Chapter Eight

Red Wassailia

Nervous. Yes. That is exactly how Prince James of Enchancia was feeling right about now, his father had just made an official announcement that this year's Wassailia would be celebrated in the castle itself where all are invited. Yet, he was trembling with fear as he awaited the flying carriage from the Kingdom of Corona to arrive, he had presented two Pegasus as a gift for Lucinda's fourteenth birthday. It has been six months since the small incident at Royal Prep, he smiled as he recalled the memory. The rivalry that once separated both Hexley Hall and Royal Prep have long been forgotten, now the two schools merged their magic classes together. And the new scheme proved to be a brilliant move towards the students of both school since there had been no complains of bullies and fights after the unification.

James had to admit that his friendship with Kurt Longbottom had grown over the months, the two were nearly inseparable and their bond has strengthen greatly. Amy Granger was another witch that he had made friends with, she had shown him that she was willing to turn over a new leaf and started to help him out in his magic class which he was apparently failing in. And of course, in his group of friends was Zandar and Lucinda. The rest of the students in both Royal Prep and Hexley Hall have decided to call them: The Five Musketeers. And that was a compliment.

He had invited both Amy and Kurt to the Wassailia Ball as well, Amy replied with an excited squeal during class last week, Kurt politely declined the invitation as he had something important on that day itself. The main gates of the castle swung open revealing the escorting party of Lucinda. Having cleared his head of memories, he walked down the steps. He smiled when he spotted a gold carriage entering the main gates of the castle, the soldiers at his side immediately snapped to attention when a servant opened the carriage door revealing the most prettiest girl he had ever seen. He turned and gave a curt nod to the only prince that was brave enough to court his twin sister. Prince Hugo.

"LEGION!" Bellowed Prince Hugo as he drew his sword in salute. "SALUTE YOUR LEGATE!"

All at once. A hundred swords were raised high. Lucinda stepped out of the carriage wearing a simple yet neatly decorated dress, her amulet hanging at her neck and her pet falcon nestled on her right shoulder. She gave a curtsy to James while he bowed before her. "Nice to have you back in Enchancia Legate." James broke the silence by speaking first. He tried his best not to laugh at Lucinda's darkening scowl directed at him, he quickly took hold of her hands and escorted her up the steps introducing her to Hugo along the way. "This is Hugo. One of Sofia's rivals during Derby practices a long time ago, but now they're best friends and inseparable no matter what. I always believed that the two would end up as a couple but it appears that Sofia had eyes for shy princes."

"Hey!" Sofia's voice resonated from the Great Hall.

Hugo chuckled. "Nice to meet you milady Lucinda." He greeted with his trade smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have duties to see to. I hope you enjoy your stay in Enchancia." He bowed before stepping aside. Lucinda looked at James curiously.

"Prince Hugo takes his job as a legionnaire quite seriously." James explained. "Now, we should head inside and I can tell you more about Sofia's private life." He said out quite loudly. Sofia's yell followed.

James ignored her protests and continued on with a smirk. "You should see how nervous Desmond was when he came here to ask mother and father permission to court Sofia, father was scowling all the way to frighten him a little but he already had consented to their friendship months ago!" A book directed at his chest came flying at high speed. He rubbed his chest gingerly with a scowl directed towards Sofia whom was sitting by the hearth to warm her feet with her three pets, she stuck her tongue out childishly and approached the couple.

"Welcome back Lucinda!" Sofia greeted her old friend with a hug. And then she punched James in the shoulder. "Prat." She said before returning back to her reading. "Go on. Dorrie is waiting."

James glared at his young sister as Lucinda pulled him away before a sibling quarrel could erupt, she was shaking with laughter the entire way, her shoulders bobbed up and down when James' face only grew redder and redder. Dorrie spotted them and made her way over to them with a bounce in her step, she had been promoted from a simple maid to Lady-in-Waiting for Sofia. It's considered a high position for someone of her age. She beamed brightly at the couple and grinned madly.

"Lucinda!" She squealed in delight. Crushing her friend in a bone cracking hug. She parted from their hug shortly later. "You're here for Wassailia?" She asked with a wide grin. "Wait. Stupid question. Of course you're here for Wassailia!" She beamed ignoring James' stifled laughter. "Is Uncle Erik here with you?" She inquired.

Over the past six months, she had grown closer and closer to the foreign King that knew her birth parents, the two had came to an understanding that though they were not related by blood, the two would treat each other as family. She had taken up the title 'Uncle' for the King of Corona much to his dismay as he considers the title fit for an older gentleman.

Lucinda shook her head. "Nope. He's with Queen Elsa celebrating Her Majesty's tenth year on the throne. He can't be two places at once so he sent me to Enchancia in his stead." She replied. "Besides, I'm sure father would be elated to come if he hadn't been missing from the Royal Court for at least two months. Unless, you want me to recite the things we did during the Summer." She said casually.

Dorrie giggled and waved the matter off. "You don't have to!" She stated. "By the way, there will be a Royal B-" James' hand clamped down on her mouth before she could finish her sentence.

"Um...It's nothing!" James piped in as Lucinda raised an eyebrow. "I'm serious!"

Lucinda shrugged her shoulders. "Well, once you decide what you were wishing to say. I'll be in the guest quarters. Tally ho!" She waved the nervous James and enraged Dorrie behind as she walked up the stairs and disappeared from view.

Dorrie's muffled growl could be heard as she stomped on James' feet a little too hard.

"OW!" James cried as he released his hand from Dorrie's mouth. "I'm sorry Dorrie." He quickly apologized already sensing the witch's temper and did not wish for the matter to escalate even higher. "I...I just don't know how to ask her out...for the Ball tonight..." Dorrie's anger faded in an instant and was replaced with a sly smile. "What?"

"James. James. James." Dorrie chided with a look that could rival both Amber and Hildegard combined, and if that didn't make James cringe, her next sentence probably might. "When will you ever learn? I thought Sofia had given you a lecture about Lucinda's favorite things and Amber had taught you how to ask a girl out properly." She sighed. "Looks like I have to step in now." She whirled around and begin to walk. "Come along James. Let's go find a book." James made a face before following.

The Enchancian castle library was a fascinating place with shelves of books that went as high as the ceiling that one must climb a ladder to reach the highest book, it was one of the few remaining royal libraries that still keeps ancient tomes of power though they remain under guard. And it was here where Dorrie and James poured their minds out at the only book that teaches a prince how to court a princess the proper way. Whatever James thought was fine. Dorrie shook her head. And whatever she suggested. James believed it to be too childish. The both of them just could not find one single thing that would please the other party until a certain brown haired Hexley Hall student walked in on them.

"Hey you two." The girl greeted with a wide smile. "Thought you might be here."

"Hi Amy." Dorrie returned the greeting with her own smile. James merely nodded as he flipped to the next page in frustration. Dorrie shook her head. "This won't work at all." She muttered. "Say Amy, what would you do to help our James here man up and ask Lucinda to go to the Ball with him tonight."

"I see." Amy looked thoughtful. "Have you consulted Royal Sorceress Gretel and Lord Commander Hansel?"

"Not yet." Dorrie replied with a shake of the head. "Gretel is busy helping the cooks to set up the treats and food for tonight, and I thought that it was best if we did not disturb her. As for Hansel, he's always busy with the defenses of the castle. Who blames him for being paranoid. So I thought it was best to leave him to his duty and figure this out on our own."

"Nonsense." Amy doubled back in shock. "No. This can't do. Follow me. We're going to find them."

James sighed as he followed yet another girl. "Must we really do this?" He inquired. The two girls kept quiet and motioned for him to follow. His shoulders dropped slightly. They came first to the kitchens where Gretel was using her magic to speed up the process, she greeted them when she spotted them waving at her from across. The two girls whirled around to him. He gulped and ventured forth.

"What can I do for you Your Highness?" Gretel asked with a quirk eyebrow.

"I want to ask Lucinda to waltz the first dance with me at the Royal Ball tonight." James confessed.

"But you're afraid?" Gretel finished for him. James nodded meekly. "I guessed so. You remind me a lot of my own brother. During our times as witch-hunters, he set his eyes upon a brown-haired witch with knowledge that surpasses even mine. She was fair and just. Eyes that shone like the beauties of Arendelle. Skin that is pale as snow. She was the perfect girl for him. Sadly, she died before he could confess his love." She lowered her head out of respect. "Hansel has remained single ever since. 'No girl can replace her.' He told me on the day of her funeral." James, Amy and Dorrie exchanged looks, this was indeed news to them for they had never heard it before. "But back to the point. What are you so afraid of? "

James shrugged. "Her response I suppose. What if she rejects me?" He said softly.

"She won't." Gretel interrupted before he could continue. "Trust me she won't."

"How can you be so sure?" James shot back.

Gretel gave a smirk. "Because she has been here the whole time." James' eyes widened as Lucinda appeared out of thin air. "Well, it appears my distraction work is done." She clapped her hands together and turned back to her duties. Amy and Dorrie both curtsied and backed away as quickly as they came.

"Lu...I.." James started but was quickly quieten by a peck on the cheek.

Lucinda slowly parted from the first kiss she gave. "You don't have to say anything." She put a finger upon his lips as she gazed into his eyes. "I'll dance with you." James sighed in relief. "Seriously though, what are you so afraid of? I don't bite." She gave James a pointed look. "Either way, I'm glad that you think so much of me. I've been following you ever since I 'left' for my room. After you thought that I disappeared up the stairs, you started admitting everything to Dorrie. I was there, the entire time, I head everything. I heard your confessions." She stated with a grin.

James smiled back slyly. "Well," He took hold of her hands. "I suppose that makes things easier."

Lucinda giggled and punched his arm lightly. "Prat." She scolded but held onto him tightly. "Let's just prepare for the Ball tonight. Wouldn't want anything to happen now would we?" She joked.

Music sounded that night as all took part in the most eventful time of the year, high ranking members of the Legion stationed in Enchancia were present in their fine silk robes, even Hansel himself left his armor aside for the night. Lucinda and James started the dance which got most of the guests up to their feet. It was a wonderful night as carols were sung and stories were told. Yet, James can't help but feel that something was amiss. Not that the castle wasn't well guarded, he had checked with the royal guards that the battlements were guarded twenty-four seven and that no one without an invitation should be allowed into the ballroom. "You're paranoid James." He tried to tell himself. "You're seeing things. Nothing would happen. Everything is fine...all fine." His eyes caught Hugo. He started to study his friend...something was off. "NO!" James mentally screamed in his head as he dashed forward.

Lucinda followed James and her eyes caught sight of what just happened. "GUARDS!" She screamed.

Hugo's surprised look was starting to be replaced by fear as his eyes rolled back into their sockets, his knees gave way and he fell backwards only to be caught by James' outstretched arm. No one noticed the red stain forming on his robes until the red crimson liquid started to form a pool on the floor beneath him. Legionnaire officers ran across the ballroom and halted in front of the lifeless form of Prince Hugo. The doors were threw open as guards and legionnaires sprang in with swords in their hands, James held up his hand to stop them. His normally white breeches were stained a sickening brownish red. His hands were covered with fresh crimson blood. Hugo's blood.

The royal family were led into a secret room. Amber's cries were hysterical and no one seemed to be able to calm her down. Queen Miranda silently wept at the passing of a supposed son-in-law as she cradled Sofia's shuddering figure. King Roland the Second barged in the room with a worried look upon his face, he was outside in the village when it happened, he quickly rushed over to Amber and tried his best to console her. James sat with his head in his hands refusing to talk to anyone. Amy and Dorrie together with Cedric and Gretel recited protective spells around the room as an added measure of caution. Hansel and Ralof came in a short while later, their hands stained with blood.

Amber cried onto her father's shoulders after he successfully calmed her down, reducing her hysterical wails into soft sobs. Sofia was still in shock leaning her head on her mother's side. The room fell silent before James broke the silence to ask who could have done this. Hansel broke the truth that Hugo had been killed on orders of his older brother, Axel. James sat stunned. However, he wasn't the only one who was in shock. Amber. Sofia. Lucinda. Dorrie and Amy stared at Hansel with wide eyes. No one could have expected that Hugo's own flesh and blood had tried to kill him on the most auspicious time of the year.

The royal family gathered in the castle courtyard. King Roland the Second at the head dressed in total black. Members of the Legion stood to the right with ceremonial armor with black cloaks. The Enchancian military stood to the left with their heads bowed in silent prayer. The air was filled with solemn as Prince James walked up to the front dressed in total black, Lucinda stood at his side giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Prince Desmond and Prince Fredrick were in attendance as well, they were serving with the Fourth Legion near the outskirts of Dunwiddie when the falcon came bearing the ill tidings. The two came with much haste, to mourn and to be there for their future wives. Dorrie leaned her head upon Fredrick's arm, her fingers intertwined with his. Desmond stood beside them, his arms firmly grasped upon Sofia's shoulders.

"It's hard to believe he's gone." Sofia broke the solemn silence with her comment. "I miss him so. Rough as he was." She held back her tears and glanced at her sister. "I fear for Amber. She hasn't spoken anything since the incident happened." Desmond responded by hugging her closer. "Don't you dare let go Des. Don't you dare let go." She mumbled softly.

"I will never let you go Sof." Desmond replied slowly. "I will never."

"Would you like to say a few words my son?" Roland gently asked his only son.

James gave a curt nod and walked forth. His heart ached as he glanced into the lifeless eyes of his 'brother' in all but blood. Hugo laid in his armor with his hands rested upon the hilt of his sword laid at the top of his chest.

"Hugo. My friend. My comrade. The brother I wished I had. When we first met, he was more than just a fellow student. He was my rival. An enemy and a bully to my eyes. But when the school needed him. He rose to the task...like a true King." He paused as a stray tear rolled down his cheeks. "When I re-founded the Imperial Legion. He was one of the first few to sign up. We trained together. Fought together. Cried together. And laughed together. We will never see the light of his smile forever." He bowed his head in respect. "He would have made an honorable King."

Roland gave James' shoulder a squeeze. "We are gathered here today to honor the life of Prince Hugo. A faithful friend of our family..." He proclaimed. "And now it is time to say goodbye."

Amber walked up next and placed a rose upon Hugo's hand before being escorted back by Queen Miranda. Sofia walked up next and placed her wreath of flowers with Desmond supporting her all the way. Dorrie came next, she didn't know Hugo that well but from what she heard and that small moment where he talked to her, she could tell that he was an honorable person. She laid her flower and walked back to her position. Fredrick brandished his dagger and placed it within Hugo's grasp.

A legionnaire handed a torch over to James. "We shall meet again brother." He gently lowered the torch to set the pyre on fire. The reaction was instant. Swords were drawn in salute. Heads were bowed. Some knelt. Some wept. Others kept a solemn expression. Many gazed into the flames in sorrow and rage. Lucinda walked to the head and begin to sing a farewell song. A song that she meant to sing for her mother's death anniversary but she decided to sing it for a fallen legionnaire. A friend. A brother.

Sang to the tune of: Ballad of the Forresters ( watch?v=_-aETXtqOvc)

Song start:

From ice, from ice, the Legionnaires are born,
To ice they shall return.
Our friend, our brother, we've sworn, we've sworn,
To guard this rest you've earned.

May southern knights melt down their swords.
A pyre upon Northern shores.
In floods of steel I pray they drown,
For all the blood they spilled.

James, sound the horn of winters past
Call vengeful Legions forth.
Urge Southern Lords to break their oaths,
To wardens of the South.

Eastern mages empty the veins,
Of beasts across the sea.
Paint Southern coasts in crimson red,
To bring Hugo back to us.

His final words, faced with the sword
Chilled Muriel to the bone
You will not rule here, I am King
And I protect my own!

And I protect my own...

Fight on, fight on, Hugo the Brave,
Old gods bear steel with you.
Our friend, our brother, a hero's grave.
So iron grows anew.
Still iron grows anew.

Song End

James stared into the flames that burned brightly. The flames appears to be speaking to him. As if it was acknowledging him. Mere men would see nothing but red hot embers and smoke. But for him, it was different. He had a certain ability that he kept to himself, the power to see into the past, and he took this moment to treasure the time spent with Hugo. The flames showed him the day Hugo first signed up with the Legion, the moment when Hugo was formally inducted into the Ninth, the training the two shared together and how James became a friendly tutor to Hugo. He closed his eyes. Allowing the memory to take control.

Memory Start

James stood with a wooden sword firmly grasp in his right hand. "You have learned to bury your guilt with anger. I'll teach you how to confront it. Teach you how to face the truth." And with that he struck forward. Hugo lifted up his own sword to defend from the blow. At the last second, James flicked his wrist and his sword changed its direction, hitting Hugo in the side. Hugo grimaced in pain as he looked at James incredulously. "You can fight six men. The Legion can teach you how to engage six hundred. And how to disappear. The Legion can teach you how to become truly invincible."

"Invincible?" Hugo questioned with a curious look.

James signaled and two men leaped down from above the trees without making a single noise.

"A legionnaire understands that invincibility is a matter of patience," James paused as he ran to the side and disappeared. Hugo looked around before turning to find James staring at him from the branch of a tree. "and agility." He continued with a playful smile. Hugo raised an eyebrow before James leaped down and struck him from behind. "Always be mindful of your surroundings." He added.

"You'll know the time when to employ explosive powders." James spoke again before tossing a few small round objects on the ground which erupted into sparks and smoke. "As weapons," When the smoke increased, he struck again from Hugo's side. "or distractions." Hugo coughed and shook his head in wonder. "See how small objects can change the tide of a duel. Deception is a powerful agent. You must become more than just a man in the mind of your opponent." James smiled as Hugo's interest increased tenfold. "What are you waiting for? Derby Practice?" He mocked as he held his sword up.

Hugo attacked with twice the effort. The two wooden swords met in a deadlock position before parting and meeting again. James struck high. Hugo dodged left. James grinned and leaped backwards over a table before kicking the said object towards Hugo who jumped high to evade being hit. The two circled each other before engaging in a deadlock once more. They twirled and missed. Hit and part then hit again. No matter how hard Hugo tried, James' defenses would not break. Hugo cursed inwardly as James' sword struck his left shoulder, it left his arm in a painful situation but it was just what it needed to fuel his counter-attack. James was caught unaware and was tackled to the ground.

"Yield." Hugo stated with his sword at James' neck.

James merely smiled. "You haven't beaten me yet." Hugo looked confused. "You sacrificed your footing for a killing stroke." Hugo gasped as the ground beneath him broke apart. James stood over the fallen and groaning form of Hugo. "Don't always rush into action Hugo." He offered a hand.

Hugo smiled and took the hand. "You have to teach me how to do that."

"All in good time brother." James patted Hugo's back. "All in good time."

Memory End

The song ended and Lucinda walked back towards the crowd. James looked up from the flames and out into the night sky. There was only one look. The look of fury. The cry for vengeance. There was only one path remaining and he's going to take it whether his family liked it or not. Fellow legionnaires were crying out for blood. Desmond and Fredrick are eager to stain their blades with Axel's blood. Amy and Dorrie may not know Hugo personally, but judging from the looks upon their faces, they were more than willing to lend a hand as long as it meant justice being served. James narrowed his eyes.

There will be a reckoning. Axel will pay one way or another.

The war is about to begin.

And the pieces are being moved accordingly.

Chapter Eight is done! I apologize for the long wait but my exams were around the corner and I had to study! Gods! I hate studying! But nonetheless, here's chapter 8, delivered and ready to be read. Sorry to all Hugo fans out there! I needed someone to die to thicken the plot. And I can't decide either Erik or Hugo, I chose the lesser.

Plot for Chapter Nine: With Hugo's death, the Realm was thrown into a full-scale war as the Imperial Legion laid siege to the Southern Isles. Kings whom had pledged their armies to the Legion were present on the field of battle. James led the frontal assault with Fredrick and Desmond at his side. Axel reveals his loyalty to Muriel and a startling truth.