So The Rebellion Begins: Mourningwood and The Resistance

== CHAPTER SEVEN: SO THE REBELLION BEGINS: MOURNINGWOOD AND THE RESISTANCE ==
An hour or so later they arrived at the Mispeak Monorail Station.
'I can never get over this place,' admitted Walter as they waited for the monorail. 'Twenty years ago, it was just a damp, murky void in the middle of nowhere. Now people cue up to get dangled across it in a steel box...and here it comes,' he added, looking out into the distance as a big metal steam thing came around a corner attached to the rails above.
As Cassie and Walter watched the monorail approached they both realised that something was wrong and before their very eyes they watched as it broke away from the rails above and plummeted down to earth, before exploding in flames.
'No!' yelled Walter, while a shaken Cassie put her hands to her mouth as whispered, 'Those poor people.'
'Come on. We have to get down there,' said Walter, leading the way, down the platform and over to an elevator. 'This must be the way down. We have to find those people. See if there are any survivors.'
Cassie nodded and walked into the elevator, not expecting to find any survivors. Turning around, she saw Walter taking several deep breaths before joining her in the elevator.
'Let's get down,' muttered Walter. 'I don't want to spend any more time in this box than I have to.'
Walter spent the entire ride down with his eyes closed and the moment they reached the canyon floor, he was the first one out saying, 'It fell somewhere up ahead, come on.'
'I'm coming,' Cassie said, hurrying along after Walter, before half stopping as she heard someone laughing, and an evil laugh at that.
'I'd know those sounds anywhere,' muttered Walter. 'Maybe the monorail falling wasn't an accident after all.'
'If it was done on purpose, then those that did it are going to pay with their lives,' growled Cassie, drawing her sword.
As they arrived closer to the wreckage site, the laughter got louder as did the banging of steal. Walter drew his gun and as they rounded the corner, they saw a group of small Hobbes running around on fire and playing on the wrecked monorail with dead bodies around them. Cassie's blood began to boil as she looked at the faces of the dead children that had been on the monorail. 
Walter's blood must have been boiling too for he said angrily, 'Hobbes! I knew it! Don't leave any of the little bastards alive!'
'Don't worry, I won't,' growled Cassie, striking the closes hobbe with her sword and throwing a fireball at another.
Within minutes, the dead bodies of the Hobbes they had just slaughtered surrounded Walter and Cassie.
'That's it,' panted Walter, leading Cassie along a railway bridge and through the cavern. 'But there'll be more. That's something you can count on with Hobbes. There's always more. I could never understand your mother's truce with those horrid creatures.'
'Truce?' repeated Cassie.
'Oh yeah, you would have been too young to remember. Your mother made a truce with them due to some diary that she read detailing different facts about Hobbes. She was able to get to know the leaders of different tribes...basically, she was able to stop them from attacking our young, and people were told to leave them alone, but when your mother died, the hobbes broke the truce and are as mean and smelly as they were before the truce.'
'Right, so tell me again why we are going to Mourningwood?' asked Cassie as they started fighting more Hobbes.
'We're going there to find some old friends,' said Walter. 'Let's just say that I wouldn't want to go into any battle without them on my side.'
Cassie only nodded and walked on.
As Cassie and Walter walked deeper through the cavern, they became more and more weary. They had gone too long without seeing a hobbe.
Maybe they ran away, mused Cassie as they walked passed a large group of barrels.
Then, without warning, the barrels exploded and out jumped a number of Hobbes ready to ambush the two unexpecting warriors.
'Oh, bloody hell! Almost gave me a heart attack! Oh, you'll pay for that, you sods!' exclaimed an angry Walter as Cassie knocked one to the ground before running it through with her sword.
'And that, Cassie, proves that ambushes and the element of surprise don't matter when you've got talent.' said Walter.
'But it can help,' said Cassie.
'Yeah, it can help,' agreed Walter, heading back through the dimly lit tunnels.
The two of them continued to walk in silence, being cautious of their surroundings, but they came across no more Hobbes, until they reached a large opening.
'I wondered why none of the buggers had charged at us for a while.' said Walter, glaring across a canyon at the Hobbes standing on the opposite side, guns at the ready. 'They've been waiting to pick us off from a distance. Surprisingly clever.'
'Actually, it's stupid,' disagreed Cassie, surprising Walter.
'And why is their plan stupid?'
'Watch,' said Cassie, drawing her rifle and shotting all the barrels of explosives, killing every hobbe instantly.
'Ha! You little bastards weren't expecting that, were you? You've been outfoxed and outhobbed!' yelled Walter, before adding approvingly to Cassie, 'How very perceptive of you.'
'Thanks.'
Together they continued down the path and they soon came to some woodwork, which greatly amused Walter.
'Well, look at that, they've built themselves a little castle. Isn't that adorable?'
'If you say so,' muttered Cassie. It did not look like a castle to her and she should know. After all, she did grow up in one, but then, didn't people say a man's home is his castle? Maybe it was the same with Hobbes.
Together Walter, Cassie and Lightning continued on their way until they came to a tunnel entrance that was barricaded with hobbe magic. On the other side of the see-through, magic barricade stood three laughing Hobbes. One was a magician while the other two were soldiers.
'Little sods blocking our way,' grumbled Walter. 'You'll have to get behind it somehow. Cave like this, there had to be some other way of getting there.'
'If there is another way, Lightning and I will find it!' Cassie said confidently, before walking off with Lightning, down another passage. As she was leaving, she could hear Walter talking to the laughing Hobbes.
'Think you're so smart, standing behind your fancy magic don't you? Yeah, that's right, I'm talking to you!' Walter told them.
Shaking her head, Cassie and Lightning followed a different tunnel until they came to a small lake. At first, Cassie just stood there looking across the lake to see if there was an entrance on the opposite side. In the end, she slowly walked into the water and began to swim to the opposite bank. She heard Lightning dive in after her.
Once she reached the opposite shore, she quietly snuck up on the magician before grabbing his shoulders and sticking her sword through his heart. Due to her sudden appearance the other two Hobbes just stood there blinking stupidly, giving Cassie time to slit one of the Hobbes throats while Walter shot the other.
'Impressive,' said Walter as they continued on their way.
'I did learn from the best,' answered Cassie, making Walter chuckle.
'Do you know what I don't understand,' continued Walter, 'is that they're smart enough to use magic, but not smart enough to wear their pants the right way round. Try explaining that.'
'I can...they are Hobbes. That explains everything.'
'Oh very funny, Cassie,' laughed Walter, before looking amazed as they were heading towards some ancient ruins. 'Now this...this I wasn't expecting. There must have been a whole city down here once. You don't think the Hobbes built it, do you?'
'What?' laughed Cassie, trying to imagine Hobbes building the ruins in front of them.
'Nah, not with those stubby fingers,' continued Walter. 'Have you noticed how quiet it all is here?'
'Besides you? Then yes,' answered Cassie carelessly, entering a large arena. 'Why?'
'It's almost like...'
At that moment three magic Hobbes appeared in the middle of the ring through what looked like a cullis gate, while more Hobbes appeared on top of the wall beating drums while others bowed.
'...Yep, almost like that was going to happen,' sighed Walter.
Cassie groaned and watched as the three magicians summoned skeleton Hobbes to destroy them, then putting up a magical barrier to protect themselves.
After turning many skeleton Hobbes into dust, Cassie managed to attack the magician Hobbes as they dropped the magic barrier momentarily to summon more of their friends. It was in the short moment that Cassie ran towards them, impaling one of them on her sword while shotting another one in the forehead. Walter took care of the third. It was at that moment that the remaining skeletons turned to dust. None of the other Hobbes were game enough to come near them after that. Both of them turned, in unison, to continue on their way but found they way blocked by another magic hobbe, who that put a magic barrier across the exit.
'Hmm...I don't think you're going to find a way round this time,' said Walter, looking at the little hobbe. 'But I've got some magic of my own.'
'Really?' laughed Cassie.
'Watch and learn,' Walter smiled at Cassie, before turning to face the hobbe. He was silent for a moment, looking thoughtful before he jumped into a crouched position and yell, 'Boo!'
To Cassie's surprise, the hobbe jumped back away from Walter and the barrier disappeared. The hobbe just stood there panting with fright before grabbing chest and fall down dead.
Maybe he was an old hobbe and Walter just gave him a heart attack, thought Cassie.
'Oh,' said a shocked Walter. 'It worked. Right, let's get out of here, shall we?'
'Sounds like a plan to me,' said an equally shocked Cassie, leading the way out of the cavern.
Once outside the cavern, Cassie saw that they had enter some sort of forest with trees dating back thousands of years and fog that gave the place a sense of mystery and danger. Cassie was betting on the latter of the two was what she was going to find.
'Ahh!' said Walter, walking confidently forward along the forest path. 'You can almost smell the sunlight. Isn't it wonderful? The damp, muggy, soggy sunlight. This is Mourningwood all right. I hope the people we're looking for are still alive.'
'Still - still alive?' repeated Cassie. 'I thought you said that there was a village of sorts in this region! Wouldn't that village be well protected from hollow men?'
'There is, but it's not protected.' answered Walter. 'Besides, the men we are after aren't at the village, and come nightfall, it's one of the most dangerous places in Albion.'
'Great,' muttered Cassie. Night was quickly approaching.
They walked in silence for a while before Walter complained, 'I don't know about dangerous, but I'm starting to get a rash. Bloody swamp. Anyway,' he continued conversationally, 'we made a good team back in that cave, didn't we?'
'That we did,' agreed Cassie.
'It's been a while since I got stuck into a real fight. It was just like fighting by your mother's side. I'd forgotten what it was like, standing next to a Hero. Ah, that must be the place up ahead,' he added as they set sights on a ruined fortress up ahead. 'What I wouldn't give for a bowl of hot soup and a hot bath.'
'Who's the princess here? You or me?' laughed Cassie.
'Oh, be quiet,' chuckled Walter, coming to a halt outside the fortress. A solider stood on the keep above, gun aimed directly at them.
'Cease your movement! Be you men, or be you hollow men?' he demanded.
'Have you gone daft, boy?' demanded Walter. 'Open up the doors!'
'Walter? Is that you?' asked the surprised soldier.
'The very same. Now, are you going to let us in or what?'
'Right, yes, of course! Open the gate! Tell Major Swift: Walter's here!'
Shaking his head, Walter motioned for Cassie follow him and together they walked into the run-down fortress, toward two men that were not wearing the soldier's uniform and Cassie knew immediately that they were a major and a captain.
'There he is,' smiled Walter, taking the hand of the older of the two, the major. 'The one and only; Major Swift.'
'Walter! What the blazes are you doing here?' laughed Swift.
'We came looking for you,' answered Walter. 'I have a proposition.'
'You came all this way to proposition us?' said the captain, the younger of the two, in disbelief. 'And I thought you were her to save us from the legions of the damned.'
'Ben Finn! It's good to see you,' said Walter. 'I take it the legends about this place are true then.'
'I'd say,' said Swift, leading them over to a small graveyard. 'You've never seen so many hollow men in one place. We've been stationed here for weeks, trying to eradicate them. Manly it's us getting eradicated. We lost some good men last night, including Lieutenant Simmons here,' he added, pointing to a grave. 'And the buggers'll be back tonight.'
'Logan just loves to send you on the best assignments, doesn't he?' Walter asked, with a quick sideways glance at Cassie. 'That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about.
'Is this...?' asked Swift, frowning at Cassie.
'The princess, yes, I'll explain...but just treat her like any other pair of hands for now.'
'Fair enough,' Swift said turning to Cassie. 'Captain Finn will show you to the mortar. We could use a body up there.'
'Come on then, Princess,' said Ben, leading the way. He looked like he was only a few years older than her. 'I'll introduce you to Private Jammy, so called because he is the luckiest sod in the fort.'
'Right,' said Cassie. 'And it's just Cassie, Captain Finn. There is no need to call me "princess" or anything else formal.'
'In that case, you can just call me "Ben", Cassie.' Ben said cheerfully, leading her up a flight of steps to the top wall. 'I don't suppose you've ever used a mortar before?'
'How'd you guess?'
'Gut feeling,' laughed Ben. 'There's nothing to it,' he added, talking about the mortar they were now standing beside. Next to the mortar was a soldier that had that many cuts and bruises that they all blended together. Cassie would not even get started on his bandages. 'There's always a slight chance of maiming, of course, but I'm sure you'll pick it up,' continued Ben. 'First, I'd like you to meet Private Jammy,’ he said, indicating to the mummy soldier. 'He'll be your loader.'
'Pleasure to meet cha.' said Jammy. 'It's true what they say about me you know. Jammiest soldier in Albion. Seven hundred and twenty-four wounds and still standing.'
Cassie felt her jaw drop and looked over at Ben.
'Don't worry, you'll get use to him,' chuckled Ben at her facial features. 'After a while he's hardly revolting at all. Right, Jammy. It's time to show her the ropes.'
'Yes, Sir!' said Jammy. 'Right then, my life's going to be in your hands, so let's make sure you know what you are doing, okay?'
Cassie nodded.
'Right, go on and grab the mortar, so we can do some practice shots.'
'Sure thing,' Cassie said nervously, taking hold of it.
'Okay, 'let's see what you've got.' said Jammy. 'See that scarecrow over there?'
'Yeah.'
'Blow it up.'
'Okay,' said Cassie, trying to get a feel of the mortar. Her first shot missed the scarecrow by a mile, but her second shot hit the target straight on as was her second.
'Boosh!' laughed Jammy. 'Goodbye Mr Scarecrow! That was bloody brilliant!'
'All right, Jammy!' laughed Ben. 'Don't get too excited. You know what happens when you do. Let's just take care of the last one.'
'Just one left,' said Jammy as Cassie lined it up. Just as Cassie was about to fire, Jammy said, 'Hang on, I don't remember setting this one up.'
Ben and Cassie both turned and looked at him, before turning and looking at the scarecrow, which had started to move. Next thing they knew, hollow men with appearing out of the ground around it.
'They're here! Start firing!' order Ben, before alerting the other soldiers, Swift and Walter.
Jammy and Cassie did not hesitate. She fire shot after shot, always getting her target, and Jammy re-loaded the mortar nearly immediately after the first load was shot. Then before their very eyes, they disappeared.
'Where did they go?' Cassie whispered to Jammy.
'I don't...'
'They're at the rear gate!' yelled Swift to his soldiers. 'Take positions!'
Jammy quickly ran down the stairs, yelling for Cassie to follow him, but she just jumped off the wall instead and hurried over to Walter, Ben and Swift, drawing her weapon as she went.
'All guns on the gate! We can't let them through!' ordered Ben.
Two men were standing at the gate, throwing all their weight against the wood to try to stop the hollow men entering, but it was all in vain. The hollow men succeeded in knocking the door down, killing the two soldiers as the logs from the gate crashed on top of them.
Immediately, the soldiers attacked along with Walter, Ben, Swift and Cassie. With the soldiers shooting and sword fighting, they were able to hold the hollow men back, and when Cassie used her ice storm gauntlets, the hollow men began to drop like flies. Sadly, during the battle against the hollow men legion, Private Jammy's luck ran out and then...it was all over.
'Victory!' yelled Swift. 'All hail the princess! Now, who's for a pint?'
Sadly, their victory did not last long, for at that moment, a blue wisp went flying through the air and straight into Lieutenant Simmons grave.
'That can't be good,' muttered Ben, and he was right.
'Lieutenant Simmons!' ordered Swift as the corpse came out of the ground bearing to huge swords. Casse felt small compared to Simmons. 'I specifically instruct you to remain buried!'
The corpse ignored him.
'Doesn't anyone follow orders anymore?' demanded Ben.
'I don't think orders count when they are dead,' Cassie said, before making an ice storm surround Simmons and the hollow men he had just summoned. She then dodged out of the way, as magic blades infused with lightning came flying at her. 'Somehow, I don't think this is an average hollow man we're dealing with.' she told Ben.
He grunted before also dodging an attack.
Cassie then quickly ran around Simmons before racing at his turning back and slicing him in half, before he exploded to dust.
'That was pretty damn impressive!' Ben told Cassie. 'So, your mother wasn't the last Hero of Albion after all.'
'Looks that way,' smiled Cassie as Swift and Walter came over to them.
'We did it!' exclaimed an ecstatic Swift.
'Let the poets tell our epic tale. The Swift Brigade fought against impossible odds. They won. The end.' said Ben, making them laugh. Once the laughter had ceased, Ben turned to Walter. 'Well, Sir Walter, you didn't do too bad...for an old man.'
'Neither did you...for a buffoon,' replied Walter, with a raised eyebrow before they both started laughing.
'Ahh. That was just like old times, Walter. Just like old times.' said Swift.
'So what do you say? Will you join us?' said Walter, becoming serious once more. 'With your help we can put a stop to Logan's madness, bring back the real Albion army.'
'I swore to serve my king to the death,' said Swift firmly. 'We all did. But this isn't the way it was meant to be. The old guard has been shoved aside, and these new soldiers Logan's been gathering...they don't care about this land or its people.'
'And I bet they get paid more,' grumbled Ben.
'Walter has absolute faith in you,' said Swift, turning to Cassie, 'and after seeing you in action, so do I. All I ask is that you make a soldier's oath.'
'And what oath is that?' Cassie asked.
'Let your armies protect the people instead of oppressing them. Bring honour back to this uniform...'
'And don't forget the pay rise,' added Ben.
'Shut up, Ben,' said Walter, while Cassie tried not to laugh.
'I promise,' said Cassie, 'to both the honour of the uniform, and a pay rise,' she added looking over at Ben, who grinned back at her.
'Then it's settled,' said Walter. 'We're heading back to Bowerstone now. There are some people there I'm hoping will join us. We'll send for you when we're ready.'
'Then I shall bid you good luck and farewell and all that,' said Swift.
Walter and Cassie nodded, and left the fortress.
Cassie had to admit that she was quite jumpy as they made their way through Mourningwood and she still could not understand why anyone would want to live there, especially when she saw the state of the tiny village.
'How can they stand living here, without any protection?' Cassie whispered to Walter as they passed through.
'Hollow men obviously don't come to this part of Mourningwood,' shrugged Walter. 'Besides, I'm sure these people are able to look after themselves when hollow men do attack.'
'Like the soldiers back at the fortress?' demanded Cassie.
Walter shrugged and continued to lead the way to Bowerstone.
-----THE HAPPENINGS-----
'We've descended into the chasms of the netherworld, stared death in the face and waded through things so foul I'd rather not think about them,' Walter said as they walked through a tunnel that led into Bowerstone Industrial. 'But this is where it gets really ugly. And buried somewhere beneath it all are the people Logan has left behind.'
Cassie did not say anything; instead, she followed him silently, listening to what the few people on the street were saying to one another. She was shocked to learn that Logan and Reaver had little kids working when they should have been outplaying and going to school. She knew that would have to change.
She anger though was soon forgotten as Walter led her towards a factory courtyard where a large and angry crowd had gathered. In the middle of the courtyard, on a raised platform, stood a bald man addressing the crowd, fuelling their anger.
'Reaver is exploiting us!' he yelled. 'We deserve fair pay! We demand better working conditions! We're workers, we're not slaves!'
Cassie heard someone bang metal and she looked up to the deck above and saw a well-dressed man in a tall top hat, whacking his cane against the railing, looking down at the man below. She could not make out his face properly. The bald man did not hear or get the message.
'Reaver treats us like animals!' he continued to yell. 'And we're not going to take it anymore...'
Down went the cane again.
'...there's only one thing for it. We have to stand up to Reaver!'
Cassie watched as the well-dressed man raised a pistol and shooting the man in the leg.
'But lying down is so much easier than standing up,' drawled the man, who Cassie took to be Reaver himself. 'My dear friends. In order to raise morale, I am offering prizes to the most deserving workers. The rules that will govern what I like to call the Reaver Team Spirit Award, are these: firstly, any worker that so much as murmurs another complaint will be shot. Secondly, any worker who takes more than a three-second break will be shot. Thirdly, any worker who breaks any other rules I have yet to formulate, will, yes, you guessed it, be shot.' As if to enforce his point, Reaver shot the man in the leg again. 'You may return to work now. As you know, I am a generous man, and likely to start handing out prizes right away. So go on. Shoo! Be off with you! Chop chop.'
'That's why we are here,' Walter told Cassie quietly as the crowd began to disappear, but Reaver remained on the balcony staring out across the polluted river. 'That's why Albion needs you. Your brother must have been out of his mind when he handed control of Industrial to Reaver.'
'Uh huh,' said Cassie, not taking her eyes off Reaver's figure. 'Walter, have I met Reaver before?'
'No. For some reason, Logan made sure that you were not around when he came to the castle,' answered Walter. 'Why do you ask?'
'It's just - his body language and voice seem so familiar to me.'
'I think he is just one of those people those voice reminds everyone of someone else.'
'So he reminds you of someone too?'
'Yes. River sometimes sounded like him.'
'My father sounded like that cold-hearted creature?' said a shocked Cassie.
'Remember, your father was a thief whose soul didn't hold a glimmer of light until he met your mother,' Walter said gently. 'Anyway, we should go. It's time you met the Bowerstone Resistance.' he added, dragging her gently away.
Cassie barely noticed Walter leading her to the entrance of the Bowerstone sewers, for her mind was on Reaver's voice. Maybe his voice really did remind her of her father. She had only been young - around seven years of age - when he father died, and as such, could not remember much about him. She did not even have a photo to look at due to her brother.
'Right, this should be the place.' Walter said, interrupting Cassie's thoughts as they stopped just outside the sewers. 'Somewhere beyond this door is the base of the Bowerstone Resistance. Ready when you are.'
'Let's just get it over and done with,' muttered Cassie, opening the door, walking inside, and gagging at the stench. She wondered if the resistances noses still worked living in that stench.
'I really love how much time we're spending in caves and sewers these days,' muttered Walter as they walked through the sewer. 'I should warn you, I don't know what kind of reception we'll get, I know their leader well enough, but it was never safe for me to come down and meet the rest of them. And they're not exactly the most trusting of people.'
'So they're a bit like Sabine?' asked Cassie.
'They're worst than Sabine,' corrected Walter.
'Joy,' muttered Cassie, walking through the entrance to the quarters with Walter.
'Hello?' Walter called out. 'Hello? Maybe we've got the wrong place.' he said thoughtfully, upon receiving no answer. 'Let's, you know, get out and -'
'Don't move!' ordered a tall man, jumping out from behind a barrel, pistol aimed at the two of them. Moments later, two other men joined him.
Automatically Cassie drew and raised her sword, but Walter gently touched her shoulder and shook his head. Cassie re-sheltered her sword, but kept her hand on the handle.
'Who are you and what are you doing here?' ordered the first man.
'I'm Walter and this is - well, that really doesn't matter right now.' said Walter. 'We're here to speak with Page.’
'I say we shoot them!' said another man.
'Listen! We're on your side! Just hear us out!' Walter said urgently.
'We don't make deals with spies. Shoot.' said the first man.
'Wait!' cried Walter.
'Put your weapons down!' ordered a new voice. A dark skinned woman walked into sight not looking very happy. 'I thought I gave the orders round here, Kidd.' she said to the first man.
'Sorry, Page. Got a bit carried away,' apologised Kidd.
'Walter, glad you're all right,' said Page.
'And I'm glad you came in when you did,' replied Walter.
'I wasn't exactly expecting you,' said Page. 'Let's talk somewhere a bit more private,' she added, leading them to a large room with a map of Albion and Aurora in the middle.
'I had this whole plan, you see,' Walter told Page along the way, 'but I - well, we ended up leaving the castle earlier than I thought.'
'I heard. Pity. Your messages were always useful.' sighed Page.
'I can offer you something better.' said Walter as they entered the room. 'Page, I'd like you to meet -'
'I know who she is.' Page interrupted coldly. 'I thought you'd know better than to bring the princess here.'
'She's not just the princess. She's a Hero.'
'Great. Give her a medal!' Page said sarcastically, making Cassie glare.
'No, no. I mean she's a "Hero". Like her mother!'
'Really?' said a taken back Page, though she soon got over her shock. 'It doesn't change anything. Your brother is the reason we live underground.' Page told Cassie coldly, as though it was her fault. 'He's the reason we fight. How do we know she is any better?' Page demanded to Walter.
'Well, let her prove it,' Walter replied reasonably.
'It's not just me she needs to convince,' argued Page. 'The people of this city need someone they can believe in. If she can proved to them that they should follow her - then I will talk with you. For now I have work to do!' she said, before walking away.
Cassie glared after her.
'Looks like you have work to do too,' said Walter. 'You have a whole city to inspire.'
'Hmm,' groaned Cassie, before returning to the Sanctuary.
'It would seem your heroism had to be put to the test once again, madam.' Jasper said as a greeting. 'There appear to be numerous opportunities available,' he added, motioning to the map.
Sighing, Cassie took note of two quests and went back to Bowerstone Industrial.
Her first quest was in Bowerstone, so she casually made her way there, stopping every now and then to give some money to the beggars she passed. It was then that she found her. There she was, small, ragged, under feed and over worked, surrounded by the kids she worked with. Each child was trying to encourage the six year old girl to get back to her feet and work, but the girl had no strength. Next minute, one of the working supervisors came out. A cold and heartless woman.
'What do you brats think you are doing out here?' she demanded. 'Get back to work!' The kids all hurried away, except for the little girl. 'That includes you too, Gail!'
'Please, ma'am, I can't -' whispered the little girl before the supervisor interrupted her.
'Can't? Can't! Don't tell me what you can't do!' she screeched at the helpless child. 'Get back in there and work; otherwise there will be no food for you again today!'
'But ma'am,' pleaded Gail.
'I said get inside!' The woman yelled, grabbing the child roughly by the neck and flinging her inside. Cassie had seen enough.
'OI!' she yelled, storming up to the supervisor.
'What do you want?' The woman demanded coldly.
'For you to leave that child alone!' snapped Cassie. She was not about to be bullied. 'Can't you see that she's not well? And what kind of person makes a hungry child work for food!'
'I do. She eats my food and stays at my house, so I decide what she does.'
'Where are her parents?'
'Dead,' the woman replied with an uncaring shrug. 'Leaving that brat and a huge debt behind. As a result, this child is not leaving here until she joins her parents or has paid off the debt. Whichever comes first.'
Cassie could not believe her ears. She had never met anyone so unpleasant.
'How much debt?' Cassie asked after a moment.
'Five hundred gold.'
Cassie went to her bag, withdrew a bag of money, and quickly counted it.
'Tell you what. Here's a thousand gold.' said Cassie. 'In exchange, I will adopt Gail and you will never have to worry about her again.'
Cassie could see the greed in the woman's eyes, before she snatched the money out of Cassie's hands and pushed Gail towards her.
'Deal. It was a pleasure doing business with you, though I feel as though I got the better end of the deal.' smirked the woman.
'I wouldn't be too sure about that,' Cassie said coldly, gently picking up Gail and taking her to the Sanctuary.
'Ah, hello, Madam.' greeted Jasper. 'I was not expecting to see you so - is that a child in your arms?'
'Yes, please fetch some food and healing potions please, Jasper. And a blanket as well.'
'Very well, madam.' said Jasper hurrying off, while Cassie gently put the child on a nearby couch. Gail just laid there, staring up at Cassie's face.
Moments later, Jasper returned with everything.
'Thanks Jasper,' said Cassie, taking the blanket off him and putting it over Gail.
'Not at all, madam,' said Jasper, waving the gratitude aside. 'May I inquire as to why the child is here?'
'Jasper, this is my daughter Gail,' smiled Cassie. 'Gail, this is one of my dear friends, Jasper.' she added to the nervous child.
'Wh-why did you do it?' stammered Gail. 'And why are you helping me?'
'I couldn't just walk away after seeing what that lady did to you,' Cassie said gently, helping Gail take some healing potion. 'Besides, if you decide you don't want to have me as a mother or anything, I'll help you find some other parents or guardians.'
Gail looked deeply into Cassie's eyes before saying, 'I want to stay with you. You're nice!'
'Then stay with me you shall,' smiled Cassie. 'But you should know that I'm likely to disappear for long periods of time. So will you be alright with Jasper?'
Gail nodded.
'Okay. Now why don't you make a start on some of this wonderful food Jasper has brought you?'
The next day, Cassie said bye to Gail - who was looking much better - and headed off to her first quest in Bowerstone. According to the map, three mages require a hero to enter the Baron's realm and save the princess, whatever that meant.
Turned out that the three mages had a magic orb that could shrink whoever held it, in this case Cassie was the one who had to shrink before she was placed on a table that contained the terrain of the game she had to participate in and that's when the fun began...for the mages anyway.
During this time, Cassie had to make her way through the terrain talking to different cardboard cut outs of people, fight wolves, and slaughter the Hollow Men, before coming to her favourite part to do with chickens. Cassie knew that she would never be able to look at a chicken the same way ever again, nor would she be able to eat one ever again. During this part of the game, Cassie had to watch as one of the mages turned the chickens into Demon Chickens that breathed fire.
After fighting off the flock of Demon Chickens, she then had to fight off some Hobbes that were the baron's elite guards. Cassie did not think that they were very elite at all. After defeating all the Hobbes, Cassie was able to attack the baron - who died after one hit - before knocking the cut out of the princess to the ground as the mages tried to get her to kiss the princess.
Overall, the game was an absolute bore to Cassie, not that the mages agreed with her. They had found it most exciting and said that they planned to continue with their game next week, and probably would have if Cassie had remembered to give their magical orb back to them before them before she left the house, fully grown and back to her original height.
Cassie left Bowerstone Market and headed back to Bowerstone Industrial where she was heading off to rescue a captive off someone call Nigel Ferret and his gang. Apparently it was someone's fiancé.
Eventually, Cassie arrived at the run down orphanage and found four people standing outside it.
'I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid you'll have to go somewhere else tonight,' said the woman apologetically.
'Somewhere else?' repeated one of the men standing before her. 'And where would that be, exactly? Every other place been closed down, and I'll freeze to death on the streets. And that's if Logan's goons don't bash my skull in first.'
'You think you're the only one who has problems?' demanded the woman coldly, before taking a gentler tone. 'I'm sorry. I'm just...look, I wish I could help you, but I can't.'
As the two men and woman walked off angrily, Cassie walked forward and the woman in charge's face fell as she caught sight on her.
'I hope you're not looking for somewhere to stay because this place is about to close for good,' she said sadly.
'No, I'm actually here to help someone get their fiancé back from someone call Ferret,' said Cassie.
'You are? Oh that's wonderful!' exclaimed the woman. 'I'm the woman that needs the help. Ferret took my fiancé as a ransom until I could get the money he wanted. I tried to work up the courage to rescue him, but Ferret and his gang has everyone living in fear, including me. That's when I thought that if I had someone like you with me...you could go in there and show them what fear really is...though I don't know how you knew I needed help,' she added, suddenly suspicious.
'I'm Queen Amy's daughter,' Cassie said simply, which explained everything.
'Oh, it's nice to meet you, Princess Cassandra.' The woman said hurriedly as she did an awkward curtsey. 'I'm Linda.'
'It's just Cassie, Linda,' smiled Cassie. 'So, where is Ferret now, do you know?'
'Yes. Ferret demanded that I brought the ransom in a weeks' time, but I'll bring him something better,' she grinned before leading the way out of the orphanage grounds, a cross the street and up the front steps of a house.
That's convenient, thought Cassie as Linda knocked on the front door.
Moments later, the peek hole of the door opened and oily voice said, 'Linda. You just cost me a bit of gold, luv. I bet old Harry it'd take you the full week to get the money. You're an industrious one, ain't cha?'
'Just open the bloody door, Keith.' said an impatient Linda. 'Let's have done with this.'
Slowly the door opened and Linda and Cassie walked inside an ancient looking room with a mercenary type figure standing beside the door, who Cassie took to be Keith.
'Right, Mr Ferret's down those stairs,' said Keith, before he caught sight of Cassie. 'Whoa, hang on, who's your friend?' he demanded.
'In your parlance, she's the "bagman".' Linda lied smoothly. 'And that gold doesn't leave her hands until my fiancé's walked out of your fetid little den.'
'All right, no need to get all uppity,' said Keith. 'You just watch yourself around Mr Ferret or things'll get unfriendly fast.'
'Whatever,' mutter Linda, leading the way down the stairs Keith had mentioned to before.
Once down the stairs the two women came to a large room where a number of men sat at different tables drinking and playing cards. At the far end of the room, standing in a doorway was a porky little man with two guards standing either side of the doorframe.
'Ah, Linda,' drawled the porky man as they approached. 'I cannot tell you how elated I am to have this unfortunate situation brought to a satisfying resolution. Your associate can dispense with her burden by piling the funds upon a table.'
'There's no gold, Ferret.' Linda said happily. 'Now you cough up my fiancé from whatever filthy corner you're keeping him in, or my "associate" is going to start collecting heads and piling them upon a table.' To empathise her point, I drew my sword and smiled a charming princess smile.
'My initial judgement of your character was clearly misguided,' said a calm Ferret. 'You posses some heart after all. Lads, tear it out,' he ordered before leaving the room, closing, and locking the door behind him.
Cassie just shook her head and sighed as the members of his gang, drew their swords and guns and advanced upon them like wolves seeking their prey. Fifteen minutes later, Cassie had disposed of all of Ferret's men, though she did not pile any heads upon a table. That was gross.
'Your men are dead, Ferret!' Linda yelled through the locked door Ferret was hiding behind. 'Unless you want to join them, let us in!'
'It's open!' came Ferret's panicked voice.
Frowning, Linda tried the door and it was indeed unlocked.
'I could have sworn he locked it,' muttered Linda, before shrugging and walking into the next room where Ferret was found sitting on an old wooden chair. Linda walked confidently over to him, before drawing a pistol and aiming it at his head. Ferret paled. 'You brought this on yourself, Ferret. This didn't have to happen.'
'It still doesn't!' Ferret said quickly. 'We merely got off on the wrong foot. I'm no threat to you without my men, and I'm only too happy to return your fiancé. I can be quite accommodating.'
'Get on with it then!'
'Well, the thing is, he's actually not on the premises, exactly, at the present time.' admitted Ferret. 'He's incarcerated within a nearby...facility, shall we say. That access hatch will provide you with...well, access.' He motioned to the end of the room where there was quite a fall, which lead into the sewers.
'The sewer?' exclaimed Linda. 'You fellows are a sophisticated lot. Please, go and get him,' she added to Cassie. 'I'll keep an eye of Ferret.'
'No problem,' said Cassie. She was use to the sewers now.
Sighing, she walked over to the access hatch and looked down, before telling Lightning to stay with Linda. She then dived into the water below. As she came back up, she nearly went back under with shock. Slowly she swarm towards the shore, not taking her eyes off the man in front of her. She just had to be dreaming.
'Ell-Elliot?' breathed Cassie as she climbed out of the water. She was definitely dreaming. Logan had ordered him to executed.
'Cass!' exclaimed Elliot, climbing to his feet before embracing her tightly as she began to sob into his shoulder.
'I can't believe it! It's you! It's really you!' sobbed a happy, yet confused Cassie. 'But how? That day in the castle...I...'
'I know,' Elliot said gently. 'As I was led out of the throne room...I had never been so scared in my life, though I was grateful that you chose me instead of those people.'
'But, how can you still be alive?'
'The guards led me down to the dungeons, to wait until further orders from Logan.' explained Elliot. 'I sat in the darkness for what seemed like hours, waiting for them to lead me out to the firing squad. That night, when the guards came and got me, they lead me back to the throne room, where Logan sat waiting, looking thoughtful. He motioned for the guards to leave and for me to come closer. I did as he said, wondering if it was a trap, but I was unprepared for what he asked me.'
'And what was that?'
'If I really did love and care for you.'
'What?'
'Yeah, that's what he asked. When I replied saying that I did, he then said, "and my sister is deeply in love with you. It is for that reason that you will not be put to death, but in return, you must leave the castle and start yourself a new life and let my sister go on with hers." He then added something under his breath which sounded as though he was letting me go also because I hadn't really done anything wrong.'
'Logan, let you go. He spared you?' gasped Cassie.
Elliot nodded.
'Well, that doesn't matter now. What matters is the fact that you are alive,' smiled a wet faced Cassie. 'Oh, how much I have missed you.'
'I've missed you too! I never thought I'd see you again after that day in the throne room. It was the most horrific day of my life.'
'Today's not going to be much better if we don't get you out of here,' said Cassie as she heard the sound of something that sounded like a Hobbes crackle.
Cassie took Elliot's hand and together they walked through the sewers talking quietly.
'What are you doing here anyway?' asked Elliot. 'I thought you'd be in the castle, with your brother.'
'I haven't been anywhere near the castle since that afternoon,' said Cassie. 'Ever since I left, I've been travelling all over Albion with Walter.'
'Really?' said an interested Elliot.
'Really,' said Cassie. 'You should have seen the places I have been to Elliot. I've been to Mispeak Valley, Brightwall, Bowerstone and Mourningwood...'
'You've been to Mourning - watch out,' yelled Elliot, pulling Cassie out of the way of a colony of bats came flying at them.
'Argh, I hate bats,' sighed Cassie, before shooting an ice storm at them.
'Wow...you were amazing,' said an impressed Elliot. 'I've never seen anything like that! It was like seeing something out of,' he paused before continuing slowly as realisation began to hit him, 'Walter's stories, about your mother...you're a Hero!' he said, looking Cassie up and down, daring to believe his eyes. So much for protecting her. She'd be more likely to protect him.
'It's not all it's cracked up to be, believe me,' smiled Cassie.
'Hmm, things are becoming clearer to me now. When Logan started to behave so appallingly, I told myself that he wanted to prove his strength by seeing off a few agitators, but it's more insidious than that. Taking lives is brutal, but to take away hope, to force an entire kingdom to live in fear...that's true tyranny.'
'And it's going to take more than a Hero to stop him,' said Cassie. 'It's going to take a full scale revolution. That is the reason I've been travelling Albion with Walter. I've been collecting allies to help bring Logan down, but I've also been making friends too. Not to mention the weird quests I've been going on.'
'When we're out of here, you will have to tell me all about them.'
'I will,' promised Cassie as she drew her sword and going into combat with Hobbes.
Once she had finished, Cassie took Elliot by the hand again and together they walked on. After a while, Cassie noticed that the structure had become man made instead of being natural cave.
'You should almost be back to Linda,' sighed Cassie, suddenly remembering the reason why she had found Elliot. She had found him because of his fiancé.
'Oh, bloody hell, Linda,' groaned Elliot, not sounding so keen to get back. 'What am I going to say to her?'
Cassie did not ask what he meant because they were just outside the exit, though as she went to open the door, Elliot pulled her back.
'Wait. Linda is the most - well, the second most amazing woman I have ever met.' said an awkward Elliot. Cassie remained silent, wondering where he was going with all this. Why couldn't he just come out and say that he did not love her anymore? 'She started that shelter from nothing, and she keeps it going despite Ferret and Reaver. Working with her felt...right, after all those years in the castle doing nothing. Then somehow, it became more than working. I felt something I hadn't since you. And know your back. Argh, this is maddening,' he exclaimed suddenly. 'Here I am, pouring my heart out and you haven't said anything. Do you want to give me a consoling hug and say, "Do the honourable thing"? - or grab me and kiss me and tell me to come back? Cass, are you all right?' he added when he noticed the tears that were slowly flowing down her face.
'I'm better than all right.' laughed Cassie, though it was a bit shaky due to her tears. 'When I found out that you had a fiancé, I was heartbroken, thinking that you no longer loved me, but now I know it is not so. I love you too Elliot, and my heart could not bear to lose you again!'
Elliot's face broke out into a smile and he slowly brought Cassie's lips to his own and kissed her, more passionately than he ever did before. As Cassie stood there in Elliot's arms, everything felt as though nothing had changed. It felt the same as it did when he use to sneak up to her room during the night - the only time they could be alone without having to worry about Logan, since Jasper would never tell on them.
'Listen,' said Elliot as they reluctantly pulled apart. 'I need time to break it to Linda. Please, say nothing now, but find me at the shelter in a few days, and we will be together,' he promised.
'If that is your wish,' smiled Cassie, walking back to the door and opening. 'Where's Ferret and where's - Linda! Are you here?' called Cassie, walking into the room and noticing that something was not right.
'Linda!' exclaimed Elliot, noticing her lying on the floor unconscious, as he hurried over to her. Cassie quickly joined him.
'Elliot,' groaned Linda as she came to. 'Ow, my head,' she added rubbing the back of her head. 'That weasel Ferret must have struck me when my back was turned.'
Cassie looked away and shook her head. Why did she turn her back on him in the first place?
'Oh darling, thank goodness you're all right,' said Linda, embracing Elliot, while Cassie stared emotionlessly down at them. 'You've saved the love of my life,' she added, looking up at Cassie. 'I'm forever in your debt. Thank you for everything, your highness.'
Cassie did something she hoped was a smile.
'Well, I've got to go,' said Cassie. 'There's a certain play that I've been invited to.' She looked quickly at Elliot, winked and headed for the door.
'I was so worried about you,' Linda told Elliot.
'I'm here now,' replied Elliot.
'I love you,' said Linda, and Cassie could here that she meant it in her voice, compared to Elliot who did not sound that way. Instead, he had his eyes fixed on Cassie's retreating back.
-----THE HAPPENINGS-----
As Cassie had told Elliot and Linda, she went to Brightwood to see Pinch and Lambert's tragedy and comedy combined play.
Once at Brightwall, Cassie followed the crowd up to the Academy where the play was going to be held outside. Once outside the Academy, she saw that may people had turned up and she soon found Samuel already seated.
'Hi Samuel,' said Cassie, taking the seat next to him.
'Well, stamp my renewal book, my princess. How good it is to see you again!' exclaimed Samuel. 'Though I have to admit, I'm a little surprised to see you here.'
'Well, after I went through all the trouble to find the play for them, I might as well come and see how it came together,' shrugged Cassie.
'That's not what I meant.' admitted Samuel.
'What do you mean?' asked Cassie.
'Well, from what Walter told me, you were currently on the run, as such, from your brother, right?'
'One could say that,' said Cassie, wondering where he was going with this.
'Yet you appear in the same region as him at the same place,' concluded Samuel.
'What, Logan's here?' Cassie exclaimed, behind hiding her face in the shadows of her hat as many people turned to look at her.
'Oh, you didn't know? You didn't see him? Well, he's over there,' said Samuel, motioning to a raised platform where Logan sat, looking as though he'd rather be doing other things, next to a hooded figure.
Before Cassie could do anything else Lambert and Pinch appeared and introduced their play, before it finally started. Cassie watched the first few minutes of it, before turning to watch her brother, who was far more interesting to watch. Cassie noticed that Logan didn't know what to make of the play for he was wearing the same expression that she probably wore as she watched the beginning. During the play, Cassie noticed that Logan looked like he was about to fall asleep and eventually he really did, only to be gently woken by the hooded figure sitting next to him near the end of the play. It was then that Cassie turned her attention back to the play in time to hear Lambert say, 'Hark! Bear witness to the tragic futility that is man. Oh how it doth sear my senses to see paradise and yet to be barred.'
'That reminds me of a great joke,' chuckled Pinch. 'A guard, a monk, and a chicken walked into a bar. Unfortunately, the bartender had had a mild heart attack that morning, so none of them get served.'
'And yet what purpose doth heartache serve, when the infinite dark blanket that is death falls softly upon our still beating corpse?' asked Lambert.
'That reminds me of another one!' said Pinch. 'A corpse walks into a bar and says, "Can I have a lemonade?" "Certainly," replies the Bartender. "I've never seen a stiff drink.".'
'And so endeth our happy sad play, which reminds us we are made of nothing but clay.' concluded Lambert. 'There's time only for our fool to say...'
'Great big giant bosoms!' exclaimed a joyful Pinch.
'I wasted my time looking for that,' Cassie muttered to a confused Samuel. 'No wonder Morley wanted his lost play lost.'
'Hmm, I'd have to say that was definitely...different,' agreed Samuel. 'And by the looks of your brother's face, I'd say he would agree.'
'What's he doing here anyway?' asked Cassie as the crowd began to leave.
'Logan and that hooded man come to see Pinch and Lambert's plays nearly every year.' answered Samuel. 'In fact, I believe that the old Queen and King use to take you and Logan to see them too, when you were younger.'
'Really?'
Samuel nodded and went back into the academy, while Cassie took one look at her brother before hurrying out of the region before he found her.
-----THE HAPPENINGS-----
Three days later, Cassie returned to the orphanage in Bowerstone Industry and found Elliot waiting patiently outside. She hurried over to him.
'Elliot, how did it go?' asked Cassie as she embraced her lover.
'Well, I spoke to her and she said that she understood,' said Elliot. 'Which made it even harder. I wished she'd called me awful names and thrown me out.'
'Always simpler that way,' laughed Cassie. 'But she doesn't seem the sort to do that.'
'Indeed. She is a lovely person, and I'll always love her.' said Elliot. 'But not like I love you,' then before her eyes, Elliot sunk to one knee and held a small red box which he opened to reveal a beautiful golden ring. 'Princess Cassandra, will you marry me?' he asked.
'Yes,' laughed Cassie. 'Yes! Of course I will!' she said as Elliot but the ring on her finger, before picking her up and spinning her around.
'Just think, one day our children will ask "Daddy how did propose to Mummy?" - and I'll be able to tell them that I proposed to you outside the orphanage in Bowerstone Industrial, which was terrible romantic after we had spent months apart, only to find each other again.'
'Yes and speaking of children, I've got an adopted daughter, well, you've got one now too,' said Cassie.
'Seriously?' said Elliot. 'That's strange; I don't remember any children being adopted lately.'
'I didn't adopt her from the orphanage,' explained Cassie as they headed off to Bowerstone Market to find a home. As they went looking for a house, Cassie filled Elliot in about the terrible things that had happened to Gail.
'That poor child,' said Elliot. 'She deserves to have a mother like you.'
'Just as she deserves to have you as her father,' smiled Cassie.
An hour later, Elliot and Cassie had found a house and went out shopping for furniture, food and all the other necessary items for the house. By the end of the day, Elliot and Cassie had the house sort of to their likings and they then went to the Sanctuary to get Gail.
'Gail, Jasper, I'm back!' Cassie yelled out, while Elliot just looked around at the Sanctuary in awe.
'Ah, madam, welcome back. I hope your quests went well.' said Jasper as Gail ran to her new mother.
'You could say that,' smiled Cassie, showing Jasper her left hand and more importantly the ring that sat upon it.
'Congratulations, madam,' said a happy Jasper. 'I can't tell you how happy I am for you. Do I know your fiancé?'
'You can't have forgotten about me already, Jasper.' grinned Elliot, walking over to join them.
'Jumping hobbes! Elliot, how can this be?' said a surprised Jasper.
Cassie and Elliot quickly explained everything to him, before taking Gail to her new home where they spent the next day playing toys with her. However, Cassie, Elliot and Gail all snuck into the sewers that afternoon, before heading towards the Resistances quarters within. Gail was positioned on Elliot's hip with her arms around his neck and pressed against him.
'It stinks in here, Mummy!' she complained.
'I know, but it's only a little bit further.' Cassie said patiently, walking past the guard posts.
They were almost at Page's quarters, when they bumped into Major Swift.
'Ah, the rebel princess,' greeted Swift.
'Major Swift,' greeted Cassie. 'Where are you off to?'
'The castle to report to your brother, and to try to find out what I can about his troop movements while I'm there.'
'Well good luck,' said Cassie.
'Thanks Princess,' he said before continuing on his way.
'Who's Major Swift when he's at home?' asked Elliot.
'He's in charge of a legion,' said Cassie, before adding, 'And he's an old friend of Walter's.'
As they entered the room, Ben Finn's voice was the first voice that met Cassie's ears. He was trying to impress Page.
'I'm telling you, I downed three hollow men with one shot, its true!' argued Ben.
'I've never trusted a soldier in my life,' Page said coldly. 'I'm not going to start now.'
'Wh - will you tell her, Walter?' Ben said, turning to Walter for help.
'Hey, I'm not getting involved.' Walter said wisely.
Ben looked desperately around and his eyes landed on Cassie, with Elliot and Gail behind her.
'Look, look, there she is! Asked her yourself!' said Ben, pointing to Cassie.
'Oh, give it a rest,' groaned Page, turning to face Cassie.
'Fine.' pouted Ben. 'I'll just stand here quietly then, shall I?'
Page shook her head, and turned to Cassie.
'You know, for a princess, you're a pretty decent - who are they?' she added catching sight of Elliot and Gail.
'Balls,' muttered a disbelieving Walter, staring at the grinning Elliot. 'Elliot? B-but how? Logan ordered for you to be executed!'
'No, he didn't.' said Elliot. 'He spared my life, gave me a sack of gold and to go build a life for myself outside the castle.'
Walter continued to gasp at him and Page stared at him suspiciously. Clearly, she thought it was a trick since Logan could not possibly spare anyone. Ben, however, was as cheerful as ever.
'So, is this your boyfriend and little cousin?' He asked.
'No, Gail is my daughter, adopted daughter,' Cassie said quickly, noticing Walter's eyes widen dramatically. He then relaxed. 'An Elliot is more than a boyfriend,' she added, showing Walter her left hand.
'By the gods! You're engaged!' he exclaimed.
Cassie nodded.
'That's enough chit-chat,' interrupted Page. 'We have a big problem at the moment.'
'And what's that?' asked Elliot, putting Gail down so she could play with Lightning.
'Reaver,' answered Walter promptly.
'Uh huh...what about him?' asked Cassie. Did this have something to do with him being friendly with her brother?
'He's been bleeding the city dry for years now, but it's never been this bad.' explained Page. 'We decided it was time to hit back.'
'A small group of fighters managed to get into his mansion, but they never made it out,' said Walter.
'I believe they're alive.' Page said forcefully. 'You're going to help me find them.'
'Okay, do you have a plan to get in?' asked Cassie.
'Reaver hosts some sort of fancy secret society party every week.' said Page immediately. 'We don't know what does on, but we do know what the guests look like. It's the perfect chance to sneak in. Here, you'll have to wear this,' she added, handing Cassie a dress box. Inside was a woman's masquerade suit.
'Great. Where's my costume?' Ben asked eagerly.
Page just looked at him.
Ben's smile disappeared.
'What? I still can't come?' he said, sounding disappointed. 'Even after the three hollow men story? Honestly, this is as bad as the army!'
Page shook her head and rolled her eyes again.
'Now everyone out!' she ordered. 'I have a party to dress for.'
Elliot picked Gail up and left the room as Ben said innocently, 'I'll stay and make sure no one spies on you.'
Page glared at him.
'Everyone. Out.' she said clearly.
'You know, I'm starting to have serious doubts about our relationship,' Ben told her as Cassie pulled him out of the room, trying not to laugh.
'I'll see you at Reaver's mansion,' Page sighed to Cassie, before closing and locking the door behind them.
----
Written: 14 December 2011