~Chapter 25~

Joel

I climbed down the side of that humongous castle wall slowly, but safely making it down to ground level where Eugene was waiting for me.

"How'd it go?" Eugene asked eagerly.

"I'm glad to know she's alright. I just need to get her out of there." I said nervously.

"I can tell you care about her." Eugene smirked.

I could tell what he was implying.

"It's not like that…" I reasoned, "She's had it rough. I'm helping her out."

"Uh huh." Eugene rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"C'mon it's late, let's get back to town. I think Maurice would like to know his daughter is alright." I said quickly changing subject.

Eugene and I got back to the town after a hard ride and we knocked on Maurice's cottage door to give him the news regarding his daughter. He was grateful that we went out of our way to return to tell him. In appreciation, he offered his home to stay in while we were in town for as long as we liked. It was very generous. As Eugene and I made ourselves comfortable, I felt that all too familiar summoning power from the mirror in my knapsack. Eugene looked at me funny wondering if something was wrong, which I simply dismissed it. I excused myself to go outside claiming we needed some more wood for the fireplace in the house. Discreetly, I slid the mirror into my pocket saying I would be right back, which Eugene seemed to believe.

I went outside and out behind the stable making sure I had my privacy before I answered. Finally her reflection came through and she looked angry, but she always did to me. I had been dreading this conversation for awhile now.

"Joel, you're overdue on your report." Corissa snapped.

"Yes I know, I haven't had a lot of private moments to report in."

"All is well?" She inquired.

"Y-Yes...Noella has spoken to five mirrors so far. We're working on the sixth."

"Excellent. My mirror has assured me there are a total of seven provinces, so two more remain. Are you ready to do your job?"

She asked in such a way, I felt like I was being tested.

"Yes, I am ready, able, and capable." I assured her.

"Good. Don't screw anything up. When you return to my mountain after the job is done, you will receive a handsome reward for your loyalty and I will release your family to you."

"I swear all will be done as you wish." I promised.

Then the mirror light faded and Corissa's face disappeared. I slid the mirror back in my pocket and grabbed some wood as I rounded the corner of the stable to return inside, but to my surprise Eugene was standing there waiting for me.

"Need help?" He asked.

"I got it...thanks." I answered as we both walked back to the house.

Immediately I felt nervous. How long was he out here and did he hear anything he wasn't supposed to?

We went inside and the two of us were pretty silent for the rest of the evening. I chalked it up to we were both tired, but that was being rational. I knew in my gut...surely he overheard my conversation, but he never brought it up. Maybe it was all in my head after all, my guilty conscience was really getting to me. All the secrets were enough to make any man crazy and I had my fair share. The following morning, Eugene and I went to the Snuggly Duckling because Eugene had more questions about Rapunzel. Hook Hands was as useful as he was last we talked to him. He knew just as much as we did.

"Say, does that mirror of yours work for anyone?" Eugene asked me.

"I think so." I shrugged.

"May I?"

I nodded handing him the mirror. Eugene faced me as he asked to see Rapunzel and all we saw was a hooded woman riding on horseback furiously through the woods. It was hard to see her face, but Eugene looked so relieved at seeing her.

"At least I know she's alive and with Maximus!" Eugene nodded.

"Who?" I questioned.

"Ah, the uh, horse." He answered.

"Feel better?" I asked as Eugene handed me back the mirror.

"I wish that mirror could give me specifics on her location."

"Hey, take it or leave it." I shrugged.

The next few hours, Eugene and I discussed things mostly about Rapunzel and where she might be going in a rush. However, then I filled him in more about the Noella situation and the beast who apparently has her and Belle imprisoned. I hated the situation and feeling like I couldn't help Noella and Belle get out of their predicament. I didn't like feeling useless. I asked the mirror to show me Noella again and she was out on the balcony where I last saw her. She looked deep in thought, I'd say she looked pretty anxious.

"What's wrong?" Eugene asked suddenly.

"I just wish I could get Noella out of there right now. I hate this waiting around." I sighed heavily.

"Easy there tiger. We'll get them out in no time. We just get to be patient."

"Yeah, good thing it's one of my strong suits."

"Could have fooled me?" Eugene smirked.

"Touche, my friend." I laughed lightheartedly.

"She means a lot to you doesn't she?" Eugene suddenly asked.

His question caught me off guard, which usually didn't happen with me. In my line of work, I was trained to be prepared for anything and yet I hesitated to answer.

"I just want to help her find her mother. She's been on such a long journey and…"

"Why do you refuse to admit it?" Eugene asked again pelting me with these hard questions.

Naturally, he had no idea of course.

"It's complicated, Eugene." I shrugged.

"Can I give you some friendly advice?"

"Do I have a choice?" I smirked.

"Look, I overheard your conversation earlier."

"Oh, really?" I said sheepishly not like I was surprised.

"Cut the act...you knew it." Eugene replied, "While I'm sure I don't know all the details of whoever that was you were talking to and why a guy like you is taking orders from someone like that, but just know you don't have to choose that path. Be your own man."

"Easy for you to say!" I snapped, "You don't realize who I'm up against."

"Look Joel, I used to be a thief...a very skilled one I might add. I used a persona to ignore who I was and lying was second nature to me and all I cared about in this life was getting ahead and making money even if that meant stealing. I'm not proud of my past, but that was all before I met Rapunzel."

I listened to Eugene as he explained more of his story and background, but the more I thought about it, the grumpier I became. We were completely different in this regard, but I continued to listen to his story.

"Here was this girl who had been secluded in this tower her whole life and who never had much, showed me that there was more to this life than what money could offer. She changed my heart and I fell in love with her. She brought out the best in me even when I couldn't see that."

"I appreciate you telling me that Eugene, but I'm a little different."

"Of course you are." He nodded, "But we're also very similar in our mindset. I may not have a ton of wisdom, but if there's any I can give you it's just simply follow your instincts because no matter how much you deny it, it will usually always lead you in the right direction."

"Thanks Eugene." I nodded simply.

"Right, well that's enough for one day, let's get out of here."

With that, we left the Snuggly Duckling heading back to the cottage. Eugene and I settled down on the couches in Maurices living room. Eugene turned over falling asleep in minutes, though I stared at the ceiling for a long while lost in my thoughts. There was truth in what Eugene said, but still Corissa was powerful. Surely, if I chose to spare Noella's life, I could think of someway to mislead Corissa or fake Noella's death somehow. It wasn't impossible, but it would be hard to pull off.

My mind plagued me with nightmares all night that I hardly slept and they all centered around me murdering Noella in numerous violent ways. The guilt I felt from those dreams was so intense it was almost tangible in reality. Maurice made some bacon and eggs for Eugene and I before we went into town. Eugene wanted to meet up with Hook Hands before we returned to the castle. As we made our way through town, I heard whispers among the townsfolk about a Nightingale. I had never heard of such a thing, but it definitely got Eugene and I curious.