Chapter 16

"They refused?!" Westley said as he was nearly beside himself as he read the note from Andy. He, Fezzik and Buttercup had just returned from her family's farm with her sister Daffodil in tow. "They're fools; there is no other explanation. We kept the ransom low so they could easily pay it and get Humperdinck back; now it looks like they don't even want him! Sure, he's a little used and last year's model but I like to think he's just broken in now; maybe even better than before." He handed the note back to Stephen.

Stephen set the note down on a table. "Before they left I told them what I thought about the note. And the greater amount of thought I put into it afterward the surer I am that there is something else going on. I just don't know this Andy and cannot say what else it might be."

"I think I know him, or at least I think I did" added Max. He had arrived with Contessa aboard the Revenge shortly before Westley and company had returned from Florin. "He was smart and ambitious, yes, but not for power. He loves his country as much as the next person, but he never showed any signs of wanting to run things. He even passed on a few chances he had with some businesses while I was teaching him. But then again I never thought he'd be a party to pushing me out of my job either."

"Maybe he had a head injury or got replaced by an evil twin" suggested Fezzik. "Maybe he joined a circus and rides an elephant while juggling." Greta coughed and elbowed Fezzik who didn't even notice.

"In any case" counseled Stephen "I suggest we wait for Inigo to return from Escudo. Then we can plan our next step."

"We?"

"Okay, you can plan your next step. I'll just stick around and be a king. Just do me a favor and watch out for my Ruby."

...

Humperdinck and Ruby waved farewell to the escort that was now heading back to Primo. They had ridden until the light had dimmed to the point Lowbrow's trail could not be followed. Fortunately the weather was with them and neither wind nor rain washed away the traces of his journey. Ruby thought that even if the weather had been poor, Humperdinck would have prevailed in following the trail. His sharp eye and intuition helped find the occasional stumble, dropped item or broken branch along the way. Even scratches in rock turned out to be from the hooves of Lowbrow's horse.

"We made good time today" said Humperdinck as he reclined on a blanket by their fire, "from what I can tell we've made up quite a few hours already considering we passed his first campsite several hours ago. It's fortunate he doesn't know he's being followed; prey moves quicker when it knows it's being pursued."

Ruby studied Humperdinck in the firelight. The man seemed to be glowing, and not just from the fire. There was a look in his eye she had not seen before, one of focus and energy and, well, life. Even though he was laying down, his head still moved sharply about as he took in his surroundings; it was almost as if he was smelling the land.

"I can just about smell the land" continued Humperdinck with a slight pause. "Hunting and tracking has always been my greatest passion, but affairs of state the last few years have kept me from doing it. Now with so much on the line, it seems as though my senses are at their height. I think with just a little effort I could hear your heart beat."

Ruby laughed and looked away quickly. Maybe you can she thought, it's almost deafening me. "Could it be that the prospect of getting the throne back adds to your anticipation?"

"I don't think so" he responded as he rolled on his back to stare at the stars. "I'm anxious to get back and start over doing things better, certainly. But in my mind I was born to be on the throne, have been there, and shall be again. I'm trying to think of these past weeks as more of a 'study abroad' situation, although I must say the subject and methods are a bit unorthodox. Don't you wonder what it will be like when you are the Queen of Guilder?"

"I won't be the queen. I gave up my claim to the throne years ago in favor of my brother. It's not official yet of course, but it has been entered in the family journal and will come to light when my father passes on. If something should happen to my brother then I'll rescind my decision, but I'd rather not unless necessary."

"Why? You don't want to lead your country? Think of all the good you can do."

"Oh I don't mind the idea of leading a country" Ruby answered as she also laid on her back to look at the stars, "but every boy I've met growing up wanted to marry me because I was going to be queen, not because of who I am. This way I get someone who wants me for the person I am, not my station in life. And I can still do a lot of good without being queen. I don't have to be sitting on a throne like Sean to help my people. Besides, I wouldn't look good with a patch over my right eye."

"Left eye" corrected Humperdinck.

"No, remember when he hugged us before we rode out he had a patch on his right eye with a blue gem."

"Yes, but when he greeted us when we first arrived it was a red gem on his left eye." They turned and looked at each other, puzzled. They both then returned to their backs and continued looking for shooting stars and contemplating royal rule until sleep overtook the pair.

...

This is by far the sickest I've ever been in my life, thought Andy. There is nothing but to rest and recover from whatever it is. He summoned a page and sent for Tu. When he arrived Andy called him over to his bed.

"It looks like I'm going to be sick for a few days longer. In the meantime, I want you to run things until I can get my strength back. If something comes up that you're unsure of, you can always consult me here."

"It shall be done, Regent" replied Tu in his usual solemn tone. In his head he added "I'm sure nothing will come up...for me." He left Andy and hurried to the kitchen to speak with Elle.

"The Regent is in poor health" he said aloud so the kitchen staff could hear. "I am in charge until he recovers. Be sure to supply his needs in his room until then." He took Elle aside and in lowered voice continued. "Could the poison be working this quickly?"

"It varies from person to person my love" cooed Elle. "I have read of cases like this where the person was affected quickly, while others took months. Consider how much more fortunate for him to suffer the least amount of time; after all, we're not cruel." She smiled from pride at her seeming humanity.

...

"Then we haven't much time," concluded Inigo "if we are to coordinate with Humperdinck's arrival at Florin City. We know the day, time and we even know about where they will be. What can be done to help?"

Daffodil, having no Humperdinck to attach herself to, looked Inigo up and down. She batted her eyes at him but he wasn't paying attention. If she couldn't marry a king, then being a retired pirate's wife would be nice. He probably had some nice treasure buried somewhere.

"I have an idea." They all turned to Stephen. "Sun Tzu would probably say our best chance of success would be to reduce our opponent's numbers to as low as possible. I suggest a diversion; if they don't want Humperdinck back we shall still give him to them, but not the way they expect. He was taken by ship; they would probably expect him to return the same way. What do you think would happen if the Revenge was sighted sailing in from the north?"

"The forces of Florin would be deployed to the north" said Westley.

"Let 'em try" said Contessa, "I'll take out their so-called fleet." Contessa WAS paying attention to Daffodil and gave her a look that would melt iron.

"We're not trying to destroy anybody or anything" chided Stephen. "Be flashy, make noise, stay out of range, but annoy them to no end. Keep them busy while Humperdinck and my daughter slip in from the south. Westley, you and Fezzik take the Amigo and meet them on the southern border of Florin; get there a little early and wait for them. When you hear cannon fire you'll know it's time to make your move."

"I'm going too" said Max. "I know Andy better than anyone and I can find out what's going wrong if anyone can."

"Buttercup, Greta, you're with me on the Revenge" said Contessa. "Congratulations - you're now pirates."

"And I'll stay here with Daffodil" bemoaned Stephen. "Someone always has to stay home."