Chapter 12: A Daring Escape

Winter crept forward, wary and on edge. An hour ago she had passed through the city of Atlas's gates, and now she was tiptoeing her way through the castle's undercroft. It amazed her that the place that had been her home for her entire life could feel so foreign and hostile. She'd only been away a day.

Ruby was following closely behind Winter. She was wearing a white dress, a black corset, and a red traveling cloak. They had been the least ostentatious pieces of clothing that Winter had been able to find in Yang's breathtakingly expansive collection that had fit Ruby. They were still of exceptional quality, but it had been Winter's hope they would merely make Ruby look like a wealthy merchant's daughter instead of someone more akin to royalty. Apparently it had worked because while Ruby had drawn a few stares when they'd passed through the city, no one had accosted them.

Beside the small bit of unwanted attention, the rest of the trip back to Atlas had been mercifully uneventful. Winter had smuggled herself and Ruby into the castle through the secret entrance, and so far they'd stayed out of sight. However, this was the point where Winter's plans became muddled.

Winter's first idea to rescue Yang had been the direct approach. Ruby was a dragon after all. But Winter had quickly rejected that plan. Ironwood would surely intervene if a dragon were to attack. Winter knew there was no way she and Ruby could overcome both the castle's guards and an experienced dragon slayer. And even if they could, many would die in the ensuing battle. Infiltration was the only option Winter found acceptable, but that had its own set of obstacles. Winter had spent hours mulling it over, but she'd eventually admitted to herself that it was impossible for her to account for every contingency. Rather than a proscribed set of actions, all she had were vague and murky goals. It was not how she liked to do things, but she would have to make do.

Ruby asked, "Is Yang down here?"

"Yes," Winter said. "But we will have to travel up to the keep's main level to get to her. The dungeon isn't directly connected to this part of the undercroft."

Ruby didn't say anything more. She looked strangely nervous given that she had the ability to transform into a giant, fire-breathing lizard whenever she pleased. She had a bag with her that she was tightly clutching to her chest. It was filled with various sundries that Winter had brought from Yang's lair. Among them was a small vial filled with some of the healing potion from Yang's hoard. Winter had no doubt that Yang herself would need it, and she was certain they would need Yang at her peak to make good their escape.

Winter paused at an archway that led into another part of the undercroft. She glanced out into the dimly lit chamber ahead. It appeared to be vacant, but just as Winter was about to walk forward, she heard footsteps that rapidly got louder. Someone was heading in her direction.

Winter pressed up against the wall behind the archway and motioned for Ruby to do the same. It was the flimsiest of hiding spots, but there was nowhere else for them to go. Winter's hand reached for the hilt of her saber. She wasn't sure if she was truly prepared to kill in order to accomplish her mission. She prayed she wouldn't have to find out.

The footsteps grew louder and louder. Then a robed figure turned the corner and walked through the archway.

"Klein!" Winter said, recognizing the figure. She stepped out from against the wall.

"Oh my!" Klein gasped, jumping in alarm. His hand came up and clutched his chest. Then he stared in disbelief as he realized who he was looking at. He said, "Princess Winter? But Princess Weiss said you'd taken a turn for the worst! She said the healer had confined you to your quarters and had forbidden anyone from disturbing you."

Winter silently commended Weiss's ingenuity, although she did wonder what Weiss had done in order to convince the healer to go along with the charade. She said, "I'm afraid that was all a ruse, but for good reason."

"I see…" Klein said. He obviously had many questions.

"Wait…" Ruby said. "You're a princess?"

"No," Winter said. "Or rather, not anymore."

"Then why did he—?" Ruby started to ask.

"I can explain everything later, after we've rescued your sister," Winter said.

"Her sister?" Klein asked.

Winter closed her eyes for a moment, exasperated by her own loose lips. She said, "Klein, this is Ruby. Her sister is being held hostage in the castle's dungeon, and we intend to rescue her."

Klein was silent. Winter could see him puzzling through all the clues she'd just given him. By this point there was no chance that the gossip about what kind of creature was being held in the castle's dungeon hadn't reached Klein's ears, and he was an intelligent man. Winter knew he would figure out exactly what her statement had implied. However, it remained to be seen how he would react. Klein was kind and compassionate, but Winter feared not even he could be made to understand why she was doing what she was doing.

Eventually, Klein seemed to come to a conclusion. He asked, "How can I help?"

"That's all you have to say?" Winter asked, astonished. She'd been preparing for a debate.

"As a historian, I have the privilege of perspective. Momentous events can't always be truly understood by those who live through them," Klein said. "And as someone who's known you for your entire life, I also know you wouldn't try to subvert your father's will without a very good reason."

"Thank you, Klein," Winter said, surprised at how relieved she felt.

"And you, Miss Ruby," Klein said. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh! Uh…okay?" Ruby said, clearly not knowing how to react. She awkwardly held out her hand, somewhat mimicking Winter's offer of a handshake from yesterday. "It's…a pleasure to…meet you too?"

Klein laughed mirthfully and shook Ruby's hand. He said, "I'd love to have a chat with you. It'd be wonderful to set the record straight about your kind."

Winter said, "Sadly, we don't have the time."

"A pity," Klein said. "But again, how can I help?"

Winter took a moment to consider Klein's offer. A few more parts of her plan began to crystallize. She said, "We need a servant's uniform in Ruby's size. And…a chemise."

A short while later, Winter and Ruby emerged from the undercroft and onto the main floor of the keep. Ruby was dressed in the servant's uniform that Klein had acquired for her. She'd stuff the outfit she had been wearing along with the chemise Winter had asked for into her bag. She'd very adamantly insisted several times that not a single scrap of clothing from Yang's hoard could be left behind, even though Winter hadn't raised any objections.

Winter assumed her best air of confidence. There was no way she and Ruby could stay out of sight forever, and she didn't want a single soul to doubt her right to be present in the keep. No doubt there would be people taking note of her being up and about thanks to Weiss's misinformation about her health. But if she walked with purpose, few in the castle would stop to question her. She may not have been royalty anymore, but she still commanded that level of respect from most of the castle's denizens.

Winter whispered to Ruby, "Remember, do not speak unless spoken to."

"R-right," Ruby whispered. "And what do I do if I'm spoken to?"

Winter hoped it wouldn't come to that. She didn't have time to tutor Ruby on human etiquette. The best she could offer was, "Be polite and deferential."

Winter led Ruby in the direction of the dungeon. They did pass several people in the halls, and as Winter had predicted, many heads turned. Fortunately, everyone kept their bewilderment to themselves. Winter's confidence was starting to grow. However, it was tramped down again when she heard someone call out, "Dame Schnee?"

Winter stifled any outward display of nervousness, difficult though it was. She casually turned around and saw Captain Elm walking up to her, looking amazed.

"Dame Schnee!" Elm said as she closed the distance. "You're up? The way Princess Weiss was talking I thought you might be on your deathbed."

"The princess is prone to needless worry," Winter said. "As you can see, I am much recovered."

"I'm glad you're alright! Ma'am!" Elm said. "I felt so guilty when I heard. I never should have left you to face that murderous dragon on your own."

"Murderous? But…" Ruby blurted out before she remembered she wasn't supposed to say anything.

Elm turned to Ruby, acknowledging her presence for the first time. She was nearly a head and a half taller than Ruby, so it was impossible for her to not loom over her. Elm said, "I don't recognize you. Have we met?"

"Uuuh…" Ruby said, looking terrified.

Thinking on her feet, Winter said, "She's the newest addition to the castle's staff. The unlucky girl had the misfortune to arrive here only hours before the dragon attacked. I don't think she's quite recovered yet."

Ruby continued to do a very convincing job of looking intimidated by Elm. Although Winter was beginning to question if it was an act.

Winter continued, "The head maid has assigned her to me for the time being. No doubt she's unnecessarily concerned about me overexerting myself."

"I see," Elm said, although her tone was a bit off. Her eyes didn't leave Ruby. "I'm sure serving you will help calm her nerves."

"I imagine that was a factor in her assignment," Winter said. "If you'll excuse me, Captain. I've neglected my duties for too long."

"Of course, ma'am," Elm said, finally looking away from Ruby. "I have duties of my own to attend to."

"Come, girl," Winter said to Ruby.

Winter and Ruby walked away. Winter's stomach was churning. She wasn't sure, but she strongly suspected that Elm's suspicions had been aroused. However, it remained to be seen if she would act on them.

Ruby whispered, "She was big."

"You are larger by far in your natural form," Winter whispered back.

"Yeah. But not when I'm like this," Ruby whispered.

Winter found it hard to believe that a dragon could be frightened by a human. It highlighted even more how wrong she'd been in her assumptions about her erstwhile quarry.

Winter whispered, "I may need you to fight if we encounter trouble. Are you prepared to do that?"

"Fight? Like this?" Ruby asked, glancing down at her human body. "But everyone here's so…tall."

"Even in that form you are still much stronger than a human," Winter whispered, recalling Yang smashing through a wall and leaping phenomenally high into the air.

"Really?" Ruby asked, sounding surprised. "O-okay. I guess I can do it then."

"Good. But not unless I signal you to," Winter whispered.

Winter and Ruby reached the entrance to the dungeon without further incident. A pair of guards were on duty outside as per usual. Winter walked up to them and said, "Gentlemen."

"Dame Schnee?" one of the guards asked in amazement.

"Yes, yes. I'm afraid the rumors about my state of health were greatly exaggerated," Winter said dismissively. She was already getting tired of having to explain herself. She asked, "Is the head jailer present?"

"He's inside," the guard said. "Last I heard he was tending to our special prisoner."

"Very good," Winter said, suppressing a pang of anger at the thought of the jailer tormenting Yang. "As you can imagine, she is exactly who I must speak with him about."

The guard opened the door to the dungeon. He asked, "Is she really as terrifying as they say? The prisoner?"

"Much more so," Winter said. She was just about to walk through the door when a thought occurred to her. She knew these guards weren't going to just let her stroll out of the dungeon with Yang, and any scuffle here on the main floor of the keep would immediately bring even more trouble. Perhaps there was a way these two could be neutralized now. Winter quickly sized them up. They both had short swords hanging from their belts and metal helmets on their heads. Winter also knew they would be wearing breastplates under their surcoats. The guard who had done all the talking so far was on the scrawny side, at least when compared to his silent partner, but there was no doubt they would both be competent in a fight.

Winter said, "And because of that, I will need your assistance."

"Mine?" the guard asked, suddenly taken aback.

"Both of yours," Winter said. "Do not worry about the prisoner. I will protect you from her, but I will need extra sets of hands."

"Dame Schnee, you know we can't leave this door unwatched," the guard said.

He did have a good point, although Winter suspected he might be trying to find a way out of having to risk exposing himself to what he believed was a dangerous monster.

Winter said, "Ordinarily I would agree. But this is not an ordinary situation. I am at a critical moment in my interrogation of the prisoner, and I need your assistance. It will only be for a few minutes, and your contribution to the safety of Atlas will be immeasurable."

The guard turned to his companion who unhelpfully shrugged. Then he looked back at Winter and said, "Very well, Dame Schnee."

Winter, Ruby, and both of the guards walked into the dungeon. Just inside the door was a small landing on top of a staircase that descended into the castle's sublevels. The four of them started their journey downward.

Winter reached the bottom of the stairs first and entered the dungeon proper. Right by the entrance was a large cell that was used to temporarily hold newly arrived prisoners. It was presently empty and was equipped with manacles built into its walls. Off to the side there was a somewhat sizable wooden table with parchment scattered about on top of it that the head jailer often used as his desk, and behind it there was a rack of various restraints hung on the wall for easy access.

The head jailer was not present which suited Winter just fine. She was already furiously calculating exactly how she was going to deal with the two guards, and he would have only complicated things.

"The prisoner is in the back," the guard who had done all the talking said. "Let's—"

"Now Ruby!" Winter shouted. She drew her saber quick as a flash and jammed the blade inside the guard's belt. She cut the belt free with a flick of her wrist, causing it and the sword hanging on it to fall to the ground.

"What on Remnant!?" the guard exclaimed.

Winter lifted her saber and pointed it at the guard's neck. She gave him her sternest look and said, "Do not make this harder for yourself."

The sound of a sword being drawn pricked Winter's ears. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the guard's silent partner cautiously approaching her from behind with his blade in hand. Apparently, Ruby hadn't done a thing to stop him.

"I don't know what madness has taken hold of you," the first guard said. "But this won't end well for you."

"Ruby! Now!" Winter said again.

"Oooh! Right!" Ruby said.

Ruby dropped her bag, ran toward the silent guard's flank, and gave him the most awkward punch Winter had ever seen. But Ruby's draconic strength made up for her utter lack of technique. The guard staggered to the side and let out a quiet grunt of pain. However, he wasn't deterred for long. He wheeled on Ruby and came at her with his sword.

Ruby squeaked in alarm and backpedaled until she bumped into the wooden table.

The guard thrust his sword at Ruby, but she grabbed the table with both hands and lifted the whole thing up like it weighed nothing. Parchment went flying everywhere as Ruby held the table out vertically like a shield. The guard's sword made a dull thunking sound as it bounced harmlessly off of it.

"Uh, uh…" Ruby said. Then she charged forward, still holding the table. The guard was thrown backward, and Ruby shoved him all the way to the opposite wall.

The guard's back hit the wall, and he wheezed as the table smashed into his front, pinning him in place. He struggled, sandwiched between stone and wood, but Ruby easily kept him trapped.

"I did it!" Ruby said to Winter.

"Very good, Ruby," Winter said, hiding her exasperation. She supposed she should blame herself for never asking Ruby if she knew how to fight in human form.

"Sweet spirits," the guard Winter was holding at sword point whispered.

"I'm glad you understand," Winter said. "Now walk into the cell behind you."

The guard slowly backed up, and Winter kept her sword trained on him. She said, "Hands into the manacles."

"You'll go to the gallows for this," the guard said. "Traitors always hang."

"That is my concern, not yours," Winter said. "And if you want to live to see me receive my just punishment, I suggest you cooperate."

The guard finally entered the large cell. He reached for the manacles on the wall and put one of his hands into them.

Winter acted quickly. She latched the manacle closed and then secured the guard's other hand.

"Thank you," Winter said.

Winter walked over to where the silent guard was being held in place by Ruby. He was still struggling fiercely to get free.

"Please, stop embarrassing yourself," Winter said.

The guard did stop and looked at Winter.

"You have two choices. You can either join your comrade in the cell. Or you can take your chances with her," Winter said, pointing at Ruby.

"Grrr!" Ruby said, baring her completely ordinary human teeth. It wasn't exactly an impressive attempt at being intimidating, but she was holding a heavy table and a fully grown man in place with seemingly very little effort.

The guard looked back and forth between Winter and Ruby several times. Then he nodded his head in the direction of the cell.

"The correct choice," Winter said.

A minute later, both guards were secure in the cell.

"What happens now?" Ruby asked, picking back up the bag she'd set down.

Winter sheathed her sword and looked around the room. They had dealt with the guards, but it had been sloppy. Winter knew it could have easily gone wrong. Her eyes fell on the rack of restraints and a pair of wooden manacles that were hanging on it. Another idea came to her. She snatched up the manacles and held them out to Ruby. She said, "Put your hands in here."

"Okay? What for?" Ruby asked. She was clearly confused, but she did as Winter had instructed.

Winter closed and latched the manacles. They were essentially a heavy plank of wood with two wrist-sized holes carved into them. They weren't as sturdy as a pair of iron manacles, but they were far more cumbersome, at least to a human.

Winter said to Ruby, "You are going to be a decoy."

"If you say so," Ruby said.

Winter started leading Ruby toward the back of the dungeon. She said, "I don't have time to explain. Just play along."

Winter quickly found the door that led to the wing Yang was being held in. It was open just a crack. The head jailer must have been inside. It was fortunate he hadn't heard the commotion earlier.

"Leave your bag here," Winter said. "We'll collect it again on the way out."

Ruby looked like she might object for a moment, but she did drop it. She said, "Okay. We'd better."

"Ruby," Winter said very solemnly. "When you see your sister, don't be alarmed. Don't say anything. You must pretend to be my prisoner."

"W-what's happened to her?" Ruby asked.

"She is going to be okay. We will see to that," Winter said. "But only if you play your part."

"Right," Ruby said, nodding resolutely.

Winter opened the door and grabbed Ruby by the arm, pulling her inside. The head jailer was standing over by Yang's cell. Winter couldn't see Yang from this angle, but it was clear the jailer was leering at her like she was on display for his enjoyment. Winter held back her disgust and pulled Ruby along. The moment Yang came into view, Winter felt Ruby tense up, but to her credit, she stayed silent.

Yang was in the same sad state she'd been in when Winter had last seen her. Although she was sagging a little lower in her restraints. Fatigue was likely starting to get the better of her. She did perk up when she saw Ruby and Winter, but it hardly even mattered with how little she could move. Then Winter saw alarm in Yang's eyes, no doubt because of Ruby being manacled. Winter did her best to silently convey reassurances to Yang.

The jailer looked up. He said, "My, my. Dame Schnee. This is a surprise. But you did tell me you'd be back."

"And I am. With a new prisoner for you nonetheless," Winter said, giving Ruby a push so she staggered forward. "I think it would be best she be given a cell in this wing."

"Oh? What's she done to earn a place in the gallery of monsters?" the jailer asked in wry amusement.

"A small contingent of the castle's staff have been overheard sympathizing with our draconic guest," Winter said. "She should witness firsthand what the prisoner truly is."

"Foolish but inevitable," the jailer said. "It's a funny little quirk of human nature. Those who are weak will flock to a being of power. They imagine somehow that their adoration will earn them power by association."

It was all Winter could do to keep from rolling her eyes at the jailer's philosophizing.

The jailer plucked a key off of his belt and unlocked the cell opposite of Yang's. However, as soon as he had opened the door, Winter gave him a swift kick to the back. He went stumbling forward into the cell, dropping the key, and bumped into the back wall.

The jailer spun around and angrily asked, "What's the meaning of this!?"

Winter drew her saber and menacingly stepped forward. She said, "The key to the dragon's cell, please."

The jailer asked, "Have you gone mad?"

"I am certain that is what they will say," Winter said.

The jailer crossed his arms defiantly, looking more annoyed than fearful. He said, "You should have asked for the key sooner. In all this excitement, I seem to have forgotten which one it is."

Winter gave the jailer an evil smirk. She said, "Ruby, take those things off."

"What? But…. Oh," Ruby said. She strained her arms against the manacles. They held for just a moment before the wood split apart and fell to the ground in pieces.

"By goodness…" the jailer said, finally sounding afraid. "She's one of them too!"

"Very astute of you," Winter said. "The key, please. My companion isn't as reasonable as I am."

The jailer scowled. But he finally plucked a second key off of his belt and held it out for Winter. He said, "It won't do you any good. Only the king himself knows where the key to remove her manacles is."

"So you told me before," Winter said. She took the key the jailer was holding and also grabbed the one he'd dropped from off of the floor. Then she backed out of the cell and locked the jailer in.

Winter sheathed her sword. Then she unlocked Yang's cell and threw the door open. Yang had been watching everything, but it was impossible to gauge her reaction.

"I told you I would return for you," Winter said as she hurried over to Yang. "Ruby! Help me get these off of her."

"Right!" Ruby said. She ran up to Yang as well. She started pulling on one of the manacles. However, it was very sturdily made. Ruby didn't seem to be able to make much progress against it.

"Mgh," Yang tried to say.

"What was that?" Winter asked.

"Masgh!" Yang repeated.

Winter finally understood. Yang was telling them to get the mask off her face. Winter examined it closer, finding a latch on its side where it rested on top of the thick collar around Yang's neck. The latch was held tight with a padlock, but the lock look slightly flimsier than any of the other restraints holding Yang in place.

"Ruby," Winter said, pointing to the lock.

Ruby let go of the manacles and shifted over to Yang's side.

"Don't you fools!" the Jailer said. "She'll kill everyone in this castle!"

Ruby ignored the jailer. She grabbed the lock with both hands and started pulling as hard as she could. The other side of the muzzle dug deep into Yang's skin, but she hardly even seemed to notice.

"Hungh!" Ruby grunted as she strained. All of a sudden there was a loud clang. The lock had held fast, but the loop of metal it had been attached to had given way. The latch on Yang's muzzle swung open.

Yang shook her head to loosen her muzzle up even more. Then she literally spat it out. Winter could see now there was a protrusion on the inside of it that had fit into Yang's mouth like a bit on a horse's bridle.

Yang huffed a few times. Then she said, "Get. Back."

Yang's voice was rough like she hadn't had water for several days, and her simmering anger was readily apparent. Her pupils were cat-like slits again, giving her an unsettling visage on top of her dirty, bloodied appearance. In short, Winter didn't need any convincing to do what Yang had asked.

Winter and Ruby both backed out of the cell. Yang looked directly up. She took in a deep breath. Then she unleashed a jet of intense flame. The fire rebounded off of the ceiling and showered down on top of Yang. The inferno was so bright that Winter was forced to shield her eyes. The dungeon suddenly felt like a blast furnace as the heat from Yang's fire radiated outward.

The fire abruptly stopped. Winter lowered her hand from her eyes. Yang was still chained to the wall, but now all her metal restraints were glowing yellow-hot. Yang seemed to brace herself. Then she let out a guttural roar and pulled with all her might. One by one the chains snapped until Yang was finally free. She wasn't done, however. She grabbed her collar. Claws sprouted from the ends of her fingers and dug into the tiny gap between the collar and her neck. She started pulling with a look of absolute rage on her face, and her eyes literally turned red. Then the collar began to bend, and the seam at the front began to grow wider and wider.

Yang made one last mighty effort and the collar finally opened wide. She pulled it off her neck and slammed it into the stone floor where it made a clamorous noise. All of the manacles were still around Yang's arms and legs, still glowing hot, but they couldn't hold Yang back anymore. Her body and limbs swelled as she transformed partway into her true self, and all the manacles snapped apart like they were no more sturdy than parchment.

Yang staggered forward. She looked mostly human again, although she was still partially transformed. Her eyes were still red and cat-like. There were still claws on the ends of her fingers. And a golden-scaled tail was protruding from the base of her spine. She stumbled out of her cell and threw herself against the bars of the cell holding the jailer.

The jailer let out an undignified yelp of alarm and pressed up against his cell's rear wall in terror. He looked like he was trying to somehow disappear into the stone.

Yang's hands curled around the bars of the jailer's cell, and she gave him a wrathful smile. Smoke was billowing from her nostrils, and a sinister gleam like a raging inferno was coming from behind her teeth. She pulled on the bars, and they started to creak and bend. She asked in a hellish voice, "What are you going to put in this part of your memoirs? Are you going to tell people you bravely faced down a monster? Or are you going to tell them about how you sat there pissing yourself?"

Winter suddenly intervened. She put her hand on Yang's shoulder and said, "Yang. He's not the one responsible for this. Nothing you can do to him would have any meaning."

Winter felt Yang's muscles twitching underneath her hand. But then Yang's claws and tail suddenly vanished along with the rest of her monstrous features. She said, "He's lucky you're here. He would've been number five."

Yang pushed herself off the cell and started stomping toward the end of the passageway.

"Yang!" Ruby said. "Yang! Wait!"

Ruby scurried after Yang, and Winter followed them both.

As soon as Yang, Ruby, and Winter were out the door. Yang immediately stopped. Her shoulders drooped, and a despondent scowl crossed her face.

"Yang?" Ruby asked with trepidation.

Yang suddenly turned and pulled Ruby into a big hug.

"Yang! I was worried about you!" Ruby said as she started to cry. "You were gone for so long. I didn't know what had happened!"

"I'm sorry, Ruby. I shouldn't have left you alone like that," Yang said. Tears were starting to trickle down her cheeks as well.

Winter stood there watching. She couldn't help but feel guilty about delaying Yang all those weeks. She knew it had been Yang's choice, and she'd been completely ignorant of it at the time, but it still felt like she'd wronged Ruby somehow.

Yang unexpectedly reached out and grabbed Winter's arm. She pulled her into the hug, and Winter suddenly found herself being embraced by the sisters. She was startled at first, but Yang and Ruby's hug was far too welcoming for her to resist for long. She felt an incredible amount of relief, like her sins had been forgiven. It didn't even bother her that she knew that wasn't true.

Several minutes passed. As much as Winter was enjoying what was happening, she felt it was up to her to be the realist. She slowly pulled herself out of the hug and said, "We should get moving. We haven't escaped yet."

"Winter…" Yang said. "I want you to know I followed you back to the castle because I needed to know how big of a threat you were. But I swear that's not why I stayed."

Winter found herself caught off guard, emotionally speaking. She asked, "Then you did genuinely care for me?"

"'Did'?" Yang asked. "What do you mean 'did'?"

"I have done much to wrong you," Winter said.

"Yeah? Like what?" Yang asked.

"I aided in your capture. I…" Winter started to say, preparing to rattle off a very long list.

Yang rolled her eyes. Then she walked right up to Winter and planted a fiery kiss on her lips.

Winter's eyes went wide for a moment before they fluttered closed. She still felt it, the emotional connection between her and Yang that had so enticed her before. Its absence had only made her more addicted to the sensation. Winter didn't want to give in to the hope that her relationship with Yang could survive everything that had happened, but Yang's onslaught gave her no choice.

Yang sharply pulled her lips away, breaking the kiss. Winter's eyes flew open, and she found herself gazing at Yang. She hadn't noticed when it had happened, but Yang's eyes had returned to their usual lilac color.

Yang jabbed Winter with her finger a few times saying, "If you think I care about stuff like that, you've still got a lot to learn about dragons. You're mine. Nothing's going to change that."

Winter's cheeks turned red. She tried to maintain her composure and said, "You've made your point very clear."

"Um…" Ruby said. "So do we still need to escape? Or…?"

"Yes!" Winter said, suddenly reminded that she'd been passionately kissing Yang in front of her sister. She pulled away from Yang. "Yes! Of course we do!"

"Well then I guess we're going to need this," Ruby said. She grabbed the bag she'd left behind off of the floor where it had been waiting for her. Then she reached into it and produced the tiny vial of healing potion. "Ta-da! The red stuff."

"Good. You brought it," Yang said. She took the vial and pulled out its cork. She tapped a drop out into her waiting mouth. Then she made a face like she'd eaten something disgusting and gritted her teeth. Her free hand curled into a fist, and she punched the nearest wall hard enough to crack the stone.

"I hate using this stuff," Yang grumbled as she put the cork back into place.

Winter was already rummaging through Ruby's bag. She pulled out the chemise Klein had gotten for them and the red cloak Ruby had worn. She handed them to Yang, saying, "Put these on. You'll look less suspicious from a distance."

Yang took the clothes. She said, "Good idea. We need to get to my room. Then we can leave."

"Your room?" Winter asked. "Surely everything in there was burned to ash."

"Not everything. Trust me," Yang said.

"Yang, whatever is there isn't worth it," Winter said. "We must escape while we can!"

"It's worth it!" Yang said forcefully. "We can't leave yet!"

Winter actually took a step back. She'd never seen Yang get so riled up, and she didn't think it had anything to do with her stay in the dungeon. As foolish as she thought Yang was being, she conceded that she didn't have any way to force Yang to do or not do anything. She said, "Very well. But we must be quick about it."

Author's Note: Remember when I said the next chapter would be a doozy? Well it turns out it was actually two chapters. So I hope you enjoyed Chapter 12 Part 1. Tune in next week for Chapter 12 Part 2, now known as Chapter 13.

As always, I welcome constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave a review. And if you like what you've read, taking the time to favorite and/or follow really helps me out. You can also find me on tumblr (electronicyarn) if you want to send me a message or be notified of updates.