Chapter 13

You're on, Mattie.

Matthew Williams

Ivan and Natalia just had to ruin everything. They'd taken him by surprise, managing to knock out England despite the horse's best efforts trying to protect him. He was a bit touched, actually, because honestly he hadn't been too sure where he had stood with the horse who had helped to try and chase them down. Then again, it was Gilbert Beilschmidt's horse. A little unpredictability should be expected.

The pair had a boat waiting not far from where Matthew had been sitting. As the lanterns filled the sky, the pair took him across the water to the opposite shore, Natalia keeping a knife pointed at him at all times to encourage his good behavior. Once they made it to the shore, it didn't take long before he was restrained.

He remained quiet, listening. It wouldn't do to antagonize either of them. He couldn't hear them too well, only mentions of Alfred and the boat. And something they wanted. Something valuable. The crown?

"How long do you think it will take for your brother to show up?" Ivan was addressing him this time. Matthew kept his mouth shut. Knowing Alfred, not long. Matthew wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not. Ivan didn't seem to care, content to wait while merrily humming a tune.

As expected, Alfred didn't keep them waiting for long.

"Hey, guys!" Alfred remarked cheerfully, his bag slung over his shoulder. He met Matthew's eyes for only a split second, long enough that Matthew could see how tense and afraid he was, before returning his attention to the other two. "Nice seeing you again."

"Hello Alfred." Ivan replied, the picture of goodwill. Matthew didn't let that reassure him.

Alfred replied, "So, you two have got something I want. I'm willing to bargain, if you are." he reached into his bag and drew out the crown long enough for them to see it, before tucking it back in.

What was he playing at?

"We don't want to bargain." Natalia said, digging her knife just the slightest into Matthew's throat. Alfred took an involuntary step forward.

"Then what do you want?" Alfred said, his cheer gone and replaced by something dangerous.

Ivan hummed, swinging his pipe at his side. "You find the most interesting things, don't you?" He paused, catching the pipe in his other hand.

Alfred faltered. "Wh- What do you mean?"

"The girl." Natalia replied. Matthew gulped, trying not to react. She was right next to him- what if she noticed? "Do not try to deny it. We've been watching you for some time now. You do not hide very well, do you? It was simple to find you again after the dam. We know her power. We saw it." Shit. Shit.

"Since you've taken things from us, we thought we would take some things from you. And turn you in to the proper authorities of course. I've heard they are very angry with you." Ivan added, his tone still light.

"That won't be so easy." Alfred replied, his eyes hardening with anger. The challenge made Matthew's captors smile.

But their attention was all on Alfred. Judging by Alfred's glance over to him, that was the plan. A variation of their usual plan, actually- Alfred distracts, Matthew steals and escapes. Matthew didn't really want to leave his brother to Ivan and Natalia, but he also trusted Alfred. He had a plan, and Matthew would be of no help when captured.

… Well. Matthew hoped his brother had a plan.

The fight began, but Matthew couldn't allow himself to focus on it. He breathed in and out to steady himself, glanced up only long enough to ensure no one's attention was on him, and called on his magic. Biting his lip, he channeled the magic to fray the ropes keeping him restrained, and then he closed his eyes and faded from sight. He crept into the forest, putting as much distance between himself and the fight as possible.

He didn't know where Antonia was, otherwise he would go and find her. Alfred hopefully left her somewhere safe, or at least relatively so. Should he find England? He didn't know if she was okay or not.

Maybe he should get help.

Matthew winced- Alfred must have been hit, but not too seriously. In fact, he seemed to have calmed down a little. A good sign? Maybe. Hopefully.

Right, help. Where would he go? Alfred was outnumbered, Antonia was who knew where, and the Braginsky siblings were after her. They knew what she could do and wanted it- and she might be the Lost Princess on top of it all! What if England really had been seriously hurt? Would Gilbert be angry with him? Especially since he couldn't say anything to the whereabout of the crown, and there was a good chance that Ivan and Natalia would get it even if it wasn't their priority anymore.

No, because their priority was potentially Gilbert's niece! How had such a good day gone to shit like this?!

But Matthew couldn't panic. He needed to do something.

He should start with England, since he knew more of her whereabouts. If she was okay, it would be faster to travel by horse. He didn't have a weapon anyway, aside from what offensive magic he knew, so there was no point to going back to Alfred if he was still in danger. He would just distract him. He couldn't stop himself from glancing back and checking the bond every moment, just in case something changed. He would feel it if Alfred was badly hurt.

But not if he was captured.

The thought nearly had Matthew running back. He shook his head, urging himself onward back towards the city. He'd have to take the bridge, but with invisibility it would be fine. He had to trust his brother. Alfred knew what he was doing. He might put himself in danger, but he was the only thing between them and Toni- unless he really had hidden her well. But they'd evidently found them easily enough before.

It was so hard to keep himself going on the path he had decided on. So many things could be going wrong! But what could he do? With a horse he'd be quicker to find help or chase someone down at need. He could find a weapon, anything, on his way so he wouldn't be so defenseless. Magic was an option but it would exhaust him and Alfred might need it more. They had their own magic reserves but could draw on each other at need, and Alfred was the one in danger right now. Matthew wasn't even that good at offensive magic.

In the city, people were beginning to retire for the most part, any adult celebrations going indoors as children were sent to bed. The light of the lanterns had floated away and the night was a dark one. Matthew was still careful to remain silent. He might be invisible, but it would be sloppy to make noise or run into something. Keeping a sedate pace was maddening with how his thoughts were going, but he didn't have a choice.

He made it back to the docks, only to find England was gone. But she wasn't dead, so that was something. Matthew still had no idea where she could have gone, but it was a load off of his mind that he hadn't gotten Gilbert's horse murdered.

What now? Should he go to Rosa? He could try to find Abel, but he had nothing to offer as payment at the moment nor did he have a dire enough need for that (yet, as far as he knew at any rate). Who else might be nearby? The trip back to the Snuggly Duckling was too far for his purposes. He needed to keep up with news here in case Ivan, Natalia, Alfred, or Antonia were found.

At last he just began to make his way to Miss Rosa's home. He could at least get her advice on what to do.

On his way, he heard the clopping of hooves behind him. He turned and saw Gilbert astride England, both of them clearly searching the surroundings for something. Him? His brother?

Either way, he tapped England's side and hissed, "Gilbert, I'm right here."

Gilbert jumped in surprise, but nodded instead of saying anything. His expression was completely serious- had something happened?- as he whispered, "Not here. There's somewhere we can go. Whatever you're doing to remain unseen, keep doing it."

Matthew wondered for a moment if it really was such a good idea. What if Gilbert arrested him? But he had no other options. He had to trust Gilbert would help him.

So he followed Gilbert as he led the way further into the city. They stopped at a stable to drop of England, before Matthew was led to… the Guard House.

He nearly bolted when he saw it, but Gilbert maybe sensed it and whispered, "We're just going to my office. No one in their right mind would listen in, or come in without knocking. I don't normally use it anyway- I have one at the palace, too. No one will look for me here."

Matthew was still a little uncertain, but he'd followed Gilbert this far. No sense in backing out now.

It made him nervous to walk inside the Guard House, but for the most part it was deserted. Gilbert had taken a side door instead of a front entrance, so they didn't run into anybody for all they heard voices. Gilbert led him up the stairs to an office at the end of the hall and shut the door (Matthew wasn't sure whether to be relieved when he locked it, too) behind them.

At last Matthew revealed himself, slumping into the chair positioned across from the one that was presumably Gilbert's behind the desk.

Gilbert blinked at him for several seconds before shaking his head. "I won't ask how you did that. I've been looking for you since I got here and heard the news. I was going to warn you and your brother. I had hoped to get to you in time, but…" he trailed off, collapsing into his chair with a tired sigh.

"But what?" Matthew questioned, sharper than he had intended. Was this day about to get worse? He had a feeling it was.

"You don't know?" Gilbert asked. Matthew gave him a flat look. "You don't. Well, I suppose it did only just happen. Your brother has been arrested."

Matthew swallowed and took a deep breath. It could have been worse. Ivan and Natalia had mentioned turning him over to the authorities. Shit. Did that mean they had found Antonia, or were hunting her down?

"... You haven't heard. I was half-expecting to have to stop you from jumping out of my window." Gilbert said. His voice had taken on a quiet, exhausted sort of tone that was forcing itself to remain level. "It was decided that the sentence for Alfred F Jones' crimes would be death. He's going to be executed."

"What?!" Matthew shrieked, jumping from the chair and sending it clattering to the ground. "Executed?!"

Gilbert also got his his feet, alarmed, "Quiet! They won't be looking for you since they don't know there are two, but you still need to be careful. If you get caught and someone puts two and two together you'll join him in his cell!"

"But-" Matthew was breathing heavily, his hands running in his hair as he glanced around the room. They were going to kill his brother? He had to- He had to- he couldn't let this happen! He had to do something! Quickly! "How long? How long does he have?"

Gilbert sat back down, and motioned for him to do the same. He couldn't though. He began to pace, trying to calm his panic. The words just kept circling in his mind. They couldn't kill his twin brother. He had to stop it. He had to save his brother.

"I can't give you specifics. He was caught maybe thirty minutes ago. They haven't had time to decide on a date. The ones behind this will be pushing for an early date." Gilbert closed his eyes for a moment, "Look, I'll try to give you more time. My sister-in-law will help. I'm not sure we can stop it in time to save him."

Matthew paused, looking at him. "... You want me to get him out."

Gilbert nodded. "He's broken the law, but he doesn't deserve death. Neither of you do. It would stain the rule of my brother and his wife, not to mention-" Gilbert cut off, looking to the side with a grimace. "They don't want his death. One of the noble houses that want revenge is putting pressure on them and got the ruling pushed. We'll do what we can, but the situation is difficult. I had meant to warn you and get you two to safety until we'd fixed it. But it's too late for that. You can take my horse, get to the others at the Snuggly Duckling. I'll give you as long as I can, but you still need to be quick."

Matthew nodded, trying to control his breathing. In some ways he was relieved to finally have a plan- but his brother's life was at stake!

"Alright. Alright." Matthew was still pacing, his entire body filled with nervous energy. "I'll do it. I'll get them, and then we'll-"

Gilbert held up a hand and interrupted him. "Don't tell me anything more. The less I know the better. I don't need to know the plan. I'll help you if I can, if I'm there. But Matthew… be safe." There seemed to be more he wanted to say, but he didn't continue.

"Thank you, Gilbert." Matthew said. Gilbert gave him a small, fleeting smile as he rose and made his way to the door. He unlocked it, and opened it wide.

"Get going. And good luck."

Who wants to tackle your part of it?

I don't really remember much of it… I was a bit out of it.

And I imagine if this guy did it he'd spend the entire time bemoaning failed plans and worrying over the rest of us!

I wasn't worried, shut up! I mean, how was I supposed to know if any of you idiots were still alive! You could've been dead for all I knew! Last I saw Matthew had a knife to him! What am I supposed to think when those two freaky bastards show up and attack my Antonia?

I'm sorry we worried you so much.

Whatever.

I suppose that leaves only me.

Francis Bonnefoy

They didn't walk too far that night, just far enough that they were a decent distance from the city. Antonia was scarily silent. Francis hated to see it. He had been so terrified when he had finally found where she had gone only to see those disgusting thugs attacking his precious petit fleur. His sight had gone red; he was surprised he had not killed them. The only thing that stopped him was that Antonia was there, and she was traumatized enough by this night.

He'd still had them dealt with. Abel would deliver them to the nearest prison as Francis had requested. May they rot there forever. Francis would still keep an ear out for news on them. If he ever heard they broke out… well, without Antonia as a witness he may not be so lenient. How dare they attack an innocent, nearly defenseless girl!

He tried to ignore the voice that whispered he was no better. But he hadn't hurt her like that, had he? He was still… better than that? He was even going to let her go. Admit to everything.

Francis glanced over to her. He hadn't meant to take her back, but had not known what else to do when she'd been attacked and left alone. Heartbroken. He would still tell her everything, as he had vowed. Just not yet. She needed time. He needed time, after seeing that. He was even more afraid to let her back into the world.

However, when he released her, she would go to her family. She would be under as much protection as he could give… the only problem being the curse on her family. Which was also his fault, but that had, admittedly, been the darkest point in his life. Francis was looking for a way to retract it, but it was no easy thing. Not without her-

He cut himself off, giving a wince. Not now. He could not do this now. He still had no clue why her magic had been in the satchel with the crown, or why the matching charm had been with Beilschmidt and Williams. Francis had more important things to worry about.

"Are you hungry, Antonia?" Francis asked gently. The campfire cast a gentle light around them. Francis did not worry about being seen. If there was one thing he could do well, it was illusions. No one would find them, at least not without notifying him. Antonia was as safe as he could make her until they returned home.

The girl didn't respond for a few moments, her eyes gazing sightlessly at the fire while her fingers clutched the strange axe that she had picked up from the ground. She had been carrying it earlier, so Francis assumed it was given to her. He wondered why someone would give such a dreadfully heavy thing to her, but did not think it best to ask anything like that of her yet. Just in case it was connected to whatever heartbreak she had experienced. Francis guessed it had to do with Williams' brother, if it was anyone he knew.

"No."

Francis nodded, his lips forming a tight line. He would not press her to eat tonight, but she would have to tomorrow. It wasn't healthy to skip meals. The desire not to was understandable, of course, just not something to be kept up. Hypocritical or no.

He hadn't eaten in a few days, hadn't he? Francis hadn't noticed until now. He'd done the minimum amount of cleaning up necessary before setting out from the tower- he hadn't been able to do much to salvage his nails, unfortunately, but it didn't seem to be such a big thing as it once might have been.

I wonder if she would recognize me now.

Thank you for your time.