idea as he pulled on a heavy-looking fur cape, and shook his head. "Very well. Pick whichever room you would like." he grumbled. "But you'll stay there all night. I'll be sure of it." he grumbled. "Just go. I'm tired of you." He turned back to the mirror and adjusted his clothes and hair one more time, then turned to leave the room. "I expect to see you for breakfast on the veranda with my mother, though."

Samiya smiled with relief when he said she could have her own room then quickly moved to the door. She paused then turned back and glanced over him. "Its not really your colour.." She said motioning to his outfit then hurried out, laughing as she did. She moved quickly through the corridors peering round her as she did. Finally she stopped and called to a passing maid. "You wouldn't happen to know which room the sprites would use in the castle?" She asked curiously.

The maid paused and looked around, then shook her head. "No, miss... I'm sorry." she whispered. "The sprites left to find the prince... We haven't seen them returned in a few days." she explained. "But... The gypsy Jollel is staying here. We haven't seen her in a day or so, but I can show you to her room..?"

"Oh yes!" Samiya said excitedly. "That would be wonderful." She nodded eagerly then waited to be led in the right direction. "But you mustn't tell anyone you took me to see her. Our little secret okay?"

The maid was young, about fifteen years old, but she liked the idea of a secret. "Yes, highness." she said softly, bowing her head respectfully. "This way." She turned and headed off down the hall, knowing Samiya would follow her. She turned several corridors and headed up a set of stairs, and down a long hallway. The rooms on this hallway were usually reserved for visiting royalty, like Samiya's Father, or Ziane's and Ihara's parents. She finally stopped outside of a door that had vines growing out of it under the door, and she motioned to it. "Here."

"Thank you. I cam carry on from here." Samiya said with a smile to the maid then suddenly reached up and unclasped her necklace from around her neck and offered it to the girl. "As a gift for keeping this just between you and me." She smiled again then turned towards the door and knocked loudly. "Hello?" She called hoping Jollel was inside.

The young maid gaped at Samiya as she took the necklace, then tucked it gently into the front pocket of her apron. She gulped and nodded, bowing her head and scurrying off quickly, keeping her head down as she moved. The door opened a moment later, and Idre was blinking at Samiya. She gasped, then smiled. "PRINCESS!" she yelped, pulling her into a hug suddenly. "Thank goodness!"

"Idre!" Samiya said with wide eyes as the sprite hugged her. "Is Iswe with you? And Jollel?" She asked quickly. "We need to talk..in private." She glanced round her hoping that no one had followed her or seen her with the sprite.

Idre nodded and quickly pulled Samiya into the room, closing the door and locking it. "As you can see..." she said with a motion towards the amber-encrusted Jollel, "ma is currently indisposed... and Iswe is asleep. She's exhausted herself with healing others." she explained. She motioned to a chair and smiled. "Can I get you some tea?"

"Yes please." Samiya replied as she took the seat and settled down. "Theres so much I need to tell you's." She told Idre. "But I can't stay long. Reise will surely check up on me to make sure i'm not doing anything suspicious..I only just managed to convince him to let me have my own room."

Idre gently placed a cup of freshly warmed tea in front of Samiya, then sat beside her and watched her. "Oh dear... He's really keeping a close eye on you, hm? But at least you're able to roam... At least he's not keeping you locked up somewhere." she nodded seriously. "If you have important information, please tell me. I'll relay it to my mom and sister as soon as they're responsive."

Samiya thanked Idre for the tea then sipped at it slowly before taking a breath to speak. "Reise has made me agree to marry him, I didn't have much of a choice because he was threatening to kill Dyllin and everyone else I love. The wedding will be in a matter of days, so Dyllin needs to be found and brought here so he can stop the whole thing. Fortunately I know where he is." She smiled brightly. "The old wishing well in the middle of the city..he's down there. You need to go get him. I don't think Reise would permit me leaving the castle.."

Idre paused, choking on her own tea for a moment, eyes wide on Samiya. "You know where he is..?" When she told her it was the old well, she gasped and smiled widely, a hand over her mouth in happy relief and surprise. "Oh my! So close... he must have been counting on us going on a wild goose chase through the entire country before we thought to look back here..." she nodded, looking down into her tea. "Alright, I'll tell Iswe and ma as soon as they wake up. We'll figure something out to get him out of there..."

"Its up to you and the others to free him and it will have to be done as quietly as possibly. If Reise catches any scent of his brother being discovered he'll surely just move him again and if that happens then it looks like i'll have no choice but to marry him." Samiya replied as she cradled her tea in her hands before taking a small sip.

"We wouldn't want that..." Idre said with a small smile, giving Samiya's arm a reassuring squeeze. "We'll find Dyllin and get him back here before Reise knows anything's up. But... I don't know how we're supposed to wake him up. The prophecy says that Dyllin is trapped in eternal sleep by the touch of a steel blade. How do we wake him from that?"

Samiya sighed and shook her head. "I don't know.." She said sadly before looking up at Idre, alarm in her eyes. "What if we can't wake him? What if the magic is too strong?" She didn't like the thought of what would happen if this was true. Reise would win and get everything he ever wanted.

Idre shook her head and looked at Samiya firmly, confidently. "I'm sure ma knows what to do to wake him up. After all, she's the one that prophecized all of this. She MUST know something! She didn't foretell the kingdom being overtaken by Reise. She simply said he would become sick and that there is no cure. Maybe when she wakes up, she can tell us more? Maybe there is more to the tale than she was originally able to let be known?"

"Hopefully." Samiya replied with a weak smile. "And hopefully she wakes up before it is too late. How much longer before you think she will awaken?" She asked, her teacup now empty but remaining tightly grasped in her hands. She wondered what the key was to waking Dyllin up. A magic word perhaps...

Idre glanced back over her shoulder the amber that was slowly melting away around Jollel. "Soon, I hope... She seems to be melting the amber from inside, but I don't know how thick it is for sure. Once Iswe gets her strength back and wakes up, she'll be able to help erode the rest of the amber and get ma free." she explained, turning to look back at Samiya seriously. "She should be free within the next day or so."

Samiya nodded then slowly stood up, finally setting the teacup to the side. "I'll return tomorrow then when I can but for now I must go. Reise will surely come to check on me to make sure I am not doing anything he doesn't approve him." She rolled her eyes then looked at Idre. "I'm so glad you are all here. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't."

Idre gave Samiya a reassuring smile, standing up with her and showing her to the door. "We'll always be here for you, princess. Somehow." she said softly, rubbing her arm. "Everything will be alright." She opened the door and made sure the hallway was clear, then nodded to the princess.

"Good luck with everything." Samiya whispered over her shoulder then quickly hurried off along the hallway. She didn't stop until she reached her own room then slipped inside and shut the door with a thud. With a sigh she crossed to the window and looked out over the kingdom. She was sure she could just glimpse the well that Dyllin was being held in and she smiled lightly. We'll get you out soon. She thought then moved to her wardrobe and pulled out one of her nightdresses and quickly changed into it before moving to her vanity table to remove her jewellery and brush her hair. Once she was ready she crawled into her bed and curled up beneath the blankets and within a few minutes she had fallen asleep.

---

---

After a brief and rather awkwardly silent dinner was completed with his and Samiya's fathers, Reise had moved quickly towards his mother's room. He had to see her tonight. She hadn't been at dinner, and it had worried him and bothered him. He hated being alone with his father like that... always judged and scrutinized. Just the way Xander looked at him sometimes gave him such a rock of disappointment and shame in his gut. He hated his father for that. It had been that way his whole life, and oftentimes for no reason at all, he felt. He clenched his fists and moved to his parents' door, knocking gently once he reached it and breathing to calm himself.

A maid opened the door hurriedly, then without a word, dropped her gaze to the floor and bowed her head, curtsey-ing respectively as she stepped aside to let him in. Reise--unlike Dyllin who smiled at the maids and made them laugh--did not like to be looked at by lower-level servants. She held the door open until he came into the room, then shut it gently and moved back to what she had been doing, which was preparing the hot coal pan for Anaita's bed.

Reise watched the maid return to her duties, then looked at his mother, who was already dressed in her nightgown and brushing her hair at her vanity table, staring a little blankly at her reflection. "Mother..? It's still so early... Why are you retiring already?" he asked gently, with sincere concern in his voice.

Anaita blinked, looking at Reise's reflection in her mirror as if she hadn't even heard him knock, then slowly spun on her stool to face him, setting her brush down. "Oh... I'm sorry, Reise. I'm just... not feeling well, at all. I feel chilled, really..." she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Reise frowned deeply and moved to her, taking her hands in both of his and kneeling in front of her, looking up into her beautifully aged face. "Mom... Why are you so sick..?" he asked softly. "Why have you not been feeling well..?"

Anaita seemed confused as to why he was asking her such a question, then she shook her head lightly. "Because... Well, I suppose sadness can do a lot to a single soul." she replied gently, as if he were still just a child. She patted and stroked his hands, giving him a soft, kind-hearted smile. "I just... I miss Dyllin. I miss having my whole family... Now he's gone and we don't know why or how or by whom... whether he's alive or dead and it just... It feels like a large hole in my heart." she admitted, putting a hand to her chest. She frowned deeply, seeming to concentrate on the feeling. "It hurts, baby."

Reise gulped thickly, watching her with his blue eyes, looking almost ready to cry--if he were capable of such a thing--and tightening his hold on her remaining hand. "Don't say that, mom... We'll find out. We'll find out where he is, I promise... You'll have your closure..." He watched her a moment, then realized her breathing was picking up, her hand was tight around his, and her face portrayed pain and confusion. "Mom..?"

"O-oh... Oh, Reise... G-get your father..." Anaita breathed shakily, her eyes wide. Her hand shook in his grip, her other still pressed firmly to her chest. "I-it hurts..." she whined. She then suddenly collapsed forward off of her stool and into Reise's arms, crying out in pain, making the maid rush forward.

Reise caught her with a gasp and wide-eyes, not knowing what was happening to her. Before the maid could grab for her, he shot a glare at her. "NO! Don't touch her! Go get my father and a healer! NOW!" he snapped, and he watched her leave before he just cradled his mother on the floor, rocking her gently like she always did to him as a child. "Just breathe, mom... You're alright..." he whined.




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