Chapter 20

Rapunzel couldn't concentrate on her book wondering where Eugene was. He told her he was going into the village and that he'd be right back, but she was still a bit concerned.

Especially after the conversation they had about Bastian.

Rapunzel opened up about everything, how he and Ian had been involved with her stepmother. She told him that the two of them arrived when she did, how she thought they were her brothers. But she soon discovered that it wasn't true. The Queen kept nothing secret, everyone knew she was a flirt and that included Roland.

It was Bastian that was the closest to her though. Ian just seemed to hang around waiting for something, Rapunzel didn't know what. He was never in her room like Bas was, but the two cousins went everywhere together. The two of them were close and laughed and joked often enough, but it was Bastian who ended up in Greta's room when darkness fell.

Rapunzel never knew of Captain Flynn Rider nor ever heard of him thanks to her imprisonment in the tower. She had been kept away from everyday involvement inside and outside the rest of the castle.

The only thing she ever saw was the comings and goings of Bastian Smyth and if she hadn't crept outside her door every once in a while, she'd would still be in the dark. The few days she was allowed out riding had been her only comfort and joy; little did she know that her stepmother was setting her up to be killed.

She looked up from her seat under an apple tree in the garden. The tree was one of many that provided the inn with all kinds of goodies such as apple pies and apple cider. The fruit was really good on its own as well and she enjoyed the taste of them. Rapunzel saw one hanging in front of her and reminded her of how hungry she really was. She reached up for the dangling apple and was about to grasp it and pull it down, but the sound of Attila's voice stopped her.

"Those have been poisoned, Flo," Attila said, reaching up and pulling a few down.

"How could that have happened?

"The entire tree is infected because of the wet winter we had. I didn't really care for it as I should have either. Some of the apples are still edible, others aren't, but I wouldn't touch them myself. "

Rapunzel frowned. "There are others apple trees here, aren't there?"

Attila nodded. "Yes, there is another, but it's further away. I've used most of the apples on that tree already. Most of them come from the village market; but it's only temporary. We should have a whole orchard by next spring."

"Come inside, your father's been asking for you and you shouldn't stay out here alone. When Gene comes back, we'll all hear him."

Rapunzel shook her head. "It won't matter if we hide or not. Stepmother will track me down."

Attila smiled. "We've got a way to distract her, Flo, keep her off guard. Come on, I'll take you in, I've got to get rid of these apples anyway."

Rapunzel shrugged and she finally let Attila lead her to the inn door when they heard horse's hooves coming toward them.

"Max," Rapunzel exclaimed. "Where's your rider? Is Eugene alright?"

Max cocked his head in the direction where he had come. She turned to Attila. "Can you get my father? I have a really bad feeling about all this."

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Eugene couldn't believe his luck. Everything was set up exactly how he'd wanted it. All he had to do was to get back to the inn, collect his wife and the King and move into the orphanage for a while. No one would suspect them, most likely Ian and the Queen would be looking for them holed up in an inn, any inn along the road. It had been a good plan.

He was making good time and the road was free and clear of congestion when he noticed a rider in trouble. It looked as if he had been thrown from his horse, the rider was sprawled all over the road. He wasn't expecting to make a stop, but he felt this case was different. Maybe he could give the rider aid. He jumped off Max, tied him to a tree and walked over to see if he could help the injured rider who was lying face down in the road.

Eugene bent down. "Are you alright?" he asked. When no answer came, Eugene shook his head and turned him over. The face that greeted him surprised him at first, but he knew he should have expected it.

"Never been better, Rider, my boy," Bastian said, as he smiled and picked himself up. He pulled his sword from his side. "Where is it, Rider? Where's the elixir and the flower? I know you've got it and I want it now."

Eugene stared at him and smiled. "I should have know, Bas. I should have known you were always working with her. The three of you arrived at the castle together, didn't you?"

He had nothing to defend himself with, save a small knife hidden inside his boot. He had to carry something, but would it hold up to Bastian's sword.

Bastian smiled back. "You always were one to trust the wrong kind of people, weren't you?" He picked up the sword and stuck it in Eugene's face.

"Practicing again, Bas?" Eugene asked. "You know I have nothing to defend myself with?"

Bas shook his head. "Don't lie to me, Rider. I know you've got that knife, you never go anywhere without it?"

"Alright," Eugene said, bending down to pull it out. "You're right, I've got it, but you know I've always gotten the better of you, remember?"

"Not this time, Rider," Bas said, "I've been practicing. Now hand it over."

Eugene smiled. "I hope you believe me when I tell you that I don't have it anymore. It was lost on the road. I came back to look for it. Someone probably had it by now, Bas."

Bastian frowned. "I don't believe you, Rider. I never believed a word you've ever said. Now where the heck is it?"

Eugene shook his head. "I don't have it, Bas," he said again. "I don't have it and I haven't got the slightest idea where it might have disappeared to."

He wasn't lying. Who knows where Dr. Miller had hidden it? He surely had no clue.

"Do you need it, Bas? That stuff can be addicting, that and the flower. I can see how. Makes you young and strong and keeps you that way forever?" Eugene circled him, his smaller knife out now; challenging Bastian's larger sword. "How old are you really, Bas; you and that cousin of yours? Maybe I should include your lover as well. We've all heard those rumors that she's centuries old? Does that include you and your cousin as well?"

Bastian was furious. He lunged toward Eugene who moved out of the way. Bas tried again, but Eugene was able to block with his knife. They moved this way and that until Eugene managed to knock the sword out of Bastian's hand. Eugene held out the knife, but Bas grabbed it, cutting his hand in the process, the knife dropping to the ground. Eugene bent down for it, but Bas kicked him the groin forcing Eugene to double over and fall.

Bas smiled and bent down to retrieve the knife while Eugene writhed on the ground.

"I move well for a man who's 400 years old, don't I, Rider?" Bas said, picking up the knife. "And now that you know the truth, I can't leave you alive, now can I?"