Day 11
Viola Stone sat in the inn room wondering what was going to happen now. Jacob sat by her feet playing with his toys. Viv, Rider and Xoma talked by themselves. Viola looked down at Jacob. This boy was so special. She had grown to really care about him.
Viv come over.
“We are going after the people who took Jacob. Every last one of them. Even the baker who lied so well.” She paused “Rider says you tortured some of the people trying to find Jacob. Is this true?” she asked
“Yes. I would do anything to get him back.”
Viv sat on the bed next to her then hugged her.
“Thank you!”
Jacob had been taught to leave a trail to follow for just in case and he had done this. So, they were going to retrace his steps and kill everyone involved in taking him.
“Is everyone ready?” Xoma asked.
“Yes”
They left the inn. Jacob led the way.
“He carried me to the statue of the queen and then put a bag over my head. He walked five hundred steps I could smell food. Then they tied me up and put me on a boat. I was on the boat all day. There were no windows on the boat only the smell of bad fish. But they did feed me yellow fish and I used a nail to scratch our symbol onto the floor.”
“So, the baker and then the docks” Viola said.
They walked with purpose, angry and ready to kill anyone who was in there way.
When the baker saw Viola and Xoma coming he tried to lock his shop. But Rider kicked the door down.
“Who else was involved? Where can I find the man in the shiny black clothes?” Xoma asked.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He lied.
“No, I guess not, you are of no use to me then.” Xoma said.
Rider without a word or hesitation cut his throat out.
Viola looked wide eyed at them.
“I could have made him talk.” She said.
“We don’t need him to talk, his death will draw them out.” Rider replied.
Viola joined Viv outside with Jacob.
Rider came out with Xoma.
“Let’s eat.” Xoma said passing baked goodie around.
I am going home no matter what. Viola thought.
They sat in the square eating. News of the baker’s death spread. Rumors that the queen was dead spread too.
They listened to the gossip while eating baked goodies.
A woman in a bright red dress came to the baker’s shop. She didn’t seem grieved like the others but rather a scout.
“I am going to follow her” Viola said.
She followed after the woman alone. She wanted answers like who wanted the queen dead? And who was paying the money?
The woman went about her business seemingly normal. She finally went home to a large house of stone on the rich side of the city. A large stone wall surrounded the grounds. Men with swords patrolled the grounds. Walking along the walls never out of site from another. Viola had a few ideas
1. Wait for night
2. Kill them all
3. Pretend to be an injured woman in need of help
Option 3 seems like the easiest. So, she rubbed dirt on her face and clothes. She pulled bit of hair into her face. She hid her weapons and then screamed
“It’s an animal, it’s an animal.”
She didn’t think ‘help’ would work.
The guards ran over swords drawn.
“It was after me, I don’t know what it was. It has my son!”
She cried and when she saw they were losing interest she pretended to faint.
She lay in the dirt near the gate.
“What now?” the one asked.
“Leave her, she is not our problem.”
“What if she dies? Maybe the mistress can call for a physician.” He suggested.
“Look at her, where in the mistress’s house would you put the peasant?”
The guard reluctantly walked away.
“Halt” the main man said.
“Roll her body down the hill.”
Viola’s plan hadn’t worked at all. She was going to have to kill them all. But then the mistress came to see what the fuss was about.
“She’s so dirty!” the mistress said “What happened?”
The main guard started
“She came over screaming animal and then died.”
The mistress’s eyes got big.
“Animal?” she questioned “What kind.”
The men looked at one another shrugging.
“Bring her! I will send for a physician. We must find out.”
So, they carried Viola to the stables and threw freezing cold water on her.
She grabbed a pitch fork and screamed.
“Get away from me. Get away from me.”
The guards were as gentle as broken glass.
One grabbed the pitchfork the other hit her across the face, grabbed her hair and said.
“Stop this nonsense or I will kill you right now.”
Viola could see he meant it. He didn’t care.
His face was hard from years of killing and having a hard life. He was lacking in compassion and there was no reasoning with him. He has passed the point of reason or stalling a long time ago.
She looked up at him with big blue eyes and her black hair stuck to her face.
“Let me go.” She mumbled with terror in her voice.
I will kill you later, she though.
A wicked smile came over his face. He like making people afraid. Her terrified attempt backfired. He kicked her just because he could. She reached for her knives. But then the mistress came in.
“Oh, good you are awake. What is your name?” she asked.
Viola shivered from the cold water.
“Bring a blanked” the Mistress ordered.
“I am Lady Goodwill. I have heard you were attacked by an animal and it got your son. How tragic.”
A horse blanket that smelt like horses was put around her shoulders.
“Tell me about the animal.” She pressed.
“My son is alive, in the tree but he is wounded.” Viola said.
“Oh” Lady Goodwill said.
With reluctance she ordered that two guards look for him.
“Where is this? Where is your son so my men may fetch him?”
“He is hiding in the big red oak tree over the hill near the lake. I drew the animal away and ran for help. It is fortunate you found me.” Viola said.
Lady Goodwill tried to keep her smile.
Viola scratched her memories for anything she had heard about an animal.
“Its eyes glowed and it’s dark skin…” she looked at the ground.
“I have never seen such a thing.”
One of the guards spoke up.
“I have heard that a group of slave traders were mauled by an animal with dark blue skin.”
Another guard said “No the animal that killed them has silver eyes”
Another argued “If they are dead who is telling the story?”
“Keep quiet” Lady Goodwill said.
The physician arrived.
When he saw she was wet, covered in mud and had a horse blanket over her he asked to be alone with her.
“I need to examine this lady. Please give us privacy.”
Lady Goodwill gave the nod and everyone left the stable.
“I am doctor Herbs. Tell me what happened to you.”
He tried to lift Viola’s shirt.
She worried he would see the knives she had.
She pulled away from him.
“Don’t worry about me. I don’t want to get into more trouble.” She said.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
The doctor raised his eyebrow.
“More trouble?”
He studied her face. She looked at the floor.
He dug in his bag. Viola slid the knives under the hay.
“I will ensure you are cared for. No one will hurt you. Now please let me see so I can help.”
As he lifted her shirt, he saw the bruises not just from being kicked but from the fight with the amazons and everything else she had gone through trying to save Jacob.
“Who did this?” he asked.
“An animal.” She said unconvincingly.
“Bruises like this…” the doc looked at her
“Where you told what to say to me?” he asked.
“How am I meant to answer that?” she asked.
“Nod or shake your head?” he prompted.
“It wasn’t an animal.” She said quietly.
The doctor tried to hide his anger.
“Please tell me everything.”
So, she spun her story.
“Well, my son and I were attacked by an animal, so I hid him in a tree and ran for help with the creature chasing me. I arrived here but no one would help me. The guards beat me and wanted to throw my dying body down the hill. But then Lady Goodwill came along so they brought me here threw freezing water on me and beat me saying I can’t tell anyone what happen. Now if you tell they will kill me and my son. They are looking for him now. They say it’s to help him but I am sure they want…” her eyes shifted all over uncomfortably “for his safe return.”
Dr Herbs tried not to let his anger show. Many a person had been beaten by Lady’s Goodwill’s men and because her husband was a very rich and powerful man who was even welcomed by the queen to dine on occasions no one was brave enough to challenge them.
“I need to take her to my office. She is cover in bruises. I don’t imagine the girl can even walk. I have sent for a wagon and we will return to my office.” He told Lady Goodwill.
“The woman’s son is lost I have two men looking for the boy now. She can stay with me.”
“In the stable?” he inquired “She needs proper care.”
Lady Goodwill looked at him with shock.
“Dr Herbs are you implying I would not take care of this woman?” she asked flat out.
“I would never say such a thing.” He said afraid for his life “I am just saying she needs care that only my offices can give. You may come with me. Visit this woman if you want.” Dr Herbs said.
Lady Goodwill gave him a look as if to say tread carefully Doctor.
“Bring what you need to my home. You can care for her there.”
“As you have said.” He replied.
A messenger was sent to bring supplies for the care of the mystery woman.
Viola was dragged by the guard in charge to a pool of water. Where she was thrown in.
“Clean up.” He barked.
The Dr came over.
“Leave this woman to clean in peace.” He said.
“I have orders to get her clean and bring her to the house.”
Viola cleaned quickly without taking her clothes off.
Cold and wet she was taken back to the stables.
“Dress” he ordered.
A blue dress was hanging over the one wall.
“Please turn around.” She said.
“Dress” ordered the guard.
She took the dress and moved to the hay where she had hidden the knives.
She dropped the dress and when picking it up she picked up one of the knives.
“I need help getting this wet top off.” She said.
“I knew you were a harlot.” He said with an eager and ready smile.
When he got close enough, she cut clean through his throat.
He looked at her chocking on his blood.
“You should have been nice to me.” She said.
She hid his body under the hay, got dressed into the dress and joined the physician outside.
“He will be coming now, please take me away before he comes” she said.
Dr Herbs put his arm around her and they walked to the main house.
The female servant had them wait in the beautiful sun room with a table and chairs. Lady Goodwill came in.
“Mr Herbs please give me a moment to talk with this woman. Your wagon has arrived.”
Mr Herbs left the room in a hurry as if rushing there would help him get back sooner.
“I hear you have bruises and where beaten. Who did this to you?” she asked kindly.
“Have you found my son?” Viola asked.
“No but have patience. My men are looking for him.” Lady Goodwill answered.
“What is your name?” she asked.
“I want to look for him.” Viola said.
“You cannot in your condition.”
Viola looked her in the eyes.
“Do you have children?” she asked.
“Yes, one could say I do.”
“So, you know that my bruises are not enough to stop me?”
“Well, they are my husband’s dead wife’s children. I do love them as my own. But what use are you to your son if you are dead?”
Mmmmm, stepchildren, that she doesn’t like. Viola noted.
“So, you would do anything and you are more than happy for them to inherit everything as is right.” Viola said poking the bear.
Lady Goodwill cleared her throat.
The man in the shiny black clothes came in.
He looked at her as if he recognized her but wasn’t sure.
“Do I know you?” he asked.
Viola stood up and walk to the door where she locked it from the inside.
“No, you don’t know me.” she said “But I have a few questions”
“Excuse me!” Lady Goodwill said.
“Sit down.” Viola said firmly.
“I will not!” Lady Goodwill marched towards the locked door.
Viola stabbed her in the thigh.
“Now if I pull this knife out you will die. So, sit down.”
“Guards! Guards!” She screamed.
Viola drew the curtains so no one could see in.
The man in the shiny black clothes asked calmly
“What do you want? Money?”
“Keep quite!” Viola warned Lady Goodwill.
Lady Goodwill wiped her tears.
“I have only been good to you.” She objected.
“Leaving me with your men so they could beat me is not being good to me. You are a typical powerful woman. Hiding your cruelty behind others and playing the innocent unknowing kind heart. I know the act. So, stop! I am here about the boy. Yes, the boy Jacob that was taken for the queen’s head and the queen’s head you got. Now who is behind it? Who wants the queen dead?”
“Everyone.” The man in the shiny black clothes said.
“Your name sir?” Viola asked.
“Seth, and my Lady here is not involved.”
“You’re having an affair with her.” Viola tried to hide her rolling eyes “She’s planning to kill her husband and the children she wants keep the title, land and wealth and marry you her true love?”
Viola laughed when she saw their faces like a child with candy wrappers and chocolate on their face after being sent to bed.
“Ok so this makes things easier. I will not kill her as long as you tell me who is willing to pay for the queen’s head?”
Seth looked at Lady Goodwill.
“We don’t know what you are talking about” Lady Goodwill said.
“Maybe this will refresh your memory” Viola said stabbing Lady Goodwill in the other thigh.
“Stop! It was Griffith Snow. He put the bounty on the queen’s head. He is offering one thousand gold pieces.”
“So where did you take Jacob the boy? And where is the queen’s head?”
“The boy was returned. Why do you care?”
“That boy is my friend. Where did you take him? And where is the queen’s head?”
“Stop talking, you stupid little man!” Lady Goodwill said.
Seth looked hurt.
“Stop talking, this woman is going to kill us anyways.” Lady Goodwill said.
Mr Herbs knocked on the door.
“My Lady Goodwill, I have returned to treat the patient.”
“Help!” Lady Goodwill screamed.
Viola covered her mouth.
“Scream again and I will kill you.”
“You are going to kill me anyways.” She said muffled by Viola’s hand.
“Where is the queen’s head?” Viola asked with a knife digging into Lady Goodwill’s chest.
Blood ran down the knife and down Lady Goodwill’s blouse.
“We sent it to Griffith already.” He squeaked.
“Perfect.” Viola said.
By now the guards were banging on the door breaking it down.
Viola pulled the knife out of Lady Goodwill’s leg cleaned if off on the lady’s dress that she was wearing. Then passed it to Seth.
“Hurry!” Lady Goodwill called to the guards.
Viola cleaned the next knife off on her dress as well and wiped some on the blood on her skin. Then she lay in the corner. Seth jumped up and held the knife to Viola.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
The guards broke in. They saw Lady Goodwill bleeding out and Seth holding a knife to the woman they had found.
The guards slew him without a word and the physician rushed to stop the bleeding on Lady Goodwill.
“What happened?” Mr Herbs asked Viola.
Viola looked at him.
“They killed the queen for money that man was talking to Lady Goodwill. They are together in killing the queen for money. They intend to kill Mr Goodwill and his children. I said I wouldn’t say anything but…” she started crying and with a shaky voice said “They didn’t believe me. I cannot stay here.” she said.
“But you can’t walk?” Mr Herbs said.
“Please have your men take me home. Let my sister care for me. I must leave.” She cried.
So, Mr Herbs had his assistant take Viola to the city square. But Viola jumped off before getting there. She went back to the inn where they had been staying.
Rider was there. At first, he looked at her with concern. Then he realized it wasn’t her blood.
“Kill anyone?” he asked.
“Maybe” she replied.
“Just torture then?” he said with disdain.
“I found out a man named Griffith Snow put out the one thousand gold pieces bounty for the queen’s head.”
“I killed everyone on the boat Rodger that took Jacob.” Rider said.
Viv walked in
“You’re home.” She said all happy “I thought maybe you ran off and decided to leave without saying goodbye.”
“Viv I will always say goodbye to you.” Viola said.
“Rider, were you being mean again?” Viv asked.
Rider gave her a look
“I am not mean.” He said.
Xoma came in with a pot of food.
“You are back, that is wonderful. I have enough food for everyone.”
“Thank you” Viola said “Is Jacob safe?”
“Yes.” Xoma said.
“Everyone who was involved has retired.”
“Everyone?” Viola asked.
She wondered how if the woman and her lover were involved yet they had not followed the woman nor seen the man.
“What about the man in the shiny black clothes?” Viola asked.
“You took care of him.” Xoma said.
“How do you know that?” Viola asked.
“While on our way back we heard that the rich man’s younger brother who wears black clothes so clean it shines was killed in his house by the guards after attacking a peasant from the village and his brother’s wife.”
“News really spreads around here.” Viola said.
“Griffith Snow wants the queen’s head?” Rider said.
“Oh, is that so.” Xoma said.
“Let’s pay him a visit.” Viv said.
“Let’s” Xoma agreed.
Xoma explained that Griffith was a very rich man who lived in the tundra in the south he also had his own army and slaves and even a religious man. Anyone willing to work can come and start a new life with him. But the road getting to him was very dangerous.
So, they ate and packed up.
While loading the wagon Rider asked “We trusted you about the queen. Now I want to know what is really going on with you and the queen. Why can’t we just send her head and collect the reward?”
Viola sighed “I do not want to get into this with you.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I don’t like you.” She answered.
“That’s harsh.” Viv said carrying the next lot of things to load.
Viola felt cornered.
“He’s mean to me and makes me feel unwelcome. So, I don’t like him and the queen is possibly my ticket home.”
Viv smiled.
“Rider is really the nicest guy. Once you get to know him.”
“He doesn’t want me to get to know him.” Viola answered.
Once Viv returned into the inn Viola glared at Rider.
“You knew she was there.” She accused.
Rider just smiled.
Viola glared at him.
Jacob came with a big bag of stuff.
Rider packed it on the wagon.
It was midday when they left to find Griffith.
A woman came to them.
“I need help to get to the castle.”
“Just keep following that road. But with the peace meeting happening tomorrow I do not think you will make it there.” Xoma said.
“You must take me.” She ordered.
“We are on a trading journey south. The castle is east. I am sure you can find your way.”
“I am your queen! Take me to the castle!” she ordered.
“The queen?” Viola inquired “As in the most hated women on the planet?”
“I am feared and powerful!” her eyes got big.
“So powerful you can’t follow a road home?” Viola stated.
“Can you prove you are the queen?” Xoma asked.
“Once I am home, I can reward you with your lives.” Tiffany stated.
“That’s not a reward.” Xoma said “Nor is it proof. We have our lives, and you are in no position to take them so there is no reason for us to endanger ourselves for a ravings of a young girl.”
“Young girl!” Tiffany stamped her foot.
Sparrow ran over.
“Please forgive her. She has been ill with a fever and speaking crazy things.”
“What is the queen’s name?” Viola asked.
Sparrow looked worried.
“I believe it is Tiffany. But many girls have the name. Everyone named their child Tiffany before she became queen and well you know the rest.”
“Let’s pretend I don’t” Viola pressed.
“She started killing her people so they would fear her and be too afraid to dare hope. They serve in mental torment and eat scraps from her table and if they don’t say thank you, she kills them.”
Viola eyed the woman who seemed outraged by this statement.
“So why is she holding a peace conference?”
“Maybe her heart has changed. I have hope for her.”
Viola could see that he believed his statement and he didn’t seem to be laying. But she was not convinced about the woman.
“What are you getting at?” Xoma asked.
“How much for the girl?” Viola asked Sparrow.
“She is not for sale she is my sister and a free woman.”
“Journey with us south to trade.”
“I cannot but thank you. Let your sister come with us.” Viola insisted.
“She is unwell she needs to stay here.”
“What are you doing?” Viv asked.
“You and your sister stay well.” Xoma said.
Viola looked at him.
“I know you. You live in the temple. You feed people and help the needy.”
“This is true” he confirmed.
“So why lie about her being your sister?”
“You are right, I have lied. Forgive me. The queen is a woman who wants me dead and I know you not. So, I lied to protect this sick girl who my dear friend brought to me. I pray for her every day.”
“There is a price of one thousand gold pieces for the queen’s head. If someone hears her, they may take her head.” Viola warned.
“Go in peace” Xoma said.
“What was that?” Viv asked annoyed.
“The real queen is missing, what if that was her?” Viola said.
“A sick girl screaming I am the queen? What about her hair. Where are her men? No that is not the queen. The real queen is probably dead and her head already delivered to Griffith.” Xoma said.
“Inviting them to come with us is not alright!” Rider said “We are not a wagon for lost causes.” He added.
Xoma and Viv had stopped walking. They were staring at a man walking in the street. His uniform was one of the queen’s men. His face was shaved and his hair neat. Viv looked like she had seen a ghost. Xoma looked like she was going to be vomit.
“Who is that man?” Viola asked Rider who was scolding her and hadn’t seen the man.
He stopped the wagon.
“That’s a dead man walking. Jacob, stay with the wagon. Keep the horse calm.” Rider said not taking his eyes off the man.
Xoma walked towards him.
Viv shouted, “You’re alive.”
She ran over to the man but before she could throw her arms around him a woman came out and took his hand.
Both looked at Viv.
“Dad?” she said broken.
“You must be mistaken?” he said.
Viv watched as a boy about five years old clung to his leg.
“You left me…. You abandoned us….” her voice quaked.
Xoma went over and struck the man so hard he stumbled.
“Viv let’s go. Our family is waiting.”
“May you be eaten alive by a gogobeast!” Xoma said.
“How dare you come here and attack my husband in front of our child!” the woman said fury in her eyes.
This woman was ready to fight and protect her family.
Viola ran over.
“If you touch this woman, you and your son will die.” Viola said calmly.
“My husband is in the royal guard. You will be punished for this.” She snarled.
“No.” Xoma said weakly “He will not mention it as abandoning your pregnant wife and your children is not viewed kindly. So, he will not.”
“How could you?” Viv said through tears.
“You have me mistaken for someone else.” He said “Go in peace. I am sorry seeing me has caused you pain.”
“What!?!” his wife said surprised.
“You left us to starve. We moved to the city on the green sea for you. For all of us. Why leave me? Why didn’t you come back?” Viv cried.
“We are a strong family. Past ghosts will not give us answers the only thing they are good for is causing deep wounds. Come let’s go.” Xoma said trying to comfort Viv.
Rider looked him up and down, spat on the ground picked Viv up and walked back to the wagon.
“What’s wrong Viv?” Jacob asked seeing her cry.
Viv didn’t even answer.
“Viola will you please drive the horses with Jacob?” Xoma asked.
Viola sat in front with Jacob.
“Why is Viv crying?” Jacob asked.
Viola wasn’t sure what to tell Jacob. The family didn’t lie to one another so the truth seemed like the right thing but how.
“Jacob sometimes it is hard to tell someone the truth and you want to lie so that you don’t hurt them because you are afraid that the truth with break their heart.”
“Is Viv’s heartbroken?” Jacob asked worried.
“Yes.” Viola replied.
“Let’s take her to the physician so he can fix her heart.” Jacob said.
“Only time can heal this not even a physician can help.”
Jacob looked over at Viv.
“Who hurt her?” he was cross and ready to fight.
“Her dad, your dad. You see he is alive and he only pretended to be dead so he could have another family here.”
Jacob seemed to battle to take it in.
“He ran away from our family because he didn’t love us and didn’t want to be with us?”
“Yes” Viola said.
Hurting Jacob was one of the hardest things she had ever done.
“That’s stupid, we are great and he’s missing out.” Jacob finally said.
Viola smiled. What a great child, she thought.
“Stop!” Viv dried her eyes “We are going back.”
“Why?” Xoma asked.
“I am going to kill him!”
“No, you are not.” Xoma said firmly.
“Why not? We kill people all the time. Why not him?”
“We get paid to kill them. If you kill him, it will be personal and it will eat at you.”
“So, letting him live after what he did to us is better?!” Viv was very angry.
“We will not kill him.”
“We killed everyone who hurt took Jacob! Why not him?” Viv stated.
“When we come back if you still feel this way you may kill him and his wife and his son.” Xoma said.
“Just him.” Viv said.
“No all of them.” Xoma said.
“If you are going to kill your father then you must kill his family too. Do it properly.”
“Fine!” Viv said.
“When we return, I will kill all of them!”
“I want to help.” Jacob said.
“No” Viv said.
“He made you cry and I want to kill him for that.” Jacob said.
Xoma looked at Viv.
“We can talk about it later” Viv said reluctantly.
“My first kill will be protecting my family.” Jacob said proudly.
Viola didn’t know what to say. This family matter was beyond her. An eight-year-old wanting to kill his father because he wanted to protect his family.
They stopped to camp for the night and let the horse graze.
Viola sat by the fire. She played with it while Viv and Xoma put Jacob to sleep.
She looked at the stream and saw Rider getting dressed. He had his back to her. She saw the scares on his back and for the first time she saw him differently. Not the mean guy but just a guy. She wondered how he got the scares and what he had been through.