A/N

this is an original story and i hope to use it later. the plot is my creation, and(though it is a bit twisted)i hope to use it later and really publish a version of it

bit darker. i actually like this chapter, you get to meet Simon. he is what you migh call comic relief, but not quite, he has a sense of humor, but is alsomuch more aware of what's going on than some others. he is based loosely on my brother, but with my sense of humor. certain comments that my brother made 3 years ago inspired me to squeeze simon in. and i'm happy with the result. i like the way he turns out by chapter 20 and i hope you come to love this little guy as much as i do.

you also get to get a closer look at Seth. and see some of his motives and what might happen. you will also see how attached Saul has become to Anye, and meet mary, the cook again (i havent decided if she is to be Saul's love interest or not, she is still fairly young, the same age as Saul. leave a review and let me know what you think!)


Chapter 7

The Valley(aka, Flunkies)

As noon drew near, Seth walked determinedly to Saul's study. Tristan's crew had caught him at a somewhat inopportune moment; he was returning from Hadsworth.

Seth had always been one of Saul's closest friends, even before they left the comfort of Hadsworth manor. He neared the oak door and knocked, then pushed it open without waiting for a response.

'Saul, what do you need now? I hope you didn't break that chair again. If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, don't lean back... What's going on?' he paused and looked around in shock.

Scraps of paper and maps were strewn about carelessly; it looked like some sort of confetti party, gone wrong. And Saul was in the middle of it, surrounded by crumpled balls of paper, his futile attempts to draw something. Saul's aid, Simon, a young boy about 12, sat on a stool in the corner and watched carefully, not saying a word.

'Seth,' said Saul, not looking up. 'I need you to give me every detail you can remember about the manor. Specifically, the tower.'Saul said, scribbling furiously on the blank side of a map.

Seth hesitated, did Saul suspect anything? 'W-why?' 'Because,' quipped Saul irritably. 'I'm sending some one to the cells to see if Anyé is there!'

Seth breathed a sigh of relief, and then had an idea. 'Why don't you go yourself? Why put one of your good scouts in danger? Why allow some one who would most likely mess up, when you could do it? You know what they say; you want something done right, do it yourself.' Saul looked furious at Seth's idea. 'You know I can't go near the village! If anyone, any one sees me, and recognizes me, this whole place is toast!'

A voice from the back of the room spoke up. 'That would be the nice toast, right? With boysenberry jam?' both adults looked over at Simon, who got the message.

He quietly picked up his stuff and walked out, no questions asked.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, however, he pressed an ear to the keyhole. As he strained to eavesdrop, a thought occurred to him, "So what if curiosity killed the cat, I bet the information was worth knowing."

Back inside, the battle raged.

'All I'm saying is that I don't think you should put anyone else in danger for her mistake! She should have stayed out of trouble!' shouted Seth.

Saul was in no mood for this, he too was shouting. 'She's my responsibility! I was told to look after her! How long do you think it would take for Henric and his... minions and his... flunkies,'

Seth looked taken aback. 'Flunkies?'

'Yes, I said flunkies! How long before they find her and realize who she is?

'A couple of days in the cells wont hurt her, what'll they do? Force her to clean the place without magic? I'm not saying leave her there to rot, just for a little while."

"Things are not good right now! The more news I hear from Aldebaran the more worried I get. Did you know that now Henric has at least two Wizards at his disposal? And on top of that, Rigel has gone missing! He was the only one who kept their secret!'

"Aldebaran will be fine; those wizards who left were probably tired of his nagging, which is an awful lot like yours' replied Seth.

'Seth don't you dare test me! I am still the head of this community! Someone is going in there and now to get her out. Seth, any more mutiny on your part will lead to dire consequences. You may go.' Saul said, finished.

Seth's eyes blazed angrily, but he left without another comment.

Simon gasped out side the door; Seth was coming, and fast. Simon quickly dashed down the hallway to the flight of stairs. He needed to be a good distance away before Seth saw him. Simon looked around, and his eyes locked on to the banister, curving all the way down the stairs, it ended right outside the kitchen doors. Perfect.

When Seth reached the top of the stairs, the heavy kitchen door closed with a snap. Suspicion took over as he walked slowly down the stairs, his pace quickening with every step, until he was taking the stairs 3 at a time. At the bottom, he casually poked his head into the kitchen, and looked around. Mary was supervising dinner, and flour covered Simon walked by, carrying an enormous bowl of batter.

He smiled happily at Seth and asked. 'How did your meeting with Saul go? The yelling sounded so warm and heartfelt when I left.' he smirked.

Seth growled and mumbled something before slamming the door. A hissing noise filled the room, but Mary's yell soon drowned it out. 'NOT THE SOUFFLÉ!'

Sneaking out of the kitchen a few moments later, Simon decided to tail Seth, something was up, and it had to do with Ailise's disappearance. Simon had a strong hunch that Seth knew exactly what was going on. Seth signaled to one of his followers, a weasel man with graying hair and a goatee named Connor. Anything underhanded went on in the valley and if Connor wasn't part of it, he knew who was.

Seth kept walking to the edge of the camp, and ducked inside a small grove of trees, Connor followed, and so did someone else.

'Connor,' Seth spoke. 'I need you to make sure that none of Saul's orders are followed, spread some talk, like... he's going crazy, out of control. If you do well, I'll be able to make you a very rich man when I take over. Understand?' Connor nodded. 'Got it sir!'

Nearby, Tara was feeding her horse in the stables, when she heard hushed angry voices coming from outside. She crept to the door and listened.

'And one more thing,' whispered Seth, 'you report to any one other that me, or betray me, and I'll make sure the Tollonians find you. No doubt they still want the man responsible for the death of their king.'

Connor blanched, Seth was the only one who knew about his prior job working as a mercenary for the Brocklebanian army. And unfortunately it was a valuable piece of black mail.

Connor nodded again and left the grove. Seth stayed until Connor was out of sight, and then headed to the stables, very smugly. He placed the saddle and bridle on his horse, a large gray steed, and spurred him out of the stable, and galloped through the woods north to Caperoni, unaware that he had been seen.

As soon as the grove was clear, two shadows hurled themselves out of hiding, one on horseback the other on foot.

Tara followed Seth, and Simon flew through the woods, heading straight for Hadsworth. Simon knew there was only one person with enough magic who could stop Seth from taking over, and she happened to be in one of the cells.


OOoooo!

haha... please leave a review about the Saul/Mary Romance question.

PS Mary's name may change because it is too close to Marianna, a sorceress that will not be introduce until later. She was mentioned in an earlier chapter.

please review.

thanks

D.L. Shores