Warnings: Depiction of a near drowning. Someone gets shot in the eye.

Chapter 2: The Fall of the House of Tildrum Part 2: Escape from Ding Dong Dell

Aranella lead the way, with Ratja close behind, Evan doing his best to keep up and Roland taking up the rear. He had no need to spare another look back to check if the soldiers were following as the sound of a multitude of booted feet pursuing them was not far behind.

Aranella burst through a door to their right. "Close it behind us," she instructed while exercising some self control to keep her voice low. "And try not to slam it."

Roland didn't see the point considering the soldiers would've seen them disappearing through it, but he spared a few precious seconds to do as instructed regardless. But slowly he began to understand as with each door they disappeared through – even one that took them up a flight of stairs – the sound of pursuit gradually became quieter and quieter and they lessened their sprint to a jog.

"We maidservants know these halls better than any soldier," Aranella explained, perhaps unnecessarily. "They'll never catch us now."

They were now moving swiftly but quietly down yet another corridor and Roland glanced back before he commented. "I'm surprised none of the doors were locked. You'd think they would've locked some to restrict our movements."

"I would imagine they choose to keep the doors unlocked so as not to hinder their own movements, Mr Crane," she replied easily. "There are secret passages known only to the Tildrums all throughout the castle that could bypass any locked door, and is a fact they would be aware of even if they do not know where those secret passages are." She stopped before a painting of one of Evan's ancestors and paused to throw a look up and down the corridor. "Ratja, Evan? Do you hear anyone coming?"

"No," Ratja replied as she and Evan shook their heads. She glanced down and somewhere off to her left as she added, "Most of their efforts seem to be focused below us."

"Good." She ran a hand down the righthand side of the picture frame until she found the button she had been feeling for and pressed it. The painting swing away from the wall, revealing a glyph in the shape of cat paw imprinted on the space behind it. "Evan, the Mark."

"R-right." Evan raised the Mark of Kings and the glyph responded, glowing with a bright blue light. Roland watched amazed as a section of the wall to the right of the painting moved aside with the rumble of stone against stone, revealing a narrow, stone staircase leading down. The section had been so well camouflaged that he hadn't even seen a join.

"Quickly now, everyone," Aranella urged. "But let Evan go first, we'll have need of the Mark once again." As the others filed into the narrow space, she quickly swung the painting back into position and pressed it against the wall until she heard it click into place before following.

The stairway was so narrow that Roland's elbows were jostled by the walls on either side as he fanned his arms for balance. He strongly doubted that any of the bulkier mousekind soldiers would be able to follow them down even if they were to somehow find and gain access to the passage. Then came the grinding of stone against stone as the wall section slid back into place, plunging the stairway into complete and total darkness. "Well that's just perfect," he remarked sarcastically while keeping his voice to a whisper.

"Not to worry, Mr Crane," Aranella replied somewhere above him. "Evan, you should be able to lead the way."

"Yes, I can," Evan replied somewhere below him. "Ratja, take my hand, I'll guide you." There was a brief moment of silence before he heard Ratja. "Mr Crane," she said simply.

There were two empty steps between them, so he reached out and flailed in the dark where he guessed her hand to be until he felt something brush his hand. "There you are," she said, and he felt her hand enclose his.

"All right, it's your turn, Aranella," he said and held his hand out and up in her direction. There was another moment of silence before he and Aranella were holding hands.

"All right, lead on, Evan," she said and then they were moving again, taking each step slowly and carefully. It wasn't long before they came to a stop.

"Nella, I hear someone outside," Evan whispered.

"I hear the rustling of fabric," said Ratja. "I think they're servants."

"Can you hear what they're saying?" Aranella asked. "If they're saying anything at all?"

"Not quite, but I recognise their voices. It's Persha and Mary."

"Thank heavens," Aranella uttered. "They'll be able to help us. Let us out, Evan."

The darkness was suddenly pierced by the brilliant blue light of another paw-shaped glyph and then the stairway was filled with the grinding of stone against stone and the light from the corridor came flooding in. They heard the two maids let out a cry of alarm before a hushed and hopeful, "Your Majesty, is that you?" As Evan stepped out into the corridor, Persha clutched her chest in relief. "Oh thank heavens you're all right." Persha was a grimalkin maid, though not the persian Roland had assumed from her name but siamese. She was wearing the same uniform as her colleagues in a colour similar to Ratja's but with a greener hue. Mary on the other hand was a humanfolk maidservant with fair skin and short red hair and her uniform was in blue.

They had also not exited into a corridor but an empty room devoid of all furnishing, with the exception of a red throw rug with a gold trim and a fireplace over which a mirror had been placed, and a single blue door leading elsewhere. It was small and out of the way, which explained why the two maids were clearly using it as a hiding place. Mary cast a look at the double doors leading out into the corridor beyond, concern knotting her features. "But they're not safe here. The soldiers are still searching the castle."

"How did you two escape?" Roland asked gesturing towards them.

"Thanks to you," Persha replied. "We heard some soldiers running through the castle shouting that King Evan had been spotted and everyone was to drop what they were doing and participate in the search. They were rounding up the servants when that happened up so we slipped away while they were distracted."

"We don't know what help we'll be," Mary added, "but we'll help anyway we can." Persha seconded her declaration with a nod.

Aranella gripped their shoulders. "Thank you, Persha, Mary." She let her arms drop as she continued. "We're heading for the storage room just off the main entrance hall. There's a passage we can use to take Evan far away from the castle. But we'll need you to scout ahead to see if it's clear." She glanced at Ratja as she added in explanation. "I'm afraid Ratja here was spotted with us, so if they see her they'll know Evan's not far behind." Ratja hung her head at this, her ears drooping slightly.

"Of course, Aranella," Persha replied with a nod. "Leave it to us." The two maid servants hurried to the double doors and peeked into the corridor to check it was safe to exit before disappearing.

"We'll wait for them to return," Aranella declared and added, "We should be safe in here for the moment."

"Sure," Roland agreed with a nod. "By the way, Aranella," He continued, folding his arms as Aranella tilted her head to one side, her expression one of puzzlement and curiosity. "From what I understand of the situation, I'm getting the distinct impression that there's been some racial tension between the cats and mice."

"Yes," she grimaced, looking away. "The relations between grimalkin and mousekind have… never been entirely civil."

He raised an eyebrow and looked to Ratja. "I'm guessing she's putting that lightly."

"It's true," Ratja confirmed though with a reluctant nod and a pained expression. "My people have been mistreated by grimalkin for centuries."

"But I thought that was behind us," Evan objected. "I thought Father was making things better."

"Things aren't always that simple," Roland replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Oppression builds resentment. And resentment isn't something that can be washed away by one man with good intentions. That takes a lot of work, and a lot of time."

Evan dropped his gaze. "B-but…"

Roland turned his attention to Ratja and frowned. "So why aren't you taking their side if I may ask?"

She clasped her hands together in earnestness. "Because more than anything I want peace between our two peoples. It was a dream King Leonhard shared, and…" She looked away, her face falling, "And so did Chancellor Mausinger."

"Doesn't seem that way anymore," he remarked, perhaps a touch more coldly then he'd intended. To Aranella, he said, "And where do your people stand in all of this?"

"My people try not to get involved, for better or worse."

Roland blinked in confusion. "But… you are involved."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Your people live in Ding Dong Dell, that means they're involved in what happens. Oppression doesn't have a middle ground," he said as he shook his head. "You are either complicit with it, or you oppose it. If your people have chosen to look the other way, then they have chosen to comply with the oppression of mousekind. They can't play both sides."

It was Aranella's turn to blink. "Yes, I… I suppose you're right."

Roland shook his head this time in disbelief. "And no-one's ever called your people out on this the whole time?"

She gave an absent and noncommittal shrug. "I suppose they've been too preoccupied with the conflict between mousekind and grimalkin to notice."

His eyebrows nearly disappeared into his fringe. "Unbelievable. So your people have done nothing to stop the oppression of mousekind, and the cats and mice have let them. What would Ding Dong Dell have looked like if your people had decided to get involved?"

"We can only wonder now."

Roland shook his head again and sighed. "Well you're right about that."

They tensed at the sound of footsteps approaching before Persha and Mary were poking their heads into the room. "It's clear," said Persha.

"But we can't say for how long," Mary added.

"Then we should hurry," said Roland.

"Yes. We should," Aranella agreed with a nod. The party hurried out of the room, as Persha and Mary went on ahead, down the corridor and to another set of double doors the maids had closed behind them. As Roland briefly puzzled over why and why they hadn't just left it open for them, Aranella stopped them before they stepped through. "We'll have to be quiet," she said. "The entrance hall is at the end of corridor." And all became clear.

"Right," they chorused and stepped through the doors. Persha and Mary were waiting before another set of double doors leading into a room off to the right. At the end of the corridor was yet another set of double doors, but they had been closed he presumed by the two maids in order for them to avoid detection. The storage room was a copy of the other room they had just departed except for one difference; A bookcase in place of the exit and entrance to the secret passage way. Aranella wordlessly and immediately went to the bookcase and searched it for the hidden switch that would move it aside. The switch turned out to be one of the books. There was a click and the bookcase slid to one side with a low rumbling noise, revealing the impression of a doorway concealed behind. Just like in the movies, Roland thought.

Aranella turned away to Evan. "Evan, we'll need the Mark of Kings to open the way."

"R-right." Evan raised the Mark aloft and another cat paw glyph responded, glowing with the usual bright blue light. There was another low rumbling noise as the section of wall slid upwards and out of the way.

"Be safe, Your Majesty," said Persha from the doorway. "We'll make sure the others know you escaped safely."

"And we'll await your return," Mary added.

Evan inclined his head. "Thank you, Persha, Mary. I…" He swallowed and dropped his gaze briefly. "I hope to see you all again."

The two maids smiled and nodded before they shut the double doors, disappearing from sight.

"All right, let's go," said Roland. He Evan and Aranella stepped through the opened doorway but Ratja hesitated.

"Wait…"

They stopped to look back. "Ratja?" Evan asked. "What is it?"

"Come with us, Ratja," said Aranella, her tone and expression encouraging and maybe a touch pleading.

Ratja looked away, her expression becoming pained. "No I… I can't, Nella. I have to stay."

"You don't know what he'll do if he finds out you helped us escape."

She looked back and tried to look resolute but Roland could detect a shadow of doubt in both her face and words. "He wouldn't hurt me…"

"Like he wouldn't hurt Evan?" He asked pointedly and Ratja looked away. "Look I'm new here and I may not know him as well as either of you, but judging from the way he's handled the coup, he doesn't exactly seem like the forgiving type."

"But I can't leave him, Nella, I-"

"You love him, I know," she replied and Ratja dropped her gaze. Aranella's expression hardened as she continued, "But that doesn't change what's happening or what he's doing."

"I-I know that, Nella but… But something must've happened." She shook her head, "I can't leave without finding out what that is."

Roland exchanged a look with Aranella before he concluded, "Sounds like you've made up your mind."

She nodded. "Yes. I have. I'm not going with you."

"All right, well…If you think you'll be safe then… " He shrugged. "I guess it's not a problem. But you do realise this will probably mean goodbye."

A pained expression flitted across her face at those words. "… I do," she said at length. She hugged Aranella. "Goodbye Nella."

Aranella hugged her back tightly. "Goodbye, Ratja. Take care."

Then Evan. "Goodbye, Master Evan. Stay safe."

He hugged her back. "I will, Ratja. And thank you for everything."

"Before I forget." She pulled out a small ring from one of her pockets and placed it in Evan's outstretched hand. "Your arms band. It's packed with the supplies you'll need… well… except for food."

"Thank you, Ratja."

She and Roland shook hands. "Good luck, Ratja."

"Thank you, Mr Crane. And to all of you." And then she was gone.

"Evan. I'll hang onto your arms band for now," said Aranella.

"All right," he replied though reluctantly before handing it over. They descended into the sewers mostly in silence, the door sliding closed behind them.

At length Evan spoke up, breaking the silence. "Nella? Do you think Ratja will be all right?"

"I hope so, Evan," she sighed. "She is mousekind after all, and… they were close."

"Let's hope they still are," said Roland. As they headed deeper into the passage, a dank, wet smell began to permeate the air and the sound of running water began to grow louder.

"I think we're getting close. But…" He looked ahead. "It's a dead end."

"We'll need the Mark of Kings here, too." Another glyph and the rumbling of stone on stone as the door slid aside.

"Before we go on, let me get this straight," he said as he folded his arms. "The passageway to the sewers is secret, but not the sewers themselves, right? What about service tunnels? Would they be able to follow us through one of them?"

She shook her head. "There aren't any service tunnels that lead straight from the castle, so we don't have to worry about being pursued. We can relax a little."

"But we're not safe from… monsters did you say?"

She grimaced. "Yes…" She looked away absently as she continued. "Though it wasn't always this way. But lately we've been seeing a marked increase in their aggressiveness from all across the realm, even in normally peaceful monsters like those goos." She gestured ahead to what looked like moving green blobs of, well, goop, with eyes. They looked harmless enough, but then appearances could be deceiving. "If only we know why."

He frowned. "I see." Then looked to Evan. "Stick close then, Evan. We'll keep you safe."

Evan nodded. "A-all right." His ears, tail and general posture betrayed his anxiety.

"There was one other thing. Ratja gave me this." He pulled out the arms band to show to Aranella.

Her eyebrows raised involuntarily. "Oh! An arms band. How foresightful."

"I figured now was the best time to understand how this worked."

She nodded. "And I would agree. Very well. I'm sure Rata told you this, but an arms band is for storing and transporting weapons and items. It also allows you to switch between weapons at the drop of a hat, so you'd be able to swap your ratslicer for your pistol and vice versa in the time it takes you to blink."

"That's very handy. But how?"

"You need only think of the weapon you wish to call to hand. Go ahead and put your weapons into your arms band and give it a try."

"All right…" He vanished sword and gun into the arms band and slipped it onto his finger. Then he held out his hand, closed his eyes and imagined the sword was back in his grasp. The sword reappeared in a flash… and clattered to the floor.

Aranella smiled, as Evan laughed despite everything. "Be sure to catch the weapon after you've summoned it."

"Yeah… that would help, huh?" He picked up the sword and thought about it vanishing back into the arms band, and away it went, disappearing in another flash of light. This time he thought about his gun and obediently, it came forth. He closed his hand around the grip just as it finished rematerialising. Then he banished that too.

"Very good. You seem to be getting the hang of it."

He smiled. "Thanks." Then frowned. "I'll have to watch my ammo though. I've only got twelve shots – well eleven now," he corrected, scratching the back of his neck, "and unfortunately I didn't bring any spare."

But she smiled reassuringly. "Not to worry. The arms band automatically replenishes the ammunition of any equipped weapons."

He raised his eyebrows. "Indefinitely?"

She nodded. "Indefinitely."

He blinked. "… Wow…"

"If you're ready, we should be off."

"Yeah, let's go."

"Nella…" They both turned to discover Evan standing with his gaze fixated firmly on the ground and his fists clenched at his side. "Did Mausinger really…? Did he really kill my father? Does he… does he really hate me?"

"Oh, Evan," she sighed.

"I know this is hard for you, Evan," said Roland. "Loosing everything in one day." Just like I did, he thought and had to swallow another rise of nausea. "But you can't stop and think about it now. You have to keep moving forward until it's safe, all right? Do you think you can do that?"

Evan raised watery eyes. "I'll… I'll try, Roland."

"Good. Then let's get going." They continued deeper into Ding Dong Well with their footsteps echoing off the walls. For Evan's sake they dodged the monsters where they could, but sometimes they were forced to fight. "What are these things, anyway?"

"They're skeleplams," Aranella replied. "They're one of the most common monsters in the Summerlands."

"I mean like, are they… were they…" He gestured unhelpfully, "were they people?"

Her eyebrows raised involuntarily. "Ah… Well… Some believe they were formed from those who died in the wilderness and did not receive a proper burial, but…" She shrugged in apology. "No one really knows for sure."

"Do you not have skeleplasms where you're from, Roland?" Evan asked.

He shook his head. "We don't, no. Nor do we have arms bands or magic. And no mouse or cat people, either."

Understandably Evan looked most surprised to hear that. "Goodness, is that true? I didn't think such a place existed."

"I've been meaning to ask you, Roland," said Aranella. "Are you… could you possibly be from another world?"

"Another world, Nella?" Evan gasped, his hands going to his open mouth. "I thought those were just stories?"

"Stories?" Roland repeated looking puzzled.

"We have stories that tell of another world, one linked to our own," she explained. "If the spell that brought you to us was what I think it was, then you must be from that other world."

He blinked. "That sounds wild but… at the same time it also makes a lot of sense."

"What happened in your world that made you come to ours, if I may ask?"

"I…" He swallowed and looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."

Her expression became sympathetic. "All right, I won't press you then."

At last they came to a bridge that spanned over a deep pit, but instead of crossing that bridge they screeched to halt. Ahead of them, blocking the way, was none other than the mouse from whom they were trying to escape. Roland was surprised by how… small he was. Yet despite his relatively diminutive stature, he commanded an air of authority and respect. He was accompanied by a stout little mouse even shorter than he was, another mouse clad in full body armour and a full face helmet that obscured his features and towered over everyone else, and a small contingent of soldiers. He stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, as if he had been patiently awaiting their arrival. Roland did not have to ask who this was but Aranella hissed his name all the same. "Mausinger."

Mausinger's smile was unsettling. "Leaving so soon, Your Majesty? And I went to all this trouble, just for you."

Evan's eyes watered. "M-Mausinger. I don't understand. Why are you doing this?"

"You do not?" He smirked. "Then allow me to elucidate. This is a rebellion." He raised a clenched fist. "A rebellion against the grimalkin who have persecuted my kind for centuries." He spread his hand. "Did I not say that the current state of affairs was too volatile for a mousekind ruler?" He placed the hand on his chest, "I am simply changing it to something more welcoming."

Roland had found himself staring very hard at the smaller mouse – not to mention smallest mouse – in Mausinger's company. There was something inexplicably familiar about him, though Roland was quite certain they'd never met. But it was a sentiment the little mouse apparently shared because he was staring back just as intently. He had to drag his gaze away to focus on Mausinger. "So it's revenge in other words?"

"And you are?" The little mouse cut in, a question he'd been itching to ask.

"Crane. Roland Crane. You?"

"Vermine. Vincent Vermine."

"You call it revenge, Mr Crane," Mausinger responded. "I call it justice."

Roland's eyes narrowed. "And what kind of justice involves killing a ten year old boy?"

"King Evan had the misfortune of being born Leonhard's son." He shook his head. "It is not about who he is but rather what he represents; Grimalkin rule. And his death will bring that rule to an end."

"But you… you didn't have to try and take the throne from me," Evan objected though in his distressed state it sounded more like pleading. "I would've given it to you had you asked."

"Oh but you are mistaken, Your Majesty," Mausinger countered coldly. "The throne is not yours to give, nor can I simply claim it as my own. I must first prove myself of being worthy to Oakenhart."

"So… what?" Roland asked with a raised eyebrow and dubious tone to his voice. "This whole thing was some kind of test?" He frowned. "For this Oakenhart guy?"

"For our Kingmaker," Mausinger corrected. "And that is correct. Once King Evan is dead, the test will be concluded and I will have passed. Does this answer all of your questions?" His gaze shifted from Roland to Evan. "Your Majesty?"

"Have you been planning this all along?" Aranella demanded. "Was your friendship with King Leonhard a lie?"

"My friendship with King Leonhard was indeed a lie," he replied easily. "but the lie was his," he shook his head, "not mine."

"What?" Evan and Aranella chorused in confusion. "How can you say that?" Evan continued.

"Because it is the truth."

"But-"

"Now if there is nothing further, it is time for you to relinquish your life, Your Majesty." He nodded to the Black Knight who began to move forward with slow, sinister steps. "Come quietly, and you shall not suffer long."

Aranella raised her dagger and Roland glanced back towards the way they had just come. It was pointless to turn back as they would just be returning to a castle full of hostile soldiers, but equally they could not go forward. That just left… "Stay behind me, Evan," said Aranella as Roland turned his gaze downwards. "I'll protect you."

"Surrender the boy and you both shall live," said Mausinger. "I have no quarrel with either of you."

Yeah, like that was gonna happen, Roland thought. "Aranella. Evan. We have to jump."

"What?" They chorused.

"Don't be foolish!" Vermine objected.

"We have to jump!" Roland repeated. "Come on!" He grabbed their elbows. "Take a deep breath!" And hauled them over the side with him.

"Roland!" They both screamed as they fell.

"Matthias!" They heard Mausinger shout from above. "He cannot get away! Tildrum must die, do you hear me?!" Then the water was over their heads, the current sweeping them away and they could hear no more. They broke the surface coughing and spluttering. "Roland…" Aranella gasped. "Evan… He can't…"

Roland looked around for Evan only find he'd to yet to surface. "Oh." Oh no. He ducked back under and searched around. Fortunately the current hadn't taken him far but he was flailing around in a panic, giant bubbles of air streaming from his mouth. Roland quickly swam to him and pulled him up by his underarms. He sucked in a great lungful of air when his head broke the surface but that did nothing to abate the panic that had taken hold of him. "Evan! Stop thrashing around! You're gonna-" Evan slipped from his grasp and went under again. "Dammit!" It took Roland a moment to relocate him and pull him back up. "Evan! Hold on to me!" Evan clung to him then and after deep breath after deep breath finally began to calm down.

"Roland… that was…" Said Aranella.

"A gamble? I know."

"I don't know whether to be angry or impressed. You could have killed us all."

He smiled. "I didn't though."

"They'll still be able to catch us, you know. This river exits where the well does."

The smile faded. "We'd better move quickly then. You all right now, Evan?"

"I'm cold and… and wet," he whimpered.

"Hang in there. We're about to get much drier. Hold on tight to me, okay?"

"A-all right." They swam for the shore and climbed out.

"The exit isn't far now. But we mustn't tarry," Aranella urged and started ahead.

"Unless there's somewhere we could hide until they pass," Roland suggested as he followed.

"I'm afraid I don't know the sewers that well."

"Right… this isn't a place you visit often, huh? Guess we're running then." They all picked up the pace after that and before long they could feel a cool breeze on their faces.

"We're so close!" Said Evan.

Whoosh! Angry purple flames cut across their path blocking the way forward. "I have you now," came from behind them and they spun to face the speaker. It was the Black Knight! But he was alone.

"What the… Did he follow us?" Roland wondered aloud. "Who is this guy anyway?"

"The Black Knight," she explained. "He's Mausinger most trusted – and most seldom seen – underling. I was so hoping we wouldn't have to face him."

The flames had blocked the way back into the sewer as well, trapping them in a circle of purple fire and cutting off any means of escape. "Looks like we've got no choice," he grunted and called forth his ratslicer.

"We'll have to be careful. Rumours tell that he's gained great power through the use of forbidden magics."

He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of power? Besides the obvious that is?"

"That's something we'll be finding out together."

"Great." They both readied their weapons. "Stay back, Evan. We've got this. I hope."

"B-but…" Evan clutched his dagger. For the first time he felt like he wanted to fight. Or at least help. The Black Knight must be a truly formidable opponent – more formidable than every enemy they'd faced so far – if even Aranella was on edge. He couldn't just stand back and watch.

"Evan," Roland scolded. "Put that away. There'll be a time for that later, but not now."

"But-"

"Do as he says, Evan," she agreed and Evan deflated.

Roland waited till he'd got clear – or at least as clear as he able to get – before turning to Aranella. "You take his left. I'll take his right." She nodded and they both surged forward. She jumped and kicked off the Black Knight's shield. Roland followed up with a downward slash as he stumbled back. Their double offence gave them the edge and they were doing well, until dark flames suddenly flared to life around him and from behind the lenses of his full-face helmet, his eyes burned with a sinister red glow. There was an explosion of dark energy and both went flying.

"Nella! Roland!" Evan cried.

"Ugh, God," Roland groaned as he recovered. "Well… there's that great power, I guess." It felt like he'd been kicked in the head but he forced himself to stand regardless. "You all right?" He asked of Aranella.

"I'll live," she replied. They barely had time to ready their weapons for round two before the Black Knight – still wreathed in that dark aura – was on them, pressing his advantage and putting them on the defensive.

"Say is it just me, or does he seem to be taking us more seriously this time?" Roland ground out through gritted teeth. They were barely holding out against the Black Knight's onslaught so how were they going to win this? But he didn't have time to wonder further because there was another explosion of dark energy. Roland groaned again as he recovered on the stone floor. He didn't think he could take much more of whatever that was. He opened his eyes expecting the Black Knight to be standing over him – or Aranella – preparing to bring their fight to an end, but a jolt of horror shot through him when he saw the Knight advancing on Evan instead. And there was no where he could run! Evan clutched his dagger looking utterly petrified. "S-stay back!"

"Evan!" Aranella cried and desperately tried to struggle to her feet.

Roland swapped his sword for his pistol. The Black Knight hadn't given him the space to use it earlier but even though he did now, this was going to be one hell of a shot if he pulled it off. "Hey!" He barked. The Black Knight ignored him. "I guess Mausinger's too much of a coward to get his hands dirty if he sent you to his dirty work for him." That got a reaction; The Black Knight turned to face him with a snarl. Roland took aim and fired. The helmet's left eye piece instantly shattered and he dropped both sword and shield to clutch that eye with a howl of pain. The flames cutting off their exit died away, but so too did the ones blocking the way back into the sewers revealing Mausinger and his contingent of soldiers – and a curiously frazzled Vermine – had all finally caught up.

"Matthias!" Mausinger shouted and teleported to his side, and then to safety.

Roland and Vermine locked eyes and understanding seemed to click in Vermine's head because his expression shifted, though understanding of what, Roland could only guess at. Not that it mattered to him now. He raised his gun and opened fire, gunshot after gunshot ringing out as he took shot after shot. He'd simply been intending to scatter them or send them running back the way they'd come so hadn't taken any particular care to aim, but he was momentarily surprised by the appearance of a green barrier with a shimmering diamond pattern. His gaze flicked to Mausinger who had called forth what must be a wand and assumed a casting position. Oh great, so he was responsible. Still, it didn't seem as if he could cast the spell and move at the same time, so Roland kept firing. "Aranella! Evan! We're leaving!" They didn't need to be told twice. As they ran on ahead, Roland followed after them still firing, keeping the mice pinned. The last he saw of Mausinger as he departed the well, stepping out into the Rolling Hills, his expression was murderous. Still Roland didn't relent. He kept it up, running and shooting until his shots began to fall short of the entrance. After that he dismissed the gun back into his arms band and directed his focus into running as fast as he could. Hopefully he'd brought them all enough of a head start.

Once it was safe to do so Mausinger dropped his barrier to pin his ears as his men were already doing until the gunfire was no longer deafening. "What in the gods was that?" He demanded rhetorically.

"And who was that?" Vermine added. "I've never seen him in the castle before."

Mausinger frowned. "Nor have I. But judging from his peculiar manner of speech he must hail from that nation across the seas. The one with strange magic." He assumed a thoughtful posture as he tried to recall the name. "What was it called again? Tealeaf? Greenleaf?"

"Broadleaf, my lord. But what of the boy?"

"We drove him out of Ding Dong Dell. That… that should be enough. At least for now."

"What should we do, Lord Mausinger?" Asked one of the soldiers.

"For the moment I have more pressing matters to attend do. Take your men and pursue. Recover the Mark and see that Tildrum does not return."

"And the others?"

"Kill them as well. I have no-"

"Lord Mausinger," Vermine interrupted.

Mausinger turned to him with surprise. "Y-yes, Vermine?"

"Have the men bring Roland – that is – Mr Crane in alive, I would… I would much like to question him."

He stroked his goatee in thought. "Yes, all right. Mr Crane is to be brought in for questioning then, and you are to report back to me upon your return."

The soldier saluted. "Yes, my lord." By now the hail of bullets had ceased, so he and his men departed immediately.

The Black Knight stood and took a shaky step forward. "I will go…as well…"

But Mausinger intercepted him, placing restraining hands on his shoulders. "Hold on, Matthias. You need medical attention."

"It is just… a flesh wound…"

"Hardly a flesh wound, Matthias," he objected. "That shot would appear to have gone into your eye. You are fortunate it did not go further."

"It is… nothing…"

"Stubborn as always I see." He sighed allowing his hands to fall away as he turned to Vermine. "I will Travel us to the castle. But I must return to the throne room with all haste, so please, see our friend makes it the infirmary."

Vermine raised an eyebrow. "If I must, though he'll hardly listen to me."

"Then I am making that an order, Matthias. You will report to the infirmary upon return to the castle and Vermine will be escorting you there to make sure you do."

"Yes… Lord Mausinger…"

Mausinger stepped back and sighed. "If I can delay the Kingsbond Ceremony so that you may both attend, I will. Otherwise it would seem that you will both have to miss this most historic occasion…"

The Black Knight hung his head but Vermine just shrugged. "I helped it happen, I suppose that will be enough. Besides if you've seen one Kingsbond Ceremony, you've seen them all."

Mausinger smiled. "Very well. Then let us away." He called forth his wand from his arms band and they all disappeared in a flash.

A/N: Aranella was wasted potential so she gets to live. The Black Knight was also wasted potential so rather than kill him off unceremoniously in the very beginning I decided to let him stick around as well.

And then we have Roland with a gun that can fire endlessly and Mausinger with a magical barrier, so I simply combined the two for a dramatic escape.

And speaking of Mausinger, he gets to have more of a presence in this part of the story than he does in game.

Body Language Edit: Elaborated on their escape from the soldiers as I had originally glossed over it.