Towers

by Chelli Larsen

  “Magic doesn’t work against magic,” Justus answered. “I couldn’t attack him with it, but I could certainly distract him.”

  “What do we do now?” Rapunzel asked.

  Justus went over to where the bag of devil’s breath had fallen. There was just a tiny bit left.

  “It’s up to you,” he said looking up into Rapunzel’s face. “We can tie him up if you want.”

  Rapunzel took the pouch. “Or we can use this last bit of devil’s breath.”

  “Okay,” Justus said slowly getting to his feet. “And what will we tell him? What new past are you going to gift him with?”

  Rapunzel smiled. “I am not worried about his past. I am going to give him a new future. I heard the Northern Sea King was looking for a wielder of magic.”

  Chapter 16

  “DO YOU THINK THAT THE necklace has something to do with the journal?” Justus asked as he pried back the floorboard and Rapunzel yanked it out of where it had fallen.

  Holding the journal in her hands, Rapunzel fitted the opal against the indented part of the spine. For a moment, nothing happened. But then slowly, the color around the opal began to bleed into the brown.

  “What is happening?” Justus blinked as if to clear his eyes. “The book is turning red.”

  “I know,” Rapunzel said in wonder. “Look at the Opal, it’s turned red as well.”

  As they looked at the necklace, they saw that the creamy opal had turned into a red ruby.

  “Are you going to open it?” Justus asked softly.

  Rapunzel’s hands shook as she opened the book. Where it had once been Branwen’s journal, it now only held empty pages.

  All except one, and on that page in an ancient script it stated in capital letters, “THE SPELL TO REVERSE ALL SPELLS.”

  “Justus,” Rapunzel squealed in delight. “Look at this!”

  Justus took the journal out of her hands. It was obvious that he was just as shaken as she was. “How do we know that it will work?”

  “I don’t think that Corbina would have hounded Romy and then us to find the journal if it didn’t work.” Rapunzel said hurriedly. “Come on, cast the spell!”

  Justus swallowed hard and was about to speak when he suddenly put the book down. “I just want to tell you. If this doesn’t work, I will find a way to get you out of this tower.”

  Rapunzel made a face. “This will work. I know it, Justus. I know it in my bones. Besides, I don’t need you to rescue me. I can rescue myself.”

  That slow smile that never failed to make her heart race appeared on his face. “Yeah, I suppose you can.”

  He went to read the words again, but then stopped and looked up.

  “Justus!” Rapunzel chided. “Do the spell!”

  “I’m falling in love with you,” he said quietly.

  “Come on we don’t— wait, what?”

  Rapunzel finally let the words sink in. “You love me?”

  Justus’ ears were pink as he replied. “You made it hard not to.”

  She moved in close. His face only inches from her own. “What if this spell doesn’t work? What if I am always cursed?”

  “Then I will love the bravest, most beautiful, snoring, cursed lady in all the land.”

  Rapunzel fought to suppress a smile. “You know I don’t snore.”

  Rather than answer her, Justus pressed his lips against hers.

  Stumbling forward, Rapunzel’s hands wrapped themselves in the front of his shirt and she yanked him forward. With a laugh against her lips, Justus kissed her again and again.

  When at long last they came apart Justus picked up the book and with determination read the words to the spell.

  In a blink they were back on the road to the Northern Sea kingdom. Rapunzel’s hands went up to feel her hair. Just as she suspected it was once again her normal length. It was as if they had never been in the tower. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

  “My feet even hurt. This is incredible,” she exclaimed.

  The only thing that was different was the fact that Leon stood on the other side of Justus.

  “Why is he still here?” Justus asked.

  “We used devil’s breath on him,” Rapunzel explained. “He will be in this zombie like state for a while. When he awakens, he will remember what we have told him as the truth. However, it is possible that his old memory could return. Some people have to be given the devil’s breath over and over again.”

  “He’s under a spell? That’s not possible, Rapunzel, magic cancels out magic.”

  Rapunzel shook her head. “No, he’s not under a spell—he’s drugged. Despite the fact that he used magic to conjured up the plant. The devil’s breath is a white powder that is created from the seeds of the plant. It’s hard to understand, but he isn’t spelled, he’s drugged.”

  Justus blew out a breath. “That really is the devil’s plant. Now that we are here, do you think the curse has been lifted?”

  Rapunzel raised a brow.

  “I don’t see how I could test it out.” Then with a pointed look, Rapunzel motioned toward Leon. “Do you think I should try it out?”

  Justus shook his head, laughing. “You are incorrigible, and besides, you know that he’s magic. But if you could—would you?”

  Rapunzel shook her head, a small teasing smile on her face. “No, I couldn’t do that. Not even to someone that clearly deserves it. Besides, Leon will get what’s coming to him. I think that trading him for Romy is the perfect way that he can atone for all of the things he has done.”

  Justus looked proudly at Rapunzel. “I think you are far kinder than I would be. I am sure you are right, that is punishment enough.”

  IT WAS SEVERAL HOURS before they would reach the borders to the kingdom of the Northern Sea. All of the questions that had been bubbling up inside of Rapunzel finally had their chance to see the light of day.

  “Where would you like me to start?” Justus asked.

  “I want to know everything,” she said honestly. “Tell me how you knew that Romy was really the missing heir to the throne of the Raven people.”

  “Corbina actually,” Justus answered. “When she first appeared to me, I thought I was losing my mind. You see, the reason why she came to me is that my family has always been loyal to the crown. Before the last person in the royal family died, they made my father promise to search for the missing queen. When my father passed, the duty fell to me. My family has been ruling in the interim, so I suppose you could call me a pseudo prince if you wanted to. But we don’t have a grand monarchy. The Raven people are simple people. From the leaders to the elderly, we are all treated the same.”

  “That sounds nice. I think that Romy will fit in very nicely there.” Rapunzel felt a surge of unhappiness. It wasn’t that she didn’t want Romy to have her birthright. It was only that she didn’t wish to lose her.

  “I am sure she will if she is anything like you. I am excited for my people to meet you.”

  Rapunzel glanced quickly over at Justus and saw him looking hesitantly back at her. She smiled widely, loving the butterflies that had erupted her in stomach. “I can’t wait to meet them as well.”

  Little by little they found out more and more about each other. Rapunzel found herself falling deeper and deeper for the man. It seemed that the time went quickly, and soon they were nearing the gates to the Northern Kingdom. Before they could take even one step inside, they were surrounded by guards.

  “What are you doing here?” The tallest one asked.

  Rapunzel tried not to let her fear of people overtake her. Besides the fact that she truly didn’t wish to harm anyone, she wanted this rescue mission to be successful. Taking a deep breath, she tried to gather her wits.

  “Please don’t touch me,” she said shakily. “It may be dangerous for you. We have come from the Raven people to pay the bride price.”

  One of the guards grunted and moved closer. “It seems to me that you don’t make the rules around here.”

&nb
sp; Rapunzel tucked her shaking hands behind her. “Listen, I am telling you. It is dangerous to touch me. I am not being disrespectful.”

  “Just ignore her and grab the girl,” another one said.

  The third guard grabbed Justus’ arm and the second grabbed Leon’s.

  Slowly the first guard moved closer to Rapunzel. She tensed but didn’t chose to warn him again. Bracing herself, Rapunzel waited for the moment when the guard touched her. A large part of her knew the man would invariably die and fall lifelessly in the dirt.

  Thrusting his arm out, the first guard grabbed Rapunzel by the arm. Everyone held their breath. The soldiers had no idea what would happen. When nothing did, they seemed disappointed.

  Tears sprang to her eyes and with a watery smile she turned to Justus. “It worked.”

  The guard immediately let go. “What worked?”

  She shook her head, trying to clear the thick emotion out of her voice. “You didn’t die.”

  He took a step back. “Are you magic?”

  Rapunzel shook her head to say no, but it was Leon that spoke.

  “I am magic. It has long been my dream to live and help those people of the Northern Sea. Can you take me to the king?”

  His words seemed to be magic in and of themselves. Suddenly the three of them were being ushered across the city as if they were royalty. The moment that they were taken into the king’s presentation room, Rapunzel saw Romy.

  Not caring what anyone would say, she broke the hold of the guard and ran to her. She wrapped her arms around her mother—the mother that had been there every moment of her life—and sobbed.

  “There now, child. That solider, he was holding your arm. How, what... I don’t understand. What are you doing here?”

  Rapunzel, still holding Romy, moved back and it was at that moment Romy saw Leon.

  A sound of choked anguish erupted from her lips. Romy shoved Rapunzel behind her, as if to protect her. “Romy, it’s okay, let me explain.”

  “Well, young lady, I think it’s best that you do.”

  Rapunzel turned to see the king. He wasn’t nearly as large or as scary as she had pictured him in her mind. Getting on in years, the king was of a slight build and almost appeared frail.

  “Your majesty,” Rapunzel bowed low to greet him. “You have my mother. I understand that you are keeping her because of the sins of her parents.”

  The old king narrowed his eyes. “Are you here to chastise me?”

  Rapunzel shook her head. “No, your majesty. I am here to propose a trade.”

  The king’s brow knit in confusion. “You are here to take her place?”

  “I am here to take her place,” Leon said in bold tones. “I want to serve the people of the Northern Sea.”

  Romy choked, eyes dilating, she clutched Rapunzel whispering frantically, “Why is he doing this? How do you know Leon? What’s happening?”

  “I will explain later,” Rapunzel muttered in reply.

  “Why should I accept this trade?” the king asked, seeming as if he really wanted to know.

  “Because I am far superior at magic,” Leon said loftily.

  Romy snorted and the king seemed to finally take them seriously.

  “You are?”

  Leon nodded proudly. “I am, indeed.”

  “Will you make this trade and accept Leon?” Rapunzel asked. Her heart nearly beating out of her chest. “Will you stop your feud with the Raven people and let my mother go?”

  “Show me,” the king demanded of Leon.

  With the wave of his hand and a few words the entire presentation chamber turned into a lovely garden.

  Rapunzel watched as even Romy’s eyes grew wide in wonder.

  “Yes!” The king agreed at once, “Yes. It is done. The bride price is paid.”

  “I can do far more than this,” Leon boasted.

  Justus motioned for Rapunzel and Romy to follow him while Leon continued to show the Northern Sea king his feats of magic.

  “It’s time to go home,” Justus said as they slipped away.

  Romy looked at Rapunzel, a sad expression coming over her face. “It’s time for you to meet your family.”

  Rapunzel shook her head. “You, Papa Otto, and Einar are my family.”

  Romy’s eyes misted and when she smiled her lips trembled. “And you are mine. But there is someone else that loves you very much. I don’t know how effected they are by the devil’s breath, but they deserve to know their daughter.”

  Chapter 17

  IT WAS DECIDED THAT Romy wait in the safety of the forest alone while Justus returned with Rapunzel to introduce her to Queen Frieda and King Thomas. Uncertain of what their reception would be like, Rapunzel wanted to know of a surety that Romy was safe.

  They were both very concerned about Einar and Papa Otto. It was difficult for Rapunzel to leave Romy behind, but she had no idea what Leon had planted into their minds with the devil’s breath. Nor did she know if the drug had worn off or stayed permanently.

  When Romy and Rapunzel were ushered immediately into the palace upon arrival, she could barely handle her nerves. Thankfully it was only a few minutes of waiting time before the door to the beautiful drawing room was thrown open and two opulently dresses individuals came inside.

  Rapunzel wanted to say that she recognized them. But they were complete strangers to her. However, despite this she still felt her emotions well up inside of her. Rapunzel watched as the king and queen came to know that they daughter was returned to them. It was overwhelming the way that they raced to her side to embrace her. Queen Frieda wept, while King Thomas had to clear his throat several times.

  “You are so lovely,” he said kindly, patting Rapunzel’s hand. “You look just like your mother did at your age.”

  Queen Frieda clasped Rapunzel’s other hand. It seemed to Rapunzel that they could hardly believe she was real. It was obvious that neither one of them wanted to let her go.

  “I am so sorry. I can’t imagine what you have lived through. How the witch managed to sneak you out of the castle I will never know.”

  Rapunzel frowned. No matter who these people were, they couldn’t talk about Romy like that. Taking a step backward she reached for Justus’ hand. A move that wasn’t missed by the queen and king.

  When Rapunzel spoke, her voice shook. “Witch? Surely you can’t believe that. There wasn’t a witch that stole me away. You gave me to her when I was born. Don’t you remember?”

  The queen looked startled, tears glistening in her eyes. “No, that isn’t what happened. Is that what the witch told you? Oh, she is very evil!”

  Rapunzel didn’t understand. “No, she isn’t! All I have ever known from her is kindness.”

  “What is her name? Did you catch her?” King Thomas asked angrily. “We can still catch her! How did you escape? Is she still alive?”

  Rapunzel opened her mouth to argue but then slowly closed it. It dawned on her that these weren’t bad people. The king and queen had been drugged with the devil’s breath. Their memories of the events were what Leon had told them.

  Rapunzel knew growing up, that Frieda was the only person in the kingdom who really knew what happened when she was born. All of these years she had lived with the burden of knowing that she had given her child away, even if it was to save her.

  Did she really want to dredge all of that up again?

  When Leon administered the devil’s breath and stole the necklace. Frieda wouldn’t remember giving her away. She no longer had to carry that guilt of lying to her husband, of knowing that everyone in the palace that night had been drugged. She wouldn’t remember Papa Otto or Einar. Nor would she remember growing up with Romy, or her abusive father.

  Rapunzel wasn’t sure what to do. She remembered Romy telling her once that the reason they kept having to give Frieda’s father the devil’s breath was that if he drank again, he would fall right back into those bad habits and soon would start to remember.

  But there was nothing that w
ould trigger these same set of events for Frieda. She could go the rest of her life no knowing the hand she played in Rapunzel’s life.

  “You can’t protect her, dear,” Queen Frieda was saying when Rapunzel finally started attending again. “That evil witch needs to be punished. I don’t know what terrible things she has told you. Indeed, it sickens me to think that she could come and steal a baby from her mother.”

  Rapunzel felt the weight of the world on her shoulders when she asked, “Where are the other two? I was told that you had two men as prisoners?”

  “Don’t worry about them,” King Thomas said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

  Rapunzel shook her head impatiently. “You don’t understand, they are innocent of any wrongdoing.”

  When it seemed that the king and queen were about to dismiss her statement Justus added, “Perhaps you should explain it to them.”

  “Yes, well,” Rapunzel cleared her throat. “The witch called a spell over the two men. She made them serve her. They weren’t aware that they were helping to keep me locked away in the tower. I promise you they are completely innocent.”

  “They were under her spell?” Queen Frieda gasped in amazement.

  “Yes,” Rapunzel replied. “They are good men.”

  It was at that moment that Rapunzel knew she had to make a choice. All of those years ago, Romy made a choice that altered her life. She chose to sacrifice her hopes and dreams to care for a baby that wasn’t even hers.

  Now Rapunzel was faced with a similar situation. It was clear that no matter what she said, Thomas and Frieda would never believe her. But perhaps, if she was clever, Rapunzel might be able to make the best out of a sad situation.

  “Yes,” she said slowly. “The two men, one his middle years and the other an elderly gentleman. They had no part of holding me prisoner in the tower. She spelled them to watch me, that is all. They need to be set free.”

  When Justus let out a squeak, Rapunzel elbowed him—hard.

  “So how did you escape?” King Thomas asked with concern. “We searched for years and years. How did you manage to get away from her?”