Chapter Fourteen: The Cup of Salvation

Lieutenant Calgary stared up at the ceiling from where he had been moved. He was tied up in the loft of the Sanctuary of the Cloister of the Overflowing Cup. Not that they really needed to tie him up. After three days on the rack his arms and legs were all out of joint. He had never in his life lived with so much pain. His voice was long gone from screaming, leaving his pain to only be expressed though silent sobs and pain-filled grimaces.

He'd been moved here three days ago. It was a quite place, and he was pretty much left alone to his pain, being hand fed by a nun three times a day.

Marrissa had left her communicator on her sailor's outfit when she left the Stargazer. It was a mistake. She was fortunate that she was only in the presence of those that knew her position, Avery, Harlan, and Brittany when it went off. She excused herself promptly, and answered the call.

"Marrissa to Enterprise."

"Enterprise, this is Commander Picard," Beverly said. "We've located Lieutenant Calgary."

"Where is he?" Marrissa asked.

"The Cloister of the Overflowing Cup," Beverly replied. "His lifesigns indicate a major injury of some sort."

"Thank you, Doctor," Marrissa said. "I'll be trying to rescue him shortly. Marrissa out."

"The Cloister," Harlan commented from behind Marrissa. "I don't believe we've checked that yet."

Marrissa jumped at the sound of Harlan's deep voice. "Don't scare me like that," she said, turning to discover that she hadn't quite gotten away from the Royals and their advisor.

"You weren't supposed to overhear my communication," Marrissa stated.

"Don't worry, Marrissa, we won't tell," Brittany said.

"Yes. Care to join us on our assault on the Cloister?" Avery said. "I'm tired of sitting around listening to people plead for their lives."

"It's better than signing forms on the Enterprise," Marrissa said.

Captain Richard York could practically hear Chopin's Funeral March as he entered the courtroom. He rose as the young officer who had been serving as bailiff announced, "All rise for the honorable Captains Picard, Washington, and Yoshida."

As they entered, Richard examined each of them. Captain Yoshida appeared to be smiling … he wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Both Captains Picard and Washington had a studied neutral expression. "Please be seated," Picard said, as he sat behind the bench.

"Captain Richard York, commanding officer of the USS Odyssey, this court-martial stands ready to render its decision," Picard said. "Do you have any words before we do so?"

Richard shook his head.

"Very well. The court finds that though you did violate the letter of the law, you did so only because there was no other choice. We find that despite trying circumstances, you did maintain the sprit of the Prime Directive to the best of your ability. Therefore, it is the decision of this court that you are not guilty of the charges filed against you."

Captain York released a deep breath that he had not been aware of holding. "Thank you, Captains," he said.

"There is no need," Picard said. "Court is adjourned. Captain York, I will meet you tomorrow morning so we may talk about your future assignments."

Calgary laid back in pain. It had taken all of his will power to activate his beacon. Now he had to hope and wait. Drifting up from the Sanctuary below, he could hear the words of Communion, bread and wine. "Receive the Body of Christ" "Amen." "Receive the Cup of Salvation." "Amen." It echoed throughout the loft, over and over again, some how comforting him.

Suddenly the Mass was interrupted by the sounds of the heavy wooden door from the narthex being thrown open. It was followed by the sound of armed men, entering the room.

Marrissa and Avery were at the lead of the two score sized force that Avery had rounded up, as the Prince threw open the door to the Sanctuary. Apparently they'd arrived late for Evening Mass.

The Presiding Priest looked up from where he was distributing communion. Handing the eucharistic bread to his novice altar server he proceeded down the aisle, his voice booming. "How dare you violate this holy sanctuary with your drawn swords."

Marrissa sheaved her sword, and kneeled, doing the sign of the cross, while her male companions stood there, swords still drawn. "I beg your pardon, holy father, but I seek one of my fellow sailors of whom I've received word that he has received succor for his injuries within these walls."

"We have such a sailor, who has been treated quite badly by some unwanted guests within this sanctuary," the priest said. "Sister Catherine can take you to him. And what brings you to the Cloister, Prince?"

"Monsignor, I heard of your unwanted guests and thought to protect my friend here, and offer my assistance in ridding your holy ground of them," Avery said, sheaving his own sword. "I assume that the condemned former Lord Henry of Fasstime is here, and has not sought formal sanctuary?"

"He is, and has not. In fact he holds the Patriarch hostage in our contemplation tower."

"We've got to get him out of there," Avery said. "It's way too defensible. "

At that the soliders parted to reveal a nearly breathless Princess Brittany. She was dressed in her squire's outfit, as was her recent custom. "Finally caught up with us Brit?"

"I couldn't find my rinnebeast," Brittany said. "What's this about Lord Henry being holed up here?"

"He's in the contemplation tower with the patriarch," Avery said. "I'm thinking of challenging him to single combat."

"No, Avery, you can't," Brittany said. "You're too important to do it. He could kill you."

"I've learnt a few tips since you left for Arm," Avery said. "Who should we have deliver the challenge?"

"I will," Brittany said.

"You can't," Avery said. "You're too valuable."

"In my guise as Squire Brett, he'll never know it was me," Brittany said.

"No, Brittany," Avery said. "He might take whoever we send as an additional hostage. The Patriarch is enough. You were one of his objectives. He wanted to marry you in order to secure his succession to the throne after he killed Father and I."

"All the more reason why you shouldn't be fighting him," Brittany said.

"It's the only way we'll be able to get the Patriarch out safely," Avery said. "Captain, find me a squire or page to deliver my challenge. We'll give him free passage if he gets me to yield. Brittany, we need to talk alone."

Captain Richard York's boat drew up aside the Royal dock. He'd missed the salt tang of the seaside air. Quickly he climbed up the side, taking a big breath of it as he reached the top. His Chief of Intelligence met him.

"Good afternoon, Lord Harlan," Richard said, putting his hand on his back.

"Good afternoon, your majesty," Harlan replied. "May I assume that you were acquitted?"

"You may, Harlan," Richard said. "Admiral Picard will be down tomorrow to discuss further assignments and situations. Meanwhile, where are my children?"

"They left to confront Lord Henry with a company of the Palace guard about thirty minutes ago," Harlan said. "Lieutenant Picard had reason to believe that Lord Henry was at the Cloister of the Overflowing Cup. Or rather, one of the Enterprise's officers was, and had been captured by Lord Henry."

"Have my rinnebeast waiting at the stables," Richard said. "I have to make sure that Avery isn't doing something foolish."

"Why would he be doing something foolish," Harlan said.

"Avery wrote that he wanted to kill Lord Henry personally a couple days ago," Richard said, beginning to rush down toward the stables, only slightly slower than the page that had rushed off to have the King's rinnebeast saddled.

Lord Henry sauntered out into the courtyard, the Patriarch being dragged before him with a knife at his neck. He wore a thick leather doublet dyed the pale blue and green of his house. His head was covered with a contoured to his head metal helmet.

Prince Avery was already there, waiting. He had the advantage in armor, but only because his helmet was peaked. His doublet was a deep blue, with a slight tint towards purple in the light. Avery had already drawn his sword, which flashed along it's silver colored length as Avery's hand twitched nervously.

At Avery's side was his sister, functioning as her brother's squire, in her disguised form. She was bent over in front of him, making sure the laces of her brother's shoes where tight and tied. "Remember what I told you about his, style, Avery," Brittany said.

"I know," Avery said, looking at Lord Henry's bulky form. "Lord Henry."

"Avery of York," Lord Henry responded. "I have come to your challenge."

"Monsignor Samuel will read the agreement," Avery said.

"Avery, Prince of Ellosia, and Heir to the Throne challenges Lord Henry, Hier to the Dukedom of Fasstime to single combat on order to free the Patriarch of Ellosia and others from his custody," Monsignor Samuel said. "Should Lord Henry win, he shall be granted free passage to a ship and out of the country. Should Prince Avery win, Lord Henry will surrender himself and all hostages. The duel shall be conducted with broad swords and shall continue to either yielding or one combatant is unable to continue. Lord Henry, do you accept the terms and conditions?"

"I do," Lord Henry said, striding to the middle of the courtyard.

"Prince Avery, do you accept the terms and conditions?" Monsignor Samuel asked.

"I do," Avery said, joining Lord Henry at the center of the court yard, with his back to the well.

"Very well, gentlemen," Monsignor Samuel said. "Raise your swords and begin on my mark."

Avery and Henry raised their swords and stared into each other's eyes, hoping for a hint as to how they were going to fight. The sun disappeared behind the clouds as Monsignor Samuel raised his arms