Ok, since you guys are sooo awesome I have to let out a secret that explains my late updates on this and my other story 'It's Not That Easy'. I've been writing the sequal to this and have been way caught up in it! I promise only about five more chapters!

I am glad you all have given Ares his full attention. Remember, it is called a Prince a Horse and an Adventure. Yeah, Ares will often be found stuffing brains back into Lance.

Now he's going to be a Gaulish sounding proverbs quoting king of Adelphos.' I love that, InChrist-Billios! Exactly!

Conrad and Rose, eh? What a rumor. What about Carrie? Poor sweet innocent Carrie. Hmmm. Stanley and Rose, eh? That's more believable, but he is like forty!

Unscathed, Svelte? Hardly. ;)

Chapter 41: Spell Broken

They did not come for another hour, and now I was sure something wrong had happened. Walter noticed the way my eyes wandered from the window to the game, and back to the window again. In the middle of the hundredth game he turned to me and said, "A watched pot never boils, boy. Why are you so anxious for them to be back?"

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Conrad with a smirk. "Lance here loves our companion, Minerva."

"It's been obvious for a while," huffed Rose.

I didn't have anything to say to these comments. Usually I would immediately have a reply, but now I just returned my face to the window, consciously realizing that my face was warmer than before.

"Ah, well, absence makes the heart grow fonder," smiled Walter. "She was a rather pretty gal, wouldn't you agree? Long curly hair like Conrad's ginger colored. Darker though, and with such knowing blue eyes, me thought she could look right into m' soul! Actually come to think of it. I think that she looked a lot like Conrad. They have the same dark blue eyes, and the same tan skin, skin that didn't come from just baking in the sun."

We all scrutinized Conrad until Walter asked, "Are you...siblings?"

Instead of hastily denying, Conrad looked at him seriously, almost confusedly. Then he said, "She is from Gaul, I am from the capitol. Her family is in Gaul, and mine is unknown."

The subject was dropped at that, but I could see that Rose was just as confused as I was. But we didn't say anything, and, instead of taking another pie slice like Walter urged, I went outside.

It was a good thing I did because it wasn't long before I heard hoof beats coming. As it drew nearer, my heart started hammering and almost patterned itself after the horse's hooves. I was nervous, but I was more excited and could feel adrenaline coming up. Before she reached the clearing I saw her cantering through the woods coming for the house. Self-consciously I stuck my hands in my pockets then took them out again as she reined in her horse.

Before I could say anything she smiled gently at me, and it left me speechless. This was the first time I had seen her since I realized I loved her, and my tongue was tied into a hundred knots. I realized how absolutely lucky I was to know and have the most beautiful girl in the world.

"Lance, it looks like you've just emptied the cookie jar," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I opened my mouth to say something as she dismounted, but she stopped me by saying, "I've got to go tell Walter his sons are going to be late, and then we'll talk about what's on your mind."

"But Minerva..." I said finding my tongue. "I..."

"Lance take a step back will you," she said stepping forward herself.

Confused I did so and when she didn't say anything I said simply, "I love you, Minerva."

She winced and faltered. I wasn't sure if she had heard me. I grabbed her shoulder and repeated, "Minerva, I'm not joking, I love you."

A small smile creased her face as she suddenly fainted. I caught her but she remained unconscious. I didn't know what to do. I hadn't been expecting this. I feared she had slipped into sleeping again; but that was impossible. She was supposed to be awake for the whole day, and I thought my confession would break the spell, not worsen it.

All of a sudden I felt something warm and wet on my hand where I was holding her side. I pulled my hand away and was horrified to find it covered in blood!

I realized that that wince had been caused by an arrow hitting her. She had told me to step back...she knew...she had taken the shot... but who in the world?

Another arrow suddenly hit the ground right in front me, barely missing Minerva's foot. I couldn't see anyone in the thick trees surrounding Walter's house, and knew I was a sitting target. Thinking quickly I lifted Minerva in my arms and started retreating for the house. I considered calling Conrad but before I could, he came out, his eyes flashing and his bow loaded.

I hesitated surprised. He looked so...different. More aware, he seemed a little taller, and with eyes like Grandmother Hazel's...eyes that knew.

With hardly a glance, he let his arrow fly into the trees, and was rewarded to hear a shriek and a thud. Then he turned to me and said, "There was only one, but I think they will send more."

"Who send more?" I asked, feeling totally confused.

"The man who was here earlier, who Minerva and the two boys went after. They are chasing the boys and will be here soon. But will retreat in fear when they find the body."

"How do you know that?" demanded Rose, hoping into the situation.

At that Conrad stopped, almost confused. Sheepishly he shrugged in his Conrad way and said, "I just know." His eyes fell on Minerva and said seriously, "You told her didn't you?"

I didn't get to say anything before he said, "You did, I know you did. Lance, I'm her brother."

I nearly dropped Minerva, and I think Rose jumped a couple feet.

"What!" she cried her jaw dropping in disbelief.

I was about to do the same thing, when suddenly something kicked in and I forgot all about Conrad's crazy remark, or about the murderers outside. I turned back to the door and said urgently, "I've got to get her to the castle. I'm leaving, now."

"You're riding off again!" yelled Rose. "You nearly killed her last time! And Conrad! Where are your brains? Stop him! I can't believe this is happening. This is not the way..."

But I was already half way to the stalls, and I was too much in a hurry to hear the rest. Ares was almost asleep when I stormed into the stables. For once I was glad he could read minds because I didn't feel like talking. As I climbed up with Minerva in my arms he shook his head and said, "You know this is crazy, you could wait."

"Yeah," I said, "But I don't want to take the chance. She'll be safe at the castle."

He reared for fun and bounded out of the stables giving me barely enough time to grab onto his mane. "For some reason I doubt that," he muttered.

Conrad stared after the galloping bay horse in astonishment. Lance wasn't supposed have run off like that, when he had made his declaration. Now he had to deal with Rose and a confused but amused Walter.

"Conrad you good for nothing..."

"My name is really Lyall," said Conrad turning back and placing his bow on the table.

She was quiet for a second then demanded, "If you are Minerva's long lost twin, then why didn't you say so before? Why didn't Minerva rejoice at the first sight of you? Why didn't your family recognize you?"

"It was part of Minerva's spell," explained Conrad, a flood of memories and feelings coming back to him. "They cast a veil over my mind so I couldn't remember anything of my real past. Eric took me to the royal stables, far from Gaul and I lived there thinking I was just an orphan. This was three years ago, so I have changed a lot. If I see any of my family members now, I will remember them and they will remember me because Lance has broken the spell."

"Finally!" said Rose rolling her eyes. She glanced at Conrad warily and with new unsure eyes. She explained the whole story in a few words to Walter who chuckled and murmured how complicated life could be.

"We should get going too," said Conrad, or Lyall, "Your sons will return soon unharmed." He paused then asked tentatively, "Do you think he will reach success?"

"Reach it?" repeated the old man shaking his white wise head. "Success is a journey, not a destination."

"Well Ares will sure make it a rough one," said Rose shuddering.

Conrad only smiled knowingly.