Finally. This chapter was exhausting to finish. Wrote it, gave to Beta, Beta said alot of things needed to be fixed, fixed things, downloaded it and... Fan fiction HATES me! GAAGH! Once again, it screwed with the spacing and thoughts. Once again, I must ask you forgive any mistakes. They are not Viola's fault.

Thanks to all who reviewed, and to Iliana 11 and Backroads for having such amazing reviews that made me want to continue! Also, Viola Alfiere, thanks for betaing!

The Story Hands

Chapter 2

This place is beautiful.

The land that Claudia's parents ruled, Raydolia, stretched out for miles and endless miles before the servant's exit.

Adele stared at the vast lands. Flowers had begun to wither away, seeping into a crispy brown death. The Sherylwood Forest was seen in the far distance, it's treacherous darkness cloaking many secrets. Not even in the time of fall did it lose any of it's eerie shadows. The closer forest, Enchantment, lay nestled beside the castle, almost touching the walls. Leaves of the bright trees had faded into an array of luxurious autumn colors: orange, red, yellow, tan, and some brown.

As Adele began her walk to the prisoner's quarters, her feet crunched on the newly fallen leaves. Withering grass seemed to accept the shattered remains of the leaves, holding them in between their shriveling roots until the crisp breeze brushed the remains away.

Adele couldn't help but shudder at thought of the breeze. Winter was soon to arrive; the time of indoor games for all royalty.

Which means extra work for all of us servants. Fun.

Adele couldn't help feeling bitter, the poor working endlessly… so the rich could slack off and drink themselves silly.

No one said life was fair. And if some fool did, they were wrong.

Swallowing her feelings of contempt, Adele weaved through several of the paths leading to the prison. The grounds near the castle were just as much a maze as the castle itself. The unnecessary paths had been created for war strategy, or so one of the soldier's had said. Adele had no concept of battle strategy, and she never planned on having such a skill. In her opinion, it was a waste of time.

Following the twisted routes, Adele arrived in front of the prison. It's walls rose menacingly up into the bright sky, tower after tower meeting equally in the air. She approached the cold, saddening brown door and waited.

It wasn't long until a soldier noticed her, walked towards her, and spoke briefly with her. He demanded to know her business of being there, and after an explanation that she was visiting family, allowed Adele entry into the dark gloom before her.

The young maid hated to think of the happenings inside of the building, tremors of terror shot up her body whenever she did. Sometimes, if one listened hard enough, it was said that a person could hear the screams of prisoners from deep within the walls. In addition, there were plenty of rumors of ghosts, goblins, and any other creepy creature a bored peasant could create in their head.

But that's all they are. Bored peasants with fake stories.

Renewed in her beliefs, Adele turned her gaze back to the soldier. She felt calmer now, her voice seemed to reveal this. "I wish to see the… The new arrival."

The guard shrugged. "We have many new arrivals. Who is it you want?"

"The new woman…?" She couldn't help that her voice was questioning, after all, she didn't know the woman's name.

He has to believe I am her family. I need to do this correctly and carefully.

"Woman? Ah, the witch. Not willing to produce personal information on her, eh?" The guard narrowed his eyes and asked in an accusing tone, "You do know her, right?"

"O-of course!" Adele cried out, doing her best to sound indignant. "Why wouldn't I?"

The guard shrugged. "Alright. But, what is her name?"

Drat, I had to get a guard who actually does his job!

"You're the one who mentioned me not wishing to give away personal information. What if you are correct?"

"I take it I am." He sighed, "She won't give away anything about herself either." His gaze turned cold. "You are probably both witches." With a sigh, he added, "But I suppose it doesn't matter, so long as you are not caught. Come along, then."

They walked through one dark hallway after another. Prisoners moaned from their cells, some reaching out gnarled hands, pleading for food or money. Many were ill.

No wonder royalty isn't allowed in here, Adele thought as she eyed a dying man through bars, none of the guards would be employed if they saw this mess. I'll have to report this to Claud -

"AAGHHH!" Adele had wandered to close to one of the cells, and a horrifyingly bruised, knobby hand had grabbed her shoulder. "Get off of me!" she cried, trying to shake away the revolting body part.

The guard quickly slammed his sword into the fingers, and blood spurted from the wound. Pale blood, pale like the rest of the place. His violent trick worked, the cold grip was gone instantly.

Shaking, Adele followed the uncaring guard further into the dark shadows.

The man halted suddenly, running a hand through his mangled beard, and staring through the bars. He turned malicious eyes to Adele. "She put anyone who entered her chambers in her curse. If you wish to speak to her, you have to go inside of the cell with her." He grinned, revealing several missing teeth. "I won't be helping you if she attacks." After a moments pause, he finally added, "Well? Are you still one of her relatives? Are you still going to visit her?"

"How dare you accuse me of lying!" Adele snapped, quick to cover her lie. "Of course I'm related to her!" Before she thought about his warning, she added, "Now, let me in!"

The guard, slightly surprised, unlocked the door and ushered Adele into the dark cell. She heard squeaking as the door shut behind her.

Did he really allow other people in here? Were… Were they really… Taken in her spell?

Suddenly, the impulsive girl wasn't so sure she had made the correct decision.

A voice, old as the castle itself, whispered from a black corner. "Greetings," it cracked, like the voice hadn't seen water in days. Like the rusty bolts in the door behind her.

Poor thing.

"Do not pity me." The effort it took for her to speak wasn't the only thing that unnerved Adele.

"Err.. How… How did you know that?" She managed to squeak, her throat closing itself up.

"You are interesting," the old woman observed, ignoring Adele's question, "You have no hatred, as the others. Sit."

Nervous to do anything but what the woman wanted, Adele slowly shrunk to the floor. The elder's voice murmured, "Why are you here?"

Fiddling with a strand of her hair, Adele slowly attempted to draw up her usual courage.

I'm only afraid of the surroundings. I am not afraid of this woman. Most definitely not afraid of her.

"If you are not afraid of me, why do I see you shaking?"

Adele jumped and her stomach lurched.

There is my confidence! Gone!

"H-how did -"

"Calm yourself. I cannot read your mind, but I can read your face, and it happens to be very expressive."

Doubting the words, Adele tried to find the woman in the darkness, "I find that very disbelieving. There is such a lack of natural light that… You couldn't possibly see my face."

"I have been in here for many days. One's eyes adjust, I suppose." Adele heard the sound of rustling fabric as the woman moved into a more comfortable position, "My name is Felicity."

A long pause. Adele managed to convince herself that she had not only walked into a death trap, but that she had doomed everyone she knew as well. Why she got this feeling, she had no idea.

"It is rude not to introduce yourself when you hear an introduction."

"Oh… Adele!" Embarrassed by how fast the words had spewed out, she managed to continue, "I-I'm Adele." Fear had managed to claw through her bones, chilling her, and making her stutter. She took in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. This is absolutely ridiculous! Why am I so afraid of a little old woman?

"Do calm down. I wish for a normal conversation. I won't hurt you." Was that amusement in her voice?

"Okay…" At a loss for words, Adele allowed the woman to hold the conversation.

"I'm going to die in two days." Grief intertwined with a strange cheerfulness that resonated in her voice. "I'm looking for someone. They must be found before then."

Finally calming down, Adele spoke up, "Oh, and who is that?" Of course, Adele hardly cared. It was better to focus on the conversation, than her own fear though.

The rustling of fabric was heard once again, the woman had probably shrugged, "I do not know. I have ways of knowing though."

"Okay… I'm sort of confused… What do you mean? Why are you telling me this?"

"I make little sense, I am aware. Never mind that, do tell me about yourself."

"What's there to know? I'm in a prison, visiting a woman who seems to be partially insane. I can't possibly be interesting." Adele couldn't help but realize how the words she had spoken contradicted herself. She sighed.

A weird sound echoed through the walls of the cell. Adele could only explain it as a form of laughter. "You are an amusing child! Why have you come here?"

"I wanted to see if you were… A witch. The peasants tend to overreact."

Felicity twitched in the darkness, "Yes, they do. Well, I am glad that you didn't trust the rumors. Those things are such dreadful liars."

"A bizarre way of putting a rumor." Adele shrugged, about to continue until she was cut off.

"Would you like to go on an adventure?" Instead of the old, worn down voice, the woman seemed to regain excitement and delight. Strength soared through her tone as she leaned forward, finally coming into Adele's vision.

How can I deny a request that is so excited…?

The conversation was very fast paced, Adele had no idea of what she had said that had made the woman think up this plan. Besides that, how would they go on an adventure? Felicity was in prison! "Sure... Why not?"

Her garments rustled again as Felicity pulled herself an arm's length away from Adele. "Are you ready?" She was really getting giddy now.

"Uh… Alright." Adele snatched a deep breath, her lungs swelling with the disgusting prison air, and continued, "I am ready."

The old woman leaned forward, her hands reaching out and pressing against Adele's eyes.

A sensation of tingles swept through the young maid, her body grew numb. She couldn't even bring herself to speak as her vision swam before her, and slowly things began to grow black.

What's happening to me?

And then, her mind, too, became numb of all thoughts.

Ah-hem. Just out of curiousity... And a love for reviews... Tell me what you think Felicity has done. I'd like to see all of your thoughts!