Chapter 13:

James was set back by Artemis's question. He took a secret glance at Pamela who was acting weird. He looked away quickly to not give her away.

Pamela untied the fabric around her face and started mouthing to James who was trembling. She knew an answer but was unable to convey it to him. She motioned at the Queen repeatedly to have him get it but his eyes only showed confusion and he couldn't look at her long enough to get it. Taking the risk, she took a step out of shadows and showed him the Queen then acted as if killing herself.

Finally getting her, James's eyebrow raised and he looked at Artemis. "It may be prudent but I will do as you say." he blinked once to have Pamela go back into shadows but she just hid her face and remained where she was. "My death is three days sooner than the Queen herself." he answered with a smirk that Artemis returned bitterly before standing straight.

Queen Mathilda seemed uneasy by his answer. "Are you threatening me?" she voiced to show her presence.

"I dare not Your Majesty. I was asked for a prediction so I simply obeyed." James replied calmly that took Pamela by surprise. Artemis still seemed unconvinced so she kept quiet.

Cerys jumped in before he could be questioned any further. "With your prediction you believe it'll rain soon?" she asked that relaxed Pamela enough to go back into shadows. "When?" Cerys held her head high to show Artemis that she is the one destined for the crown and not her.

Artemis was glaring at Cerys and Pamela had suddenly disappeared before James's eyes. All these made him so nervous that he answered inaccurately. "Soon." his voice trembled off and this made him even more anxious. Laughing Artemis looked at the Queen.

"Soon? You're Majesty he's just playing us and nothing more." she went to read the words on the stone. "This writing is enough to qualify him as a traitor and _" Artemis's voice trailed off as she glanced at James and her mouth fell open. She motioned at Ethen and he harshly took off James's mask.

He then shoved James up for Artemis to take a good look at him. Pamela gasped from fear as they examined his face. "Artemis what are you doing?" Cerys said shakily and held Milo's hand. She shook her head slightly for Pamela to stay put and not to reveal herself.

Artemis touched James's face and realized the makeup. "Wipe his face." she ordered Ethen and he started to wipe James's face harshly who was struggling to get away from his firm grip. She stood straight and watched them until James's face was flushed and clean of any makeup. With a motion of Artemis's head, Ethen pushed James next to the fire so they could get a good look. "Isn't he one of your guards, my liege?" she glanced at the Queen.

Breathing rapidly from fear, James started to think. He finally spotted Pamela but she slipped down that showed there won't be any help. "Yes I am James." he shouted to not seem frightened. "But that doesn't mean my prophecy won't come true." he had to keep their winning card at all cost.

"A fraud's prophecy is also a fraud." Artemis dismissed and looked at Cerys who was trying to find a way to defend James. "And he was your most trusted friend so I guess some questioning is in need." she barked at Cerys who took a step forward bitterly.

"Know your place Artemis. I am the Castle's crown princess, don't forget that." she too knew that Pamela wouldn't help and all the risk was on James so she had to do something herself. "But considering the fact that he was with me all these years I think we can give it some time to see if it will rain as he said or not." she was doing her best to keep James alive.

She took a step back to whisper at Milo. "When did you say?" she asked quietly while Artemis was eyeing James and pacing in front of them.

"I gave all the calculations to Pamela but it has to rain until Wednesday." Milo whispered back and rubbed his neck with frustration. "She said something about it but I didn't understand and when I asked she didn't answer. What will Artemis do with him?" his question was answered immediately by Artemis who had made up her mind.

She turned to the Queen who was quiet until now. "How about we wait until the day he says?" she saw James let a breath out of relief. "But if his prophecy doesn't come true, I want to have him burned to death in public for treason." her statement drew whispers out of people and caused James to lose control and look in Pamela's direction for help.

He was terrified to see Pamela shake her head and motion him to be quiet. The Queen's agreement came without delay. With a glance at Pamela, Cerys led them to the palace with a few short words and people started to scatter.

James was breathing rapidly from fear of being burnt and Pamela could see it. She wanted to touch the Fearless brand that Tertius Fume appeared before her. "I need help." Pamela expressed and continued when she saw his silence. "I need to be Unseen."

"No, you've done enough damage." Tertius Fume creased his hairy eyebrows. "There must be sacrifices for the greater good. Have her burn the boy and use the brutality to your advantage. You can then easily dethrone the Queen." his idea made Pamela's mouth fall open that he laughed bitterly. "As if you haven't already done everything to make people fear you. What's the difference? He's just a pawn and you know it."

Slamming her foot to stop him, Pamela looked up at his goat like floating face. "I shall not have him burnt." she was determined to not sacrifice James.

"Then I won't help you." he answered just as harshly.

"Fine, don't." Pamela hissed angrily and deliberately passed through Tertius Fume who looked as if he wanted to vomit. The feeling wasn't so nice for as well but it was worth it. "Told you that if you mess with me, I'll pass through you." with a victorious smile on her face she walked off swiftly.

Ethen Beetle was guarding him per Artemis's order. Quietly she walked passed them before anyone even James could notice her. The familiar guilt came back to her as she left him but it was something she had to do. It was clear for Pamela that Artemis would kill James even if it would rain as the prophecy she had written wasn't about rain.

She walked until she reached ramblings. Pamela stopped and looked at Brian's house with angst. Her eagerness to go in was driving her crazy but she pushed it away with the reminder of her plan and moved forward. All she could hope for was James not giving in before the right time.


Two days passed with James becoming weak from not being able to drink or eat. It still hadn't rain and he knew his life was over. Pamela's disappearance was the biggest shock for him. He knew she couldn't be any help but her presence was still something. A man and few guards ran to Ethen Beetle who was watching him tirelessly.

He took out a seal and showed it to Ethen. "Princess Artemis ordered the criminal to the palace grounds." he informed and with the help of the guards they dragged the weak James to the palace. He was too tired to even struggle at first but when he saw the crowd and the royal family all standing to watch him die his body became stiff.

They shoved him into the field and left him on the ground. As Ethen stood in front of him, he saw people gasp and whisper to each other with fear. "It is proven that you tried to cause distress among our people and betrayed the Queen." at that James smirked mockingly, at least to sooth himself. "Any last words?" asked Ethen when seeing his smirk. James tried to surprise them and jumped up but the guards kicked his knee and held him tightly.

He looked at Artemis and so did Ethen. She was smiling brightly which was the opposite of Cerys who was looking at him desperately. Artemis raised an eyebrow and nodded at Ethen. "Fire him." he ordered and caught James with his heavy arms.

James struggled and glanced around for Pamela but she was nowhere to be found. They tied his whole body to a long wood and surrounded him with hay. His efforts to tear the ropes was fruitless so he gave up and kept searching for Pamela that something wet his hand. He looked up and saw the rain.

Everyone looked up at the sky that was raining lightly. Some took out a bowl to gather water but it didn't rain long and it turned into occasional water drops from the sky. James let out a breath of relief and glanced at Artemis who stood up. He was so lost in fear that he just started to see the faces among the crowd and spot Brian who was leaning against the wall, gazing at him silently.

Artemis's magykaly made her loud voice drew the attention. "Continue." she ordered curtly that rose the voices of protest among people. "His prophecy mentioned a shadow fallen on the Castle. If the rain was heavy enough then it could be considered as a shadow but did anyone feel any darkness?" her explanation made everyone quiet even Cerys sat back speechless. "So he is just a lucky fraud. Continue!" she sat down.

Shiver ran through James's body as a guard lit his torch and walked to him. James closed his eyes helplessly and just hoped to have a quick and painless death. He waited but nothing happened so he opened his eyes and saw the guard staring at the sky. He too looked up and was amazed yet again.

The bright sun was being covered by the moon and a shadow was cast upon the palace. He glanced and Artemis's confused face. Now it was clear to him as to why Pamela had left him all alone. She had deceived him to deceive Artemis. The realization brought laughter upon him, making him look like a lunatic as he laughed loudly.

Now the palace had gone into darkness and as he observed the moon, he knew it was time. "When the Castle is shadowed the false rules." he shouted and saw Artemis's glance on him. He grinned at her but she just shot him a deadly look. With a look up he became sure of the timing. "The one true ruler shall appear to vanish the shadow." as he grew quiet the moon moved away from the sun and light began to return to the palace.

Everyone's attention went to the first spot that sun rays brightened up and they saw a figure coming out. Pamela walked to the balcony of Cerys's room and removed the mask from her face to let it be seen clearly through the sunlight. She had waited ten years for this and now it payed off perfectly to see the shocked expression on Artemis face.

She saw Cerys who was being calmee down by Milo but was smiling and saw James who was laughing loudly with joy now that he knew her plan. However, she didn't see Brian who fell from seeing her. Pamela smiled victoriously at the Queen and Artemis. With a glance around she spotted Peter and was entertained to see the fascinated expression on his face and her smile widened. It was just the beginning for her.

Sorry guys for the late update. I was suffering from a kind of writer's block but fortunately it is alright now. Be sure to tell me about your opinions on this chapter. Farewell for now.