Oh my gosh! I am sooo sorry I didn't finish the last chapter! I had to cut it short because I was being driven insane by my headache. Sorry alls! And yesterday, I had to go to a sleepover so I didn't get time to post this! I apologize profusely for my busy schedule! Well enjoy this chapter!!

Broken Dreams: Part Two, Chapter Eleven

Walk Away

Things were quickly going from bad to worse.

As Duzell and Ishtar looked apprehensively at the maurading undead army, they became aware of pounding footsteps approaching. They turned just in time to see the door burst open, and Darres storm in. He stopped dead at the sight of the vampire king, and went from white to red quicker than a stopsign.

"You!" he shouted, and drew his sword. "Get away from Ishtar, you demon!"

The vampire held up his hands in defense. "Now is really not the time..."

"TIME?!?" bellowed the enraged guard. "When did TIME have anything to do with this?? I should have killed you when I had the chance!"

Ishtar pleaded with him. "Darres, please, think about what you're doing!" He ignored her and brought his blade level with the vampire's neck.

"I will finish you, once and for all."

Finally Duzell couldn't take it any longer. Faster than a cobra, he lashed out and latched onto the man's forearm. He twisted it expertly and the sword fell from his hand. Duzell quickly flipped him into his stomach on the ground with his arm twisted painfully behind him.

"I.. said... this... isn't... the time," he hissed venomously. Darres winced as Duzell's grip tightened. "Right now your castle is about to be overrun by a thousand assorted undead. I plan on keeping the death count to a minimum, but if you do not get out of my way, I will be forced to kill you."

"You monster!" he spat, but he didn't seem quite as angry now. Evidently the thought of his home being destroyed put the fire out of him.

"Maybe I am. But I'm still going to try to save you puny humans' lives. Will you help me or not?"

The swordsman paused for a second; clearly helping him was the last thing he wanted to do. However, his duty came first and he nodded his assent.

"Good," the vampire sighed and helped him to his feet. Outside they could faintly hear screams and shattering glass. "And none too soon." He picked up the bodyguard's sword and frowned. "Gods, this is an awful weapon! Too bad. You'll just have to make do."

Ishtar stepped in. "If I may... I know a spell that I can cast on your sword so you can slay the higher-level undead."

They both stared at her. She fidgeted uncomfortably before finally shouting out, "What? Does me knowing a spell shock you all that much??? I've been practicing, I'll have you know!"

Duzell shook his head. The thought of Ishtar studying anything made his head spin. "Whatever. Just cast the spell."

She nodded and shut her eyes. Her voice became slightly deeper and more harmonic as the magic words rolled off her tongue, and the sword began to glow.

"There. That should work. Good luck, Darres!"

He nodded and ran out the door after the faraway sounds of mayhem.

Duzell grabbed her hand. "Cmon, Ishtar, you can't stay in here." He led her out of the library, and she had to squint as light suddenly blinded her. He led her through the halls to a place so far away the sounds of battle did not filter through the walls. Duzell stopped before a single uninteresting door and knocked.

"Come in."

They stepped through and Yuginn looked up from his book at them. "Duzell," he smiled. "I had a feeling you would return."

He nodded. "Can you keep the princess here?"

"What? Why?"

"The castle is under attack and I don't want Ishtar harmed. I figured that you know enough defensive spells to keep her out of trouble, no?"

Yuginn stood up and warmly embraced the princess. "Not a problem in the slightest." He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her through a second door. "Come, let me show you my personal library."

Ishtar couldn't help but look back. Duzell stood there for a second, an unreadable expression on his face, before a sword appeared in his hand and he rushed out to join the fighting. Ishtar felt tears threatening to fall. She closed her eyes and silently prayed for the Goddess to protect her little vampire.