Chapter XI: Time

DG woke up to her extremely large door opening. She blinked her eyes open to glance around the small room quickly before closing them again. The suns were still shining in through the window so she must have slept only a few hours. Thanks to Cain's training she could tell by the angle the sun was coming through her window it was in the early afternoon. She peeked another eye open as Galdra tried to quietly slip through the door with a small bag in her hand. She shut the door behind her and looked over at DG with a smile.

"I'm sorry to wake you, DG," Galdra scurried to DG's side and sat down next to her on the floor, "Did you sleep well on the floor? I hear that beds are much more comfortable with their mattresses and such."

"I don't trust anything that he has set in this room and that includes the bed," DG heard Galdra giggle as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, "What time is it?"

"It is almost high suns. You've been asleep for close to six hours now," Galdra stated and DG nodded. It was the O.Z.'s equivalent to high noon. Galdra opened the small bag to show DG some fruit, "I took these from the kitchens. They had just arrived from the produce wagon. I noticed that you didn't eat anything that the master had given you. Smart move on your part."

"What's in the food he gives out?" DG asked and bit into an apple. Her nauseous stomach from earlier had died down a little even though she was ready to throw up. She guessed that it was her lack of food and forced more of the apple down, "Is it a kind of poison?"

"Worse," she shook her head, "It's a binding potion. I believe that he must have gotten it from a witch of some sort. It keeps you bound here- to him, even if you manage to get around the Deadly Desert problem."

"Has anyone ever gotten around the desert problem?" DG asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Only one girl has ever been known to escape the castle and the master for a time," Galdra looked at the ceiling as if to recall a distant memory, "She was gone for an hour and then walked herself back into the castle in tears. The master wasn't happy with her. I believe that she was starved after that."

"You don't know what happened to her?"

"I never saw her once she walked back," Galdra lowered her head.

"Hm," DG took another bite out of her apple and thought to herself, "Have you tried to get out of here?"

"After what happened to her, I don't want to try. Even if I haven't eaten any of the bound 'food'," Galdra shook her head vigorously, "But I want to give you a chance. Don't eat his food. I'll bring what I can, but I can't promise steady meals."

"I've survived on less than steady meals," DG nodded, "What do you have to do to break the bond?"

"The one that's bonded or the one that bonds must die," Galdra said solemnly, "Or if you happen to have monstrous amount of magic you may be able to break the spell."

"Usually that would be me," DG played with some recharged magic on her fingertips and Galdra watched in wonder, "Unfortunately, that black blade he used has stopped me from reaching my full potential magic wise. I can only do the little things. I can't even transport myself out of here. And don't worry about killing him one day. As soon as my fiancé gets here, I doubt that the lord will be able to run fast enough. That's also considering if he still has legs."

"You're engaged to be married?" Galdra tilted her head.

"Yeah," DG showed Galdra her left hand, "Didn't notice the ring?"

"It's beautiful," she smiled and turned DG's hand to either side a couple of times to watch the jewel's color change slightly, "Who's the lucky man?"

"Wyatt Cain. Ex-Tin Man and personal bodyguard for the Princess DG. He's the strongest and most noble man I know- best shot with any firearm imaginable too. Besides the fact that he is eye candy as he walks away," DG grinned that soon faded as another thought called reality crossed her mind and sunk in, "I love him so much. And I miss him…"

"Are you and your Tin Man friends?"

"Have been since the moment we met- Well…" DG thought back and rubbed the back of her head, "Actually it took us a little time, but yeah he is my best friend."

"Are you and your sister, the Princess Azkadellia, good friends?"

"The greatest," DG nodded, "She was taken over by the witch, by the way. Don't believe anything else that people may say about her. She blames herself too much for what had happened and she shouldn't. If anyone is to blame, it's me."

"But you saved us all from eternal darkness."

"And I set the witch free to begin with," DG argued and looked away, "Just… never blame her, okay? It was the witch and now the witch is gone. Forever."

"I won't blame her. I don't think I ever did," Galdra shook her head and took a pause, "I heard that the King-consort was here. Where did he leave to?"

"He didn't leave," DG frowned and threw the remnants of the apple in the bag, "Remember all that blood that you cleaned up from my room earlier?"

"Yes."

"That was my father's blood. Soren killed him with that black blade of his," DG growled, "He's gone."

"No…" Galdra gasped and looked at her hands before turning to the floor, "Where is the body?"

"Depends on who you ask," DG grinned a little and leaned her head back on the wall behind her, "If you ask Soren I threw it into the Deadly Desert so he couldn't get his greedy hands on it. Is it the truth? I doubt no one will ever know."

Galdra stood quickly and DG tilted her head to the side, "What's wrong?"

"I hear something," Galdra walked to the window and leaned out slightly to catch any sound she could.

"What is it?" DG asked when she stuck her head back inside.

"I don't know," she shook her head, "It sounds like shouting, maybe a scuffle."

"I think you may just get to meet my fiancé," DG smiled.

"I must get back out before the master discovers me here," Galdra ran toward the door when it burst open with a frantic looking Lord Soren on the other side.

"What's this here?" he grabbed Galdra by the arm and threw her to the side. He picked up the small bag that she had brought to DG and threw it out the window, "Giving the princess company? Or giving her something she doesn't need?"

"I thought all humans needed food to eat. She was making sure that I didn't starve," DG frowned.

"I gave you food to eat," he argued.

"The only problem with that is that I don't trust you," DG knelt next to Galdra, "Are you okay?"

"Princess," she pointed behind her as Soren leaned down and took DG roughly by the arm.

"Come on, princess," he said softly into her ear, "It seems like you have some visitors who are just knocking down the wall to say hello."

"Please, don't do this to her!" Gladra ran to his arm and held the side of it, "Please, Soren. Not to her."

"Let go!" he threw Gladra to the ground as he made his way out of the room with DG in tow.

"I told you we'd be here by high suns," Glitch said out loud. Raw rolled his eyes and Cain looked closely at the amount of guards and what the best course of action would be. The three of them looked out from behind some bushes that lined the outer ridge of the castle grounds.

"Raw feel pain, frustration inside walls," Raw said quietly and looked intensely at the castle, "Women cry for what lost. Many too young to know what lost was."

"What's that mean Raw?" Glitch asked.

"It means we got to get DG out of there and quick," Cain stared intently at the walls as if he could burn a giant hole in them. It seemed like it would take more force and a lot more machinery to take down the walls of this castle, "You sure that this place was in ruin at one point?"

"It was nearly destroyed in a battle against the Sorceress Mombi, which took place over hundreds of years ago. She had wanted the castle as an outpost along with one she already had. Instead she destroyed it so no one would have it. The lords and ladies of the Eastern Realm have been trying to put it back together since then. Even the original Tin Man, Nick Chopper, who the Central City officers were named after had tried his hand at it once he was named ruler of Winkie Country if I remember my lessons correctly. The desert made it a hardship, but apparently you were right, Cain. Someone finally succeeded in rebuilding it during the witch's reign."

"I think we need to get into the main castle quick and quietly," Cain thought it out, "We find DG, grab her and get our tails out of there. We don't know how much forces he has here with him. We'll come back with another strategy and take them down with the royal army to save the other girls."

"Sounds like a good plan," a voice came from behind them.

All three friends turned around to see two of Soren's winkie soldiers stood behind them. Glitch grinned at them and waved a hand in their direction.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," he greeted politely, "Lovely day for castle gazing. We just love the architecture on the front archway."

"Very funny," one of them leaned forward and pulled Glitch into a standing position by the front lapels of his jacket.

"You should take it easy on the clothing," Glitch pointed to the guard's fist wrapped around his jacket.

"And what are you going to do about it?"

Glitch looked down at Cain who held a calm, slight smirk and then back up at the guard with a smirk, "I was actually thinking of dancing."

"Now!" Cain shouted and kicked the guard in front of him hard in the stomach.

The guard crumpled forward and to the ground. Cain hit him in the head and knocked the man out cold. Glitch turned out of his jacket and kicked the man who held him in the back of the head with his foot. The man turned back to Glitch despite the hit where Glitch's other foot followed the first, sending the man to the ground. Glitch walked slowly up to the guard and took the jacket from the guard's relaxed hand and brushed off the dirt with his hand.

"Thanks for holding my jacket," he smiled at the downed guard and pulled the jacket back on.

Raw rolled his eyes at his friend and looked toward the castle, "More guards coming."

Cain followed Raw's glance and ran toward the on coming guards.

"Hey! Don't start dancing without me!" Glitch yelled after him as Raw followed behind.

The guards met them for a small skirmish outside the main gate. Glitch and Cain both took on their own guards while Raw took the last. True, Raw was known more as a healer than a fighter, but ever since the tower he has found the push to protect himself and the people he was with. He punched his hand forward much like Cain had taught him and threw the guard back a few feet. Cain pushed past the last guard at the front entrance and walked into the front courtyard. Glitch kicked his last opponent to the side with Raw coming behind them. Cain and Glitch looked at one another and then at Raw with a raised eyebrow.

"What exactly did you do with your man?" Glitch asked and pointed to Raw.

"Raw have teeth and claws for reason," Raw smiled softly at him which seemed to throw Glitch off and scare him just a little.

"You have claws?" he tried to think back to mental pictures of Raw's hands. From what he did remember they were just like his and Cain's. Raw quickly picked up his hand and pointed to the spikes on his gloves, "Oh claws… got it."

"It sounds like we've alerted most of the castle," Cain looked at the side of the courtyard to make sure no guards were filing in that way, "We got to find DG and quick. DG!"

"Cain, wasn't the whole idea to get in quickly and quietly?" Glitch asked as he scanned the immediate area, "And how do we know DG is here? The guards seem in low stock. I was expecting more of a fight."

"I know she's here, Glitch," Cain stopped for a moment and looked up at the balcony that overlooked the restored courtyard, "I can feel her."

Then on the large balcony a head looked over the side and down at the small group of three. Cain looked up hopeful and noticed the long black hair on top of a head of a petite young woman. His heart beat fast and it almost felt like DG's locket burned where it sat on his skin. It was DG, he knew it was.

"DG!" he yelled up to the balcony, but she didn't move. He saw her head flip back as if someone had pulled her hair. He frowned and saw Soren walk up next to her with the black blade against DG's neck.

"Ah, Wyatt Cain to the rescue once again?" Soren laughed and looked at the three of them, "Although, if I recall correctly the last time the princess was on a balcony she was facing the danger alone."

"Let her go Soren," Cain growled.

"You are in violation of O.Z. law," Glitch shouted up to Soren, "Your station nor your parent's place in the queen's heart will save you from your actions."

"Threatening me, are you Advisor Ambrose?" Soren pushed the blade closer to DG's throat and DG could feel the slight pinch of a cut and blood to trickle down her throat, "For the princess's sake, I hope not. Would not want another Gale covered in blood."

Cain barked up at Soren, "For your own sake, Soren, I would let no more harm come to her."

"Or what? You'll kill me, Tin Man?" Soren laughed.

"Give us DG and I'll make sure that your execution is swift," Cain said strongly.

"I have a completely different idea," Soren brought the blade away from DG's throat and tapped it on his lip smearing some of her blood on him, "I'm thinking that since I can't take her for my bride in life. Why not bond us in death?"

He moved the blade back over to DG slowly and she looked down at Cain, "Cain…"

"Don't even think about it!" Cain shouted and ran toward the stairs, "You hurt her- I'll kill you myself!"

Glitch and Raw began to follow when a swarm of guards erupted from the outer gate and washed over them. Cain climbed the stairs as quickly as he could, shooting and pushing guards out of his way as he went. In the courtyard, Glitch and Raw kept the fight up against the other guards while they tried to cross to the stairs to join Cain.

Soren put the blade point over DG's chest and she used what she had of her power to protect herself from him piercing the skin. She heard him chuckle behind her ear and the pressure behind the blade grew more intense.

"Do you think he will come in time to save you, princess?" Soren taunted her.

"DG!" she turned her eyes to the top of the stairs where he would be any second.

"He doesn't have much time."

"Hold on, DG, I'm coming!"

"You can't hold on to your powers for long against this blade," Soren laughed and pushed the blade down further where it touched her skin, right in the middle of the royal seal tattoo still imprinted from the emerald, "That's its power, princess-"

"DG!" Cain sounded struggled by more men in his way. Glitch and Raw yelled as they reached the stairs. She heard a few shots and Cain's boots pounded against the ground, "Don't, Soren!"

"It closes off your power and binds you to me. I can't have you in life. You have told me as much," he said slowly and she felt him take a deep breath, "I will have you on your last, eternal journey. I will have you in death, so is the fate of the black blade."

"Wyatt…" DG whispered as the top of a gray fedora was seen at the top of the stairs.

The pressure of the blade broke through her weak magic shield and stabbed through the middle of the royal crest printed upon her skin. Soren let go of her arms that he had pinned behind her back and let her fall from off the blade. He looked up satisfied to see Cain at the top of the stairs out of breath and completely focused on the fallen princess. He saw Cain's eyes follow her body as it fell from the blade and to the stone floor at his feet. She was motionless and Soren could swear that he heard Cain's heart breaking. He smiled and relished in the moment.

"Not again… Please not DG… NO!" Cain pulled out his pistol and shot it at Soren's head. Soren deflected the bullet with the black blade and laughed loudly at Cain.

"She's gone, Cain. You've lost," Soren laughed harder, "And I will soon join her. You will never have her back. I will be the one bonded to the only uncrowned queen of the O.Z."

Cain took a step forward to stop Soren, but before he could even reach him Soren plunged the blade into his own chest. He stumbled and smiled up at Cain.

"You never had her love…" he choked and fell to the ground only feet from DG.

Cain immediately fell forward and gathered DG in his arms. He leaned over her and began to rock with her in his arms, "No, DG- sweetheart, come back. Open your eyes for me."

She coughed only slightly and hope rose in his chest. Her eyes opened half way and she smiled a little when they met his, "My Tin Man…"

"That's it DG," Cain nodded and turned back toward the stairs, "Raw!"

"I…" she struggled and closed her eyes, "… love you."

"Sweetheart, don't you dare say goodbye to me. Not now."

Glitch and Raw made it to the top and stopped in mid-stride. Glitch stood completely still and had to grip the stone wall beside him for support to do just that. He closed his eyes and prayed that it really wasn't what he saw. He hoped to Ozma that really wasn't his best friend covered in blood. He wanted to believe that DG was safe and she was going to open her eyes at them, telling them all it was just a joke and then laugh it off.

"That's not DG…" he whispered and struggled to breath, "It couldn't- that can't be DG. It isn't… Raw, help her!"

Raw took a step forward to help his fallen friend but also saw the blade to the side. He felt the darkness radiate off of the blade and knew then that he wouldn't be able to help her. His body shook violently and then collapsed next to Glitch finally overwhelmed by the emotions coming not only from Cain and Glitch, but also from himself. He howled into one hand and pounded the stone with the other. The anger, pain and loss all combined into one in his chest and he couldn't do anything but to let it out in cries.

Cain continued to rock DG in his arms, tightly to his chest. Instead of her head resting comfortably on his shoulder as she's done since their first journey through the O.Z., it lolled to the side and bobbed with his rocking motions. He clenched his eyes closed and fought against the horrible realization that had yet to completely set in. She was gone. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and felt her warmth leaving her. She was growing cold despite the warm sun.

"DG," he whispered as if calling to her to wake her up, "Come on, kiddo. You're not done here yet. I know you aren't."

She stayed silent and he pulled back to look at her face. Even through his teary vision he could see that she was drained of color.

"Please, DG. This isn't how it's supposed…" he bit his lip to try to stop himself from crying.

He swallowed deep and looked up to the sky. Tears flowed from his eyes as he held his limp princess in his arms. Then the ache from his heart exploded and a guttural roar bellowed from him. The realization that she wasn't coming back crashed on him in a moment and all he could do was keep a tight hold on the woman he loved.