|
Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Nov 22, 2007 2:11:10 GMT -5
Katrana went on with her interrogation, but Copper hardly took any interest. She answered the questions numbly. Yes, of course she knew of the existence of the Brotherhood. No, she wasn’t in their councils. No, she didn’t know what they were planning. Yes, the Defias base was hidden in the Dagger Hills in southern Westfall. No, she didn’t know the exact number of her da’s troops. It was impossible to estimate. Yes, there was a secret entrance in the derelict Westfall town of Moonbrook. It was hidden in the barn just south of the old fountain… The questions droned on and on. Copper answered mechanically, but she was miles away. She wasn’t in the prison wing at all. She was a frightened girl sitting up in bed, listening to the sound of her parents fighting outside her room. The muffled crash of something heavy and wooden made her jump and pull the covers to her face. She just stared at the door, too afraid to call out. Straining her ears, she listened to the desperate scuffling noises. It was close, maybe even just outside her door. Young Ina held her breath and prayed to the Light for ma or da to come and find her, to make the noises stop. And maybe her prayers were answered, because suddenly there was a strange cry, something like a laugh, only too slow and too sad. Then it stopped, and everything was quiet. After a while, Ina found the courage to call out for her ma, but ma didn’t come. She would never come.
When Katrana was finished asking questions about the Resistance, she began to ask about Copper herself. She wanted to know everything; how Copper learned to fight, whom she had killed, whom she had loved, and what she done with her life. Katrana poured over the details of Copper’s flight from Westfall, and combed through her relationship and adventurers with Robbyn. Copper, her body broken, answered weakly and haltingly. She offered no resistance; the fuel that had fed her, that belief that had given her life meaning, was gone and with it had left her strength. She faded into a half-waking state as the hours passed. She felt nothing. Even the physical pain of her broken body faded. Nothing mattered. She just wanted to sleep and never wake up. But Prestor did not give her the mercy of death. When she was finally done, she simply said, “The Mayor has asked for dispensation to hang you, and see no reason to deny him, seeing on how you have been so obedient. Goodbye Ina.” Then she kissed Copper on the forehead, smoothed her dress and walked back into the prison antechamber. As the wooden door swung shut, the two torches on either side, which had blazed brightly throughout the torture and interrogation, suddenly went out, snuffed out like candles.
Some time later, Pecker and Come On came and took Copper down and laid her out on the stone slab that was her bed. The pain of moving woke her, but she said nothing. They wrapped up her chest with bandages, and treated her as gentle as they could, almost like they were sorry. They didn’t even cuff her. When the pain faded, Copper let the darkness take her.
In the morning, Come On brought Copper her last meal. She hadn’t known it was morning, of course, but he told her. He had managed to get her all her favourites. Rare steak, a baked potato with thick sour cream and butter, butted rolls, peas, and even a bottle of cherry grog. He even brought her a bowl of some iced cream. He said it was a local treat made by a gnome inventor who lived up the hill. He helped her drink the grog, which burned her insides and numbed the pain somewhat. She wasn’t hungry, and it hurt like a bitch to even get propped up, but he insisted she eat something, so she tried the iced cream. It was cold. She couldn’t really taste anything. Then, after she had stared at the plate a while, he asked if she wanted a priest. She just shook her head, no. She didn’t feel like talking. Not long after that, Althea, the Commander of the Night Watch, showed up with a troop of Watchers to take Copper up. The Commander was obviously shocked to see the Copper’s sorry state. She cut into the prison guards, but pretty soon found out who it was had messed Copper up. Then she just shut up. Copper lay there waiting for it to be over. She felt Althea’s eyes upon her, but she didn’t even bother to look over. Finally, the Commander herself came over and manacled Copper’s wrists and legs. She ordered the guards to help Copper up the stairs and outside. It was slow going, as Copper had to stop and rest every few steps, but she just kept telling herself just a few more steps and it would all be over. At last she emerged from the Town Hall and stood at the top of the steps, blinking back the pale light of the Duskwood morning.
|
|
|
Post by Fechak on Nov 22, 2007 14:12:04 GMT -5
((Great buildup man!! Still jumping on every installment, keep it up.))
|
|
|
Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Nov 24, 2007 18:40:24 GMT -5
A Coward's Tale - Chapter 15
In anticipation of a large turnout, the Mayor had brought out one of the long tables from inside the Town Hall and had set up court in the town square. He was right about attendance; it looked that the entire population of the town and surrounding area had come out to watch. People had started to arrive the day prior, and even when informed that the trial was postponed, some just stayed on, hoping for a glimpse of the Lady Prestor or marking out a place for themselves in the square. By dawn, the cobblestone square was full and the scene took on a carnival air. Shop vendors set up tables around the edges and hawked their wares, children dashed between legs laughing and playing, and notwithstanding the early hour, more than one spectator held a mug of ale or bottle of homebrew in their hands. The windows of the surrounding houses were thrown open and full of spectators as well; Robbyn was sure that more that just Innkeeper Firebrew was charging for the pleasure of viewing the trial and hanging from the comfort of an elevated chair. A ring of Wardens was stationed around the gallows, and every once and a while a shout was heard as they kept the crowd back. No one seemed to be listening. Truth to be told, the effort was half-hearted. Mostly, the guards just stared up at the hangman’s noose in anticipation. Robbyn tried to ignore them all. It turned his stomach to see them so eager to see the macabre “entertainment” played out.
Ebonlocke sat behind the table dressed in his finest three-piece suit. His monocle caught and reflected the morning light like a glass eye, giving his face a slightly demented appearance. On either side of him the Councillors sat, dressed in black and looking across at the crowd with stony faces. Only Role seemed to have the decency to look a little squeamish at the prospect of condemning a woman to death. Daltry was the same as ever. His clerk’s table had been carried outside and placed in front of the council, and he sat scribbling notations in this book. The only difference was the frequency with which he dabbed his feather pen for ink. Ink dried more quickly out-of-doors.
The only place where there was any standing room was on the north side of the square, where folks gave a wide berth to Lady Prestor’s great white coach and her royal guard. Unsatisfied by the humble seating arrangements offered her by the Mayor, she had chosen to have it brought out and positioned so that she might watch from within the comfort of its velvet interior. She had changed into a dazzling black silk dress that flowed around and through the red velvet cushions surrounding her like liquid ebony. Her royal guard stood silent and vigilant around her carriage, but there was hardly any need for them. Though everyone looked and talked about the visiting Lady, no one dared step too close.
Vatorio stood in the shadow of the gallows, draped in his clerical robes and chains, and holding his great iron-shod staff in both hands. Robbyn refused to look at him. Vatorio had refused to help. In fact, they had hardly spoken two words to each other since Robbyn had declared his allegiance to Copper. Vatorio he had just run off to bend the knee to her Ladyship without a backward glance, and had spent the day with the Mayor’s crowd, doting on her. Not only had Vato refused to leave, Robbyn had overheard him volunteering to perform last rites and lay a blessing upon “the condemned.” After the implications of the fire had set in, Robbyn had tried desperately to see Copper and to tell her that the plea bargain with Ebonlocke was probably useless, but he had been categorically refused. Lady Prestor herself had apparently insisted that there should be no further visitors to the prison. When the Mayor also refused to see Robbyn, he gave up, and just snuck off and shared the news with Hatch. The grizzled warrior had had a few choice words to say about the unexpected presence of the royal guard, but he was actually eager to hear that Lady Prestor was in Darkshire, and insisted that it might work to their advantage. To Robbyn it changed nothing. His job was just to get the sword into Copper’s hand and then cover her as she cut their way out of town. Hatch would take care of everything else.
Blind Eva was probably the only person who had remained away. Even Cholla had come, though he stood apart from the crowd and alone in the entrance of the narrow passageway leading to the healer’s house. Apparently, he had forgone his usual preference of bare skin and dressed up for the occasion. He wore odd, multicoloured, leather armour draped over his shoulders and strapped to his legs, and fur-covered boots. Animal pelts and coloured stones hung around his neck, and upon his back was a large diamond-shaped shield, framed out of strange Stranglethorn wood and covered with painted leather.
Robbyn stood near to the makeshift council table, waiting. He was fully clad in armour but for his helm, which was hung ready at his waist. Beneath his armour, Copper’s blade pressed against his skin and spread that now familiar ache through his chest. It was certainly unpleasant but did not frighten him. Something about the enchantment fed his emptiness, making the idea of killing normal, even reasonable. With an effort, he forced himself to remain focused.
Finally, the doors of the Town Hall opened, and Commander Althea led Copper out. Robbyn’s breath caught in his chest at the sight of the woman he loved; or, rather, what was left of her. She evidently could not walk on her own, and not because of the manacles on her feet. To all intents and purposes, she was lifted and carried forward by the prison guards standing next to her. Her leathers were gone and she was barely dressed. The largest covering over her skin was actually provided by first aid bandages, which bound and wrapped up her chest. Her face was a purple and grossly swollen mess. And there was something else wrong, something missing. She stood blinking dazedly in the sunlight and Robbyn realized what it was; someone had roughly cut her beautiful hair and it stood out from her head at odd angles.
“What have you done to her?” Robb said, turning on the Mayor.
Ebonlocke turned his calculating eyes to Robbyn, but did not answer. Instead, he nodded to Daltry, who quickly jumped to his feet and shouted over the excited murmurings of the crowd, “Order! Order! Court in session!” A hushed silence settled over the assembly. All eyes were on Copper as she was slowly led down the stairs and brought before the Mayor. Robbyn wanted to run to her, to take her broken body in his arms, but his legs would not respond. All he could do was stare at her in shock and horror. The woman he knew was beaten and fled, replaced by someone without spirit or strength. And if Copper was aware of his presence, she gave no sign. She did not even lift her head, just stood where they put her, and stared at the ground.
Ebonlocke lifted a scroll, unrolled it, and began to speak in a loud and clear voice. “This court has been convened by the Council of Darkshire, graciously granted its authority to govern under the laws of his Majesty King Anduin Wrynn, and entrusted with keeping the King’s peace. Now therefore, Mrs. Evelin Parker, you have been summoned to stand and give account under oath, and answer to the following charges. Firstly,” Ello cleared his throat dramatically, and continued. “That you did, in full knowledge of your actions, and with deliberate intent, on the fourth day, of the ninth month, of this twelfth year of his Majesty’s reign, perpetrate bodily assault upon the person of the Mayor of Darkshire. This crime has not been answered. How do you plead?”
Copper mumbled something.
“What was that?” Ebonlocke asked.
The prison guard beside Copper spoke up. “She said guilty, Milord.”
A buzz went through the crowd, as people passed the news along. The Mayor held up his hand for silence, and called out, “A plea of guilty is entered!” When the crowd settled down, he continued, “Second, that you did, in full knowledge of your actions, and with deliberate intent, on the fourth day, of the ninth month, of this twelfth year of his Majesty’s reign, perpetrate mischief by damaging and destroying the heritage window within the Town Hall. This crime has not been answered. How do you plead?”
Copper mumbled an answer. Again the guard translated, “Guilty, Milord.”
“Mrs. Parker, you must speak up to be heard,” Ebonlocke criticized, but he nodded to the clerk and reported again to the assembly in his carrying voice, “A plea of guilty is entered!” The Clerk scribbled away.
Just reading the charges took a long time. Ebonlocke proceeded to catalogue all of the guards that Copper had assaulted when she was captured, each as a separate charge, as well as the charge of resisting arrest. It was quite a long list. One of the charges was even described as “aggravated” assault, which Robbyn took to be worse from the Mayor’s scathing tone. On its reading, a woman broke from the crowd, hurled curses at Copper for what she had done to her husband and their family, and spat on the ground. Copper did not even react. As time passed, the crowd became restless. Robbyn noticed that in the chronology of events, the charge regarding the murders should have come first. Evidently, Ebonlocke was content to make the people wait, playing out the drama for maximum effect. Finally, the litany of charges drew to a close. The Mayor cleared his throat, and then began to slowly and clearly read the charge that everyone had come to hear. “…that you did, in full knowledge of your actions, and with deliberate intent, on the third day, of the ninth month, of this twelfth year of his Majesty’s reign, perpetrate the dreadful murder of Ambassador Derrald Heirich and with him, Julia Thayer. This crime has not been answered. How do you plead?”
Copper stood silent a moment, and then slowly lifted her head. The whole town appeared to hold its breath. Robbyn had to act; he had waited too long already. With clenched fists, he stepped forward and placed stood between Copper and the council table. All eyes turned on him. A ripple of whispers washed through the crowd.
Ello narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Master Jonathan, you have something to say?”
Robbyn was suddenly sweating profusely. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Ello tapped his fingers on the table impatiently. After a minute, he snapped at Althea, “Take him aside. Do I have to charge him with obstructing this court?”
Althea bristled, but stepped forward. When she reached Robbyn, she said placed her hand on his arm to lead him away and said gently, “Come on Robbyn. Nothing you can do here.”
Robbyn began to shake with frustration. Why was his mouth forever his curse? He turned his eyes on Copper and sent a silent plea to her for strength, but she just stared forward blankly. Althea’s pull upon his arm increased in strength, and Robbyn took a single step before the words final burst out, “I think…Evelin…should have someone to speak for her.” All he could manage was a whisper, but the words were out. He sighed with relief.
Althea stopped and stared at him like he had two heads. The Mayor appeared to reading the scroll on the table in front of him, but his silky voice cut through them. “Commander, is something the matter?”
Althea turned back the council. “Jonathan has asked to speak for the prisoner,” she reported.
Ello’s head snapped up and he rounded on Robbyn. “Is this true?”
Robbyn nodded, and then managed, “Yes.”
Robbyn could see the wheels turning in Ebonlocke’s mind. After a moment, he said, “Has the prisoner asked for your assistance in the matter?”
Robbyn looked again at Copper, but she did not look at him. He approached her, and whispered, “Tell him yes.” She turned her eyes on him, but it was like she was no longer there. Robbyn looked to the prison guards supporting her, and something in his eyes seemed to make them blanche. “Give her to me,” he said, slowly and quietly. Surprisingly, they obeyed, and then stepped back.
Robbyn held her in his arms like a priceless vase. Her breathing was shallow and laboured, but she did not struggle. “Copper, listen to me,” he whispered. “Victor is dead. There is no deal. No plea bargain. This is my fault, and I need to try to prove you innocent. Just tell them…tell them I can answer for you.”
Copper seemed to be delirious. “All this time. I never knew…” she muttered.
From behind Robbyn, Ello’s voice carried over the assembly. “I think this court has been more than patient. Master Jonathan, do we have an answer?”
Robbyn’s whispers became more urgent. “Copper, I…I don’t know what they did to you, but you need to be strong. We can still get you out of this. I have your sword with me…and Hatch is coming.” Copper’s eyes wandered off to Ebonlocke while Robbyn was speaking. He moved himself in the way. “Copper! I wont let anyone touch you. I promise. Just let me prove you innocent.”
“An answer, Master Jonathan.” Ello’s tone was sharp and final.
Robbyn turned back and faced the court. “Yes,” he lied. “She has asked me to speak for her.”
Ello paused, and his eyes travelled over to the Lady Prestor’s carriage. Robbyn could not see if there was a silent exchange between Prestor and Ebonlocke, but after a moment the Mayor smiled like he had lemons in his mouth and said, “Very well. Let it never be said that Darkshire does not uphold the King’s law.” He looked meaningfully over at Commander Althea before turning back to Robbyn, “You have heard the charge. Murder most foul on two counts. How does Mrs. Parker plead?”
Robbyn took a breath to answer, but before Robbyn could, Copper light voice carried to the Mayor. “Guilty,” she answered. Her voice was flat and expressionless.
It took a moment for the mayor to realize that she had accepted the charge. He opened his mouth as if to begin to call witnesses, and then turned back to Copper. “What was that?”
Robbyn stared at Copper in horror. “Copper, no. Don’t do this,” he urged. “You know you are innocent!”
“Guilty,” she repeated, more strongly. Turning her face to Robbyn, her eyes came into focus, and Robbyn saw in them bottomless fathoms of grief. “Let me go, Robb,” she said, quietly. “I’m done.”
Ello was on his feet. He held up his hands to the assembled crowd and spoke in a loud voice. “We have an answer from the accused. To the charge of murder within our town, a plea of guilty!”
The crowd cheered. Robbyn stood in the middle of the roar of the crowd like a man caught within a raging flood. He shouted, “She’s innocent! She’s innocent!” but no one listened.
Ebonlocke gave the crowd plenty of time to enjoy themselves. The Council “deliberations” consisted of Clerk Daltry taking the scroll to each council member so that they could affix their signature to the paper. Then, when the cheering started to die down, the Mayor held up the scroll in his hand for silence. When he had quiet, he read out the Order, “Having heard the charges, and having received a plea of guilty on all counts, by the power vested in me under the law, I hereby condemn Mrs. Evelin Parker to be hung by the neck until she is dead, on this tenth day, of the ninth month, of this twelfth year in his Majesty’s reign. May the Light have mercy upon you.”
|
|
|
Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Nov 25, 2007 15:49:13 GMT -5
The two jailors approached Robbyn and gently tried to pry Copper from his fingers, but he was a strong man and would not let go. With a guttural sound, he moved his body in the way. They jumped back. Somewhere deep within Robb it felt like a match had been lit, a smouldering fuse lit and chasing its way to a cask of dwarven boomstick powder.
Commander Althea approached, warily. She had not drawn her sword, but there was a dangerous look in her eyes. Clearly, she would use force if she had to. Very calmly, she said, “Jonathan, calm down. You heard the judgment. Now, no one is asking you to like it, but Mrs. Parker needs to go now. Watcher Merant and Watcher Crabtree are going to take him from you…”
“No!” Robbyn growled.
Althea’s hand was on her sword. “Jonathan, don’t make me do this.”
Robbyn felt blood rushing at his ears and knew his face was flushed. His tongue would not respond. He started to shift Copper to the side so that he might drag his mace, when Copper moaned and coughed weakly. She lifted her manacled hands to his face and held his eyes with hers. “Come on. This way,” she whispered, leading him towards the gallows.
Robbyn walked with Copper in a daze. In front of them, the crowd parted silently, creating a path to the gallows. Copper seemed to have gotten some life back, but it seemed to be only a perverse determination to make it to the hangman’s noose. To Robb, the scene took on aspects of a nightmare. They walked in slow and silent procession, with Robbyn and Copper in front, followed by the two jailors, then Commander Althea, followed by a small retinue of her Watchers. Copper’s breathing croaked and rattled, and bloody spittle painted her lips, but she forced herself forward, all but dragging Robbyn along with her. Robbyn wanted to scream, to make it stop, but the gallows only loomed larger and larger.
At the foot of the stairs, Vatorio stepped forward and made the sign of the Light over Copper. He began to recite a slow chant, and all around them people brought fist to forehead in the country version of the sign of the Light. Robbyn put one foot on the step and could go no farther. His eyes raced over the crowd, desperately seeking some friendly face, someone who might make it stop. But everywhere he looked, all eyes were fixed upon Copper, filled with a cruel eagerness. He felt Copper break away from him and heard her begin to struggle up to the top of the stairs alone. Robbyn felt Althea’s firm grip upon his shoulder, but he hardly notice. She did not need to restrain him; he stood rooted in place and unable to act.
Copper moved to stand over the trap door. She lifted her head and looked over at the Lady Prestor in her carriage, and waited. Merant and Crabtree pushed past Robbyn and went to place the noose around her neck. As the heavy rope slipped into place, Copper turned her head and looked down at Robbyn. In the morning light, her eyes were dazzling blue, like the colour of a perfect summer sky. Looking into those eyes, something snapped within him. Robbyn broke away from Althea and ran up to the platform. Merant and Crabtree took one look at him coming, and turned and ran, leaping off of the platform and into the crowd. Behind him, Robb heard the unmistakeable sound of Althea and her Watchers drawing steel. With one fluid motion, Robbyn slid the shield off of his back and onto his arm, then, reaching within his father’s breastplate, Robbyn took hold of the enchanted blade and drew it out into the light.
Everything happened in a moment. When Robbyn brought out the sword, it suddenly burst into brilliant violet flame. The fire ran down the blade and licked over his arm, but it did not feel hot. He suddenly felt perfectly calm and self-assured, as if the blade itself fed him a killer’s strength. Taking hold of the hangman’s rope, Robbyn sliced through it with one sweeping motion, then turned to face Althea on the stairs. Behind her, and on the far side of the crowd, Hatch appeared, galloping down into the square upon his great black stallion. He held a loaded crossbow in his right hand. At the same time, behind Robbyn someone started screaming. Involuntarily, he turned to look, riveted by the dread filling that the high-pitched wail, and Robbyn saw Lady Prestor’s eyes wide upon the purple blade in his hands. She looked upon it as if it were death itself come to find her. As one, the royal guard closed in upon her, covering her from view. One of them slammed shut the doors to the white carriage even as the rest drew steel and placed their backs against it. Within the carriage, her muffled shrieks continued.
Robbyn’s eyes were brought back to Althea, who had now reached the top of the stairs. Behind her, someone saw Hatch bearing down upon them and shouted out a warning. With his disfigured face, black armour, and red Defias mask upon his neck, Hatch was a fearsome sight, and a ripple of fear washed over the crowd. People began pushing and shoving, trying to back away. Hatch reined his stallion up hard, and brought the crossbow forward. His eyes moved from the Lady’s carriage, then to Ebonlocke. Too late, the Commander saw the threat. She shouted for her father to get down even as the bolt left its housing and streaked over the heads of the crowd to impale him where he sat.
While Althea was distracted, Robbyn barrelled forward and thrust Copper’s blade into her. The sword cut through her chain armour as if it weren’t there, and dug deeply into her chest. A waxy look filled Althea’s eyes and Robbyn felt a rush of power flow through the blade and into him. It was delicious. With a yank, he pulled the blade out and stabbed her again. As the blade sank in, he felt it again, a pulse of strength, as if he was drawing out her life with her blood, into himself. It was intoxicating, and Robbyn found himself laughing uncontrollably even as he pushed her off of the platform and turned to face the other Watchers. They fell back in front of him.
Across the square, Hatch had brought out his morning-star and was laying into the crowd, killing indiscriminately as he worked his way towards the council table. Beneath him, his fearsome mount was kicking and biting anyone who did not run fast enough. Real terror filled the square and the crowd broke into a mad frenzy. People started running wildly in every direction, trampling each other in their desperate efforts to flee. A small group of the Watch rallied and closed in on the black knight, but they seemed no match for him. The crash of iron on steel and the screaming of the wounded filled the air. He surged forward, cutting a swath through the crowd.
Robbyn turned to check on Copper, and started to lead her away. She looked at him confusedly, but did not resist. When he turned back to the stairs, Vatorio was standing before him. A fanatical look shone in Vato’s face and he held his great staff with both hands, ready. Something was wrong. Looking closely, Robbyn saw a pitch-black shimmer covering his brother like inky armour.
“Treason!” Vato shouted. “Treason and blasphemy! You’ve thrown everything away because of that witch. You are a disgrace to the Jonathan name.”
In an instant, the repressed memory flooded back. When Vato had announced his conversion to the church, the fight between him and the General had been terrible. They roared at each other at the top of their lungs, both too fixed in their views to give an inch of ground. When the dust settled, Vato was gone, swearing never to set foot in their home again, and the General had retreated into his study, disowning his first son. Robbyn had hid upstairs and out of sight. For three month, the General acted as if nothing had happened. He even started treating Robbyn the way that he had once only treated Vato, inviting him out to drink with the mess, and calling him into private chats after dinner. Robbyn hated it. He knew that he never responded properly to the General’s questions about military strategy and politics. At the barracks, no one said anything negative about him, but they didn’t have to. He knew that behind their serious faces they were laughing at him, and worse, feeling sorry for the General. Robbyn’s stutter got worse and worse until he could hardly answer the General’s questions at all.
The worst day of Robbyn’s life was when the General finally broke. Robbyn, his mother, and the General had been invited out to a formal dinner. It was the sort of affair of state that Vato would normally have wanted to go to, and which Robbyn would have managed to beg off from. The evening was a blur. As they walked home, the only thing Robbyn remembered was that the general had, at one point, introduced Robbyn to someone important, a Lord Gregor Lescovar, and Robbyn had entirely seized up. He didn’t remember the question the Lord had asked him. Some mild pleasantry. All he remembered was that he stood there making an embarrassing “fff” sound repeatedly, with spittle foaming on his lips, until the Lord made some light jest and turned away to speak with someone else. When they got home, General had gone silently off into his study. Robbyn had gone upstairs and cried. When he was done, he resolved to be stronger; more like Vatorio. He had sought out the General to tell him, and had found him still in the study. An empty bottle of port was on the table, and the General’s breath reeked of alcohol. Again, Robbyn found himself tongue-tied. Before he could say anything, the General began to speak in a slurred voice. “Look at you. Pathetic. What more could a father do…with such a son? I have done everything…! And still, you…just weak. Spineless. No, I will speak. Your mother can’t stop me this time. I should have put my foot down ages ago.” He pointed a shaking finger at Robbyn, but wther from the drink or anger was not clear. “You know what you are? A coward. Nothing but a lily-livered, spineless, blighting coward! You are an embarrassment. An embarrassment! I’ve seen better men than you die on the field. Well I am done trying to make a man of you.” The words cut deeply into Robbyn, but what was worse, he realized that the general was crying. “You are a disgrace to the Jonathan name,” he sobbed. “So be it! From this day on, Marcus Jonathan will have no sons, rather than have such a son as his sole legacy. Now get out of here!” The sobbing overwhelmed him, and he turned away, shouting with a broken voice, “Get Out! Out!”
In a flash, the memory came and was gone. Robbyn looked across at his brother, but now all he saw was the General standing condemning him. Vato shifted position, brought his staff around, and struck out at Robbyn. He was fast, but Robbyn managed to get his shield up in time. A numbing shock ran down his arm from the impact, but he stood his ground. Vatorio attacked again, and again Robbyn parried with his shield. His fingers closed tightly on Copper’s blade, and in the back of his mind he felt the sword’s bloodlust filling him up. He took a step forward, and Vatorio danced back. His robed flowed out around him, and he began to chant a curse. The blackness seethed around him as the Shadow power flowed through him. Robbyn took another step forward. Vato raised his hand in an unholy blessing and suddenly crippling pain filled Robbyn’s bones. He roared in pain and fell to his knees. The pain was blinding, and he barely saw Vato’s next strike coming. A vicious jab to the chest, Vatorio’s staff rang off of Robbyn’s breastplate, and the impact knocked Robbyn prostrate. He struggled to get on his feet even as Vatorio struck again, this time finding Robbyn’s right arm. Robbyn’s arm went numb and he dropped Copper’s sword. It fell into the wood of the platform to stick in the wood, and the purple flames faded away.
All around was chaos. The crowd surged in all directions. When they came to close to Lady Prestor’s carriage, the royal guard cut them down mercilessly. Over by the Scarlet Raven, Hatch had been unhorsed, and faced off against half a dozen Watchers. The Mayor was stumbling away, running for the safety of the Town Hall, and leaving a trail of blood on the cobblestones. Commander Althea had left Robbyn and Vatorio behind, and was trying to press her way through the crowd to get at Hatch and to protect her father. As she ran, she held her chest where Robbyn had stabbed her.
Vatorio shouted out more dark verse, and Robbyn bent over as the pain hit him again. Fear gripped him like a vice and made movement impossible. He watched he brother’s feet step closer and heard Vatorio’s cold voice above him. “I am sorry that it has come to this Robb. You brought it on yourself.”
|
|
|
Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Nov 25, 2007 18:19:51 GMT -5
((NB slight edits to the previous section))
Robbyn waited, bracing himself for Vatorio’s finishing blow, but it never landed. Instead, a crackling sound rippled over him and Robbyn felt all of the hair on his body stand on end. Vato shouted out in pain and fell back. Suddenly, the blinding agony crippling Robbyn’s body disappeared as if it were never there. Robbyn’s eyes raced to Vatorio, who was staggering back, holding his chest. A great hole was burnt in his robes, and his flesh was scorched and blistering. Blood oozed through his fingers as he stared past Robbyn in shock and surprise. Following the line of Vato’s gaze, Robb looked down to see Cholla wading though the teeming crowd. Round about him, glowing coloured stoned whirled, and he held his smoking hands up before him as if he were going to reach across the distance and grab Vatorio by the neck.
Robbyn stood up. He stepped up to his brother and with one great hand grabbed Vato by the chains of office hanging around his neck. He looked into his brother’s startled face, and answering, “I know,” he brought his mailed fist up and drove it with all of his might into Vato’s startled face. The force of Robb’s punch ripped open a wide gash down the left side of Vato’s face. Then his brother’s eyes rolled up into his head and he fell senseless to the floor.
Cholla arrived at the gallows. He shouted over the noise of the screaming crowd and clash of metal on metal, “You gonna finish him?”
Robbyn shook his head. “He’s my brother.”
Cholla nodded. “Come,” he urged. Nodding to lady Prestor’s carriage, he said, “She will recova soon. We must go.”
Robbyn looked over to the Town Hall. Hatch was surrounded, and Althea was squaring off against him. “What about Hatch? We can’t just leave him.”
The black man followed Robbyn’s gaze. After a moment, he squared his shoulders and said, “You go. I will do what I can.”
Cholla started to turn away, but Robbyn put a hand upon his shoulder to stop him. “Cholla,” he said, “Where can I go now?”
Cholla turned and put a friendly hand on Robbyn’s arm. He smiled widely, as if the madness around them were nothing. “Madame has horses ready, and is expecting you. Go. We’ll find you lata.”
Robbyn knew that his first duty was to Copper. Reaching down to the floorboards, he retrieved her swortsword and slid it into his belt. Then he took off his tower shield and placed it behind her back. Finally, he tipped her backward and upon it and, stepping over the limp form of his brother, he carried Copper out of the square to find Madame Eva. No one moved to stop him.
|
|
|
Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Nov 25, 2007 18:25:24 GMT -5
~ End of Book 1 ~
|
|