Hello everyone! Thank you for reading my last chapter. This chapter you will learn what happened to Charlotte, the girl who started the mutiny back in chapter 8. Along with the daughters finally allowed to go down to the village. What kind of mayhem will they cause? Thanks for reading as always!

Chapter 14:

Once the four had gone back inside, Cassandra went to the nursery and remained there while Bela and Daniela rejoined their mother in the study. They had more homework to finish, which prompted Bela to inquire if their mother wanted her to get Cassandra.

"No. She will simply have to finish her homework later plus the extra she will need to make up…"

"Bela can you help me with this?"

"Of course," Bela said, helping Daniela with a small portion of her penmanship.

The hours yet again ticked by quickly for the three with a surprise appearance made by Cassandra. She entered quietly and took a seat to Bela's left, getting to work on where she left off. No one said a word. There was a brief; silent exchange between Alcina and Bela before they refocused their attention back down to their work.

Just as Alcina set down her pen and reached for her stamp did the phone on her desk ring. She picked it up and listened quietly. All three daughters trying to look like they were not listening, jumped when their mother slammed the phone down on the receiver.

"Curses! That Abbess is worthless."

Daniela and Cassandra looked at Bela, expecting her to inquire what was the matter. When she did not, Daniela nervously asked:

"What is wrong, Mother? Is there anything we can do to help you?"

"That is kind of you to ask, dearest," Alcina said, taking the stamp and pressing it down on the letter. "It seems the Abbess cannot ship out the specific maidens I have inquired for. These children were meant to be used in my next vintage…"

"Oh," Daniela could only think to say.

Cassandra; however, was thinking about this for a brief moment and realizing the grand opportunity presented to them.

"Mother? Perhaps we could fetch you some girls down at the village?"

Alcina stared at her child quietly. Not at all surprised Cassandra would suggest such a thing. Always the opportunist.

And yet… perhaps she would need to finally send them down to the village. She needed to make this specific brew and have it prepared in the next two weeks for an important client. She truly did not want to. She knew they would be safe, but still. This would be the first time they would be on their own without her. Anxiety gripped at her heart and at the same time she felt pride. Looking at each of their faces. So full of hope. Excitement at the new prospect of being allowed to go into what was always forbidden territory.

'Even my Bela looks just as eager as Cassandra. Perhaps it is time I allow them to go off on their own.'

"Mother?" Bela said.

"Very well, but I am leaving you, Bela, in charge when you are down there. I expect you to return in at least an hour. If I have to go down in search of you, you will all be punished, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Mother," Bela and Daniela said together.

As for Cassandra she was bouncing up and down in her seat, giddy with excitement for this trip.

"How many girls shall we collect, Mother?" Bela asked, always getting down to the business rather than play.

"Four will suffice, and you may have a little bite to eat while you are down there."

"When can we go? Now?" Cassandra was on the edge of her seat.

"Tomorrow. The weather will be much warmer and you will go in the morning."

Cassandra, who enjoyed sleeping in, groaned slightly at that. While Bela and Daniela talked amongst themselves. No doubt Bela would plan out the entire trip and ensure both her siblings followed it exactly. Alcina sat back in her seat, still uneasy about letting them go on their own. No harm would come to them she knew, and the sight of them so happy made the worry ease little by little.

If only she knew…

{-}

The next morning:

Alcina had been sound asleep in her bedchamber with Daniela asleep to her right and Bela to her left until Cassandra came in. Crawling directly on top of her mother and shaking her awake.

"Cassandra…" She groaned, opening one eye to look at her.

"Time to go. Now, Mother."

"Not quite," she yawned, starting to drift back to sleep. "Go back to sleep with us for a little longer."

Cassandra growled in frustration. This is not what she wanted to hear! So, she attempted a new tactic by nuzzling her face against her mother's. Nipping at her face to grab her attention. Sadly this backfired on her. Instead of waking her as Cassandra had hoped, her mother wrapped an arm around her.

"Mmm." Now she felt like a sad little doll. Unable to wiggle free of her mother's grasp, she had no choice but to materialize off her and plopped down in the rose embroidered chair.

She crossed her arms, pouting. Hating that she had not gotten a wink of sleep. She was so excited about this adventure, and now it was so close. Just within her reach and all that was stopping it from beginning was her mother getting a few more minutes of rest.

Well, she was certainly going to make it known how annoyed she was by this, and made as many vocalizations as she could. Daniela turned and remained asleep on her back, their mother's arm securely locked around her midsection, while Bela lay as though she were dead.

Cassandra would not be so lucky…

Silence fell. The fire crackling lively in the hearth, Cassandra released one final growl before she decided to do something drastic. Shifting herself so she was now perched in the chair, she released a cackle before she dived onto the bed. Arms spread out, like she were a bird attempting to fly.

The bed creaked loudly with the added weight and for one moment it seemed the legs would snap, but thankfully they held strong. That being said, Cassandra had landed directly on top of her mother, who cried out more from shock than pain from this ambush.

Daniela bawled out in pain as Alcina accidently flexed her arm in order to reach for Cassandra, while Bela had tumbled right off the bed, her eyes bloodshot and filled with a murderous rage at her.

"CASSANDRA!" they all roared.

"Can we go now?" was her reply.

"Cassandra," Alcina said very slowly, her own eyes bloodshot and changing color in her growing fury. "You best get off me and get yourself prepared for your trip. /Now/."

"Finally!" Cassandra exclaimed, materializing out of the room.

"Ow…"

"Are you all right, dearest?" Alcina whispered, her tone softening to her youngest.

"I think so."

"I am sorry." She pressed a kiss to her forehead and then turned her focus over to Bela, who was back on her feet and looked most disheveled; Alcina fought back a grin at the sight of her. Her hair was sticking up, which made her look very much like a porcupine, along with dark circles and heavy bags under her eyes. Poor thing was exhausted and no doubt ready to kill Cassandra. "I wish I could say let us go back to bed, but I fear that will now be impossible. Come, my loves, you best get prepared, too."

Daniela crawling out of the bed extended out her hand to her mother to help her out. Alcina taking hold of her hand, making sure not to crush it, slowly rose up to her full height and led them out.

Cassandra had already been dressed and was waiting impatiently for her siblings to get dressed. Once they had finally donned their dresses, they all marched down to the Entrance Hall.

Bela walking right beside her mother while Daniela and Cassandra whispered together.

"We will scare all the yokels," Cassandra grinned, malevolently.

"We could take all the babies and children," Daniela giggled. "They have the freshest blood."

"No, virgins have the freshest blood," Cassandra said. "Babies and children have the best flesh."

"I disagree," Daniela said.

"Depends on the baby and child," Cassandra replied.

Bela rolled her eyes at them. Feeling her mother's hand rest on her shoulder, she looked up at her knowing what she was thinking before she even spoke a word.

"One hour."

"I understand, Mother."

"Watch over them."

"I know," Bela said. "No harm will come to them. I promise."

"Come on, Bela!" Cassandra and Daniela were already over by the door. It wide open and blowing in a warm breeze.

"I expect you to obey Bela, and remind you of the punishment you will receive if you disobey. One hour. That is all."

"We know!" Cassandra said.

"Cassandra!" Alcina's tone firm. "I expect you to mind, Bela, and…"

Cassandra raised her brows.

"Have fun."

They all started to giggle at that. Cassandra nudging Daniela before she took off down the road, Daniela calling after her as she bolted after her.

"See you soon, Mother." Bela started to walk when Alcina's grip on her tightened. She looked up as her mother leaned forward and kissed her cheek. She closed her eyes for a brief moment. The love she felt for her mother deeper than a mother-daughter bond. Suddenly her mother released her and remained in the doorway, hands clasped together as she watched her darlings go.

Bela smiled broadly before she turned away and soared down the road after her siblings.

{…}

The village:

Charlotte awoke to someone pressing a cold cloth across her forehead. She had been going in and out of consciousness. After she had escaped the imprisonment of the castle, she had been wandering through the village and stumbled upon a loan path. The path led up into the back woods, but to where she had not been able to discover. Something large and dog-like had appeared before her and chased her. Forcing her back into the village where she hid inside a barn. She had been in the barn for a few days', living on the chicken eggs for food and snuggling up against the cows for warmth at night.

Eventually she left the barn and once again tried to use the path only to find it blocked by thick, black vines. Confused as to what the vines even were, she had boldly poked it with a stick and gasped.

The vines moved! As if they were alive.

She ran back down the path once again finding herself stuck in the village with a horrific realization settling down on her. What if all who lived in the village were trapped? What if those vines were a sort of pen if you will? Fencing off everyone from trying to escape.

"Then I am trapped here as well…" she shuddered, a chill running up and down her body. The icy wind not helping the frigidness descending upon her.

She had no idea how long she wandered throughout the village. Hiding and sneaking about. Stealing food from whomever until she met a kind physician. He had brought her into his house, well, more accurately carried her inside. She had collapsed on the spot unable to move another inch.

"How is she doing Papa?" she had heard a girl ask.

"She still has a fever, but with this medicine she will recover soon."

How many days ago had that been? Or maybe not days, but weeks? A month. She could not remember.

"Look, Mother, she is opening her eyes."

"Shh, not so loud Katja."

"W-where am I?"

"It is all right, child, you are safe. Get some more rest."

"Who are you?" Charlotte said, the sunlight pouring in from the window hurting her eyes.

"Katja the curtain."

Charlotte able to see much more clearly was staring at the face of a woman around the age of forty. She had blonde haired pinned up and wore a plain black dress. The child named Katja looked to be around sixteen. She had brown hair and wore a similar dress like her mother's.

"My name is Charlotte."

"Charlotte, what a beautiful name. This is my daughter Katja, and my name is Myra. We are truly grateful to see you awake. I made some soup if you would like to have some?"

"That sounds good, thank you."

"I will be right back."

Myra left the room while Katja remained behind. She clearly wanted to talk, but did not know where to begin. So, Charlotte eyed around the room. It was small and clearly had belonged to a young girl. There was a doll house in the corner and drawings of animals, flowers and one of a man, woman and two children.

"Was this your room?"

"Oh, no," Katja said. "This actually belonged to my sister Abigail, but she passed away a few years ago from an illness."

"I am sorry."

"Mother rarely ever comes in here, but the moment she saw you she changed her mind. It is funny," Katja said with a growing smile. "You do look like her."

Charlotte did not know how to respond, thankful when Myra entered into the room a moment later with a steaming bowl of soup on a tray.

"Be very careful. It is hot."

"Thank you," Charlotte blew on the soup, picking up the wooden spoon and scooping a small portion, staring at the chunks of meat, carrots and potatoes. Her mouth watered in preparation for the food.

"Come, Katja, let us leave her to eat in peace. I will return in twenty minutes to check back in."

The two left allowing Katja to attack her soup, coughing a bit when a piece of carrot went down the wrong tube, she chugged down the glass of water that was on the tray as well and set it down with a sigh.

'I look like her dead sister, huh? I am not sure whether to be flattered or slightly terrified.' She thought, setting the tray aside and getting up to her feet to snoop about. There was really not much to look at. A small closet, a bookshelf and a single window. She opened it to get a little breeze to cool the stuffy room, sticking her head out and taking in a deep breath. The village appeared calm. Nothing out of the ordinary save the cruel castle that loomed over it. Its shadow reminding her how evil and twisted the entire village was. The darkness that controlled all the poor souls including Katja and her mother. 'I have to find a way out of here. To save them. To save everyone here.'