Yes, this is a long chapter. But I think the latter portion of it is fairly fast-paced. I couldn't find a good place to cut it. Actually, I did cut it. That part will be posted tomorrow.

Other note: I want to take a moment to explain a contradiction. Before, Prince Matthias said the herb shadow's breath doesn't grow in this duchy. And, well, you'll see it in this chapter, just as the title suggests. In the original fairy tale upon which this story is based, the prince does in fact say the herb doesn't grow in that kingdom. And yet a few paragraphs later... herb! Not very far away! I figured, if it's good enough for William Hauff, it's good enough for me and it serves its purpose of the moving the plot along. So if you don't like it, blame William Hauff.

Other other note: I had some people confused at the ending of the last chapter in regards to Blake and Lucy. Hopefully it's more clear in this chapter, and I'll be going back to suggest more things earlier in the story.

Within hours an orange and red morning had come over the manor and it brought no mention of any broken windows anywhere. At least the kitchen staff mentioned nothing.

The entire conversation was fixed on the predicament of Jacob. Despite his hidden information of the prior night, the story of his potential execution had spread throughout the manor and had made him an instant celebrity. Of course the general reaction was a mix of shock, sadness, and fury and it was a miracle any of breakfast was prepared. Jacob, who had not slept all night, was doubly overwhelmed by comments of shouts and curses directed toward his His Madness and the Prince.

Wilhelm and Jerome were furious. They stomped about the kitchen, things burning in their wakes, complaining about the question of why anyone was working in this madhouse.

Abe was upset. The kid actually took seat on a stool in the corner, allowing himself the mild tears of upset boys his age. Mimi felt sorry for him. What fate had decreed the boy work in a place where servants were killed off for mere indiscretions?

She observed everything from her usual corner. She, too, had not slept all night and the only result was a keen energy for the day. Tonight they would be gone, she, Jacob, and Blake. No Jacob death and a sudden stroke of bravery on Blake's part to face Lavender.

Even Jacob seemed to hold the same eagerness. He shrugged off the comments as if he were expecting nothing from dinner failure but a slap on the wrist.

Michael was the most visibly upset. The chubby old gentleman demonstrated more rage than he had even at Eugen's murder. He was a bull in the little kitchen.

"You said nothing!" he shouted repeatedly. "You said nothing to us!"

"Frankly, it wasn't any of your business," Jacob replied coolly in the tone of weather discussion. "The dish was my assignment. I blew it. I wasn't about to make you all suffer for it."

"You're a cook," said Jerome stiffly. "We're all cooks. A team. We deserved to know."

"Yes!" Michael bashed a frying pan into the cutting board. Wood splintered at the board's edge. "Jacob, I've known you for five years ever since you strolled into the kitchen and demanded a job as a cook. You showed us all up and humbled me. Remember?"

"I remember," said Jacob as he rescued a pot from Wilhelm's burning tendancies. "You told me to apply as jester. Jester to His Madness. I would have been dead long ago. I have to training in any sort of amusement or performance. Decapitation would have happened to me by now."

"You're supposed to tell your friends, Jacob, when someone is planning to chop off your head. Not lie about how well the meal went."

"Hey, he said nothing about your heads. I figured you didn't want to be bothered."

Michael knocked the just-rescued pot to the floor near Wilhelm's feet, who jumped away. "I'm insulted."

"Insulted that His Madness didn't threaten your life? I agree; you have superiority to me and therefore should have had first right to death."

Abe gave a low chuckle from his stool.

"Abe, you never brought in eggs," Jacob said. "Go. Now."

Abe nodded tearfully and scampered out the door.

"You're an idiot," Michael said, shaking his head.

He wouldn't say that if he knew the plan, thought Mimi.

"You think this is funny." Wilhelm had set to cleaning up the burnt-and-spilled whatever-it-was. "I don't get you. Has your mind gone? Do you understand what the Duke told you? You do realize he has killed before?"

Michael dropped a knife.

Jacob sighed and set to the rolling up pastries for breakfast—everything else had been destroyed. "I know. In fact, I know about the Duke and the real Duke."

"What?" Jerome dropped a dish.

Michael's face paled. "What do you know of that?"

Jacob thumped a doughy roll into a pool of flour. "What do you know of it? Lucy told me everything."

"Lucy told you what?" Jerome asked as he picked up the shards of glass.

Michael swore under his breath. "This house keeps no secrets anymore. Except yours, Jacob. Well, Lucy had the right to tell you as much as anyone in the know did."

"Should I leave?" asked Wilhelm nervously.

"Oh, who cares? Our finest cook in this kitchen will probably be dead by nightfall. Let the past come forth, not that we can do anything."

"You knew that man. Eugen. The murdered one last week." Jacob dumped the rolls into a pot of boiling oil, the one thing not upset in the kitchen. "You knew him and you said nothing."

"He has a name?" Jerome dropped the freshly scooped-up shards.

"He was supposed to be the Duke, before the Madman out there paraded in. His name was Eugen. And I stayed here in hopes he would eventually return and when he finally does he's killed by His Madness. Hope is dead. Don't know what we're all still doing here."

"Which is why I'm leaving if tonight's meal fails," said Jacob as he pulled out the golden pastries. "Actually, I'm leaving either way."

That brought a small smile to Michael's face. "Good for you. Going to try the inn idea? Your appearance is just quirky enough to draw guests."

"We should all leave," said Wilhelm.

"Leave to where?" Abe reappeared in the doorway, sans eggs.

"Where are the eggs?" asked Jacob, barely glancing at the boy.

"Oops. I forgot." He dashed off again.

"But I will attempt the dish again," said Jacob. The pastries had been set to cool. "And that is where I need your help."

Michael's smile broadened. "You didn't ask last night."

"I had other help," he said, glancing at Mimi. "Not that it amounted to much. I'm missing an herb. A single herb. Unless there's more and the Prince isn't bothering to tell me. But if I can trust him on this subject I'm missing an herb."

"I heard it was the wrong kind of meat!" said Wilhelm.

"I heard you sent it out raw," said Jerome.

"What herb?" asked Michael.

Everyone turned to stare at Jacob.

"Shadow's breath," answered Jacob. "I missed some obscure herb known as shadow's breath. Have you ever heard of it?"

"Shadow's breath," Michael echoed. He scratched his bald head. "Wow. I haven't heard of that one in years. I never really worked with it too much."

"Does it grow around here?'

"Well, we're not that far from the capitol city! Yes, it grows around here, but it's rare. Why would I know of something that doesn't grow around here?"

"Well, where can I get it?"

Michael shrugged and shook his head. "Oh, boy. It had to be this. You might get lucky and find an herb seller in town with it, but it grows wild mostly. Though that might be easiest…"

"Where does it grow?" Jerome demanded before Jacob could even open his mouth.

Jacob shot him a look. "Do something with the pastries. Something useful. Michael, do you or do you not know about the herb?"

Michael's face was red. "I do…"

Mimi fought the urge to bite him.

"But what?"

He took a deep breath. "They said this morning the Duke is not allowing you to leave the manor grounds."

"And how does he expect to enforce that?"

"Apparently all the guards have been threatened to keep you inside."

Mimi's throat closed. But if they had managed to sneak out to throw rocks at windows, how hard could it be getting past guards who probably liked Jacob?

"All over stupid food," muttered Jacob. "Well, for entertainment's sake tell me about the herb. This is kind of my life we're are considering here."

"Don't bring that up," groaned Wilhelm.

"It's purple," mused Michael. "Deep, deep purple. Smallish flowers."

Jerome forced a laugh. "Ah, a bible of useless cooking information."

"The trick of it is its blooming time. The plant blooms at full sunlight. So at noon. But they grow in the shade. Don't ask me the logic. That's just what they told me. It blooms at noon but grows in the shade of chestnut trees. Something with the light and temperature, don't ask me. But it does need to be picked at noon."

"Picked at noon from under chestnut trees," said Jacob. "Sounds easy enough as long as I get there at the precise time, apparently."

"How will you leave the grounds?" asked Wilhelm.

"I can send Abe."

"I could go," Mimi whispered.

"They know Abe is your lackey."

"Yes, but sending him out is hardly me escaping."

"Well," said Michael. "Get out and look for it. Good luck to you."

"Thanks. For everything."

"The gates are guarded," said Blake. He perched on the windowsill of the sitting room, presenting the possible escape report to Jacob and Mimi. "Every exit I know about has guards posted. There is no way to sneak over."

"Not unless I were a squirrel," muttered Jacob.

"I distracted them last time," said Mimi. "The ones guarding the Duke's room. I could do it again."

"They've been threatened, Mimi. Threatened. If His Madness had told them he'd kill them if they let me through, they are going to be a lot more stalwart in their duties."

"Don't people like you?"

He sighed. "I can't let them get killed over me." He punched the back of a chair. "I sent Abe for the shadow's breath anyway. He'll bring it back, I'll cook up the stupid stuff again, we're all done. I just won't be going with you. That's all. When you come back all human and wondrous and perfect I'll get out of here then."

Blake sighed. "That's it, I guess. Though I was imagining using you as help in our little mission."

"I thought you still had no idea what you were going to do after you got to Mimi's castle."

"True. But we could use someone with opposable thumbs."

"Good to know you considered my usefulness." Jacob gazed at the clock, its pendulum swinging steadily. "It's nearly 2:30. Where is that boy? I told him to come find me here. He should have found the herb hours ago and been back by now."

"What if he didn't find it?" asked Mimi.

Jacob stared at her, mouth agape.

"Oh, wow. I'm sorry I asked that. Of course he found it, Jacob. He'll be back. Very soon. He's probably distracted."

He nodded slowly.

But if Abe didn't find the shadow's breath… no, he found it. The Prince (she could no longer even think of him with a name anymore) did not know what he was talking about. The herb could be found around here. Somewhere in the vicinity of the town was a chestnut treat where at noon bloomed a tiny purple plant known as shadow's breath. And that tiny purple plant would save Jacob. She wanted to reassure him. He had to be reassured. If he couldn't leave… he couldn't possibly hope to fight the guards… but she could not think of a single thing to say to help him.

"So, Blake," she began. Keep her mind busy while waiting for Abe. "Tell me about Lucy."

Jacob's long ears perked at that, though he did not look at them.

Blake squirmed. "It's a weird question for me."

"How is it weird?"

Another set of squirms. "Well, I've been a squirrel for all these years. I shouldn't be thinking of a girl…"

"Sure you can think of a girl," said Jacob.

"I enjoy being thought of," put in Mimi. "The last one who thought of me wound up a disaster, but still, it's nice to be thought of. Tell. We are your friends here, Blake."

"But Eugen kissed her."

The expression on his face held so much disappointment she could not help but laugh. "That's it? Eugen kissed her? Blake, how long have you felt this way?"

He turned his back to them. "I could see it in her face, even as a child. She always admired Eugen."

"That long?" exclaimed Jacob. "You've cared for her that long?"

The squirrel was silent.

Mimi's heart melted. "That's so romantic, Blake. So sweet. I had a week of romance and it ended in disaster. Someone deserves something."

"I'm a squirrel," he said bitterly. "She doesn't think of me. She only thought of Eugen."

"With all due respect, Blake," said Jacob. "Eugen, may he rest in peace, is dead. You are not."

There was a long moment of silence. "I'm a squirrel and she should have been Eugen's."

"If we can make Lavender change us back—" started Mimi.

Blake sighed. "I should have faced her years ago. Instead I spent all these years spying on her and learning about her, but I never did anything. I could have made her change me back, found Eugen, returned here. It could have been different."

"But it's not different," said Jacob. "This is how it is. Take it for what it's worth."

It was then that a knock, tentative and slight, came to the door. Blake dove under a chair.

"Come in," said Jacob.

The door slowly opened and in stepped Abe. A terrified and teary-eye Abe.

Uh-oh. Mimi glanced at Jacob. His face was pale.

"Abe," he said. "Did… did you find the herb?"

Abe nodded and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

Mimi felt sick to her goosey stomach.

"Where is it?"

"In a field just out of town. By that one farmer's pond."

"But did you pick it? Abe, I told you to pick it! That's the reason I sent you out!" He lifted his hand, claws out.

"I did pick it! I found it! Like Michael said! Purple little blossoms. I actually watched them open up. Right under a chestnut tree. I picked about half of the plants there! I had bunches!"

"Then where are these bunches?"

Abe was silent.

"Abe, tell me!"

He mumbled something under his breath.

"Abe, I'm about to tear off your arm and I could probably do it."

"The Prince made me throw them away."

Mimi closed her eyes. The Prince. What was his problem? Did he want the stupid Suzeraine or not?

"Why?"

"He stopped me. He had been looking for me all morning. He told me he would make sure my mother and father were fired if I brought it in."

"Your prince is crazy," whispered Blake from under the chair.

"I know!" replied Mimi.

"I'm sick of this place!" Jacob screamed. He all but pushed Abe out of his way. "Mimi, let's go."

"Who's Mimi?" asked Abe.

"The goose, obviously. You're honestly surprised I've already named her? Really. You're coming, too. You are going to find where you tossed the shadow's breath. And then we can get started on dinner for once and for all."

"But they said you can't leave."

It would have been humorous if Mimi had a proper moment to think about it. She followed Jacob without another thought, joining into the procession of the dwarf, the kitchen boy, the goose, and the squirrel who tagged along at the end. Jacob was desperate and she, in some small way, had caused the entire problem. She had to see how it ended. She had to get the herb.

Two guards, as Blake had said, blocked the gate. They seemed nice enough, but the smell of cowardice was strong.

"I need to get something for dinner," Jacob demanded. "I need to get through."

The guards looked at each other. One was tall, with a sharp yellow beard. The other was a good head shorter with a patch placed disturbingly over the left eye. "We can't let you," said the patchy one. "The Duke said—"

"The Duke told me he wanted something special for dinner and I need to go get an ingredient."

"His Grace the Prince said to not let you through, either."

Mistake, though Mimi bitterly. He had said he hadn't intended the Duke to threaten Jacob. Lie, lie, lie. What was his problem? What went through his head?

"This isn't going to work," muttered Abe.

But Jacob put on his most charming smile, the one she had seen him save for the sellers at the market. "Come on. I know you both hate the Duke. I promise, I am not going to run away."

Another secretive guard look exchange. "No," said the blonde beard. "We don't dare, Jacob. You don't understand. He's insane."

"I need to get through."

"The answer is still no."

Jacob sighed. Mimi could sense his frustration, and it tore into her heart. "Abe, then. Abe will go in my place."

"The Prince said Abe can't go, through either."

"You can't obey the Prince."

"He's higher in authority than Duke Silas," said the eye-patch guard.

Blake groaned.

Another sigh. "All right. So be it. I hope you can sleep well when I'm dead."

"I'm sorry, but it won't be my death."

Mimi decided she hated him.

Jacob turned. Then he bent down… and picked up a rock.

His aim was perfect. Mimi did not watch the rock's path, but the sound of breaking glass was dinning. And while Jacob could not move very fast, he moved quickly enough in the time of the guards' surprise. Abe was already past them, a springy streak of boy, Jacob just after him. And what else could Mimi and Blake do but join them?

"Hey!" screamed the blonde bearded guard. "Get back here!"

It was stupid, Mimi realized. They would just catch them.

"No," said the eye-patch guard. "It's not our fault. They tricked us. They can't punish us for being tricked."

Mimi sincerely doubted that, but at least they were through the gate. Perhaps the guards weren't so bad after all.

The town was a breath of fresh air. Some people greeted Jacob and Abe, but otherwise the surroundings were blissfully normal. And they were free. Free, just like that.

"That was so easy!" said Abe. "Why didn't we just do that in the first place?"

"I think we picked the most cowardly guards," mused Jacob. He was walking quickly, oblivious to his stunted legs, and Mimi could scarcely keep up.

"So now what? Are you just going to go? I mean, you're out, they're not coming after you. Yet. But you don't have your things."

That was right. The money for the inn.

"It's better than losing my head. Though you're right. I should have put more faith in that idiotic move. Should have packed."

"I can bring it all to you later."

"Abe, they probably will send someone after me. I'm not going to wait around here for you to bring me stuff. Now where is this farm? I don't understand lines about farmers and their one farms."

Abe nearly tripped. "You're out. You want to see the herb?"

Jacob shrugged. "It's a cook thing. I'm now curious. Besides, if I bring it back, I'll be fine and forgiven."

"But the Prince. He didn't want me to get it."

"Well, I'm going to get it, I'm going to cook with it, and he'll have to like it."

"So you might come back?" Abe seemed hopeful at that. "Turn by that weird yellow house. Quick. It's embarrassing to have your animals here."

The farm was just a turn out of town, smack on the edge. It was lovely. Mimi had probably seen it on her flight. The afternoon sun was strong, setting the place to a golden color. But Jacob showed no interest. His gaze swung over the farm plot. There wasn't a soul.

"The chestnut tree was way up there," said Abe, pointing into the vague distance. "I was happy to find it. Then I cut through here and… that's when I saw the Prince."

"Where did you throw the herb?"

Abe shifted his pointing finger to a small pond. "I threw it by the edge." He broke into a run. "I bet it's still there. I'm sorry I dropped it."

They moved to the pond. The grass grew thick and tall and the air was heavy with the scent of wet things. Mimi was all but lost in the green weeds and grass which shifted around her with everyone else's movements.

"Abe, I'm not seeing it," Jacob said loudly.

"If we don't find it you can just go back to running away."

"Probably for the best. But still…"

"Jacob! Jacob, servant of Duke Silas!" The unfamiliar voice rang through the air.

They had been followed. Already found. Of course. What else had Mimi expected?

"When I actually make an effort to find the stupid herb," said Jacob, from somewhere in the grass.

"Jacob!" Another voice. The Prince's. "If you are down there, come out now!"

Good. Jacob was probably short enough he could hide in the grass.

"By order of the King."

Mimi's heart twisted. The Prince. Even the sound of his voice was painful. Why was he doing this?

"Found it!" said Abe from somewhere close to Mimi. "A bunch of them got stuck right here… they're muddy, but it's them. Purple flowers. Shadow's breath."

"We know someone's down there!" came the first voice.

"I just came to get the herb for your dish, Your Highness." The grass crunches and shook as Jacob came through. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience of my lord the Duke, but it is for your dining pleasure."

Mimi pushed her way from the mess of grass and weeds. There was Prince Matthias, two of the Duke's guards with him. And there was Jacob, bowing before him.

"I told your assistant just a few hours ago not to bring that herb back," said the Prince. He wore his spectacles. He must have come from reading.

"But the Suzeraine, Your Highness. I was to prepare it for you correctly tonight."

The Prince smiled wanly. "It would be delicious, too. And I understand your predicament, cook. I do. It's not a good one. But I have a predicament, too. And while Duke Silas may want to eat Suzeraine, he won't. Because I no longer care what he wants."

Abe poked his head out into the clear. A bunch of purple herbs were in his hand Mimi wished she could tell him to hide them, not repeat this mess.

"I have no intention of letting the Suzeraine be made tonight," said the Prince. "And, yes, that will mean you will be killed. Which is tragically against royal law. My father does not stand for murder. And I understand this is not the first time Duke Silas has killed. I've been reading the histories. And all about this duchy. It's quite wealthy, I understand. And so, when the Duke kills you for absolutely no reason at all, I will be here as a witness. And when I have the Duke arrested and shipped back to my father for a stripping of a title that apparently doesn't even belong to him, I'll take over the duchy. It's bigger than what I was to inherit anyway and I've already taken care of the other inheritance problem."

He had already taken over the other inheritance problem? What did that mean? He had been so sweet, so at peace over the little piece of the kingdom he would be receiving. How long had he been trying to get the duchy? All that reading had been studying up for what he hoped to snatch. And now that the Duke wanted to kill Jacob… she turned to look at him.

But Jacob did not seem to hear a word the Prince had spoken. He stared back at Abe, who was uncomfortably frozen in the grass, clutching the shadow's breath. No. Jacob's eyes were on the herb. His gaze was not simple curiosity. It held amazement, Sheer amazement. And something else…

"So come now," said the Prince. "The guards will escort you back. Boy, drop those."

Abe's eyes went red as the herbs tumbled to the ground. Without thinking, Mimi snatched them up.

Jacob saw, and backed towards her.

But the guards, apparently too indifferent to care who gave them orders, held muskets.

Jacob should have just fled the town.