"Smithy, what happened?" Jane stammered.

"I-. I do not know. When I left, he was still here."

"King Caradoc!" a booming voice shouted from above their heads.

Jane and Smithy raced outside to the battlements. Jane's eyes grew as large as saucers. Up on the tower where Jane had played that silly prank on Dragon, she made out two figures, one standing firmly one the edge. The other's neck was in the speakers grasp, dangling over the ground below. She knew one of them to be James. She could tell from his voice. The other, she thought her eyes were deceiving her. It was Jester.

Jester had never been so scared in his life. When he had finally awakened, a dagger was at his throat. James was at the other end. Once again, because of this blasted man, he could not breathe. This time was worse. He was dangling hundreds of feet from the ground. He knew he was so close to death, once again. He could not do anything about it either. If James lets go he drops to his death. It is guaranteed.

"Smithy, can you go down to the dungeon and see what happened?" Jane asked in more of a command than request tone.

"Of course." Jane and Gunther were the only knights on duty that day. Sir Theodore and Sir Ivon took the day off and went into town. Gunther had guard duty down in the dungeon. James was his responsibility and if he was up there, then where was Gunther?

Smithy knew he could be a knight. He probably had enough training with weapons to get an apprenticeship. He threw those thoughts out of his head. If he wanted a good future with Lily, he would have to focus on other things. He sprinted down to the dungeon. The first cell on the left was supposed to have Kay inside. He was gone as well. The next thing that Smithy noticed was Gunther on the floor, unconscious and bleeding from the head. He immediately rushed to his side. He shook his shoulder gently.

"Gunther! Gunther!" Gunther's eyes flashed open. Then he winced and groaned.

"Gunther, what happened?" Gunther sat up and rubbed his head.

"I was pacing back and forth in front of the cells, then out of nowhere, James unsheathed my sword. He then hit me in the head. Then I do not know. Everything faded away."

"Oh well. I guess it will not change anything. They have escaped and that is all that really matters."

"What?" Gunther shouted in shock. He jumped to his feet. As he did, the room started to spin. Smithy supported himself under Gunther and they hobbled down to the sick chamber.

Jane needed to act fast, but what could she do? If she got near James, he would probably drop Jester for the sake of it. King Caradoc heard his name and left the throne room.

"Jane! Where are you? I demand to know what is going on!"

"Your Highness! Over here!" Jane waved her hand from the battlements. King Caradoc rushed to her side.

"What is happening, Jane?"

"Sir, that is your prisoner, the one standing on the ledge. The other, is Jester."

"What?"

"Ah, King Caradoc. So glad you could be here." Jane and Caradoc whipped their heads around to the sound. Kay stood just a few feet away, with a sword pointed at the king. Jane immediately responded to his threat. She unsheathed her sword and took a defensive stance.

"No. I would not do that if I were you." Kay swiftly grabbed hold of Caradoc by his collar and held his sword at Caradoc's throat. Jane's jaw dropped open.

"How dare you threaten the King!"

"If you wish to keep him alive, then you had better come with me." Kay led them to the tower where Jester was being held hostage.

"James." Kay alerted.

James turned his head. "Oh, yes." He stepped down from the ledge, keeping his firm grip around Jester's neck.

"What do you want from us?" Jane croaked. She stared at Jester. A while ago, I thought he was dead. Now he is alive, but not for long if I do not save him. It will be my fault if he dies.

"I want to be king. What else? I mean after all, you destroyed our kingdom. I need somewhere to command." James said smugly.

"And holding an innocent citizen hostage will really help." Jane spouted sarcastically.

"I think it will. See, the King came out to see what was going on. We held him hostage. His bravest knight loyally followed if not, she would be put to death anyway. Now we have both of you and if you do not meet our demands you will have his death on your shoulders."

"King, tell your little knight here to fetch the papers needed to hand over your kingdom. Or James will slit his throat." Kay commanded. James took out a dagger from his boot.

Jane started to move down the stairs. "Jane, stay where you are." Caradoc ordered.

"But your Majesty,"

"Do not go anywhere Jane."

"Jester will be killed if I do not go."

"I would rather have the death of him on my shoulders, than the horror that they will bestow on all of my people."

Jane had no hope now. She could not change Caradoc's mind. She hated to admit it, but Jane really needed help. But maybe, she could change their enemies' minds. Fool the mind and the battle is yours.

"Why do you need to steal our kingdom when you could have your own?"

They both were hooked. "How?"

"If you let the king go, he may release you both and help you restore Rosewood. But only if you let him and Jester go."

"James, she is right. Why do we need to do this? If they help us restore our kingdom, they will become our allies and we become powerful. No violence needed." Kay was obviously bought.

"I want to hear it out of the horses mouth."

Jane gave Caradoc a knowing look. "Of course. I may decide to do such, but you must let us both go." He mumbled, "may", to where it could barely be heard.

"Let him go." Kay ordered. Jane was laughing on the inside. They were so dimwitted, no wonder they lost.

"No. She is tricking us both. Do not give in!" Maybe they were not as dimwitted as Jane thought.

Kay ignored his partner. He released the king. Caradoc did not waste a second. He ran down the stairs, trying to get to safety.

"Now look what you have done!" James roared, ringing Jester's ears.

Kay followed after Caradoc, but he did not get far. Jane tackled him and pushed him down the stairs.

"Your Majesty! Move!"

Caradoc looked behind him and saw the tumbling body. He moved to the side of the stairs. The body bounced down the stairs and landed at the base with a thud. The body did not move. The snow around him turned red. Caradoc continued to run and run.

"That was an unwise choice girl!" James threatened. He brought the knife closer to Jester's throat. Right as he was about to slit it, a spurt of flames came from above. Dragon. James caught on fire. He released Jester, sending him to the ground of the tower. Arms flailing, James unknowingly got to close to the edge. Jane looked away as her enemy fell to his death.

Jane put away her sword. Jester slowly got up with a grunt. Jane turned around. Jester did as well. Jane did not think. She walked over to Jester. She wrapped her arms around him, tightly hugging him.

"You are finally safe." she whispered.

He returned the embrace. Jane looked up into his eyes. They were clouded from fear, but when he looked down into hers, they cleared, revealing the smoky blue that lay underneath. Jester was proud, he was finally taller than Jane, just barely. He dared to lift her chin closer to his face. Jane wrapped her hands around his neck. Jester moved in a little further, sort of asking for permission. Jane answered by filling the gap. The moment made Jane's heart fly. Jester's did the same. Dragon sat on the ledge, watching the whole time.

"Not to be rude or anything Jane, but I told you so." Jane backed away, looking down. She smiled and blushed a deep crimson. Jester rubbed his neck awkwardly, looking away as well.

"I have to go see how the King is fairing and I have to take care of those men." Jane walked hastily past Jester. As she did, she purposefully brushed his hand. She went down the stairs with a skip in her step.

Jester turned towards Dragon. "So Jane likes me?" Dragon burst into a hysterical laughter.

"Are you jesting? She loves you."