Happy Halloween!

Haha, so I was a little ambitious about finishing by September.

Currently life is beating me up. Sorry for the delay. Here's the next chapter.

I do not own.

Siren closed her eyes not wanting to see a gruesome beheading. When Roy's screams stopped, her curiosity got the better of her as she peeked between her fingers. To her surprise, Roy was on the floor rubbing his head.

Senarius was lying on the floor.

"What happened?" She cried kneeling next to Senarius.

"I… I guess he knocked me loose." Roy stammered. "Help me get him up."

They each grabbed an arm and pulled him up. Senarius stayed limp.

"I don't think he's breathing." Siren fretted.

"Put him back on the ground." Roy said.

0o0

Reselda stood at the precipice of the tower and peered over the forest. She spotted the three monsters. The castle fired on them. It seemed to surprise them. One of the monsters transformed his hands into large claymores and tried to attack the force shield but the shield caught it in its hold slowly electrocuting it. Then Reselda leaned forward. She saw the other monster pull out his sword. It looked like he was about to lop off his compatriot's head. But he didn't. Instead it turned his sword to the broad side, slipped it between the other's body and shield. The electricity surged through that monster as well. Despite the pain it must be feeling, he continued to pull until they were both free.

Reselda squinted. The monster with the sword's movements looked familiar. It reminded her of someone. Then it dawned on her.

"Those aren't monsters!" She cried. "That's Senarius, Roy and Siren."

At Senarius' name, the master perked up. Frowning he waved his hands. A mist seemed to lift, and the monsters' images fled.

"Roy!" Conrad cried. He turned to run down the stairs. Reselda did the same just as Bofer, panting, got up to the tower.

"What? Leaving now? Fine! Go! I'll just sit here to catch my breath." He slumped down. A shadow appeared over him. Looking up he saw the master glaring at him.

"On second thought, exercise is good for me." He bolted down the stairs.

0o0

The shield faded in front of their eyes.

"What's going on?" Siren asked nervously. The drawbridge came down and Conrad ran out.

"Brother are you hurt?" Conrad grabbed his brother by the shoulders.

"I'm fine but Senarius isn't doing too well." Roy wriggled out of his grasp.

"Let me see him." Reselda had appeared behind Conrad. Siren and Roy moved away as Reselda knelt down. She held her hands over his body and closed her eyes. Their bodies began to glow.

"He's dying." She said in a tight voice. "I'm going to have to try..." She didn't finish as her face scrunched up in concentration.

Everyone held their breath as Reselda's face grew gaunter. The luminosity grew more intense. Then an explosion of light seemed to throw Reselda on her back.

Roy and Conrad picked her up.

"Did it work?" She asked groggily.

Looking at the still prone body, she bowed her head in defeat. Then Senarius gave a violent cough. He pushed himself up on his elbow only to be knocked down by Reselda. She hugged him fiercely.

Pulling away, she glared at him. "Don't ever do that to me again!"

"I'll try not to." He replied bemused.

"Ahem." Startled they looked at the master.

"You have great healing powers, Princess." He said. "But perhaps you were helped a little by the talisman?"

Reselda's face grew red. "Maybe, but I wasn't trying to..."

"Of course, we would use whatever we can to save the ones we love." The master smiled slyly.

Her face grew redder while Senarius looked amused.

Then the master's face grew serious. "However, there is a bigger issue of deceit. Someone placed a strong illusion spell that was able to fool even the castle's defenses."

"We were attacked even though we had the key." Roy interrupted.

The master's face fell. "Then we have a traitor among us. I was afraid of that. Come, we must find them before they strike again."

They all started walking back into the castle. Bofer appeared at the opening panting just as everyone came back in.

"We're going back to the main hall." The master informed him.

"What?" He grumbled. "Make up your minds where you want to go. Old Bofer's only go so much stamina."

"Come on Bofer. I'll help you." Roy offered.

Bofer's eyes lit up. He hopped onto Roy's back making him stagger. Then he kissed him on the cheek. "You're my favorite human. Let's go."

"I didn't mean that I'm going to carry you." Roy protested but made no effort to shake off the chimp.

"Less talking more walking." Bofer pointed forward.

0o0

Once inside the hall, the master took his seat. Clapping his hands three times, His subordinates appeared in flashes of colored smoke.

First Quinque, then Tribus, followed by Quattuor. Lastly, someone Reselda has never seen before also showed up.

"This is Duo, my Captain of the guards." He introduced him.

Reselda nodded at the man who made a slight bow.

"Ere now, why are we here?" Quinque asked petulantly.

"A serious matter has arose." The master said sternly. "An illusion spell was cast to fool the castle's defenses."

"What are you saying?" Duo's eyes narrowed.

"Only someone who is apart of this league can fool the castle's defenses." The master said.

"That is a dangerous thing to be accusing." Duo said tightly.

"Illusions are Quinque's specialty!" Quattuor announced.

Quinque shot him a dirty look. "Ah right now, not like you blokes don't know how to cast an illusion spell." She retorted.

"But to fool the castle's defenses would mean an expert must be involved." Quattuor shot back.

"I know twasn't me. Illusions are for the weak. I prefer the direct route." Tribus snorted.

Quinque's face grew red in rage. "Shut your trap, Tribus. Your tiny mind can't even comprehend that type of magic."

"So, you admit to it!" Quattuor said triumphantly.

"You're still daft!" Quinque retorted.

"Enough!" The master snapped. "There's a way to find the traitor." He lifted his arms. Above his head, a purple cloud formed, swirling ominously. His subordinates shuffled nervously as the cloud began moving towards them.

Bofur screamed. Startled everyone turned to look at Bofur whose arm was suddenly on fire. Senrius pulled down the tapestry off the wall and wrapped it around Bofur before rolling him on the floor until the fire went out.

With his concentration broken, the cloud disappeared.

"What happened?" The master asked.

"I don't know." Bofur answered pushing his tapestry off himself. "My bloody jacket just burst into flames." He glared at the wizards.

"Someone doesn't want the traitor to be found." Senarius noted.

Duo bristled. "Hold your tongue, outsider. You should be careful with your accusations."

"He is not an outsider, Duo. It would be good for you to remember that… for all of you to remember that. He bested you fairly." The master said coldly.

"He was just lucky!" Quarttuor declared.

"Do you want to go again?" Senarius challenged.

"Anytime!" Quarttuor growled. His bandages wriggled around in anticipation.

Roy had no idea what was going on, but he could feel the tension.

"Please," Reselda stepped in between them. "There's been enough violence."

"If there is a traitor among us, violence is the least of our problems." Duo pointed out.

"I'm afraid that is a problem, that we must sort out among ourselves. You will need to leave on your own." The master told them.

"I understand." Reselda told him. "Thank you for your help."

"Once we have sorted through our situation, we will come to your aid." He looked over at Senarius apologetically.

Senrius knelt on one knee in deference. "Thank you, master. We humbly accept any help you can give."

The master nodded. Walking over, he placed a hand on Senarius' shoulder. "You are a good soldier but even better man. One of the best I have ever met."

Reselda saw the jealous looks that crossed each of the subordinates face. A chill ran through her spine.

"Thank you, master." She moved closer to Senarius and away from the four. "We will be leaving now."

"Take care of the talisman. When the time comes, you will know what to do with it." He told her sagely.

"Thank you." She said sincerely.

0o0

They looked stood outside the castle. Their caravan with their horses hitched waited for them. Bofur and Siren sat in drivers and passenger seat. The rest climbed onto the newly repaired roof to discuss the situation.

"Well, that was a bust!" Bofur grumbled.

"At least they fixed our caravan." Siren said.

"Thank you for your help." Reselda started softly. "But I am going back home. The Principality of Baratrum has nearly taken over and I must go back."

"How are we going to fight off Baratrum once we get there?" Bofur asked.

"We? You will join us in our quest?" Roy asked surprised.

"I've been with you thus far." Bofur looked uncomfortable.

"It is dangerous. None of you are obligated to come." Reselda said.

"I'm coming!" Roy declared. "You asked for help and we're going to see you through. Correct brother?"

Conrad didn't look so sure. "The Principality of Baratrum is quite strong, Roy."

"My soldiers are on their way. If you will wait…" Senarius said.

"But I can't wait any longer and I do have the means to help my people." From the purse on her belt she produced three glowing orbs. "I was able to activate them. I think I can use them against Baratrum."

"Thinking, not knowing, is dangerous." Senarius said.

"Master said, I will know what to do." Reselda reminded him.

During their conversation they didn't even notice that they had reached the edge of the woods. As they emerged from the woods, a large army awaited them.

"Zounds," Roy's hands became war hammers. "Looks like we have company."

The army got into a fighting stance.

Everyone tensed up.

Senarius raised his hand. He leapt off the roof of the caravan and stood in front of the army. To their surprised the army laid down their arms and knelt in front of Senarius. Senarius turned to face his friends.

"Princess, meet my army." Senarius said.

"I think we might just have a chance." Conrad rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

There's really no excuse. I'm finishing don't worry but I'm using a lot of my time keeping my head above water. Remote teaching is a lot more work than I had thought. Be well and take care.