His horse flew by trees and over streams with his chest pressed firmly to its back. Reins in hand it was a literal race against time, as beads of sweat dripped down the sides of his face, and his breath was caught in his throat. It had been a few days since he left Mossca. Time felt as if it were going too fast and he could not move quick enough. He had to make it there before anything happened to Gotte if he were still alive. His grip tightened as a flashback of Loraz crying in the hallway begging him not to leave crossed through his mind. He rubbed his chin when he thought back to his conversation with Jensek and the fiery spark that lit up in his eyes as he tried to convince him to not go alone. Vestin understood how much they cared for him and knew he would never get to see them again. He hated that he had to break his promise and leave the last of his men to figure things out for themselves, but the lives of people he treasured were in the balance. If he could save their lives just by offering up his own, then he would. His horse began to slow as they reached the walls of Serenity. Tall walls made of massive stones that were once a sight of beauty and an inspiration to those who came upon them. Now they were covered with the headless bodies of those killed in the name of 'justice'. A sick man's way of showing off his power. He saw a few he recognized, and his heart sank. Loyal men that were under his protection were now dead and used as decorations. His eyes watered and his fists tightened around the reins of his horse. He stopped and bowed his head to them then looked up to the sky.

"Take your brothers by the hand and guide them to Paradise, I ask you taker of souls, Ridance. Let them drink from the cup of plenty, I plead with you father of our world, Morfi. Hold them in your everlasting embrace of love, I beg of you mother of all creatures, Madiba. Ancestors hear me I leave my men to in your care."

He closed his eyes and pushed his horse to move forward just a bit more. Reaching the gate, he loosened his grip on the reins and his horse came to a stop. He looked up at the top of the staircase and saw four guards standing and waiting for something. Climbing down from his horse he tied him to a drinking station at the bottom of the steps and let his horse drink his fill before tossing a few coins to the stable hand in charge of watching over the area.

"Once he's finished feed him then send him back to Massca."

The boy bowed his head and stuffed the coins in his pocket.

"Yes, sir!"

Vestin looked up at the stairs. He took in a deep breath then began to climb up to the top. Once at the top the guards all shifted their eyes on him, and he waved at them.

"Hey guys, how have you been? It's been a while since we've laid eyes on each other."

They looked at each other and then back at Vestin. Their faces all saddened at the sight of him.

"You should have stayed away from here, captain."

"He plans to use you to get the girl, you know."

"Too late now, he's here and none of us can act like we haven't seen him."

"Quit your yammering and arrest him already."

"Oh yeah, sorry captain, but we have orders to follow. We don't want to anger him any further. His mood has turned incredibly sour as of late."

Vestin held out his arms as two guards approached him. He watched as they hesitated to restrain him.

"I understand, here I won't even put up a fight. Just take me to Jayel."

One wrapped a cloth around his wrists before placing the chains so they would not dig into his skin. He looked over to the other guard and shook his head. The other guard scanned the cloth and it stiffed around Vestin's wrists so that they wouldn't be visible to Jayel when they brought him in. A guard standing behind them handed one a strip of leather.

"We might as well gag him, too. After we send him to that prick, he'll need something to help distract him from the pain."

"Must we really go through with this? A respected officer like Vestin deserves a fair trial."

Vestin smiled at the men before him. He had made a good name for himself here at the Serenity. Adored, respected, cherished, feared at times, but fair to those who sought out redemption. The people of Serenity knew what he was capable of, yet they knew he did it all for their safety. Vestin couldn't let anyone else die for his mistakes.

"Carry out your orders, soldier. I am being punished for treasonous acts against the crown of Serenity. None of our blood will stain your hands...this mess falls on me."

The youngest guard took the strap and nodded his head. He looked over at Vestin and sighed. Such an honorable man now being reduced to livestock.

"For what it's worth, captain, we don't think of your men or you to be a traitor. We tried our best to give them all honorable deaths...but Sire wouldn't have it and had us butcher their dead bodies."

Vestin smiled then looked at the faces of the guards. He knew they all were just sacred soldiers just trying to give their families a good life. The fact that Jayel used and preyed upon them made him sick and furious at the same time.

"Jayel is becoming nothing more than a sacred child. He's losing his touch, don't you think, boys. I will meet my punishment with dignity, if it means I can save the lives of innocent people."

Vestin held a weary smile as the man strapped the leather around his mouth. A hooded cape was placed over him to hide his identity as they began to make their way to Jayel.

"Keep your head down, captain. We aren't allowed to let anyone see your face. It's best we don't get the people riled up anymore than they already are."

Vestin was well liked in the Kingdom by both noble and commoner alike. So if news got out about Jayel trying to kill him a riot would break out. That would get the king's attention and ruin everything Jayel worked so hard to accomplish. Vestin nodded his head and looked down at the ground. He knew the procedures of how they escorted prisoners to Jayel's room. Having to carry them out a number of times himself. The route they took was a back road very few used, it was mostly used by the night walkers so there were few people who would care to see them. This played in Jayel's favor the less that knew he was there the better for when Jayel could expose him. He walked along quietly thinking of ways to free Gotte and get him to Massca safely.

"Just so you know, captain, you came here only to be used as bait. There is no one left for you to save. That old man is as good as gone now."

Vestin looked up at the guard who whispered in his ear. His eyes asked him to explain further.

The guard sighed and hung his head.

"You will find out soon enough, captain. Sire has a new toy...and he hasn't been stingy with how he plays with it."

Vestin's heart began to race. His palms became moist and his breathing faster. He thought of what the man could mean by his warning. The fact that it took him several days to get there meant the possibility of Gotte still being alive was slim. He shook his head and quietly told himself that everything would be alright. That Gotte was still alive. The walk to meet with Jayel seemed longer than normal and when they finally arrived at a door Vestin felt a heavy tension in the air that sent chills down his back. Upon knocking on the door it flew open and he saw Jayel's face light up with such delight that the ting of fear that dwelled in the back of his head began to grow.

"Vestin, welcome home. I have missed you terribly, my old friend. How is the princess?"

Vestin stares blankly at Jayel as he stands in the doorway. Unable to speak, he narrows his eyes and waits for Jayel to make his move. Jayel walks toward him slowly and strokes the side of Vestin's face. The darkness chill that radiated off of Jayel surrounded Vestin as they locked eyes.

"No one here seems to be able to follow orders the way you do, my loyal friend."

Jayel removes the strap from Vestin's mouth and steps to the side for the guards to escort him into the room further.

"We don't need this now do we. It's been so long since we last spoke. Come in and take a seat, you must be tired from your journey."

Vestin's eyes narrowed and he sighed. How a sick bastard like him became the King's second he'd never understand. The fact that the two of them were even friends at one point was even more bewildering to him.

Jayel smiled at the face Vestin held. The stare of a man who is uncertain of what is to come made him shiver with excitement. He would slowly torture his old friend, so that when the princess came to him he could force him to watch as they shared a bed then have him killed in front of her to show just how merciful he was. But first he would have to use him to bring the princess to Serenity.

"I remember I told you to bring me the princess, alive. How is she doing by the way?"

Vestin cocked his head and smiled.

"Let's not pretend you're happy to see me, Jayel. We both know why I am here. Now let's get on with it."

Jayel smiled and walked back to his seat behind a rather large desk. He picked up his tea cup and took a sip from it then placed it back down his eyes never leaving Vestin's.

"Oh come now, Vestin. We have time to talk at least. Before we begin, let's catch up. You are my best soldier, you know...at one time my favorite...I treated you like family...thought of you to be a brother. So why would you choose to stab me in the back and take what is mine?"

Vestin laughed hysterically then spit at Jayel to rid him of the horrid taste that developed in his mouth at the thought of them being related.

"Family you say, I don't ever remember having an older brother with such a twisted personality. I only came here for my friend, Jayel. Where is he?"

Jayel looked over at a man sitting quietly next to a window reading a book.

"He has been here this whole time. Are you blind now Vestin or did your lust for vengeance give you tunnel vision?"

Vestin looked to where Jayel looked and a wave of relief washed over him. Gotte sat in a chair by the window drinking a cup of tea, face buried in a book. A smile crossed his face as he took one step forward.

"You seem to be enjoying that cup a little too much, old man. Were you planning on just sitting there and not speaking?"

Gotte put the cup down and smiled. He looked over at Vestin and saw a fragile little boy trying so desperately to be a man. The damn fool came to get him after he told him if he were ever captured to worry only about the princess. He sighed then got up and walked over to Jayel's desk. He picked up a small syringe from it and slowly made his way over to Vestin. They locked eyes and although every part of body told him not to go through with what was to come next he couldn't help but follow the orders that were forced into him over the past few weeks.

"Of course, my boy. The last cup is always the best."

Vestin's eyes shifted to Jayel and then back to Gotte. He looked well taken care of, not a scratch or bruise on him. No signs of him being tortured, except there was something wrong with his eyes. They were dull and seemed to stare right through him. As if he were present, but not entirely all there.

"What is wrong, old man?"

Gotte placed his hand on Vestin's shoulder and hung his head as he stabbed the needle into Vestin's leg. Vestin 's eyes became dull and he leaned into Gotte as he made sure the syringe emptied into him. Gotte leaned in to Vestin's ear and whispered,

"You should have left me to die, boy. The princess needs you more than I do."

Vestin fell to the floor, his eyes widened as he realized there was a painful burning sensation in his leg that seemed to be spreading throughout him. He looked down and the syringe still stuck inside him.

"Gotte...what did you...do to me?"

Gotte sighed and turned his gaze away from Vestin. He could feel every cell in his body moving against his will as he injected Vestin with that serum. He had no idea what it was, but could smell the heavy scent of diffel bark and sinner moss. Two herbs that could paralyze or kill a person depending on how it was used.

"I had no choice..."

Vestin looked over at Jayel and saw him watching with sheer delight. He twisted on the floor as the pain spread slowly.

"What have you done to him?"

Jayel laughed as he motioned for Gotte to bring him closer to him.

"My dear boy, you should worry about yourself ," he turned and looked at the guards, "You gentlemen are dismissed. Make sure no one comes to me for anything."

Vestin winced as he felt his insides burn as if he drank the sun. Being tossed in front of Jayel he turned and looked at Gotte.

"Gotte...what has he done to you?"

Gotte walked away from him and sighed. He couldn't tell him what Jayel had done to him as he was told never to mention it to anyone. Although it was still uncertain to him how Jayel was able to manipulate him the way he had been able to. Gotte looked back at Vestin as the next part of his orders floated into his mind. He was no longer needed now that Vest was there. Jayel made it no secret how he would kill him. His death would be something that he wished Vestin didn't have to witness, but soon he would be gone and Vestin would be Jayel's new toy. His eyes locked onto Vestin, they cursed him for coming there and begged him for forgiveness for what he was about to be forced to do. Gotte shifted his eyes away from Vestin and walked closer to the window then clenched his hands into fists,

"Don't stare at me with those eyes, boy. I told you if I were ever captured to leave me, you let your damn emotions decide for you. The princess is our top priority. She always has been...why did you come? You shouldn't have come."

Vestin tried to sit up to get a better look at him. He groaned as he managed to pull the needle from his leg. A chill ran down his back and he could feel whatever it was that they injected him with spreading through him like a slow wave of heat. He tried to stand up and felt his breathing becoming irregular. His chest was tight as sweat pooled upon his brow.

"She is safe, she will always be safe, you know this."

Jayel snapped his finger and Gotte turned around to face him. He got out of his seat and slowly walked up to him then slapped him across the face.

"You talk too much, old man. Are you trying to ruin my fun? Your death was set in stone already...now get on with it", he walked behind Vestin and grabbed a handful of his hair and forced him to meet his eyes,"Vestin and I have a lot of catching up to do."

Vestin sat there his body covered in sweat. He clenched his teeth and tried to break free from Jayel's grip. His breathing became heavy and his vision started to double.

"You bastard...what did you make him do?"

Jayel smiled then turned Vestin towards Gotte.

"You must pay attention to the show now. We will have a ton of time to chat afterwards. Get on with it, you traitorous bastard."

Gotte walked closer to the window and he paused. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes as he opened it and climbed onto the window sill.

Vestin's eyes dulled and he used his last bit of strength to try and break free from Jayel's grip. It was just as they told him he came for nothing but to watch another father die in front of him. Yet again he let someone who was important to him die for nothing.

Gotte looked back at Vestin and smiled.

"Zimtal Imtola..."

Vestin's body stiffened at the sound of the words.

"Gotte? Wait...you damn bastard let go. I came like you asked, let him go," He stared at Gotte and watched as his body leaned forward. Time slowed down as he struggled to break free of Jayel's grip. The laughter from Jayel echoing in his ears as Gotte's body disappeared out the window. His body stopped moving as he took in what had happened. He thought he would be killed by Gotte's hands under Jayel' order, but instead the sick bastard had Gotte kill himself while he watched, unable to save him. This was twice he had to watch his father died. So powerless to save either one of them he just let the whole scenario seep in as tears escaped his eyes, "You stupid old man...why..."

Jayel gripped tighter on Vestin's hair.

"Get up."

Vestin stood up slowly as the burning sensation dulled and his body numb from shock. Bent over at the waste he was dragged towards the window by his hair. Then forced to look down at the body of the closet thing to a father he had for the last thirteen years.

"Zimtal Imtola, Gotte."

His eyes blurred with tears as he heard Jayel's laughter fill up the room. Gotte's last words danced in his head. 'Zimtal Imtola' was the name of paradise for Gotte's tribe. They believed they would return to their creator on the moon and live in this paradise for all eternity. Vestin's chest grew tight, his palms were clammy, but he wouldn't allow himself to be lost in grief. Being pulled back into the room and tossed onto the floor he saw Jayel looking down at him.

"Was that your grand plan? To have him end his life while I watch...your mind is sick."

Jayel's lips pressed together tightly. He pulled on Vestin's shirt and leant down to meet his face. Their eyes narrowed as they locked onto each other.

"You should really be worried about what I have planned for you, Vestin. I will have you bring the princess to me, stand as a witness when I marry her, then have you watch as I rape her continuously until she produces an heir...then and only then will I have you take her life and yours as well. It will be splendid. I will have this kingdom in the palm of my hands then march onward to capture the lands around it."

Vestin smiled and he spit at him.

"You won't be able to lay a finger on her, Sire."

Jayel grit his teeth as Vestin's spit trailed down his cheek. Jayel raised his hand and slapped Vestin across the face. His hand stung from the force he used as he watched his hand form an imprint on Vestin.

"What have you done?"

Vestin looked up at him and smiled, a chuckle escaped him as spit at him again.

"She's as good as married already to someone else...I made sure of it as her Second."

The light in Jayel's eyes turned dark. His breathing became heavy, and his grip tightened around Vestin's collar.

"You can't be her Second...you work for me. You traitorous bastard...you will have to be taught a lesson, Vestin. A very important lesson. Loyalty is a must, and I will not tolerate betrayal."

Vestin continued to smile as he felt the last of the burning from the drug faded away. He laughed to himself as he saw Jayel lose his composer.

"You won't be getting a hold of the princess, even if you torture me. She will be kept safe until the day we remove you off the throne."

Jayel released his shirt and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the floor a bit. He pressed his thumb into his neck slightly and groaned as loud as he could then threw Vestin back to the floor. Fixing his hair he walked back over to his desk and slammed his fist onto it.

"You don't seem to understand the situation, Vestin. Why do you keep trying to anger me."

Vestin gasped for air and coughed. His hand on his neck he laid on the floor and thought of Loraz and her brilliant smile. If this was the only way to keep her safe, then he would forfeit his life to do so. Gotte was gone; his only mission now was to make sure Jayel's plan never worked. Luckily before Gotte died, he saved Vestin from becoming Jayel's puppet. The syringe he stuck him with was filled with alcohol. Gotte whispered this to him as he approached him and told him to play along. It burned like hell and made you hell of drunk, but aside from the sweats and some blurry vision it was nothing he couldn't handle. It was Gotte's way of telling him to continue the mission at all costs. It was just like him to pull a drastic stunt like that towards the very end.

"I understand it perfectly. The situation will not change even if I cooperate...so go ahead and get this over with...kill me because I refuse to help you any longer. My loyalty will forever lie with the princess."

Jayel opened a box on his desk and pressed a button that opened a secret door to a compartment full of torture tools. He walked over and grabbed a short whip with multiple braided ropes. Turning to face Vestin he let out a heavy sigh.

"Then let us see how long you last, captain."