Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 37: Harmony

I walked through the garden with Spruce, glad that everything was turning out great.
I leaned my head against Spruce's shoulder, and I sighed in relief.
"The evening looks quite nice." Spruce commented on the nice twilight sky. I nodded silently, and breathed in the clean air.

It was hard to believe a war just raged on a hour ago.. Everything was so calm.
I walked ahead, and sat us down on a bench. I leaned against Spruce, and he rested his chin against my head.
"Are you still sore?" I ask, and he hummed a little before he stretched a little.
"Yeah, I did get stabbed from something a hour ago after all. I was lucky that somebody used a healing crystal on me." He explained, and I rubbed the spot where he was stabbed.
"Well maybe we should get back inside." I said, looking at the sky that was darkening quickly.
"Why? After all, we are all alone." He winked suggestively, and I laughed snd stood up, and pulled on his arm to get up.
"I'm tired though and it's getting cold out." I say, and he instantly takes off his jacket and hands it to me.
I smile and wrap it around myself, and inhale Spruce's scent coming off of his jacket. How ironic, it smells like trees..
We started to walk, but a second later I feel something sharp hit my neck, and I fell forward, instantly putting a hand where I felt the paun and found a dart. My eyes widened and before I could do anything, everything turned numb and I found my cheek resting against the cold tiled walkway, unable to get up or do anything except move my eyes.
"Aww~ I'm sorry that we had to spoil such a heart warming moment you two!" Cassidy's giggle came from behind and suddenly I felt myself being lifted up.
I looked to see a tall man who had a cloak covering his face had picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.
"Harmony!" Spruce shouted and drew his sword and was about to run at the man, but someone interviened.
She had long, rosy colored hair and pretty blue eyes. But when I looked into her eyes, I shuddered. They were completely emotionless. She didn't even blink when she dodged one of Spruce's attacks, and she jumped high in the air and landed beside us.
I struggled to get out of my captors grasp when I started to feel the numbness fade, but it was hopeless. He was far too strong. But I somehow managed to pull the man's hood off.
He had similar eyes to the girl, but his hair was a darker red and had a strong face.
"Teneil, attack him until he surrenders." Cassidy ordered, and the girl, Teneil didn't answer. She pulled a long samurai sword from a sheath that was thrown at her by Cassidy.
I suddenly understood why Teneil and this guy are so.. Uncomfortable looking.
They were being mind controlled. The only question I have, is how in the world did Cassidy manage that?
Teneil had fast, and organized attacks. She swiped hard and kept herself balanced the entire time. Spruce fought just as hard though. He did a lot of blocking because Teneil was strictly on the offensive side, but me managed to get a couple swipes in and even skimmed her arm.
"What do you want Cassidy?" Spruce spat as he dodged another one of Teneil's attacks.
"What do you think? Teneil come back." Cassidy ordered and immediately Teneil was by her side, emotionless still.
"I want Colt back." Cassidy said simply, and Spruce's eyes widened.
"Never! I'd never give my brother over!" He shouted in rage and threw his sheath and put both of his hands on the handle of the sword, getting into a charging stance.
"Then I guess I'll take Harmony with me." Cassidy stated in a bored tone, and Spruce stopped and looked over at me in fear.
"No you can't take her!" He pleaded, and rushed forward, swiping at the guy that held me but Teneil blocked his attack and sent him flying back a little.
He landed, and Teneil walked forward slowly.
"Who will I have Spruce? It's your choice." Cassidy said, and smirked at him.
"Spruce please just let her take me!" I cried out, not wanting anybody to get hurt because of me.
"I could never do that Harmony!" He snarled and tried to get past Teneil but she jumped in the way and forced him back more.
"Stop!" A loud, commanding voice was heard, and we all looked to see Colt standing at the entrance of the garden alone.
"No get out of here Colt!" Spruce yelled desperately, and fear clouded his eyes.
Colt looked at him for a moment and his gaze softened before his eyes hardened once again and he looked at Cassidy. He was practically seething at the girl.
"If I come with you, then you will not hurt these two or anybody in my family. That includes Kaliska." He growled, and I realized he was trying to strike a deal with Cassidy.
"Fine whatever." Cassidy said, and Cassidy looked at Teneil, and nodded at her.
Teneil ran forward and before Colt could do anything, he was knocked out cold by Teneil smacking him over the head with the handle of her sword.
Teneil caught Colt as he fell forwards, and ran over to Cassidy.
The man dropped me, and I grunted as I hit the ground hard.
"Don't touch him!" Spruce roared and got up but it was too late. The man had taken Colt's limp body and Cassidy giggled and teleported them away.
I could still hear Cassidy's giggle even when she was gone, and I looked over at Spruce. He was stunned, before he gripped his head and shouted out in rage.
I crawled over, and he hugged me tightly.
"What type of prince am I if I can't even protect my brother, or girlfriend?" He asked quietly, and I smiled.
"You didn't let them take Colt. They did it anyway though." I said softly, and he sighed.
"We just got him back.. What if Cassidy is able to reactivate the curse? Or what if she tortures him? Or even kills..him?" He asked quickly, his breathing getting quicker and quicker, amd I stopped him before he could hyperventilate by kissing him softly.
"Shh.. We'll go save him. Right now, you should go tell Kaliska." I said, and he winced.
"She's going to kill me.." He cried out, and I laughed softly.
"She'll be mad at Cassidy, not you." I explain, and I help him back into the castle.
We open Colt's door and find Kaliska sleeping in his bed, looking quite at peace for a once.
Guilt struck me. It hadn't even been a day since Colt got back, and Kaliska was so happy..
I nudge her awake, and she sleepily groaned and blinked up at me in wonderment.
"Yes?" She asked, and then looked around the room and she paused, before she looked back at us.
"Where's Colt..?" She asked, and I sighed and looked at Spruce. He looked away, so I knew I had to be the one to say it.
"Cassidy got him." I said quickly, and without another word, Kaliska got up and walked out of the room.
I shuddered at how cold Kaliska looked, and she slammed the door behind her.
I exchanged glances with Spruce, before we followed after her.