Chapter 18

Everything was burning. People were running in terror. They were screaming on the ground from pain. They were dying. Agnes was hanging from a tree with a rope on her neck, her face halted in a grimace of agony. A silent "no" echoed. Itachi and Wales were on the ground with empty dead looks in their eyes. "No" echoed again louder than the first time. The queen of Tristain was on her knees with a bowed head, her neck showing, and a man to her side swinging a sword down cutting her head off, and men made of shadows laughing at the sight from the flames.

- Mother! – Henrietta woke up screaming in cold sweat.

She looked at her surroundings all tensed up from the vision that the nightmare gave her. After realizing that it was only a dream, she relaxed her body with a deep sigh. She got out of her bed and stood in front of the glass doors of the balcony, decorated with big vases with roses in them, looking outside. It was a dark night. There was no moon to enlighten the castle walls or the town beyond them. The only thing shedding light was the flickering torches placed on the walls. She thought about what she had dreamed and felt cold unpleasant shivers down her spine from the thought. After that she went to her wardrobe to change her night clothes, for they were all sweaty. Returning to her bed she lied down relaxing her body, but not closing her eyes. She was afraid that if she closed them, that an even more horrifying image would torment her in her sleep.

The waters surrounding the castle were quiet, as were the boats sailing on them. Ten boats with ten men in each one. They crept closer and closer to the castle of Tristain, like wolfs closing on their prey. Spotting the guards patrolling the docks, they sent silent arrows flying in their direction killing them on the spot. Some fell on the ground, others in the water with a noisy splash. They doubled their effort rowing, and after a few moments they started getting of the boats. A large group ran to the castle gates while encountering guards. A large battle broke out. Before reinforcements could arrive, the attackers closed the castle gates, leaving them only with the soldiers that were inside. They had to keep them distracted. A smaller group of twenty men, went inside the castle, cutting down anyone they saw. They had only one goal. Capture the princess.

How could this happen. An enemy behind the castle walls. Rodrick was not expecting this when he looked out his window to see what the commotion was all about. As he watched how the castle guards and general Gramont and his men where fighting for their lives, Rodrick took a deep breath. He quickly opened the trunk with his belongings in front of his bed, and took out a single rapier. He took a moment looking at the blade before closing the trunk.

- It's time to fulfil my duty. – he said to himself.

He exited his room with haste and started making his way to the princess's quarters. He heard screams and swords clashing. He knew that he had to hurry. He took every shortcut he knew, but it was time for his luck to run out. He stopped in front of three of the attackers, who were either pulling a sword from the castle staff that they slaughtered or were in the process of doing so. Rage and bloodlust began to wildly burn in Rodrick's eyes. The three foes turned to his direction and began to approach him.

- Gentlemen – Rodrick began with a cold calmness, with the rage still in his eyes – you are not welcome in the castle. I advise you to leave immediately!

- Die. – said the man that was closest to him as he was swinging his sword at him.

Rodrick only moved slightly to the side before slashing with the edge of his rapier at the eyes of his attacker, blinging him in the process. The other two ceased their advance, the moment their comrade turned screaming towards them holding his bleeding eyes with his hands. Rodrick the proceeded to slash at one of his heels making him kneel.

- Because if you don't – Rodrick grabbed the kneeling enemy by the forehead and slowly started to push his rapier at the back of his neck until it fully emerged from the throat, as if it was a needle going through cloth – you will never leave alive.

He pulled his weapon out, without moving his gaze from the now shaken enemies. He began his assault killing one of the two instantly, while stabbing the other one in the stomach letting him realize what just happened. Pulling his rapier out, Rodrick walked past the now collapsing enemy. While still barely alive the last enemy asked faintly with a frightened look before he died.

- What are you?

Without turning Rodrick answered while still walking away.

- I am the head butler of this castle.

As he began to pick up the pace again he reached the main entrance hall were the staff was running for dear life and guards were battling the intruders. In Rodrick's eyes this was a complete mess, but one that was going to be put in order quickly. Among all the chaos he saw a giant of a man with golden hair and moustache in full armor shouting orders as he was dispatching intruders left and right with his sword. He was a fierce warrior but was about to be stabbed in the back. Rodrick took action and dashed as fast as he could to help the general. For a man of his age he was still quite fast as he surprised even himself, as he knew that he had past his prime. He jumped from the stairs and with the momentum he stabbed the attacker that crept behind the general in the neck falling on the ground with him. The general turned startled with his sword raised only to see Rodrick getting up and pulling his rapier out.

- I could have taken him. – the general said jokingly.

- Jests aside general, – Rodrick spoke in a formal tone – how bad is it.

- We don't know, – the general spoke – but it's not a problem we cannot handle. – he continued in high spirit as he pointed to now the fallen enemy and the remaining guards with a smile and confidence that even a king would envy.

All of a sudden, the doors to the castle courtyard burst open inwards and with them a castle guard flying in and landing on the stairs dead.

- They have a mage! – another soldier ran inside screaming.

At that moment a small group of enemies entered followed by a masked man holding a staff. The masked man began to chant and when he finished a bolder rose up from the ground and shot itself towards Rodrick, general Gramont and everyone else that was in its path. The general pushed Rodrick back as fast as he could, moving him out of the way of the boulder that crashed into the stairs of the main entrance hall. After that the enemy charged at the downed soldiers seizing the opportunity. The head butler and the general stood up as fast as they could and began to fight.

- This was not in my plan of action. – Rodrick spoke with a bit of frustration in his voice but still with a calm expression – I have to get to the princess.

- Well the stairs are gone and the only way to her is going through those bastards and their mage. – the general spoke while fighting.

- Then let's go through! – Rodrick spoke as he charged forward stabbing and slashing followed by the general. As they cut through along with the soldiers Rodrick spotted the masked mage starting to chant again – Not this time. – Rodrick spoke as he shot towards the mage.

When the mage saw Rodrick charging at him he let out a frightened scream, as he stopped the chant and try to run away. The moment the mage turned his back, Rodrick threw his rapier at him, stabbing him right through his head. The mage began to fall, but right before hitting the ground, the head butler grabbed his rapier and pulled it out of the dead enemy's skull, then he ran out in the courtyard again making his way to Henrietta, this time through a longer route much to his great dislike.

- For an old guy you really are something Rodrick. – general Gramont praised as he caught up to the old butler – I can imagine what you were like when you were younger.

- It's not something that impressive. – Rodrick responded – A mage without their wand or staff is no bigger treat than a child with a stick.

In the courtyard they saw that the guards and general Gramont's soldiers were nearing victory, as the intruders were either running or being cut down. As Rodrick passed through them he shouted to the general who did not notice Rodrick going ahead of him again.

- I want prisoners for questioning! – he said as he continued to run and entered the castle again through another smaller entrance.

Henrietta watched from her room with shock in her eyes of the scene that was occurring in the castle courtyard. She had never seen such a thing before. A real battle, with people dying. She put a hand on her mouth and stepped back from the balcony doors. She tought of her dream she had shortly before all of this began, and cold shivers went down her spine. She quickly went to her small table next to her bed and grabbed her wand holding it tight as the fear held her. Then a knock was heard on her door from which she startled and gasped. After that a voice speaking with urgency was heard.

- Your majesty are you in there? – man's voice was heard.

- Who is it? – Henrietta asked out of fear.

The door opened and in her room entered two of the castle guards, both of which lowered their heads in a sign of apology.

- I am sorry for the intrusion your highness, - the older of the guards spoke – but we have to get you to a safe place until the attackers are pushed back.

Henrietta was hesitant how to respond, not that she had the time as a sudden scream and silencing was heard in the hall beyond her door. The two guards turned their backs towards her and drew their swords as they waited. The door to her room opened and entering trough it came two masked figures with bloodied blades in their hands. They quickly saw the two guards and Henrietta behind them.

- That must be her. – one of the intruders spoke.

- Let's get this over with. – the other responded taking a step forward.

- Don't take another step. – the older guard spoke again.

- Let's do get this over with. – the younger guard said.

After that the younger guard surprising his elder stabbed him sideways with his sword trough his torso to the surprise of the older guard and horror of Henrietta.

- It was about time you guys got here. – the traitor said while removing his helmet and revealing a blond hair under it. – I was starting to get impatient.

- What have you done? – Henrietta asked aiming her wand at the two intruders and the guard turned traitor.

- I got rid of a little nuisance. – the traitor spoke – Also we are kidnaping you. But I suppose it would be less confusing for you if I did this.

The traitor touched his face and grabbed it, as if he was grabbing cloth and pulled it down to reveal another face of a young man in his mid twenties with beautiful features. After that he stroked his hair as if to get something out of it, and from his head fell several blond hairs. Henrietta did not believe what she saw. The moment the blonde pieces of hair left his head, his hair color started to turn from a blond to a chestnut color. The man now smiled and spoke again.

- I see that the confusion is still on your face. – the young man said with a cheeky smile – Allow me to introduce myself then your majesty. – he bowed mockingly and – I am baronet Christopher de Grand and your service.

- You are one of them. – Henrietta spoke with shock still in her voice, but now standing in a more defensive posture. – But how?

- Sorry but we don't have time for this. – de Grand said quickly – Boys do your thing.

The moment he said that, Henrietta knew that she had to act despite the fear holding her in its grasp. She pointed her wand as fast as she could at the big vases near the balcony doors. With a flick of her wand she rose the water from the vases and hurled it towards the baronet and his two companions knocking the back to the door. She made a quick run to the fireplace to pull the candlestick which activated the door to the secret corridor. The moment she pulled the candlestick and the click was heard, she saw de Grand and the two men rising and charging at her. Again she flicked her wand and the water rose up between her and her attackers and froze. The tree of them stopped quickly and de Grand touched the thick ice wall.

- Impressive for a little princess. – he said mockingly – Break it! – he ordered to his companions.

The moment he said that he and the two men began to hit the ice with the hilt of their swords. With their combined effort the ice quickly began to crack. Henrietta saw this, and turned to see that the fireplace was half open. She turned again and saw that the ice had cracked even more and was about to break before she could escape. Fear and panic crept inside her.

- No! – she screamed while closing her eyes when the tree men were about to hit the ice again breaking it.

Without realizing, the same moment she closed her eyes, her hand which held her wand shot forward and a pained groan was heard, but not from her. When she opened her eyes she saw a scene which horrified her. From the ice wall were sticking out ice spikes which had impaled the two masked men, and wounded de Grand's arm with which he held his sword, and scratched his face. De Grand stepped back and grabbed his hand where it was hurt while dropping his sword. Henrietta turned towards the fireplace and saw that it was completely open. She entered it as fast as she could and quickly pushed the brick on the right side of the hidden corridor's wall, closing the hidden passage. Before the door was halfway closed she saw baronet de Grand touching the wound on his face as if he just noticed it. He wiped the blood of the scratch, and when he saw his red hand his face from a pained began to turn into furious on. Henrietta turned around and began to run as fast as she could in any direction she could find, hoping that she would get to another exit as soon as possible. In the distance behind her she could hear de Grand scream behind the wall with an unimaginable fury.

- You are going to pay for this! – de Grand screamed – You cannot hide in there! I will find you!

Henrietta ran as fast as she could but after a second when de Grand's shouting stopped she heard an echo as if he was screaming from inside the corridor.

- You cannot escape from me! I know the secret passages better than you!

The princess of Tristain ran as fast as possible until through the dark corridor, until she ran into a dead end and started to search for a switch. Her hands touched the walls as fast as possible but she could not find anything. She turned to run, to try and find an exit out of the corridor, but the moment she turned she was met with a punch to her stomach so strong, that it knocked the wind out of her. She fell on the ground gasping for air, and when she turned up to see her attacker, she saw Christopher de Grand standing in front of her. He knelt to her and grabbed her face.

- You really should have learned the secret passages more carefully princess. – the Grand spoke with a smug smile, after which he slapped her face knocking her head in the wall and knocking her out. – Now then, time to get out of here. – he said to himself while picking up Henrietta and carrying her through the corridors until he reached a wall marked with white chalk.

He continued in the marked direction until he stood in front a marked wall. He quickly found the switch and opened the door leading outside the castle walls into the town where a cart with a man was waiting. The Baronet with haste made his way to the waiting cart and put the unconscious princess in it, covering her with a blanket. He then sat next to the carter and the cart left as quickly as possible.

Rodrick got to Henrietta's room and when he entered it and stood still at the sight. He watched the two dead masked men and the dead guard as well as the hidden passage. He stood still and became pale with anger and frustration. After him entered general Gramont with a five of his troops.

- What in the name of the founder? – he said to himself, and after a lightning fast realization of what has happened he turned to his men – Tell everyone to search the castle in and out. No one is to leave. Take the captured men to the dungeons and restrain them. Send men to the town and make a perimeter around it. If anyone tries to leave take him in for questioning. You two – he pointed he pointed two of the soldiers – four torches now! We are going in there. – with their orders given the soldiers ran to fulfil them as if their life depended on it.

- They will be gone before the orders are given. – Rodrick spoke calmly but with sharp coldness and fury which the general felt – Go and search these hidden corridors and see where they lead. I will go speak with the prisoners.

- Rodrick need I remind you that I am the one giving orders here? – Gramont said with a bit of authority, but also cautiously seeing that the butler was giving a death stare.

- Under normal circumstances yes you do. – Rodrick said still with that cold furious note in his voice – But right now I am not in the mood. I am going to find out where they are taking the princess, one way or another.