Castle Hallowgrove

[Ravenloft]

Despite her concerns that Cas might have just been using her, his tender possessiveness of her body did thrill her a little, and she giggled, squirming her butt against his strong hands. "Oh, it does, does it?" She teased, quickly wriggling out of his grasp with a wink.

She looked up into his eyes, trying not to cry. "You better, mister." She whispered, accepting his kiss. "Soon." She agreed, noticing his brilliant green eyes dilating. She really hoped he couldn't see the pain and heart ache behind her own. There was no time to explain all the things she was feeling. She had to go, or be a failure to the harpers.

"Yes..." she whispered, squeezing his hand back, part of her wanting to stay. As long as she stayed, he wouldn't need another, right? She could be his only one... his offer to take Galahara made her instantly perk up. "Really?!" She clapped her hands together in excirement. She loved horses. "Maybe this time I won't spook her." She said with a laugh. "Of course I will! I'm... oh!" She threw her arms around him again and hugged and kissed him, overjoyed with his kindness. Maybe he really was the one for her!

"I'll take such good care of her! You'll see! I'll brush her and feed her and tell her how beautiful she is!" Midgeon danced her way to the door, a bit over excited by it all. Peeking out, she saw the coast was clear and glanced back at Cas one last time. "Oh... before I go..." she said, leaning forward, resting her shoulder against the door frame and hiking her skirt up, showing him her cute little bum, wiggling it for him. "Yes, it really is yours, my dashing prince!" Before he could say anything, though, she dropped her bunched up skirt and dashed out of the room and down the hall, quiet as a mouse.

She snuck out and down through the kitchen, snatching a crust of bread and some fruit as she went. Then ran to the stables and looked for Galahara, scooping out a hand full of oats for her. Thankfully no stable hands were around to catch her. Even though Cas said she could take her, no one knew he had given her permission . Heck, no one even knew who she was! Was this a good idea? She didn't think so, but he had made her promise to take the horse.

She only hoped he would explain it away when Galahara finally turned up missing. She didn't want to be labeled a horse thief after all. "Hello, Galahara! Remember me?" She asked sweetly, offering her the oats in her cupped hands, smiling up at the mighty mare. "Cas said I could ride you into town. Is that okay with you, girl?" She asked politely, using a spell to speak with her. "We need to be sneaky though... do you know a way out of here that we won't be caught?" She asked, giving her a gentle rub on her snout.

 

[Artemidorus]

Cas looked out his window at the sun. It was barely noon. He stretched a bit and wandered to the food vart, grabbing some cheese and flopping into his bed. That little lady had kept him up quite late. He grinned to himself like a madman. What was this feeling? Just the thought of her made his chest swell up like a baloon. Was it... Love?

Yes! People talked about this. This feeling. Love. He grinned more.

But then- his smile fell and his chest hurt. He had just let her go and now he was alone. He should have invited her to the masquerade tonight- oh lord. How dumb could he be?

He tried to calm himself. He would see her again. He would.

 

[Ravenloft]

Galahara lifted her head and fixed one big brown eye upon little Midge, sniffing. "I remember, you panicked and confused me, nearly got us all hurt." Her chuffs and winnies being converted into words that only Midgeon could understand. "Food, yes please, I would much prefer an apple for its crunch and sweet, but oats will do nicely. You have masters scent all over you, are you his new mate?" She asked bluntly, blinking her big brown eye. "I..." Midge blushed as Galahara ate the oats quickly from her hands. "...don't think that's any of your business... may I ride you or not?" She asked again. "Touchy... well, word of warning, young mare, that boy is a stallion, don't expect to keep him all to yourself, he's wild and free. And yes, I'll carry you, come on, get on. You can call me Gal, master does." she knelt down to give the small girl an easier time of climbing up.

Turning her head, Gal looked back at Midgeon as she got up in the saddle. "Sneaky? Hmmm... yes, I know a way, but you must hold on tight, it is quite a jump." She answered, rising up and making a laughter like winny. A minute later, they were galloping toward a heavy wooden cart placed near the back wall. Gal used it as a ramp up to leap over the wall, her hooves just barely clearing the low crenulation of the wall. Midge held on for dear life, smothering a scream into Gals wild mane.

After that, things were much more peaceful and she talked and sang to Gal as she took them to her destination. The spell had ended, but in a way, Midge still felt she understood Gal, not in words, but through body language. She was a good horse and a better friend. Cas was lucky to have her.

When she finally arrived at the secret Harper's guild house, she slipped down from the saddle, feeling the ache of all she had done with Cas come back to haunt her. "Ooooh..." she groaned, she was be very sore, now she understood what he'd meant about not walking for a day or two! "Ugh! Hope Sir Kiernan doesn't notice... I'll die of embarrassment if he asks me what's wrong!" She was already turning red as Gal just Winnie out in laughter, winking an eye at her. "Oh stop it, I'm embarrassed enough as it is, Gal!"


Turning around and putting her hands on the small of her back to sooth some of the ache, she stretched and groaned. "Ooooph... well... time to face the music, I guess..." she was none too keen on the tongue lashing she was sure Kiernan was about to give her. It would be nothing at all like the ones Cas had given her... those were nice... this one would be far from pleasant...she Walked inside, with her head low and her shoulders slumped, maybe if she showed how guilty and contrite she felt, he would take it easier on her... maybe.

 

[Artemidorus]

Kiernan was yelling before Midge could even step inside.

"That better be my good for nothing Pigeon and she BETTER have an INCREDIBLE excuse as to why in the WORLD shes been gone." he stood quickly, sending the chair behind him scuttering across the floor. A few girls beside him worked away at a dress.

"We have it on good authority that the king's son, Laufrey, is planning on assasinating someone at the masquerade tonight. Now, I was considering allowing you to take the assignment but with you absence... Well I'm not so sure you can handle it. Can you handle it?"

---

Casimir dressed a bit sombrely. The masquerade was in an hour and even as servants fussed over getting his hair perfect and trying to put makeup on him, he couldn't distract his mind. Midge liked the way he looked Au Natural, and that' how he wanted to stay. Maybe tousle his hair a little bit, maybe put on that perfume that made ladies swoon, and maybe where the dashing black and red tailcoat his brother had picked for him, with the grey slacks. His mask had a pointed gold nose and red and brown feathers, covered in soft black down. He looked at himself, and truly he looked dashing. But what was the point without Midge?

 

[Ravenloft]

"Oooph..." Midgeon groaned as she tried to hurry inside, her body aching in places she never imagined could ache like this. Cas was right, she felt like she would be best served to just lay in bed for a week... But that's kind of how she got herself into this predicament, now, isn't it? She thought to herself as Kiernan was already yelling at her, before she even made it through the door.

Faking an air of coolness under pressure, she carefully made her way through the room to sit down, easy as you like and replied with a glib smile. "Calm yourself, mister ornery, for your information, I've been..." she had to pause, to make sure she didn't say something crude, like 'knob hopping', the way she wanted to, just to really stick it to Kiernan. She settled for just sticking it to him. "...Hob nobbing with nobility too! The kings other son, Casimir. And please don't call me Pidgeon, you know it makes me cross, you big silly!"

When Kiernan's jaw dropped open, Midgeon giggled and proceeded to tell him how they met and what they did, leaving out all the sexy details, only sharing how they had a nice meal together how he had been a perfect gentleman and let her sleep in his bed, unmolested, hoping that he bought it.

She noticed the dress being made and wanted to ask who it was for. It looked awfully expensive and a bit uncomfortable, but it sure was pretty. Then he mentioned Laufrey and his intent to assassinate someone at the ball she had overheard Cas and his brother talking about. She drew a sharp breath, instantly suspecting, fearing it was Cas's life he sought to end! She could not allow that! "I can handle it!" She said sharply, perhaps a bit too sharply. "Oh... Master Harper... please forgive me... but you must let me help! Please?!" She was ready to beg at his feet if he didn't let her, she knew how to get her way with him.

 

[Artemidorus]

"Hmm..." Keirnan seemed to think. "If you've already been to the castle... It may be easier for you to sneak around... And you would have a reason to be there. Less suspicion. Alright you're in."

He leaned back. "Get dressed. You have an hour to get ready. Then you need to get going if you're gonna make it. Go." he waved her off.

---

It was early, but Casimir still headed down to the ballroom. It was lavishly decorated. The center was the dancefloor, once end had tables with a feast of food, the other had a stage with the band. They were tuning up.

On either side was curtains set up like tents. In there was blankets and pillows, places for guests to sit and chat, or close up the heavy hanging drapes for privacy. Intimacy amoung couples was common later into the party.

Casimir thought about all the times he had had company in this very room... Sometimes with more than one woman at once. Sometimes with men... But he didn't want to be that person anymore.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Oh, thank you Master Kiernan! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Midgeon exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over and giving her a momentary represent from the intimate ache in her body. She sprung to her feet and threw her arms around his neck, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. "I won't fail you! You'll see! I'll make you proud!" She dashed off, knowing better than to push her luck with him and went to the women working on the dress, assuming that it was meant for her.

Kiernan left the three of them alone to help her change into the half finished dress. It took them a bit of time to finish it and get her into it because of all her fidgeting. She was uncomfortable and all the poking, prodding and sinching up they were putting her through wasn't helping one bit. "Does it have to be sooo tight? I can barely breath as it is..." she whined and was promptly hushed for her troubles. "Oooph... Hey!" she groaned as one of them tugged at her hip to keep her still, she was squirming so much. "Stay still then, little one, I wouldn't wish to give you a pick with my needle." The matronly seemstress chided her. "Sorry... sorry..." she whispered with a put upon sigh. If only she could tell them why she was so sore...

She smiled to herself, blushing a little. The two women exchanged knowing looks and the younger one stifled a titter by licking a string to thread a golden needle. It took just over half an hour for the two to finish up and send Midge on her way. She didn't have any time to waste, she bent slowly and hoisted the billowing gown up in her hands and rushed awkwardly in fancy shoes to look at herself in a mirror. She never looked so pretty. Her eyes went big and her mouth hung open. Too bad it was so uncomfortable, she'd try to look like this more often if it wasnt. Besides, she couldn't afford such a fancy dress on her own.

The seemstresses shooed her out, pressing a scroll of invitation into her hands and she went up to Gal who bowed down on her front legs to let her up. "Thank you, Gal. You deserve a whole bushel of apples, you're so kind!" Gall chuffed and nodded in agreement. "Oh you... there is a thing called modesty, you know!" She scolded with laughter. Gal took her back to the castle and she presented the scroll to the guards at the gate. They let her through without hesitation, not even bothering to ask her why she was riding Casimir's mare. What the heck did that scroll say? She wondered.

Gal too her right up to the castle doors and let her down. She turned and gave the horse a hug around her neck in front of the guards before turning and presenting the scroll of invitation to them. "I see, Lady Arabella, Mayoress of Welwyn, your father was a great man, it is an honor to have one of your stripe attending the royal coronation! Welcome, your Ladyship! Please enter and enjoy yourself."

Arabella? That was a name she remembered fondly. Long ago, she helped stop thieves from destabilizing the young mayors town and discovered that it was all a plot hatched by her own magestrate to pay for an assassination attempt on her so that he could usurp control of Welwyn. Her old band of adventurers recovered much of the stolen treasure and stopped his evil plans just in time to save Arabella's life! This must be her way of giving back to Midge for her help! Giving her an in to the ball.

She was so happy, she beamed as she took the scroll back from the guard and entered the castle. She eagerly went about, meeting and greeting people, doing her best to act like a Mayoress should. Then she noticed the spread of food and swept her way over to eat. She forgot her manners just a bit, picking out morsels of food with her fingers and eating them without politely dabbing her lips with a napkin like all the other lady's were. It wax drawing more than a few shocked looks and a whisper or two, culminating in a small burp and a hiccup that offended one old lady enough that she clicked her tongue, saying. "Well, I never!"

 

[Artemidorus]

Cas looked around. As the guests arrived the room became a swimming, swirling pool of music and chatter. He was glad for the mask; if his identity had been prevalent he would have been ushered away to the dance floor by scores of women. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but tonight his heart wasn't into it. There was only one women on his mind...

A flash of silver caught his eye. Could it be? The small frame was fmailiar, but the billiwing dress was not. It couldn't be... But in his heart- well- he was sure it was.

And when she burped well, that just sealed the deal. Casimir smiled and began waltzing over. His silver haired girl was stuffing her face with snacks and he had ti stop himself from giggling as he tapped her on the shoulder.

He bent a bit and offered his hand to her, and in a disguised voice asked "Would Ma'dam care for a dance?"

 

[Ravenloft]

The quiet murmurs of "I never!" And "how crude!" Finally caught Midges attention and she looked around, innocently trying to figure out why everyone seemed so offended and staring at her. She chewed her mouth full of food and swallowed it as it dawned on her that she was kind of making a little piggy out of herself and she ducked her head, blushing, embarassed. But not so embarassed that she didn't stuff a few treats up her sleeve for later, why else was it so puffy, if not to hide food in? She reasoned.

Then... someone tapped her on the shoulder and she stifled a little yelp of surprise and froze, fearing that she might have blown it and was caught, or something. She fumbled with the mask she'd been given at the door, a white and grey speckled owl mask adorned with small jewels and a few feathers, almost dropping it into a pot of thick and hearty smelling beef stew. "Eek!" She chirped, catching it in mid fall and drawing it up to cover her face, the smallest dab of rich brown gravy marred one ear of it.

She turned to face the mister ions stranger, his voice and the scent of his cologne unfamiliar to her in her panic. "I... well..." she shifted with unease, not wanting to offend the man, backing up a step and bumping her butt against the table, making a few empty dishes clatter against each other. She laughed nervously, reaching back to make sure nothing was broke, trying to lean on one hand in an effort to look nonchalant about it all.

Thanking a small breath and puffing it out to calm her jangled nerves, she smiled up at him, not at all recognizing him yet. "I would be delighted, sire." She replied, slipping into full on Harper 'mode', trying her best to not blow the mission. She slowly offered him, her hand, noticing some Grease on her finger tips, she quickly wiped it off on her dress, blushing and batting her eyes up at him.

 

[Artemidorus]

Cas offered his hand to her. He smiled to himself; she didnt seem to recognise him. That could be fun. He placed his hand on her waist and whisked her away to the dance floor.

"You're lovely. Quite beautiful. Where are you from? What's your name?" his hand was low at her waist, his fingers splaying downward, dangerously close to her rear. He held her sultrily close, his breath on her ear.

His dance was leading her towards one of the curtain tent-like rooms, subtley.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Kind of you to say, sire, but I know I'm nothing special." She replied, politely, not wanting him to admire her so, still not knowing it was Prince Casimir. "I come from ssssouth of there, from a small town called Welwyn." She almost said Specularum, but caught herself before she did. "Ah, ah, ah, shame on you, sire." she teased, reaching down to move his hand to a more appropriate height on her waist, one not that was not so familiar. She let him hold her close and whisper in her ear though, tilting her chin up so she could whisper back. "That would be telling..." she drew back and smiled. "This is a masquerade after all, is it not?" She was too busy trying to be Lady Arabella to notice where he was leading her.

 

[Artemidorus]

"Too true, ma' dam. We should keep out secret identitys secret, shouldn't we?" he smiled at her and spun her around, dipping and catching her. "You're light on your feet, mistress. Do you do much dancing?"

He pulled back to look at her. He smiled brightly, but tried not to act too much like the Casimir she knew. Not quite yet.

Reaching his destination, he opened the curtain, still holding her with his other hand. On the floor was large lavish pillows. Laughter and conversation could be heard from other areas. "Sit with me, please?" he asked, tying back the curtains. "We can watch the dancers dance and we could chat?" his smile was brilliant and inviting.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Thank you for understanding, sire." She said with a polite nod and a smile, letting out a squeal of surprise and... delight over being spun and dipped so eloquently. Something wax awfully familiar about the way he handled her. "Dance is joy expressed without words." She replied, crypticly, smiling softly up at him, trying to discern just who that was behind the mask.

His smile gave him away, and her grin deepened. That sly cat, he was trying to sweep her off her feet again! She pretended not to know yet and went along with his ruse a little bit longer, letting him sweep her away to a curtained alcove where they could be in private. "I don't know..." she teased him, pulling a step back and placing a silk gloved hand on her arm in a fetching display of coy uncertainty.

"All you want is to sit and chat?" She lowered her eyes, can ting her head ever so slightly to the side. "Nothing more... intimate?" She slowly lifted her eyes, giving him a sweetly innocent, doe eyed look, hinting that she might want more than just conversation from him.

 

[Artemidorus]

Casimir pulled the tie on the curtains, and rushed to his partner, playfully taking her down. As they fell he swept Midge into his arms. They fell onto the cushions as he pulled her tight to her, his hips finding their way to hers. He maneuvered himself like a man possessed so that even in the ruffled dress she could feel his growing heat pressing against hers.

His hands found their way down her back, losening her corset a little. "My my, ma'dam. You don't need this so tight. How will I slip my hands in if you can barely breath in the first place?" He pressed his mouth to her neck as he moved his hand over her breasts. He ground his waist against hers, his need rising in waves. It had only been hours she was away but it felt like years. He never wanted to be apart from her again.

"I could bathe in your presence. You make me dizzy with your intoxicating taste. I- I-" he pulled back at looked at her, his eyes gazing into hers, even beneath the mask. "I want you to be mine."

 

[Ravenloft]

"Wah-hah! Omph!" Midge gasped and giggled in surprise as she was suddenly taken down and swept up in her "mysterious strangers" arms. Thankfully they fell upon the pile of plush cushions , otherwise he still somewhat sore rump might have made her break character a bit and cuss him out for rattling her poor bones.

"Omph!" She squeaked in even more surprise as he kissued and all but mounted her in one fell swoop. One thing waso for sure, he dam well better know it was her, or she would be pretty upset with him for being so bold. She decided that a bit of turn about was fair play though, see how he liked having the shoe on the other foot asurgery it were. "Oh! You beast! You beastly, beastly beast!" She gasped out breathlessly as he ravished her.

She gave only token resistance, pretending to try and fend him off when it was pretty clear she really wanted him to continue. She grasped for his wrist as if she would try to pull his hand away from her tender breast, but instead, mashed his palm against it more firmly. "Oh! You animal!" She giggled, flirtatiously, squirming under him, eager to feel his bare skin against hers. She snuggled back, against the warmth of his mouth and wriggled her hips under him. "Oh, you're sooo big! You could hurt a girl with that monster of yours!" She whispered, setting him up for a little bit of mischievous pay back for being son blatant and bold.

"Not at all like my last lover... I could barely feel him, and I was a virgin then..." that was what she was GOING to say, but when he drew back and looked deep into her eyes, asking her to be his, she melted. All her mischievousness left her in a breathy sigh and she reached up to caress his cheek, nearly swooning. "I am, always, yours... Cas." She whispered, a slow, easy smile filling her lips.

 

[Artemidorus]

He grinned wide as he leaned in and kissed her, his lips pressing against hers like he was trying to put out a fire. "Mine. My goddess." he was so caught up in kissing her, the elation that she wanted to be his. He moved his hands up her dress skirt, pulling her crotch to his, her legs spred wide.

"Would you believe that I convinced Boregard to pose as me? As a fake prince so that I coyld get some peace. Well..." he pulled athis trousers to free himself. "Comvinced isnt exactly the word.... Sort of more like..." he slid his member along her lower lips. The thin material of her panties felt lovely against his swelling head. "I tricked him."

 

[Ravenloft]

Midgeon smirked back and slipped her mask off, setting it aside as he kissed her again. She let out a soft gasping whimper of need, feeling his passion for her. Her heart melted and then swelled with overwhelming longing and joy to hear him call her his and goddess. Without thinking, she growled like a cat in heat and grasped his butt cheeks even as he pulled her hard againt his firm manhood, spreading her wide. She wanted him inside her, now, this instant!

Her head was swimming and his words barely made it through her haze of luster and need. "Boregard? Who's tha... anh!" She didn't care, it was too hard to think, her puss tingle and trembled, needing his fullness inside of her! And... there it was! Sliding through the furrow of her throbbed pussy lips! Barred only by the thin cotton of her acursed panties! Honestly! She was ready to stop wearing the dam things around Cas, all they seemed to do was get in the way! "She mage a growly groan of frustrated desire and lifted her butt, trying to pull them off.

She got theme down to her knees before what he was saying finally sunk in. "Wait, what?! You switched places?!" Remembering her mission, she dropped her head onto the pillows and rubbed her face with her hands. "Nnnn..." she was even more frustrated now, she really, really wanted him, in the worst way! But if she didn't stop Laufrey, an innocent man might die. "You big dufface! " she hated to do it, but she had to push him off of her and pull her panties back up! There was a life to save! "No time to explain!" She stood up and tried to fix her corset, but saw it would take way too long without help, so she pulled it off and threw it in Cas's lap. "I've got a job to do!"

She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek before dashing for the curtains. She paused there and looked over her shoulder, bending forward to wiggle her butt at him. "I'll make it up to you later, lover, I promise!" She giggled and ran out to try and stop Boregard from drinking a poisoned cup of mead before it killed him.

Taking quick stock of the situation, she saw the three princes sitting along one side of the elevated throne and looked over to see a serving girl approaching them with a pitcher of wine. In a panic, she cut the girl off and pushed her back into an empty alcove, taking the pitcher from her. "I'll take that, please, don't trouble yourself, you look awfully tired." She cast a suggestion on her to make her sleepy.

"That's a good girl, you get some rest, I'll take good care of the princes for you." She whispered softly, stroking the girls hair to lull her the rest of the way into slumber. Then she peered deep into the pitcher of wine, sniffing it. It smelled right. She dipped her pinky in it and gave it the smallest of tastes from her pinky tip. It tasted fine... hmm... maybe Laufrey was going to sneak it in after she poured?

He jingle a bell and shouted for more wine, sounding persurbed. "Coming! Coming!" She chirped, popping out of the alcove to serve them. Her anxiety waa sky high and what's worse, she'd forgotten her mask! "Oh... poop!" She groused to herself as she realized it. But there was no turning back now, Laufrey and the others were all staring at her! "Well? Are you going to wait for it to turn to vinegar before you serve us, girl!?"

She curtsied and approached. "Your highness, right away!" Pouring each of them a glass. When she reached Boregard's glass, she tried to whisper him a warning. "Don't drink..." she stepped back and curtsied again before trying to blend in with the back ground. Waiting and watching with concern. Sure enough, she spotted Laufrey pas his hand over his brothers cup. Wait, that wasn't "Cas's" cup... it was the other brothers! And he 21st reaching over to take a drink!

She dashed forward, trying to knock the cup over before he grabbed it! But instead, Laufrey caught her by her wrist! "Eep!" She cried out, his grip causing her pain. "Well, well, well... what do we have here?" He growled, standing, picking up the cup he had poisoned, his brother rising with him. He sniffed the wine and smirked at her savagely. "An assassin!" He pulled her head back and let go of her wrist. "Care for a drink?" He hissed holding the poisoned cup to her lips. Midgeon shrieked in pain and fell to her knees, staring at the cup in terror. "Please... no..." she begged, her voice small and shaking. "And why not?" He demanded of her. Tears welling up in her eyes, she closed them, sending two streams down her cheeks, knowing she was doomed. "Poison..." she croaked, trying to pull away, fearing death.

He threw her down and poured the poisoned winemail upon her. "I should kill you myself, but it was my brother who's like you tried to end, assassin! It is he who decides your fate!" His brother was in shock. "Guards! Seize her!" She looked up at him, the epitome of defeat shining in her tear stained eyes. "...take her to the dungeons."

 

[Artemidorus]

Cas followed Midge but she was gone. He was confused as he stumbled around, trying to hide the bulge in his pants. At least he'd had the forthought to button himself back up. Where did she go? He had lost her in the crowd.

He looked for her, spinning this way and that, but suddenly there was a commotion on stage. Laufrey was standing and shouting-and in his hand was Midgeon's wrist.

Cas began pushing through the crowd, but it was taking too long with the gawkers. He ripped off his mask and shouted; "Out of the way! Get out of the way of the prince!". Seeing who he was the crowd seperated a bit.

Laufrey claimed Midgeon poisoned Ponce's wine. He looked at her, panic in his eyes, then back at his brothers. She did run off all of a sudden and... What had she said? That she had a mission to do? Had this whole time... Had it been a lie? Had she been using him? Pain welled up in his eyes. The first girl he ever loved and-

"You used me." he said, his eyes pained and angry. "I thought- and you just wanted to-" his emotions were welling up, and a Prince couldn't cry in front of his kingdom.

Cas turned and headed through the back door behind the stage, eager to get out of public eye before the anger wore off and the betrayal set in.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Cas! Help me!" Midgeon begged, desperately as two guards hoisted her up by her arms and held her for all to see in her shame and desperation. Then came his pained look and accusations. Her heart shattered into a million pieces as the inconceivable happened, he was turning his back on her! Believing his brothers lies! "No... I... I love you Cas! Please, no! Don't do this! I am innocent! I... seek Kiernan! Please! Just... listen!" She pulled with all her might, trying to reach her lover as he left her behind, trapped in the iron grasp of the guards. "Noooo!" She howled, her desperate cries still reaching him, if only an echo as she was dragged away, kicking and screaming for him to help her.

She eventually wore herself out and slumped limply in their strong arms, fear and despair sending her into a state of shock. She couldn't handle it, her world was shattered in the blink of an eye as she was tossed into a cell and locked up, behind iron bars. She cast herself down on the smelly cot and cried herself out, bitterly, defeated cold and alone.

 

[Artemidorus]

Hallowgrove's middle prince announced the ball over after that. Casimir had disappeared and Ponce was puffed out about his attempted assasination. After the guests thinned out, Laufrey went first to his brothers room. Casimir was either not there or wasn't answering.

He doubted his brother was in on it with that little lover he had. No, it seemed she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Why would she try to stop the assasination? Who did she work for and what did they know? Casimir's look of pure betrayal seemed that he didn't know either. So that meant he had only one way of finding out.

Laufrey headed down the stone steps into the dark underground of the castle. The guards saluted him but he waved them off. "Go get dinner. Be gone for about an hour." they disappeared with quickly muttered agreeances.

Laufrey approached the cell that held the silver haired prisoner. "Hello little beauty. Its nice to meet you, finally. I have to apologize for my behavior in the dance hall. I had to cast suspicion away from myself, and you were the only avaiable scape goat. If only you hadn't gotten in the way I wouldn't have had to turn ugly." Laufrey pulled a chair up near her bars. He looked and sounded just like Cas, just slightly older. He was every bit as dashing with only a little more sophistication thrown in. Like he was groomed into the perfect gentlemen.

"Why did you try stop it? I thought you cared about my baby brother. Do you have any idea what Ponce's death would do for him? Or has he not told you? Told you what it means to be the third son." he crossed his arms.

"Cas is only worth a dowry to our father. He will force Cas to marry a princess and move away to a far off land, sercuring politcal ties with a wealthy country. But with Ponce out of the picture, I would become king, and Cas would be bumped up to my position. He would be my right hand, Hallowgrove's ambassador, free to marry whoever he wants." Laufrey stretched that last bit.

"I don't know who you work for, but I know what you must have thought. But Ponce ia a bully with his own concubine slaves and a penchant for thievery and the black market. He will be a terrible king, and he will drive this city into poverty." he sighed. "I had to make my move tonight, after discovering Ponce himself had plans to kill the king."

 

[Ravenloft]

The sound of what she thought was Cas's voice dismissing the guards brought Midgeon out of her despairing tears, if only until she saw who it really was and her heart sank even further. She tried to hide, wanting nothing to do with Laufrey, or his wicked ways, but there was nowhere. She hunkered down, making herself as small as she could, in a dark corner of her cell. The cold stone quickly chilling her to the bone as she hugged herself tight, trying to stay warm.

She wanted to spit acid upon him and call him assassin and murderer, but instead, she hid her face in the nest of her arims and legs as she hugged herself tighter, shivering in fury and disgust. "Don't call me that..." she whispered in warning, hating the way he called her beautiful, it was unwanted and felt more like an assault than a compliment.

"Wouldn't you like to know." She shot back, gathering some small semblance of boldness as he asked her why she tried to stop him. Then he explained her folly and her mouth dropped open. Had she not only been tricked into looking like an assassin, but also doomed her lover to the life of an empty, loveless political marriage? "No... you're lying! Cas is a prince! He has more rights than that!"

"Nothing you say, will I believe! Deciever!"she shot back, shaking in a tight ball, her fury at maximum. "You are the royalty, your kind is supposed to be noble and fight for the good of the people! Not your own selfish ends! You are a monster! Trying to kill your own flesh and bood! How could you be so cold? So evil!? Your brothers would be ashamed to know the truth! And.. and I'll tell them! Even if it means death! I won't let you get away with this!"

 

[Artemidorus]

Laufrey looked taken aback and saddened. "Didn't you listen to a word I said? You think I wanted to kill my brother? I had no other choice. He was going to kill my father to get the throne- I-"

Laufrey looked stricken and he fell back a bit. "I'm no better, am I? Eother way we would have had a murderer foe a leader." he sat somberly for a moment. "I meant what I said about Cas. That's why father keeps him out of all of Hallowgrove's politics. He doesn't want him to share any of our secrets with a different kingdom."

He sighed. "When you tell them I tried to kill Ponce they will throw me in here and Ponce will find a way to kill the king and get the throne. And it's all going to be my fault. I should have thought this through..m i was just... Scared."

 

[Ravenloft]

Midge on was seething, at first, but the sadness that showed in Laufrey's eyes struck a chord in her gentle heart. She relaxed her shoulders, but still watched him like a hawk. "Okay, say I believed you... There's got to be a better way than committing murder. Is your father... sorry, is the king safe, for now?" She stood up and came to the bars. "Listen, I'm sorry, I thought it was... Cas.. Prince Casimir, you were trying to poison, and you're not a murderer, not yet anyway." She reached through the bars and gently touched his cheek, sending that he could use the comfort.

She withdrew her hand and retrieved her pin. "Look, my fate is clearly in your hands, if you are as true as you seem, then take this." She offered him her pin. "I am sure you know what that is? I was sent, by the Harper's, to try and stop you. I begged your brother to seek out my mentor, Sir Kiernan, but I fear my pleas may have fallen on deaf ears... Please, seek my mentor, if not for my sake, then for yours, your brothers and the very kingdom. They know you bought poison, but if you go to them, explain the situation, they can help you. Help us all."

She took a step back, an arm on her shoulder, shivering, her eyes brimming with tears. "And... I'm sorry, I made such a mess of things... I failed the harpers, but worse, I failed my Cas... My handsome Cas... please don't put this on yourself. I promise I won't say a thing. You're secret is safe with me."

 

[Artemidorus]

Lauren donned a hooded cape and his most peasant looking dark clothes. He headed away from the castle and towards town on his horse, Sekora, his cloak billowing in the chilly night air. He knew where the Harper's headquarters was even if few did. In a half hour he was there, and his fears that it was too late at night were gone. Inside the building was quite a ruckus.

Laufrey swung off of Sekora and entered slowly, his hood still covering his face. The sight there almost made him slip back out, but he couldn't. Couldn't do that to his brother or to that silver haired girl shaking in the dungeon. Laurel was no coward.

"Who is she really then?! You think I'm a fool? You think you can send a maiden in to cast some sort of spell on me and that I'd sit back and let you take the throne? Eh?" Casimir was in the face of an older man, yelling and balling his fists. It was a bit amusing; Laufrey had never seen his soft spoken brother get like this.

"Cast a spell on you? Ha. All your horn-dog emotions came from your crotch, your highness. No one used magic to bend your will. And for the last time, I didn't send Midgeon in to seduce you. She stumbled upon you in her own." He stood and pressed his face back into Cas's. "And no one is trying to take the throne!"

"I was." Lauren said, pulling down his hood with a somber expression. "Midgeon was sent by the Harper's because they found out I had purchased poison. I was planning on killing-"

"Wait- what? Laufrey?" Cas asked, confused.

"Oh fantastic. Two pompous Royal asses in my office at once. I'm honored." Kieran said, rolling his eyes.

"I-" Laufrey stuttered. "Pounce was planning- and I- it was the only way I could stop him- and Midgeon interfered- and I framed her. She's in the depungeon. And I'm sorry- and-"

In moments Cas had Laufrey by the throat. "You mean to tell me that it was you that did this? My love is innocent and you let me believe-"

"Please-" Laufrey choked.

"I think he's telling the truth." Kieran said boredly. "Why else would he have come here?"

But the explanation fell on deaf ears. Cas dropped his brother and ran out the door. There was a horse whiney and he was gone.

Laufrey took a seat. "So. I need your help saving the king."

---

Prince Casimir knew his way around the castle, so it was no feat to sneak passed the guards. He even had a spare key to the dungeon chambers, something he had made years ago when he had a little crush on a cat burglar that the king was keeping down there.

He stormed up to Midgeon's cell and unlocked it, barging in and grabbing her by her cheeks. He looked into her eyes.

"I'm so sorry I didn't believe you. I should have known better than to trust my bastard brother." Before she could even utter a word, his lips were on hers with a passion he had never seen.

 

[Ravenloft]

Midgeon had been looking up at the moon through the bars of her cell, holding the locket she had been given the day her father had died when Prince Casimir came storming up. She turned to see him in his passion as he unlocked her cell and flung the door open. "Cas!" She gasped, he was the last person she expected to come see her tonight.

He rushed over to her in what seemed like a fury that she shrunk back, fearing he might strike her. She yelped in fear as he grasped her by her cheeks and held her, chin bent to gaze up into his shining eyes for one long, intense moment of silence. Her gentle hands pressing into his chest, not knowing what he would do to her next. She just stared up at him, wide eyed, trembling in fear and from the cold.

Finally, he spoke and his words came out like a soothing rain, giving her instant relief from all her fears. She could have melted into his arms and cried tears of joy, hearing him say he was sorry. She shook her head, those tears of joy and relief streaming down her cheeks as he kissed her. She let out an agonized squeak of emotion as he did it.

Breaking free, she gasped and caught her breath, giving him a serious look. "No, you don't know the whole story, your brother was just scared! When I tried to stop him from poisoning your brother, Ponce, he had to act quickly to keep from being revealed! I saved him from committing murder, but... Ponce is free to try and kill your father! Please, Cas, don't let him get away with this! You must stop Ponce, before he can take the throne! I'm afraid he will try soon, maybe tonight!"

In her heart of hearts, all she wanted to do was make love to him but she was pushing him out of the cell, there was a life to be saved! She couldn't let her desires get the king killed! She had already failed too much today to allow one more person to suffer for her ineptitude as a spy. "Please! If you love me, go! Stop Ponce!" She pushed Cas back with all her might and pulled the cell door closed, knowing that she would need the bars to keep herself off of him. "Just... come back to me..." she whispered, tears streaming down her face and deep longing in her large, shimmering eyes.