June had made a bit of a bet with herself on how long it would take until the plan went completely off the rails.

That didn't necessarily mean they would fail. They had multiple plans and contingencies for that reason. But Regina liked to say how no plan survived first contact with the enemy — or at least, several of the Hive had picked up that saying and kept it going, but it must have come from her — and June was trying to be prepared.

Still and all, she hadn't really expected to run into Helen of all people here.

Silently, she exchanged a look with Edmund. The young knight had suddenly gone much tenser. She'd only really felt him appear that way when he was in combat training, though she supposed actual combat came close. She didn't exactly remember the disaster hunt in proper detail. She was pretty sure he hadn't seemed almost eager then, though.

Madris will deal with her, she told him. It was half promise, half warning. She understood if he wanted to fight her, or even just test himself against her, but they couldn't risk messing things up.

Edmund seemed to shake himself slightly. Of course, Milady, he answered. Are you ready to break out?

Beyond ready, June said. She focused on the area in front of the door again, then nodded. It's empty. Let's go.

There was a heavy lock on the door, and also a magical lock, but neither of them stood a chance. June had always been good with magic, and detailed mana senses helped a lot in dealing with this kind of thing. It was more than enough for a lock of dubious quality. She sent some of her own mana through, cutting through the corner of the sigil formed by it and smothering the structure by surrounding its end with her own mana. After a moment of strain, the lock dissolved. Then she stepped back and let Zoe at the physical lock. She'd already Conjured her a set of lockpicks earlier, and the drone made short work of the mechanism. June decided not to ask where she'd learned how to do that, or why. At least not right now.

They didn't stop in the corridor beyond. June stepped to the side and made sure that everyone was ready and got through the door in proper order. It was too big a group to hide them all psychically, especially just on their own. Hopefully, Madris would distract Helen properly. June could already sense her mental presence almost coalescing, becoming sharper. It was like a banked lamp suddenly turning into one of the lasers Tia liked to talk about.

Deciding that Madris had that situation well in hand and there really wasn't anything she could or should do, June focused on the rest of the people in the castle. Her own group was slowly going down the corridor, Edmund carefully keeping an eye out for anyone close by. Zephyr and the others were also making their way to meet them, keeping to the back of the structure, while the other two psychics were trying to hide them. It didn't always work, but she could vaguely sense Iseis, Zephyr and the others — all quite powerful, after all — ambushing and silencing those who would have raised the alarm. They worked seamlessly together, using Ace's scouting ability with Jem's coordination, Mars' physical force, and the others' magic.

The alarm had still not been raised, despite the fact that Helen must have been able to sense them by now. It looked like Madris was preventing her from contacting any others. Which might explain why her presence still shone strongly — needing to keep Helen contained would hamper her efforts to decisively bring her down; if Madris needed to focus on keeping her cut off, it meant she couldn't bring all her effort to bear on just tearing through her defenses. And that probably went for Helen in reverse, too.

"What about the rest of our people?" Zoe asked in a whisper.

June focused on them briefly to check in. "They've gathered as we asked," she reported. "Still trying to avoid suspicion."

They had also brought the Swarm Drones to the outside of the group, ready to fight and, if necessary, die. June was just glad their current captors understood that Swarm Drones needed supervision and orders — or, well, they might have overstated it slightly. It wasn't like the king knew much about them and it was pretty easy for her to agitate them a little at strategic moments.

Probably he would start killing them right as he moved her to Esemen.

Not that June had managed to speak with King Stephen herself since the hunt. She had tried, of course, but he'd always rebuffed her attempts. She'd tried to send her demands through servants and messages instead, but, of course, he'd blocked all of them. She knew why, of course; if she officially demanded to leave and he denied it, it would be evident that he was holding her prisoner, a framing of the situation that he was clearly still trying to avoid. Not that sending messages wouldn't make that clear, but they weren't necessarily seen to have the same weight. It was easier to ignore a servant than a princess.

There was still the rather pointed diplomatic message Regina had sent, though, demanding their release, so it wasn't like they had nothing to show.

She focused on her surroundings again instead of dwelling on that. They were coming up on more populated parts of the castle and she needed to concentrate. Unfortunately, there was no way to get from a castle entrance to their rooms by going only through back passages and servants' stairways, which was probably on purpose, so meeting up with the others would be risky.

"Let's stop here," June whispered, glancing at her party as they reached the corridor she knew would lead into an inner courtyard which was overlooked by several vantage points. She could sense people on several of them. Trying to distract them all would be tricky; easier for the smaller group to come here.

We're not getting past there and out without alerting anyone, Edmund said. Joining up will just make our group larger and make it even harder.

I know, but it's still better that way, she replied.

June took a few steps back and ordered the others to do the same, then focused on keeping this part empty of people for now.

It only took a few seconds for the rescue party to appear on the other side. A little bit of the tension she carried eased immediately upon seeing them.

The party stopped and she noticed them shifting position. Zephyr stepped forward, raising a hand slightly. A moment later, they shimmered and vanished, leaving only a hazy blur in the air where they had been. Immediately, the group moved forward. Since June knew they were there, she was able to track the slight distortion, but she hoped no one else would see it. She could faintly sense his mana at work, manipulating the air and the moisture in it; it was a clever and sophisticated bit of air magic to manipulate light refraction that she itched to learn but knew she wouldn't be good enough to perform yet.

Being tightly focused on them, June also vaguely sensed Fred and Edmund reaching out to turn a passing servant's attention away from them. She redoubled her focus on their surroundings, but before she could try anything, they were already across the danger zone. June stepped back and sagged a little in relief as the incoming party became visible again right in front of her.

They exchanged nods and she had to exert all her self-control not to fall right into Jem or Ace's arms.

Before she could be further tempted, both Zephyr and Iseis stepped up to her and took her arms. June tensed slightly, but didn't otherwise react as they started calling on their magic. She shivered slightly at the feeling of their mana sweeping through her. Neither of them were really dedicated healers, but they were powerful and no strangers to healing magic, either. Her whole arm tingled slightly, but then she did feel a bit better.

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Once they were finished, she wobbled a bit, and might have lost her footing if Iseis hadn't reached out to catch and subtly brace her. June smiled at her, then took a step away and scanned the group. She reached out to them with her mind.

I'll start sending people to safety then, Iseis said promptly.

June nodded, but her other mentor had already turned and made her way to grab some of the attendants who had been shut in with her. Unsurprisingly — they must have discussed it — she grabbed the youngest ones first.

She was pretty sure Kiara had at least had a hand in the selection of people sent here, because she didn't think Regina would have chosen teenagers on her own; even if it was perfectly normal for others. Lisa, one of her current handmaids, was only fourteen. One of the squires who'd been mostly meant to help Edmund and one of the grooms were both fifteen. There were a few older teenagers, too, both here and with the other group. June smiled at the younger ones, feeling their uncertainty, but they put up a brave front.

Iseis took Lisa's hand, exchanged a few hushed words, and then, with a faint magical wave, the girl vanished. June assumed she'd safely landed back where their reinforcements were gathered.

I think this raised some attention, Edmund said.

June nodded. She could also sense the slightly shifting current in the mental landscape outside. Many of them might not have even realized what they sensed. Maybe a few mages did and were going to investigate. She'd always suspected they would only have a limited time.

She'd argued hard against the idea of being sent back first. For one thing, June could tell that even with all their healing, some of the monster's poison still lingered in her body and teleportation might not be a good idea. That was the argument they'd accepted, in the lead-up to this plan. The other reason was that she was the best psychic after Madris and they would need her if they wanted to get everyone out. She was not going to head off to safety and leave her people to fight and die behind her.

June shifted uneasily as Iseis teleported the next few people. The level of alertness in the castle's population was definitely increasing. And people were starting to move. June tensed up, mentally pulling back a little to look at the general situation in the castle. It was spreading fast.

Then Iseis cursed audibly. She turned around, watching the old elf stagger back, clutching her head. The young attendant she'd just tried to send to safety was lying on the floor. Still moving, thankfully, she was already standing back up.

"They've definitely noticed us now," Iseis said. "They must have put up some kind of teleportation ward. We should have expected that."

What's going on with you? Madris asked. I've secured Helen for now, but it won't be easy to take and hide her.

"Should we have?" Zephyr asked.

"I assume this is connected to the new Champion," Iseis said. "They know Leian's specialty; it stands to reason they would take it into account."

June wasn't sure whether to be relieved or more anxious. Iseis had only managed to send four people to safety, that was good but far from enough. At least the youngest were out of danger. And she could sense the growing alarm in those of their people gathered in the lower castle, too.

She felt the soft brush of Regina's mind. Should I send in the flying drones?

June didn't have to think long, even as she felt Madris' agreement. Yes, seems there's nothing to lose now. They were past trying to get out peacefully, unfortunately. Time for the contingency plans.

"We'll fight our way out if we have to," June said. "But we must move quickly."

I'll wait here, Madris said, also connecting to the others and giving them an impression of a location close to the inner wall.

"Yes, let's go," Zephyr agreed, striding forward, then turning into a run.

June quickly fell into step with him and hurried across the courtyard, ignoring the exclamations from more distant people. She sensed her group following, tense but resolved.

There was a crack in the air and one part of the parapet overlooking the courtyard to the north crumbled. She felt several minds flinch in pain and then fall silent. Zephyr turned, taking June's arm and hauling her forward.

We have the advantage of speed, Edmund said. Soldiers need to muster and move toward us first. We might do better with a defensible location, though.

Not if we can't teleport out. They'll grind us down eventually, Ace replied. A fighting retreat is the best option.

June kept running, moving through some corridors she'd seen earlier, before all this happened. A few people were still here, possibly fighters; she didn't pause to be certain before sending them flying with a short burst of mana. Edmund slowed, heading through a doorway, and reappeared a few seconds later with a sword, running to catch up.

Through the link, everyone was aware of their route. Mars guarded their backs, with help from Iseis, while Zephyr took the lead. They both used magic to clear the way, and June knew they wouldn't be able to keep it up indefinitely. For now, their group still had the advantage. To not lose sight of the larger situation, she checked on their second group.

You should help the others, she told Madris. They're starting to be targeted.

Their Swarm Drones had just dealt with a party of men-at-arms. They'd won the short and bloody fight, with the help of a few servants throwing things, but several of the drones had died.

A few seconds later, they emerged into the open space in front of the inner walls. The gate was closed and there were archers on most high surfaces. A group of men had assembled in front fo it, building a shaky shield wall. June could sense others scurrying away and the air was filled with shouting and the clanging of metal.

Reinforcements are on the way, but it'll take a bit, be careful, Regina informed her before withdrawing again, letting them focus on the battle.

Mars moved to the front of the group. He and Ace charged forward, with the others right behind them. June decided to rely on her more unique strengths and attacked the minds of the soldiers instead of using offensive magic.

It turned out she needn't have bothered, they crumpled pretty quickly. The men tried to surround them and take advantage of superior numbers, but Mars ignored all their efforts, wading through them like a farmer with a scythe.

A blue shield appeared above her group, and arrows thudded into it. June took a step to the left to stay below it, readying to use another Spell.

Then they were through, the last of the soldiers turning and fleeing. She let them; they had to conserve their energy. Zephyr sent the gate crashing open. With the others following, June hurried through it. More fighters were assembling at several points; they needed to move.

Then the earth underneath her feet shook. June tried to keep her balance, but it was impossible. The dirt seemed to grow and rise around them, forming high walls curving inward. Her companions, especially the lower-level ones, tumbled into each other and fell. At the same time, light filled the space around them.

June scrambled up, turning to look forward. There were more men assembling, in much better armor. The Order. But at the front of them stood a man she recognized. King Stephen was not glowing, but there was still something about him that drew her eye, as if the air was heavier around him and gravity bent to his will.

Stephen of Prekan — Level 46 Noble Knight

He went up three levels in a few days?!

Remember, he won't be able to actively channel divine power for long, Iseis said. Not until he gets a proper Class for it. But he's still a Champion and may have more defenses.

Zephyr stomped his foot. The earthen walls around them stopped growing and started shaking. She felt Iseis' mana reach out, too, and the walls slowly started to crumble, with parts reconstituting themselves before disintegrating as well.

And all the while, more soldier were streaming toward them.

"Surrender and none need be harmed!" the king called. "Princess June, this is beneath you. I must take you into custody, but your attendants will be free to go. If you insist on resistance, they will die."

June didn't have to think about it. "Never," she said. "You took me hostage against all law and custom, while I was your guest. You have no honor and no one will believe your words. If you do not let us go, we will make you."

"It is the will of the gods," he replied, raising his sword.

The next moment, the knight behind him moved forward, thrusting with his own blade. It deflected on a faintly glowing shield that appeared around the king, but he still stumbled to the side. The knight retreated, throwing down his blade and looking around with wide eyes.

The psychic illusion he was caught in broken.

June looked at Madris, who'd appeared on the other side of the courtyard. She walked forward, while the fighters closest to her started backing away, some of them dropping their weapons and others dropping to the ground. Behind her, June saw the Swarm Drones and then the other Imperials.

She turned her focus back to the Order fighters, searching for a man with weak mental shields and bearing down on him.

Then the air was filled with fire, ice and electricity as the fight ratcheted up.

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