Two soldiers, the Brutish and Oafish guards, took Clopin by the arms while the crowd continued with their pleas.
"Let him go!" the Gypsies cried. "Please! King Clopin! Your majesty! Talk, please talk! King Clopin!"
"Shut up!" the soldiers yelled again.
"Let's put him in there," the Oafish Guard said to his partner while pointing to Marie, Esmeralda, and Phoebus's cage. "They have space."
"We will need the Gypsy girl later."
Marie kept her eyes on Clopin the entire time giving a grave, depressing look. She held onto the bars staring at him that one of the guards opened Marie's cell door.
"Stay in there!" the man yelled. "Stay there!"
Phoebus was about to get out but the guard pointed his spear to him. With Marie by the bars, she only watched the scene. The two guards literally threw Clopin inside headfirst and pushed him further inside by shoving his legs and feet out of the doorway.
"Clopin!" Esmeralda and Marie shouted.
Both women leaned down to him while the guards closed and locked the door. With a moan, Clopin turned himself around and looked up to the women.
"M-Marie? Esme?"
"We're right here," said Esmeralda while she gently placed her hand on Clopin's cheek.
Clopin slowly opened his eyes and blinked them many times sighing, "Another one…bites the dust."
"That dust has been bitten," Marie replied. Her and Clopin grinned.
"Where is everyone?"
"Everyone's around us. In cages."
"I have to see," Clopin groaned while moving his arms up to stand. "Rgh!"
"Don't move," Phoebus told him. "I'm no doctor but I know you have to lay still."
Because of Clopin's skepticism to Phoebus, he tried to stand. He again pushed up from the ground but he groaned louder.
"Clo, don't," Esmeralda told him off.
Clopin didn't listen that he tried again but by using the metal bars of the cage. It wasn't that hard for Marie to know he was in a lot of pain. There was blood on every lash upon his back and some coming from his mouth and nose while Clopin leaned upon the bars for support. Around their cage, the Gypsies were still calling him.
"King Clopin!" Michael called. "Your majesty!"
Through another groan, Clopin said, "Ladies, help me up."
Because her own injury, Marie had to hold the bars that Esmeralda came and both of them got Clopin onto his feet, trying not to touch the many lashes. Phoebus also came but Clopin rebelled.
"Get away from me!" he shouted to him.
"I'm trying to help you," Phoebus said back.
With Clopin on his feet, Marie can hear his heavy panting. How much pain he was suffering, Marie could guess it was excruciating like the time she had the Splitter.
"Clo," she whispered.
He was busy looking around to see the Gypsies and was about to talk to them, but that was when the guards returned.
"Get back!" the guards yelled while pointing their spears to Marie and her friends. "Back!"
"Never!" Clopin and Marie replied angrily.
Spears, the back of the spears, were punched to Marie. It wasn't just her who was attacked, the guards did the same thing to Clopin and Phoebus. Clopin and Marie fell to the ground that he tried to find anything to hold onto. On the ground, Marie's first instinct was Clopin. With her next to him, again hearing Clopin's hard panting, the cage door was opened. From behind them, guards came into the cage keeping Phoebus at bay. This time they took Esmeralda.
"Let her go!" Phoebus cried.
Marie looked up and saw Esmeralda being taken by the guards.
"Damn it, no!" she heard Clopin shout. "Let her go!"
"Let go of me!" Esmeralda begged.
The guards didn't stop and still more spears were directed to Phoebus's neck. Marie didn't have a chance to fight while Esmeralda was being taken out of the cage. She stayed by Clopin's side, who was still groaning, that the door was closed on them again.
"Esmeralda, no!" Phoebus cried. "Release her!"
Everything was truly lost. Clopin was laying on the ground in absolute pain and Esmeralda was taken by the guards, thrown into the jailed wagon. From the looks of it, Frollo ordered his men to take Esmeralda, waiting for her sentence.
"Where's Jean?" she heard Clopin ask. "Where is he?"
"I'm right here sir," said the Gypsy doctor from behind. Marie looked up and saw him along with Marcel and few more Gypsies.
"Bandage me."
"Marcel, Georges, give me your scarves."
The gypsy in the red and yellow outfit, who was on a cart during the Festival, took off his hood while the other two men sent their scarves to Jean.
"I need more," Jean called out to the other Gypsies. "Anyone, send me more cloths."
From around their cage, since all of the cages were together; except from the cages that were further down opposite from Marie's cage; more and more Gypsies gave Jean scarves, bandannas, and sashes. Antionette and Colette sent their bandannas while Henri passed over his scarf. With all of the cloths sent to Jean, he instead told them, "Give them to Marie. Marie, use them to wrap his back and make sure they're nice and tight."
Marie did so. She took all the cloths that were passed down to her and laid them on the ground. With Phoebus's help, even though Clopin had to use his trust, Clopin was laid on his stomach revealing the many fifty lashes. Since Antionette and Colette were next to them, the women fainted at the sight of the lashes. Marie almost gagged but she kept her eye on him. Clopin tried to get up by using the metal bars to stand but he leaned on his knees and hands.
"Don't get up, your majesty," Jean called out to Clopin. "Marie is taking care of it."
Marie laid out the cloths and used the many sashes to put on his bleeding back and wrapped them around his chest with the bandannas and scarves. From top and bottom, the scarves were tied and she made sure they were tight. The sashes covered Clopin's wounded back and the tight scarves kept them intact.
"King Clopin," old man Victor called. "Your majesty."
After having his full trust in Marie of wrapping his back, Clopin looked up and saw Victor with Charity. His back was still numb with pain but to know that his people are close by was enough. They were still here.
"Are you okay?" Victor asked.
"I'm never broken," Clopin lied. "Never. Right now, I feel like a turtle."
Charity was shaking despite she gave a slight chuckle.
"I have to get Esmeralda."
"You'll open your wounds, highness," Jean said to him. "Don't risk it."
But Clopin didn't listen. He wanted to see everything and he held onto the metal bars of the cages and helped himself to sit. As much as that hurt, he tried not to groan. Even though his back was completely disoriented, Clopin cannot give up. Marie was with him and so were his people but not Esmeralda. Everyone has to be safe. They must be.
"Marie," he said to her. She was passing back the scarves and bandannas she didn't use. "Marie."
Then she looked to him and knelt closer. With her next to him, Clopin held her hand.
"Promise me one thing." He took a breather. "Stick with me and lives will be spared."
"I promise," she whispered. "You think I'll leave? Never. I'll never leave."
As long as they're together, Clopin can save his people with Marie's help. She did before and is worthy to do so with him. If only he had time with her on the bed, Clopin could've reached his goal. For now, he couldn't take any more bad news. His back wasn't throbbing, it was pumping. Pumping blood through and through up to his head. The only person who wasn't with him was Esmeralda. Esmeralda was taken by the guards and himself, Marie, and his people were trapped. There was no way out of this. What else is there that could get worse?
To answer that, he saw from the pillory that the turning wheel was taken off and there was instead a long wooden pole. The jailed wagon returned but this time another Romani person was inside, and she was dressed in white: Esmeralda.
"No. Esme. No."
Marie also noticed that both her and Clopin had their eyes on Esmeralda who was being dragged on the wagon. More and more people showed up in the crowd while the sun was fading and Frollo was still standing on the pillory, waiting. If only Clopin could be back up there, he'd give Frollo a piece of his mind. He didn't care that Phoebus was fighting against the metal bars.
"Esme."
He has to get up to her. If only his back wouldn't have to hurt, Clopin could get up. Marie wouldn't be able to either with her bad knee. He cannot lose Esmeralda! Already, his people were in danger, he was in incredible pain, Marie was broken, and Esmeralda could be next.
Esmeralda was taken out of the wagon and sent up to the pillory. The same pillory where Quasimodo was crowned and tortured and the same for Clopin. Now Esmeralda had to take their place. Instead of being flogged or tied down, Esmeralda was taken to the wooden pole and had her hands wrapped around behind her back. Around the pillory, where she stood, Esmeralda can see splotches of blood; Clopin's blood. It came from the center of the platform all the way to the stairs.
My God.
This time, wooden tinder was thrown to her. Thrown, surrounding her feet up to her ankles is where the tinder laid. Knowing what was happening, while the rope was tied tighter on her arms and torso, Esmeralda gasped. Still tinder was thrown and there came the sound of drums patting fast. Pierrat Torterue was across from her holding a torch while Frollo held a scroll.
Many people surrounded the pillory that it wasn't just the caged Gypsies. She didn't see it but Clopin managed to stand up against the metal bars with Marie's help. Nearby was Frollo reading, "The Gypsy Esmeralda has been accused of witchcraft. The sentence: death!"
The crowd was larger and more cries were abounding. Not just from the French crowd but also from her people. The tinder was still being thrown until the last one was close by.
"Not Esmeralda!" her people cried out. "No! No!"
The crowd was fighting the soldiers to reach for the pillory but they were held back by Frollo's soldiers. Plus, the Archdeacon came out from the cathedral stopped by them.
"The time has come Gypsy," said Frollo after he took the torch from Pierrat. "You stand upon the brink of the abyss. Yet even now it is not too late."
He leaned closer to her with an evil smile that she had to give a look of disgust. The lust was clear that Esmeralda gave a look of repulsion.
"I can save you from the flames of this world and the next. Chose me or the fire."
She would never, ever sleep with him. Never! Never will she! Full of anger, Esmeralda gathered up saliva and spat at him. He's an older man and she's only in her twenties! She will never sleep with him! Absolutely never! Frollo turned around and announced further to the crowd.
"The Gypsy Esmeralda has refused to recant. This heathen witch has put the soul of every citizen of Paris in jeopardy for her own Satanic rituals. She has never repented for her sins and she has plagued anyone's own spirit."
In the meantime, Marie and Clopin were staring at Frollo furiously. Esmeralda saw them that she tried to untie herself from the bonds. They needed her help and she needed them. Clopin was very apprehensive and Marie wasn't laughing.
"Through her own soul and heart, she has bewitched every men, women, and children. Throughout Paris has this heathen witch portrayed witchcraft affecting all hearts, endangering citizens."
Everything that Frollo was saying were absolute lies. Esmeralda has never practiced witchcraft. Right now, it was impossible to fight her restraints and the execution was about to come. She was doomed. Frollo asked for her but she spat and for that, she's now paying the price. Is there ever going to be a miracle?
"For justice, for Paris, and for her own salvation, it is my sacred duty to send this unholy demon back where she belongs."
He lowered the torch and placed the tinder on fire, in Esmeralda's horror.
"NOOOOOOOO!"
Two screams surrounded the square. One came from the cathedral and the other from the cages. The cathedral was groaning and a cage was rattling while the fire attacked around the tinder, spreading around like a tidal wave. The flow of the fiery flames surrounded her and smoke was billowing around that it came up to her face. Coughing it out was the best she could do but smoke was everywhere, not just the fire. With the fire surrounding her feet and legs more and more smoke came into her mouth. Again, Esmeralda coughed but the smoke and fire never stopped. They were everywhere. She coughed more and more but blackness swelled up while her mouth became dry and her eyes watered. There was nothing else but the dark.
From the crowd's view, and of Clopin's furious tirade against the cage door, Marie saw from the cathedral Quasimodo swinging on rope. He swung towards the pillory and landed right on the platform, where Esmeralda had her eyes closed and was standing motionless.
"What?" she thought.
Quasimodo took hold of Esmeralda after loosening the ropes. With the pole, he pulled it off the platform and struck away the oncoming guards. The rope was still around that he took hold of it and swung back to the cathedral.
"Quasimodo!" Frollo snarled.
"What the hell?" said Marie confused.
"Esmeralda!" Clopin gasped.
Why would Quasimodo save her? How close are they? Is he friends with Esmeralda when Marie had to leave her in the Notre Dame that time? That's why? From the looks of it, Quasimodo must've. He climbed up the Notre Dame and he came to a balcony while he held out the unconscious Esmeralda.
"SANCTURARY! SANCTURARY! SANCTURARY!"
Esmeralda was saved but not all Gypsies. They were still in the cages and Frollo was furious. As much as he pulled more and more on the cage, that wasn't getting Clopin anywhere. Esmeralda was inside the Notre Dame and suddenly a beam was thrown from the cathedral. From what Clopin guessed, that was from Quasimodo. The beam landed on Frollo's carriage that he instead decided to use it to barge into the Notre Dame. They were going to head inside and get her.
"Alone at last," he heard Phoebus say.
From behind, Clopin saw Phoebus knock out the Oafish Guard and take the keys of the cage. Now that their cage was opened, Phoebus easily walked out but Clopin limped such as Marie. His back was still throbbing and he had trouble walking. While walking out with Marie, Clopin noticed Phoebus climb to the top of the cage.
"Citizens of Paris," the captain cried out. "Frollo has persecuted our people, ransacked our city! And now he has declared war on Notre Dame herself! Will we allow it?"
A loud cry came from the crowd and suddenly there was mayhem. The large crowd of the French people ran towards the soldiers causing an uphill battle. Everywhere around them, people fought and so did Captain Phoebus. Soldiers came from everywhere that two of them came towards Clopin and Marie. Through his injuries, Clopin withstood the pounding aches and stood up. The soldier that was coming towards him, Clopin instantly punched the man on the face. Marie was near him but limping badly. She almost fell that Clopin quickly ran to her.
"Marie," he told her. "Come on."
She looked up, cringed, and took his hand while laughing, "This will be a story to tell the kids. Ugh!"
"We need to get everyone out of the cages and get to Esmeralda. I need your help."
"I know. Let's go."
Marie and Clopin stood up and they took spears that were on the ground. As they held hands, the two struck an oncoming soldier and ran towards the fifteen cages. With the spears, Clopin smashed the locks of Henri's cage. Henri and a couple of Gypsies jumped out.
"Henri, take everyone and get to safety after I free them," Clopin demanded. "Then, get all the animals out of the Palace. I'll meet up later."
"Yes sir!" Henri obeyed.
"Everyone else, fight!"
He ran to another cage taking Marie with him and smashed the lock from there breaking it. Marie went to a third cage and smashed the lock with another spear.
"Go!" they ordered. "Go!"
Three more cages were around that Clopin and Marie didn't stop until everyone was free. Antionette, Colette, and the women followed Henri away from the streets. The men joined in the fight with the crowd including Cedric, Louis, Jacques, Michael, and Marcel.
Cage by cage, Clopin and Marie opened all of them that only Victor was apprehensive while the others jumped out.
"Go, run!" Clopin shouted.
"What about you?" Victor asked worriedly.
"Just go!"
"But your injuries!"
"Go, now!"
"Come on Uncle Victor!" Charity begged to him.
Clopin held onto Charity's hand and helped her out. Then he had Victor's hand to slowly bring him to the street.
"Be safe your majesty," said the old man.
"Go. Follow Henri. Go." Clopin knew Victor wouldn't have a chance in fighting the soldiers.
He headed for another cage but Clopin's back was getting the best of him and Marie was losing her footing. The two reunited after opening another cage that they knelt to the floor. More blood was pumping from his back that it led up to his head.
"King Clopin!" someone called from above. It was the doctor, Jean. "Your majesty!"
Clopin looked up and saw more of his people in cages including Jean. He has to keep going.
"Don't overdo it. Your injuries will reopen!"
He doesn't have to listen to medical rules now. All that mattered was his people and the fact that he might lose Esmeralda. He has to keep going; a king will never give up. Marie reached out that her and Clopin held hands and he forced himself to stand. Then he helped her to walk. Both of them ran to Jean's cage and let him and the others out. There were two more cages to go.
"You're not in shape, highness!" Jean yelled from behind.
"Just go, Jean!" Clopin told him. "Go! I'll be fine!"
"But sir!"
"Go! Fight!"
Marie stayed with him and both her and Clopin rushed to the two remaining cages. He went to the one and Marie to the other. Both cages were opened and the Gypsies ran out, but not one woman.
"Your majesty!" she cried out. "Your back is bleeding!"
"Just go!" Clopin told her. "Go join Henri! Go!"
Those people jumped out that Marie hoped, "Is that everyone?"
To make sure, Clopin looked around. All of the cages were empty that he replied, "Yeah. Let's go."
There was a huge battle and it wasn't stopping. Clopin and Marie had to swerve around avoiding punches and to fight back the soldiers. One struck Marie on the face that Clopin returned the favor but he was hit on the back, and Marie on the knee. Both of them fell to the ground. More kicks came that Clopin quickly swiped the soldiers on their ankles of the blade of his spear. He also saw Marie stab one of them on the foot. All soldiers backed away giving them space.
Clopin looked back to the Notre Dame where objects were falling from above that a large catapult was thrown to the ground striking several soldiers. Quasimodo was putting up a good fight against the cathedral. They can't get in through the front doors since Frollo was ordering his soldiers to strike the beam onto the door forcing it to open and birds came pecking all of the soldiers.
"I know another way inside," Marie groaned. "Come on."
They never lost hands that Clopin stood up and followed Marie. Together, they passed the front wall, beyond the large rectangle glass, and came to the back of the cathedral. It was a good thing they did because from behind, hot molten lead was pouring out from the stone gargoyles of the bell tower and landed to the ground. People everywhere had to run for their lives. Clopin and Marie had to speed. They didn't stop until they came to the back door where Marie muttered, "This is it."
She opened the door and they were inside the cathedral. Still the adrenaline was inside him but by now it was fading. His back was not only aching but so was his entire body. The arms were weakening and so were his legs.
Don't give up, Clo. Don't give up!
His legs were like heavy bags being dragged but he never lost his grip on Marie's hand. Both their hands were sweaty and were slipping off. Luckily, there was a column nearby that Clopin had to catch his breath. Not only was he breathing hard so was Marie. He leaned against it and breathed as much as he could.
"Frollo, have you gone mad?!"
Clopin looked up and noticed the sight of Frollo running inside the cathedral with a sword in his hand. The same old archdeacon came down from a flight of stairs and was yelling towards Frollo.
"I will not tolerate this assault on the house of God!"
"Silence you old fool!" Frollo snarled.
He was heading up to the stairs that he threw the Archdeacon down, making him trip to the floor.
"The hunchback and I have some unfinished business to attend to!"
"Esmeralda," Marie gasped.
"Come on," Clopin muttered.
Now that he had his breath, but his back was still broken and bleeding, Clopin held tightly to Marie's hand and they rushed to the stairs. The Archdeacon had trouble standing for being an old man that the two stopped to help him up.
"Thank you," said he politely. "They're in danger. Quasimodo and the girl. Frollo is mad!"
Clopin looked upwards. Beyond the door would be Esmeralda. She'd be up there with Quasimodo but Frollo was heading up to them. Him and Marie rushed up the stairs, yet tiredly. The doorknob was already locked after Marie tried it that Clopin used the spear he still had. They had access and ran further down the hallway. More and more hallways passed by until they came up to the bell tower.