Traitors, Part One

Alex cursed as he failed another attempt to cure Rose of what afflicted her. He rubbed his head and wiped away sweat, "Nothing works, it's like it has no effect at all." Turner crossed his arms, "... I met with my contact, she said she'll house you. She also said she may know what ails the Princess." He turned, "Is she trustworthy." "She has no love for guards or nobles, but right now, she's our best bet." 

He nodded, "We don't have man options, "There's no way we can get close to the castle." Lance walked in, "You got that right, I just took a stroll outside with a face plated helmet and heard some news. They say that Commamber Arnold has taken the head of a forest search for the princess." Alex looked at him, "Quiet prequiler," Turner nodded. Lance took a patch off his armour and looked at it, "I can't believe I sold myself out to them." 

Turner patted his shoulder, "You did it to help people, you're in the right here son." He shook his head, "I still couldn't figure it out until now." Alex stood up, "We have bigger problems. You're tasked with the single most important task in the city now." He looked at Rose and back at him, "Your right." he took his patch and squashed it in his hand. 

Roswald walked up behind them from the hall, "It's time to go." Turner and Lance walked downstairs. Alex was left alone with Rose and he kneeled down and took her hand, "I swear, I will find who did this." Grace walked in and Alex laid her hand back down. She looked at him, "I'm an old woman now, but I know affection when I see it." 

He looked down, "My father would take me to the castle to study with the other mages. I would skip classes and play with her in the Gardens or play tag in the endless halls of the castle. I would get whipped everytime, but it was better than the latter." He kneeled down, "But, as time passed and my training became more intense, I became more distant. This didn't deter her, and she kept spending time with me." 

He winced as he remembered their last talk before he left five years ago. "I should have stayed, but I had no choice." Grace walked in, "You can make that up. You can help her now." "Alex," Turner yelled, "we have to go." Grace hugged him, "Be safe, you can do this. And once you do that, tell her your sorry." He hugged her back, truly. 

He felt like the hug meant something more than he could understand. She let go, "Now, get out of here before I live up to my promise and whip you." He smiled, "Thanks Grace, for everything." Alex turned around and sat Rose up and tied a cape around her to hide her face. He picked her up and walked downstairs. 

The others had cloaks of their own. John got up from his seat, "I've sent out some golems to watch the area. I implanted many devices into them so they can talk to me." Alex nodded, "Good thinking, are the allies clear." "Yes, with the guards running all over the place, many of the nightly citizens have stayed home. Me and your friend have already mapped out a route for us to take." 

Turner walked up, "Are you ready? Alex looked at Rose and nodded, "Lets go." 

The city was dead. Usually there was a vibrant nightlife here in the city with bands that played on the corners and bars around the city. But with all the comotion, not a soul was found outside their homes. Patrolling the streets were groups of guards armed with polex's and heavy armour. 

Knowing the guards, they were on a strike first bases. They made their way through the silent back allies making sure to keep close and quiet. Turner would constantly check the map before turns and referencing John to make sure their routes were safe. An owl flew overhead and Alex noticed it was one of John's golems. 

After sneaking around for nearly an hour Turner put away the map, "Were nearly there, stay close." Lance was looking at every corner nervously, "The people around here don't like the guards much, we have a few incidents every couple days around here." Turner looked over his shoulder, "Well those people are the same ones offering you refuge. I suggest letting go of past differences." 

He understood but still acted jumpy around the shadows. They turned a corner and came to a dead end with a large wooden door. Turner walked up and knocked three times and knocked once more after a slight pause. The door swung open and a big burly man with a burnt and scarred beard came out with a club in hand. Everyone got defensive except Turner, "I brought him." He narrowed his eyes, "Come in, but be warned. If you start any trouble in here, you won't come out." John gulped and Tuner smiled, "They won't pull anything, I can vouch for them." He nodded and moved out of the way for them to enter. Although reluctant they walked in. "This is such a bad Idea," Lance said under his breath. 

They walked into a brightly lit hallway with doors lining the walls. It seemed smaller from the outside. The man shut the door and locked it before walking down the hall. He stopped at one of the doors and opened it. "This will be for you to stay in while you stay here," he looked at Alex, "You and the Princess will have another room." Lance looked at him but before he could interject Alex stopped him, "Thank you for this." 

The man smiled, "All the men you find in this building wish no harm to any of the royal family, you can count on us to keep you all safe." Lance looked down and bowed slightly before entering the room without a word. John looked at him, "Well be here if you need us." He walked in and Roswald walked in after him. The man closed the door and led Alex and Turner further down the hall. 

At the end of the Hall was a wooden door with golden latches. He took the latch and knocked it lightly against the door. "Come in." He pushed the doors open and motioned for the two to enter. After they walked in he closed the doors with a weighty slam. Alex studied the room. 

It was huge, holding a giant bath, a silk covered bed, and a large alchemy station filled to the brim with plants and vials of strange liquids. At the back wall was a throne made of black metal surrounded by gems. The walls of the room were filled with banners depicting what he thought to be the gangs of the city. 

"Turner, it's so nice to see you again." Sitting cross legged on the black throne was a woman, "Jasmine, looking as beautiful as the last time I saw you." She was beautiful, she had fair dark skin and flowing red hair with bright red eyes that didn't seem to leave Alex. She pointed at the bed, "Lay her down." 

He walked to the bed and laid her down. Jasmine got up and walked over to him, "You're much more handsome than my men described." She walked around the bed, "So many interesting stories about you." He looked down, "I'm not sure what you're talking about." She stroked his shoulder, "Yes, even the stories of the front lines pass into my domain." 

She looked at him, "And now, the city is looking for you everywhere. I wonder what their views would be if they heard all that you have done for them. Or do you think they would fear you, Reaper." He scowled, "...I was told you could help Rose." She smiled devilishly, "Perhaps, may I have a look." He moved out of the way and she sat down next to her. 

She raised her hand over her face and a purple light shined from her hand. Alex couldn't help but grip his sword. She furrowed her eyebrows, "This is strange, she has been afflicted with a Poison magic. And…" She moved her hands, "This is a problem." Alex looked at her, "What is it?"

She released the magic and walked to the wall with the viles and started sifting through them, "The magic affecting her is unusual, but the real problem is that it's starting to take effect. Did you use any healing magic on her?" "Yes." "Then you probably saved her life," she walked back and uncorked the bottle. "I will be blunt, I can't heal her as she is now." 

She uncorked the bottle and dripped a drop into Roses mouth and she flushed red. "A skilled assassin has afflicted her with an undetectable Poison, a small amount of Darkness to be exact." He looked at her, "I know it." "Then you should be aware of its effects." 

He saw too much of it. The poison works slowly, but there is no way to stop it. The user plant's a small bit of the sinister magic inside the victim and slowly eats away at the person's life force. Jasmine put the vile back on the shelf, "I do not know of any cure, but I do know of someone who should." "Who," he blurted out as panic began to set in. 

She smiled, "You should know, he's your grandfather."