A trip back to Everdale and a break from Quinn and Rachel. Either way I hope you enjoy it!

Dark ravens were flying around over the ruins of the houses, screeching and looking for food on the muddy ground. The area was almost void of people, except for the few skeletons scattered around that indicates the sign of a long-lost battle. Soldiers was dragging their tired feet over the mud-covered ground. They were a mixed bunch. Boys who had been forced to fight for the enemy or their family would die, older men who barely could hold a weapon and strong men who had joined the army by own free will. It was easy to spot the differences, as they kept in groups around the tents. Rough laughter was heard from the men, who was having fun with pushing the smaller boys around among them, while showing off their fighting abilities. The once so beautiful castle was now dark and cold amongst the ruins. Broken trees, dull ground and ruined walls showed that it hadn't been kept for years. Inside the castle it didn't looked better. Broken furniture, fallen curtains and ripped paintings was scattered around the floor. It was only a part of the castle that was used and that was the study and a few bedrooms.

"Your highness?" A nervous voice said from the door. Shadun looked up from his desk at his servant.

"What?" He growled and smirked vaguely as the servant cowered slightly at the response.

"C-Commander Lysander is here, and he wants to see you"

"Send him in" The servant bowed deeply and hurried out of door after the Commander. Soon a tall and grumpy looking man came marching into the study. Lysander was Shadun´s right hand and had been at his side since the beginning. He was wearing a black dragon scaled armour which bore the history of many battles. A red dragon was sporting his black chest armour.

"Your Majesty, I´m sorry for the unannounced visit, but something has come to my attention, something that couldn't wait"

"Well, what is it then?" The self-announced king asked.

"The Kingdom in Everdale is up to something. They are too quiet for a land in war. They have brought back their forces to the town and my men haven't spotted them in days" Lysander told. Shadun scratched his chin lightly as he thought about it.

"What about your man?"

"I haven't heard from him either. It´s like he´s gone. I´m afraid they have figured him out"

"Hm" Shadun stood up and walked around his desk. "And what do you suggest we´re going to do about it?"

"I have selected a group to come with me to Everdale. We need to figure out their next move" Lysander said. Shadun nodded as he looked at his Commander.

"Good. Go" Shadun said shortly. The Commander nodded, bowed briefly and left the study. "Servant!" He yelled and the same nervous man quickly came inside.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Get the prophet down here and do it quickly!" He shouted at the servant who quickly went on his way. Soon an older woman dressed in dark ruby robes with long golden chains hanging from her neck, was standing in front of a shining orb. Her hands were hovering around the orb as she stood with her eyes closed, chanting words to herself. "What do you see, prophet?" Shadun asked gruffly, impatient by the waiting.

"I see a young Princess looking like her mother" Shadun growled at the response before he frowned slightly.

"Like her mother you say?"

"Yes. The heir of Kosmia"

"I see. The late Queen managed to send her own daughter away after all" He looked at the woman. "Where to, prophet?" The woman began to chant to herself as her hands moved around the orb.

"Strange things. Stone buildings everywhere. A different life than what we know of. Carriages with no horses but still people inside of them"

"What is this madness?" Shadun demanded to know. He was sitting in his chair, watching the woman.

"A strange realm. I see the Princess living amongst them" Shadun stood up in hurry.

"She´s been sent to another world?! How?!" He demanded to know. The prophet didn't teeter from her vision.

"A friendly witch-"

"April" He snarled. He just knew it was her work. That woman had been a thorn in his side forever. The prophet interrupted his thoughts.

"A guardian traveling with her, caring for her. She´s with a new family, but the guardian is always nearby. I can't see who" Her voice seemed distant but clear as Shadun listened to her. She frowned. "I see a woman with her, one who doesn't belong in that world. A knight"

"What?"

"One of Everdale´s finest knights. The Queen´s favourite" He slammed his fist onto the desk.

"Fabray!" He growled. It could only be her. Who else would the Quinn trust enough to send to another realm and do her work? Shadun was frustrated, he was aware of the prophecy about the Princess. Even though he believed that she was dead, he was seeking for her and it looked like he had been looking all the wrong places. It had turned out to be more difficult than anticipated. He shook his head and scratched his chin, before walking forcefully towards the bookcases. He scanned the books until he found the one, he was looking for. He pulled out an old dusty book and opened it. When he found what he was looking for, he marched towards the prophet. "You shall transport my men to that world you´re talking about"

"But that is impossible" She tried. "I have never performed any kind of transportation before!" Shadun glared at her as he slowly raised his head, so he towered over her.

"You will do this" The prophet shrunk back before she nodded slowly. "Good. Now, leave!"

"Yes, your Majesty" She bowed and left the study. He walked back to his desk with the book in hand.

"Bring me my son!" He yelled. Shadun leaned over his desk as he scanned the map over their world. He had conquered lands, and if he got Everdale, he would have it all. With the Queens fall, he would have the power to control it all and be an almighty ruler. Footsteps interrupted him.

"You called, father" A voice said from the door.

"Yes. I have a quest for you" Shadun said.

"What may that be?

"I have been made aware of a gravely situation. One that might be our doom if we don't do anything to prevent it" Shadun took a deep breath and looked at his son, who was standing in front of him. "I´ve already told you about Queen Shelby and King Marius. They had a daughter, a daughter which I believed was dead. The prophecy had foretold that the heir of Kosmia will come to aid when the world believes to be at its end" Shadun explained.

"I´ve heard about it. What does it have to do with the quest?"

"We have found the daughter in another realm, and I need you to travel there and find the girl before Everdale´s knight does. Unfortunately, they are ahead of us. They have sent Quinn Fabray"

"Isn't it dangerous? Shadun glared at his son.

"I didn't peck you to be a wuss, Jesse and I certainly remember that I didn't raised you to be one either"

"No, father. I´ll do it" Jesse said hurriedly and took a step closer to his father. Shadun huffed scornfully.

"Of course, you´ll do it. You´re doing as I say. The prophet is preparing to open a portal to the exact position where the Princess is located. I want you to bring your two best men with you. You bring me the girl and I will give you as earned. I´ll have a plan for our next move ready by then"

"Yes, father" Jesse replied.

"Leave" Shadun said shortly and Jesse did as he was told. Shadun grinned. He was sure his plan was going to work.

"So, what did daddy dearest want?" Terry asked as Jesse walked back into the old great hall. The man was sitting a chair with his feet on the table, throwing an apple up into the air, only to catch it again. Jesse rolled his eyes as he dumped down into another chair.

"Where´s Gerard?" Jesse asked looking around for that stupid man.

"Down in the kitchen, probably looking for something to eat" Terry answered just as the door opened. Gerard stepped into the great hall with both hands full of food. "I was right" Terry said and catches the apple once again.

"Must you always eat?" Jesse asked the big guy. Gerard sat down at the table as he took a bite of the bread he had in his hand.

"Uh huh" was the answer and Jesse rolled his eyes. He looked at the men.

"Father has a quest for me"

"What is it?"

"You both know the story about the late Queen and King of Kosmia. Father has found the lost Princess and wants me to bring her back to him"

"Huh. Thought she was long dead" Terry said.

"Yes, me too. But apparently father has found her"

"It´s going to be easy to bring her back here. Where is she?" Gerard asked with his mouth full. Both Jesse and Terry looked disgusted at him. He shrugged his shoulders and took another bite.

"In another realm" Jesse said calmly. Both Terry and Gerard stopped what they were doing to look at the man.

"What?"

"Are you taking the piss on us?" Terry chuckled, not quite believing his friend. Gerard looked at him and joined.

"Ah, funny man. What´s the real deal?" Gerard asked Jesse who had remained stoic. Jesse shook his head and stood up. He turned to looked at the men and spoke clearly for them to understand.

"I´m not kidding. He had demanded the prophet to open a portal to this realm. I was told to bring me my two best men" Jesse looked at them. Terry smirked as he understood what he meant. "Even though I sometimes doubt your skills, I do believe it to be you lads. Gerard, stop eating for once, will you?" Gerard nodded and put his food down. "I don't know when, but I know Father has no patience" Terry scoffed.

"That would be an understatement" Jesse smiled shortly.

"Pack your things and be ready at any time, understood?" Both men nodded. "I will go down to the tavern for a pint, want to join me? We don't know when we´ll get one again" Jesse asked them. Both nodded and followed their leader.

Back in Everdale, Brittany was worried about her friend. They haven't heard a thing in three days, not that they expected it, but they had hoped she would have found the girl and brought her back to them by now. The blonde woman was standing with her horse, grooming the big animal when a voice behind her interrupted her.

"Lady Brittany" Brittany turned around to face Sir Blaine Anderson, the Queen´s second captain of the royal guard, he was chosen to second Quinn, since she was away. He was standing in his armour, his hand resting of the pummel of his sword "I´m sorry to interrupt you, but we have found a spy amongst us" He explained. Brittany`s eyes widened, and she put the brush away.

"What do you mean? A spy? Where is he?" She demanded to know. She had to get this under control.

"We found him lurking around the castle, dressed in our armour, but he couldn't explain his motives. I haven't seen him before, neither has my men. How he has managed to infiltrate us, without us noticing, I can´t explain, but my guess is that he´s not the only one or there´s someone who has been sleeping on their watch. I will get this under control, my Lady" He assured her. Brittany sighed and ran a hand through her blonde hair. She looked at the captain in front of her.

"Lead to me to him. I want to have a little chat with this scum" Blaine nodded, and they walked towards the castles cellar where they kept their prisoners. The stones were wet, and it smelled like piss down there. It wasn't Brittany´s favourite place to be and if she could avoid it, she did. They stopped in a small cell where a man was handcuffed to the wall. He snarled at them as they locked themselves inside. "What is your intention here?" Brittany asked. The man smirked at her, not replying. "Answer me!"

"Foolish girl. You really think I want to give you answers? I don't answer to cunts!" He laughed but was hit in his face by fist which made him fall to the ground.

"Blaine!" Brittany scolded, but was cut short as the man decided to spit on her. Brittany growled at him and nodded to Blaine who responded with another hit to the man.

"Answer her!" Blaine demanded. The man groaned loudly as he sat back up again. Brittany looked at the man. The only light down here, was the flames from nearby torches and Brittany could faintly see the man´s dirty face. The blood was trickling down his chin and landed on his clothes. She crouched in front of him to make eye contact.

"What are you doing here? We know you´re a spy from Shadun´s army, I want to know what you have told him. It´s only going to get worse if you don't cooperate" Brittany told him sternly. The man shut his mouth. "Come on, nothing´s going to happen if you just tell us" Brittany tried, but he didn't tell her a thing. She stood up and turned to Blaine. "I don't think we´re going to get anything out of him"

"Me neither" Blaine answered. "We´ll let him sit here for a while, maybe he´s ready to talk to us when he´s thirsty and hungry enough" Brittany nodded and took once last look at the man who just smirked once again. She shook her head and followed Blaine back up. "Make sure to not give him anything" He told the guards.

"Yes, Sir Anderson" They bowed and walked down in the cellar.

"Do you think he knows?" Blaine asked as they were walking away.

"About what?" Brittany asked indifferent. She was told not to tell anyone of the Queen´s plans and she was to keep that. Blaine raised an eyebrow at her.

"Sorry to say, my Lady, but many is already aware of Lady Quinn´s quest"

"She wont like that you call her Lady" Brittany smirked trying to avoid what Blaine had told. Blaine rolled his eyes and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Fine" She relented and looked around. She pulled him to the side to give them some privacy. "How do you know about Quinn´s quest?"

"From the guards. They were talking when I passed them, and I heard it. I asked them how they knew and apparently a servant had heard you and thought she should tell her boyfriend" Blaine explained to her. He knew it wasn't good and had tried to put the rumour down, but little had it helped.

"This is not good" Brittany said anxiously as she paced the ground. "Of course, he would know about this and that means that Shadun also know, which means that we´re screwed" She looked at Blaine. "We need to talk to the Queen and do it now" She walked out from their hiding and determined towards the kitchen door, which the servants always used. "Where is Queen Holly?" She asked a nearby servant when they were in the hall.

"She´s attending a meeting with the council. She doesn't want to be disturbed" She explained and continued her walk towards the kitchen. Brittany nodded and walked towards the meeting room. Blaine hurried after her.

"You can´t go in there! She asked to not be disturbed" Blaine told the blonde.

"This is a critical situation. I don´t think she would mind much" Brittany said and knocked on the door before stepping inside. They were met with stern looks from the council and a wondering look from the Queen. Holly knew that Brittany wouldn't interrupt them, unless it was serious. She was both questioning and worried. Brittany and Blaine bowed to the Queen. "I´m sorry for the interruption, your Majesty-"

"What is so extraordinary that it couldn't wait?" An older man asked. "Haven´t you learned not to interrupt important meetings?" Brittany stared at him before giving her attention to the Queen.

"I´ve been made aware that my assignment had reached to a halt" Brittany said, giving the Queen a certain look to make her understand. She didn't know if the council was aware of Quinn´s quest so she didn't want to say anything.

"And I´m guessing you can´t figure it out yourself?" One said. Brittany looked at the man. Duke William Errington was an older man who never liked that the Kingdom was ruled by a woman or woman in general. Quinn and Brittany often clashed with his sons who had the same views as him.

"I´m sorry, but I need to postpone this meeting to tomorrow" The Queen stood up and the council followed. "I need to take this matter in hand" The council looked at each other, except for Duke Errington who looked sceptically at her. Holly walked out of the door, followed by Brittany and Blaine. They didn't talk until they were secured inside the study. "Will you tell me why you so urgently required to talk to me that I needed to end the meeting?" Holly asked as she sat down at her desk with her hands folded in front of her.

"We have a spy in custody, your Highness" Blaine explained. Holly sat straight up.

"Yes, and he knows about Quinn´s quest to find the Princess. I´m afraid that he has already sent message to Shadun" Brittany continued. Holly rubbed her temples. "A servant has overheard us talk about the task and talked to her boyfriend in the royal guard. The spy had infiltrated the guard, for how long we don't now, but I´m sure he had been here for a while. Maybe that's the explanation why Shadun always knew what our moves were" Holly nodded as she took in the information. "We can´t get any information out of him, but we´re still trying. What do you suggest we do?"

"We need to make a strategy plan about what precautions we need to take now that Shadun is aware about our doings. Get more soldiers to the towns line and try to get a feeling about what´s happening in Shadun´s army, how I don't know, but do it. We need to get a message across to Quinn about it, just to make sure that she´s aware of the situation, if Shadun has something up his sleeves, and I know he does" Holly told them, and pulled a small rope. Soon after a servant came into the room.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"Send message after April, make sure she understands that it´s urgent" Holly told him. He bowed and walked out again. Holly waited until she was sure he was gone. "I want to talk to this servant girl. I expect loyalty and not gossiping"

"We don't know who it is" Blaine told her.

"I will find out" Holly said with a tiny smile. Blaine and Brittany looked at each other shortly. "Now, Sir Anderson, I believe you have some duties to attend" Blaine stood straight, bowed and went on his way. "Brittany, I want to talk to you about something. Take a seat" Brittany did as told and waited patiently to hear what was on the Queen´s mind.