Cooper was convinced that the heap lying before him was dead. With a small grin, he was about to head off when he heard a someone growling.
Eyes wide, he looked back as James pushed himself up and pulled the knife out of his stomach. Then he raised his head up and showed Cooper angry eyes as he tried to stand up.
"Now, now, son. Didn't your mommy tell you that vengeance is never the answer? Or did your daddy kill her before that happened?"
He realized his mistake as James's anger gave him the strength to get up on his feet. Terrified of the man before him, Cooper pulled out his sword and prepared to defend himself.
"Sawyer. I'm James Ford. You killed my parents. Prepare to die."
His legs suddenly gave in and he had to catch a nearby table as he fell. Cooper took this opportunity to pierce his heart, but James swung his sword and blocked the attack. He stood up and continued advancing toward him.
"Sawyer. I'm James Ford. You killed my parents. Prepare to die."
Feeling more and more nervous as he said that, Cooper slashed at him but James blocked every parry. He was growing stronger, knowing that his revenge was so near.
"SAWYER! I'm James Ford! You killed my parents! Prepare to die!"
"Stop saying that!" Cooper yelled angrily and fearfully.
They kept fighting as James was pushing Cooper towards the nearest wall.
"SAWYER! I'M JAMES FORD! YOU KILLED MY PARENTS! PREPARE TO DIE!"
And with that, he slashed his sword and Cooper's knocking it out of his hand. He held the blade at his throat as Cooper's back was against the wall.
"Now," James sneered. "If I ask for money?"
"Every penny I've got…is yours," Cooper pleaded as carefully placed his hands behind his back, pulling out a dagger hidden under a sleeve.
"How 'bout power?" James asked.
"All that I have and more. You want it you've got it."
"Will you gimme anything I ask?"
"Anything you want!"
"Anything?"
"ANYTHING!"
He pulled out the dagger and lunged at James, but his blade was already plunged into Cooper's chest.
James snarled. "Then give me back my parents! You miserable BASTARD!"
He pulled the sword from his parents' killer and Count Anthony Cooper fell dead to the ground.
"Please forgive me," Claire begged Charlie
"Why? You sinned? I think you're supposed to confess to a priest."
Claire giggled weakly. "No. I got married. I didn't want to, it just happened so fast."
Charlie smiled. "No it didn't."
"What?"
"You didn't get married."
"Yes I did! His said 'man and wife'."
"What about you? Did you say 'I do'?"
Claire frowned. "No…we sot of skipped that part."
"Well if you didn't say it, you didn't do it, then you're not married."
Charlie smiled and she smiled back in relief. Charlie's eyes then darted to the door.
"Wouldn't you agree, your highness?"
Claire looked behind her to see Prince Locke standing at the doorway, both astonished and angry.
"A technicality, but I plan to legalize it. But first thing's first."
He pulled out his sword and headed to Charlie.
"To the death!"
"NO!"
Charlie's words stopped Locke in his place as his eyes glared fiercely at him.
"To the pain, Locke."
Locke looked at him in confusion. "Sorry, but I don't think I've heard that one before."
"Then I'll explain. And I'll use small terms so your tiny brain will be sure to understand, you ape."
Locke's face twisted into rage. "That would be the first time a man dared to insult me eye to eye."
"Well it won't be the last. When I say 'to the pain', I say that first…you will lose your feet below the ankles, and then your hands at your wrists, and your nose next…"
Locke scoffed. "Then I guess I lose my tongue…or maybe one of my kidneys. I killed you too quickly and I don't plan to do it again."
"Oh, I'm not done yet. Next you will lose your left eye and then your right."
Locke was suddenly bored and impatient. "And then my ears! I understand! Now let's get on with it!"
"NO! You keep your ears and I'll tell you why. That way, you'll be able to cherish every shriek of every child that sees how ugly you are. Every baby that cries at the sight of you, every woman that screams 'Dear God! What is that thing?' will echo in your beautiful ears until you die. THAT is what I mean when I say 'to the pain'. I leave you in agony, wallowing in freakish misery."
Locke considered what Charlie said to him, then his face broke into a mocking smile.
"You're bluffing."
"Maybe I am. I suppose I am bluffing, you pig. It's conceivable, you bloody scum, seeing as how I'm lying because I don't have the strength to stand. Or do I?"
And suddenly, Charlie slowly rose out of the bed and was now standing straight on his feet. Locke gaped in horror as Charlie held his sword up, pointing the blade at the prince.
"Drop…your…sword."