Baiting the Trap
"I just want it understood that I do not care for this plan one bit," Amber announced tilting her chin up and folding her arms. "I am a reluctant party in this escapade."
"You don't have to care for it, just as long as you play your part." Serano rested against the wall of his dungeon cell, tapping the heel of his boot against the stone floor. "If it makes you feel better, I really don't care for the idea of spending my days in here, either."
"We can let you out any time you want. There's no reason for you to stay locked up down here ALL the time." Amber ignored the piercing looks of her brother and uncle; the first because of his distrust of Amber's unusual friend, and the second because of the obvious affection that existed between them.
Serano's smile was bit crooked. "I appreciate the offer, your Majesty, but I think that would defeat the purpose of this ploy, don't you think?"
"Yeah, Amber, think it through for once, would you?" James pushed his way between her and the bars, blocking Serano from her view entirely. "What would people say if they saw him walking around the castle or the village? They'd think he was a guest instead of a prisoner."
"But he is our guest!" Amber shrugged a shoulder. "In a way."
"He's bait," James retorted. He cast another suspicious glance at Serano. "We're supposed to be holding him responsible for the attacks on Enchansia, as part of our agreement for peace with the sorcerer elders. If Greylock and the elders do their part, his name will be whispered in every kingdom from here to the ends of the earth. And then when his family shows to free him…IF they show…"
"Oh, they will." Serano ran a hand over his face as he left his seat to approach the bars. "Our family bond, unfortunately, runs too deep for them to abandon me now."
"If it does, then why did you offer yourself as bait to lure them out?" Amber bit her lip at her brother's anger. "That doesn't sound like a close family to me."
"All families have their troubled times," Serano said, wistfully. "But they won't rescue me out of care for me, save perhaps Evonica…" he trailed off, looking down at his feet for a moment. "They will rescue me because they need to know where I buried Uncle Grimtrix's body. They need some part of him to help transfer the spell from our family to your sister's child."
"Poor, Sofia," Amber murmured again, thinking of her sweet stepsister and everything Greylock had told them of her plight. "Having to send her baby away, and hide all alone with Cedric…"
"While some monster threatens to kill her and her son just for some stupid spell." Amber looked up to see Uncle Bartleby clap a firm hand on James' shoulder, making it clear with his firm look that James was crossing a line.
"No, he's right," Serano admitted to Bartleby. "My family may have been hurt by what happened during my uncle's campaign, but we have no cause for revenge. He was in the wrong. And so are we." He put a hand to his chest and bowed low before them. "I am happy to offer myself as bait to save your sister and your sorcerer, and I submit myself willingly to any 'interrogation' you must put me through to keep up the pretense."
"Oh, we will. Never doubt that." James muttered. "You still have to explain how you got involved with this Seimei cult that started everything…"
"But that will wait until our next visit. This 'interrogation' is over for the time being," Uncle Bartleby announced, slapping James' back affectionately. "You have next watch with the witches, I believe, Sir James. And you, Queen Amber, must keep up appearance's sake."
Though indignant at her Uncle's little reminder of her duties, Amber nonetheless nodded her head curtly at him. Still, she put a hand to one of the bars Serano still held.
"Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated," she told, uncaring what her brother and uncle might think. "Never doubt my gratitude for your service to my family. If you have need of anything, please speak to the guards as soon as you can."
"I should want to see more of you," Serano admitted, sounding sheepish as he cast a sidelong look at Bartleby and James. "If that were possible."
"Of course! No one will doubt a queen's interest in her captive!" Amber agreed, easily. She felt Uncle Bartleby's hand on her shoulder, and she reluctantly turned towards the stairs. It was only James' persistence in following behind her that kept her from turning back when she heard Bartleby say, "And I think now you and I must have a conversation about your 'visits' with my niece."
She heard Serano whisper a reply, and reassured herself that the sorcerer was perfectly safe behind bars. Even with what remained of her family…
