"Bass—"
"Miles, you'll forgive me if I'm not in the mood to undergo a round of questioning at the moment. Fighting with your own son and leaving him to rot in the dungeon is a bit tiring."
He said nothing for a few moments, mindlessly following Bass' lead back into the main floor of the castle. "Alright, so be it, but you do realize we have important matters to discuss."
"Yes. I'm well aware, but do keep pointing it out every chance you get." He rolled his eyes, combing a hand through his hair in irritation. "I suspect Charlotte will want details about what happened. And knowing her, she won't rest until she's been given something." His feet rotated, pointing in the direction of Charlie's chambers before Miles' hand shot out, coiling around his elbow.
"Do you really think that's wise?"
Bass had no idea what he was referring to. Whether it had to do with his mental state after the interrogations, or if it had to do with Connor's resolute confession about Bass being in love with Charlie.
Regardless of where the root of the question lied, the tree that sprung from it was steady, unwavering, much like Bass was in that moment. He shook his head, tugging at his arm until Miles let his hand drop down by his side. "She'll want answers—"
"I can convey a message and give just as many answers as you can Bass." Miles started interjecting, not allowing Bass the opportunity to finish. If he really only wanted to provide Charlie with answers, then he should have no quarrels. If there was another reason, he knew Bass wouldn't back down.
"No. It should be me who tells her. It's my fault she's in this mess after all."
"Bass, you can't honestly believe that this—"
He started humorlessly chuckling. "I find it amusing how you've always been able to place the blame on me when it really wasn't my fault, but the one time it is you're quick to dismiss it." Two heartbeats passed before he blurted out, "I have to see her. To make sure she's alright."
Miles' face remained stoic, emotions becoming opaque, allowing no feelings to penetrate the blockade. He didn't argue nor deter him from going. He knew from the moment it passed through Bass' lips there was more to it than just wanting to give Charlie answers. He was seeking refuge in the only way he knew how, which was by seeing Charlie's presence. Miles couldn't blame him for finding Charlie a comfort, but that didn't mean he liked the situation. "Very well, I'll accompany you."
Bass didn't verbally answer, strutting down the hallway to Charlie's door, rapping lightly before pushing it aside and strolling through. His mouth instantly opened, to say what he wasn't sure, but it snapped shut when there was no sign of Charlie. "Stubborn, impatient girl," he muttered low under his breath. He should've guessed Charlie would take matters into her own hands and seek out information rather than patiently waiting. He even knew better than to send her away, but he couldn't watch the visible pain contort onto her delicate face.
Miles snorted, "excellent job your highness. It seems your way of trying to instill obedience in my daughter is working quite splendidly."
"Key word being 'your daughter' here," he snapped. "You couldn't control her any more than I could."
"No, but I guarantee I wouldn't have tried the methods you did."
"I should certainly hope not," he lowly muttered under his breath. Bass peeked his head around the corner, bellowing for a guard. Any guard who could tell him where to find Charlie's wonderingly curious self. Immediately he heard feet shuffling in the distance, clanking along the floor until a body materialized in front of him. "Fetch another guard and see if you can find the Princess. It seems she's wandered off…again."
The young knight nodded his head vigorously, spinning on his heels, running off only to be halted when Bass called out again.
"Have her escorted to the Great Hall."
"Yes your highness."
Miles fell into step behind Bass as they once again entered the Great Hall.
All remnants, all traces of earlier festivities and merriment vanished. Scrubbed away by the servants. The room was back to being lifeless, dull, empty. Just as it was before Charlie arrived. Upon the first time she entered the Great Hall, the room sprang to life, color splashing along the walls. Bass could remember almost seeing the murals unveiling themselves before her, cobwebs and dust dissipating into thin air. Now that her presence was removed it quickly fell back into the dark pit, shadows engulfing.
He didn't bother looking at Miles once he planted his ass onto the chair at the head of the table. One look would spark a conversation that Bass wasn't ready to have at the moment, and for some reason Miles didn't push the issue.
Impatiently Miles sat tapping his foot against the stone floor, sound pattering throughout the room. "How long does it take to find one girl?"
"One girl, not long. Charlie however is a different story."
There was no sense of apprehension or worry coming from Bass' tone or body language, mostly because he didn't know her as well as Miles. Bass spent most of the time chasing after Charlie's wandering self, never knowing where she was exactly or what she was doing. For him, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Miles, however, felt differently. Of course he spent his fair share of time searching for Charlie, but he never worried because she was always with Nora. And there was never a time Charlie didn't hover close to him when there was something wrong. It was out of character for her to try and hide for this long. He suspected she would seek out information, but not far enough away to where she couldn't be easily found once they were through. Charlie was smarter than that.
After a few more rhythmic foot tappings, he slapped his hand on the table, shoving the chair backwards as he stood. "I'm going to look for her myself."
"Calm down Miles, does she not do this all the time at Longstead? Or just here because she finds it amusing to annoy me?"
Miles shook his head, "no, not like this. There's something not right Bass, I'm telling you."
"Maybe she just doesn't want to be found at the moment." Placing two fingers on his temple, he massaged the throbbing pain building.
"I know my daughter," he snapped, baring his teeth at Bass.
Once the speckles of anger dwindled down, Bass could see worry and anxiety all along the lines of Miles' face. He still wasn't convinced, but he had to admit it had been quite some time without any bit of news on her whereabouts. The castle was only so big.
Standing up, he swept his hand out, "lead the way."
Miles let out a puff of imprisoned air when Bass easily complied. Not that he needed Bass' permission to hunt for his daughter, but they worked better together.
Quickly striding out of the hall, his feet carried him along the empty corridors in search of the servants. Those were always the first people to ask, they thrived on secrets and rumors, especially when it was particularly juicy. To his dismay, no one had seen her, too busy wrapped up in cleaning and putting the castle back in order. Not even her lady Maggie had seen her for quite some time.
The young knight diverted their attention from the servants when he came running through the castle, panting. "Your highness," both Miles and Bass turned their heads. "There's been no sign of the Princess within the castle walls, nor along the outer perimeter."
"What do you mean there's been no sign of her? A person doesn't simply vanish."
Bass took control, stepping forward. "None of the other knights have seen her either?"
The young man shook his head. "No your highness. The majority of them assisted in escorting your guests from the castle. And the rest of them were…a bit too drunk on ale to be of any use, since they were only required to observe."
"What about Jeremy?"
"Knight Baker remained with the royals in the Great Hall after Prince Connor took his leave."
Bass hadn't been panicking before, but now it swept across his body like a trade wind, swirling around, causing his vision to become hazy. He couldn't help the bubbling anger that spilled over as he jerked the man forward by the front of his uniform. "I don't care how long it takes, not a single soul will sleep tonight until Princess Charlotte is standing before me. I want you to scour every nook, cranny, and surface of this entire castle, including the grounds. Spare no man, and the ones who are drunk better sober themselves quickly or I'll be forced to do it for them. I'll drain every single drop of ale from their blood if need be. Do you understand me?"
Shoving his Adam's apple down, the young knight nodded once, too afraid to open his mouth again.
Releasing the clenching hold on him, Bass roughly pushed at his chest. "Send for Baker to report to the Great Hall. Immediately."
Bass could feel the waves of anger rushing off Miles' trembling body when he faced him again. "I will see to it personally that she is found, trust me." He didn't wait for an answer, striding back in the direction they had came from earlier. He could barely form that sentence, let alone anything else at his point. And he knew Miles was barely holding it together as it was.
No matter what happened between them, Bass always knew when to take the brunt of the blow. He knew that drastic times called for drastic measures, and he wasn't afraid to slip back into that villainous role everyone cast him for. There would be no stone left unturned in efforts to find Charlie, and if there was something more malicious behind her disappearance, God save their souls. There would be no mercy spared.
He shook those thoughts from his head, needing it to remain clear. His body however was still quivering when he roughly flung the doors of the Great Hall open, Jeremy already waiting inside.
"What's going on? Clemson looked pale in the face, as if he had seen a ghost."
"Charlie's missing."
"What do you mean missing?"
"I mean, no one has seen her since I sent her away from the dungeon."
Baker couldn't mask the worry present on his face, taking in the disheveled sight of both Miles and Bass before him. He had served Bass for long enough to know it was something serious; he had never seen him like this. Jeremy had grown quite fond of Charlie since her time there, he felt instinctively very protective of her, and though he didn't always agree with torturous methods, this is the one time he wouldn't mutter a peep if they tore the village apart.
Which wasn't far from Bass' mind. "I'm going to have a word with my son."
Miles' head snapped over to him when he mentioned Connor. That was his first line of thought, but thankfully Bass drew the connection on his own without Miles having to.
"It seems only fitting that he would be behind anything, if plans had been made." He didn't reflect on the pain that sentence caused, falling back into his role as a leader quickly. "Baker, ride out and see if you can speak with any members of the royal family along their journeys home."
Jeremy nodded, "I'll send word if I find anything." Instantly, he scurried from the room, collecting his trustworthy companion Will along the way.
Bass turned to Miles once he was gone. "Go back to all of the servants, question every single one of them again and again. If one so much as produces a single fleeting gaze, bring them to the dungeon for further questioning. We'll start with everyone here before moving on to the townspeople." He had already started walking away when Miles yelled out.
"I want to find Charlie just as much as you do, more even, but I can't do it like this. I can't turn into that person again Bass."
His spine went rigid, forcing his body to stand erect. He held his head high, not turning around when he spoke again, "I know. But I can."
Slamming the door shut behind, he effectively cut off all forms of communication with Miles, focusing on the task at hand. All too soon he was clomping down the steps of the dungeon, boots pulverizing the stone as Connor's smug face came into view.
"Ahhh, back so soon father, I knew you couldn't leave me down here."
He said nothing, jamming the key into the lock, throwing the cell door backwards as it bounced against the metal frame. Connor's eyes went wide in fear, drinking in the maddening sight. Bass advanced forward, grabbing Connor and hoisting him to his feet. "Where's Charlie?"
Oh great, this again. He should've known, it was always about Charlie. "How should I know? She's your whor—"
Bass flung him into the nearest wall, delivering a forceful left hook to his face, silencing him. "Where's Charlie?"
He cupped his face, spitting out some of the pooling blood. "I don't know what you're talking about. In case you haven't noticed I was exiled—"
Again Bass executed a clean blow, ramming his clenched fist into Connor's rib cage. Not even flinching when the air expelled from his lungs, causing him to wheeze. "Where's Charlie?"
"I don't know—"
"Where's Charlie?!" He bellowed, sound so loud it could shatter every single window within the walls of the castle. His hands wrapped around Connor's neck, thumbs pressing into the column of his throat as he wildly growled. "You decided it wasn't enough to try and kill me, and then frame her for the murder. You had to go and have her kidnapped. You're sick and demented, and sure as hell no son of mine. But I'll spare your worthless life if you tell me where you took her."
He didn't let up, not even when Connor's fists bagged against his forearms and he all but gasped for air. When his leg came up to knee Bass, he stomped down hard on his foot, smacking his head upon the wall behind.
"I—I…don'ttt—k-kno…" that's all he could pant out, feeling the air rushing from his body. He knew his father was a bit hostile and crazy, but he had no idea what he was capable of. His face remained firm, dead set on his story. He had no idea where the bitch was, but she was causing trouble even when she wasn't around. He had no idea where she was, but he wasn't sorry someone snatched her up.
Bass held on a few more minutes, feeling Connor's body struggle underneath his bruising force until he got a good look in his eyes. His gut told him Connor was telling the truth. Besides, his whole plan was woven around Bass dying and him being able to marry Charlie. It didn't seem to completely fit that he would kidnap her. That and the fact that Connor wasn't as devious as he let on to be. He was angry, lashing out at Bass any way he could think of, but anger often clouded your reason and logic. Connor would have no idea how to utilize the anger to his best advantage. Connor was far from cunning or clever. He was only able to succeed because Bass' guard was down momentarily, otherwise the plan never would've unfolded. No, Connor didn't do this.
Flexing his fingers, he watched as Connor's body dropped like a sack of potatoes to the ground below, chest rapidly expanding as he gasped for air.
His hands shook as he looked down at the marks rising to the surface of Connor's skin. The glow of the moon from the barred window highlighted the wound, enhancing the action he just committed, to his own son no less. He looked away, not uttering another sound as he sealed the cell door behind him, locking it into place.
Fortunately, Connor hadn't regained the use of his snippy mouth, still struggling for air like a flopping fish out of water. He couldn't retort or put up a fight.
Bass continued to peer down at his hands, thoughts swirling around in his head. How could someone act in such a violent manner towards their own flesh and blood? In that moment, he turned into a monster, just as the moon could transform a person into a werewolf in fables. Suddenly, impulsively, and without their control. He didn't even know if he was going to be able to stop himself from draining the life from Connor's cruel, cold eyes.
His only saving grace was a distant, melodious voice ringing in his ears. Faint at first, but firm and commanding. The more he strained to hear, the louder the voice grew until he could recognize it beyond a shadow of a doubt. It was Charlie's voice. Same soft tone, slowly oozing out like molasses in a jar and just as sweet.
He couldn't help but think if he was capable of inflicting pain on his own son, what kind of people were Charlie with? Was she undergoing the same kind of treatment from her captives? His blood boiled with rage from the mere idea alone.
Luckily for Charlie she wasn't faring nearly as bad as Connor was, though whoever she was with were far from hospitable. They barely even spoke complete sentences, grunting out answers to one another. Not that she could focus in on their voices for the first half of the journey, still woozy and half-unconscious. When she finally did come around they noticed the change in her body language and opted for silence.
She had no idea how long they had been traveling or even where they were going. She could feel dirt beneath her feet for a while, tripping and stumbling over branches as they all but dragged her. She wasn't going to make this easy for them, especially because most of the time they had her gagged after getting annoying with listening to her speak.
They only removed the cloth to shove food into her mouth after she sassily claimed there would be no need to take her, wherever they were going because she would starve to death before then. It was a little dramatic, but it worked in her favor.
When more voices joined in her body went on full alert, trying to decipher the sounds penetrating her ears. There were too many to concentrate. It didn't make much of a difference because she was lifted up by the waist, body shuddering in disgust before her bottom felt a saddle beneath it.
Great, they were now turning to horses, which meant the place wasn't close by. And it also meant that her ass would be sore, forced to ride sidesaddle as someone glued their arm around her.
The trotting of the horse jerked her body up and down, but mimicked a lulling, soothing motion. She couldn't help her drooping head, falling forward as she succumbed to the drowsiness overtaking her body for a few hours. Or rather what felt like a few hours, there was really no sense of time nor did she have a way of knowing. At least asleep she could escape for a little while, though nightmares plagued her mind, attacking her body on all fronts.
Each time she fell asleep she could see her father's face and feel the frost from his icy words. She saw images of his devilish face flooding her mind, filling her senses with fear and worry. She was worried what this would do to him, what kind of change it would bring about in him. Would it dig up things that were meant to stay buried in the past? Things she had yet to see for herself, nor did she particularly want to.
The only other person who was a continuous figure in her dreams was Bass. The only way she knew it was him was from his looks, there was no mistaking that. Other than his physical appearance, everything else about his was different. It was as though she was glancing into another universe, or maybe seeing his past life. What he was before all of this. His worried, grief stricken face plucked at her heartstrings. She could feel a knife twisting in her heart, wanting nothing more than to comfort him, to call out to him, but even in her dream she was powerless. That didn't stop her from trying to communicate, but she was always cut off, thrown back into reality.
This time the jarring motion jerked her entire body, realizing they had stopped and she was being lowered back to the ground. There was a lot more noise around this place; she could hear the distinct grating of metal against rocks, people sharpening swords no doubt. She could smell the burning fumes of iron accompanied by the clattering of objects against metal. It sounded similar to the training grounds at Longstead, if they were making weapons.
Once cement stone beneath her tired, weary feet replaced the dust and dirt, the cloth was removed from her mouth, but never her eyes. "Where are we? What are we doing here? Who are you? What is it you want?" She relentlessly hurled the questions in succession at them, not caring if they went back to gagging her.
She was shocked when an actual voice spoke directly to her. Not specifically answering her questions, but giving her some sort of insight.
"You'll find out soon enough. Princess," the voice spat the word, bitterly chuckling when a frown worked its way onto Charlie's face.
Chills ran along her spine, freezing her entire body. For the first time since the start of the grueling journey, she had no questions.