Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 16: Spruce

I growled, struggling against my chains as the blonde haired woman approached my brother.

"Now," She bent down beside me, and pulled a knife out of her dress. "Tell me where the eternal youth crystal is, or I will kill Spruce." Colt struggled, and growled,

"It's in a cave outside of the human borders."

"Draw me a map. Elliot, bring me a paper and a pen please." The woman's body guard walked in, and handed Cassidy the paper and pen before he left. The woman grabbed the paper, and handed it to Colt, letting the guy draw on it. "Thank you for cooperating." She grinned, and I thrashed against the chains,

"You're not getting away with this Cassidy. Especially since you harmed Harmony." I let out a low growl. Cassidy glared, and started toward me, her knife held out in front of her. Colt was trying to escape the chains, and save me, but it was all just a blur as someone came up behind her, and swiftly landed a kick to the woman's head. She collapsed, unconscious, and Colt and I looked up to see Kaliska staring at us.

"You think I'd abandon you guys?" She asked, grinning.

"Yeah, I think you would." Colt growled, obvious hurt in his eyes. "Why did you even bring us here? Are you a traitor? Because it sure seems like it." Kaliska froze at his words, and I could tell she was on the verge of breaking down.

"You know why I did it? They told me they'd kill everyone I care about!" The girl said, and walked toward me, unlocking my chains. When she went to Colt, the girl rose her hand, and slapped him across the face.

"Don't ever say that to me again." She warned, and unlocked his chains, turning away. Colt looked guilty, and he walked behind us as we escaped the cabin, managing to avoid Cassidy's guard. I went in front of Kaliska, and Colt went up beside me, with a still regretful expression.

"I hate you all!" A woman screamed, and Colt and I turned around, fists ready to fight. I felt anger burn within me when I saw the sight in front of me. A bloodthirsty Cassidy was holding Kaliska back, a knife against her throat.

"What are you boys going to do?" She asked, giggling. Colt and I growled, and both ran toward the woman, but at the last second, she disappeared into thin air.

"She must have the transportation crystal. It went missing a few weeks ago." Colt snarled, clenching his fists.

"We failed." I sighed, and turned around, heading back in the direction of the castle. As we walked, heads low, I let the thing I'd be wanting to say escape my lips, "you know, for a guy who said he likes her, you sure don't show it.". I glanced at Colt, but the guy said nothing. "If you don't that's fine, because I'm just going to ask her to marry me when we find her." The black haired guy twitched slightly at what I said.

"I do love her."

"What?" I blinked, confused at my brother.

"Do you know how much pain this is putting me through! The last words I said to her was how she betrayed us, and that very well could be the last words I ever say to her!" Colt shouted, clutching his hair. I stared at the guy, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder,

"She'll be fine."

"But what if she's not! What if they do what they did to Harmony, or worse!"

"Then we'll find her before that happens." I smiled, and Colt sighed,

"I wish it was that easy."

---

We got back to the castle, and I wasn't surprised when my brother bolted up to his bedroom, locking himself in. Whenever he was trying to research the crystals, this is what he'd do. I let out a sigh, and went into my room, gazing out the window. My eyes caught sight of the large village crowd, and I began to wonder what was going on. I rushed down the stairs, and out of the castle, determined to find out what was happening.

When I arrived, I found myself frozen in my spot. Cassidy was in the middle of the crowd of people, holding up an unconscious Kaliska, with a knife against her throat.

"This goes to show you what happens if you mess with me." Cassidy grinned, and stabbed Kaliska in arm. The girl's eyes flung open, and she screamed out in pain. I tried to reach for the girl, but they were gone in an instant.

"I'm seriously going to kill that woman." I snarled, and went back to my room, retrieving my large sword. I knew exactly where I was going next. To visit Harmony. I went into the stable, and got on my horse, kicking him into a gallop toward the Catori Kingdom.

---

I knocked on the door of Harmony's house, and Queen Aiyana answered it,

"Hello Spruce, how are you doing?" She asked kindly,

"Thanks for asking, would I be able to see your daughter?"

"Of course." Aiyana nodded and showed me to the girl's room. I walked in and found Harmony leaning against the bed, one eye covered by a eye patch. She looked nothing like the Harmony I remembered.

"Hi." I gave her a smile, and approached the bed. Harmony looked up at me, struggling a smile,

"Can we do training again soon?" She asked, a hopeful look in her eye.

"That'd be great, but shouldn't you rest?" Harmony shook her head, and rose to her feet. "We could practice in the forest." She suggested, and I sighed,

"Nah, I'd feel safer if we practiced in the training area here."

"Why?"

"Because, Cassidy kidnapped Princess Kaliska. I want to make sure that doesn't happen to you." I explained, and grabbed her warm hand. We jogged to the training arena, and began to practice hand to hand combat. The whole time though, I couldn't stop worrying about the girl, and since she seemed to be weaker, I went easy on her.

When we finished fighting, I walked toward Harmony, wrapping her up in a hug. The black haired girl seemed shocked for a few moments, but then she hugged me back.

"Look after yourself till tomorrow, okay?" I said, as I left,

"I will, Spruce." She smiled, waving to me. As I rode back to town, I prayed that Harmony would be safe, and that we would be able to rescue Kaliska soon.