"Isiea. Get back," he ordered. "Don't try to help me."


Hmm~. Very interesting~.

That sounds unnecessarily suspicious.

,, Ash, unlike me, you have a chance to not be killed. You do realize that being killed generally isnt the option to go for, right? ,, She replies exasperatedly. ,, The only thing you do by getting yourself killed is show your poor decision-making skills. ,,

Maybe that was the point.




Releasing her hand, he took one deliberate step forward and drew his sword, completely ignoring Isiea. Rowan's eyebrows shot up as Ash pointed his blade at him, a cold mist writhing along its edge. For a moment, there was absolute silence.

"Get out of the way, Rowan," Ash growled. "Move, or I'll kill you."

Rowan's face changed. In one instant, it went from arrogant, condescending and evilly smug, to something completely alien and terrifying. He pushed himself from the archway, his eyes gleaming with predatory hunger, and slowly drew his sword. It sent a raspy shiver echoing across the hall as it came into view, the blade thin and serrated like the edge of a sharks tooth. "You sure about this, little brother?" Rowan crooned, flourishing his weapon as he stepped up to meet Ash. "Will you betray everything--your court, your queen, your own blood--for her? You can't change your mind once you start down this path."

Rowan would never let them go. Ash knew it, too, and anyone could see the reluctance in his eyes as he steeled himself for battle. He didnt want to fight his brother, but he would--for Isiea.

Thats also suspicious.

Anyway, Lise knew they would have to start walking again at some point to find the Briars.

,, Ash, just stop! ,, The annoyance has gone from slight, to her entire tone.

Puck apparently still wasn't ready.




He flinched at her words, but he didn't reply. Rowan and Ash faced each other across the icy room, two statues each waiting for the other to make the first move. Ash had taken a battle stance, his sword out in front of him, his expression was reluctant but unwavering. Rowan held his blade casually at his side, tip pointing toward the floor, smirking at his opponent. Neither of them seemed to breathe. Then Rowan grinned, a predator baring his fangs. "All right, then," he muttered, sweeping up his blade in a blindingly quick move. "I think I'm going to enjoy this."

He lunged at Ash, his sword a jagged blur through the air. Ash brought his weapon up, and icy sparks flew as the blades screeched against each other. Snarling, Rowan cut viciously at his brother, advancing with a series of savage head strikes. Ash blocked, ducked, and suddenly lunged, stabbing at Rowan's throat. But Rowan spun gracefully aside, his sword licking out and back again. Ash whirled with inhuman speed and would've cut him in two if the older prince hadn't leaped back.

Smiling, Rowan raised his weapon. The gleaming point was smeared with crimson. "First blood to me, little brother," he taunted, as a trickle of red began to drip from Ash's sword arm, speckling the floor. "There's still time to stop this. Turn over the princess and beg for Mab's mercy. And mine."

Well...they could probably spare a couple more minutes.

,, Ash, just drop the sword. ,, She snaps, thoroughly annoyed. ,, We arent even friends, so stop treating me like were dating! ,,

Even if they couldn't, he probably would still kiss her anyway.




"Isiea," he said, the guilt he felt for going against her words was obvious. "Rowan won't let us go unless I do something about it. You know that just as well as I do. Just...trust me on this," he begged her before gently backing her up, safely out of the way. He turned back to his older brother. "You have no mercy, Rowan," Ash growled, and lunged at him again. This time, they both moved so quickly, twisting, jumping, spinning aside and slashing with their blades, it was hard to see it as anything but a beautifully timed dance. In fast-forward. Sparks flew, and the sound of blades clashing echoed off the walls. Blood appeared on both swords, and red splattered the floor around the combatants, but it was very difficult to tell who had the advantage.

Rowan suddenly knocked Ash's blade aside, then thrust out his hand, sending a jagged spear of ice at his brother's face. Ash threw himself backwards to avoid it, hitting the floor and rolling to his knees. As Rowan brought his sword down at his kneeling opponent, Ash ducked aside, letting the blade miss him by centimeters. Grabbing Rowan's arm, letting his brother's momentum carry him forward, Ash spun and threw him to the floor. Rowan's head struck the ice, and they could hear the breath leave his body in a startled whoof. Quick as a snake, Rowan flipped over, sword in hand, but by that time, Ash had his blade at his throat.