Chapter Twelve
Aralyne passed out and the giant caught her in his massive arms before she could hit the floor. A little later, the three men had taken her onto a boat, while the bald man, whose name was Vizzini was on the shore tearing up a piece of fabric.
The Spanish swordsman named Inigo inquired, "What is that you're ripping?"
"It's fabric from the uniform of an army officer of Guilder," Vizzini replied
"Who's Guilder?" asked the giant, Fezzik.
"One of the countries across the sea, the sworn enemy of Nesidy," said Vizzini tossing the piece of fabric onto the ground. He crossed the gangplank and continued speaking, "Once the brats realize that this girl is missing, the fabric will make them suspect the Guilderians have abducted her and will go tell their allies in Nesidy. When they find her body dead on the Guilder frontier, their suspicions will be totally confirmed."
"You never said anything about killing anyone," Fezzik replied, his brow creasing in worry.
Rounding on him angrily, Vizzini snapped at him, "I've hired you to help me start a war. It's a prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition."
"I just don't think it's right, killing an innocent girl," said Fezzik.
"Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips?" Vizzini now yelled, "YOU WERE NOT HIRED FOR YOUR BRAINS, YOU HIPPOPOTAMIC LAND MASS!"
"I agree with Fezzik," Inigo spoke up.
Vizzini now turned his attention to the Spaniard, "OH! The SOT has spoken! What happens to her is not truly your concern. I will kill her! And remember this, NEVER forget this: when I found you, you were so slobbering drunk, YOU COULDN'T BUY BRANDY! AND YOU!" he faced Fezzik once more, "Friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! DO YOU WANT ME TO SEND YOU BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE? UNEMPLOYED? IN GREENLAND?"
Not saying anything, Fezzik and Inigo were preparing the ship to set sail before Peter and the Lost Boys returned.
"Vizzini, he can... fuss," said Inigo speaking only to the giant.
Fezzik thought for a second then replied, "Fuss, fuss... I think he likes to scream... at us."
"Probably he means no... harm," Inigo added.
"He's really very short on... charm!" said Fezzik.
Smiling, Inigo said, "Ah, You have a great gift for rhyme."
"Yes, yes, some of the time," Fezzik agreed.
"Enough of that!" Vizzini yelled overhearing their antics.
"Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?" Inigo asked.
"If there are, we'll all be dead!" Fezzik answered.
"No more rhymes now, I mean it!" Vizzini snapped.
"Anybody want a peanut?" asked Fezzik.
Vizzini screamed in frustration.
Siren decided to check and see how Hook was faring. In her crystal ball, she watched in absolute boredom as he failed, and was eventually eaten by the giant octopus. Well, at least the creature finished him off for her. That was another villain she wouldn't bother raising from the dead.
Then her interest peaked as some unknown men came onto the scene and kidnapped Aralyne. They weren't part of her followers, and she would find it rather sad if these three managed to do what two of her villains could not.
Well, we'll just wait and see, won't we?
When the Lost Boys returned to Neverland after retrieving the treasure and hiding it once more, they could not find Aralyne anywhere. They searched every inch of the island for her, but to no avail, until Peter found the piece of fabric Vizzini had left behind, he quickly realized what had happened. Leaving the boys behind, he flew out over the ocean hoping to find the ship that had Aralyne, and indeed found a vessel. Upon landing on the deck, he found himself surrounded by pirates, but not any he recognized.
A man entirely dressed in black along with a black mask pointed a sword at him and asked, "What is it you want, boy?"
"Are you the ones that took Aralyne?" the child demanded looking about at them all.
"Aralyne?" the man in black said, something flashing in his blue eyes, "What would we want with her?"
"She was kidnapped by Guilderians," Peter explained.
"Listen, boy, we'll go out and find the girl. Tell the leader of Nesidy she'll be returned safely."
Peter nodded and said, "And who shall I say the message is from?"
The man in black smiled. "The Dread Pirate Roberts."
I was now awake and tied up, not to mention, I had learned the names of my captors.
Inigo was looking behind the boat frequently, which was really bothering Vizzini.
"We'll reach the cliffs by dawn," said the bald man then demanded of the Spaniard, "Why are you doing that?"
"Making sure nobody follows us," replied Inigo.
"That would be inconceivable," said Vizzini.
I glared at her captors and said, "Despite what you think, you will be caught. And when you are, I will personally kick your asses!"
"Of all the asses on this boat, girl, the one you should be worrying about is your own," said Vizzini. He then noticed Inigo look back once more. "Stop doing that! We can all relax, it's almost over."
"You are sure nobody's following us?" Inigo asked facing Vizzini.
"As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable. No one in Guilder knows what we've done, and no one in Nesidy could've gotten here so fast," said Vizzini, then frowned slightly, "Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"
"Oh, it's nothing, suddenly, I just happen to look behind us and something is there," Inigo replied nonchalantly.
"What?" Vizzini cried out in disbelief, peering out over to where Inigo was pointing, "Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise at night... through eel infested waters."
With all of the men distracted, I picked up a knife that was left at my side, quickly cut my bindings and jumped overboard.
"Wha-wh- Go in! Get after her!" Vizzini yelled at the other two when I began swimming away.
"I don't swim," Inigo said.
"I only dog paddle," Fezzik added.
Vizzini yelled in frustration as the others began steering the boat after me. "VEER LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!" A loud, harsh shrieking sound suddenly echoed around the waters and I froze in fear as something brushed against my leg. "Do you know what that sound is, girl?" Vizzini asked with a sinister grin, "Those are the shrieking eels. If you don't believe me, just wait! They always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh." An eel swam by me and I screamed, trying to get away from it. "If you swim back now, I promise, no harm will come to you. I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels." An eel began to charge at me. Fezzik suddenly leaned over the boat which was right behind me and hit the eel before lifting me out of the water and into the boat.
"Put her down, just put her down," Vizzini ordered and Fezzik did, tying me back up in the process.
"I think he's getting closer," said Inigo gazing back at the ship following them.
"HE'S NO CONCERN OF OURS. SAIL ON!" Vizzini yelled, then turned his attention back to me, "I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?"
"Only compared to some," I replied coldly, glaring at him.
While everyone was trying to clean up the mess Belle had created, Peter Pan arrived looking somewhat exhausted. Without saying a greeting to anyone, he ran right up to Grandpa.
"Lao Shi!" he cried, "I'm so glad I found you! It's about Aralyne!"
"Peter Pan?" Danny said in surprise, looking even more sick. Sam wanted him to stay in bed, but refused when he heard Aralyne was missing again. Then he added, "Wait. What? Aralyne? Where is she?"
"Peter, what's wrong?" Grandpa demanded, "Is she okay? Please tell me she's okay!"
The child shook his head and replied, "She was kidnapped by Guilderians. I don't know where they were going, but I ran into the Dread Pirate Roberts and he said he would save her and return her safely to Nesidy."
When the pirate's name was mentioned, everyone within earshot gasped. Grandpa ignored them for a moment and placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Thank you, Peter. You've been a great help. Please return to Neverland and get some rest." The child nodded and shot off into the sky.
"Lao Shi," said Captain Amelia, "The Dread Pirate Roberts can be just as ruthless as Hook or Silver. Do you think it wise to trust him with Miss Chanson?"
"I know," said Grandpa, "But something doesn't make sense. If he was so ruthless, I doubt he would have told Peter to pass on the message that Aralyne will be safe. Or even spared Peter's life. He's the only hope we've got."
"Look! He's right on top of us!" said Inigo, looking back at the gaining ship for the billionth time, "I wonder if he's using the same wind we are using."
"Whoever he is, he's too late," said Vizzini excitedly pointing forwards, "SEE? THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY! HURRY UP! MOVE THE THING! AND THAT OTHER THING! MOVE IT!" A few minutes later, we docked and exited boat. At the foot of the cliffs was a rope dangling down for people to climb up if they dared. "Only Fezzik is strong enough to go up our way. He'll have to sail around for hours 'til he finds a harbor."
Inigo, Vizzini and I were clinging to Fezzik, as he climbed the rope to the top. The man in black jumped from his ship and headed after us.
"He's climbing the rope. And he's gaining on us," said Inigo in amazement.
"Inconceivable!" Vizzini yelled, "FASTER!"
"I thought I was going faster," Fezzik grunted out.
Vizzini then roared in his ear, "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THIS COLOSSUS, YOU WERE THIS GREAT LEGENDARY THING, AND YET HE GAINS!"
"Well, I'm carrying three people, and he's got only himself," Fezzik pointed out.
Vizzini growled out in annoyance, "I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant, that's all."
"Don't say that, Vizzini. Please?" Fezzik said obviously hurt by that remark.
"DID I MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOUR JOB IS AT STAKE?" Vizzini shouted again.
Once at the top of the Cliffs of Insanity, Inigo helped Vizzini and me over the edge. Vizzini then began sawing at the rope with his dagger and it slithered over the edge out of sight. We all peered down at the masked man clinging to the cliff after Vizzini had cut the rope.
"He's got very good arms," Fezzik commented.
Vizzini joined them and exclaimed angrily, "HE DIDN'T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE! "
Inigo gave him a funny look and said, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." He then transferred his gaze back to the man on their trail. "My God! He's climbing!"
"Whoever he is, he's obviously seen us with the girl and must therefore die," said Vizzini then said to Fezzik, "You, carry her. We'll head straight for the Guilder frontier." To Inigo, he added, "Catch up when he's dead. If he falls, fine. If not, the sword."
"I'm going to duel him left-handed," Inigo said.
"YOU KNOW WHAT A HURRY WE'RE IN!" Vizzini roared.
"Is the only way I can be satisfied. If I use my right, over too quickly," Inigo explained.
"Oh, have it your way," said Vizzini in exasperation.
"You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted," Fezzik said to his Spanish friend.
Vizzini yelled from the side, "I'M WAITING!"
Vizzini, Fezzik and I departed the Ruins, leaving Inigo to prepare for the masked man.
Inigo looked over the cliff edge and shouted out, "Hello there!" The masked man glanced up. "Slow going?"
"Look, I don't mean to be rude," said the Dread Pirate Roberts as he slowly climbed up the cliff, "but this is not as easy as it looks, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me."
"Sorry," Inigo apologized.
"Thank you," the Dread Pirate Roberts replied tersely.
"I do not suppose you could-a speed things up?" Inigo asked hopefully after spending a couple of seconds fighting the air with his sword.
"If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do," said the Dread Pirate Roberts.
"I could do that," replied Inigo, "I've got some rope up here, but I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you."
With a nod, the Dread Pirate Roberts said sarcastically, "That does put a damper on our relationship."
"But, I promise I will not kill you until you reach the top," said Inigo.
"That's very comforting, but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait," said the man in black.
"I hate waiting," Inigo muttered to himself as he began to walk away, but turned and came back saying to the other man, "I could give you my word as a Spaniard...?"
The Dread Pirate Roberts replied in a strained voice, "No good. I've known too many Spaniards."
"So's there any way you'll trust me?" Inigo inquired.
"Nothing comes to mind," said the Dread Pirate Roberts.
"I swear, on the soul of my father, Domingo Montoya, you will reach the top alive," Inigo said solemnly.
The Dread Pirate Roberts stared up at him for a moment before saying, "Throw me the rope." Inigo uncoiled part of the rope from the rock it was attached to and tossed it over the edge. The man in black grasped the rope and climbed to the top. "Thank you," he said wearily beginning to draw his sword.
"W-w-w-w-we'll wait until you're ready," Inigo replied, showing good form to his enemy.
The Dread Pirate Roberts was obviously surprised by this and said, "Again, thank you." They both sat on giant boulders and the man in black emptied rocks from his boots.
While waiting, Inigo said, "I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?"
Still holding a boot, the man in black asked a question of his own, "Do you always begin conversations this way?"
"My father was slaughtered by a six fingered man," Inigo explained quietly, "Was a great sword maker, my father. When the six fingered man appear and request a special sword, my father took the job." He drew his sword from its scabbard. It was beautiful with an elegant golden hilt and the blade shone almost unnaturally. The Dread Pirate was impressed and had seen a sword as great as that once before in his life. "He slave a year before he was done." He handed the Dread Pirate Roberts the sword.
Admiring the weapon up close, the man in black said, "I would like to see a fight between this and Excalibur." He returned the sword.
Inigo continued on with his story, "Six fingered man returned and demanded it, but at one-tenth his promised price. My father refuse. Without a word, the six fingered man slash him through the heart." He sheathed the sword. "I loved my father, so naturally I challenged his murderer to a duel. I fail. Six fingered man leave me alive. But he give me these." Inigo pointed to the scars running the length of his cheeks.
"How old were you?" the Dread Pirate Roberts inquired.
"I was eleven years old," Inigo replied, "When I was-a strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of fencing, so the next time we meet, I will not fail. I will go up to the six fingered man and say, Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
"You've done nothing but study swordplay?" the man in black asked.
"More a pursuit than a study, lately. You see, I cannot find him. It has been twenty years now and I am starting to lose confidence. I just work for Vizzini to pay the bills. It's not a lot of money in revenge," said Inigo.
"Well," said the Dread Pirate Roberts standing with his boots back on, "I certainly hope you find him someday."
"You are ready, then?" Inigo asked.
"Whether I am or not, you've been more than fair," said the Dread Pirate Roberts.
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you," Inigo stated apologetically.
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die," added the man in black.