WINDOWS: A BROKEN FAIRY TALE

by Bramble, Casey

  Bekah shook her head. “She and Stephen went to Thornhill yesterday for a meeting. Why?”

  “When are they getting back?” Raven’s eyes were still puffy and bloodshot from the tears but a cold gleam burned in them now. Bekah knew that something wasn’t right.

  “In about a week. Sis, will you tell me what’s going on!” Bekah hurried after Raven who was striding with renewed determination out of the shop.

  Raven stopped just outside and lifted her nose to the wind, like she was sniffing for something. “Go get Amanda while I grab Felicity. Meet us in the family room in thirty minutes.”

  This was one of the things that really annoyed Rebekah and most everyone else about Sis. Once the little brat decided something she expected everyone else to have already figured it out with no explanation. Bekah refused to more another inch until she was let in on the big secret.

  “No secret, Sis. The Protectorate has moved into Augusta.” With the words still hanging on the early morning breeze the girls set off to find their sisters.

  Sarah sat alone at the train station with her meager belongings at her feet, casting glances back over her shoulder every few moments expecting to see someone. She had told Raven not to come after her but was well aware of the stubborn streak the redhead possessed. She wasn’t sure which would bother her more; if Raven showed up to talk her out of this trip, or if she didn’t.

  The shrill cry of a whistle jolted Sarah out of her thoughts. She hefted the tattered duffle bag in one hand and, after a final longing look down the platform, stepped onto the train.

  “What’s the problem, Raven?” Amanda jumped to her feet and rushed to hug Raven and Felicity who just walked in. “Bekah wouldn’t tell me.”

  Raven told Mandy to calm down and she’d tell them everything. After everybody had taken their usual spots, Mandy and Liz on the chairs with Raven and Bekah sitting together on the couch, Raven told them.

  “I believe Augusta is working with the Protectorate.” Liz and Mandy gasped in unison.

  Liz spoke first. “What makes you so sure, Raven? Couldn’t you be mistaken? Augusta is a neutral city, not to mention technically within our borders.”

  “I know what I saw, Liz. There were pairs of them on every street corner in full uniform. They were there to police the city.”

  “What are we going to do?” Mandy looked shocked and more than a little worried. Liz reached over and patted her hand reassuringly while Bekah told them the plan.

  “Liz, I want you to send out a message to every shop in Valentria telling them to not do business in Augusta until we get this cleared up. Since they’re not hiding the fact they’re there, we don’t have to keep it a secret either.”

  Liz nodded and Rebekah spoke to Amanda next. “Mandy, go speak to Captain Grimm and tell him to put the soldiers on medium alert. I do not like having that many Protectorate jerks in my backyard.”

  Rebekah sighed heavily. “I’m going Augusta right now to see things for myself. Sis…”

  “I’m going with you!” Raven stuck out her chin defiantly.

  Bekah forced Raven to sit down. “You will stay in this castle until I return.

  “There are tons of Protectorates there, Sis. You’ll need my help.”

  “You,” Bekah said in her firmest voice, “beat up five of them last night. You will stay away from any Protectorate until we can get this cleared up.”

  Raven muttered her assent while Felicity and Amanda stared with open mouths.

  Elspeth did not like flying and normally would have refused to even consider it. Today however was far from a normal day. Less than ten minutes ago she was informed that the Protectorate was breaking a peace treaty that had been in place for a hundred years. According to her daughters, Augusta was swarming with Protectorate guards. Branwyen and the blacksmith, Elspeth never could remember her name, had gone shopping and reported the situation, which Bekah verified.

  As the wind whipped her hair around her face, Stephen turned to her. She saw the scar that marked his rugged face was white, the only sign of the worry struggled under the calm façade.

  “Do you think they could be mistaken?” He asked, glancing down at the land rolling beneath.

  The Duchess gritted her teeth. Yes it was possible, she thought, if it had only been Branwyen and Tara, or maybe Farah, had been the ones to report the occupation. Since it worried Bekah enough for her to fly halfway across the country and interrupt an important meeting Elspeth was certain there was no mistake. The Protectorate was preparing for war and that meant they would have to as well.

  “I hope so.” She said.

  After another hour the Duchess saw the familiar mountains rising on the horizon. Within moments they were over the cragged tops and Bryson roared loudly.

  As the dragon landed amid the gardens on the castle roof, now brown and lifeless in the autumn chill, doors burst open and the other three Chandlish sisters came rushing out to greet them. Mandy and Liz ran towards their mother, hugging her tightly while Raven headed straight for Bekah. The two embraced before thanking Bryson.

  “Yes, thank you Bryson.” Elspeth reached forward and gently stroked the large, scaly head. Despite her misgivings about flying the Duchess really did like the overgrown lizard.

  Bryson lowered his head to the ground in a bow, “Always an honor, Your Grace, to serve such a gracious and beautiful lady.”

  After a quick peck on the cheek from all four sisters, which made the dragon blush, Raven opened his portal and Bryson departed.

  “Girls,” Stephen barked as the black hole closed, “I think we have things to discuss.”

  The next few days passed with a flurry of motion. Diplomatic envoys were sent to the Prime Minister’s office to request a ruling. As usual the politicians responded with empty promises of a resolution when they bothered to respond at all. Elspeth had even contacted Richard DeGuire directly, using the large Congreve in the castle basement. Her anger towards Raven when she learned of the four injured members of the Protectorate rang like a gong through out the castle.

  “They jumped us.” Raven was bored with this conversation. She was used to her adopted mother’s anger and this wasn’t nearly as bad as the time she and Sis herded pigs through the throne room.

  Elspeth fumed. The little snot sat there like nothing was amiss when the entire country was teetering on the verge of another civil war. “I was informed that you and Sarah attacked two of them in that club and then ambushed a small group out patrolling.”

  Raven rolled her eyes. “Yeah Elspeth, Sarah and I got liquored up then smacked around a few Protectorates. Think about that one for a second.” The redhead leaned forward in her chair and stared up at the Duchess, green eyes flashing. “If we had actually attacked anybody it would have made the front page of the papers, wouldn’t it? Too many people in that club saw ‘em grab me and I just defended myself.”

  Elspeth considered Branwyen might have a point but she was still boiling with rage. The Protectorate usually would have wasted no time in making sure that something like this would be big news. “So why didn’t they?”

  “You don’t honestly think it’s in their best interest to tell everybody that five members of the big scary Protectorate got their butts kicked by little ol’ me, do you?” Raven got out of her seat with a laugh and walked towards the door.

  Elspeth stopped her, “I’m not done with you yet, Branwyen.”

  Raven scoffed over her shoulder, “Yes you are because you know I’m right.” With that final rebuttal, Raven stormed out of the office, intent on finding something fun to do while the Duchess muttered and shuffled papers on the desk.

  On the morning of the third day, Elspeth called a meeting. Along with Stephen and Captain Grimm, all of her daughters except Mandy were present.

  Fearing the time for patience was nearing its end, Elspeth rubbed her eyes with her thumb and forefinger. Everybody was busy trying to talk over everybody else and the din was increasingly irritating. Felicity suggested negot
iations. Grimm and Stephen both thought that a defensive strategy was the best option. Not surprisingly Branwyen and Rebekah were offering to blow something up, but if they meant Augusta or simply the Protectorate soldiers located there, she couldn’t really be sure.

  “ENOUGH!” Elspeth finally reached her annoyance threshold. Immediately the room fell into silence. “One at a time, please. Felicity, you go first.”

  Felicity nodded. “It is possible that there has been a misunderstanding.” Raven muttered something that earned her a warning glance from Stephen.

  The oldest daughter continued, ignoring the interruption. “We’ve already been assured by the Prime Minister’s office that they are working with the Protectorate to reach a peaceful resolution.”

  “Well at least they’re finally admitting it.” Bekah snorted. “We’ve been telling you that they’ve been working with the Protectorate for years now.

  “That isn’t true Bekah and you know it.” Liz’s lips tightened in a thin line. As a lawyer to even insinuate that the highest court in the land was capable of corruption was a personal affront to her.

  Raven piped up and to nobody’s surprise sided with Bekah. “Liz, they’ve been her protectors for how long now? At least twenty years.”

  “They have the largest standing army, Raven. If you remember there was a vote by the heads of every city-state in Florence to let them.”

  “Yeah, and if I recall how the voting went it was every city-state that’s currently aligned with those jerks that voted for it. Seven to three I believe was the final tally.” Bekah was getting red in the face and another argument seemed inevitable when Mandy came bursting into the office, completely out of breath.

  “Mom,” she panted, “they’ve arrested Sarah.”

  CHAPTER 15: THE RESCUE

  “She is going to die.” A voice whispered. The darkness moved along the floor of the room like living oil, sliding from one shadow to another.

  The girl stared at the void, determination helping her muster courage as the light dimmed imperceptibly. “Not if I can help it.

  Everyone in the room stopped their arguing.

  “Who has arrested her?” Ravens voice floated like a snow flake, soft and cold.

  “The Protectorate.” Mandy was finally catching her breath and stood up straight. “Kelly just called. She overheard her father saying the girl who attacked those guards in Augusta would be executed in the morning.”

  Felicity voice was pleading. “We have to do something, Mom.”

  Elspeth exhaled sharply. “I’m afraid there is nothing we can do.”

  “But she’s our friend.” Mandy exclaimed, moving towards the desk.

  “With the situation as it is I cannot waste valuable time and resources to save one person, no matter how we may feel about them. I’m sorry.” Elspeth didn’t like the idea of someone with the mark of the White Rose being tried by the Protectorate but she had all of Valentria’s safety to consider.

  Without warning Raven stood and strode towards the door, right hand clenching and unclenching as if gripping an invisible sword. She glanced at Bekah and something passed between the two of them. Bekah lowered her eyes slightly; she wanted to go with Sis, to help out in anyway she could, but someone would need to stay behind and give her time to get away.

  Before Raven could make it out of the room, Elspeth’s reached her ears. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To rescue my friend.”

  “You may not.”

  The tension in the room was palpable as Raven turned and snapped. “Who exactly do you think is stupid enough to try stopping me?”

  Stephen took half a step forward but Raven had already reached the door and opened it. As she stepped through she heard Elspeth say, “My daughters will do exactly as they are told, Branwyen.”

  “Well it’s a damn good thing I’m not your daughter, AIN’T IT!” Raven roared as she slammed the door behind her and stormed off down the hall.

  Inside the room Bekah and Felicity reacted quickly. Liz rushed past Mandy and out of the room. Bekah locked the door and turned to face the remaining occupants. Fire covered her hands as she took a defensive stance.

  “What is the meaning of this, Rebekah?” Stephen demanded, watching the girl with unease. He meant to chase Raven and Liz but a powerful witch was blocking his way. To fight in here would do much more harm than good.

  “She’s doing what she has to.” was the only answer Bekah gave the anxious onlookers.

  Before Raven made it more than five feet Felicity was hot on her heels, trying to stop a bad situation from getting worse.

  “Raven, please.” Liz entreated, trying in vain to slow the angry girl down. “Let’s take a minute and figure out a plan.”

  “Plan? Sarah is going to be executed in the morning and you want to have a plan?” Raven spun on her heel and growled. “Fine, here’s the plan! I hop on Bryson, fly to Vestavia and kill everyone who gets in my way then bring my friend back!”

  Felicity watched in exasperation as her little sister stomped up the stairs to their bedrooms. Knowing what she had to do, Liz followed a second later.

  Raven heard the door open and knew Liz was watching but she ignored her as she finished tightening the straps on the armored sleeve she wore over her left arm. It was made of thick leather enchanted years ago to be able to withstand any attack. Years of practice made it a more viable option than a shield. Satisfied that it wouldn’t slip, Raven attached her sword scabbard to her back.

  “You gonna try and stop me, Liz?”

  Felicity shook her head decisively. “No, I’m coming with you.”

  Raven laughed, a mirthless sound that hung hallow in the air. “Yeah, right. You’re going to get yourself killed and me in even more trouble than I’m already in. Get out of the way.” Raven tried to push past but Liz was having none of it and grabbed the pale girl by the arm.

  “You want to let go of me, right now.” Raven threatened.

  “If we fight, Stephen will be here before you get to leave. Or, you can listen to reason and let me come with you. Sarah is my friend too, as you well know.”

  The two stood staring at each other for a second before Raven agreed, then they ducked into one of the numerous secret passage ways she and Bekah had uncovered. Sis was buying some time but it was possible the other castle guards had been mobilized to stop them.

  Finally they were standing outside in the chilly morning. Raven said, “You know this is going to be dangerous, right?”

  Felicity knew it was but remained silent as Raven opened the portal and Bryson’s serpentine form strolled leisurely through.

  “Felicity, what an unexpected, albeit pleasant, surprise.” Bryson’s charm was in full effect, like it always was when he spoke with the eldest of the Chandlish daughters.

  Liz smiled but Raven had no time for flirting. “Sarah is going to be dead shortly. Think we can get there in time to stop it?”

  With no further words necessary, Bryson lowered his neck and the two girls climbed up. Raven lowered herself over the scaly back as they left the castle roof. Felicity turned and shouted to Stephen, who had just burst through a doorway, to tell mom they would be back soon.

  Miles away Sarah lay semi-conscious, the pain in her body and near freezing temperature of the cell not allowing her the merciful release of sleep. There had been no trial, no chance for her to explain what had really happened; the Protectorate guards arrested her at Picwick station then dragged her to this prison. For days she had been tortured, not allowed food or water. She wanted to cry but there simply wasn’t enough moisture left in her body to form tears. She had no idea what they wanted her to say. She confessed to everything they wanted and yet they insisted on continuing to punish her for a crime she could not possibly have committed. A thin trickle of dried blood itched at the corner of her mouth but she didn’t have the strength to scratch it. A chill wrapped itself around her body but there were no blankets to ward it off.

  She had
been stupid. She could admit that much to herself. After seeing the demon that shared a body with Raven she panicked, fleeing Valentria and the life she had been building. Friends, her own shop, and someone she might be in love with. All that was gone now, nothing left but a small stone prison cell buried in the middle of no where. There was no hope of rescue. She could now only pray for death to come quickly and end her suffering.

  Bekah sat in the room she and Sis shared for so long, staring out the bright day. Earlier she saw Bryson flying away and the aching to be with Sis stung. She didn’t dare call on the crystals because it might give them away if they needed to be quiet. She could only trust that between the two of them they were a match for any guards at the prison.

  A soft tapping at the door interrupted her gloom. When Bekah didn’t answer the door opened and the lights flamed to life. She knew who it was because only her mother would dare open the door without being invited.

  “You mind telling me what that was all about?” Bekah felt her mother’s weight shifting the bed.

  Without turning around Bekah told her, “She needed to go. I had to give her that chance.”

  Elspeth inhaled slowly and let it out. She was going to remain calm no matter how frustrated she got. “Bekah, what Branwyen is doing is very foolish and dangerous and now Felicity is mixed up in it.”

  Bekah mumbled something unintelligible against the window pane.

  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”

  “I said, ‘Would you have gone to rescue Dad?’.”

  The Duchess was startled by the question, “Of course I would have. I loved him.” Elspeth’s voice faltered as Bekah looked at her for the first time since she came in. Her daughter’s eyes were red and puffy. Dried trails of salt marred the attractive face.