Justice for the Forest-Beasts

Chapter Ten - In Which the Twins are in Trouble

The trek to Castle City was long and exhausting for everyone. By the time they reached the city, all of Estelle's limbs felt heavy and her stomach growled with hunger. The twins' clothes had long been damp with sweat, and their lips were cracking and peeling from the cold and lack of water. Even the twins' arms had begun to ache. It wasn't only the twins, either—Rain had been completely drained from their long walk as well. Truthfully, Estelle had never felt more like she was going to die. She needed water, but their jars of water didn't last long once they had stopped following the river. They had relied on the snow for hydration, even though they knew not to eat snow off of the ground.

As they entered Castle City, the twins noticed Royal Guards lining both sides of the street. They stood straight, with their hands kept behind their backs. Their eyes searched the roads, and it wasn't long before one of them saw Rain and the twins. At the sound of one Guard's shrill whistle, nearby Guards were alerted of their presence, and many of them began to hurry over to them. The lines broke formation, every member making their way to Rain and the twins at an alarming rate. Estelle quickly grabbed Lucian's hand and Rain's wrist, forcing them both to follow closely after her as she tried to run away.

Exhausted from the long walk, the three could hardly run at all. And so, the Guards caught up in no time at all. It didn't take long for the three to be in handcuffs, Rain's wings bound to xyr back once again. They were brought into the castle, where the twins were separated from Rain. Xe was sent back to the dungeon, while Bayou herself brought the twins to their bedroom.

"We're complete fools," Estelle said when she and Lucian were alone in their bedroom. The door had just barely clicked shut as Bayou left. She hadn't said a word to the twins, so Estelle could only assume that she was on her way to talk to the Queen.

In response to Estelle, Lucian only raised his eyebrows briefly. He was completely unable to sign with his hands fixed behind his back.

The twins' bedroom felt suffocating. It was hot, and Estelle was surprised that she was hydrated enough to still be sweating. The twins sat on their beds, waiting patiently until the door finally slammed open. In stepped Samara, fuming with anger. Estelle felt as if she could hear the lecture before Samara even opened her mouth.

"What ungodly spirit possessed the two of you to run away like that? Are you not aware of all that we do for you two?" the Queen immediately demanded, "We give you the whole festival off from your duties, but you still feel the need to go run off for a week and a half? Where did you go for that long, and why was that prisoner with you?"

"Xe's only a prisoner because this country is xenophobic," Estelle retorted, avoiding eye contact with her mother and looking at Lucian instead. Lucian didn't look at either of them, his eyes nervously focused on the floor.

"We are not xenophobic, young lady! We had to break free from that prisoner's species, and now it is your duty to honor your people by doing your best to become queen. You aren't going to become queen when you're making a fool out of yourself like this."

"Then pass it along to Lucian or Aravis. Or are they somehow incapable of leading the country?" Estelle finally let her eyes meet the Queen's. As Estelle could easily predict, Samara's signature infuriated glare was plastered on her face—her eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were narrowed, and her mouth was in a tight frown.

"That is not for you to worry about," Samara said, "Now, instead of changing the subject further, tell me where you went."

"North," Estelle said simply.

"North? Where?" Samara pressed further.

Estelle lazily shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."

Samara's anger kept bubbling out of her as she shouted, "Don't give me that nonsense, young lady! Tell me where you went, or you'll soon be finding yourself in a cell right alongside your lackey!"

"I think I'd rather be there," Estelle mumbled.

That comment tipped Samara over the edge. She grabbed Estelle by the arm and abrasively yanked her to the floor. Knowing it was best not to fight if she didn't want to be beaten, Estelle stayed on the floor. She didn't budge, except to shield her face and to bring her knees up to protect her stomach.

"You best give up any hopes that you'll become queen, and that you'll ever see your dear lackey again. I'll ensure that the beast is executed."

Samara turned and stormed out of the twins' bedroom. When the door slammed shut, Estelle stood up with a rather exhausted sigh. She would've made an attempt to dust her tunic off, if it weren't for the lack of mobility she had from her handcuffs.

"It's funny that she thinks she has any right to say I'm rude," Estelle said, as Lucian finally looked up from the floor. Unable to sign anything, he only sat in silence.

It wasn't long before Bayou came into the room, far more politely than the Queen had. "Hello, Your Royal Highnesses," she greeted the twins solemnly.

"Hello," Estelle replied. Lucian only nodded, unable to properly greet Bayou.

Bayou gingerly shut the bedroom door behind her and gave the twins a somewhat sympathetic expression. "Oh no, I see that she forgot to unlock you two." Bayou took a small key out of her pocket and quickly unlocked the twins' handcuffs.

"Why are you here?" Estelle asked as Lucian rubbed his wrists.

"I've been ordered to keep an eye on you," Bayou answered. She took the twins' handcuffs and attached them to her belt, "Oh, and you're also not allowed to leave your bedroom, even for dinner. I really don't care what the two of you do, as long as you don't leave, as I was only ordered to keep the two of you in this room."

"Alright," Estelle said. She and Lucian watched as Bayou sat in the rocking chair beside the fireplace, where Harriet had sat to watch the twins before.

"She can't sign, right?" Lucian signed to Estelle when she looked his way.

Estelle shook her head and smiled as she signed back, "Right."

"Let's leave when Bayou is asleep," Lucian signed, "I doubt she has orders to stay awake and watch us all night."

With that, a plan had been put into place. The twins ate dinner in their bedroom, and they went to bed with Bayou still sitting in the rocking chair, rocking back and forth ever so gently. Estelle and Lucian both lied down, struggling to keep themselves awake. Estelle's eyelids grew heavy, and nothing in the world would ever compare to the comforting feeling of her blankets, nearly swallowing her whole. Every part of her body was telling her to sleep, but her mind fought the urge for Rain's sake. When Estelle could finally hear Bayou's soft snoring, she sat up and looked at the clock on the wall between her and Lucian's beds. It was only 10:00, though it felt like it could've already been morning. Lucian had heard Estelle sitting up, and he sat up as well.

"Should we go now?" Lucian signed. Estelle could hardly see his hands, as dark as their bedroom was.

"I think so," she answered in sign.