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Chapter 18: Preparing
Versailles Palace
Marion leaned on the sword in relief. He was safe. Indy and her friends – their friends – were fine. But Marion wasn't finished yet. First she had to prepare the palace for the upcoming battle. She straightened and closed her eyes, pulling her focus in.
For thou meetest him with the blessings of goodness
Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head
Thou hast given him length of days forever and ever
Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him
And from the mercy of the most high, he shall not be moved
Thou hast given the king victory, O Lord
Remember that covenant your steadfastness
All my ways are before thee
Forever your servant, O Lord my God, out of the hand of the wicked
For the enemy have persecuted my soul
He hath made me dwell in darkness as those long dead
Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men.
Mansion de Boiur
The six Holy Children, the nine immortalised family members and Indy sat in the parlour. Indy had a feeling that things were going to get very hot very soon. If Abner was sending things after them, he knew that he was in town. Jordan rubbed his hands together thoughtfully. He said, 'We should attack first thing tomorrow morning. Abner would have realised there's another poet around by now.'
'Yeah.' Indy smirked to himself. 'I'd go earlier. You can't attack a place in broad daylight like that.'
Versailles Palace
Abner frowned. 'Il était un poète sur le terrain?'
'Oui,' Durford said. 'Nous n'avons pas vu que c'était. Ils ont completement invisible, mais le poète arrêté les gargouilles.'
Abner tapped his knuckles. 'Laissez Sir Ezio sais qu'il ya des complications.'
Durford nodded and left the room. Abner leaned back in his chair. It seemed that Henry Jones Junior was more resourceful than he'd thought. But how did he get the poet into the palace grounds and who was it?
~NQM~
Indy slid down the bars of the fence after Marie. The Frenchwoman pointed to a small building they could see on the edge of the nearby lake. She said, 'We can hide in there. I think it's only used for storage.'
'I'll meet you there,' Indy said.
Marie stared at him for a minute. 'As much as you want to, I'd advise against that, Indy.'
'Let him go,' Sigurd said as he hit the ground behind Indy. 'This way she'll be prepared.'
~NQM~
Marion was woken at about four o'clock by the sound of the French doors being opened. She lifted her head and her hand wrapped around the hilt of her sword, which she kept behind the head of her bed. None of the maids ever found it there.
When she saw who it was, she relaxed completely. 'Indy?'
Indiana Jones looked at her and grinned. 'Did you miss me?'
Marion jumped out of bed and crossed the room to him in a few seconds. She kissed him and Indy returned the embrace. She pulled back only because of the necessity to breathe. As Marion rested her head on his chest, he laid his cheek on her head.
'I take that as a yes,' he murmured.
'Hm.' Marion pulled back and looked up at him. 'But you shouldn't be here, Indy.'
'I had to see you.' Indy stroked her hair back. 'Besides, Marie told me you always lock the door.' He looked down at the thin nightgown she was wearing. 'Oh, sweetheart, that doesn't look very warm.'
'It isn't,' Marion said. 'Turns out even a royal's nightwear is designed for appearance and not comfort.'
Indy leaned down and scooped her up into his arms. Marion smiled. With anyone else, she'd hate to be seen so weak because then they saw her vulnerabilities. But she loved Indy and she trusted him. He wouldn't ever take advantage of her like that. Marion let him lay her down on the bed, pull the covers back over her and lay down next to her.
'You really came in here because you missed me?' Marion asked.
'I didn't like the way you were taken from me, honey,' Indy said. 'If you recall, I was unconscious at the time. I thought you might've been hurt.'
'No.' Marion smiled. 'Their orders were only to retrieve me for Abner and, technically, I am royalty.'
'Some consolation.' Indy kissed the tip of Marion's nose. 'We're getting ready to take these guys down in a few hours.'
Marion nodded. 'I better get dressed then.'
