A/N: Thank you to all of you who wished me a happy birthday, and thanks just for reviewing. Especially you return reviewers who manage to get to every chapter. I love to hear what you all think.
Phasera ~ Let's just say that I can now officially drink and gamble anywhere in the world. (Always look on the bright side, right?) We'll get to see Vivienne's POV soon enough… probably next chapter.
Aerin ~ Thanks for pointing out the mistake—it's been fixed. English isn't your first language? You could have fooled me. Hey, you caught my mistake. ;-)
fufie ~ The third king is actually already named Charmant, so I guess that's close enough. Thanks for the suggestion though. And I will not kill you, no matter what you do/say.
And a special thanks to Kerista for the nickname suggestion: Chim! (That's so adorable.)
Chapter 21
Intersections: "Unforeseen complications"
Terrence stood in the guestroom he had been assigned, deep in thought as he stared at the clothes that had been brought with him on this trip, considering just what was required in the way of supplies for a rescue operation. A voice piped up behind him.
"What're you doing?" Abruptly he spun around and found himself face to face with his sister. He let out a small sigh, though he wasn't entirely relieved.
"Nothing," he replied shortly.
Rebecca shook her head, blond hair fanning with the exaggerated move. She stood, one leg crossed in front of the other, her arms behind her back—a classic pose that suggested she was in possession of the proverbial beans and was willing to spill.
"Nuh-uh. You're up to something," she insisted. Then, with a not so innocent smile, "And I know what it is."
"Really?" Terrence replied, crossing his arms over his chest and eyeing her warily.
"Yeah," she said, nodding enthusiastically. "You're going to follow Davey, Vir and Lilly."
He forced himself not to react. "Oh," he said casually, "and where are they going?" Discreetly, he gazed about the room for a piece of rope, ribbon, or something of the kind and wondered whether he couldn't just tie her up and leave her in a closet for their parents to find—just until he had enough time to sneak out and get far enough away from the castle for a good head start.
"They're going after Val to rescue Vivi!" she declared happily, and loudly.
"Shh," he hissed, pouncing forward to clamp a hand over her mouth. "You don't want anyone to find out, do you?" Blue eyes wide, Rebecca shook her head. "Because if they did—the parents, the servants, or any of the adults—then they'd stop us all and not let us go. And then what would happen to Vivienne?" he inquired, preying on her affection for the eldest princess with only the slightest amount of guilt.
Rebecca pushed his hand aside timidly. "Val would rescue her?" she suggested in a meek voice.
Terrence shook his head grimly. "If that were true, then why would David and the others be following him?" She stared at him without answering, eyes widened in anticipation. "Because they don't think he can do it on his own."
"But what about mommy and daddy… and Queen Ella, and Queen Snow, and King Charming, and the other King Charming?" she finished, slightly out of breath. "If they didn't think Val could do it, wouldn't they have done something?"
Her brother sighed, leaning back. "Becca, you don't understand grownups. They just don't think the same way as us. And sometimes they do really dumb things that could have been avoided if they'd just listen—but they don't." He shrugged. "David and the others are going, and you're right… I'm going after them." He returned to his packing, sorting through his clothes for something comfortable and appropriate for the weather.
"I'm going with you!"
Terrence whipped around, shaking his head fiercely. "Oh, no, no, no."
Rebecca nodded hers just as fiercely. "Yes, yes, yes!" Maybe a little too fiercely. Her eyes crossed over slightly and she stumbled back a couple of steps.
Reaching over, he steadied her, but remained adamant in his refusal. "No, Becca, I am not babysitting you."
"You don't have to babysit me! I'm big enough to take care of myself!" she cried indignantly.
"It'll be dangerous," he warned.
"It won't be any more dangerous for me than for you."
"I don't have to take you. I can just say no."
"And I can tell Davey about your plan."
His eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."
"Would too."
He glared at her and then stood back thoughtfully. "If you tell him, I could just do to him what you're doing to me and make him take me along."
"You wouldn't do that," she replied confidently. "Davey'd say you can't come and you wouldn't come. You always do whatever Davey says."
Terrence scowled. "So do you."
"Yep, 'cause he's my big brother."
"So am I. So's Luke." He frowned. "Why don't you ever do what I say?"
Rebecca rolled her eyes and let out an impatient sigh. "Because," she said, enunciating the word, "he's my biggest big brother."
"So?"
"So."
They locked themselves in a staring contest that lasted about a minute then Terrence threw his hands up in frustration. "Alright," he conceded, "you can come." Rebecca let out a cheer and launched herself at him, engulfing him in an embrace. "As long as," he continued, trying to pry her off him, "you listen to what I say and do what I tell you."
"Sure," she replied amicably, all compromise now that she'd gotten her way.
"Even though I'm not your 'biggest big brother'?"
"Okay."
Terrence groaned and flopped down on the bed, propping his head up in his hands. "Why do I get the feeling you're just humoring me?"
Quietly, his sister took a seat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his back. An utterly serious look on her face, she turned to him and confided, "I don't even know what that means."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This way," Virtue directed to the trio behind her as she scoped the area with practiced ease.
"Where are we going?" David inquired, leading a gagged Luke, whose hands had been bound behind him.
Lillith frowned, taking in the sight before her. She had questioned whether it wouldn't be less conspicuous, in case someone were to cross their path, to leave him free and untied. It wasn't likely he would just blurt out their plan to whomever should drift their way—it's not as if his life were in danger. But there was a glint in Virtue's eyes as she did the sturdy knots and tested them for weakness that indicated there was no reasoning with the girl at this point.
"The stables," Virtue replied. "I have a source in there, one who can easily be convinced to take a conveniently timed walk while we get our horses together."
"Horses?" Lillith squeaked suddenly. "You mean like as in riding? On a saddle?"
Virtue eyed her warily. "Generally, yes, that's how people travel when they need to get somewhere quickly." She let out a short breath, having already anticipated what was coming next. "Do you have something you'd like to share with us?"
"Um, yes," she managed, a slight tinge of pink to her cheeks. "I can't ride." Then she quickly clarified, "A horse."
Virtue rolled her eyes. "Of course a horse—what else would we think you mean?" At her words Luke began to choke behind his gag, a noise that could roughly be interpreted as laughter. David cuffed him upside the head.
To Virtue's raised eyebrow, he shrugged. "There are rare situations in which you just don't have a choice."
She turned back to Lillith. "Not at all?" The other girl shook her head. "Okay." She sighed. "We can double. Three horses between us."
Lillith gave her a relieved look as they entered the stable. "Who am I doubling with?"
Luke lifted his eyebrows suggestively and Virtue scoffed at his response. "Right. No, you can ride with me." Then her attention turned to the task at hand and she called out, "Emilio!"
A few moments later, a figure emerged from the depths of the large stable. "Vir," the boy greeted casually, appraising the small group. "Goin' for a ride?"
She grinned in reply. "Something like that. Three horses."
Emilio nodded slowly. "I take it the gagged one's stayin' behind." Luke glared at him in response then took turns glaring at the other three. Obviously, he didn't appreciate being seen in his current position.
"Nope. He's coming. He even gets his own horse," she answered, giving a Luke a sweet smile, as if she were doing him a great favor. "Lilly here's doubling with me." She leaned forward and whispered confidentially, "She can't ride."
Lillith huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not that big a deal. You know, there are more important things in life than riding a horse." Virtue stared back at her incredulously, while Emilio's expression could only be described as one of horror. Apologetically, she amended, "Not that it isn't very important. It's just that it's not that important, when you look at the grand scheme of…" she faltered. "Never mind."
Emilio glanced at Virtue. "Why do I get the feelin' that whatever you're up to, your parents don't know 'bout it? And does it have anythin' to do with your brother's little trip?"
"Don't worry about it," she replied easily. "You won't get any of the blame. You have a lunch break coming up… why don't you take it a little early?" she suggested. "Then all you have to do is say you didn't hear or see a thing, and keep quiet as long as you can. By evening, we'll be too far away for them to stop us. They can follow us, but we'll have a good head start."
He raised an eyebrow and stared back at her. "That's not exactly the most foolproof plan I've ever heard. What about when I come back? I'm supposed to not notice three missin' horses? 'Sides, I'm just another stable hand—what about when the livery master comes by?"
"Nice try," she said, shaking her head. "I know it's his day off today, so you don't have to worry about him."
"But what about all the other holes?"
Finally, Virtue reached forward and grabbed a hold of Emilio's collars, pulling him down so he was eye-level to her. "You can take a walk or—" she growled menacingly—"we can knock you out. Take your pick."
Emilio blinked rapidly, the fear apparent in his eyes. Obviously, he knew when to take the princess seriously. But before he could respond, Virtue's fingers were gently, but firmly, pried from his shirt, as David pulled her back, away from the boy. "What Vir means is," he explain in a placid voice, "it'd be best for all involved if you just cooperated."
Emilio nodded quickly. "Sure. You got it. I'm outta here." He rushed toward the entrance. "I'll be back in half—no, make that an hour. You can all just take your time." Then he was gone.
"See?" Virtue shrugged easily. "Not so hard."
~*~*~*~
Twenty minutes later, the group was off, Lillith riding behind Virtue, Luke with his hands tied before him, to the saddle, following the directions Virtue had acquired to the Drunk Man's Dive.
But Emilio wasn't scheduled to return for another good forty minutes, leaving plenty of time for the next pair to retrieve a horse of their own, saddle up, and follow in pursuit. Terrence had always been a keen rider, and with his sister nestled comfortably before him, he was easily able to keep up with the other group.
All they needed was to remain within following distanced, undetected, until nightfall, he explained to Rebecca.
"Why, what happens at night?" she inquired, twisting her neck to glance up at him.
Terrence picked blond hair out of his mouth before answering. "Sit still. By night, we'll already have gotten far enough so they can't send us back. They'll have to keep us with them, if they want to keep up with Val."
"Oh."
Yes, it was a brilliant plan; Terrence congratulated himself, grinning widely. And if anyone were to look upon him at that moment, with the sun shining off his hair, making it appear lighter than usual, a self-satisfied smile on his face and calculating gaze taking in their surroundings—well, one might have pointed out his sudden eerie resemblance to Luke.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Snow stared at the man before her, face slack with shock. "You didn't send the dragon?"
"No, I didn't send the dragon!" he returned, aghast. "Where would I get my hands on a bloody dragon?!" He swept a hand through short, sandy hair. "No, no. I sent a witch—you know, for the whole 'curse' angle. 'Cept, when she got here, the castle was already in chaos. Yer girl was gone." He turned to Ella and her husband. "My sincere condolences on that, by the way."
"She's not dead!" Ella practically shrieked, causing the other occupants of the room to wince at the sound.
"James!" Snow hissed with narrowed eyes. She quickly turned to her friend, approaching her and taking one hand in her own. "No, dear, of course that wasn't what James meant." She shot a backwards glance at the man.
"Er, of course, yer highness," James took up. "I'm just saying I'm sorry, is all. 'Bout how things didn't turn out the way we'd all planned." Then he muttered lowly, shaking his head, "It's just… who knew that bloody dragon would show up? And of all the times and places!"
"Oh no," Ella moaned, shaking her head and burying it in her one free hand. "Our poor daughter. She's actually been kidnapped… by some, some… complete stranger! Who knows what she's going through right now?" she wailed. "My baby!" Charming placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace, his own face looking more tired and old than it had only a few hours earlier.
"And we sent Val after her!" Snow suddenly declared, eyes widening in growing horror. The room went quiet.
Charming finally spoke, "So what do we do now?"
"What can you do?" Rose returned. "We all saw the ransom note—it said he had to go alone. You send anyone after him, and you endanger them both."
"Uh, Charming—" Ella's husband began, but he was briefly interrupted by the other man.
"Please, call me Chim. To avoid the confusion," he explained, for once sober and without a drink in his hand, though he looked like he could really use one.
"Chim," he amended, "if we had to send someone after them, do you have any men in your service that could be discrete about it? They can't be detected."
Chim nodded, sitting forward thoughtfully. "Yes, I'm sure I could get together a small group quickly. And just make sure they dress casually—like adventurers. No one would make the connection."
A quiet knock sounded at the door and Charmant, who was closest, went to answer it while the others continued their discussion. A very harried looking servant gave him the message, trepidation coloring his face. He returned to the group shortly. "We have bigger problems than that, mes amis," he interrupted and the rest looked toward him expectantly. "The children have gone after them."
Silence.
Then Rose inquired apprehensively, "Which ones?"
Her husband's face was grim as he answered, "All of them."
Silence once more. Then a weary sigh and Chim's statement summed it all up: "This is not good."
END OF PART 1TBC
A/N: Bet you didn't expect that little twist, now didya? That's why I kept telling you all you were "sorta right" about the dragon and the parents' plan… of course, I just couldn't explain what I meant by that.
Okay, Jenny, and anyone else who's been wondering, we are now at the end of the "first part" that I mentioned earlier. I don't know how helpful that is exactly, considering right now I'm pretty clueless as to how long the second part's going to be. Would I frighten you terribly if I said that we might be at the halfway point? I'd frighten myself. I've never written anything this long before—it's like the story that doesn't want to end.
Next time: Val spends a little quality time with Cautious… and how well is Vivienne going to react to the whole damsel-in-distress role?