Chapter 13

Brackens room looked perfectly ordinary when he entered. Everything was in the same place as it always was, except for one little detail. Seth was no where to bee seen. They had agreed that it was for the best that he wait for Bracken here, since who knew what kind of trouble he would get himself into. So where had the boy disappeared to?

"Looking for your friend?" The voice made Bracken jump and he turned his attention to the figure sitting on the window sill.

"He's not here." Navarog studied him from across the room. "I'm guessing you know where he is," Bracken answered. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't." "So did you just come here to taunt me or does your visit have a purpose." "Unfortunately. See I think we have the same objective." "Which is?" "To keep Kendra safe." "Not based on what I've heard." "That's because you've only heard Seths side of the story." "Okay and what's your side of the story then?" "Well let's just say that there's a reason why I did what I did. But the question that interests me is do you believe him?"

Bracken thought about the question. Did he believe Seths story? He had been right about Kendra having his unicorn horn, but there could be a more reasonable explanation for it. Couldn't there? And sure, He felt somehow drawn to her. Like he was meant to be with her, but that certainly didn't mean he was in love with her. It was a crush, nothing more. Even though, no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't get her out of his mind. Just thinking about her made him want to smile. No. Bracken didn't believe him. Not completely at least, but he couldn't deny that there had to be some truth to Seths words.

"No, I don't," He finally answered. "Wow my mother really did a number on you, Navarog admired. It's kind of funny really. "I'm glad one of us is amused." "Always so polite, no matter what." "What do you want?" "My devious mother is clearly up to something. The fact that you're still here proves it. I need to find out what, but at the mean time I don't want Kendra anywhere near her. So as hard as this is for me to admit, I need your help."

"What do you need me for," Bracken asked. "Well I can't very well do anything about it myself, without my mother getting suspicious." "So what do you want me to do?" "You're clever, I'm sure you'll figure something out." "And why would I trust a single word you say?" "Don't worry you don't have to."

Navarogs gaze wondered around the room before he pushed off the wall he'd been leaning on. He walked past Bracken bending down next to the bed. He reached under it, bringing out a thick old volume, Bracken had never seen before. "This is odd. It's really not like our shadow charmer friend to read. You mind if I take this?" Before Bracken could answer he slid the book under his arm.

He walked to the door before stopping. "Oh and if you're going to save your friend I suggest you do it quickly. I would hate to see what my brother plans to do with him."

"Kid, kid. Hey sleeping beauty it's time to wake up." The annoyed voice seemed to come from far away. The first thing Seth noticed was his throbbing head ache. He opened his eyes carefully, grateful for the darkness around him. "There you are, Chaos exclaimed. I thought you were never going to wake up. You really get beaten down a lot, don't you kid?" "No one asked you, Seth answered with a raspy voice. He sat up painfully, feeling like he might fall back over at any moment.

"Okay try to keep it together for at least a minute. We, by which I mean you are in big trouble." "I am?" "Look around you kid, people in dungeons are usually in big trouble." "Where are we?" Chaos sighed frustration.

Seth's memories were coming back to him. It was so hard to think. God his head really hurt. He scanned the room. It was dark and there wasn't really much to look at. Seth had never been afraid of the dark. It was the smell that unnerved him. Dirt mixed with something metallic. Blood.

The clang of metal against metal made him jump and focus his gaze on the door. A moment later a familiar figure entered. Orogoro sneered at him.

"So you feeling any better?" "No thanks to you." "You know, you and your sister are a lot alike. Mouthy, annoying." "I'm not telling you where Bracken is. So are you going to torture me or what?" Orogoro laughed. "Getting straight to the point, I see. I figured you'd say that and yes, I was going to torture you, but then I thought of a better plan. Instead of searching for unicorn boy, I've decided to let him come to me." "If you think he's going to try to rescue me, you're wrong. He thinks I'm crazy and a liar."

"Ah, but you forget that I've known him for centuries whilst you've only known him for a couple of years. Trust me he can't help himself. Always so righteous. Defending those who can't defend themselves and all that crap." "Righteous maybe, but he isn't stupid." "I guess we'll just have to wait and see." "Care to bet on it? Seth asked. If he doesn't show up you let me go, deal?" Orogoro laughed. "I don't think so." "Well I gave you a chance. Whatever happens next is on you."

Seth did not see the slap coming and the force of it almost knocked him over. Within seconds Orogoro had grabbed his shirt collar lifting him off the ground. "You think it's wise to threaten me?" "Just thought I should warn you," He choked. "You wont be so smug when I'm done with you." He threw him down with unnecessary force. The air from seths lungs left him, as he hit the hard stone floor.

When he finally sat up coughing and air started filling his lungs normally, Orogoro was already gone and Seth was left alone with only the little demon floating next to him. "So that went well, Chaos commented. You okay kid." "I'll be better when we find a way out of here." "Any ideas." "Nope, but I'll figure it out," He promised.

The ball room was amazing. The whole back wall was made of glass, overlooking the palace grounds. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, with hundreds of candles shining brightly. All the guests wore fancy and extravagant clothing. Kendra had never seen so many beautiful dresses.

She herself wore a red gown with at least a hundred layers of tulle. It was made from a lush fabric decorated with elegant lace. The gowns short sleeves left her feeling a little exposed but her elbow length white gloves helped her feel a little better.

May had twisted her hair into a half up half down hairstyle, with curls falling to her shoulders. She had also picked out a pair of red high heals for her, but Kendra had insisted that her dancing abilities couldn't handle it. May had (after an extensive argument) relented and Kendra walked down the stairs with her flat red dancing shoes, With Navarog besides her.

"people are staring," She whispered in horror. "Of course they are. You're too beautiful not to stare at." "That is not helping," She whispered back angrily. Navarog didn't look at her, but Kendra could see the corners of his mouth turn into a smile.

They reached the end of the stair case and Navarog led Kendra to the middle of the dance floor. He placed one hand on her waist taking hold of her hand with the other and as the music started playing they began to dance. Soon other well dressed couples joined them on the dance floor until all Kendra could see was a blur of colors swirling all around them.

Kendra tried to relax and focus on the steps, but something kept bothering her.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked after a while of debating whether she should. "Why would I be mad?" "I just thought, because we haven't talked about what happened at the market yesterday." Navarog shook his head. "I'm not mad. I was worried about you though. All I want is for you to be safe and I don't want you to feel like you're a prisoner here. I just wish you would have told me, so we could have gone together." "I wasn't sure you'd understand." "Trust me. I understand. Better than you think and I want you to know that you can tell me anything. Okay?" "Okay." Kendra smiled and she felt a weight being lifted.

They kept dancing and Kendra started to relax a little. She was actually dancing pretty well, considering how little time she'd had to practice. She stumbled once, but Navarog helped keep her upright. Kendra was still glad when the music stopped and the dance was over.

Neither Navarog nor Kendra wanted to take part in the next dance so they moved aside to make room for the other dancers. They stopped near the staircase and Navarog turned to look at her. "You dance beautifully, he complimented. I think those dance lessons are really paying off." "Thank you. you actually weren't half bad yourself." Kendra laughed.

All of a sudden she didn't feel quite happy any more. Happiness was replaced by sadness, but why was she feeling sad. She had nothing to worry about. Navarog wasn't mad at her and the dance had gone well. So what was wrong with her? She wasn't smiling any more as she let her gaze drop to the ground.

"What's wrong?" Navarog asked, worry reflected in his voice. "It's nothing," She said shaking it off. I think I'm just nervous." "Are you sure you're alright?" Kendra was just about to assure him that she was fine when a voice interrupted them:

"Your highness, called a man from behind them. He had blond hair and he looked to be in his forties. "Yes." "I would like to speak with you in private, if you could spare a few moments. This won't take long."

When Navarog turned back to look at Kendra his expression was apologetic. "Will you be alright on your own for a bit? I have to go take care of this, he explained. But I'll be back soon. Kendra nodded as a response. At the meantime try to have some fun, he continued. Talk to people. Or at least smile a little." "I'm not making any promises," she joked, but Navarog didn't seem convinced. He sighed silently, then gave her an encouraging smile, before disappearing into the crowd with the man trailing behind him, leaving Kendra alone among the other guests.

When he was out of sight that sudden feeling of sadness returned. It was a lot more intense this time and suddenly she felt lonelier than ever. She really wasn't in the mood to socialize. She definitely didn't want strangers congratulating her on her engagement. Instead of joining the party, she decided to retreat to the loneliest corner, where she could be alone and gather her thoughts. She took a step backwards then another and bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry," she blurted as she turned around. "It's quite alright, miss. I was trying to pluck up the courage to come talk to you, but it looks like you've come to me."

For the second time that day she found herself staring into a pair of familiar blue eyes. Bracken stood behind her wearing a modest (Compared to the other guests) set of clothes topped off with a large brimmed hat decorated with a white feather. It took Kendra a while to recognize the man in front of her, but the severity of the situation quickly sank in.

"What are you doing here? She whispered angrily. "It's like you're not even happy to see me." "Do you have a death wish?" "Well I wouldn't say it like that." "You can't be here. Do you know how dangerous this is? How did you even get here?" "I have my ways, he answered simply. But as much as I'm enjoying our conversation, there is in fact a reason why I'm here." "Which is?" Bracken looked at Kendra offering his hand to her. "Dance with me." Kendra looked around nervously. "Do you have any idea, what they'll do to you if they find out you're here." "They'll probably throw me into a cell and leave me there to rot for the rest of eternity. Trust me I'm aware of the risk. So please, dance with me," He repeated.

For reasons unknown to her, Kendra found herself agreeing. She took his hand and they joined the other couples on the dance floor. The music started playing and all the dancer sprang into action. The dance was a bit faster than the opening waltz, she'd danced with Navarog, but Bracken was a good dancer and they kept in rhythm with the other twirling couples. Dancing provided a decent cover and Kendra knew no one would be able to tell them apart from the other dancers, let alone recognize Bracken, but she couldn't help but worry.

"So, what are you doing here?" Kendra demanded. "I came here, because I need your help. My friend was arrested for a crime he didn't commit. They're going to execute him and I need your help to rescue him."

"Okay, I'm having a really hard time concentrating on anything you're saying, with you wearing that ridiculous hat." "What? it's my disguise." "A ridiculous hat does not count as a disguise." "I happen to know that it's the latest fashion." "You know about fashion?" Kendra asked skeptically. "Okay no, but I borrowed it from a friend who does. Kendra raised an eyebrow. At least I think he does. For a bar tender he is very well dressed." "Sure."

"Any way ridiculous hat aside, will you help me." Yes. Let's do it." "That did not take as much convincing as I thought it would." "I trust you. Besides without me you'd probably get both of you killed." "Is it just my imagination or are you actually worried about me?" Bracken teased.

Kendra huffed. "You wish. This might come as a shock to you, but I don't have many friends and I'm not about to let one of them die just because he's a suicidal idiot. If I'm going to help you, you need to promise me you're not going to do anything reckless. He looked at her hesitantly. Promise me, she insisted." The music eased to a stop and so did Kendra and Bracken. "I'll try my best," he promised. "Good, because I think I have an idea. Meet me at the stables at midnight." Bracken bowed before he took her hand in his and kissed it gently. "Until then."