~Chapter 20~

Eugene

There were more ships anchored within a mile or two of the Ravadyn harbor. This was no coincidence as I assumed Conwyn was behind this. Logan and Leeland strategized the plan to raid the palace and get to the royal treasury that housed the crown. I had to say the plan was thought out, but not well planned. Years ago, the orphanage got invited by the king and queen to tour the castle grounds and courtyard. I vaguely remembered peering through a window and seeing a bejeweled crown on display on a pedestal. From that memory, I knew the crown was separate from the treasury, but heavily guarded. This is what I wanted. After a few hours on the water, Corona was in our sights again as we pulled into the harbor. Leeland had a few tools ready to go in the satchel around his shoulder. Mainly a long rope to rappel down into the room along with climbing equipment. In the town square, I spotted the mosaic painting of the royal family. It had never occurred to me how much the little girl in the image looked like Rapunzel. There was no doubt in my mind that I'd have much to disclose to the king and queen, but it wouldn't be easy. I didn't want to have to steal something precious to them to do this, but I kept reminding myself that this was for Rapunzel. She may have forgotten me, but this wasn't about me. I know I needed to do this.

We came through the village and it was just before sunrise, so the town was quiet and still. A nice pause before the hustle of the day. A few patrols guarded the streets and went around putting out the night street lamps. The three of us scaled the roof of the closest house to the outer wall of the palace. My pace was quick and the twins could hardly keep up with me.

"Rider, slow down," Leeland complained behind me with Logan bringing up the rear.

I rolled my eyes turning to face them both as they scaled the wall behind me.

"Or you could speed up, Leeland. It's almost sunrise, do you want to be seen in broad daylight?" I challenged.

Their pace didn't change much, but as I looked out upon the view on the horizon. I got a moment to take it in while I wanted for these two slowpokes to catch up. They clearly didn't think about the physical impact of this heist. Finally, the sun rose upon the horizon mixing incredible colors that bled into the sky. I know Rapunzel would have loved to paint this. From the side of the wall, we climbed into the courtyard keeping up high and scaling the roof to keep an eye on the roving guards. Logan used the ax to loosen the rooftop tiles giving us a way into the room housing the crown. Leeland threw me the rope to tie around my waist. It made sense as I was the lightest, which was why they came all the way to Ravadyn to fetch me for this.

"Almost there, Rider." Leeland commented, "See how easy this was? No regrets."

Logan pulled tightly against the rope to secure it and then lowered me down into the room. A circle of soldiers surrounded the crown and I held my breath as I neared the pedestal to snatch the crown. The jewels sparkled and had a unique design. I grabbed the crown and made my presence known.

"Listen here, gentleman. If you want this back, come to the west wall. I'm sure you'll beat us there." I instructed the men. They pointed their weapons in my direction as I tugged twice on the rope signaling to pull me up. I could tell the soldiers were unsure of what to make of me, but as I was being pulled up, the lot of them ran from the room. As I rejoined the twins on the roof, both of the twins greedily tried to snatch the crown from my hands. I had to stall. I playfully kept it out of their reach.

"Ah, ah, ah," I scolded, "What do you say?"

Logan and Leeland glared.

"Please." They said in unison.

"I was looking for a thank you, but that will suffice."

I quickly put the crown in my own satchel.

"Rider!" Leeland protested.

"Calm down, let's admire the win away from the palace guards, huh?"

Following our entry route as our exit route, we climbed down the west wall outside the palace. Suddenly, a group of guards surrounded us along with a man on a single horse standing at the ready.

"Arrest these men,"

All three of us were clapped in irons in no time as the crown was taken from the satchel. Just like I had planned it.

We were to be brought before King Frederic and Queen Arianna for judgment, but until they could see us, thrown in the jail for a bit. Other prisoners gawked at me especially.

"You don't belong here, pretty boy. What's your crime? Flirting?"

A chorus of mocking laughter ensued. Logan and Leeland were grumbling behind me as all three of us were forced to share a cell due to overcrowding. I avoided their gaze and just fell silent overthinking and worried that I was losing time. The news of their daughter would have wait, the warning of the armada had to come first.

"What went wrong?" Logan growled.

"The guards must have spotted us and set a trap." Leeland speculated.

"Maybe this heist wasn't worth the trouble? Maybe wished you still had the money from Conwyn?" I shrugged.

"Shut up, Rider!" They both said together.

Alone for the next half-hour until the captain came and opened the door to our cell.

"Judgment day." He said.

Escorted from the jail and into the castle throne room. Banners of a golden sun on purple fabric hung around the room. The king and queen sat on their thrones appearing calm as the three of us approached. King Frederic seemed sterner as I neared, but the queen's green eyes locked with mine and I was met with a kindness expressed in her body language. The captain bowed towards them as he gestured to me.

"Your majesties, this man is the one who tipped off the guards, but he did take the crown."

"What?" Logan growled behind me.

"Rider, you traitor!" Leeland shouted.

I turned back toward them.

"An eye for an eye, gentleman. It seemed only fair after what you both pulled in Ravadyn." I said.

Leeland took a step toward me but was stopped by two guards from making any further moves.

"Take them away," King Frederic ordered, "They will hang for their crimes."

As they were escorted out, I bowed down before the two rulers. There was no knowing how they would take anything I had to say.

"Your majesties, I hope you can find it agreeable to spare their lives. Prison sentence, sure. Though they don't deserve to die."

However, the moment I said those words I almost didn't mean them recalling how they kidnapped Rapunzel. Though as their accomplice, I'd deserve the same fate.

"A humble request from a notorious thief, why would I grant you this?" King Frederic asked, raising a brow.

"Because I came to warn you of large invasion coming by sea today."

King Frederic rose to his feet upon hearing this.

"Why should I believe you?"

"I came from Ravadyn to warn you feigning the heist to be brought before you. Please, Corona is my home and Xander Conwyn is in possession of powerful magic. He plans for a slaughter and to take your kingdom by force."

The two sovereigns exchanged curious glances as Queen Arianna grabbed her husband's hand.

"Frederic," She said trying to keep calm, "We should take him at his word. What would be the point of any deception?"

"Arianna," He retorted, "I can think of many, blackmail being one. He attempted to steal our daughter's crown."

The queen stood up and looked me right between the eyes.

"Xander Conwyn is the king's cousin. Why would he wish us harm suddenly after years of peace?"

"He sought out the moon flower known as Luna Callima, which summons death with a simple phrase spoken in a foreign tongue."

"Are you a scholar of such blooms?" Frederic asked.

"I watched the power be used myself. Conwyn murdered an innocent man, his own brother."

"Lachlan?" Frederic questioned.

Queen Arianna sat back down covering her mouth with her hand seemingly surprised. It wasn't long before a messenger barged into the room handing the captain a note. He read it with his eyes widening as he walked up to King Frederic whispering in his ear. His face went pale.

"Captain, release this man. He speaks the truth as scouts have reported a large armada of ships that are nearing the Corona harbor."

The captain obeyed and the irons fell off my wrists and I bowed politely.

"Thank you, your majesties for hearing me today."

"It is we who should be thanking you," Frederic replied.

"What is your name?" Queen Arianna asked.

"Flynn Rider, your majesty," I replied.

King Frederic wasted no time ordering his soldiers to stop everything and defend the city. Arming themselves with powerful weapons and getting cannons ready for firing from a high tower along with a large ballista. Soldiers did all they could to put up defenses starting around the harbor and moving backward through the town and back towards the palace. The king offered me protection within the palace and had me change my clothes into soldiers' armor for my safety. Hours ticked by and the enemy ships flying the Ravadyn flag were within view as they had been all day, but hadn't pulled into port. Were they waiting us out? Was Rapunzel actually on one of those ships? As the day progressed, a wall had been erected tall to block off the harbor. Archers and foot soldiers manned the harbor alone since that was the entry point. The archers there were armed with firepits to ignite the inbound ships. The wall wasn't stone, but if nothing else it would slow down the siege. I was able to freely roam the castle and give aid to soldiers in the preparation. Though as I passed by the library, I stopped in my tracks hearing something familiar behind the doors.

"A new dawn is breaking

A day for memories in the making

My child, my dear, sweet child

My love for you remains

sure as the rising and the setting sun

I'll always hold you tight as my love remains

For I am yours and you are mine."

I threw open the double doors of the library and saw Queen Arianna staring up at me.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"That song, where did you learn it?"

"It started as a hummed tune way back when I first met Frederic, but I added words when I found out I was to be a mother."

"I know that song and I believe the woman who sang it for me is your daughter."

Queen Arianna looked unsteady as I said the words. Though her face fell into one of distrust. She pulled out a book from the nearby shelf and threw it on the table nearby. I recognized the cover before I read the title: The Tales of Flynnigan Rider.

"I loved this book and wanted to read it for my daughter, but after she was taken, I found solace reading these tales to children who didn't have parents."

My eyes widened in surprise.

"Who are you because I know you've lied about your name. You were honest about the armada, but why not your name?"

"I meant nothing by it, your majesty." I exhaled a long exasperated breath, "My name is Eugene, Eugene Fitzherbert. Nice to meet you."

She smiled as she extended her hand toward me.

"Nobody can make up a name like that." She smiled.

"Tell me about it," I said, taking her hand.

I thought it would be easier to share my real name by now, but I still found it surprisingly difficult.

"Now please, what news do you have of my daughter? The first time in eighteen years that anyone has come forward with information."

"Well first, know she is alive." I nodded.

"I never doubted it," The queen smiled broadly cupping her hands around her mouth. Tears enveloped her eyes and I grew concerned at the timing of this. I should have waited. A couple of guards came into the room suddenly.

"Your majesty, the armada is on the move, we must get you to a secured room."

They pulled her away from the library as I followed them out.

"You should know that she could be with Conwyn now, your highness."

Queen Arianna spun around in surprise at that admission. Before I could elaborate more, I heard several guards begin yelling.

"Hold steady, cannon fire inbound!"

Suddenly the palace began to shake as something struck. Moving down the hallway to the safe room, one of the soldiers was hit by incoming cannon fire that went through one wall and out another. The floor began to shake as more projectiles were hitting the palace relentlessly. The remaining soldier fell through the ground falling to the floor below. Now I was alone with her and I knew it was up to me to protect her. I led her down the hallway avoiding the gaping holes in the floor and walls that were being broken down.

"The room is on the next floor. The stairs are just ahead." Queen Arianna said, running ahead of me gesturing to the door.

"Wait, your highness," I said.

Another cannonball shot through narrowly missing the queen, but it did weaken the west-facing wall. I watched in horror as I watched the slab of stone begin to fall toward the queen. I ran toward her pushing her out of the way as hundreds of pounds of stone pinned me to the ground. I groaned in pain as rocks began to crumble down around us. Another slab came down crushing my left arm as it fell on top. I shouted in pain yelling for the Queen to get to the stairs. I wasn't sure if she made it there. My ears were ringing from the blast as I felt blood rushing from my head. My body was pinned as was my hand. If I were to die right now, it was a comfort knowing I told Rapunzel's mother about her. It wasn't much and I wish I could have done more. My consciousness faded as my world went black.