* * * * *

Ardeneaux tensed as he heard footsteps walking down the long staircase to the dungeon where he'd lay in darkness for many, many years. His golden hair had grown long and lost it's luster which he'd been so proud of. His face was still the picture of beauty, but it had grown thin and pale. He didn't even look up to give his tormentors a glare or a look of disgust. he just sat behind the cold metal bars, his thin arms in shackles.
"Good evening gentlemen. Or is it afternoon? I lost track of time long ago..."
Wilhelm and Jacob smiled their usual triumphant smiles. He was so sick of all of this. He wished he could escape, but they'd made sure it was impossible. The metals that held him captive were no mere bars of steel or iron. They had been infused with magic.
Wilhelm peered into the darkness, "Ah yes, good day to you Ardeneaux. How are you holding up?"

* * * * *

Ethan glared in silence at Prince Kelly. He was everything Ethan hated about high society. Why couldn't a decent man ever be born into nobility? It was like money and power did something to their brains. Addled them with stupidity. He assumed it was all the inbreeding they did to keep their lines "pure".
The prince glared right back at him, "I should have you imprisoned. Daring to attack royalty? And you must know it's illegal for the low class to use the Rune Arts. How you got this far without---"
Briar Rose stood between Ethan and the prince. She stared Kelly down angrily, "Enough! Ethan is my... my... I won't have you speaking to him that way!"
Prince Kelly frowned, "Please Princess... Don't keep me from fulfilling the letter of the law. I am a Prince. I stand for truth and right. This peasant just-"
She stopped him from going further, "I said that's enough. Don't make me repeat myself."
With that, the evening came to an end. Kelly stomped off to his room and Briar Rose started unpacking some things for bed. Ethan was fairly sure that the pompous prince hadn't bought a room for him. He likely expected him to sleep in the stables, "where he belongs." Ethan scowled. Just the thought of that obnoxious prince was enough to make his stomach turn. He looked around the room. The bed was more than large enough for his entire family to have squeezed onto. There was a fur rug near the fireplace and some chairs near the other side of the room. Ethan felt a little guilty for asking, but he wasn't about to sleep in the stables. Especially not after the recent incident.
"Bri?"
Briar Rose looked a mess. She was probably on the verge of tears, but she was the type that wouldn't show them if she thought it would hurt her pride. Ethan wanted to put his arms around her and tell her things would be alright. Heck, he wished someone would do that for him... but that was a little much to expect. He settled for standing behind her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry Bri... I didn't mean to make a scene..."
He could feel her shoulders shake just slightly, "No, it's not your fault... I just... don't worry about it..."
Ethan swallowed hard, "I hate to ask this of you... especially after all of that... but... would it be alright if I slept on the floor here? I... " he paused with a sort of half smile, "I'm a peasant after all."
Briar Rose laughed and gave him a soft punch in the arm. "I've told you, you don't have to be so formal. Of course you can stay. I wouldn't have you sleeping in the barn with the horses like his high and might Prince Kelly would. You're my... my friend Ethan."
Ethan nodded and grabbed a blanket before trudging over to the thick fur rug. It had been a very, very long day.

* * * * *

Christopher scratched his head in thought as he waved a last goodbye to the old woman and the residents of her home the next morning. They'd been so hospitable, even given him a change of clothing, but it wasn't until he was far down the road that he realized he didn't have a clue how he was going to pay for travel expenses on this journey. All the supplies had gone with the others.
His stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten for a while. At least he was out of those black clothes and mask. They were fun and he felt so much confidence when he wore them, but he also liked to be himself. The horse had been fast at first, but he didn't ride horses like these and he'd tired her out too quickly. He led her slowly now, by the reins as he walked along the road. He was approaching the next town and he thanked whatever Gods might be watching out for him. Hopefully he coud find a meal here, or maybe even a place to stay.
He saw a girl playing not too far away. There was a grassy knoll and a large pond with several ducks gliding over the surface. As he drew nearer he realized the girl was much older than he'd thought. She looked pretty close to his age, mid to late teens. Her blonde hair was done up in bouncy ringlets and her dress screamed money. She was probably the daughter of a wealthy Lord or Noble.
She carried a bright golden ball that she threw high into the air every now and again. Christopher tried to just ignore her as he walked past. He didn't have time to talk, he had to keep moving after Ethan and the others. He cringed as he heard her cry out. He looked up to see the ball bounce across the knoll and roll right into the pond. He almost laughed out loud, but suppressed it.
Her attention immediately moved to him, "you there! Fetch my ball!"
Fetch? Do I look like a dog? Yeesh... He sighed, "I really don't have time miss, I'm sorry, but---"
She stormed over, her curls bouncing with each step, "You will do it now because I order you to!"
Chris groaned inwardly. He really didn't want to deal with this right now. "Look, why don't you just get one of your servants to do it for you and---"
"No!" she yelled, "I want it back NOW! Get it!"
Christopher had enough, "I have to go..."
Her tone of voice changed, "but I need it!"
Christopher bit his lip and started walking away. "I can't."
"Please!" she thought quickly, "you can... you can stay at my father's castle for the night if you do! It's very nice there!"
Christopher rubbed a hand to his temple and sighed, "fine..." He trudged over to the pond and handed her the horses reins. "Hold this for a moment while I get it." He stripped off his shirt and shoes and rolled up his pants before wading into the cold murky water. He could feel all the mud and nasty stuff on the bottom squishing between his toes. He took a deep breath and went under.
If the water was cold when he was in it up to his waist, it was freezing now that he was covered in it. His eyes scanned the murky depths and his hands felt for the round ball. Nothing. He came up for a breath and rubbed his eyes. The girl looked hopeful, "did you find it?"
Christopher shook his head and dove again. He saw something glint out of the corner of his eye and went toward it. The ball shimmered under a thin layer of dirt. He wrapped his hand around it and was surprised at how heavy it was. It was fairly small, but it was most likely made of pure gold. He tugged it loose and headed for the surface.
"I got it." Christopher stated as he stepped shivering out of the water.
The girl snatched the ball away and pocketed it. "excellent."
Christopher started wringing out the cuffs of his pants, "So where do you live? I'm freezing, but it was worth it for a warm place to stay the night."
The girl turned up her lip in disgust, "You thought I was serious?" She laughed, a mocking, high pitched tinkling sound.
Chris felt his stomach sink to his knees. He should've known better. "y... yeah, I thought so."
Before he could protest, she mounted the horse and trotted out of reach, "Like I would really invite such a hideous creature into my home. I can barely stand to look at someone so ugly..." with that she kicked the horse into a gallop and was gone from sight.
Chris groaned. I assumed my luck couldn't get any WORSE. Apparently I was WRONG. He sighed and picked up his shirt and shoes and started walking toward town.

Chris was shivering by the time he reached the castle gates. Normally he would've just looked for somewhere cheap to stay, but this was worth pursuing. He wasn't about to let this all slide so easily. He just hoped his hunch was right and she really did live at the palace.
The gates were high and tipped with the usual spikes and guarded by the usual security. Christopher gritted his teeth and walked forward.
"Woah, easy there son, what business have you at the castle?" the first guard stopped him.
Christopher tried to stop his shaking long enough to say, "A... a girl that lives here said I was welcome to stay."
"Do you have any proof" the man looked more than a little skeptical.
Christopher rubbed at his bare arms. He just knew he was going to come down with something. "Her golden ball fell into a pond and I got it for her." He made sure to avoid the word "fetch". "Do you really think I'd be this soaking wet for no reason? She told me I could stay here for a night in return."
The guards looked at one another, "I'll go check..." started the first.
"There's no need." came an authoritative voice from behind them. "Get him some dry clothing right away."
The guards turned to see the king standing behind the gate, "Y... yes your highness!"

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