by R. C. Rutter
“Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye” spoke Samuel. “The court has been duly summoned and it has been deemed that Bartholomew shall take the honorable role of Chief Justice. All ye gather and take heed.”
The clan members gathered in a circle around the prisoners, each facing the middle of the circle. Bartholomew stood up, walked over to the accused and sat down cross-legged in front of them. Samuel stood behind him. The clan members began walking in a clockwise circle, all the while facing inwards so that each one in turn could see the accused from the front as they circled the court.
Bartholomew raised both arms. “Hear ye, hear ye. The two of you have been charged. Sergeant-At-Arms, what are the charges?”
“Treason against the clan!”
“Be it so.” Bartholomew put his hands down and stuck his thumbs in his belt. “Whosoever will speak on their behalf, come, stand forward now, and prepare thyself to defend the accused and to join your reputation with theirs. If they are found guilty, so shall you!” He turned his head left and right but no one came forward. “Is there no one who will speak for the defense?”
Bartholomew patiently waited until the clan members made several complete rotations around the hearing. “Alas, it is done then. You have been accused and found guilty of treason. Fear not for your families for they shall perish with you. You have tarnished the names of your family members.”
“Sir!” snapped Samuel. “What is the punishment for such a crime?”
“The jury must speak it.”
Words started flowing from the circle, barely audible at first. “Hanging, death by sword, pit, hanging, pit, sword, sword, hanging, pit, pit” and it went on and on until all were saying ‘pit’ louder and louder.
When it was the only thing being heard, Bartholomew stood up and raised his arms until the group was silent. He opened his mouth “PIT!” and the group erupted in cheers.
Sacco and Vincente were set upon by the group and lifted into the air. Carrying them, the clan members kept on chanting ‘pit’ as they disappeared into the forest. Their chant could be heard for several more minutes until it finally faded.
“So, explain something to me” Eric asked out loud to no one in particular. “What just happened?”
Seth was the first to speak. “Guilty and being thrown into a pit? Doesn’t sound like much fun?”
Just as quickly as they disappeared, the clan emerged from the forest, laughing and joking with one another. Samuel and Bartholomew sat down on the big log near the fire.
Lydia sat down next to Samuel and Bartholomew and began eating her stew. “This is delicious.”
Bartholomew and Samuel gave an inquisitive look to each other. “How are you feeling today Lydia?” inquired Samuel.
Lydia was surprised they asked. “Oh, I feel fine. Thanks for asking.” She paused. “Is everything okay?” she asked, glancing back and forth between the two of them.
“Oh, yes” they said in unison.
Lydia resumed eating and did not pay them any attention. She did not realize that they kept looking at her, at her bowl, and not at all at each other. If she had, she would have thought it was strange behavior indeed.
* * *
“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” exclaimed Arthur as they released the birds.
“I thought you might like it” was the satisfied reply from Edward.
“In the dark of the night, they will never see the black crows. I can see it now, all of them standing there, out of their wits. They just got attacked by a kitten. Now they hear bells overhead. Gosh, I would love to have seen it happen.
There was an unexpected rustle in the leaves so both of them grabbed their swords. They froze, listening for what it could be. In a moment, they heard the kitten purring.
Edward picked up the kitten and the purring got louder. He noticed blood on the claws. “Dangerous one you are. Tell me, what have you done?” He lifted the kitten and held it up to his face, looking directly into the kitten’s eyes. “Did you scare the big soldiers?” As he focused on the eyes, he noticed that he could not see his reflection. In fact, he could not see anything at all. It was like looking at two pools of oil, so dark and deep they were. He thought he saw the kitten wink.
Edward began to get nervous and put the kitten down. He bent over transfixed.
“Edward? Are you okay?”
“Arthur. I think we had best be really nice to the little kitty. This is not your average cat.”
“Nonsense, watch this.” Arthur picked up a twig with a few leaves on the end and shook it in front of the kitten. The kitten’s eyes grew large as he pounced, extending its claws. In less than a second, the branch was torn to pieces.
The kitten started purring again and rubbing against Arthur’s leg.
Edward and Arthur looked at each other with their eyes wide open.
“I see what you mean” whispered Arthur.
The kitten looked up at them and purred even louder.
* * *
Chapter 18
The group was settling in for the night when Malcolm bolted upright. “Someone is coming.” He laid right back down.
Seth was perplexed. “Malcolm, you are surely losing it. First it is the trees, now this. I swear, when we get back, I am going to have you committed to a mental hospital.”
“Shhh” called Eric softly. “Something IS out there.”
The arrow from Lydia’s bow found its target and she quickly followed with her swords drawn. Robald was right on her heels. He was determined that no one was ever going to hurt his sweetheart. It became a race to see who got there first.
Thorgon stood shaking his head. “I do believe those two were meant for one another. Surely I do.”
Eric pulled out his staff and lit the area. They could see two figures returning from the woods. One small, one tall, and dragging someone or something between them. Well, it was more like Robald was doing the dragging and Lydia was there for moral support. Whatever is was, it was in pain. They could hear the sobbing and groans. It did not help any that Robald was dragging it over rocks.
“Come on” called Thorgon. “At least, elevate it a little, can’t question the spy if it is a dead spy.”
“Not worth lifting” was the quick reply. Robald lifted his arm into the air and released the baggage. It flew through the air towards them and the group scattered. The body hit the ground hard and rolled, tumbling as it did so. The screams grew in intensity. When it stopped, Gweneviere was the first to approach.
“Oh snapfish, I thought it was something good. Turns out it is a load of I don’t know what.” She leaned over. “Shall I eat you?”
Cerberus looked up with fear in his eyes. Gweneviere thought she filled the creature with fear and was quite proud of herself until she took a step back and realized that Lydia was pointing an arrow directly at his head.
“Mercy me, mercy me” Cerberus shrieked. “I am a friend, remember? I will do you no harm.”
Lydia pulled the arrow back further and prepared to let it go. “I wounded you so that we might interrogate you. Spying on us, shame on you. If I had known it was you, you would be dead now. Why should you live?”
Cerberus’ eyes were emblazoned with fear. “Mistress, please don’t kill me. The creature serves Mistress.
“Where have you been?” came the question from Erica. “Don’t toy with me. I am out of patience with you.”
“No, no, nowhere, fell asleep I did. That is where I was. Saw nothing. Know nothing.”
Erica lifted her wand and the pain shot through his body.
“Ahhhhhhhhh, please Queen, the creature knows nothing. I only serve you. I am your loyal subject.”
The pain abruptly stopped as fast as it began. He opened his eyes and looked about. All were silent as their eyes were transfixed on him.
“I am your friend. You can trust me.”
Erica lifted her wand. “I am not your Queen!”
Cerberus realized what he had said and he started to protest but it was too late
. He could feel his body being thrown into the air and felt the puncture of the arrow. It seemed like it was taking forever to fall back to the ground. He landed with a thud and lost consciousness.
“Well, so much for friendship” whispered Thorgon. “What shall we do with him? He is too dangerous to release.”
Bartholomew spoke “Perhaps the pit would suffice?”
“No” said Eric. He knows these caves better than he lets on, best not to let him out of our sight. He is powerless right now. I say we keep him tied up until we come up with a better plan. Obviously the Queen has some use for him.”
“Spying is what I say” exclaimed Lydia. “And you know, we kill spies” she said as she drew two fingers across her throat.
Robald was beaming and punched Thorgon in the arm “That’s MY GIRL!”
“Bartholomew. Samuel. Any chance you could find out what the Queen is up to?”
They both nodded. “We can make inquiries. Might take a day or so but we should be able to find out something.
Shabb walked over and sniffed the two little men. He did not attack but turned away and slowly walked off.
“Well, it seems Shabb approves” said Eric.
Bartholomew and Samuel disappeared into the woods.
“Best to get some sleep, I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day” said Eric.
* * *
The Queen took off her shoe and threw it against the wall. “Where is everyone?” She walked over to the washing bowl, lifted it, and flung it at her housekeeper. “WELL! What are YOU looking at?” she demanded.
The housekeeper did not look up but kept her eyes fixated on the floor. She knew it was best not to face the wrath.
“Go find my troops. Where could they be? I sent them on a simple mission, find the one with the magic, and find the threat to my kingdom. I have worked too long and too hard to just give it up now.”
She turned and walked back to her throne. “It took me years to kill King Lorne and I did it all myself. No help from anyone. Not anyone. And my brothers? Huh! Did they offer to help? DID THEY? OF COURSE NOT! Too busy with their own agenda. Too busy to help their sister.”
She flopped into the throne and sat back.
“The King was old. He was feeble, all this wealth and nothing to show for it, just some happy campers in the forest. He did not care about the gold, cared nothing for the diamonds. Now, it is all MINE I tell you! ALL MINE! And NO ONE is going to deny me! NO ONE!” She was sitting fully upright now. “I shall NOT let them.”
The Queen was up and pacing back and forth. “I have become complacent. Too often relying on others to do what I should have been doing all along.”
She stopped walking and closed her mouth, deep in thought. It was then she noticed that one of her servants had returned. He was on his knees, bowing in front of her with outstretched arms. An envelope was held at arm’s length.
She snatched it and turned it over. The envelope was sealed with wax. She recognized the crest and knew from where it came.
“Rubbish I tell you. Now they want MY help?” She threw the envelope into the fireplace and turned her back to it.
The envelope floated out of the fireplace and landed at her feet.
She did it again, this time wrapping the envelope around a candle holder and tossing it directly into the fire. She watched it burn for a few seconds and once satisfied it was destroyed, she turned her back only to find the envelope once again at her feet.
“ENOUGH OF THIS!” she screamed. She raised both arms and thrust them at the envelope which vanished in a puff of smoke.
“Fetch me my horse.”
No sooner had she issued the command then she was mounted on her horse. She departed quickly by herself, leaving behind her escort. The Queen knew she was always safe inside her kingdom and once outside, her escort could not protect her anyway.
The Queen did not go directly to the kingdom entrance but instead took a detour. After several hours she reached her first destination.
“I summon all,
Who took the great fall,
Strong of spirit and nerve,
Those who still wish to serve.”
She took a few steps back and waited. Two figures gradually appeared before her.
“What? This is it? Is there no one else? What cowards!” The Queen was clearly agitated.
Sacco and Vincente stood there looking at one another, not sure what to say.
Sacco finally spoke. “Mistress, you summoned us and here we are. I cannot speak for the others. We were not allowed to talk in the pit. The only way to communicate is through hand gestures. You have to be very careful, if you are caught….”
“Well, to say I am disappointed would be an understatement. Have I really been that bad of a Queen that only two out of hundreds would willingly serve me?”
Sacco and Vincente knew better than to answer that question. At least, they thought, they were out of the pit. The rest could be dealt with later.
“Very well, then. Come let us go.”
“Mistress, if I may be so bold. Where are we going?” asked Vincente.
The Queen stopped dead in her tracks. She started to say something but thought better of it. “We are either going to stop a war or start it. I have not a clue as to which it will be. It should not matter to you; after all, you will soon be dead.”
Sacco reached over and slapped Vincente. “Told you” he said softly, “we should have stayed in the pit.”
“I could not tell what you were saying with your hands. Maybe a few lessons would help. Sticking your thumbs in the air could mean a lot of things.”
The Queen lifted her arm and with a quick whoosh, the cave opening lay directly ahead of them. Captain Artemus shrieked at the surprised appearance of the Queen.
“Really?” questioned the Queen. “A shriek coming from their leader, how utterly reassuring. I am glad my messenger reached you and that you agreed. Are your soldiers ready?”
“Yes ma’am. We serve at your command.”
“Good, the first thing we need to do is to make sure your soldiers understand who is in charge.”
Captain Artemus bowed his head and held out his sword for the Queen to take.
“Oh, I think we need to do a little better than that.”
The Queen raised her arm and Captain Artemus froze and then disintegrated into dust.
“There, that should do it” she said smiling. “Gee, anyone else have any questions or thoughts? Hmmmm?”
The soldiers refused to make a sound.
“Very well, then. Shall we be on our way?” she said sweetly. The Queen motioned for all of them to follow her. “Come quickly, we have an army of 5,000 to meet.”
* * *
Edward opened his eyes and blinked at the bright sunshine. He did not remember falling asleep. His chest felt warm as he realized the kitten was snuggled right next to him.
Arthur had the knapsack in his hand and was pulling items out of it.
Edward sat up much to the displeasure of the kitten who hissed. “Sorry kitty.” Realizing what he just did, Edward reached and scratched the ears of the kitten which began purring. “Let’s just make sure you are always a happy kitty, shall we?”
Arthur was pulling more items from the knapsack and finally finished. Edward walked over to see what they had.
“A dress? Tiara? Wig? Sword? Wand?” Edward was perplexed.
“Hey, don’t look at me” Arthur answered to a question that was not asked. “I didn’t request this stuff. You know we just reach in and take whatever is there and what we pull out is exactly what we need.”
“I think the bag is malfunctioning. Well, what do you suppose we are to do with it?” inquired Edward.
“I dunno. And don’t get any ideas. I am NOT wearing it!”
“Hey, me neither!” Edward looked at the kitten who hissed. “Well, that is three no’s. Now what?”
“Quit asking me. I don’t know. How do we scare 5,000 soldiers with a dress?”
“You put it on. I have seen your legs, pretty scary if you ask me.” Edward smirked.
