A/N: Aww... only one review?? Come on everyone! Well, that's okay, I guess that's kind of my own fault... I'm just being... I don't know, I can't think of the word right now. Anyhow, I'd like to thank that reviewer, Arbella Scott, for (of course) the review.

Well, I have a confession to make. I lied last chapter. I wan't on chapter 14 of PoR when I wrote it, I was on chapter 11. But now, I think I'm on chapter 14 (well, that's just a guess)

Yes, well, I'm going to spare eveyone's eyes and not say much today (I think I already said to much...). So now, I'll let you read what you (hopefully) came here for :D

Chapter Two

The Hard Truth of Betrayal

As they dashed out of the castle, a rush of loud yells and a strong scent blood hit them. Elincia had frozen in her spot, unmoving her horrified gaze from the sight before her: soldiers slaughtering each other left and fight, then running off to kill another.

"Geoffrey..." said the princess, sounding like a scared little child as she clung to his arm.

"Princess Elincia, do not worry," he replied as her strength. "If any of these Daein soldiers dare go after you, I will–"

"I don't care if they go after me. I just don't want you to..." she said, her words fading off.

A soft look showed itself on the general's face. He put his arm around her, as if shielding her from anything that may oppose them. "I will get you away from here safely; and I will come with you, just wait a little longer," he told her, he too fixed on the scene which played before them. 'We just need to find a way to escape...'

They stood, unnoticed by the soldiers, all of whom were occupied with the engaging battle. Geoffrey continued scanning the battlefield, desperately searching for a door of escape in the chaotic mess of war.

"Here! This way!" he exclaimed, grabbing her by the wrist and running off towards the west gate.

"Huh? Wai– What?" she murmured. Elincia was surprised by his sudden take off and wanted another minuted to get her answer from him, but had no choice but to run off behind him.

• • • • •

"Queen Diana! King Ramon!" called the Count of Fayre to the empty halls around him. "If you can hear me, please come out!"

Bastian had grown tired from searching the castle. Each hall he had passes, and each room he looked in, was empty; not a soul. His luck was running out.. He had already searched a third of the castle, but he hadn't heard a word of the queen or king. The sage was fearing the worst, but hoping for the best; but as he climbed each stairway and turned each corner, his hope was slowly failing him, and his fear was growing in its place.

"Queen Diana! King Ramon!" he called, still receiving no response. He halted his running, stopping in his tracks, and took a deep breath. "Queen Diana! King Ramon1" he called once more, forcing his already tired voice to call louder.

He continued to get nothing but silence as a response. A defeated Bastian stepped over to the window overseeing the mess of battle below. He saw, that as he was failing, so was his country.

"Oh goddess Ashera, why must you–" He began speaking to himself; however, he never got to finish, for the sound of a frightened scream reached filled the air.

He instantly sprang into the room where he had hear this cry for help. Before him stood the queen and a Daein soldier, holding his hand over her mouth and a knife to her throat.

"Unhand Her Majesty at once!"

"Why would I do that when I'm the one with the advantage here?" questioned the soldier clad in black. "Anyhow, you make once false move, and Her Majesty gets it."

"Why, I do not think you fully comprehend the words which I speak. You sir, if you make a false move, then you will be the one who 'gets it' "he said, using his own words against him.

"Don't make me..." he dared, inching the knife closer to her throat.

Queen Diana closed her eyes and put on a relaxed face, though it were all a facade. Behind this mask of clam was great fear, and Bastian could feel it. Therefore, not wanting the queen to suffer, he put out his arm and chanted a spell upon them.

Suddenly, a large gust of wind came out, causing the Daein soldier to blow, hard against the wall behind him. As this was happening, Bastian had grabbed the queen and pulled her aside where the two then watch their predator fall unconscious.

"Are you unharmed, My Queen?" he asked her.

"Somehow..." she said as if she were surprised she had made it out alive. "Yes, I am fine; but please tell me, how are Elincia and Ramon faring?"

"Princess Elincia is currently being escorted away by none other than General Geoffrey, while King Ramon," he said, taking in a deep sigh, which began to worry the queen, "has yet to be found."

Queen Diana was now very concerned for the king; as she had heard that he 'has yet to be found' she instantly bit her lip in hope that he was okay. "However!" Bastian said, trying to ease her of her worry. "There is no cause for concern, for I Bastian of Fayre will rush to the aid of His Majesty, just as I did for my queen."

She gave the diplomat an assuring smile, and looked at him with a newfound strength. This news which she heard seemed to supply her with a new drive; a drive to find her husband and see her daughter escape safely.

"Bastian," she said, making him turn around as he headed to the door. "Is there any chance that I may accompany you in the search of His Majesty?"

A smile played on the sage's face. "Why, that was my original plot. So come now, we still have a large remainder of the castle to search," he informed, excitedly rushing out the room with the queen following close behind, with the energy to match.

• • • • •

"Lucia!" exclaimed the princess upon the sight of her friend who stood before them.

"Sister! Were on Tellius have you been?" he scolded. "Well, I suppose we do not have the time to hear you out... Anyhow, let us go! We must quickly get Elincia away from here," he said, taking a step forward to walk by her.

As he passed her, she unexpectedly drew her sword and pointed it at her brother, he instantly freezing in his spot. "Where do you think you're going?" she said, her face and tone rid of all emotion.

"Wha– what do you mean?" he nervously asked, "Why are you trying to stop us? A-and why are your garments colored black?" A few moments ago, he hadn't payed much notice to her attire; however, as she tried to stop them he began to deeply worry, as did Elincia. "No...you can't...you can't be fighting for Daein!" As he had finished speaking, he held a raised hand and delivered a slap across his sister's cheek in disbelief.

Elincia showed a silent gasp and dropped her jaw in surprise of his rash actions. "Geoffrey, do not rush to conclusions," she told him. "I am sure Lucia has–"

"Do you not call this the Daein crest!?" he cried, pointing to where the insignia lay embedded on her uniform.

Elincia fell silent once again; she could feel her heart drop in her chest. It was impossible for her to believe that her most trusted friend and foster-sister would betray her; her and her country.

"I would get rid of you both right this moment; however, the prize which I am after is far more valuable than this," she scorned, withdrawing her sword and returning it to her scabbard.

"Lucia, I cannot believe you! Just get out of here you...you...you traitor!" he yelled, having to force out that last word.

She said no word to reply, but have a devious smirk and a small airy chuckle to herself as she left them behind. She hadn't the time to stop them from escaping, for she needed to head for the castle; to head for King Ramon.

A/N: Well, if you read it, I thank you for reading :D Please leave a review, they make people (especially me) happy.