She seems eager, for some reason.

"Thank you, Sir." Coraline smiled at the sergeant, not a hint of **** in her voice. "An escort home would be most appreciated."

"You're welcome." Castus replied, sounding very relieved. "Now follow me and stick close if you would. Some of the men are rougher types, but they won't lay a finger on your daughter with me here." He stepped forward out the gates, leading them past the crowds of soldiers still rushing about.

"She's lucky to have such an honorable, kind man looking out for her." Coraline replied, dragging Marcus with her like a rag-doll. The young prince spluttered helplessly into the front of her dress. Why was she saying these things? It was like she was trying to make this guy even more interested in him! Sure enough, when he managed to turn his head a little and look at Castus the soldier had another of those silly smiles on his face and was strutting forward like a peacock.

Worse still, the sergeant happened to glance back right then and catch him staring!

"Hey there." Castus grinned, waving his hand. With a high-pitched squeak of shock, Marcus turned and buried his face back into Coraline's dress. No way he was letting this annoying guy flirt with him any longer!

"Careful." Coraline said quickly, wrapping her arm even tighter round the young prince. "She's very shy."

"So I see." The soldier chuckled. Marcus wanted to scream and stamp his feet. This wasn't funny! He'd just been dragged out of bed and his home was under attack and now this bastard was laughing at him! "Where do you two live?"

"Just on the river, that way." Coraline pointed to a road leading down from the castle and into the small town around the walls. Castus led them down that way, thankfully not saying anything more.

Marcus shivered as his maid gently pulled him down the dark, empty streets. It was really quiet now. Everyone must have been too scared of his uncle's soldiers to come out. Even with the sergeant's cape round his shoulders, the young prince felt really cold and burrowed closer to Coraline. She held him much gentler now, like she was ready to believe he wasn't about to run off or anything. It was nice, but he still wished she'd tell him what she was doing already! Why hadn't she even tried to get rid of Castus?

"Here, this is our home, Sir." Coraline said suddenly. Marcus peeked out from under her arm. She was pointing at a house just off the road. To the young prince it looked very small and pokey, but then he'd been in a castle most of his life. His Mother had never let him out much to see how everyone else lived.

"Ah, that's good." Castus turned, that same eager smile still fixed on his face. "Thank you for allowing me to escort you. I'll feel much better knowing that you and your daughter are safe indoors." Marcus breathed a sigh of relief as his maid pulled him towards the little house's door. At least they'd be somewhere warm and he wouldn't have to be around this annoying soldier anymore. He felt Coraline's hand on his neck, starting to untie the scarlet cape Castus had given him. "Keep it." The man shook his head. "You can show it to any other soldiers if they give your daughter trouble. Tell them Sergeant Castus has given you both his protection. They should back off then."

"Thank you again, Sir." Coraline smiled, fixing the cloak with a few deft ties. "You've been so kind. Is there anything we can do for you in turn?"

"Ah..." The soldier reached up to rub his hair, a sheepish smile on his face. "I'd hate to impose, but perhaps a chance to meet your beautiful daughter under better circumstances? My intentions are honorable, I promise! You can chaperone us, good woman, if it makes her less nervous. I just want to get know her better." Marcus gasped in stunned surprise! What the hell was this guy after?

"We'll see how she feels tomorrow." Coraline replied, not even sounding shocked. Was she expecting this? And that hadn't even been a no! In fact by the way Castus was grinning he thought he had a chance! "Good night, Sir." With that, the maid opened the door to her house and gently dragged the stunned Marcus through. The door slammed shut behind them, and finally the young prince was alone with the woman he desperately needed to get some answers out of.