Chapter 20
Beginning

Rapunzel paced the halls outside of Cassandra's bedroom.
She was so nervous that she felt like she was going to pass out.
Just as soon as Cassandra walked out of the bedroom door, Rapunzel tackled-hugged her.
"Cass! I'm going to miss you so much!" Rapunzel then broke out into a loud sob.

"Whoa, Raps, hey!" Cassandra nearly fell over between the weight of her bag and Rapunzel hugging her like a madwoman. "Shhhh, don't cry. I'll send you letters, okay? Owl will be glad to send them to you." Cassandra smiled sadly. Rapunzel let go of Cassandra and sniffled.

Cassandra wiped Rapunzel's tears.
Rapunzel looked down, "This wouldn't have happened if I could have convinced my dad to let up those stupid rules and build the rehabilitation center." She wiggled her toes on the floor.

"I know, Raps. But I believe in you, I think eventually, one day, you'll be able to convince him." Cassandra ran her hand through Rapunzel's blonde hair. "Thank you, Cass." She sniffled at her.

"I love you, Cass." Rapunzel's voice cracked, choking back tears.
"I love you too, Raps." Cassandra smiled and grabbed ahold of her bag strap.

Cassandra walked away and began to walk off down the halls with her bag she packed for the trip. She was being sent to a convent by her father, The Captain. Though in-reality, she had other plans. (But The Captain didn't know that.)

Owl flew through the window and perched on Cassandra's shoulder, nuzzling her. "I'm okay Owl, no need to try and comfort me." She pet Owl's beak gently with her finger. Eugene walked over and began walking with her, "I can't believe I'd be saying this, but I think I'm actually going to miss you." He said with a slight bit of snark to his voice. "Same here, you knucklehead." She smirked. "You're like a sister to me, y'know?" Eugene added.

Cassandra looked at Eugene for a moment with an odd facial expression.
"Thanks, that... means a lot to me, Eugene." Cassandra didn't expect it.

"So, you're going to a convent, huh? Which one? Wait, no, nevermind, It's Nun of my business." Eugene snickered. Cassandra smirked and then laughed; "You're an idiot. Yeah, might make some stops along the way though, some... long stops, if you know what I mean." Cassandra replied.

Eugene raised his brow, "Ohhhhh, I see how it is."
Cassandra nodded and stopped at the castle entrance.

"Guess this is goodbye, huh? See you later. Send me and Blondie some letters, would you?" Eugene put his hand on Cassandra's shoulder. "I will, don't worry, Eugene." She smiled at him.

He took his hand off of Cassandra's shoulder and Cassandra walked out of the castle...

Varian had stopped running, but he hadn't stopped walking, even if his feet hurt, his eyes kept fluttering close and he was tired and wanted to go back to his building. Ruddiger chirped, petting Varian's head gently with his claw, trying to comfort Varian.

Varian staggered and tripped on a root, then fell to the ground, making Ruddiger jump off of him.

Ruddiger chattered and went to Varian, shaking him; though, small as Ruddiger was, it didn't do much. "I'm...okay..." Varian let out a shakey breath before trying to get back up.

Varian looked back, the first time he did actually.
He could see nothing except for some of the castle.

Varian didn't even bother standing up, he just sat there with Ruddiger by his side. Tears began rolling down Varian's face again, in-which Ruddiger replied with a sad little chatter. "I hope Cassie's doing okay." Varian mumbled. "And Angry and Red too." He added.

He sniffled and wiped away his tears, yet more kept falling down his cheeks.

Varian looked in his bag and backpack right quick to see how much he had left at the building, and luckily he'd only left two items behind. Some brown fabric and a piece of lettuce.

He pulled out the pine-cone that Ruddiger had grown attached to and handed it to Ruddiger; it was like his security blanket, from Varian's understanding. Ruddiger chirped happily and cuddled the pine-cone, gently chewing on it. Varian weakly stood up and looked around, "We...should find some shelter, it looks like it's going to rain very soon, and I also need sleep..." Varian thought he'd never say the last part, because he was the type to stay awake for way too long periods of time.

Ruddiger nodded and followed, his pine-cone in-tow.

Cassandra felt a drop of rain touch her hand and she looked up to see grey clouds rolling in. "Of course there's going to be rain." She angrily said to herself, or more so; Owl, because he was sitting perched on her shoulder. Owl hoo'd and got Cassandra's attention to a tavern.

"...The...Snuggly Duckling?" She squinted her eyes at the sign.
"What a ridiculous name." She sighed and walked down the path to the tavern as the rain fell.

The tavern looked and smelled like the color brown; "Hey, I'm gonna have to stay the night fellas, so best be setting up a guest room." She exclaimed, walking in. The people looked at her crossly and confused. There was many ruffians here, a guy with a horned-helmet, some guys with beards and mustaches, heck; even a mime, which was... out-of-place but Cassandra ignored him.

"Who's askin'?" The bartender asked grumpily.
"Cassandra, daughter of The Captain of The Royal Guards, ex-lady-in-waiting for Princess Rapunzel of the Kingdom of Corona." Cassandra raised her brow, nose-in-air.

The bartender's eyes widened and he apologized very quickly.
"I'm sorry, miss." He said shortly, "I'll prepare the guest room right away for you..." He added.

"Thank you." Cassandra walked off and sat at one of the table, throwing her bag down on the floor, beside her, and then she took of her sheath and pulled out the sword, stabbing it into the floor as well; the Snuggly Duckling didn't look like they cared much about damage to the joint.

Cassandra closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair slightly, her owl friend flying over to a mounted deer head and landing on it to perch quietly. This was going to be a long trip.

Not just for Cassandra and Owl either.
But for Varian and Ruddiger too.