Siblings of Corona B1:Life In the Tower

Chapter 12

Rider and Lance only had time to grab Varian and Rapunzel before they ducked under a table.  He knew that Cass could easily handle herself, but he knew that the other two would not leave without her.  That was going to cause an issue.

"Where's Rider?  Where's Strongbow?  Where are they?"  the Captain of the Guard shouted.  "I'll turn the place upside down if I have to!"  he banged his fist on the table with Rider and the others underneath it.

Rider risked a glance.  They had the Stabbingtons.

Hook Hand signaled them to follow when the soldiers looked away.  They did and he opened a secret passageway.

"Wait what about Cassie?"  Varian frowned.  Rapunzel looked worriedly around her.

"If we're all going to make it out of this, we have to leave her behind.  We'll come back for her, promise."  Rider set his hands on the boy's shoulders.  "I'm gonna need you to bear with me.  These things happen.  You'll only be separated for a little while.  Alright?"

Varian looked about ready to cry.  He swallowed, but nodded.  Flynn gave him an assuring smile.  He wasn't attached to the kid, he couldn't be attached.  Rider repeated to himself.  The kid couldn't get attached to him.  Especially if they were caught then.  The kid didn't need that.

Rapunzel sighed sadly.  She didn't want to agree, but she trusted Flynn.  Hook Hand nodded towards the passageway.  "Go, live your dreams."

"I will,"  Rider and Lance whispered.

"You two's dreams stink.  I was talking to them."

Rapunzel kissed his cheek.  "Thank you for everything."  Then she slid down first, Varian and Flynn followed.  Lance followed the rear.

~~~~~~~~~~

"I believe this is the man you're looking for."  Vladimir held up a thug that went by the name Shorty.

"You got me!"  Shorty held out his hands.

"Sir, there's no sign of Rider!"  a soldier had come down the stairs.  The Captain frowned.

They heard a horse.  They spun around to find Maximus barging in.  They stepped to let the horse scout the room.

"What's he-"

The captain put a hand on his one soldier's, Coli, mouth to keep him from interrupting.  Max was pointing to the floor.  The captain looked confused.  Rolling his eyes, Max pressed down on the lever, revealing the entrance to the secret passage.

A smile pressed against the captain's face.  "Coli, keep an eye on those prisoners.  The rest of you are with me!"

The guards followed his lead and disappeared into the passageway.  The Stabbingtons glanced at each other and one slammed his head into Coli's head, leaving the guard unconscious.  They took scabbard and cut their chains to free their hands.  "Let's go get the crown."  They dropped the weapon and entered the tunnel.

Cassandra picked up the scabbard.   Something told her that she was going to desperately need it.  She put the strap over her shoulder and the weapon hung on her back.  Then, without much of a second thought, she leapt into the tunnel.

Gothal frowned from the window she was watching from.  To her luck, or misfortune, Shorty stumbled over.  "I gotta dream.  I've got some dreams…  oh!"

She laughed, but then pressed a knife against his nose.  "Where does that tunnel lead out?"

"Knife!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Well, that got us safe."  Lance was talking about Rapunzel hitting Hook Hand with the branch.  "And for that I'm eternally grateful."  He bowed.