Chapter Five Exile Lock

 Prisoner

Chashathrophogh thought about all that had happened. His mind was swarming with questions. He wondered why all this was happening. Why him? Why him and Bash? What was so special about them? Yet regardless of all the answers he came up with, he could not come to a satisfying answer. So he shook his head and decided that it did not matter unless he did not get out of here.

He got to his feet and looked outside. He observed all that was happening down below. He saw all the people going to and fro from wherever they came to wherever they were going. He looked at all the animals. He saw all the dogs barking and the cats hissing at the dogs which caused an irritating noise. He then caught a glimpse of a horse taking a long dump.

He could feel his energy starting to fade.

I need to get out of here. If I do not then both me and Bash will die. 

Suddenly he felt like an invisible hand squeezed his heart as he thought about her dead body. He felt his throat tighten and he felt, for a moment, like he was suffocating.

Wait, why am I feeling like this? Why does her death bring such strong emotions. Do I care for her? Why do I care about her? Wait, when did I start caring about her? 

He thought about all that he had been through with her. All the times that he helped her and she helped him. They had helped each other and if he had to admit it both had not only shown signs of caring for the other but also knowing one another like none ever could. In fact, whenever he spoke to her, it was almost like he was talking to a younger version of himself.

He then thought about the moment that she had taken her first kill. He remembered how he had hugged her. How he understood what it had been like and how he too reacted like that, once he had run far away from his kingdom. Maybe if he had comforted him during that time maybe he would not have become the monster that he did. Maybe he could make sure that she did not become like him. Maybe he could good her to greening the version of him that he could only wish to become.

Although, I have to wonder if I was raised by someone like my brother-in-law and sister, would I have ended up like her? After all, she does look alot like me and she even acts like a younger version of me too. Maybe that's what I like about her.

He then knew that if his sister was there instead of him at that moment, then she would not have understood like he did. Something told him that she would have ended up like him...Or would have allowed her to be killed by him.

He remembered how he was like after he had both killed the assassin that his parents had sent and his parents. He had run away and broken, fallen into great despair. A despair that was only comforted by killing other royals born out of wedlock and taking odd jobs that led to more killing. Yet he could not eat much for days.

He had remembered that it was during this time he was found by the Dark Lady Grasharlo. How she helped pull him out of that dark pit that was in his mind. Yet he now knew that she only did it for her purposes that she taught him how to use his magic, yet it would have always led him to go into darker territory. She even taught him how to enjoy it too. 

I guess she pulled me out of one dark pit and right into another.

Yet it was during this time that he had met his only friend, who was being apprenticed by her and the victim of her lusts and torture. He remembered how he was more interested in learning more about demonic possession and exercising them from the body. It was this friend that he grew to be worried about the most. He had been the only one that had, he knew, truly helped him through it. Yet even though he had tried to, he could not help that friend through his pit. No, he ran away and killed his brother and his wife before he could. Yet regardless of where he went or what he found, he could find nothing to help him. 

Yet he was disturbed by certain rumours that he was travelling with his new apprentice, a young girl that he knew was his niece. He just could not help but be concerned about her. After all, did she know about his situation? Did he tell her? 

I have gone soft. I need to harden back up.

He then looked out of another window in his prison. He needed to get out of here. He wanted to get to his niece, yet he could feel himself getting weaker and weaker. He knew that he would have to do it soon or both he and Bash would be dead by the morning. 

He then tried to will the bars off their hinges. But to his surprise they did not budge! He tried to do this again two more times before it was all too clear that using magic would be useless. He looked around the cell and spotted that there were several runes in the centre of each wall. This told him that this cell was built to stop people from using magic.

He knew that as he looked around the cell that this cell was designed specifically for him and him alone. This did not disturb him as much as it should have, after all he did understand why. After all, if he was in his sister's shoes, he would have done the exact same thing. 

He was about to think of a way to get out of the prison when the bells went off. This suddenly woke his mind up and he became suddenly alert. He got up and spotted that there were a gang of men around his cell. He frowned and as his attention went back outside and spotted more soldiers moving around fast. They were combing the streets and even pulling out stacks of hay.

Then he spotted that there were arrows into the shoulders none of which would have killed them but would have knocked them out. Yet others were all asleep yet he knew that this was no ordinary sleep. Then soon Bounty Hunter Bash walked up to them and pulled out the arrows and used their own cape to clean thdm. She then took the keys out and soon opened it. He soon felt his strength return to him. 

"Ready?"

He smiled.

"Ready."

Rescue

Bounty Hunter Bash landed. She soon raced as fast as her weakened state would allow. She headed to the prison, knowing that she would have to find a way to get into it. Yet it suddenly occurred to her that she would need weapons so she changed course to the weaponry. She knew that she would have to get her bow and arrows before the alarm bells rang. She soon made it to the weaponry without anything getting in her way. She soon collected her bow and collected all the arrows in the room and multiple quivers. Yet even now she knew that she would have to do something about the weapons here, after all she knew that they would easily be used against both her and Chashathrophogh.

Oh what the Demon Realm! Mother already sees me as a traitor, so I might as well play the part. I'm certain my dear Uncle Chashathrophogh would get a kick out of this!

She willed a fire to rise. She then willed the fire to spread throughout and spread fast. Soon she opened her eyes and saw that the room was engulfed in flames. She also spotted Chashathrophogh's weapons and took them before the rest of the weapons started to melt. 

She then darted to the highest point there. She soon spotted a group of clothes that hung on the line that looked like they would easily fit her. This was exactly what she needed. She let out a groan as she hated the fact that she would have to steal them. So she jumped down as the fire almost licked her back. She then jumped off the wall and propeled herself forward and as soon as her feet touched the rooftop. She rolled as she landed and threw out her legs at the right moment and was soon up. Taking no time she ran and charged as fast as she could to the garden. She soon took them and then she quickly changed and burnt the dress. 

Suddenly having the feeling that she would not be in one of those for a long time filled her with a strange sense of sorrow and liberation that she could not describe.

She did not dwell on this matter as she raced to the prison and she hid her bow and arrows and the other weapons under her large cloak. She put the hood up and then walked in. She looked down and she had almost reached the middle of the corridor when the bells went off. 

Quickly she willed all the people around her to fall asleep. Soon those of weaker will fell asleep but the guards of stronger will stayed awake. They then looked back and she fired several arrows at them and during the shock of being hit they were struck by the spell and were soon asleep. She then pulled the arrows out and used their cape to clean them. 

She soon moved on and took out more. She turned a corner and faced more, yet as she knew that she was getting closer and closer to Chashathrophogh she could feel her strength returning to her. She then heard more come and hid in a closet when she reached the stairs. She listened in closely as they all ran by. Once all their attention was directed to the ones that she had already taken out, she silently slipped out and up the spiral stairs.

She soon reached the section that Chashathrophogh was being held in. She soon fired shots at the nonessential arias and were all soon out cold. She took them out and cleaned them. She had taken out the guards. She walked to his cell and took the keys to his cell and opened it. 

"Ready?"

He smiled.

"Ready."

They then ran out of the section and she was about to go down but Chashathrophogh grabbed her and ran up higher and higher. Though Bounty Hunter Bash did not know where they were going though she would have wanted to go down and escape by getting out of a low window. Yet she knew that he would know where they were going. They soon got to the top level of the prison. 

"Where are we going?"

He smirked.

"You will see." He said with a sly tone. "See, I know this place far better than my sister. I used to get curious about the stories behind all those awaiting execution. So I found a way to get in and I would spend hours listening to the prisoners and their stories."

You know, that's what I always wanted to do but I could never find a way in. So how did he?

She nodded as they soon came to a gate in the wall. He then willed the gate to unlock and it was soon open. She went in first and found that there was a ladder screwed and welded into the wall. She climbed down as Chashathrophogh got in and closed the gate behind him and they descended together…

Leaving

When they reached the bottom of the ladder after what seemed to be an hour climbing down, Bounty Hunter Bash turned to Chashathrophogh for guidance. 

"Now where do we go?" She asked as he took a torch. "And is it wise to light that?"

"Yes. After all, we are at least several miles below the prison but we ought to follow this tunnel. If I remember correctly, one of these passages leads to a cave that will lead us directly to the border. However I will warn you, it will not be easy, I heard that there are creatures down here."

Which we will be able to take care of. She thought as he lit the torch.

"Then?" She asked as she wanted to know his plan.

"Then we do our best to hide until we are out of the kingdom. Though I can not promise that we will not have to fight." He admitted.

She felt her throat tighten as she realised that he was right.

How could it come down to this? Why has it come down to this?

"Right, then I think that after that we should get out of this land. It would be difficult for Mother to get us if we are in another kingdom." She said remembering that was her big mistake. 

"Good idea, and I think I know exactly where we should go. See I have a friend that will be able to help, though he is not to be trusted one hundred percent of the time."

That was when her stomach churned.

"I hope that it isn't Dark Lady Grasharlo."

He let out an involuntary chuckle.

"No, I did say 'he'." He said as he turned away from her.

"Oh."

Yet his face quickly changed as he took as if he was worried about something or someone. He combed through his hair as he looked back, wiping the look of his face.

"Anyway, we need to be off as soon as we can. My sister will undoubtedly be on her way to cut us off at the border."

Together, they ran as they ran down the tunnel. She soon heard a low growl almost like a cross between stone slowly running together and a lion's low growl. She then heard something snap that made her let out a small scream. Chashathrophogh let out a chuckle, yet the moment that he looked next to her, his laughter ceased. His eyes rested and looked directly into the eyes of a crocodile.

"When did they get to this kingdom?" He asked sternly.

Yet as he waved the torch he saw that there were more! He lit a fire in front of them and knowing that he did not have time for a fight he took her hand and dragged her as he ran down the tunnel. He then came to a crossroads in the tunnel with water in the centre of each of them. They both jumped over a canal and they landed. Only to find that their pathway was blocked by more crocodiles. 

Bounty Hunter Bash loaded her bow and fired setting the tip on fire, yet for some reason the fire rapidly expanded. It then hit one. Yet remembering the expanding fire, she came up with an idea. She then willed the fire to spread. Soon all the crocodiles were on fire. Yet they all moved left and right until they were all dead. When they were all dead Chashathrophogh used his magic to will the fire to become quickly extinguished. 

"Good work, but I would highly recommend that you should be careful when using fire here." He said, sternly.

She nodded as he took her hand so that they would not get separated. Then they ran on and on. They turned a corner and the walls became rigid. It looked like there was an earthquake here. Yet he led her to a smaller tunnel. 

"Hold this." He said as he passed her the torch. 

She nodded and looked back. Her stomach dropped as she remembered that even though the crocodiles were far behind, they were still there. Yet when they came, it was all too clear that nothing, not even self preservation would stop them. Chashathrophogh, knowing this, continued working moving the rocks out of the way as fast as he could. Yet the noise did not concern him after all, the crocodile would hear every sound. Yet he did his best to work as fast as he could.

He glanced back to Bounty Hunter Bash for a moment as he heard the far off growl. Yet his fear was quelled as she realised that she could defend herself, he returned to his work. He then smirked as his eyes met natural light through the rocks. Yet he did not let himself slow down for one second. He had to move as fast as he was. Soon the small light turned into a hole. He soon worked on more and more light coming through and he soon made a hole big enough to get through.

"Bash, get in first!" He snapped.

She nodded as she did. She then, as soon as she was through she got to her feet. Then looked around as he made his way through. They then ran to the mouth of the cave and then she jumped as she heard the snapping of jaws behind them. Yet as she did she let out a laugh as the poor thing had trapped its head in the hole that they came through!

Yet even though they could take a moment to laugh. They soon came to the mouth of the cave, still laughing. Yet they had to calm themselves as they left the cave. They then dived to a tree and hid in some bushes. They comando crawled under the bushes as they came to the edge of the border village Borvil. They could see that there were soldiers all over the place. Her heart sank as she realised in dread as she realised that they would have to fight their way out. Yet, she did not want to get everyone else involved more than they had to.

She glanced at Chashathrophogh in hope that he had a plan that would not involve too much killing. He then looked back clearly understanding this concern.

"Get up into the tree. I will go on." He said with a commanding tone to his voice. "And note, it is unavoidable to involve others."

She nodded, realising that he was right, she felt her heart sink slightly. She could not help but feel sorry for all those that they would have to beat in order to get out of this kingdom. Yet she felt even more sorry for the ones that would be killed because of this.

She then crawled back and climbed the tree, ensuring to keep the soldiers in the corner of her eye. Mainly to ensure that they did not see her. She then took out her bow and arrow and rested it on the string to wait for the moment that she would need it. Yet as she looked at the village it then came to her.

"Hey, what if we lead them over here?" She asked.

He looked at her surprised and smiled.

"Good idea!" He said with a tone that she did not like. 

Yet she ignored this and pushed it away and focused on what she should do.

"Then get ready!" She called as she fired at one. 

This was soon caught by another. He looked at where it came from and soon saw her as she let another arrow slip and hit him in the leg. He then pulled out his sword and they all raced to them. She then hit one after another as they all drew closer and closer. Yet she was able to whittle down a group of soldiers effectively. Then they reached her. She shot arrow after arrow. Three went down and soon Chashathrophogh dived out and struck the rest with a sword. 

They looked back only to see that there were none left. She jumped and dropped on the ground. They then ran down and took a horse that belonged to one of the soldiers. Chashathrophogh sat at the front to guide the horse while Bounty Hunter Bash was on the back. She used her magic to will her arrows back onto her quiver. She turned around and pressed her back against his just as she saw more soldiers behind them. She fired shot after shot at them. Yet this did nothing to stop them galloping at them. The archers started to aim for their horse but she stopped their arrows with magic. She then loaded her arrow and fired at one of the horses knees. She then used her magic to get the arrows back and she was able to collect the rest of their arrows. Yet she knew that this had to nibbed in the bud and she then willed their bows to set on fire. 

They screamed and threw the bows away and then they drew their swords and some drew some daggers. She then willed their blades to heat up and this caused them to drop their blades. She then fired at the knees of the horses at the front.

"Shut that gate!" One shouted but by that point it was too late they crossed the gate of the wall. 

"Open the gate!"

She heard a groan from one of the soldiers of the gatehouse.

Yet as they stopped the descent of the gate she saw the chain and willed both of them to break. Then the gate fell after they had passed, blocking the soldiers in their tracks. 

The Chase

They had barely been riding for a day when they soon saw the arrows rain down on them. She was struck by one in her upper shoulder just as she loaded one of hers. She then waited for the arrows to see where they were coming from and collected them in her quiver. She soon saw the archers. She quickly fired shot after shot at their bows which snapped the wood which hit their faces. She then willed their arrows into her quiver. She then loaded hers as they drew their swords.

She then put her bow away and drew a sword. Yet so did Chashathrophogh and gripped the reins with his free hand. They then galloped forward and they then soon came close to their horse. They then swung their swords to them and the two were able to block them quickly. They blocked strike after strike at their horse. She then stroked the blades away and they both kicked their opponents away. This caused them to pull away yet Bounty Hunter Bash pushed the others away. She then looked down and willed a line of fire to erupt in front of them. They caused their horses to back away but this caused a temporary drawback as the soldiers soon regained control of their horses. This caused her to make another and thicker line in front of that which brought them to a halt. 

Yet as she looked around she heard the whistling of more arrows and quickly spotted that there were others in the trees and some were jumping from tree to tree. She soon loaded her arrow and fired at the ones that were jumping from tree to tree. She then aimed at the rest of the archers and used some of her arrows to block their arrows. Soon there was a pile of unconscious men at the bottom of the trees that would be forever paralyzed.

Yet she then kept her guard up as she waited for more of a distance and soon summoned up more lines of fire. They soon came to a crossroads. He then veered left and then they came to a new road he turned right. This led them to a small village of Dragofree and they soon got off their horse. Yet they walked with the horse. They soon came to a farmour and Chashathrophogh and Bounty Hunter Bash slipped him some gold and they were in a carriage covered in hay.

"The hay system?"

"'The hay system'."

Her eyebrow raised as they were on the road. She could feel that they were moving away from the village. Yet even though they were moving slower than she would have liked, yet she knew that she would have to trust Chashathrophogh. They both felt tired after the day's evenings so they became sleepier and sleepier. Soon they could no longer resist the call of sleep. Soon they both fell into a light sleep that was interrupted by the farmour knocking on the carriage. 

They soon chose their moment carefully before they slipped out. They then soon ran as fast as they could. Yet she soon knew that they would have to run faster and they also needed another horse. After all, their legs were just too slow. Yet she could see that Chashathrophogh knew this too.

Then to add to this they soon saw the horses behind them. Yet it was all too clear that they had seen them and they were already closing in. Then they soon overtook the two and soon blocked them. However, Bounty Hunter Bash had a problem, she was far too tired to fight. Chashathrophogh saw this and drew his sword. He charged at them and then struck one and then blocked another. They soon circled him as she took a moment to catch her breath. He then willed the soldiers to fly back and off their horses and yet before they could land there were branches wrapped around them.

"Coward!" Shouted one.  

He soon got off his horse and ran at him. He then swung the sword at him but he blocked it and as he spun he flicked his sword out but Chashathrophogh took advantage of his exposed arm and sliced it off! He then spotted the other archers. He outstretched his hand and soon the archers were being embraced by trees.

He then picked her up and it was her turn to ride the horse. He then took her initiative and used his magic to set line after line of fire behind them. He soon galloped over a long wooden bridge. When they were over he set it on fire. They galloped a great distance without one soldier pursuing them.

Path Taken

They did not stop until the very early hours of the morning. They soon set up camp and Bounty Hunter Bash caught three rabbits and picked some herbal leaves and Chashathrophogh cooked two of the rabbits while she looked for more food. She soon found some blueberries and grapes and picked them and brought them back as he finished the rabbits. She gave them to him.

"Here, we can have them after." She said.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"No, I meant thank you for rescuing me. Yet I know that now I have put a wedge between you and your mother. For that I am sorry." He apologised.

"That is alright. After all, I believe that there was a wedge between us a long time ago." She admitted, though it did little to comfort her.

He frowned.

"How come?"

"Only Father really got to know me there. Mother never even tried."

"Why is that?"

"I think that it was because I was too much like you and she did not like that. So I think that she wanted to shape me into becoming like her. So only Father allowed me to be who I am." 

He nodded.

"I do not think that I ever had anyone like that in my life. I guess that both my parents wanted to get rid of me as soon as they could." He said without a hint of his true emotion.

She frowned as part of her started to pity him. She thought that she had been isolated and lonely, compared to him she was nothing but a spoilt brat. Yet at the same time she could not quite know if he cared about what had happened back then for him to feel anything. Which may not have been as pitiful.

"Did you ever find someone to talk to about all this?"

"Yes. Yet he was more isolated than either of us put together! After all, he was a very troubled man with a very troubling demon inside of him. Though our teacher helped none of us. In fact she taught us both how to enjoy being cruel and killing. I do not know how, but she was always able to bring that out of us."

"Grasharlo...It seems that the Dark Lady is gaining a reputation… Do you think that she'll ever become just like the Dark Master Lord?" 

"No...I think that she can be worse."

She felt a shiver run down her spine, like someone had just stepped over her grave as she sat there eating her rabbit and ate the blueberries and grapes.

"I think that we need to get back on the road." She said, yawning.

"Yes, but we are not going anywhere without a sleep."

Shd nodded.

"Then I will take the first watch."

"Yeah. Wake me in an hour."

She sat there as she leaned against their resting horse. She took an arrow out and then clenched her hand around the head to use the pain to keep herself awake. She started to count the seconds in her head to help keep her mind focused. When she had counted to an hour she woke him up. 

"The hour's up!' She said.

He nodded as they were soon back on the road. Then passed another crossroads.

"Do you wish to change your mind?"

"No. I don't."

They crossed and they soon came to the road that led to the town that led to the sea. They soon heard the high pitched cry of the seagulls. They knew that they would be leaving this country. That was when they spotted a knight blocking their way. It was Sir Folied. Yet even as they galloped on he blocked them where they were.

"How dare you choose him over your own mother?! Especially after what he did to your father and brother!"

"Oh please! We both know that he did not do it!"

"Shut up! You both looked down on me! You never respected me! You always thought I was a fool but you are mistaken! I knew that you would come here so I took off to arrive here before you even left."

Bounty Hunter Bash looked at him. She was far too tired for this and she could see that his mind was far too broken to even listen to a word that she had said. So you willed him off his horse, yet because of her tiredness she misjudged the power she used and he flew faster and hit a tree harder than she would have liked. He fell down and slumped over, yet she knew that they could not afford to check to see if he was alive. Yet she got off the horse nevertheless. She then knelt and checked his pulse and then turned back to Chashathrophogh.

"Tell me, can you wipe his mind?"

"Yes."

"And place a false memory in its stead?"

"Yes. What are you thinking?" He asked as he looked around. 

"Take the memory of seeing us and replace it with him being mugged by some thugs and seeing us take the opposite turn to us?" She asked as she took the pouch of his gold.

He smirked.

"Yes. Yes, that is a good idea!" 

He placed his hand over his eyes and closed his eyes and said something under his breath that she could not make out. Yet it was strange, she liked the sound of the words. He then pulled away.

"There, I also added the memory, having us take the muggers down and chasing them off." 

She smirked and nodded.

"Then let's go."

They then got back on the horses and then they rode on to the border of the seaside kingdom of Seagrace.

Farewell

They soon came to the town of Seagrace called Wepart by noon. They soon climbed off the horse and walked into the town. Before they did they spotted a sign.

Wepart

We Part Here

They then walked to a small tavern. With white walls and backwood timber. There was a plaque hanging from a pole and had a painting of a royal warship

Immortal Return

Yet despite the fact that they needed to get onna ship as soon as they could, they were too tired to think straight. This was why they walked in and booked a room for the night. They did not give their names but they knew that it cost more than they paid but they were far too tired to pay attention to that. 

"On top of that I will sell you the horse too." Chashathrophogh said.

The man looked at the stallion. He looked at the majestic tail and main and stroked his back.

"I will give you three emerald for him."

"Chip in four gold too. Maybe tired but not that tired." He commented.

He looked back and smiled.

"You have a good head on you boy!" He said as he gave him the three emerald coins and five gold coins instead.

"I said four, not five."

"That's to say thank you for the horse and good job."

They then smiled and bought some clothes and then paid for their rooms.

"Could you sign here?" He asked. 

Knowing that neither could use their real names, Bounty Hunter Bash wrote down Cari Scar instead. Meanwhile Chashathrophogh put down Borevers Scar and were soon in their rooms. The moment that their heads rested on the pillow they were out cold. Yet none woke until early morning.

They soon changed into their new clothes, both were black leather pants and boots with a thick heel that buckled up between the knee and ankle. Chashathrophogh wore a grey shirt with an amaranth patton on at the top and Bounty Hunter Bash wore a black shirt with a chrysanthemum patton at the top.

They then met up in Chashathrophogh's room where they both cut their hair short with a long fringe to hide their faces. They soon left after they ate their breakfast.

"So, which ship will we take?" She asked.

"That one."

He pointed to a purple maroon ship with high and wide lilac sails. She saw the name welded in silver.

The Destiny Finder

She liked the name yet in some strange way she felt like the name was fitting for their journey. Yet part of her knew that they were on their way to not only find their destiny and in many ways they have. This they both felt but yet none believed in that to admit it.

They soon walked to the man at the docking station.

"Names!" He said.

"Cari Scar."

"Borevers Scar."

"Alright there's your tickets and enjoy your journey. 'We part here and hope that you never return!'"

"How rude!"

"Town motto."

"Oh."

"Sorry."

They smiled.

"That's fine." Bounty Hunter Bash waved off as they climbed aboard.

They did not speak until they were on board and out of earshot. 

"I think we should remember our fake names as long as we are on this ship and we will be going by them until we get to Roqaur." He said.

She nodded as they started to set off. She looked back at the doc and she froze as the ship moved away from the doc.

"Stop that ship! Stop that ship!" She heard her mother shout yet by that point it was already too late. 

She looked at her mother. 

"Good! Don't ever rerun! For if you do I will take both your heads!"

She clenched her fist as she did all to ensure that she did not cry. She knew by that point that they were exiles. She knew that deep down that she would never return to this land again or see her mother. Yet she knew that this would be her last impression of her mother would be seeing her with her eyes with ice cold anger that, if looks could kill then she would be dead. 

"Farewell mother." She muttered under her breath as she turned around.

"Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah." She said. 

She was coming to terms with the fact that she would not return to this land again, not as long as her mother was alive. Yet upon realising this she lost her battle with her heart and broke down in tears. Then she felt the strong arms of her uncle. Yet she came to another realisation, he was the only family that she had now. Her father and brother were dead and her mother might as well be dead now. 

"Don't die." She wept. "Please don't die!"

"Don't worry, I won't as long as you don't."

She looked up and nodded.

"I'll try not to, my dear uncle!"

"Then I will never die, my dear niece!"