One of the Stars

Chapter Four

"Um, did you say alive?"

The star looks at me with utter exasperation.

"Yes, I want to get out of here alive. Don't you?"

Before I can give an answer, she's talking again.

"Follow me, and try to be careful."

Wait, where's my necklace? I look around frantically, I need my necklace, I must have it, I can't leave without it, I-

"COME ON"

The star whisper-yells at me.

"I have to find my necklace."

I say feebly, not wanting to hear the response.

"OH!"

The star whirls around.

"They can't get the necklace."

She sprints over to the broken chest and picks my necklace up out of the ruins. It's no longer in the shape of a key. She tosses it to me and then flits up the stairs. I follow. As we near the top, the sound of yelling and the light of torches gets brighter. I don't know what to expect when we reach the top.

Benard stands at the top, torch in one hand, and sword in the other. The sword he points at me, and the torch is held high.

"Xandra? What are you doing here?"

That's a good question. A question that I don't know the answer to.

"I-I, don't know"

Great answer Xandra, great answer.

"I'm afraid I must ask you to follow me."

Benard holds out his hand. I guess he wants me to take it. Instead I swish my skirt and head back down the hallway. Benard grabs my hand.

"Wait. That way leads to a dead end. This way."

A dead end? But I just came from that hallway. I decide not to protest. As I follow Benard, the thought hits me like a bell being rung. Where's the star? She's abandoned me. Of course. She led me down here to free her, only to abandon me in the end.

No.

Listen, what do you know? She left me.

No.

Okay then, if she didn't leave me, where is she?

Key.

I look down at my necklace. It's still glowing slightly and inside, a tiny figure is curled up. I try my best not to scream. She's inside my necklace. The shadow of a figure raises a finger to her lips.

Quiet.

I KNOW.

Benard is pulling at my hand, practically dragging me back to the throne room. I don't want to go back. The throne room is the last place I want to be. As we stand in the doorway, Benard pulls me close to him. He brings my chin up to look in his emerald green eyes. He stares into my clear blue ones. I jerk away, hating him all the more. Benard grabs my arm and drags me into the throne room. Twice in one day. This is an all time low. I am thrown on the floor beneath Lord Aldebert. I keep my head low, faking humility. I hate this. I just want to be home.

"Glorious father, I have brought you the intruder who was sneaking around the castle, trying to steal our treasure."

WHAT?

"My Lord, I d-did no such thing, I-I, don't know why, but, I was just looking at the paintings, an-"

I was cut off by Lord Aldebert rising out of his chair.

"What paintings?"

His voice has a dangerous edge. I know better than to withhold an answer.

"The, the portraits, my Lord."

He strokes his fleshy chin.

"Any one painting in particular?"

NO

"Um, the painting of..."

My mind races, why does he want to know?

"The painting of the Princess Delmare"

She's a pretty famous woman. She led Laminus into the battle of mystic rivers.

"Really?"

Lord Aldebert knows I'm lying. He can't make me say the truth. Nothing can.

He motions for two guards to grab me.

"Take her to the dungeon."

He looks directly into my eyes, staring into my soul.

"Where is it that she came from?"

He asks the scribe, still looking at me.

"The providence of Bruin. A small county, rather insignificant"

"Burn it. Leave no one alive. No one that knew her."

WHAT?

A scream wells up inside my chest and escapes through my mouth. It's the shriek of a primitive creature, desperate and cornered.

"NO! They're innocent!"

Like me.

"they-they CAN'T die."

A cruel smile meets my anguish.

"Take her away."