Chapter 10
Atilla, Ulf, Vladamir, the Pirate Thug and Killer all stood outside the barn, sizing the situation at hand. They found Eugene and Rapunzel asleep in the loft, far away from their three guests.
Ulf woke them and smuggled them back into the inn, packages and all, while the other four went to find their guests. Shorty had mentioned that it wasn't safe for the two to travel; Guards were everywhere, as per Queen Greta's order to capture and kill.
"The witch and her mirror," Gunter said, as he eyed one of Rapunzel's paintings. It was crooked, again. Tor was taking care of the plants as usual.
"We have to be quiet and careful, Greno." Shorty said, as he and Greno moved from the bar area to help two very sleepy people upstairs. Shorty turned to Ulf. "Go find Fang," he told Ulf. "Figure out something to keep the Guards entertained."
He turned to Big Nose and his wife, Lena. "Keep serving if those Guards do show up. We've got to be prepared for anything and everything."
Everyone nodded and watched and waited.
XXXXXX
It was Bastian who awoke first. He found himself bound and gagged, draped on the back of a horse. He tried to pick his head up, but found it difficult. He tried so hard to loosen his bonds that he almost fell off his horse. Thanks to the Pirate Thug's quick actions, Bastian lost consciousness again.
"Been dealing with these types all my life," the Pirate Thug, who had seen the whole incident. "Always have to be on your toes and ready for mutiny." It was Vlad who was transporting Bastian; Attila had Sideburns and Killer had Eye Patch. The Pirate Thug was riding in back, keeping a watchful eye over the situation.
It was suggested to travel the side roads, as the Queen's Guards were looking for something out of the ordinary. And these three would be recognized instantly. So far, they hadn't run into any trouble and they were far enough away from inn.
"Drop them here," the Pirate Thug ordered, as they stopped in the middle of nowhere. "Tie them to that tree and let's get going."
"You know the way back, don't you?" Killer asked, when the job was done.
The Pirate Thug smiled and stroked his long beard. 'Have I ever steered you wrong yet?"
The three smiled, jumped on their horses and left Bastian and the twins to the elements of nature or the Guards, whichever came first.
XXXXXX
Gothel pranced around her bed chamber in ecstasy. As luck would have it, her portable mirror was a magic one all along. It had been cut from the glass that made her magic mirror, she just hadn't realized it.
Where the enchanted glass had come from, she had no clue. That glass was older than she was, she figured anyway. It had to be, it was there when she moved in. Roland must have gotten it from somewhere and eventually she'd find out as soon as she was rid of Rapunzel. Well, now she had others to dispose of, Bastian, her knight in shining armor, had failed her and failed her big time. She remembered the night she sent him away, right after their lovemaking.
The silly fool, he assured her that she didn't need to come; that the three of them could handle it without any problems. He'd track her down and let the twins do the rest, although they'd be disposing of two bodies, not one. Bastian nodded and promised Greta that he'd give her anything she asked for, including the moon and stars.
Everything was at her disposal; all she had to do was ask.
They made love and everything was forgotten until she woke the next morning and he was gone, along with the twins. She looked into her mirror and saw grey streaks shooting through her hair and remembered that she had forgotten to use her magic golden flower.
She opened her chamber door and made sure no one was about. She looked right and left, but couldn't see anyone. Smiling, she closed the door and ran to the far wall. She tapped lightly and a hidden door swung open, revealing the sunroom where the magic golden flower and its magic elixir was kept; among other things. The Queen had it built especially to keep out prying eyes and nosy questions. No one knew it was here, she was sure of that; now that Roland had been taken of.
But no matter, the rest of that family would soon meet his fate and there was nothing anyone to stop her.
Right now, however, the only thing she seemed to be interested was that darn elixir. She had tons of it as she smiled and made her way deeper into the hidden room. Greta scooped up the jug she had and was surprised to see the jug open, the cork gone and some of the contents spilled on the floor.
The flower too was missing, but some of the cuttings were still inside a medium size jar. Gothel wasn't sure what she could get out of them, if anything. She placed the cuttings in some warm water and waited. Most likely she would have to wait until tomorrow and make sure she'd get the full effect.
A knock forced her to look up. She was finished here anyway; there was nothing more she could do until tomorrow. She closed the door to the sunroom and made her way toward her chamber door.
"Here you go, Your Majesty," one of the Guards said, as the door opened. He handed her a package wrapped in muslin. "Everything that you require is in here."
Gothel opened up and her eyes lit up. She looked up at the Guard, who was patiently awaiting his next orders. "Excellent, my love; this is more than I can ask for." Their eyes locked. "You will be rewarded handsomely. I trust everything else went well?"
The Guard nodded. "I just have to return this uniform to the man I stole it from and I'll be on my way."
The Queen smiled and drew him closer to her. "Don't you want your payment, my boy? You do deserve everything I promised you and more."
She stared at the boy and shook her head. "You look so much like your cousin, Ian Smyth, but that's where it stops."
Ian smiled and placed his arms around her. "I'm glad I can be of help, my lady. You've given me everything I've wanted and more."
Greta smiled. "And now I have decided to give you your just reward."
And as they kissed, she kicked her chamber door closed.