Hey guys! Sorry I uploaded today instead of two days ago. It's because I'm very busy and that people tend to read without giving me their opinion -even negative ones are accepted- so I'm kind of crestfallen at this point but I'll continue to write because it's my passion and hope for a day that I can read what you think of my story and improve.

Chapter 11:

"Cease this madness or I won't let you slide at any cost." Pamela's ultimatum made the Witches step back and observe the brand on her arm. Everywhere they looked they only saw dust so before anyone other than the witches and Cerys could see the brand she knotted her sleeve on it.

With a silent agreement the Witches went out just as quick as they had poured in. The paralyzing spell was wearing out so one by one they started to move. Martin came to help her up. Pamela stood up dizzily from the bleeding the Witches' spell had caused. She started to stumble away that Cerys hugged her tightly, still shaken.

"Thank you." she whispered and stood back with gratitude. Her sincere actions brought smile on Pamela's lips that were wiped quickly when the situation sank.

The Queen who was helping her father up looked at her. "Don't go just yet." she commanded and came closer. Peter too followed. "Did you say you're from the Fearless?" the Queen went straight to the point as the Fearless were against her government.

Desperate for help Pamela pressed her lips together as she was trying to come up with an answer. "I have heard that the Witches are afraid of the Fearless so I figured to use it." she went around the truth.

"I see." the Queen still seemed suspicious but for some unknown reason she let the topic drop. "And your hand?" she pointed at her torn sleeve that made Pamela desperate for an answer. She was speechless for once that help came to her from the most unexpected source.

"She has injured her hand and the dirt on her shirt might cause infection so the best way is to cut the sleeve open." Peter tried to cover for her. Pamela wouldn't accept any kind of help from her family's murderer even if she was on the brink of life and dead.

She held the wall to remain looking well and strong. "That's not the reason." she rejected his answer which resulted in Peter smirk at her. "But Your Majesty, you belittle me." she pushed herself to have her eyes fill with tears. "I just saved a royal's life. Would I have done that if I was against your family? Wasn't it easier for me to sit back and not raise your suspicion?" she looked away from the Queen. "I can't stand such humiliation any longer." with that she went out.

No matter how much they called her name she didn't turn back for she had to get rid of such thoughts before they grew. Alther and DomDaniel had already left so she nodded farewell to Martin and James before heading towards the Wizard Way. As she was walking she sensed someone following her.

Pamela didn't waste time to see who it was and took out the hair pin from her hair and ran into an alley. She ran to the Wizard Tower by constantly changing her route but still was being chased. Breathless from her ever increasing bleeding, she reached its gigantic gates and let out a sigh of relief. The gates were password protected so no outsider could enter. She stopped on the steps, exhausted. Pamela saw Alther open the gates to come out so she stood straight to head inside but all of the sudden a hand grabbed her from behind and with another silenced her.

Before she could react, she was dragged behind the Wizard Tower. The person who was dragging her was also breathless and was breathing rapidly to keep up with her fighting. Pamela managed to free her right hand and used it to poke him in waist by the hair pin.

"Aghhh..." the man's shriek of pain came but didn't let her go. Instead, he pushed her hard against the wall. "You really are a piece of work." he said and brought his head up. Pamela captured her breath as she saw Peter's smug face only inches away from hers'.

Seeing him all alone in there made her start to examine all the possible areas for her to hit in order to kill him. Her right hand was free so she could maybe strangle him but she was no murderer so her body started to tremble from anger. "What do you think you're doing?" Pamela voiced.

Peter laughed. "I have something to ask from you but since you wouldn't listen to me I had to do this." his laughter grew louder as he stepped closer. "It's not such a bad position. I like it, you?"

"I hate it. Now let me go." retorted Pamela harshly and started struggle but he just pushed her harder against the wall and came closer. "What?' she shouted in his ear.

His eyes drifted to her torn sleeve. "I was just wondering about the thing hidden under that." his hand went to her arm to untie but Pamela pushed him back. "I'm a patient man but when I become angry, I'm capable of anything so just listen to me. Okay?' he threatened with a dangerously low tone and tried to get her hand.

This time Pamela pushed him harder and started to run off that he caught her from behind and tore the left side of her sleeve instead of just unknotting her sleeve. His eyes got fixed on the Fearless brand. "So it's true." he muttered with disbelief and gazed at her.

Being helpless she struggled to get away from him and tried to connect the torn side of her shirt together and hide her shoulders. Before she could leave, Peter took her arm and stood as close to her as possible. "From now on you must be a good girl and listen to me." his commanding tone raged Pamela so much that she spat on his face.

"I will never do so." she jerked her head back to be as far from him as possible. Peter didn't seem to have heard her as he wiped his face.

"You better do so or I'll make sure you will be banned from the Castle forever." his threat's only impact was Pamela's glare. "And never dare to look at me with those angry eyes. No one ever dared to treat with me like this and you won't be the first." he let go of her hand and strode off silently.

Rubbing her eyes to stop herself from crying, she walked around the Wizard Tower to see Alther standing on the steps. He turned when he saw her coming up. "What happened?" he took her shoulder to stop her and took a look at her muffled her, torn shirt and bleeding hand. "I thought you were getting your hand tended but you've gotten worse." he asked with concern.

"It's nothing, I'm fine." Pamela just wanted to be alone but Alther was far more worried.

"I thought I saw wrong but now I see it was true. A man took you, am I right? Who was he that you are at this state?" his voice seemed urgent that brought smile to Pamela mouth.

She took another step to the Wizard Tower gates. "Don't worry about me. Why are you standing here?" she asked to change the subject and was amused to see Alther blushing. "Oh, you must be waiting for Alice." she patted him on his shoulder. "Have fun."

Alther didn't let her go. "Wait, you didn't answer me." his vigilance always managed to surprise Pamela. Gently she brushed his hand off and said the password.

"Here's a tip." she lowered her tone as if telling him a big secret. "Don't ever let your crush see you holding another girl's hand even if it's your sister." Pamela couldn't laugh even to pretend so she smiled at his confused face and went in.


It had been days since she had locked herself up in her room. Pamela still hadn't changed her torn shirt and blood had dried on her hand. Every time DomDaniel banged on the door or Alther pleaded so that she would come out, her answer remained the same. She needed respite so she stayed lain on her bed.

DomDaniel had threatened to break the door open but Alther stopped him so that Pamela can truly rest. They didn't know what had happened to her but she knew that Alther had made few guesses. She was just thankful that he helped to keep her privacy. After four entire days thinking about how to counter Peter, a knocking sound came. The gentle knock was Brian's who had grown used to come thrice every day and try to reason with her. As usual she didn't answer. Sounds of whisper came and in an instant the door burst open.

The scene before her was something between shocking and hilarious. DomDaniel had detained Alther in a crystal box so the Brian could break the door open. Pamela didn't react to anything even as they all three stormed in. DomDaniel angry, Brian worried and Alther frustrated. In Pamela's opinion he was so pure to find the fault of everything only in himself.

"Locking yourself in like a child, crazy wench." DomDaniel hissed at her that made her sit up weakly. The bleeding and not eating anything had weakened her greatly. Her face was pale and her lips cracked from dehydration.

Pamela used wall as support but her hand gave in and she fell back, she closed her eyes. "I am just tired." she muttered. "Please leave." she heard some movement and whispers but didn't open her eyes. The door closed.

"Alther told me about someone taking you." Brian hadn't left and sat on her bed. "What happened?" he pulled her up and took a look at her. "Why is your shirt torn?" Pamela didn't answer and gazed at her hands. She trusted Brian but if she wanted to say anything it would have to be complete. Seeing her like that, he shook her lightly "I understand that you are trying to be independent but sometimes it doesn't hurt to let others carry the burden for you."

This was the last straw and caused Pamela to explain everything completely. She told him about Peter, Fearless and all of her commotions with Artemis. The more she explained, the more Brian looked confused. "Now I'm trying to think of a way out and don't want any disturbance so I decided to lock myself up." she just noticed her shirt and pulled the blanket up to cover it.

Brian looked at her thoughtfully. "Peter is blackmailing you because of you being Fearless?" he inquired and Pamela nod her head. "Can't you resign from being Fearless? No, I forgot, you said it's impossible." he placed his hand under his chin as he spoke.

"No matter how I look at it, the best way is to go and tell everything to the Queen." said Pamela with a hoarse voice. "I can never give in to Peter. I'd rather go and give in but not take his hand." she was determined at that. If she wasn't yet ready to kill him, she might as well fight him. She got up and went through a pretend wall that was actually the door to her bathroom and started to wash the blood off her arm. Brian's voice was coming but she didn't listen to it and changed her outfit into a loose simple white gown that was so long that it brushed against the floor as she walked.

She came out a totally different person. "I'm going to end this." she exclaimed and left to the door. Brian ran and took her to calm her down.

"From what I know, you'll be exiled from the Castle." he was worried as he pulled her back. "Please just think about it, okay?" he tried to reason with her. Seeing him like that, Pamela sat down as if defeated and nod her head. "So you're going to tell me before you do anything too rash, am I right?" Brian talked gently to have his words sink, it made Pamela smile with sorrow.

It might be the last time she would be seeing him so she smiled. "Did you know that yesterday was my birthday?" she laughed when she saw shame of not having a gift for her in his eyes. "You must give me something." her being straight forward caused Brian to laugh as well and take her hand.

"Then let's go buy you a present." said Brian and they went out the room. She saw him mimic to Alther and DomDaniel to be quiet, feeling that he had persuaded her. He ordered the staircase to go fast to be a little festive and they left the Wizard Tower to the market. It was crowded but enjoyable. Pamela used every opportunity to laugh and be happy as they were pushed aside and tried every single thing they saw.

After circling the market for hours, something caught Brian's eyes so he told her to wait. Pamela stood outside and her mind drifted to her plan. She had to do everything accordingly to make sure there would be no commotion so she wouldn't destroy the bridges behind her. It was difficult but she didn't want to part from Brian with argue and tears. He came out holding a red pocket and ran to her. "There's a festival. Let's go there." he pulled her to the lake that was decorated with colourful banners. Keeping the pocket close to him.

Everyone were dancing. "I can't dance." Pamela really couldn't as there never had been any opportunity for her to learn. Even before she lost her village, she always used to work and study with all her might. It was kind of depressing for her think about it.

"Just move and have fun." answered Brian and before she knew it, she was in middle of the crowd and twirling. They were times that she stumbled or crushed his foot but Brian just laughed and held her. After a while the music grew slow and so did they. "Happy Birthday." Brian took out the pocket and stood behind her. He tied a necklace around her neck and waited for her reaction. "I thought that it fits you the most."

Pamela looked at the necklace which was a golden crown with a red bird on top of it. He tied the matching bracelet around her wrist. "So this is what you think of me?" she smiled at the thought and looked up. "I love it, thank you." she had to look away to push back the tear in her eyes and gulped. He returned her smile and they walked out of the crowd hand in hand. When reaching the ramblings, she stopped.

Brian looked at her with curiosity. "Why did you stop? I'll walk you to the Wizard Tower." he said and continued to walk but Pamela didn't move. Instead she embraced him and hid her face in his shoulder. "Why are you doing this?" his concerned voice came. "Don't, it's like a goodbye." he tried to break the embrace but she didn't move.

"Can't I be someone other than the bird on the crown for one night?" she took a step back and smiled. "Thanks for tolerating me and giving me this." she showed him the necklace. "It makes me more determined to show who I really am." Pamela didn't want to break away but she had to so she slowly started to let go of his hand. He too seemed reluctant to let her go but did so. "I have made something for you long ago. To be frank I had help." she placed a big blue ring in his hand. "I have one too. It has communication magyk so you just have to say my name and we can talk."

He wore the ring with amusement. "Cool." he grinned and held it in the moonlight to see better. "But we see each other every day, why do we need this?" his growing suspicion was making Pamela worried so she smiled and showed him her matching ring.

"Who knows, maybe you'll miss me in the middle of the night and want to talk." she answered wryly. "I better get going, it's getting late." she started to stride but couldn't stop herself and turn back to him who was still standing there, looking mesmerized. "You know, you can't love me forever right?" she hoped he wouldn't but Brian just laughed and came closer. "It doesn't work that way. I'm a dangerous girl and you are well aware of it. I'm a member of the Fearless and fighting the royal family_" her words were cut when he kissed her cheek. Pamela stood there speechless.

He stared into her eyes. "Listen carefully, I don't know the exact reason but I won't let you go at any cost so don't you dare to think that way ever again. We can overcome everything and be together." he promised so earnestly that brought smile to Pamela's lips. She nodded her head and turned on her hills to leave. "I need that kiss back birthday girl." he laughed mockingly, believing Pamela would snap at him but she didn't and planted a soft kiss on his cheeks.

She didn't wait any further and seemingly ran to the Wizard Tower, leaving Brian in awe. After walking in that direction for a while she glanced around to make sure she was alone and changed her way to the palace. Along the way she dropped her sleeve on the bracelet and slipped her ring onto her necklace and hid it in her dress. At the palace gates she bumped into James.

When seeing her, he approached her swiftly. "You seemed kind of flushed." his comment made her touch her hot face but she dismissed the idea.

"I need something from you." she whispered. "There's a scribe called Brian Beetle. Go and make sure that he cannot leave his house for a day." she ordered and continued more quietly. "You must make sure he doesn't leave at any cost and after a day go to my room in the Wizard Tower. In the desk's drawer there are four letters with your, Martin, Princess Cerys and the Extraordinary Wizard's apprentice Alther. They are marked with names. Make sure to deliver them firsthand. Understood?" she spoke so fast that James had frowned to get a good grasp of her words.

He nodded. "Alright, but why the urgency?" asked James just as quietly.

"I'm going on a trip so I need you to do this." she had already prepared everything and was ready to accept any punishment. Pamela went into the palace and straight to the Queen's chamber. "I need to see the Queen." she told the guard who knew her as he also worked in the army. He nodded and announced her. After a short while, the Queen granted entrance and she went in.

It was the most luxurious room that Pamela had seen. The Queen was sitting at her working desk with her husband sitting next to her, obviously in middle of a discussion. "What brings you here?" she asked curiously.

Pamela took a deep breath. She was doing this to survive so she sat on the ground with her skirt circling her. "Your Majesty, I have a confession to make." she said loudly that made the Queen's eyebrows fly up. "I truly am from the Fearless." she said fast to not chicken out in the middle. Her sudden confession caused the Queen to stand up with vigilance and stare at her. "I'm tired of pretending to be someone else so I am revealing my secret to lift the burden of my heart. Any punishment you order I will follow gladly." she grew quiet as the Queen paced the room.

The Queen would agree; it was something she was certain about. "You know that you'll be exiled for this?" asked the Queen without wanting any evidence and when Pamela nod her head she sat back down graciously. "What you want in return?"

"Two things." Pamela wasn't surprised to see the pleasure in the Queen's eyes. "First, don't demote my men as they are not connected to the Fearless in any way." she paused to observe the Queen. "And second is to execute my punishment privately." she pressed her finger together. "Just a small tip as a repay for what you have done for me. Pay close attention to the Chief Hermetic Scribe Peter, he's not to be trusted."

The Queen clenched her jaw at her commanding tone. "What if I don't?" she challenged and glanced proudly at her large portrait on the throne that was sitting next to the balcony. "You're not doing me any favour. You are a criminal, just a commoner girl who has been in the Castle for a year but is foolish enough to think of herself so powerful." her sarcastic tone disturbed Pamela but she laughed.

"I am doing you a favour by surrendering." countered Pamela and stood up, looking powerful with her bun pulling her hair back to show her stern face. "What do you think will happen if you make my exile public or better yet, I seem reluctant to it." she started counting with her fingers in front of the Queen and her husband's astounded eyes. "Remember the rebels whom I brought to the Castle? They'll revolt. The soldiers that I was their comrade, what about them? They'll abandon their post." she smirked as she continued. "And don't forget that I came to confess as a member of the Fearless. If I say so, they'll rebel as well and will shake the royal family because they owe me. I won't go on to mention other powerful people who are connected to me."

Her description of the situation made the Queen shake. In her opinion, Pamela was the most horrible person on the planet who had gone this far at such a young age and was still trying to do more. "So should I thank you for this?" Queen Mathilda tried to keep her authority. "Alright, when do you want to be exiled? Tonight or tomorrow?" she asked and went to the door. "Send for the soldiers." she closed the door and turned back to Pamela.

The calm smile on her lips made the Queen anxious of the thoughts going on in her head. "Tonight and privately please." said Pamela as if ordering a sandwich. The guards ran into the room with a military formation and slammed their feet against the ground. They started to salute to Pamela before the Queen that she shook her head to stop them.

Queen Mathilda ignored their insolence. "I, Queen Mathilda, hereby exile criminal Pamela with the highest amount of security and she shall not be allowed to step out of her place of residence for as long as the order is valid. Only I have the power to change this order." she read loudly as she wrote the decree and rolled it close that Martin came in. "Make sure to execute the plan completely." she handed the decree to the confused Martin who opened it with rapidly.

He read the decree and stared at Pamela with his mouth open. Seeing him ready to object, Pamela creased her eyebrows but smiled to show him that it's her own free will. With a small salute to the Queen she went out, guarded by tens of guards with Martin leading. Every minute he glanced back but didn't say anything. Pamela knew she would return because she had left to survive. The only help she needed was from God so she walked confidently through the palace corridors with her head held high and walking straight. She didn't need anyone so didn't have anything to fear. All the way out, she just clutched Brian's last gift to her.

Thank you for reading and hope you're not sad at this chapter. I'm guessing that in a short amount of chapters this story will end as well. Be sure to review to give me energy or correct me with your natural critic. Farewell.

P.S. This chapter wasn't meant to get this long but sometimes I tend to lose the control over my hands. :-)

P.S.S. Who is your favourite character? Name the top 3.