Harper and Shaylena seemed set to talk for hours, so Trance and Rowling got up and walked off into the vast garden. As they traveled the long paths, they made small talk.

"So, Rowling, how long have you know Shaylena?" asked Trance as they rounded another corner.

Rowling smiled widely. " A long time, actually. I live on the other side of the valley - my father is only a Duke, but ever since I was young, your father has allowed me to ride across the valley and see Shay. Lately, I've been staying more and more due to your father's health."

Trance grinned. "So are you and Shaylena....?"

Her voice must have given her meaning away, because Rowling started to laugh.

"Oh, I don't know. You know how it is - even though I'm a noble and have known her so long, they don't really want the princess with any one, with her in line for the throne and all."

Trance laughed back. "You met Shay's father - I did everything a princess was not supposed to do, and I didn't let any one stop me now, did I?"

Rowling smiled faintly. "No. No, you didn't." Then he heard Shaylena's laugh and realized they were back where they had started.
"Yeah, and there stood your mom, a gun in each hand, one pointed at me and one pointed at Rat-face, saying she'd shoot us both if she had to. Scary thing is, she'd have gotten away with it too!!!" Harper laughed then, joining Shaylena.

Trance walked up behind them, grinning. "Talking about anyone I know?"

Harper grinned back. "Oh, no, no one *you* would know."

Harper winked at Shaylena then and smiled. Her sparkling eyes, looking back at him, reminded him yet again of her mother.

He could see Trance in those eyes. Shaylena was just like her, always wanting to know everything, even if it seemed silly. That's what he had fallen in love with, with Trance...

"Harper, we need to go. Father wants to see you now." Trance's voice interrupted Harper's thoughts.


Harper looked up at her, suddenly frightened again. "Is he gonna kill me?"


Trance grinned. "Oh, I talked him out of an immediate execution. Besides, he'll probably just have a guard do it."


Harper smiled despite himself. "Ohhhh. Well, that's better." He stood and walked to Trance. "Lead the way, Oh Golden Princess."


Trance smiled sweetly at Harper and they walked off, through yet more countless hallways.

"Trance, exactly how big *is* this place?"


Trance grinned. "Oh, it's *big*! When I was younger, I knew all of it, but now..." She looked down the two halls they had reached and turned down one.

Both their grins faded as they reached a set of large gray doors.

"Okay - here goes..." Trance said, giving Harper's hand a squeeze.

She pushed the large door open, and dragged an immobile Harper inside. The two moved to a large bed draped in dark red, on which laid an aged blue man.

"Harper, this is my father, King Packniss." Trance said, and the man opened his eyes slightly.

Harper looked back, terrified. "Hel.... hello, Sir..."

King Packniss glared back at him. " So... you're the man who's done this to us."

Trance could feel the tension in the air, and moved to ease it. " Now, Father, we all know 'this' took two people to do. And Harper cares for me."

Packniss glared again. "We'll see about that now won't we?"

He raised his hand and two guards walked up behind them.

Trance looked them and then at Harper. "I have to go now, Harper. It'll be okay - just be honest."

Harper just nodded as Trance walked to the door. Pausing, she turned to look at the king.

"Father... He has done nothing wrong. Do *not* kill him."

The man laughed. "That will be *his* decision..."