by R. C. Rutter
He moved his hand forward again but was careful not to actually touch the blade. Holding his hand over the blade, he moved it back and forth. It was extremely cold.
”Ah ha!” My theory was right. Get something so cold and it would burn. Never thought I would be able to actually prove it.”
Alexander tore off a piece of cloth and covered his hand. Grabbing the sword with the cloth, he could feel the coldness permeate his hand. It began to burn and he had to let go. The sword shattered into a thousand pieces as it hit the ground.
The loud sound caught the attention of the soldiers who were closest to Alexander. They started yelling and scrambled to get their remaining swords and shields. They waited until several were ready and began running towards him.
Alexander was not waiting around to explain. He ran for his horse and leaped for the saddle. Kicking his heels the horse took off and Alexander saw the soldiers being quickly left in the dust.
He turned his attention to the front of the horse and the path that lay ahead. It was blocked.
There was a dead body laying there. From the color of the armor, Alexander knew it was Percy.
Standing over the body was a wolf, staring straight at Alexander. Fangs fully extended, snarling and growling.
Alexander slowed his horse down, trying to give himself time to decide what to do. Face angry and scared soldiers behind him or a wolf in front. He looked back at the soldiers then directly at the wolf. The wolf was now running directly at him.
He had to make a choice, fight the wolf or fight the soldiers. He could make it all the way to the soldiers before the wolf caught him. He kept turning his head, looking in both directions. Either direction was trouble. Being an engineer, he had to quantify the choices. He knew if the wolf did not kill him immediately, the poison certainly would. The soldiers were so psyched up that they would tear him apart without asking any questions.
Alexander debated with himself about what to do but time was running short. Either way, it was time for a battle. He pulled out his sword and charged.
* * *
Seth looked at Eric. “Now what?”
“What are you looking at me for? Just because I am a wizard does not mean that I have all the answers!” Eric was clearly agitated.
Seth looked disappointed. “Well, what are we going to do now?”
Eric took a deep breath and slowly released it. “If you thought anything we have been through has been dangerous, think again. What lies ahead I wish it didn’t. Come boy, destiny awaits.”
Eric raised his arms up and held the staff over his head. That was the signal that he needed everyone’s attention. They all gathered around silently. Eric paused and looked at each of them for a few seconds before he moved his gaze onto the next.
“I need to remember what and who you are so words of your deeds can be passed down to your succeeding generations. I am afraid, very afraid. The tree people have informed us that the Queen left and is outside the cave. They have received word that she is on her way to meet the Royal Army. Since she does not possess a formidable army of her own, I can only surmise that she wants to align herself with her enemy, in this case, for the sole purpose of defeating us. If she joins forces with the demons, it is over, we will have lost everything.”
Eric let his shoulders slump and his face looked worn.
“Alas” Eric continued. “Politics and wars make for strange bedfellows. Let us hope that the army rejects her proposal.
Seth cleared his throat “What if we split up? You know, half travels with Gweneviere, the others with Lydia.”
“I had considered that but it would make us too weak. We do have to consider the prophecy which says that the daughter must return to the King. Since we now have two young girls, I think it would be prudent that both reach the destination alive. I am not willing to choose which one should make it because I would probably choose the wrong one. Then we would really be in trouble. No, it is best we stay together.”
* * *
The Queen was walking straight down the middle of the path. She was moving at a quick pack. Her hair was flowing behind her as she created her own breeze. The dress was flapping with the wind and her tiara was glinting in the sunlight. She carried the wand in her left hand while the sword was in her right. She was not saying anything but totally focused on moving as fast as she could considering that she was not traveling alone which slowed down the progress. Her stride was long as to be expected since she was the tallest one of the group.
Sacco and Vincente, with their short legs, were struggling to keep pace. Their legs, while stout, were not meant for such a long stride. They were almost running and were breathing heavily.
Following behind the three were the remnants of the soldiers that had been led by Captain Artemus. Not one soldier was saying a word. They dare not for fear of what the Queen would do.
The Queen began waving her hand in a circular motion. Sacco and Vincente had seen her do this before to ward off any magic that might be near. This made the Queen feel safe and protected. She knew that she must appear strong and formidable to convince the Royal Army to align with her. If she appeared weak, the soldiers would be frightened to align with her as they already knew they were not strong enough to fight the demons. There was no doubt that the demons would certainly attack any enemy except one of great power. The Queen knew she must exude that power to join forces.
The Queen began to slow her pace, much to the delight of Sacco and Vincente. They were gasping for air and their throats were dry from breathing so heavily.
“Mistress, are we getting close?” Sacco managed to grunt.
The Queen didn’t answer but tilted her head sideways a little as if she was listening for something or someone. She made no acknowledgement that anyone had even spoken to her. Her pace continued to slow until she stopped walking completely. She was still moving her arms around but did so with a more forceful motion.
“Something…..someone…….I can feel it …..THERE….GO NOW…..YOU TWO….ATTACK…..KILL !”
The Queen had stopped her left arm from moving and was pointing directly at the trees. With her right arm, she pointed at Sacco and Vincente and then at the woods. They knew exactly what to do.
Out of breath and with sore legs, Sacco and Vincente gave chase to whatever was there. They entered the woods and heard a commotion before them. Leaping over tree trunks and brushing past foliage, they drew their small swords and prepared for battle.
“Just up ahead. I heard them there!” Vincente managed to say between breaths. “They can’t be too far.”
Sacco looked at the ground for any signs of movement. He found a small set of animal tracks, too small to be a threat, and two sets of what looked like human prints. “Found the trail” Sacco yelled back.
Vincente moved to get closer to Sacco since he had the trail. They picked up speed as the excitement of the chase made them forget all about their sore lungs and legs.
The tracks abruptly vanished.
“Can’t…be…..tracks….just…don’t….disappear…..” Sacco had stopped and was getting light-headed from all the heavy breathing. He tried to focus his vision but felt very woozy. “I….think…..”
Vincente, breathing heavily, looked at the crumbled heap that lay in front of him. Sacco had passed out and collapsed. “Wow, what a lightweight!”
Vincente was focused on watching his comrade and listening to his own breathing. He was oblivious to everything happening around him. All the heavy breathing was masking the sounds of the forest and he did not hear the sound of the animal until it was upon him.
As experienced woodsmen, they knew the dangers that lie within. As he drifted back into consciousness, he looked down and smiled at the little kitten. “Hello, little kitty, what’s your name?”
The little kitten reared back, exposing fangs and claws.
“Ah, that’s cute!”
* * *
Edward was leading the way down the hill followed quickly by Arthur. T
hey were wasting no time getting out of sight. Arthur reached down as he ran and grabbed the knapsack while Edward lunged and firmly grasped the kitten.
The hiss of the kitten was soon forgotten as they ran as fast as they could.
“That was weird. Too weird if you ask me.” Edward struggled to say.
“I though the dress was a brilliant idea” replied Arthur. “Never thought we would see someone walking in it, let alone somebody with an actual wand and some magical powers. After all, who else could have spotted us? We were well hidden.”
“Beats me! It didn’t bother me at all until she pointed at us and those two small men pulled out their daggers and gave chase.”
“Well, any ideas? We can’t run through the woods forever.”
“None, none at all.” The knapsack banged against Arthur’s leg. “Wait a minute; I think an idea has just come to me.”
Arthur reached into the knapsack and pulled out a large piece of cloth. The wind caught it as they ran but Arthur held on tight. The fabric was almost translucent, shimmering as it caught the light.
“What is it?” Edward wanted to know.
“Some kind of magic, it is cold to the touch.” Arthur pulled the fabric closer to his face to get a good look at it. The wind caught the edge and wrapped it around his face and shoulders.
Edward shrieked “Arthur?”
“What?” he answered perplexed. “I am right here.”
“Arthur? No, you are not. I can see your legs but from the waist up you are gone.”
“Something in your eye? I am right here? See?”
“That is exactly what I mean. I can’t see. I mean I can see the ground and trees, I can see part of the knapsack, but from the waist up, you are gone.”
“Hold on, let me move the cloth. Perhaps it is blocking your view.” Arthur pulled the fabric away from his face and smiled at Edward.
Edward just stared and could not say anything.
Arthur stopped running and reached out to stop Edward. “Shhh” was all he said as he wrapped the cloth around the two of them.
Edward started to protest but Arthur very abruptly put his hand over Edward’s mouth and held it shut tightly.
Their pursuers were less than fifty feet away now and closing in fast. Arthur tightened his grip on Edward as the chasers ran right past them, never even stopping for a second. They were about ten feet past them when one of them stopped and looked back for a second. Seeing nothing, he turned and kept running, following the footprints which ended abruptly.
Edward and Arthur watched the two of them halt suddenly. The one in front collapsed while the other just stood there as if he did not know what to do.
The kitten ran out from under the cloth. It went straight for the attacker, reared back, and exposed its fangs and claws.
Arthur yelled “Now” as the two of them lunged. They quickly subdued the distraught and confused swordsman. Both of the attackers were now bound and gagged and no longer posed a threat.
“Awesome” Arthur said very quietly. “This is going to come in real handy, especially when stealing fruit from the market.” He grinned.
Edward looked confused. “What just happened?”
“My dear boy, have you ever heard of the Magical Cloth of Ciendor?”
“No way, that is a fairy tale. You know, told over the centuries to get children to settle down and go to sleep.”
“Yeah, another fairy tale, just like the wolf is a fairy tale, too.”
“Oh snap! Disappear at will. Just think, no more chores if you can’t be found.”
“What about the Queen? She found us already? Will the cloth hide us from her?”
“I have no idea and I do not want to find out. Plus, we have better things to do.”
“Like what?”
Arthur grinned from ear to ear. “Feel like tormenting an army?”
* * *
Chapter 20
The King was soon over the top of the trees and making his way towards the Cave of Forlorn. He was feeling better. It would soon be the time when he would be able to know the whereabouts of his daughter.
It seemed like it was only a few years ago when his daughter was born. Holding her and looking into her eyes as she looked directly at him. He remembered how she would get very stiff when you first picked her up. It would be like picking up a small log until you pressed her face next to your neck. She would then sniff your neck and once she recognized the familiar scent, she would relax.
Life was so good then. Newly married, new baby, and his dad had just passed on the crown to him.
It seemed like nothing could go wrong and life was good, a storybook life.
Then reality hit and it hit hard.
The King let his mind wander and played the events over and over again in his head as he had done so often.
He was holding his weekly court where he heard the grievances of his subjects. One after another he heard their complaints. A missing bale of hay here, cattle getting sick for no apparent reason, a fence built upon a neighbor’s land. It was all routine with the subjects queuing up. All had been searched so there was no danger. His guards were nearby and were watching the drama unfold. Interesting at first, it became mundane week after week.
He remembered that there was a stranger in line. Easily picked out because of his attire, he was dressed completely in black. The guards were a little more attentive to him than the others but he had been searched for weapons so they were not alarmed.
It was then the stranger’s turn to speak. The stranger approached and refused to bow which agitated the guards. The King was busy signing papers and did not notice the insult. The guards approached the stranger and unsheathed their swords.
“Bow to the King and show respect!” the nearest guard demanded.
The stranger glanced ever so briefly at the guard and then turned his attention to the King “How much?”
“How much?” asked the King, looking up from his papers. “To what are you referring to?” The King held up his hand and made eye contact with the guard. The guard hesitated, waiting for the signal from the King.
“How much for your Queen and daughter?”
The uproar from the guards was instantaneous. They all approached, swords drawn, and had every intention of forcing the stranger to comply.
The King was off his throne and stepping quickly towards the stranger. He lifted up his right arm and the stranger felt his neck being squeezed hard. The soldiers hesitated, they knew if they touched the stranger, the magic would cascade through their bodies as well. That would hurt, they knew it, and none wanted to experience the pain.
“Care to elaborate on what you are referring to?” The King was now just a few feet away. He relaxed his hand which relaxed the stranger’s neck.
The stranger gasped for air trying to speak but it was barely audible “We have your Queen and daughter. Abdicate your throne and they shall live.”
“You know I can’t do that. Who are you? Where are they?”
The stranger strained to talk and motioned for the King to come closer. “I was hoping you would say that!” The stranger pulled a flower out of his pocket, placed it in his mouth, and began chewing it. His body convulsed as the life left his body.
The King was stunned. “Who would harm the Queen? And my daughter?” Tears were streaming down his cheeks. Who would take their own life just to deliver that message?”
The King regained his composure and yelled at his guards “The Queen is in the castle. FIND HER! AND MY DAUGHTER, FIND HER! Bring both of them here immediately!
The guards bolted from the throne room leaving the King behind with his subjects, unprotected. Several took up guard positions; such was the nature of living in the kingdom. Everyone helped wherever needed. It kept life in the kingdom relatively peaceful.
Peaceful, that is, until now.
The King was brought back to the present by the sound of a horn blowing.
* * *
The soldiers attacked just a
s Alexander expected. He knew he would not survive a wolf attack. At least this way, if the wolf attacked, there would be more than just him fighting back.
Alexander waited until the soldiers were almost beside him when he kicked his heels into the side of the horse. This was no time to be timid. The sudden burst of speed caught the soldiers by surprise and their weapons were not ready. The horse collided with a few of them as Alexander suffered a few cuts and bruises since he was not armored like the rest of the soldiers.
