AN: Four more after this. Cliff-hanger. (I know I'm evil. I take pride in it.)

Chapter Eleven: Clichés

We ride through the forest at full gallop. I hold tight to Alex. She knows where she's going – she's been to the Castle before.

She shouldn't be here. She should be back in Archenland. She'll be killed if anyone who doesn't like her sees her here. I guess that's one problem with banishments. They get in the way of having family reunions.

I didn't try to stop her. She's Alex. She has this way of telling you that she's going to do something, and then you let her do it, 'cause once she sets her mind to something, she gets it done.

We reach the Castle, and I slide down before Alex. She climbs clumsily down – riding has to be hard with that leg. She stretches a moment, and then draws her sword. We walk up to the front door. No sign of any guards. Nothing.

"Should we knock?" I ask, only half-joking.

Alex shakes her head. She reaches forward, touches the giant handles, pulls one. It's unlocked. She cocks her head in confusion, pulls the door open. We walk inside.

"That was easy," Alex remarks.

"If I didn't know that it was cliché and would completely ruin the plotline, then I would say that it's a trap, but, because I don't want to be called cliché, I won't," I answer.

Alex grins, walks forward, listens carefully. "You sense anything, Bex?"

I listen with my head, try to find Jason in the place. Empty. "Nope."

They attack just then.