Happy birthday. That's what my dad would say to me this morning. I'm fifteen now, I've been stuck here for six months. I've read through all the books Markus has brought me at least twenty times. He's brought me more books which I am thankful for.

     He was able to tell me more about the war that was going on. My dad's okay, although over a hundred men have died. I feel so bad for all those that have died for me, to save me.

     I was eating the food Markus brought me, when suddenly he ran down, his eyes were frantic. I stood up and stared at him. he took out the keys and opened the door cell. He rushed in.

     "Alex come on, we have to go, now!" he exclaimed, he handed me my sword and grabbed my arms, and he started pulling me towards the door.

     "What's wrong?" I asked.

     "My father is planning to kill you!" Markus answered, "We have to get you out of here! Now!"

     I grabbed my journal and the letter from my dad.

     "Aren't you going to get in trouble?" I asked.

     "I don't care," Markus replied, "I'm not going to see you get hurt."

     As we made our way from the dungeons, Markus put a silk black cape over my head, so I could see, but not be seen. I saw the castle for the first time. It was huge, the floor was marbled gold. There were gold chandeliers. There were vases of flowers everywhere, guards were patrolling the halls, and only one stopped us.

     "Prince Markus, who might this be?" the guard asked.

     "This Benjamin is an old friend of mine, one I haven't seen in a long time. And if you would be so kind as not to stop us next time that would be great. Thank you." Markus lied.

     The guard nodded nervously and moved forward.

     "You could've been nicer to him," I whispered.

     "I didn't want him trying to see who you were," Markus told me.

     "Thanks," I replied.

     As he was leading me through the castle I heard fighting from outside. We arrived outside and he took me toward the stables. We entered inside and he showed me a horse.

     "Here let's take this one," he said.

     "What about you? This is your home." I replied, "You can just leave them behind."

     "My father's a jerk. I was planning to leave before you came, I decided to wait because I didn't want to see you get hurt." Markus explained, "That's why I'm leaving."

     Suddenly an alarm blared. And screaming commenced.

     "The prince! He's gone!" a guard yelled.

     "Over there! I see them! Quick!" another screamed.

     "Let's go!" Markus exclaimed, "We have to make it past the gates otherwise we'll be caught!"

     Markus and I climbed onto the horse and rode through the gate, I looked back and saw guards chasing us. Markus made the horse go faster and I almost fell off. The guards were gaining on us. We saw the gates start to close, it was almost closed but we were able to get through, I was free!