Hello everyone!

In this chapter Cassandra and Daniela sneak out of the castle and attempt to go to the village. In addition, Daniela will take notice of the portrait in the Entrance Hall and question Alcina about it. What will happen? Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 13:

Cassandra had not been pleased to learn Bela and Daniela had joined their mother in the draining process. Turning into Daniela with all her sulking. She refused to speak with her mother for an entire day until she finally burst.

"Why do you leave me out?"

"My intention was not to leave you out, precious, but from what I understood you were already engaged in another activity."

"Yes, but you still could have told me!"

"Very well, Cassandra, I will be sure you join us next time."

Cassandra looked much more pleased with herself at that, starting to walk out of her mother's study when Alcina said:

"And you will do better to treat your siblings much more kindly."

"Yes…, Mother."

Off she went in the direction of the nursery. Inside she could hear Daniela talking to herself. Something about an art project and the right book to find… She rolled her eyes.

'Be kinder… ugh.'

She entered into the dimly-lit room. The only source of light coming from the hearth and the dwindling light from the sky.

"Hello, Cass," Daniela smiled.

"What are you doing?" Cassandra wrinkled her nose at her, eyeing around the scattered books and papers on the floor.

"Art."

"Sounds boring."

Daniela frowned at her.

"Not to me."

Cassandra said nothing as she walked over to the window, eyes glued to the sky. The village quiet and calm in the distance.

"That should do," Daniela murmured.

"Hey, Daniela, want to do something together?"

Daniela dropped the book she was holding, stunned to hear Cassandra offering the suggestion.

"R-really? Like what?" she said.

"Well, how about the vineyard? We have never been down there before and I have always wanted to see the scarecrows.

"I-I do not know, Cassandra. Mother forbade us from going outside let alone by ourselves.

"Oh come on. It is not like we are going down to the village or anything," a nasty glimmer appeared in her eyes as she said this.

Daniela looked a bit more worried.

"I can see you are worried about us getting into trouble, but you do not need to worry, because I already asked Mother and she gave me permission."

"Really?"

"Of course! You know how Mother is," Cassandra said, wrapping her arm around Daniela's shoulders. "One praise and she is putty in your hands. I simply told her sweet words about the vineyard, and how much I wished to see it. Begging her on my hands and knees to see it just once. I even suggested she join us, but she said no."

"What about Bela?"

"Ahh, yes. Sadly Bela was in the same boat with Mother, though Bela simply thought me childish for even inquiring such a thing. Yet Mother agreed that we may go down as long as we returned quickly."

Daniela remained uncertain, but could not help herself to the idea of finally being able to join Cassandra in an activity. It is all she ever wished for.

"Sounds like fun. When are we going?"

"Right now."

Cassandra snatched her wrist and dragged her out of the room. Gliding down the halls and stairs with Daniela barely able to keep up.

"Cassandra!"

They had made it into the entrance hall. The doors leading out just within grasp, but that was not what Daniela was staring at. No. Her eyes were glued to a portrait of three beautiful girls. Who were they? More ancestors, perhaps? Just like the other smaller portraits of men and women.

"Daniela!"

Cassandra grabbed her again, but just before that Daniela had observed the plaque at the bottom of the portrait. The names she read making her breath catch in her throat.

"Cassandra wait a minute."

"Move it or lose it, Dani!"

The double doors burst open and in poured the sunlight. Momentarily blinding the two as they shielded their faces from the powerful light.

"Wow," Cassandra gawked, giggling wildly. "This is wonderful. Amazing!"

Even Daniela was momentarily captured by the beauty before her. Never had their mother allowed them to step one foot outside, and now…

"Come on!"

Cassandra's excitement was contagious. Daniela racing her down the path giggling as well, the two came upon the vineyard. Both staring in awe at the scarecrows. Human males their mother hollowed out and set up to keep the pesky crows at bay. A few cawing away grumpily upon the sisters unexpected arrival.

"Look at all this," Daniela said, carefully walking through the vineyard. "Cass?"

Cassandra was not paying any attention to the grapes. No, her eyes were set on the building a few feet from them.

"That must lead to the village," she whispered.

"What is that?" Daniela asked, standing beside her sister.

"I have no idea." That glimmer from earlier returning to her eyes. "Shall we go and see for ourselves?" she nudged Daniela in the ribs. "Just a quick peek and we go straight back, what do you say?"

"I say you both are in serious trouble for taking one step out of the castle."

Both froze at the sound of Bela's voice, Daniela especially. Slowly they turned around and looked at Bela, her arms crossed; brows knitted together.

"Us? What about you? You stepped foot out here, too," Cassandra shot back. "Which means you will get into the same trouble as us…, that is unless you keep this little field trip to yourself. Mother need never know and we can go on with our lives."

Bela said nothing, snatching them both by the back of their dresses and dragging them back to the castle. Her grip unbelievably strong. Stronger than Cassandra had anticipated, but she was not about to get dragged back without a fight.

Materializing into her bugs, she laughed as Bela cursed at her and swiftly spun around.

"No more games, Cassandra! Get back inside and the consequences of your discretion will not be so dire."

"Dissected what?"

"You know precisely what I said!" Bela snarled, noting the flickering grin near the corner of her lips.

"Bela," Daniela whimpered, having been flung around and feeling quite queasy. "Can you please let me go? I will go right back to the castle. Just stop tossing me about."

Oops.

"Sorry," she said, releasing her little sister and keeping her focus on Cassandra, who was no longer grinning. Her face shifting to anger and annoyance.

"What a shame. And here I thought you and I could do something, Dani. Of course we still can."

Bela growled, knowing Cassandra was attempting to get Daniela to turn around and back her up. How she was able to take any situation and turn it in her favor. It was a terrifying gift she possessed. One Bela would not fall for.

"Keep walking, Daniela," Bela said.

"She is not the boss of you, little sister! Think for yourself and make your own choices," Cassandra said.

"Be quiet, Cass!" Bela said. "Now get moving."

"Or what? You going to force me? I would love to see you try."

"My patience is waning. This is your last chance. If you do not return with me now, I will make you."

"Mmm," Cassandra sniffed, examining her nails casually. "Looks like route B is our only option."

Bela gritted her teeth, ready to rip Cassandra's head clean off. No. She took a deep breath in to calm herself. She could not lose her head. Daniela was already near the doors of the castle, thankfully. There was a brief moment where Bela had sensed she had stopped. Clearly considering Cassandra's words and deciding what to do. The options and outcomes of what would happen if she chose to follow Cassandra rather than she.

'Her fear of Mother's wrath is what drives her, and it seems her respect and fear of me as well. I just hope Cassandra does not dismantle that. We do not need another fool running amok.'

"Well?" Cassandra goaded. "I thought you were going to drag me back?"

"As you say," Bela said, vanishing in a flash.

Cassandra taken aback by her sister's speed, gasped and dropped on all fours upon Bela punching her in the gut.

'I-I cannot move?' she began to cough. Her body paralyzed. 'What is happening to my body? Why the hell can't I move? This bitch! What did she do?'

Suddenly Bela had grabbed her by the collar of her dress again and dragged her up to the castle. As soon as they had reentered the castle, she knew her fate was sealed.

It all seemed to have been a sad dream. One moment she was standing outside. Freedom! And the next she was sitting in front of a very angry Mother. Whatever Bela had done to her was beginning to subside, but she would not be moving very quickly any time soon. Her lips pulled back in a snarl at Bela who was telling their Mother of what had occurred. While Daniela was shrinking away into a corner when their mother's gaze shifted to her.

"I see," Alcina finally spoke, looking straight at Cassandra again. "Do you have anything to add?"

Oh Cassandra had many things to add, but resisted the urge to say them outright. Instead she just shook her head.

"And you Daniela?"

Cassandra just rolled her eyes, knowing that baby brat would no doubt pin all the blame on her. Of course in truth it was all her fault. Everything she had said to Daniela to lure her into joining her outside had been a fabrication. Daniela was just too stupid to realize it.

"Mother—"

Cassandra sighed softly, as Daniela started to speak.

"I-I do not have anything to say about what Cassandra and I did, but m-may I ask you a question?"

"Go on."

Daniela opened her mouth, but no words escaped her. Clearly she was wrestling with herself. Uncertain if she should even speak on whatever was on her mind.

"Um…"

"Speak, dearest," Alcina said, growing impatient.

"There is a…, a portrait of three girls in the Entrance Hall."

Alcina's face turned to stone. Her grip on her cigarette holder tightening. Her silence prompting Daniela to continue, though she was speaking much slower and quieter.

"O-our names were etched into the plaque at the bottom… a-are those gi-girls us?"

The room fell silent and still. The only source of sound coming from outside the study door where maidens were cleaning, or walking down the hall to whatever destination they were meant to be.

Daniela's words not bothering Cassandra in the least; however, Bela too looked a bit unnerved. Staring straight at her mother expectantly for a reasonable explanation, but Alcina remained mute in her seat.

Daniela looking about ready to run out of the room at the slightest movement, Alcina then relaxed back in her chair, smiling.

"There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for that my girls. One you will not remember, because of the procedure you went through."

"'Procedure', Mother?" Bela said.

"That is correct. A few years ago all three of you became very, very ill. Sick to the point I nearly lost you to a deadly virus. In order to save you three, I had a doctor come in and make you much better. She succeeded; however, there were some imperfections. The first being your memories and the second were your appearances. Those three you see in the portrait are in fact you before the sickness took hold of you."

Daniela and Bela relaxed bit by bit as their mother spoke, but Cassandra…

"What kind of sickness was it, Mother?" Daniela spoke up, much less terrified and now skipping right up to her mother.

"I cannot recall what it was," Alcina said. "But all that matters is you three survived." She reached out and stroked her daughter's cheek, smiling over at Bela who smiled weakly at her. "Now listen to me. I will not punish you for your little trip down to the vineyard, but if I hear any of you attempt to leave again without my permission there will be consequences, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Mother," they all said.

"Good. Away with you three. I have business to attend to. I will see you three at dinner."

Daniela kissed her mother's cheek before following Bela out with Cassandra slowly trailing behind.

"I cannot believe we all had become so sick as we did. To cause us all to lose our memories, and change our appearances so much."

"You fools."

Bela and Daniela stopped and turned back to Cassandra.

"What was that?"

"What I mean is you two actually believe Mother's story? Even if it was somewhat true, you two are so easily deceived."

"Why would Mother lie?" Bela said. "How dare you even accuse Mother of such a thing."

"And how would you even know?" Daniela boldly stated.

"I do not, but I know a story when I hear one. She did the same thing to us as I did to you earlier Daniela, and you fell for it all. You never even questioned me just like with Mother's story…"

"What?" Daniela said.

Cassandra laughed at her, vanishing in a plume of her bugs.

"Hey! I- what do you mean by that? Cassandra!"

"Leave it be, Sister." Bela touched her shoulder. "Come let us go to the library."

Daniela nodded, looking very angry at being deceived by Cassandra. This was a new reaction for her. One Bela was surprised to see. Normally she would start to cry, or run straight to Mother. Not this time… She looked about ready to hunt Cassandra down and confront her.

This of course was something Bela would not allow. Not letting her sister go until they reached their destination, Bela could not help but think about the story their mother had told them. The portrait. She, too, had noticed it on her way out to fetch her sisters. Never did she think her mother would lie to them. Never.

Then again what if Cassandra was right? What if their mother was lying to them? Did it really matter? Bela shook her head, annoyed. What a ridiculous thing to spin on. Childish and a waste of energy. She would remove it from her thoughts and Daniela's. There were more important things to think about than that…, or so she hoped.

{…}

No one made mention of the portrait after that. The daughters all working alongside their mother in the business. Becoming deadlier and deadlier as they honed their skills. The heat continuing to intensify, prompted many of the maidens to inquire about opening a window or two. This was instantly banished by Anya, but they were not the only ones who wanted to open a few windows.

In her study, Alcina and Bela were hard at work on paperwork, while Cassandra and Daniela were forced to continue practicing their writing. They both had been working for the past four days, which was driving Cassandra to the point of wanting to stab herself in the eyes with the feathered pen. Instead she started to whistle and tap her nails on her chair. Bela shot her a look to stop.

Cassandra stopped her tapping, but continued to whistle and then rock the chair back and forth.

"Cassandra," Alcina said. "Stop that at once and fix your posture. Or else you are going to—"

Crash!

Silence fell.

Daniela covering her mouth to hide a giggle, while Bela just rolled her eyes at her sister.

Alcina sighed heavily, rising slightly to glance down at her daughter.

"Are you all right?"

Cassandra groaned in response, rubbing the back of her head as she slowly got up and set the chair back up into its proper place. From there she did not rock back and forth, instead she rested her knuckles against her cheek and closed her eyes.

The grandfather clock continued to tick away the hours and finally Alcina set down her pen. Daniela and Bela having been keeping an eye on her, stopped what they were doing in anticipation for her to tell them it was time for a break.

"Pause what you are doing, my darlings, and let us go outside for a little fresh a—"

Cassandra went zooming right out the door with Daniela close behind.

"Girls!"

"I will fetch them," Bela said, materializing away and returning with her siblings a few minutes later. Daniela giggling sheepishly while Cassandra growled at her sister.

"I was not finished," Alcina said. "We will go out to the courtyard /together/."

"Yes, yes, can we please go now?" Cassandra said, trying to release Bela's fingers from the back of the dress.

"Follow me."

Out they followed their mother, Cassandra taking the lead while Daniela and Bela remained beside her. The servants all bowing their heads as they passed, the four entered into the dining hall and out into the courtyard. All three lowered their hoods each taking in a deep breath and exhaling with smiles on their faces.

"Wonderful, is it not?"

"It is different than fire warmth," Daniela commented.

"What an astute observation," Alcina said, smiling down at her youngest, who blushed from her mother's praise.

Cassandra walking down the steps, wandered about the area curiously followed by Daniela. It was music to Alcina's ears to hear them talking and laughing together. It was a rare sight to see. Even Bela looked at ease.

"Happy?" Alcina hummed, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Very, Mother," Bela said.

Alcina held a smile, observing Cassandra and Daniela were now investigating a hole in the ground. At first they were a bit timid to go near it, but soon Cassandra was on her hands and knees, digging. Ready to pounce on whatever giant rodent lay within. Suddenly a screech erupted from the hole, Daniela jumped up and bolted straight for Alcina, while Cassandra took a step back and watched the strange creature crawl out.

It was clumsy as it walked, screeching again and swiping at Cassandra, who easily dodged the attack. The creature; however, continued to attack while Cassandra was giggling at this little fight.

"What i-is that, Mother?" Daniela said, peeking out from behind Alcina.

"One of the guards who patrols the bowels of the castle."

"Why did it pop out of that hole?" Bela asked.

"There are many passages they have created to tunnel around the castle. Since they are not to be seen, nor allowed to roam about in the castle, they have found their own alternative paths."

"Stupid thing!"

They all watched as Cassandra shoved the creature to the ground. It collapsing awkwardly to the ground and then slowly rose back up. She was clearly growing annoyed with the thing, continuing to shove the creature away, but it stood right back up and kept following her.

"Stop it!" Curling her fingers into a fist, Cassandra punched the creature in the face. Blood and teeth flew through the air along with the creature. Hitting its back off the Statue of Sorrow. It did not rise, but it was wheezing harshly. "Annoying." Cassandra approached the creature, raised her foot high into the air and used her heel to stomp down on its head. Over and over until its head was unrecognizable. A bloody mess of brains and bone. Laughing as she did it.

"Enough Cassandra."

Cassandra turned and looked at her mother before she stepped away. As much as Alcina enjoyed watching her daughter's bloodlust and enthusiasm for violence, she also had to limit her. Once she started with her killing spree, it was hard to stop Cassandra.

Slowly Daniela appeared from behind her mother, approaching the dead creature and kicked it. She was ready to jump back in case the thing sprang up and tried to grab her, but of course it did not move. Daniela giggled in her growing confidence, kicking the creature over and over. Amused when it started to convulse and then stop.

"Did you see that?" she laughed. "It is twitching."

Alcina tittered at her youngest. How innocent she was in her childlike amusement. The child made her feel so young, and also remind her of being grateful for the small things. Daniela did not need all the luxuries as she (Alcina) and her siblings hungered for. She was content with what she already had and did not need nor ask for more than that.

And speaking of…

"Mother? When will we go down and visit the village?" Cassandra inquired.

"Soon," Alcina said automatically.

Cassandra sniffed, every time she asked her mother she would receive the same answer.

"But when is soon?"

Bela shot her a warning look to drop it, but she refused to back down.

"I will inform you once I decide," Alcina said, a finality to her tone as she turned away to reenter the castle. Both Daniela and Bela following her until Cassandra burst out.

"You lie! You will put it off until it is too late!"

Bela and Daniela went rigid when their mother came to a halt, slowly turning around to face her. Both horrified Cassandra had spoken out in such a manner to their mother.

Alcina's countenance was one of stone.

"A liar, am I?" she walked right up to Cassandra, staring right down at her unblinkingly.

Cassandra swallowed, beginning to shrink back from her mother.

"I am no liar, Cassandra, I am your mother. Simply trying to protect you and your sisters. Manage this castle; the village; the business and not to mention other small fires I must constantly put out with the staff." She said smoothly, not allowing her own anger to slip through. "Perhaps you could cut me /some/ slack, Cassandra. Rather than point accusations at me and give me more things to worry about!"

Cassandra was silent, her heart filled with shame at what she had said.

"Bela, Daniela," Alcina called to her children, pushing open the doors roughly and entering inside.