~Chapter 18~

Eugene

I didn't trust Lord Conwyn's intentions for the Luna Callima. There was no knowing what power it possessed. It was already affecting Rapunzel in a number of ways since she removed it by its roots inside that cave. There was some pain I myself was dealing with from the run in with that beast, but I didn't bother to have Rapunzel heal the minor flesh wound. It wasn't dangerous. I wrapped some bandages around it that I found in the hold of the ship and called it good. Healing isn't instantaneous, though through his daughter, Conwyn felt otherwise.

Once I was bandaged up, I stayed close to her to make sure she didn't come in contact with that flower. I didn't understand what was happening to her, but my gut told me to separate her from the bloom no matter what. The moral on the ship was low given the elements of Odonrora and the ship captain pulled us out onto open water once we were all settled. Conwyn ordered his daughter to heal the men. Without argument, she did as she was asked and after healing the five guards who needed it, she collapsed on the deck.

"Rider, get her back on her feet." Conwyn ordered.

He wasn't at all alarmed that his daughter had nearly passed out. Not a care in the world, he couldn't stop staring at the moon flower.

"My lord, she needs rest." I insisted.

"She can heal herself, can't she?" He countered.

"That's not the point, the moonflower has been effecting her since we began this venture. I beg you, don't just ignore this."

Conwyn stomped over to me in a gruff.

"Groveling doesn't appeal to your case," He grumbled.

"Does protecting your daughter appeal to yours?" I challenged.

This man could have me punished for speaking to him like this, but I didn't care. Rapunzel needed someone to speak up for her. I wasn't about to let her father treat her this way.

"Very well, Rider," He relented, "Take her below deck and wait for me there while I figure out this moonflower."

Gently I scooped Rapunzel off the deck with her hair dragging behind us as she seemed confused. Her eyes were open, but it's like mentally nobody was there. Something was off and I had to help fix it. There were only hammocks below deck hanging between various posts. The trip back to Ravadyn wasn't a long one, so this would have to work in the meantime. I gently placed her down in one of the hammocks as the ships movements actually rocked her back and forth. Rapunzel blinks at me and she looks at me like I'm a stranger. Pascal emerges from his hiding place squealing for her attention. Her eyes light up slightly on seeing him, but she doesn't respond much beyond that.

"Are you in pain because of the flower?" I ask her.

"What flower?" She muttered, blinking erratically.

"The one we went to Odonrora for?"

I scooped up a bit of her hair and plopped some on top of her and began to sing the healing incantation. Something was happening to her, something awful, and I didn't know how to make it better. Closing my eyes to focus, I sang and the glow of her hair shone bright, but as I went to ask her if she felt any change to her pain, she was already asleep. Sighing heavily I sat on the ground beside the hammock taking her hand in mine.

"Come on, Rapunzel. You have to fight this thing." I whispered to her.

Pascal turned a shade of blue as he looked on at her as well.

"You know something is wrong too, don't you Pascal?" I asked.

I kept her hand firmly in mine brushing my thumb on the top of her hand. Though I let go once I heard boots stomping down the stairs. Pascal hurried to hide in the depths of Rapunzel's hair out of sight. Lord Conwyn glanced at Rapunzel asleep in the hammock and then crossed his arms looking at me.

"The captain has some work for you to do, Flynn. So best report to him."

"My lord, she shouldn't be alone."

"That's why I'm down here, so off with you." He ordered flippantly with his hand.

I got off the floor and headed for the stairs, but stopped turning back.

"Would you like me to tend to the moon flower? I could work to figure out its properties so we know what it does." I offered.

"There's no need." Conwyn replied, "My advisors tested it's toxicity level, which came up negative. So I ate it."

"You did? Is that safe?" I questioned.

"Time will tell if it does anything to me, but the worst I feel is a sickening feeling in my stomach." He replied.

Well, with the moonflower gone perhaps Rapunzel would feel better. Thinking of that fact alone was a great relief to my mind. I returned to the deck and reported to the captain who found many chores to keep me busy until we came back to the Ravadyn port. Noticing more ships gathered around the port, got me curious. Surely these weren't all traders. The deck hands put down the gangplank as I secured Max's saddle to return to Briarwell. The men on the deck all bowed low as Conwyn and Rapunzel came up on deck again. It had only been a few hours and yet she looked worse than before. The rosy nature of her skin had vanished and the green hue of her eyes was not there, darkened somehow. She glanced over at me briefly but made no friendly gesture before Conwyn escorted her to his horse. There was no acknowledgement in her eyes. Had her father forbidden speaking to me? Did he threaten her? I wouldn't put it past him. Rapunzel sat in front of her father as they lead the way off the ship riding through Ravadyn back to the manor. I didn't stray far behind wanting to keep Rapunzel safe. Conwyn dropped some coin into the harbormaster's hands as he went by him. Curious business dealings, I thought other people handled his business for him.

As we came into, the stables of Briarwell, twilight lit up the horizon in shades of yellow and purple hues of color. At least we made it back before we lost all daylight. Lachlan met up with us in the front courtyard as we got off our horses.

"Welcome home, I pray your trip was successful." Lachlan greeted.

Conwyn acknowledged him with a slight nod.

"Have Evangeline take Lady Alivia to her quarters. I'm afraid she isn't herself."

The remaining guards were dismissed to return to their usual duties. As we all went inside to recuperate after the journey. I never had the chance to even talk with Rapunzel as she was swept away so fast. Upon entering the entryway, Lachlan ordered me to report to the kitchens for clean up. Leaving the entryway, I could tell Lachlan was careful to get Lord Conwyn alone. I left the room, but hid in the doorway out of sight.

"Lachlan, is the armada ready?" Conwyn asked.

"I assume you saw the ships as you came into port." Lachlan nodded.

"Better turn out than I could have hoped." He elbowed his brother excitedly, "If only the blasted moon flower wasn't a waste. Emelia lied to me, not that I'm surprised."

"Yes, about that brother, I think she may have had more deceptions." Lachlan added.

"Spit it out." Conwyn snapped raising a curious brow.

"Lady Alivia, can't be your daughter."

"And what proof do you have?"

"Officially none, but Emelia already have proved herself deceitful towards you. Not to mention, handmaids who once dressed Emelia when you two last were courting, spoke of Emelia's inability to bear children."

Conwyn hesitated a response and I myself was surprised at this news as well. Lachlan seemed like an honest man, why would he make this up? Since I came to Ravadyn, he has shown nothing but loyalty to his brother and his house. If Emelia Gothel wasn't Rapunzel's mother, who was she? I had to warn her should she ever cross that woman again. Best thing Conwyn did was send her away.

"Lachlan, you're treading on thin ice. Unless you have proof,"

"What about my men stationed in Corona who know of woman named Emelia Gothel who was a nanny for the king and queen and abducted their daughter."

I froze upon hearing this news. So many things made more sense. Rapunzel was the Lost Princess or at least that's what my theory was. Gothel took her away from her family secluded in a tower, but to what end? Her hair. Rapunzel has been used the whole of her life. If I see that woman again, I'll kill her.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lachlan. Though Lady Alivia is in a delicate state and I need her. So this information doesn't leave this room." Conwyn said patting Lachlan's shoulder.

"But brother, she isn't our blood."

Suddenly a beam of moonlight came through the skylight and Lord Conwyn began to glow silver at his eyes. His hair turned silver as well looking as bright as the petals of Luna Callima.

"Xander?" Lachlan muttered, nervously.

"Lachlan, you fail to see the bigger picture."

Conwyn's voice sounded off almost like someone else was speaking for him. Then in one swipe of his hand, he grabbed Lachlan by the throat squeezing tight. I wanted to intervene, but there was nothing I could do. Conwyn spoke a foreign language in a minor tone gazing into his brother's eyes. Moments later, Lachlan dropped to the floor- lifeless. Murdered by his own brother and I was the only witness. His eyes stopped glowing as I dipped around the hallway running as fast as I could to Rapunzel's room. If anyone would believe me, she would.

Racing up the stairs, I heard the scream of a maid who probably discovered the body downstairs. Time was of the essence as I came down the upstairs hallway to Rapunzel's room. Trying to calm myself down a bit standing outside her door, I took a breath before knocking once to open it. As I came in, she was sitting calmly at her desk brushing her hair. Though looking up at me she rose to her feet looking nervous.

"I know you'll have many questions, but we don't have time to debate. We have to leave here, tonight. Xander Conwyn is a murderer and it's not safe for you to be around him. I figured out the moon flower's power. Your power is healing, but his power brings death."

She didn't even respond at first, but her hands were trembling. I stepped toward her and she in turn stepped back.

"Who are you?" She growled, "Why are you here? If you don't leave in five seconds, I'll scream for the guards."

"R-Rapunzel, it's me, Eugene."

"I don't know any, Eugene. My name is Lady Alivia Conwyn and my father has never shared anybody by your name among our family."

The moon flower had taken her away from me. How or why I wasn't sure, but I was going to find out.

"He's not your father and he's dangerous only using you for your power." I replied, "Please leave with me now!"

She screamed suddenly as I heard the thunderous stomping of boots approach from the hall. Two guards came in and promptly apprehended me followed close behind by Lord Conwyn.

"What's going on here?" Conwyn growled.

"My lord, a misunderstanding. I beg your forgiveness Lady Alivia." I said, locking my eyes with hers.

"Alivia?" Conwyn questioned.

"Just get him out of here." She said and the guards pulled me away into the hall.

Once we were alone, Conwyn stopped us.

"What has happened to my daughter? She doesn't remember much aside from what I've shared with her."

"My lord, it's the moon flower. It weakens her, I'm afraid prolonged exposure could prove fatal. It's already had its way on her mind."

"The moon flower is gone, Flynn." Conwyn replied.

"Yes, but you have now inherited its power of death." I blurted, but bit my lip upon my admission. Conwyn's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know that?"

"It doesn't matter."

"You're right because it's your word against mine, Flynn." He laughed mockingly. "Listen, you have proved useful to me beyond those tasks that brought you here. Tomorrow at dawn my armada docked in the harbor will sail for my siege on Corona. A voice spoke to me earlier and I have the power to bring death to my enemies in a single glance. Luna Callima is an advantageous power."

"A siege, my lord?"

He nodded.

"I need strong, capable, able-bodied men in my fleet. You have proved your loyalty to me from your initial coming. With Alivia to heal my men or myself, I am invincible. Corona will fall by this time tomorrow."

Power hungry and he would undoubtedly cause a slaughter. I didn't want anything to do with it.

"My lord, I'm not the sort of man for war. My only wish is for maintained peace between these nations."

Conwyn frowned.

"Are you quite sure?"

I nodded with no doubt or hesitation in my mind.

"Very well, you have certainly spoken your mind." He turned to the guards at my back. "Flynn Rider, you are deemed a traitor of Ravadyn and hereby banished effective immediately. Throw him out."

The guards took me downstairs holding me in a fierce grip with Conwyn following behind. I was escorted out the front doors and finally the boundary of the courtyard with two guards opening the iron gate. They literally threw me to the ground as I slid across some mud getting my winter fur tunic covered in it. As the iron gates slammed behind me, Conwyn watched me as I rose off the ground.

"You should hang for this, but up until this foolish decision you had my favor in the accomplishment of gaining me the moon flower with the help of Alivia. For that I thank you but know this, if I ever see you again, you will experience the power I now possess."

He turned and left leaving me alone in the cold of the night. Though Ravadyn cold was a warm vacation compared to Odonrora. The guards at the gate urged me to leave pointing their weapons at me. I knew there was no chance of breaking in. I may have skills for thievery, but those days were now long behind me and I was alone. Before turning to leave, I looked up toward a second-story window and I saw Rapunzel staring down at me. I had to get her away from Conwyn, he was just going to use her power to the point of no return. Though for now, I resigned myself to return to Ravadyn village as it was all I could do for now. I subtly waved at Rapunzel before she disappeared from the window and I began my descent into the village.

What were my next steps? Here Conwyn was lord whether he deserved that title and recognition or not. Ravadyn village was quiet this evening. I wandered toward the local pub. I had to find a ship captain, was my initial thought. If I couldn't stop Conwyn here, I could warn the king and queen of Corona. I think they'd like what I had to say. Feeling confident in my plan, I opened the pub door as two big, brutish men were coming out. Unfortunately, they weren't strangers. Logan and Leeland.

"Flynn, long time no see." Leeland smiled.

"We were just heading up to the manor to find you," Logan added.

I turned to walk away before doing something I know I would regret. They always were stronger than me, so I couldn't win a fight, but wits was another matter.

"Leave me alone!" I growled.

"Don't be so defensive," Logan said running in front of me blocking my path.

"You betrayed me and left me behind to serve as a servant to a man I don't respect. Defensive is the least that I'm feeling toward you!"

"We messed up," Leeland added.

"Clearly," I replied, crossing my arms.

I pushed passed Logan trying to move around them, but Leeland just moved in front of me too blocking me.

"Listen Rider, we need more money."' Leeland said.

"Already gambled away your reward from Lord Conwyn, did you?" I accused.

"We need you for a job in Corona." Logan continued.

"No, I don't want anything to do with that. My thieving days are over." I said, practically shouting almost as if to prove it to not only them, but myself.

"Nobody will miss what we're after," Logan said, "The crown of the Lost Princess. She don't need it no more."

"After eighteen years, she's probably long dead." Leeland smirked.

They both began to laugh at the thought as my hands balled into tight fists. No respect from either of them, but that was more than they were capable of.

"Flynn, do this for us and we'll give you sixty percent of the cut." Logan offered.

The offer might have enticed before, but I expected to be stabbed in the back again.

"I'll do it on one condition." I said.

"Name it." Logan said.

"We leave immediately."

"Follow us to our boat." Leeland gestured.

Leading me to the harbor, their boat was quite the downgrade from Conwyn's ship. The boat was small with a single sail, but it would do the job. Leeland and Logan undocked us as we headed out onto open ocean in the dead of night. I didn't have to trust them, I didn't even have to like them, but they were my ticket out of Ravadyn and back to Corona. If they wanted to do another heist, we would be doing another heist, but this time it would go in my favor.