Disappearance of Roselei Hawthorne

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Gregory, is that you?"

"Why, y-yes, of course." Gideon stammered. Never had he considered the possibility that they would be in this situation. As soon as they walked into the castle, they were greeted with Gabriel After-Frost. Would Gideon's disguise hold up?

"Those witches... " Gabriel's face fell, as he recognized them all. "What are they doing with you? Tell me now."

"I captured them, sir." Gideon said, bowing slightly. "I'm taking them to the king, where they will face punishment."

"You should let me escort them," Gabriel said, stepping forward. "These were the impudent witches who kidnapped your cousin, Gideon. I would like to see them receive their sentence myself. You may go. After all, I'm sure you're just dying to spend more time with that fiancé of yours. Elizabeth, was it?"

"Y-yes, my fiancé." Gideon stammered. "But Elizabeth is out with her... friends. I told her she should spend some time with them since I would be gone most of the day."

"Why don't you join her with her friends then? You might as well get to know them, since Elizabeth is soon to be your wife." Gabriel insisted.

"W-well..." Gideon tried to think of another excuse, but nothing would come to mind.

"You really are such a foolish boy." Gabriel sighed.

"Wh-what?" Gideon was taken aback. What was his father talking about?

"Gregory doesn't have a fiancé, Gideon." Gabriel snarled. He had figured it out. Or rather, he had known from the start. Gideon had walked right into his trap. Immediately, Gideon drew his sword, standing defensively, guarding his friends.

"Resort to plan A." Lillia ordered as she drew her staff.

"What's plan A?" Fenris asked worriedly.

"The thing we discussed over last night's dinner." Lillia explained.

"Do you honestly think you can get past me?" Gabriel chuckled. "Your party members don't even know what your strategy is. And since when do you associate with those... creatures."

"They're not just creatures, they're my family." Gideon said, standing tall. "And unlike you, I happen to care about my family."

Gideon raced forward, and swung his sword at his father, but Gabriel was too quick. He drew his own blade, and the two of them fought sword-to-sword. Gideon would thrust, swing, and strike, but Gabriel was able to block every attack.

"You're more foolish than I thought if you think you can beat me on your own." Gabriel laughed mockingly.

"Fortunately," Lillia struck Gabriel from behind with a thorny vine, created via magic. "He's not on his own. Everyone, go to the second floor! We'll hold him off."

Gabriel tried to block off the stairs by creating a large wall of ice, but Lillia shattered the ice with another swipe from her vines. She stood between Gabriel in the stairs, while Gideon stood between him and the door. There was nowhere for Gabriel to go. But he wasn't worried in the slightest. Not only was he revered for his title, but Gabriel was known world-wide for both his swordsmanship and his incredibly powerful ice magic. He was able to hold Gidoen off with his blade, all the while keeping Lillia at bay with his magic.

The three of them went at it for a while, but neither side was able to land any hits. They were equal in power and strength, and equally skilled at defense. But they were getting worn out, and rather quickly too. Lillia wasn't sure how much longer she could keep her magic attacks up. Gideon's breathing was getting heavy, and his movements were gradually slowing. Even Gabriel seemed to be getting tired.