Chapter 19 – The Rise of Tantalus

Zidane had heard the Boss talk about a Bandersnatch once, but seeing it in the flesh was an eye opener. From a distance it looked deceptively cute, with big floppy ears and a curly tail that reminded him of a cinnamon roll.

"Don't let it lick yer," Blank said. "Sends you straight to sleep."

The Bandersnatch panted, letting its long red tongue loll out. Thick drops of saliva dribbled onto the stage; its glowing green eyes trained on the three friends.

"How do you like my little pets?" The auctioneer stroked his monster, the Bandersnatch delighted at such a fuss. "Do you vermin realize how much money I, Sebastien Gillingham, have lost due to your insolence? I will be reimbursed, with interest!"

At once, the Bandersnatch set upon the thieves, rushing into them with incredible force. Zidane and Ruby dived in different directions, but Blank could only fall backwards as the auctioneer's whip still held him tight in its grasp.

Ruby shot back up immediately, seeing Zidane squirming in pain.

"Why won't this thing just heal already?" he moaned clutching his thigh.

With another monster advancing, she had no choice but to drag him along the tiled floor. All around them were snarls and growls. One Bandersnatch to their left took a mistimed snap catching Ruby's scarf and dragging her back. She screamed, her hands clawing at the precious memento. "You git yer filthy mitts off my mama's scarf, or am gonna jerk a knot in your tail!"

"Just leave it," Zidane cried.

Ruby grabbed one of the nearby chairs and smashed it down onto the monster's head. Its howl went through her, breathing became ragged as she brought the chair down again and again until it had splintered into pieces.

"I think you got it, Ruby."

Indeed, the Bandersnatch had long let go, the nose less hound lay silent on its side. She retrieved the scarf and opened it out, mourning the series of tooth marks along the edge. "What am I gonna do with this?"

"Move!"

Zidane yanked the young woman out of the jaws of another Bandersnatch and introduced it to his dagger. He hated hobbling away from enemies like this. Looking across, he could see Ruby wrestling with the velvet ropes hooked onto a stanchion. She seized one of the golden poles raising it like a club and began swinging it around with wild abandon.

"Bring it on, yer pack of hornets."

She's enjoying this way too much…

Back on the stage, Blank and his unwanted dancing partner were circling each other. For the moment, the auctioneer kept the Bandersnatch at bay, seemingly confident in his ability to finish off the thief without interference. Blank didn't think much of this; for as soon as the tides of battle turned, and they would, no doubt the pompous weasel would change his mind.

The problem still remained however, as his dagger waggled uselessly in the hand of his trapped arm. He had to do something about that, preferably before Zidane and Ruby had been chomped into chow. Blank ran full pelt towards the auctioneer with a demonic grin. He slid on his knees seamlessly dropping the dagger from his right hand and scooping it up with his left. As he continued to skid towards his target, he thrust the dagger outwards aiming at the auctioneer's ankles.

"What on Gaia, are you doing?"

The auctioneer jumped causing him to topple over and lose grip on the whip. Relieved, Blank untangled the limp leather from his arm, which resembled a bleeding beef joint with multiple lacerations.

Great, more scars to add to my collection.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?"

"Clever, handsome, modest – just a few of my better qualities."

"Street scum!"

"Hey now, no need to get personal." Blank stamped his foot on top of the black cord. "Yer never heard not to judge a book by its cover?" He slashed at the red curtain behind him making it collapse into a heap. "Call off your mutts, or am gonna smash every little thing I can lay my hands on, including those twinkling beauties up there."

"Those chandeliers are worth more than you could earn in a lifetime." The auctioneer's usually pristine hair jutted out at all angles and his red frilly shirt was untucked and hanging. Still, he had a rather odd smile that played on his lips. "Ha, you think you can get the better of me?"

Suddenly, intense flashes of yellow and white assaulted his vision. A familiar sharp sting seeped through his bones and he juddered to the floor, muscles twitching in spasm. It had to be thundara, didn't it? Blank thought as a pair of black and white dress shoes squeaked into view, stopping a centimetre from his nose.

"What a pleasure it would be to sell you at my next auction. Seeing you in chains, your detestable spirit breaking a little more each day."

The hairs on Zidane's tail bristled; he remembered being trapped in the cage, how his heart had felt crushed. All hope of escape beyond reach, not just because of the metal bars but his own mind that had turned against him. He couldn't describe the feeling, only that it had been a very dark and lonely place to be.

Hobbling, he ascended the smaller staircase, stage left.

"Zi, what yer doing? Take Rubes and get outta here!"

But Zidane refused to listen. He staggered, trying to ignore the stabbing pains in his side. "I'm not goin' anywhere without you."

"Idiot, yer can't take down a pack of Bandersnatch on your own."

"He ain't alone," Ruby corrected, playfully tapping the stanchion into her palm. "Am here too."

Guys… Blank knew if the auctioneer didn't whip them to shreds, then the monsters would tear the meat from their bones, and if by some miracle they survived that, then the guards would carve up what was left with their swords. But they were still there, his Tantalus brother and sister, they believed he was worth fighting for.

"You will regret this," Sebastien said. "I was going to sell you all, but I see now that would be a mistake."

Efficiently, Ruby retied the scarf around her head. "I bet you've got an awful lot of regrets, Mr Gillingham. But ya gotta understand, life's too short to be regrettin' anything. Don't cha see?"

"I must admit, you have amused me greatly. Our time together has indeed been far too short." He snapped his gloved fingers. "For your sake, I will make this quick."

From backstage a group of guards came marching. As they stopped, a salute was given to Mr Gillingham and in return he gave a curt nod. They drew their swords and pikes turning on the intruders. Outnumbered four to each one, Ruby and Zidane soon found themselves relieved of their weapons. Forced onto their hands and knees, they struggled to no avail.

"Any last words?" Mr Gillingham took one of larger swords and deliberately scrapped it along the floor. The resulting screech of metal was enough to make teeth chatter.

"Go to hell!" Blank lay on the floor paralyzed.

"Yes, as expected, such an inspirational speech. I think I'll let you watch your friends die first, and then I can amuse myself as you beg to join them."

"Ruby, what are they gonna do?"

"Just look down, Sugar." Her voice quivered as she tried to maintain calm. "Blank?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna have me a nice dream." She swallowed hard. "We're all flyin' on that big, ol' airship in the sky, the one you always go and see."

"The Prima Vista?"

"Sure thing, and… you're the pilot steering us towards the sun. We'll put on a play… What was that one Mr Parcel said?"

"Ruby, please don't."

"What was the show?" she insisted.

He wanted to see her face, but it was hidden by a curtain of grey hair. "I want to be your Canary."

"That's right."

As the auctioneer raised the sword up high, she chose that moment to tilt her head. Blank saw the softness in her grey eyes. Why's she looking at me like that? He knew what was coming, but he couldn't turn away, not now. Stop smiling, dammit. Not when I can't save you!

"Goodbye, partner."

"Blank, why can't I shoot fireballs now, huh?" Zidane asked tearfully. The realization of a bare neck and a sharp blade couldn't be ignored any longer. "You said I was a real badass, right? You said I took out a Grand Dragon."

"I don't know how it blinkin' works!" Blank scowled. "Why do you always gotta play hero, anyway?"

"We got precious seconds left together and you boys are -"

The double doors burst open. A steady stream of police charged down the centre aisle, dispatching Bandersnatch as the monsters jumped into the fray.

"Halt the beheading immediately," Frederick called as he pushed through the chaos trying to reach the captives with Victoria close behind.

The Auction House guards looked to their master for direction, but he had already abandoned them and opted to make his escape. Swords and pikes clattered to the floor in surrender. From the western side, another door was kicked in with the trio of Baku, Trent and Mario, roaring and brandishing weapons of their own. From the east, a window smashed sending shards of glass raining down upon the stage.

"Cinna, I told ya to take it easy with that hammer!" Marcus' exasperated voice could be heard above them. He secured a rope and climbed down with steady experienced hands. When he landed and had tiptoed around the glass, he greeted his friends. "Hey, everyone still got their heads?" The three would be captives nodded and he chuckled. "That's good."

A heavy thud came soon after and Cinna rubbed his sore behind. "Sorry we're a bit late to the party."

"You came," Zidane said.

"Yer had doubts?" The goblin man seemed surprised. "Gotta tell ya, you play the meanest game of hide and seek. Tore up half of Treno trying to track yer down – woah, Boss!"

Baku collapsed next to the Zidane. "Did he do anything to ya?" The monkey tailed boy ignored him and twisted away. "Alright, I messed up."

"Yer messed up? You locked me up, threw me out the troupe and sold me off!"

"Bwa ha ha ha! Can't take a joke, eh? Heh, heh…" He gulped. Ruby was giving him the evils and Marcus had taken to avoiding eye contact altogether. "Yer really think this bunch of morons would let me get away with that? I've nearly had a heart attack 'cause of you, cut me some slack here."

"You suck."

"Don't push your luck, kid."

"I'm eleven, not a kid."

"Fine, yer can enter the Festival of the Hunt this year, go bag a Zaghnol or two for us."

"Are you for real?" Tribal broke out into a childish grin. "Well, it'll do for a start I guess…"

"Do for a start? Yer fool, you ain't getting no more outta me!"

Blank shook his head. "Yeah, Ruby and I are just fine, Boss, thanks for askin'." But then someone else offered his hand. He left it hanging there for a moment. "Took yer long enough," the red head said.

"Tsk, impatient, aren't we?" Frederick countered. "You do realize it was notoriously difficult to convince the authorities into action. They won't rally just for anyone you know."

"Fine, hate to admit it, but ya did pretty good." Blank took the hand firmly and allowed himself to be pulled up. "Tantalus owe you one."

Mario wandered through the maze of happy faces. "Big Sis? Natalie? Where are you?"

"Aww heck, that's right." Zidane slapped his forehead. "There's a girl still locked up in the dungeons."

It didn't take long to rescue Natalie, although she lectured 'Mr Zidane' about making her wait. With brother and sister reunited, however, the sibling's attention was focused on more important things such as organizing a slums revolution. Victoria was keen to learn more and decided to stay on in Treno, much to Frederick's delight which he made no attempt to hide.

That had been a week ago and the gang were still waiting. Cinna slumped in a corner by the fire snoring and Zidane was propped up in bed with half a dozen pillows. Ruby had long given up trying to wipe up the mess of spilled beer and pork scratchings from the rickety table. Blank had recovered from his cold and considered his cards carefully as Marcus kept an annoying poker face.

"Still can't believe that scumbag talked his way out of it," Zidane said in a huff.

Ruby perched on the bed and ruffled his hair. "At least he ain't gonna be snatching kids no more."

"But the auction was packed, why are they letting them get away with it?"

She understood his frustration, seeing Lady Margo and her husband tottering around without a care in the world got her own heckles rising. "Whoever this Lord King is, sounds like he's got a finger in every pie."

"Gil talks, simple as that." Marcus shrugged.

"Blaming the security guard like that, what a cheap trick! It makes me mad as a box of frogs."

Blank smirked at her from behind his cards. "You're only mad 'cause yer didn't get to have a drink with him afterwards!"

"And what's wrong with that? He seemed like a nice man to me, didn't deserve to be no scapegoat."

"Whatever."

Back at the Auction House, Mr Gillingham was more than aware of his close shave with the law. The cages that had once hung in the dungeon had been taken away and replaced with something altogether new. He circled the curious new arrival, about the size of a small child.

What use does Lord King have for such a doll? he thought sullen. Steepled hats are so last season and as for those baggy trousers! Honestly, I know of a perfectly good tailor…

"So, what do you think of my prototype?"

Gillingham gasped. "Lord King, I didn't expect you to be back so soon." The auctioneer had only known the younger man for little over a year, but he was always taken aback by his flamboyant appearance. He surmised that his Lord's dress sense was due to a great love of theatrical arts and hence why he had purchased the Pegasus in the first instance.

"Yes," Lord King said. "My visit to Alexandria was most informative, the ugly – elephant lady is the perfect candidate. Although, she is far too content at the moment, I shall have to pull my puppet's strings with some delicious tragedy or other." He paused to consider The Prototype, which had no eyes to speak of, only a darkened face concealed behind a high turned collar. "I wonder how long dregs of souls last?"

"I beg your pardon, my Lord?"

The young man laughed and raised his hands to the heavens. In the flame of flickering candles, Lord King's hair resembled more of a Behemoth's mane than a man's. "Do not trouble yourself, it is far too soon."

"I wished to express my gratitude; your intercession was more than I deserved."

"Inciting war and greed on Gaia is an expensive business. In order for my plan to succeed it is vital that the auctions continue. However, your little secret side business, slave trade was it?" Lord King caught his loyal servant and pinned him against the wall. He smiled as his long, purple fingernails dug into the struggling auctioneer's throat.

"Please… forgive me…"

"You almost beheaded the boy," his tone became dangerously low.

"I…did not…know!"

Lord King relented, withdrawing his nails. "I must admit, I was surprised myself. I never considered he might actually survive." He released Gillingham, who promptly collapsed. "I'm prepared to wait a bit longer, Zidane," he promised. "But only to prove who has the greatest power. And when it is your final curtain call, it will be I who will take centre stage."

In the early morning, Zidane woke up with the rather odd sensation that he was moving. This wasn't the strangest thing however, the fact that he could tell it was 'morning' had been unheard of ever since they arrived in Treno. But he couldn't deny the rays of sunlight streaming through the window. Am I dreaming? he wondered. Perhaps the withdrawal of being away from Lindblum for so long had caught up with him. He did miss being able to look out of the clock tower and see the whole city. Zidane liked to watch the cabs zipping around from one station to another, the mist rising from their wheels. He was itching to get back to thieving too, no doubt all this bed rest had made him rusty.

"Hey, sleepy head, finally awake?" Cinna stood at the foot of the bed. "It's about time yer got up. Get dressed and meet me outside, and don't take too long."

"Yeah, sure." Zidane threw the blanket off and hunted for his clothes. They were neatly folded on the back of a chair, which surprised him, as he quite often just dumped them on the floor. He pulled his hair into a messy ponytail and secured it with a ribbon. The daylight still winked at him through the clouds as he struggled with his enormous boots. Baku had told him that he would grow into the pair of castoffs from some raid or another. Until then, wearing three pairs of socks would have to do.

He wobbled along the corridor until he met Marcus by a ladder.

"Head up," he said. "Think you can climb with that leg?"

Zidane swung it back and forth with ease. "I can manage it, Frederick fixed me up pretty good, ya know." He made light work of the ladder and ascended to the upper floor. Following Marcus, they came to a large square hatch.

"It can get windy out there, so just watch yourself."

"It can get wha-" But before Tribal had a chance to finish, Marcus pushed him out.

High-pitched screeches of seagulls and the loud chugger of rotating blades assaulted his ears. Zidane staggered as a gust caught him off guard but he clung to the nearest port side. The whole ground seemed to rise and fall around him as if it were breathing. I'm not at the Three Stars anymore, am I?

This view could not be seen from any inn, in any city from the ground. They were sailing through milky blue skies and faint wisps of cotton wool. He could see the land below; a patchwork quilt of green and brown fields, white dots of sheep and houses the size of a coin. As the chilly air snatched his breath, Zidane clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Bwa ha ha ha, brought me to tears as well." Baku slapped the blond's back and laughed. "How do ya like Blank's driving? Not too shabby for a maiden flight, eh?"

Zidane spun around, searching for the helm and a familiar red head. There he is! Blank gave a brief wave from behind the wheel, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. Trent wasn't too far away though and kept a wary eye on the young pilot.

"Is she really ours now, Boss?"

"Yeah, the Prima Vista belongs to us, but this is only the beginning… I've gotta find a band and some backstage hands. More blinkin' mouths to feed." He scratched his purple beard. "We'll have to change the layout, snag some new plays, 'cause Ali Baba ain't gonna cut it. From here on out, we'll be upping our game, boys!"

A great cheer erupted across the bow.

Just the beginning, huh? Zidane looked upon his Tantalus family with his heart swelling with happiness. He put both hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. Well, I'm ready for anything.

Author's note –

So, that brings Tantalus Tales to a conclusion just in time for the end of 2019! I hope you have enjoyed reading the story. Thank you so much for the reviews, favs and follows. I wish you good luck in your own writing goals and dreams for the future. All the best – Otwl.