If there was one thing Clara taught them well; it was to turn their disadvantages into advantages.

And that's exactly what the women of Avelyn did to proceed with their rescue plan. The first step was to stay invisible; to hear and learn everything they could around the kingdom. It wasn't that hard of a task considering most men refused to believe they could be any threat.

The next few days had gone by smoothly; with the women reporting back to Hazel with every new detail they learned.

Alan was sent out to some outer villages by order of the new general; Robin.

Hazel noticed that the knights who were closest to Clara were sent away from Wisteria, and that made her suspicious.

Clara could still be in Wisteria, she concluded.

Letting all of the other women know about her thoughts, they all kept an eye out for anywhere one could be trapped.

They noticed a rather odd pattern of more guards going to Rowan's house. That was the perfect loose thread to pull on.

Walking to the kitchen, Hazel could see Robin's men watching her every move. They were on high alert. Everything they did only proved to the maiden that her friend had been imprisoned rather than run away.

Fortunately, they weren't too good at covering their tracks.

Hazel smiled to herself as she continued to walk along the halls.

What the guards didn't know was that she had appointed Rowan's maids the job of looking around his house.

Specifically, the hidden dungeon he had under his house.

"We finally have a delivery for Rowan's house!" Molly said as she rushed over to Hazel when she entered the kitchen, handing her a slip of paper. The younger girl grinned brightly, having been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

"Perfect!" She said. "I'll get started on it right away."

"Are you sure it's safe for you to go there?" The cook trailed behind her, her voice low with concern. "We could send someone else instead, I don't want you to get into trouble."

"I appreciate your concern, Molly." She paused her work to smile at her. "But no one else knows how to open the hidden door, I'm afraid this is our only shot at this."

Molly sighed, expecting this. She smiled nonetheless.

"Please be careful." She said to her. "We don't want both of our troublemakers behind bars."

"Who, me?" Hazel gasped, faking surprise. A giggle escaped her lips before she nodded and assured the older woman once again.

She thought it was best not to let her know that she would do whatever it took to save Clara.

Her heart ached for Lila, who she had to keep the information of Clara's disappearance a secret from. She couldn't tell her that her sister was in trouble. Though young, she'd experienced much loss, even if she weren't aware of some of them.

She couldn't add Clara to her list.

Instead, Lila thinks Clara is on a secret mission to save another kingdom from a dragon.

Sometimes, Hazel wished it was only a dragon that they faced; for humankind was much crueler than any mythical beast their minds could come up with. The scariest monsters were those who looked just like herself.

You wouldn't know their nature until it was too late.

She hoped it wouldn't be too late this time.

Finally done with cooking and baking everything on the list sent to them, Hazel began her journey to the Duke's mansion. The cart she strolled in front of her almost slipped from her sweaty hands many times, but she still managed to get through her nerves.

"Where do you think you're going?" A guard stopped Hazel from entering the house. He then looked at the cart in her hands. "What are those?"

"Delivery from the castle kitchens." She put on an innocent smile. 

He begrudgingly let her through the door and Hazel waited until she was far away enough to let out a relieved breath. She then came face to face with one of the mansion maids and they exchanged knowing smiles. The maid gave her the light cloak she'd been wearing so she could hide her face as much as possible, as well as a dusting cloth. The maid then took the cart from her and she was left to find the entrance to the secret basement once again.

Maneuvering her way around the large house, she finally found her way to the same room she'd been in the first time she snuck in here. Her face paled at the amount of guards in that area as opposed to the first time she'd been in here.

Instantly all eyes were on her.

"State your business." One of them demanded.

"I'm here to dust the furniture." She lied swiftly. The guards nodded for her to get on with it while keeping a close eye on her.

To keep up with her lie, she decided it was best that she started dusting from the very start of the room, slowly making her way down to the statue that revealed the secret door. She hoped the king would walk in just as she opened it. According to the girls who had been helping her plan, the king had been visiting Rowan a lot more lately, and they always walked this way around noon, which was now.

After what felt like eternity, Hazel finally got her hands on the familiar statue. Using the cloth to hide the movement of her hands, she turned the statue but to no avail. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she tried moving it in every way she could, praying that she would hear the familiar click of the door revealing itself. Her ears caught onto the sound of approaching footsteps and her heart fell into a deep pit in her chest.

In a moment of panic, the statue slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.

The king and his brother entered the room just in time to see the porcelain piece of art fall to its demise.

Hazel gasped, stepping back to avoid any pieces getting into her skin, and in doing so, her cloak fell.

"You." Rowan sneered, looking at her. The king was shocked beside his brother. "What are you doing here? This is breaking an entry!"

Hazel was frozen in fear as a guard held her arm from each side roughly, most definitely bruising the area where their fingers gripped her harshly.

"Well?" The king's patience had been running out. Victor was hard to deal with of his own, he didn't have the energy to deal with Clara's friend too.

"I..." She mumbled, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I know you're hiding Clara!"

"That is ridiculous!" Rowan huffed. "Where would I even hide her? Harry, you've been all over this house. Did you see her anywhere?"

"He has a secret dungeon!" Hazel yelled frustratedly, wincing as the guards gripped her arms tighter to hold her back. "I saw it with my own eyes! He used that statue to open the door but-"

"You broke that statue, how could it be the key to a secret dungeon?" Rowan argued, fury visible in his eyes. "Do you see what I have to deal with, Harry?"

The king ran a hand down his face sluggishly, heaving a sigh. 

"Take her away, guards."

"No!" Hazel's eyes widened. "No! You have to believe me! Clara is in here!!"

Seeing that her pleading did nothing, she took matters into her own hands. Using their hard grip to her advantage, she jumped, stomping on both their feet at the same time, putting all her weight into it before she pulled her arms from their hands and pushing them forward, sending them stumbling to the ground.

She dodged the rest of the guards as they tried to get to her, and instantly her mind had its own version of Clara coaching her through the situation.

She punched one of the men in their jaw, using all her might, and with the added boost of the adrenaline, she was able to knock him to the ground. Using her small frame, she managed to escape them easily.

Seeing the guards now pull out their weapons, she smiled gleefully before she pulled out a slim blade that she had used to pull her hair up; something she and Clara discussed one late night when they couldn't sleep.

She used the blade to slash away at the close targets, just enough for her to escape that room. She ran like there was no tomorrow, with many guards following behind her. She dropped more artifacts on the ground in hopes of slowing down the men chasing her; it worked.

The maids working there witnessed the scene, and they rushed to help her, pretending that they accidentally dropped their bucket of soapy water, making many men slip and fall. Two of the women made eye contact, and one of them threw the rope they used for hanging out wet clothes to the other side, and with each holding one of the ends, they pulled it so that the guards slammed into it, falling onto their backs.

Hazel laughed at the sight, a moment of happiness slipping into her mind.

With their help, she managed to escape, running into the woods where no one would find her.

She thanked her lucky stars that she left Lila at a friend's house far from where she lived, so no one could find her.

Clara's eyes snapped open far too late to know that her friend had been so close to finding her.

Her head lulled to the side, having no energy to hold it up well. For once, she was grateful for the chair she'd been chained to, no matter how uncomfortable it may have been. It provided enough stability for her to stay upright.

Memories rushed into her mind, and it made her breath get caught in her throat. 

Her heart pounded in her head and she felt the walls close around her. Tears pricked her eyes and soon fell victim to gravity as they fell down her cheeks, washing away some dried blood before it mixed with the still bleeding cuts.

The pain didn't scare her anymore.

Goosebumps covered her entire body as she clenched her fists, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Her chest tightened and her breathing became quick and shallow. Her clothes stuck to her sweaty skin despite the cold room. She could argue that the cell was on fire in that moment. The skin of her lips broke apart as she tried to hold back her sobs.

"No..not now...please..." She whispered. "I can't do this..."

She wanted to give up. It would be so easy to just let go. The abyss was inviting, welcoming her with warm open arms. Perhaps she would get to see all whom she had lost.

But she couldn't.

Clara focused on taking deep breaths, wincing as she felt her lungs being restricted by her broken ribs. 

She thought of her friend, whom she wished she listened to more; maybe if she rested like she told her to, she wouldn't be here. She could have stopped Rowan.

Another regret was added onto the weight she carried daily.

Then she thought of her sister. The little girl who was her life and soul. The very reason she became who she was now. She promised that she'd always go home to her. 

She had so many promises to keep. She had promised Edwin she'd always keep fighting and never give up. She promised Hazel she'd take care of herself. She promised Alan she'd annoy him forevermore. She promised Julian she'd be strong.

She promised herself she'd make them proud. She'd protect them.

Clara did not plan to break any of them.

The question was how will she get out of this?

As if the universe felt the shift in her demeanor, feeling the determination radiating off of her; Rowan walked back down the stairs, entering the cell she'd been imprisoned in. His face was red with fury.

"Your friend is just as infuriating as you." He grumbled, pacing in front of her. 

Her eyes snapped to his, instantly regaining composure at the mention of her friend. She stayed silent, hoping his long tongue would reveal more.

"She really thought she could save you." He chuckled darkly. "Too bad my brother didn't listen to her, otherwise we'd be in trouble, wouldn't we?"

"What did you do to her?" Her voice was soft and weak from the lack of use. 

"Oh don't worry," He stepped closer to her. "She'll rot away in a cell soon enough."

"I will kill you, Rowan." Clara sneered, venom dripping from her voice. 

Rowan stepped back, her tone sending a shiver of fear down his spine. He gulped and checked on her chains, feeling more at ease when he was sure she had no way out. Clara hid her fear well, her rage being the only thing the man in front of her saw.

"I'm afraid you'll die before that." He smirked. "But I have more important throats to slice."

It didn't take long for him to continue talking; his pride taking over all common sense as he explained his plan to the one person who could very well end him.

"My brother is hosting a private feast; just for us." He clapped his hands once. "Victor will no doubt do something which will result in him being sent back to his room, leaving me with my dear old brother...He won't even see it coming."

"Mark my words, Rowan." She said. "You will not get away with this. My hands are already bloodied, and nothing would make me happier than spilling yours too."

"Good luck with that, you ugly, worthless girl."

"Tell me, Rowan." She called out to him as he turned his back on her to leave. "Have you ever seen a weasel?"

"I'm afraid my rank hasn't allowed me to come in contact with pests."

"Oh, don't sell yourself so short." Clara smiled, putting her bloodied teeth on display. "I'm sure your rank allows you to own a mirror."

She saw the glint of malice in his eyes and she kept herself from smiling. She knew her words would tempt him to torture her more. She found herself to be correct when he reached for the dagger he'd been using on her.

She could only pray that the more she kept him in the cell with her, the more time she had to think of an escape.

Clenching her jaw to keep the screams from escaping her, she prayed that Hazel was safe from him.

Helping Clara with her plans over the years; Hazel learned to always have a solid back up plan in case things went wrong, which they often did.

She smiled softly at the bag in her lap as she leaned back carefully against the tree, looking down at the forest floor, where wildflowers had begun to grow in welcome for spring. She had the bag hidden in the tree she's now hiding in, filled with some of Clara's clothes. She remembered how hard climbing and jumping had been with a skirt last time, and she couldn't afford anymore obstacles than she already had. So she had changed into one of Clara's comfortable tunics and trousers for the next part of their plan.

She silently watched a few guards pass from underneath her tree, all too oblivious of her whereabouts. She smirked in pride every time they missed her. The golden hue of the setting sun let her know it was almost time for her to go back, but she had yet to hear the signal.

When the girls were young and still went to school, they often went into the forest together to find birds. In doing so, they also learned some bird calls, so they would be able to find the birds. Every time one of them imitated the beautiful blue bird, a full flock of the birds called back, and another type of birds flew away for some reason they were too young to understand.

That was the perfect signal for them to use now.

Back at the mansion, a few maids were cleaning up the damage Hazel left behind when she escaped the guard's grip. They were only allowed into the hallway after Rowan had left for the feast at the castle. 

All the guards stood watch over the maids, but none really paid attention all too much. Their disregard made it easy for the women to exchange full conversations with their eyes, a secret language they had grown accustomed to in all the years they've spent working together.

Rosella, a maid who has been pregnant for only six months, nodded for another maid to walk past her, spilling the water in the bottle she had hidden in her dress by her feet just as Rosella let out a loud fake cry.

"My water broke!" She cried. "My baby is coming!"

The guards looked terribly frightened, and it took every ounce of power within her to not burst out laughing. Thankfully they were ignorant enough to not recognize a six month old baby bump from a nine month one.

The rest of the maids frantically surrounded her, all of them speaking loudly and purposely freaking out and making a big deal out of it to scare the guards.

The oldest maid whipped her head around, ordering some of the youngest to go grab towels and warm water before she turned to the guards with a glare.

"Everyone must leave this room!" She yelled.

"We can't-" One of the guards began to spoke but was cut off by the maid once again.

"She's having a baby for goodness sake!" She retaliated. "She needs her privacy! Unless you'd like to help deliver the baby and deal with all the fluids accompanying it?"

The guard's eyes widened before he exchanged looks with his colleagues. Simultaneously, they decided it would be enough to just guard the door.

Rosella had been lying on the ground by now, still crying and screaming, making sure the guards were as uncomfortable as ever.

Just then, the ladies opened the window, and upon seeing it, the maid in the garden looked around her to make sure no one was there before she imitated the bird call she'd mastered as a child.

She watched with a smile as a flock of birds flew away, while hearing familiar calls being sent out from the forest. Not too long after, Hazel emerged quietly and sneakily. She smiled at her friend before she swiftly climbed the tree by the window for the second time.

Motioning for the girls inside to move away, Hazel prepared herself to jump the distance. With a long leap, she made it inside the room, and a thud sounded out, followed by another fake cry from Rosella, louder this time to cover their tracks.

Immediately, all of the women got into action, moving and pulling anything that could possibly reveal the secret door Hazel had been talking about.

They searched the entire room and yet nothing had been found.

Rosella's throat was growing dry and tired from all the yells and cries.

Pulling on her hair, Hazel's eyes caught onto the chandelier above her. It wasn't there last time. Moving quickly, she climbed a table and stood there, calculating how far she needed to jump to catch onto it.

"I've always wanted to do this." She grinned before jumping, pulling the chandelier down, finally hearing the click she'd been waiting for.

The door opened slightly and she breathed out in relief before turning to the girls with a smile.

"Be prepared to fight." She told them.

Not wasting another second, she ran down the stairs. 

Clara heard the footsteps and began yelling out threats, thinking it was Rowan. Every foul word she knew escaped her lips as she struggled in her chains, wanting nothing more than ripping out Rowan's throat with her bare hands after all he'd done to her.

"Clara-" Hazel was cut off by her own gasp as her eyes landed on her friend, all bloodied and looking deathly pale. Her hand covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face at the sight. "What did he do to you?"

"Hazel!" Clara's voice wavered, her eyes softening. "The keys are over there, please, get me out before it's too late. I have to stop Rowan."

Swallowing down her sadness and letting herself be fueled by rage, she nodded and rushed to get the keys to free Clara from her cell and shackles. Once she was out, Hazel helped her stand up, catching her when she stumbled. She hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go.

"I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner." Hazel whispered.

"You saved me, Zee." Clara whispered back. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

"I would never."

The adrenaline of the moment helped Clara regain enough strength to stand on her own, and she went to the wall of weapons, grabbing two swords for her and Hazel before furrowing her eyebrows at her friend gathering many more.

"What?" She shrugged. "We've got ourselves a mini army up there to help us, did you honestly think I did this alone?"

"Wha..." Clara shook her head and followed behind her, climbing up the stairs despite the burn in her muscles from all the cuts and bruises.

She didn't have time to let her body respond naturally to all her wounds, so she ignored all the searing pain and continued to lift her feet step by step to fix her mistakes.

To keep her promises.

Once she reached the top, Clara was met with many maids grinning at her, all of them tearing up at the sight of her. Hazel handed out the swords and with Clara's help, they formed a strategic shape to attack the knights. 

They kicked open the doors, catching the guards by surprise before they each took on one, clashing their swords with theirs. The women held up brilliantly against all the men, even managing to knock some out due to them thinking they would easily have the upper hand.

Clearly, they did not.

Slowly, the women made it through the mansion and finally out of it, only for more guards to approach them.

But they were prepared.

Many more women joined in on the fight, each having their own weapon and some even fighting without one. Clara was in awe of their power, and it was their strength that fueled her to go on.

"To the castle!" She yelled, ordering them to follow behind her.

This time, she would not do it alone. Clara smiled as she heard all the women she trained fight with all their might, using everything they had to their advantage to get the upper hand.

Soon enough, they made it to the castle.

"We'll hold them off, you go get Rowan!"

Clara nodded, her vision focusing once more as she ran to the feasting room, where Rowan stupidly revealed he'd be.

Her muscles burned but she kept running, fighting off the occasional guard coming near her. Even in her state she was still able to overpower them all. She'd been so focused on her path that she didn't notice herself running past Victor who had been grumbling angrily about his father kicking him out of the feast.

But he noticed her. 

"Clara?" He breathed out in shock, frozen in his steps.

It took him a moment too long to follow behind her, but he was able to catch up to her just as she was cornered by too many knights. She'd been handling them just fine, but Victor decided it was about time to help her for once.

His eyes caught onto a fallen sword and he ran to get it, instantly throwing himself into the fight. His ears picked up on Clara's raging shouts as she fought off the knights blocking her way. She didn't even pay attention to him, putting all her focus into winning her own fight and not succumbing to the excruciating pain of her torture.

With Victor and Clara fighting side by side, they were able to rid of all the knights and Clara took off quickly towards the room once again, Victor hot on her heels.

Clara punched the guard at the door before he could even pull out his weapon. In an instant he was knocked out cold. She then kicked open the door, just in time to see Rowan standing over the king.

"ROWAN!" 

Her eyes darkened as she looked at him. Her voice was loud and deep, shaking fear into everyone around her. It was clear that she was out for blood, and everyone knew she'd be able to get it.

The shock of her entrance was enough for the king to push his brother off of him and scurrying away as Clara approached them.

"What..H-How did you..." He stumbled over his words as he backed away.

"I am everything you fear, Rowan." She spoke, pointing her sword at him. Her blade did not reflect any light, too covered in blood as she sliced away at all the traitors who worked against Avelyn. "Everything you tried to keep at bay I helped raise. Every woman you wronged with your stupid rules and neglect is the reason I stand here now. Every doubt you've had about me will be your end."

She kicked him in the chest, sending him to the ground.

"Every drop of blood you've shed will be matched, I assure you." She kicked his side, earning a satisfying cry from him. "You should have killed me when you had the chance."

She landed on his chest with her knees, pushing enough to bruise his ribcage. She raised her fist and punched, one after the other. Her knuckles were bloodied, her own dried blood mixing with his.

She took hold of her sword once again, raising it above her head, ready to let it go through his heart, but her breath hitched as she looked at the pathetic man underneath her. She remembered Edwin and his words.

She was not a killer.

She was there to protect the peace.

If I kill him I won't have to worry about him again. She thought.

Her eyes snapped up, seeing the king and his son looking terrified at the scene, both unable to do anything. Her breathing was heavy but her grip on the sword loosened. Blinking away the anger that blinded her, she stood up, pulling him to his feet forcefully.

"If you ever show your face here again," She glared at him. "I will not hesitate to kill you."

By now many knights who had been on her side heard word of her return and were aiding the women in their fight against all the corrupted men in their army. Some of them arrived to the room just in time to see Clara knock Rowan out.

Robin, enraged by her return sprinted with sword raised to let it go through her back, but his blade was met with another.

"Your time is over, my friend." Alan seethed.

"You were supposed to be in Kheynat." Robin backed away only to attack once more.

"You were never my general." Alan fought back skillfully. "I don't take orders from you. I've been hiding, waiting for the moment you slip up to get to you."

"You're not strong enough!" He sneered.

Alan laughed, easily dodging his attacks, backing him away from the room and away from the royals, just as Clara rejoined the fight as more of Robin's men joined them.

"Even as kids you couldn't defeat me." Alan's eyes darkened. "We could've been brothers, Robin. Your lust for power has always been your demise." 

"You were always too naïve." He glared, panting. "I don't understand why everyone loved you so much."

"Kindness is not a weakness." He said, sending a final blow, sending Robin to the ground. "For someone who was always after power, you sure lack it."

Having had enough of him, Alan sent a punch to the faux general, knocking him out.

Soon enough everyone against them retreated, just as Hazel made her way to them, grinning at the sight of her best friend and lover.

Clara sent them both smiles, panting heavily. The last few days finally caught up to her. The world around her swirled into nothingness as she fell limply. Alan caught her just in time before she fell onto the hard ground. Isabel ran to them just in time, bending down to her level, feeling for her pulse. It was very faint, barely even beating. Her breaths were coming out shortly, making a painful sound as the air passed her mouth.

"Bring her to my room, hurry!" Isabel ordered.

Alan nodded, lifting her up in his arms as he rushed behind Isabel, Hazel and the two royals following him. Hazel's eyes filled with tears, thinking of all her friend had gone through. The king made sure Rowan would be banished from the kingdom, letting Clara's trusted knights take him away before he followed after her, feeling guilty for thinking she really left them.

Victor's mind was scrambling, not processing anything that happened just then. His heart ached upon seeing her. Worry filled his mind with every step he took, praying that she would be okay.

Please, Clara. I can't lose you.

Amongst all the chaos of the evening; that was all they could think of.

So. That happened.

This is by far one of the best things I've written.

I'm so proud of everyone.

Except the king, he can jump off a cliff for all I care.

I am eager to hear your thoughts on this chapter!!! If there's anything you think I could add or remove to make it better, please let me know!

QOTD: How tf does one remove gum from their glasses?

I was dumb enough to blow bubblegum as big as my face, not realizing that it would pop onto my glasses. I can't get rid of the stain. I think I might need new lenses lmao.

This is sad...but funny.