Author's note: Yay! This chapter took a lot less time than I thought it would. Please enjoy!

That morning found itself to be pleasant. The sun was shining, not a cloud was in the sky, the birds were singing, and Rake and Pepper seemed to be the only two awake in the whole castle, tending to their duties. Any thoughts of the night were seen vanished. It had the prospects of becoming a beautiful day.

A piercing scream tore through the morning air, spreading through the castle grounds. There is a scream that a lover makes when they are betrayed, a sound that a child makes, finding their favorite pet has passed, such a sound that was heart wrenching and terrifying and mournful. This was the sound that drove all the castle's inhabitants to awaken that morning. This was the sound of a mother, whose child has been found dead in their chambers. Jane moved quickly, dressing herself at a record speed, and dashed to the Princess' room, from where the sound seemed to originate.

She arrived to find herself the first knight there. The Queen was doubled over the Princess' bed, crying hysterically. The King was there as well, attempting to comfort his heartbroken Queen. When the King noticed Jane had entered the room, he turned to her and instructed, "Gather the knights, a search party must be established for the perpetrators of this deed most foul."

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened?" questioned Jane.

"Lavinia is dead!" howled the Queen, moving to reveal the small Princess in a spreading pool of blood. There was evidence of a stab wound, but the knife had been removed from her chest. Lavinia's face was contorted from stunning beauty to abject horror. "My dear, dear Lavinia! What have they done?" but Jane was already out of the room. She ran to the knight's quarters like the very wind to fetch Sir Ivon and Sir Theodore.

"What is goin' on here, squire?" demanded Sir Ivon.

"The Princess Lavinia is dead. Murdered last night. We are to search out the rascals."

"Ride out to warn Squire Gunther. We ride within the hour after the villains."

Jane quickly ran to the stables, and seeing Smithy asleep, saddled her horse at lightning speed and set out for the village. She soon rode up to the house of Magnus and ran in demanding to see Gunther. A maid attempted to protest, but after a glimpse at her emerald eyes, ran up a flight of stairs. Soon, a half dressed Gunther stumbled down the stairs. "What is this about! I do not take lightly to being wakened-"he broke off as he realized who was standing there. "Jane, I-"

"No time. Prepare yourself for battle. We ride in three quarters of an hour."

"What is happening?"

"The Princess is dead."

Gunther's mouth made the shape of an O, and he stumbled back up the stairs, calling for his armor. Within fifteen minutes, he was in full armor and ready to ride. "Let's go."

When they arrived at the castle, they found Sir Ivon and Sir Theodore waiting for them. "It is unfortunate that the Dragon is not available, but we must ride with all due haste." Sir Theodore mentioned wistfully. "Watch for tracks leaving the main road. Thank goodness it is not raining, or we would have lost them already."

The four knights traveled with a contingent of a score of men. They rode hard, but paid close attention to the road, making sure they did not lose the track of their quarry. By mid-afternoon, they had lost all tracks of the assassins in a stream. Words that no one should ever have to read were uttered by twenty-four mouths. "Squire Gunther and Sir Ivon, take ten knights upstream. Squire Jane and I and the remaining knights will ride downstream. If you find a trace, blow thrice upon your horn," instructed Sir Theodore, "We have to be gaining on them."

Jane and the other eleven continued downstream until they heard horns blowing. They rode with all speed to the source, and followed our knights' trail until they came upon them, in the heat of battle. There were only four men, on foot, but they were very skilled based on their fluid movements, creating a deadly dance. Six of the knights were down, but one of the attackers was injured, and could no longer fight. The twelve reinforcements rode forward, charging into battle. "Squires, back out!" roared Sir Ivon, and Jane and Gunther rode out, allowing full knights to ride in. Before long, three of the attackers were dead, and the last was bound and gagged, ready to be taken for questioning.

But something inside of Jane was dead. Something, that wanted to see Lavinia grow into a young woman. Wanted to see one more glowing smile. Wanted to see her taunting courtiers and noblemen. Wanted to see her in Arena stands, watching as Jane fought. A part of her that wanted to see Lavinia.

The knights rode back in silence, not a word spoken by any of them for over three hours. The very forest seemed quieter, like the birds had witnessed this crime, the animals had heard that scream of the Queen, the plants had felt the evil that had ridden past. They left the prisoner in the dungeons, and were dismissed from duty for the rest of the day. Jane walked up to her room, and found Jester in front of it. "Jane-"

And she collapsed into a fit of tears. She fell on his chest, surprising him. Jester lifted her up, and brought her to her bed. He then made to leave. "No. Don't leave," she pleaded. And so he didn't. He sat there, one arm comfortingly around her shoulders, one hand on the bed for balance, her head on his chest, her tears on his tunic, until she fell asleep. He then gently placed a quilt over her and made his way to his own bed, where he wondered if he ever would be able to tell her how he felt.

And once again, his thoughts were echoed.