A/N: Thank you for your reviews for Chapter 2 :-) !!
The pair of enemy knights that had been chosen to infiltrate the castle treaded softly. They couldn't risk their voice or footsteps compromising them. Not until they had their quarry. One of them motioned to the other as they crept past the Castle's garden. Something sharp prodded the back of one of the knight's armor. His hands immediately went up and whistled softly from the open slits on his helm. The knight's partner understood the signal, having been a few steps ahead and turned around, immediately drawing his sword.
Sir Theodore's sword clashed with the enemy's in mid-strike. He felt a growing frustration and fear as he realized how serious Kippernia's illness had become. With a swift blow, he finally sent the mysterious knight careening backwards and took the chance to regain a second wind. The warrior had a strong agility he wasn't used to. In spite of still being qualified to be the captain of the king's guard, age made the difference. Sir Theodore barely realized the second intruder disappeared when the first one had a go at him again. If only he could sound off a battle cry to alert the other knights. As the two matched swords, they struggled to overpower each other. Hearing a grunt from the knight took Sir Theodore by surprise and cost him to lose hold of his sword. It wasn't so much that it had been the first time in weeks he heard a voice. It was the fact that the knight's grunt had given them away to being a woman. A soft feminine laughter came from beneath the helm as the tip of the blade threatened Sir Theodore's neck.
Jane turned her head to the side, straining to hear. Jester waved his hand in front of her and shrugged. Jane put up her index finger and removed herself from the bench. The others watched as she walked off. After a moment's delay, Gunther followed suit in case she was up to something he could best her in.
Dragon flapped upward from his spot upon Jane's tower. His eyes narrowed at the stranger lurking in the practice yard and swooped down. The knight caught sight of the beast and drew his sword. Dragon let a hostile flame discharge from his nostrils. He might not have had a voice but he had fire and plenty of gas to fuel so. Realizing he wasn't a match, the knight ran, almost knocking over the prince and princess, who were playing a mock battle with the wooden swords from the knight's quarters. Princess Lavinia became delightfully curious and followed suit, waving her sword triumphantly in the air.
The female knight lifted her sword, winding her arm back for a final attack on Sir Theodore. Jane shoved herself into the enemy's armored body, knocking the helm off their head before hitting the ground. Jane let down her guard at the surprise of seeing another girl knight. The woman flicked her sword upward at Jane's leg but instead the metal hit against her skin as if it were a whip; immediately putting Jane on bended knee. She prepared to strike once more when she was met with death. The knight let out a sickening scream that sounded off throughout the castle grounds. Gunther wrenched his sword from the enemy's neck, shocked at the realization of his actions. Sir Theodore placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulders and nodded solemnly in approval. Jane limped toward her fellow knights to survey the body along side them. Not counting the bleeding gash in her neck, the woman had been strikingly beautiful. Her long silk black hair had broken from its bindings and sat in her blood. She had to have been at least a couple years younger than Queen Gwendolyn. The royal members of the court and the castle staff had gathered around to witness the end of what had unfolded. The lady in waiting and Queen were horrified. Pepper sought Rake's arms in comfort. The King looked around and saw everyone wasn't accounted for. Sir Theodore snapped his fingers repeatedly and drew everyone's attention to the parchment and easel next to him.
There is one more intruder among us
King Caradoc tore the parchment off the easel and threw it to the ground. Sir Theodore gave his king an astounded look as he watched his majesty writing frantically.
WHERE IS LAVINIA, It read.