Pippi 6
Chapter 6
Pippi and Lucy snuck away from the rendezvous spot while the men and boys were all eating supper. The girls went into the town and knocked at each door. "We're going to end those auctions," Pippi said.
"Is it true?" An old woman asked. "Can they really be stopped?"
"Yes. There's more of us than there are of them." Lucy said.
"But how?" A young boy asked. "We haven't got any weapons."
"Anything can be a weapon," Lucy said. "A chair, a spoon."
"A pan," Pippi added.
"Gather around the town square. I'll give the signal." Pippi said.
"We'll be there," the family agreed.
Lucy and Pippi continued to invite the villagers to the revolt. When they saw a man with a small woman who was quietly preparing his food, Pippi and Lucy left. "Sorry. Wrong house." Pippi said.
They all met around the town square, hiding behind buildings, peering out for the signal. The auction was coming to a close.
"For our final lass, we have this little girl. Aww just look at that sweet face," The auctioneer said about Penny.
Pippi's fist tightened. "They're sick people." She marched over towards the stage. "Oi! I bid 0. I bid you let me take her now and this doesn't have to get messy."
The auctioneer and bidders laughed. "For free?" The chuckled.. "Silly girl."
Pippi drew her weapon - a fork. She borrowed it from a villager. The men laughed again. Pippi shouted and charged for the auctioneer. She elbowed him in the nose. He grunted as he reached for the paper to sign away Penny. Pippi used the fork to stab his hand. "Ahhhh!" He shouted.
The villagers ran out at this time fighting the bidders and the others involved with the auction. Pippi grabbed Penny and carried her off the stage. The muscular man was there again, and Pippi backed up with Penny. The muscular man suddenly winced. He turned around where Lucy stood with her dagger in hand.
Pippi fight off the bidders while holding Penny.
Meanwhile Julian and his men headed for the Cathedral. As they approached the front doors, they heard shouting and things breaking.
The men turned to see the riot taking place. They didn't notice Lucy and Pippi were there until Lucy got up on stage and burned the auction book..
"Behold," Lucy said, "the burning of your disgusting book. You have no claim to this people you say you bought." She waves the burning book and tossed it to the auctioneer.
"Nooooo!" He said.
Pippi got up on stage with Penny. She joined hands with Lucy. They raised their hands together and the villagers cheered.
Julian shook his head and grit his teeth. A few men were smiling and nodding. Edmund smiled at the girls.
Julian faced his men. "Gentlemen, this rescue has been canceled."
The men looked confused. "Call it off?" "What for?"
"Do not question your king!" He raised his voice. "We are going back to the canoes and we will return to the ship."
"We're leaving Pippi and Lucy behind, your majesty?" Marcus asked.
"They can swim," Julian said.
"And what about the prisoners your majesty?" A sailor asked. "Am I to understand we're leaving them behind?"
"The girls have it under control. They seem to think they can do a better job than I. They can take care of it." Julian said. "No more questions!"
Edmund's face tightened as Julian walked past us soldiers, making his way back to the boats. His soldiers/sailors followed him but to stay behind: Edmund and Marcus.
They approached Pippi and Lucy in the riot.
"Edmund? What are you doing here?" Lucy asked.
"Helping." He said.
"It's kind of late for that," Pippi said. The bidders had all fled. The auctioneer, collector, guards, and catchers were all tied up.
"We still need to get my cousin and your friend." Edmund said.
"I thought Julian was gonna do that." Lucy said.
"Change of plans. And we don't have much time," Marcus said. "We need to act now."
The group of them entered the Cathedral and searched for the dungeon. Marcus found secret passage to the stairwell leading them to the dungeon. They found
Roland, Eustace, and a group of others inside one cell.
"Roland!" Penny said.
Roland put his hands on the bars and Penny placed her hands on top of his. "Penny."
Pippi picked the lock and let everyone free. They walked out and thanked them.
"Eustace," Lucy called. "You're free."
A small 14 year old boy stood alone in the cell. He wore a sweater vest and formal pants. His short hair was gelled over to the side. "I hate this place!" He said.
"Yeah yeah," Edmund said. "Let's get a move on." He pulled Eustace out of the cell and they walked out of the church together. Pippi and Lucy were side by side, then
Roland and Penny, then Eustace, then Edmund and Marcus.
They ran for the boats once they left the cathedral, but were too late. The boats were all on their way back to the ship.
"Hey!" Lucy shouted.
"Wait!" Penny yelled.
"Come back!" Pippi said.
"It's no use shouting," Edmund said. "They won't come back."
"What are going to do?" Penny asked.
"Perhaps we can help?"
They turned to see half the villagers standing near them.
"To thank you for saving our sisters, brother, sons, and daughters, you are in our debt." A man said.
"It looks like you need a boat," a woman said, "and we have one." She went over to some bushes and lifted them up, revealing a small canoe.
"It's meant for four people," a boy said, "but it can hold a lot of weight."
"Thank you," Lucy said. "You're very kind."
Pippi helped the woman move the boat to the water.
"Safe travels, my friends," the man said.
"Asian is smiling on you," a little girl said.
Lucy smiled as she got into the boat. Edmund helped Pippi into the boat. They all squeezed onto the boat and began rowing to the ship. Marcus and Edmund rowed while the others sat back.
"So Julian," Pippi nodded, "He's the king huh?"
"He's something else," Edmund said.
"He's what happens when you lose your parents too soon and don't know how to function." Lucy said.
Edmund gave her a look.
"Caspian's gone," Pippi said. "So soon."
"Is that how it was in the books?" Lucy asked.
"No. He was supposed to be here for your third visit." Pippi said.
"Yeah, well, the stories alter a little every time you're here. I mean, you're not even in the books," Edmund said.
"Which is a shame because you'd be my favorite character," Lucy said.
When they caught up to the ship, a ladder dropped down for them to climb aboard. When they reached the top deck, Julian signaled for them to go to his office.