The Midnight Ball

13

Note: Anastasia
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What came next was no better for the princesses

As the two fortnights neared an end, the nights grew worse

There were a few of incidents concerning food

Again they all felt hunger pangs, and in the clearing, there was a large table, set with, apparently everything their hearts desired. Their escorts pulled their chairs back for them

Some immediately sank into their chairs and dug in

Some were hesitant, the most hesitant were Ismie, Ramonda, Miyako and Anushka, respectively

But in the end, they all ate, and they were all writhing at the top of the stairs

So the princes worry kept growing

This time though, almost everyone of them worried alone

Except Kei, Navid and Nyong'o, who were the lost level headed, excluding Ferdinand. He was level headed but not compassionate

They had no idea how to intervene, if only they could go after the girls through that entrance, but there was no way they wouldn't get caught

Next came a few nights, in which they'd be hunted by strange creatures, and forced to make weapons and fight them off

They would return to the inside of the castle, dirty, shoes worn, clothes torn, injured and bloody

And the Princes' delimma would increase

At least there was the comfort of as soon as they slept, it would wear off, whatever the result of their nightly adventures was

The last few nights were all about survival for the princesses, they had to fight with everything they had

The princes were desperate for something to do, anything, to stop all this

Only a few nights, and a princess will be lost, forever, they didn't like the odds stacked against them

They thought the ones most at risk were Ramonda and Ismie

They were the ones who seemed to at least have vague feelings of what transpired

Either one would hurt Navid deeply, so he was the most desperate to do something

So when Lady Elinore approached them, he was the one picked for the hopeful rescue mission

On the day of the last night, Lady Elinore cleared her throat, and approached the princes gathering in Navid's quarters

Elinore: Good morning your highnesses, may I join you?

They were puzzled. It wasn't exactly proper for her to approach them, alone

Navid: Of course, Lady Pembrough. Please, do come in

She entered: I apologize for this intrusion, but I have noticed you have been wanting to intervene for sometime

Nyong'o: Your ladyship, I'm afraid you cannot deter us from this. We are determined

She smiled grimly: On the contrary your highness, I'm not here to deter you. I want to help

Kei: Do you have an idea?

Elinore: Yes, your highness, but I'm afraid, the idea is risky..

They nodded for her to continue

Elinore: I have a family heirloom, one that their lordships know nothing about. I was wandering were it had gotten into, for it has the habit to disappear or relocate itself. I just found it last night. And.. It is.. It can be very helpful

Kei: Go on..

She cleared her throat, and when she looked at her arms, they noticed something splayed on her arms

Elinore: This cloak.. It's magic. If you wear it, it will conceal you from any human eyes, but I do not know if it conceals you from whatever governs that place where they go every night

Kei: I see.. May I?

She put it in his hands, and he wore it, disappearing from their vision

They held their breath

Kei: Well?

Nyong'o grinned: You're invisible

Kei took the cloak off, re-appearing

Nyong'o: I believe I'm the best choice for this mission, for I am the only one of us three that's not the royal heir

Kei: Are you sure?

Navid: No..

They looked at him

Navid: I should be the one to go. I have the most to loose out of three of us

Nyong'o: How do you reckon so?

Navid cleared his throat: I have my sister..

Nyongo: We all do

Navid: There's also Ismie..

Nyong'o: Ah, yes. The lovely Princess Ismeralda

Navid gave him a look that said, let me continue, Nyong'o was enjoying himself, now that they had a way to intervene

Navid cleared his throat: Ismie is one of my best friends. And, there's also your sister..

Nyongo's eyes sparkled: Oh?

Navid: I love her. I want to marry her

Nyongo laughed: As if I cannot see the way you look at her. Go my friend. I wish you all the luck in the world

Navid grinned broadly, cheeks pink

Kei: This could cause your family trouble

Elinore hung her head: I know.. I just can't stand by and do nothing..

They all smiled at her sympathetically and said: Thank you

She nodded and excused herself