The walk back to the palace was slow and filled with silence. Each of the companion's minds were full of dark and conflicting thoughts. It was a moment before Ethan realized they'd just passed something familiar.
"Wait."
Briar Rose and Christopher held up for a moment. Ethan pointed at the aged, but still intact home of his Rune Arts teacher, Professor Ardeneaux. The house screamed "abandoned," and was probably full of dust, but it was one of the very few things left in this world that was familiar to Ethan. The thought also struck him that Professor Ardeneaux was probably still alive. Elves had the luck of being one of the races with the longest lifespans. What was several lifetimes to a human, was probably nothing more than a fleeting moment to an elf.
Ethan rushed over to the door and gave it a push. There was a barrier here, not of boards or nails, but of magic. Ethan's thoughts raced until he remembered the proper way to dispell it. In moments they were in. A clever way to keep the unwanted ones out. Ethan tried pushing the door again and this time it creaked open, the hinges rusted with age.
They stepped into a room surprisingly free of dust. Everything was just as Ethan remembered it. Everything in order, neat and clean. He almost expected Ardeneaux to come walking out at any moment, ready to give him a lecture. The only thing out of place were the scraps of paper scattered over the small table in Ardeneaux's den. They were piled in what seemed like random stacks and some were laying haphazardly on the floor and chairs. In the middle of it all was a scroll of paper, neatly tied with a red ribbon.
Ethan instinctively reached for it. He pulled the ribbon loose from it's knot and carefully unfolded the aged paper.

Mr. Ethan Fawks -

If you're reading this, then you were at least able to remember one of my simple dispell barrier lessons. I'm truly sorry things have turned out this way. As soon as it happened, I sent letters to all the neighboring kingdoms, begging for their princes to come and try to wake Princess Briar Rose, but they've all failed... It looks like all I can do is wait... I've made sure to look after your family. It's been over a year now and they still pray daily for your safe return. I don't have the heart to tell them, you probably won't return... at least not in their lifetimes.
I've been doing some research. You'll find scattered across the table the other stories I've been able to obtain. I was surprised to find that they knew about your friend Christopher as well. His story is among the many that lie before you. I pray that I will be able to stop this madness before it's too late. I'm leaving today Ethan. I'm going in search of the thirteenth fairy. Perhaps she can offer some insight or at least some direction as to what can be done about this madness. If I am not back by the time you awaken, well, then things probably aren't going according to plan. Try not to get discouraged. If hope is lost, then what else is there? Believe you can make a difference Ethan. Never stop believing.

Ardeneaux

Ethan's hands shook as he put the letter down and rummaged through the other papers nervously.
"Ethan?" Christopher asked, "Ethan, what'd it say? Where's Ardeneaux?"
Ethan shook his head. "Something's happened to him. I think the storytellers got him..."
Briar Rose looked frightened, "no..."
Ethan frowned and looked up at his friend after he'd found the paper he was looking for, "Topher... They wrote your story too..."
Christopher's mouth hung open and he laughed a little in disbelief, "you're kidding right? I mean..."
"It's right here. The Frog Prince. It's your story Christopher..." Ethan shook his head, "We have to stop them..."
Christopher frowned and looked away. "How are we going to do that?"
Ethan folded the story and placed it in his pocket, then gathered up the other papers. He stacked them before dropping them into a courier bag, along with the scroll. "We follow Ardeneaux's tracks."

* * * * *

Kelly Valcourt yawned and continued to listen to the boring small talk the King and Queen were throwing at him. Where had their daughter gone? Not a word of thanks for saving her, she just ran off! He tried his best to look attentive as the Queen babbled on about their kingdom. Kelly just hoped she hadn't run after that dirty looking peasant boy. He'd heard rumors of princess' that were seduced by fast talking peasants. They would actually marry the filthy paupers and dirty their bloodlines with them. Just the thought was disgusting. If that was the case, he'd be sure to make short work of the worthless little pauper. Something delightful and messy like a public execution. Make sure the others all knew their place. He couldn't stand the thought of one of them actually thinking themselves important... The princess would get over it and realize her mistake and they could live the standard "happily ever after" thing.
He played idly with some items on the table while the King started in on another topic. He paused when Kelly picked up a pair of glasses with thin silver frames.
"Ah yes, those were crafted by an advisor of mine some years back. I've no talent for magic you see, but with those I can tell if someone is under any sort of bewitchment, or the true nature of things... it's quite handy.
"Hm..." Kelly muttered and put them on, not really caring. The only thing that showed up through the lenses was a faint blue aura around the King and Queen. He assumed it was some sort of glamour spell. Royalty often had those done to keep themselves looking young and beautiful.
He looked up as the throne room doors slowly opened and a flustered guard came stumbling forward, "Your... highnesses, the Princess Briar Rose has returned. She is accompanied by the guests that performed for you last night."
The king nodded, "Show them in."
Briar Rose walked into the room, a picture of stone faced beauty. Her eyes were icy as she came forward, followed by two nervous looking young men. "Your highness. I request the use of three of your fastest horses and supplies for my friends and I. We're in a hurry, so if you please---"
Kelly laughed, "fastest horses? Surely you don't mean to journey with this riff raff?" He eyed them curiously through the glasses. One was glowing with a deep violet aura and the other man, the one with dark hair, stared at him warily with cautious eyes. The princess seemed to be giving off the same aura as her parents, only a bit fainter. He removed the glasses and looked down his nose at the men in her company.
He almost flinched, but of course, princes don't do such things. His shock was caused by the transformation of the dark haired man. Behind the glasses he was nearly as good looking and charming as he himself was. But as soon as the glasses were removed, the face he saw was that of a greasy, average looking peasant. Must be some sort of curse, he mused.
Briar Rose's eyes flickered with unspoken anger, but she kept it from her voice, "Yes. It's of utmost importance your highness, I implore you---"
Kelly looked from her to her parents. They looked a little torn concerning her request. "Ah, your majesty," Kelly began, bowing low before the King, "If it pleases you, might I accompany your daughter on her quest? My skill is more than enough to keep her safe on this journey."
The parents looked at one another with mixed emotions. Briar Rose looked as though she might say something, but if that was the case, she was quickly cut off as her father, the King declared, "Very well." he made a motion to one of the guards, "Prepare three of my fastest horses. I want them ready at a moment's notice."
The flustered guard nodded and ran from the room, ready to carry out the orders. Kelly smiled. This would be better than he'd imagined. He just had to get rid of those peasants, and he and the princess could have a little adventure of their own...

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