As the group approached the entrance to the tunnel, the princes immediately saw what Lord Sarek had spoken of. The top of the tunnel was just below shoulder height for James and showed no signs of increasing in height further in. The three Vegans went into immediate conference and, after several minutes, Medicus approached the pair.

"We only have the beasts we rode on ourselves and a draft animal. The only ride we can offer is on a cart. We mean no insult, but we were not expecting to be bringing guests back to our lands."

Leonard smiled at the offer.

"Thank you for the offer - we would be more than happy to accept the ride."

James was glad again of Lord Sarek's briefing because otherwise he would have hesitated after seeing the small animals - which, to his eye, looked to be a peculiar cross between a ram and a donkey that barely came to his waist. However, true to Lord Sarek's words, the pair of beasts pulling the cart showed no sign of strain after the princes entered the cart. The fit was a little snug, but workable and far preferable to walking such a long distance bent over.

The first part of the tunnel looked as any small cavern might, but after several minutes of travel, decorations began to appear on the walls and ceiling of the tunnel. The colors were bright and seemed to give off a radiance that kept the deep tunnel from becoming too oppressive. Still, both men breathed a bit easier when they finally emerged at the other end of the tunnel.

All three of the Vegan lords seemed pleased by the reaction of the princes to their first view of Vega. The land was as beautiful as any painting of a land that either man had ever seen. While the citizens kept a respectful distance, they were soon surrounded by the curious citizens - all dressed in a dazzling array of colors and all obviously fearless of the strangers in their midst.

Greeting their fellow citizens as they led the way to the palace, the lords kept a brisk pace until the group reached the gate and waited as word was sent inside to request an audience with the king and queen. The wait wasn't long and James found himself grateful that the palace was large enough that he and Leonard could pass through the doors without stooping.

Entering the throne room, Leonard noted that, while the king and queen were dressed as vibrantly as their citizens, the gaiety of their clothing was in marked contrast to their downcast expressions. As they stopped as requested mid-way through the chamber, Lord Malevolum approached the thrones and spoke in low tones to the royal couple. When he had finished, Queen Eirene got to her feet immediately and stepped down from the dais and approached the princes ad both of them bowed before her as she spoke.

"Do you really think you can revive Princess Cordula?"

Prince Leonard answered her softly.

"We have unfortunately had experience in dealing with the witch that we fear is behind her trouble, Your Majesty. If we could be told the details of what befell the princess, we will do all in our power to aid her."

Satisfied with his words, the queen looked over to the king, who gave her a solemn nod. At that, she offered her hands - one to each of the princes.

"Please rise and follow me. I will take you to where she was taken."

The three lords followed behind as the queen led the way, telling what was known of the fate of the princess as she walked.

"It happened quite suddenly one morning. According to Princess Cordula's personal maid, the princess was dressing for the day and in the midst of dressing, she suddenly gasped and fell to the floor. Although the first thought was that she had died, our court mage says that she is instead in a state between living and dead from which he has been unable to awaken her."

Inside the chamber they were led into, they saw the princess laid out atop a covered platform. Her skin was pearl white while her hair was as dark as night and her lips were a deep red of the same shade of the roses that filled the vases throughout the room. While James stayed back, Leonard approached the maiden, looking over everything about her carefully without touching. When Leonard suddenly stopped with a sharp intake of air, all decorum was forgotten as the others rushed forward to see what had caused that reaction.

Turning his head, Leonard motioned James over as he pointed to the delicately embroidered corset that the princess was wearing.

"Look at the corset laces."

James immediately saw what Leonard had.

"Woven gold - identical to the mystical ropes that were wound around Nyota's fair wrist."

The queen was visibly upset.

"I have never seen laces such as those before. How could we have missed them? That is the witch's work?"

Prince Leonard nodded grimly.

"She formed strands identical to these - I have no doubt this was done by her as well, Your Majesty. Is there a magical blade in the royal household?"

"I have a dagger that was given to me by my father on my coronation day that he claims was given him by a sorceress - a good one."

As she spoke, the queen pulled a silver sheath from her girdle and offered it to Leonard.

"I must warn Your Majesty that I do not fully know what will happen when magic meets magic. Your dagger could be damaged - even destroyed."

The queen was unconcerned.

"If using it might free our dear Cordula, it is well worth the sacrifice."

Bowing before taking the blade, Leonard unsheathed the dagger before examining the golden lace closer. Carefully sliding the thin blade underneath the lacing, he took a deep breath, then pulled the blade up through it.

When the blade bit into the gold, a blinding light erupted and Leonard was flung away from the princess, hitting one of the rose filled tables.

Everyone ran to his side, but the queen stopped suddenly at a small sound. Turning and hardly daring to believe her eyes, she saw Princess Cordula stretching as if merely waking from a short nap.

Crying out in relief and joy, Queen Eirene wrapped the startled girl in a hug. Despite the bleeding cut on his forehead, Leonard was smiling as James and the Lords helped him back to his feet.

Back in ShiKahr, Nyota startled those around her when she called out to her fellow travelers.

"They did it! They broke the curse!"

Looking to where she pointed to the ground at her feet, they saw the pieces of another golden rope. Now only eight remained.