Royal Secret

Mynacore Village

"Remember when you said you would only be with us for a day?" Asher laughed. "Now it's been a week and a half." He smiled at Crystal.

"Haha yea, I remember" Crystal smiled knowingly.

After Ezra and Crystal had returned, everyone was unusually quiet. They thought it would be best for Ezra and the girl if they didn't rush them with questions, at least not yet.

"So um Ezra, what happened with you and Crys--" Raven asked cautiously.

"I don't want to talk about it, or say anything, she's back and that's all that matters." Ezra said as he glanced at Crystal.

"Okay, if you say so." Raven backed up.

Looking up Scoth saw a small village up ahead. "Guys look, the village"

Curious Crystal made her way up to Scoth and saw the small village. She is dazed by the beauty of the sunset behind the village and trees. "Wow" she mutters under her breath.

"Don't get to dazed, we need to get to work, first we need disguises." Scoth said going through some packs looking for hoods.

"So, we are going there to find old books?" Asher asked putting on one of the large hoods, covering his eyes.

"Aren't we going to look to Shade-ey" Raven said nudging Shade's side. "Get it? Shade is always in hoods and we will look shad, no? No one?" he slouches and grunts.

Asher slowly claps and gives a blank expression "That.. Was.. Lame, but then again your lame so it makes sense"

"Shut your--" Raven started but then sat down not wanting to start an argument.

"What about Crystal? We don't have enough hoods for her too" Asher asked.

"Well, she isn't wanted like the rest of us, I think we have extra clothes, it might be too big tho." Scoth said pulling out a pair of brown boots and shirt and leggings. "Try these on, it will be better than those rags you're wearing"

After everyone was ready and disguised they set off to the village, the Mynacore Village.
Walking slower as they reached the village, Crystal starts to tremble.

"It's gonna be fine" Raven says lightly looking at her.

Ezra walks next to her as the enter the village. She gasps as she looks around with great interests. She sees a big stone tower on the side of the village, and many small cottages, and people.

Overwhelmed by all the people Crystal clutches onto Ezra's hand. "Hey, nothing to be scared of" He says holding her hand.

"Awww" Asher says "I can see it now, Crystal and Ezra loved to--"

"Shut up" Ezra says pushing Asher.

Creeping into the village with their heads down the bandits and Crystal make their way to the village's main square.

"Okay, we split up and look for a book store, or any thing that could give us helpful in anyway." Scoth said redirecting the group.

As Raven and Asher head together to a small cottage house with a worn out sign Shade mumbles, "You sure it's a good idea to put those two together?"

Ignoring Shade, Scoth conducts Ezra and Crystal to search the south side of the village.

"Let's go" he motions got Shade to follow.

Everywhere, everyone was staring at Crystal, everyone's staring tensed Crystal as she held tighter onto Ezra's hand.

On the other side of the village Scoth found an old antique store, quietly he slips in.
"Shade, watch out for anyone who might come by"

While inside the store, he admires all the treasures and all the books. This is exactly what I wanted to find. Quickly he rummages through some bookshelves and his eyes fall upon an old desk.

Quietly he looks at the desk and opens the drawers. The Missing Princess a headline to a story read, Queen Ruby extinguished by fire, another one read.

This might be helpful, and who knows? Maybe have answers.

The door started to creak open, quickly Scoth just takes the stack of papers and puts in his belt.

Hiding behind a bookshelf, he watches as he sees a middle age man, about 35 with a beard and glasses.  As Scoth makes an attempt to escape he knocks over a shelf.

"Thief! Thief!" The man yells.
Running Scoth looks around for Shade, but he wasn't around, I told that bastard to keep watch.

"Somebody! Catch that thief! Come back you brute!" the man puffed trying to catch up with Scoth, but his short chubby legs, were no match for Scoth's tall fast legs.

Scanning the area he looks for the rest. He quickly spots Asher and Raven, I told those guys not to look suspicious, yet they act like the most suspicious people around. He thinks as he watches Asher and Raven move around like crazy drunk spies.

Quickly Scoth runs up to them and motions them to run after him.
"Oh so you found the--" Asher started but was cutoff by a screaming man.

"Catch them! He is a thief! He destroyed my property!" The man said pointing to Scoth.

"Yup, I guess you did, now let's go!" Asher said running after Scoth and Raven who had run off.

"Crystal!" Ezra yelled frantically.

A minute ago Crystal was right beside him, then they turned a corner and she was no longer there.

Breathing heavily, Asher points to Ezra, "There's Ezra" he says gasping for air.

"Yea,but where's Crystal?" Raven asked worried.

"Ugh, not again!" Asher groaned.
Seeing the guys Ezra runs over to them,

"I'm sorry she was right the--" he was cutoff by a screaming man.

"Not so fast!" He said catching his breath.

"Catch your breath, I got them covered" A voice said.

Looking up they saw the same cloaked figure from before, at his side was Crystal who was struggling to get away from his grasp.

"Oh thank you! You see he was stealing some of my--" the bearded man said approaching Zephron.

"Go back to your home, I'll see to that your belongings are returned."

Quickly Ezra pulled out his sword ready to fight Zephron.

"Oh I'm not here to fight" Quickly he reached at Crystal and pulled the crystal necklace off her neck.

"Finally" He said smiling. Quickly he pushes Crystal out of the way.

"Now, Ezra, you wanted a fight right?" He said looking at Ezra who was holding onto his sword. "Well a fight you shall receive, Shade?"

A hooded man appears in front of Ezra, slowly he takes his hood off.

"Shade?!" the others ask shocked. "You are with the Dark Circle?"

"Yes" he says his dark eyes glowing.