"This better be good mother." Says Marcentile.
"Oh, I am sure you will like your present my dear." She answers grinning wickedly.
They walk into the cells holding May and the rest. Marcentile then smiles, surprised. "Well, nobody told me that this would happen. Have you been going behind my back mother?" He asks.
"Oh my lord. I have brought you a birthday gift. With them out of the way, the kingdom is yours." Says Ariana putting a hand over his shoulder.
He turns to her and kisses her on the cheek. "Thankyou mother." He says.
"Anything for my favourite son." She says.
Mia then rattles her chains. Getting everyone's attention.
"Well, someone is awake." She says.
"No matter. They all die tomorrow." He says walking out.
"Sweet dreams dears." Says Ariana giggling as she walks off after him.
After the door closes, May speaks up, "Hey you! You got us into this. Figure out a way to lead us out of it!"
"Shut up before you get us killed." Says Caramel pulling her down.
May shoots her a nasty glare before scoffing and turning around the other way.
Caramel knew that one thing Mia shared with her mother in common was her swift and cunning mind. It made her heart swell with pride and at the same time felt angry because she couldn't keep her promise.
***
William bursts into the hallows startling everyone and making them draw their swords ready to attack.
"Stand down!" Calls Lady Margarette. "Why are you here your majesty?" She asks.
"My people are in danger. My wife, Edgar, Mia, Mel..." he says.
"I know. That is why we are training this hard. Nobody goes after one of us and goes off easily." She says.
William smiles, letting a tear trickle down his cheek as he hears the chanting of the young ladies commiting their lives.
"We need a plan." He says.
"Way ahead of you. All we need right now is blue prints." She says.
He looks at her puzzled. "You know where they took them?" He asks.
"I have my suspicions. Now, are you going to ask questions or get me some prints?" She asks smiling at him.
"I'll get right to that my lady." He says heading back the way he came. More determined than he had been when he fled his camp.
***
The footsteps of a soldier wake Mia and her mind becomes alert. It was time. The soldier grabs her by the arm and lifts her up.
"I thought it would be nice to have you go first. Before my idiot of a grandson." Says Ariana smiling.
Mia then finally speaks. "I'll fight you for our freedom."
Ariana then laughs and asks, "You want to fight me? Are you sure?"
"All due respect queen Ariana, you don't know how to hold a sword. No, not you. Him." She says pointing to Marcentile and the giggling that was in the room stops.
Lord Marcentile was said to be the best swordsman in all of England. No challenger had ever faced him and left alive.
"Little mouse, don't." Says Edgar.
She turns to face him and smiles at him. The very smile she gave him when she drank the soup that had poisoned other maids but her. The smile that told him she was in control. He just had to believe her and believe in her.
"Even in her physical state, she refuses to be defeated." Says Caramel smiling to herself.
"Very well. A duel. To the death." Says lord Marcentile, throwing her a sword.