Chapter Four

The others all let their weapons clang to the floor, but the intruders were looking at the group with suspicion. "You're a little too well dressed for mere servants," one remarked.

"How can you tell?" someone questioned. "We don't know what these people wear," he said quietly, when the others shot him a look.

"What reason would my sister have to lie to you?" Jesse asked. "All we wish is to get our father to a doctor. Surely you can let us do that."

"What's wrong with him anyway?" the other men nodded in agreement.

"An illness went around last year," Brenna said quietly. "Our father caught it and it damaged his heart. He hasn't been the same since. He's no threat to you or your people."

The men stood staring considerately at Lord Henrie. Then the leader of the group spoke. "You gentlemen may take the old man to a doctor, but these lovely ladies are going to be coming with us." As he said this two other men from the group stepped forward and seized Brenna and Zephyria by the arms with a gentle but firm grip.

Jesse took a step forward, getting ready to defend them. But Brenna shook her head. "No," she said. "Get father to the doctor. Lilith and I will be fine." As they headed down the passage, she felt tears burn in her eyes for a moment, then she cleared her throat. "And what are you going to do with us?"

Zephyria looked at her sister trying hard not to cry herself. Her head turned as soon as she heard the man start to answer Brenna. He paced back and forth as he spoke. "I am the leader of the country of Sandron. My eldest son is twenty four, and without an heir." Brenna drew in a sharp breath as he continued. "We are in a strange land, my dears, and he needs a son. Our bloodline must continue."

Zephyria thought for a second then said, "Sir, would you rather him be without an heir or to have an heir born of a maid whom is foreign to your country and customs?"

The leader grinned at them. "You see, miss, I know that you aren't a maid. The symbol around your lady sister's neck tells me that." Brenna's hand went to her necklace, where an amethyst rested in the shape of a rose. She had forgotten about it.

Zephyria realized she had been beaten in that way but then smiled, "How are you so sure we are sisters, sir, and your own men admitted you did not know what the people of Saratopia wore."

He grinned again. "Because you two are the spitting image of Lady Helen." He noticed their surprise. "Oh yes, I know your mother. We were children together, but she wouldn't have me."

"I wonder why," Brenna muttered. The leader heard her, and smacked her across the face, bringing out the tears she had struggled to keep back. "I hate to break it to you, sir," she snapped. "But your son won't get an heir out of me. I'm already with child."

Zephyria looked over at her sister with a completely straight face then nodded. She would have to talk to Brenna about this later, there was no time for it now. She then turned to the man who slapped her sister, "What's wrong with you, going around hitting people because you do not wish to hear what they have to say? You have lost your mind! This is not your country, you do not have that right anymore."

"I think you'll find," the leader said, "that I can, and that this is my country now.."

"Why did you let our father go then?" Brenna asked. "If you knew who he was. He's the king's best friend."

"That was the deal," the leader said simply. "Now, get them and let's go." Brenna's mind was whirling. What deal? But the men didn't allow her to speak, instead wrapping bandannas around their mouths.

Brenna lost track of how long they walked through the deserted palace. There was nobody in sight, only the bodies lying on top of each other in the halls. She felt nauseous with all the blood, but it wasn't until she saw the king's body lying outside his chamber that she actually vomited, one of the men removing her gag just in time.

Zephyria felt the tears welling up in her eyes again, except this time she couldn't hold them back. Slowly she felt the tears roll down her face as she thought of everything that may happen to her father, Jesse, and Christophe. Brenna may have been safest of all she was a female and she was apparently with child. Then, she realized that may put her sister in the most danger if she was not properly cared for. Zephyria decided then she would do all in her power to keep her sister from danger.

"How could you do this?" Brenna whispered, before vomiting again. She too had tears streaming down her face. "You're a bunch of monsters!"

"Oh no, my dear girl," the leader said, smirking. "We are not the monsters. But you'll find that out soon enough." He jerked his head towards the man who had taken the gag out, and he put it back. "So you don't scream." Then he urged his crew on toward their camp taking more hostages along the way for whatever use he had for them. The girls were taken to a tent and left, their gags taken out. They didn't have a chance to talk that night. In the morning, Brenna awoke, sobbing.

Zephyria went to her sisters side already crying, she placed her arms around Brenna and softly spoke, "Bren what's wrong, and is it true are you really with child?"She took Brenna's face in her hands and softly wiped the tears away waiting for a reply.

She nodded. "It's true. I was going to tell father and Jesse today, but then they announced I'm engaged to Christophe, and... And I'm so worried about them. They said that they wouldn't hurt them, but what if those monsters lied? How do we know they haven't sent someone after them to murder them?"

Zephyria stared at her sister realizing she was right. They could have sent murderers after them. "I will do all I can to protect you and this baby. I cannot speak for Christophe, Jesse, and Father. I pray they made it through alright but right now I need to figure out how to protect us from them."

"You know, I'm the older sister, I'm supposed to be protecting you. I don't need help. We need to-" They heard the sound of footsteps racing into the camp. The voice that followed made the two sisters stare at each other in horror.

"Did you get them?" came the voice of Lukas, their oldest brother. Brenna peaked through the tent opening, and sure enough, their brother was talking to the leader. "Rueben," he said. "I asked you a question. Are my sisters here? You didn't harm them, did you?"

"No," the leader-Rueben- snapped. "You told me not to, so I didn't. The prince got away, however."

"And the king?"

"He is dead, like you wished." Brenna gasped, covering her mouth as the two men turned towards the tent.

We've decided to update twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Yes, I know today is Wednesday, but since we decided this yesterday evening, I'm updating it now. Hope you enjoyed, and pretty pretty pretty please review. We worked really hard writing this, and we would appreciate feedback.

Thanks to Jess, who has stuck with this story and reviewed every chapter. Thank you!