Lorand's POV

It was incredible how fast Dane and Harriet agreed to help us, along with dozens of servants.  Ruth splits everyone into groups, and Martha and Gladys lead them away. I take a deep breath.

This is it.

Time to save Aveline.

I follow Nellie into the castle, carefully dodging any guards.  Already the battle is forming. People are attacking each other with any and all weapons, objects, and projectiles they can find.  I've never seen anything like this!

“Go, go, go!” Lilac hisses at me.

I block a blow with my shield and quicken my pace.  Lilac hurries after me.

The three of us dash through corridors and up and down staircases.  I can feel my energy draining, but I fight it. Aveline. Then rest.

As we go through deeper parts of the castle, the shouts from the battle fade away.  We slow down, taking more time to observe our surroundings.

“I know this place,” I tell my comrades.  “We're getting close.”

We continue to move down the hallway, toward the dungeon.  Something catches my eye, and I stop.

It's a portrait of my mother.

Her light brown hair is tied up in an elegant hairstyle, and her sapphire eyes beam down at me.  Her lips form a smile. She seems proud. I hope she is. I feel myself encompassed in a tight hug.  I love you, Mother.

“She was lovely, wasn't she?” a cold voice rings through the corridor.

Morden!  I turn around, sword ready.  Nellie and Lilac hold up their weapons too.

“Such a shame she's gone now.  But I had to.”

Had to?  What does he mean?  Fear grows in my chest.  No. I have to be brave. I hold my sword higher.

“I killed her, Lorand.  That illness, it was poison.  I would be sorry for murdering her, but the throne was so much more important.”  He smiles darkly.

No!  Fire scorches me as I tremble.  “You monster!” I scream. “Horrible, freakish, soulless…” With a shriek, I swing my sword at him, but he takes a graceful step back.  I hate him! He deserves to die!

“Lorand, stop!” Lilac leaps in front of me, brandishing her battle axe.

I push past her.  “No! He must die!”

“No, Lorand!” Morden replies.  “You must die! Join your mother so I can keep the throne!”  He lunges at me.

“Lorand, run!” Lilac screams, jumping in front of me again.

“I'll get him!”  I cry. “I'll…”

“No!”  She swings the axe at him, and he dodges it.  “Run for your life!”

“Come on!” Nellie beckons me down the hallway, toward the door to the dungeon.  “You can't fight now! Get Aveline!”

Glancing back at Lilac and that hideous murderer, I take a deep breath.  I can't change the past. All I can do now is save my love.

Nellie slides the bolt away and pushes open the door.  “Go get your princess. I'll keep watch.”

And so I go in.