[Author's Note: This Chapter annoys me. Once I finished the part with Kara and her father's death, I had to wing it, which wasn't fun. I couldn't channel Ben very well, or Einon for that matter. Especially not Einon. . I'll try and get the 4th Chapter up tonight as well.


Chapter 3: To add insult to injury…

Ben looked around. All he could gather is that Corey had ran down a path, around a corner, and disappeared. And when he followed, he was suddenly in this quarry. He walked around, looking for some authority figure. He had been wandering for an hour now, and figured the best plan was to find a police man, or some sort of person with authority. He looked around, and almost ran into a woman, a bit taller than himself, with fire-orange hair and dark colored clothing. He apologized and took the blame, and kept walking. Then, he turned around and looked at where she was going.

"Kara?" the old man asked. When he realized it was his daughter, he continued. "Kara. I told you—I told you not to come here anymore."

"I'm a disobedient child." Kara responded. She handed her father a cup. "Go on. Take a drink. Go on."

Suddenly, before the cup could reach her father's lips, an arrow zoomed through and took the cup from their hands.

"Magnificent shot, your highness!" the man on the horse cried. There were three of them that Ben could see, the middle on a radiant white stallion.

"Care to double the wager?" The middle rider asked.

"Ah, yes. Happily" the one on the right said, "Shall we say…the water bucket?"

"Stand still. Stand still." Kara reassured her father.

Zing! The arrow went by and hit the water bucket and knocked it down.

"Superb!"

"Double again?" the middle asked once again.

"Double Again? Why not." The arrow went by Kara, who walked forward, straight to the King. "I say…A moving target!"

"Peasant Scum." The left rider said.

"You've got a nerve interfering with the king's sport!" The middle rider said. This made Ben perk up. Maybe the king could tell him what was going on! Ben, now, watched more intently than ever.

"There's no sport in tormenting a sick old man." Kara replied flatly. "I beg your majesty, release him. It's been twelve years. Your castle is built…he can do no more harm."

When the King didn't reply, she continued. "For god's sake, release him!"

The King thought for a moment, lifted his bow, and shot Kara's father right in the heart. He gasped, and fell backwards, over a small brick wall.

"Father!" Kara called, running after him.

"I've always said Death was a Release, not a punishment!" The King said, motioning for the others to follow, and riding off.

"Kara…" Her father's last words were uttered.

Ben, who had watched the thing, horrorstruck, was brought back to reality. He was tempted to go ask that Kara girl, but he didn't want to disturb her. Instead, he went in the direction of the King, but was then stopped by a firm hand in front of him.

"Where're you going?" a large, buff guard asked, glaring down on him.

"I…need to speak to the king."

"What for?"

"I need some information." Ben replied, trying to be as vague as possible.

The guard observed him. "What are you wearing?"

Ben looked down at his pajamas. "Clothes?"

"Cute. Where are you from?"

"Well, I'm not sure I can tell you that, but…"

"You're under arrest." The Guard said simply.

"What?! What for?!" Ben cried,

"For refusing to cooperate with a guard to the King."

The Large Guard grabbed Ben by his arms, and dragged him along, in the same way towards a castle in the distance.

"Where are you…taking me?" Ben panted, after about an hour of walking—him having to jog to keep up with the rope bound on his wrists. (which were placed shortly after departure)

"To the king." The Guard said, as they rounded a corner and came up to a large gateway. The two went up and over the drawbridge, and into the castle, where The King was already waiting in the main hall, with a few servants.

"King Einon," the guard said, kneeling. "I've arrested this boy for suspicion of treason."

Einon looked down at the boy. He wore strange checkered pants, and a strange, loose-fitting shirt. "And?"

"And what? I had assumed you wanted to interrogate him personally."

"No! I want all traitors dead, do you hear me?!" Einon said, raising his voice. The Guard cowered. He observed Ben one more time. "On second thought, release him, and let him come to dinner tonight."

The Guard looked confused.

"Now!" Einon snapped. The Guard quickly untied Ben's wrists, and shown him to a cell, with a bed.