The Kingdom of Sondassa (private)

Polluxa looked at Lord Ross and nodded.

"I-I understand, father." she said, before handing the footman her hand lightly, uncertainly. "Th-thank you."

She then carefully climbed out the carriage, wondering just what was this strange new and deadly world she had been thrust into, but also determined to do her best to play her part. The lives of those she held most dear were at stake.

"I do." Xavier answered his brother, shrugging slightly. "But more importantly, so does her broher. You shouldn't be so quick to judge him."

Xavier watched Ares' reaction like a hawk.

"Oh yes, I saw the venomous look you threw at our new 'king'- aka father's puppet- but you failed to notice something very important, happening behind you." he continued. "Positioned directly to your right was a pike man, with his pike aimed at the person you claim is so dear to you. Had Alcastor not said and done as he did, Polluxa would have been skewered like a wild boar before either you or Ross could react!"

The large creature shuffled off. Further down the passage, in the distance, there was a squeak, as if a door to a room was being opened.

Polluxa smiled at the footman, then took her father's arm. It felt strange to be walking into this grand manor, knowing that she was to live here. But she was also looking forward to learning about this life and more importantly her father.

Xavier sighed. It wasn't often Ares showed weakness in anyway. He should have realized his brother was aware of what was happening around him. He always was. Ares was often aware of things before Xavier was.

"Yes... father will be coming after you and it will be soon." he said softly. "When I interfered when he was having Alcastor beaten for freeing Gwenn, he told me to my face he would kill me if I interfered again."

Xavier smirked.

"Little does he know Alcastor wasn't behind our cousin's escape." he said. "But, I'm hoping to end this little charade before things get any more out of hand... and before any lives are lost."

Polluxa nodded and smiled at her Lord Ross.

"Thank you father, I will." she said softly, then looked around a little uncertainly.

It was a large manor house and she was a little afraid she'd get lost.

"Don't worry brother, I'm always careful." Xavier reassured Ares. "It's the rest of you I'm worried about."

He then grinned.

"Yep, I have two aces up my sleeve. And one was... well, they were both a surprise, but one was a particularly pleasant one." he said, not intending to go into any detail.

Polluxa nodded, then smiled sheepishly.

"U-um, father...?" she said softly. "W-which way to my room...?"

Xavier's eyes widened slightly, then he smirked at his older brother.

"You have no idea what kind of shock you're in for then, big brother." he said lightly.

Polluxa smiled as she followed her father. As she peeked into her room as Ross opened the door, her jaw dropped. It was a well-lit room resplendent in various shades of purple, which was her favourite colour. It was neither over the top nor too plain. She turned to her father.

"It's gorgeous, thank you father!" she said, timidly giving him a hug and a light kiss on the cheek.

Xavier nodded, a smile on his face. Ares had no idea how big the shock would be... for all involved.

Polluxa grinned at Ross.

"I love it, father." she said. "Purple's my favourite colour..."

Her voice grew quiet.

"Like mother's..."

Xavier laughed lightly.

"I'm guessing that's you're way of telling me I'm dismissed?" he teased his brother, then nodded.

"See you later Ares... and remember.. .watch your back."

He then walked towards the door and left, closing the door softly behind him.

Polluxa smiled softly.

"Well, you were right." she said. "Seems we may only just have found each other, father... but you already seem to be able to read me."

Xavier walked back to his own room, seemingly relaxed but he was alert and ready for anything. Except the mess that greeted him when he unlocked his bedroom door. Swearing vehemently under his breath, he took a look around. It seemed someone had been looking for something. He jut hoped, that whatever it was, they didn't find it.

Brutus smiled coldly.

"Well done, Aticus." he said as he sneered down at the unconscious form of his niece. "You shall be well rewarded."

He bent down and roughly gripped Guinevere's face.

"And you, my pretty, will never escape me again... your lover, brother and cousin will watch me crush all the life and love out of you, slowly, painfully, until you're nothing but a broken toy to be thrown away. And there won't be a thing they'll be able to do about it..."

While he was cleaning up his room, a hooded and cloaked man entered the room through the secret entry. Sensing the presence, but not knowing who it was, Xavier slowly drew a dagger before throwing it at his 'attacker' with deadly accuracy. The man stopped the dagger in midair with a spell.

"Peace, I mean no harm." a deep voice, the same as the one who spoke to Guinevere, except in human form, sounded from the hood.

"Why are you here?" Xavier asked as the man tossed his dagger back at him and he caught it.

"He... has the girl..."

Xavier leapt to his feet.

"How...!?"

"It seems someone ransacked your room... is it still safe?"

Xavier walked to his secret hiding space, removing the rock to reveal a hollow in the wall... which was now empty. He gritted his teeth.

"The book is gone..." he snarled. "This is a disaster. Go back, my friend. And be careful. Brutus now knows of the secret paths..."

The man nodded and left through the secret entrance. Xavier sighed and closed his eyes.

Alcastor... Ares... he said softly, allowing his thoughts to penetrate theirs. We have... a big problem. Brutus... has Gwenn.

OOC:

That's fine Justify.

IC:

Polluxa looked around the room as her father left and spotted the wardrobe. Opening it, she gasped softly as inside were several exquisite dresses. She ran her finger lightly over some of them before choosing a mauve one of a light, airy material. She then quickly washed herself in her bathroom and washed, slipping into the gown and quickly adding some accessories, since her hair was cut in a short style. Once she was happy, Polluxa left her room, quietly shutting the door. She looked around, uncertain of where to go, when she saw what seemed to be a servant heading up the long passage.

Excuse me..." she said softly. "Could you please direct me to the dining hall...?"

He found something that helped him. Xavier answered his brother.

Alcastor was up like a shot, throwing on clothes, not caring of the pain that seared through his body as he did so.

I'm going to find her.! he said, heading for the secret entrance to the room Guinevere had been in.

Alcastor, no! Xavier snapped, slipping out of his room via the secret passage and heading to Ares'. You don't know these tunnels! You'll get lost! And if Brutus' guards catch you before we find you, you'll be dead!

Brutus grinned at the whimper that came through Guinevere's lips.

"So, you can hear me...?" he said. "Well then, shall we let the fun begin...?"