A
Show Stopper
Moving on.
xxx
Spotlights to center stage. Platforms, a trapeze, toys, and more decorating the spherical arena. Torches illuminated in the outlining stagnant darkness flickered. A mysterious portly man, with a leg extended on his podium and his hat tipped to leave the audience in suspense, grinned huskily. The animated murmurs echoing from the massive crowd silenced in waves.
"LADIES! GENTLEMEN! CHILDREN OF ALL AGES!" The man flicked his hat, rolling down his arm and into his hand, "I," He threw his arms to the air, drawing every single eye to him, "THE AMAZING BOSWELL, WELCOME YOU TO BOSWELL'S WILD TRAVELING KINGDOM!" The torches erupted in a blaze when he bowed. Boswell's Wild Traveling Kingdom wrote in flames arching the stage. The crowd ate it up, cheering loudly for the meager trick among many. "Tonight will be the night you bear witness and see animals from across the world you never dreamed would be gathered in one place! You will see vicious tigers! Man eating bears! Dancing Elephants! And much, much more!" The crowd relished in his animal impersonation. In Khaldun, Tigers aren't too much oof a Rarity. But seeing that along with other animals will be a sight to behold. "Our show will begin in a matter of minutes! So, if you've yet to purchase your snacks, or use the restroom, do so now! You won't want to miss what I have in store for you!" He placed his hat to his balding scalp. In its place were smoke pellets. "Wahza-wahzoo!" The pellets hit and smoke swallowed Boswell. The lightning allowed the morning to flood the huge tent, and the audience was already dispersing so they wouldn't miss another second.
xxx
"Oh, wow..." Lydia marveled. This is not at all what she and Adelea expected.
An entire carnival occupied Kaleides Village's bazaar. Village was a mile term. It was virtually a small town with huts and shacks. Concession stands run by the locals bombarded by an abundance of customers eager to get on rides. Minor shows serving as opening acts for the real show set to begin in a short time. Proceeds made by the carnival circulated the village. It was prospering because of it. Or so it appeared to be. So much for finding a tent in the middle of nowhere.
"I might actually feel guilty about this later." Lydia's guilt can't help admitting. Confront Boswell might hurt these people later on.
"Me too." For Serena, Adelea would cause an international incident. It won't erase the fact so many people will be sad when the whistle is blown on him. "But these people deserve to know that a thief and a crook are providing them entertainment.
Lydia doubted it would matter. Children will play with swords for any reason despite them being dangerous. Carnival gers are no different. Boswell's giving them entertainment, food, and bringing in currency. They may be impassive toward him illegally possessing animals.
"Let's still be discrete." Lyda implored her. "Remember, I'm a Princess now. Anything I do here can have serious repercussions on my dad later. All of Enchancia if we screw up."
"I know. I'm sorry! It's just..." Adelea nibbled on her cheek. So many people and so many stands. Tents standing higher than the village were everywhere. "This will be like finding a needle in a haystack! How are we going to find Boswell in order for it to matter."
"Are you looking for Boswell's show?" A man selling triangle shaped crisps doused in cheese overheard them.
"Yes we are!" Adelea paid for two cartons of those crisps. "Do you know where we might find it?" One bite and the pair launched to cheesey heaven. They were quite genius.
"Do you see that blue and yellow tent yonder there?" The one tent larger, and more auspicious than the generic brand tents. This will be considered one of those DUH moments. "Boswell's show is going to start in 30 minutes. If you hurry, you might be able to get good seats." Adelea would sooner swallow a wheel than watch his sham of a show.
"You wouldn't happen to know where he keeps the animals, would you?" Lyydia pressed.
"Oh sure! You know - ha, ha - I'm not supposed to tell anyone," He hushed to a whisper, drawing the girls in, "Boswell keeps his animals in a second tent behind the main one."
"Thanks for the info."
"Here! Have seconds for the road!" He handed them both seconds. Extra cheese just because they earned it.
"Thank you. Have a good day." Adelea wished. The man returned to selling the creation he dubbed Nachos. It'll never catch on.
"30 minutes, huh?" Lydia muttered, shoving three chips. The warm cheese and crunchy nachos filled her stomach. The gurgling in her stomach quelled. Breakfast. She skipped breakfast. She knew she forgot something. "That's not a lot of time."
"Then we have to hurry!" Adelea ate and sprinted at the same time. Lydia's nowhere near that coordinated. She'd better learn fast. Adelea will make a huge mess if she doesn't keep up.
xxx
Constable Miles returned to the stables with one of the Pegasi all winded and ready for a nice rest. He pumped his wings for ten laps around the castle, and a one mile dash. He earned himself a treat. Delivering the tired horse to his pen, Miles hummed pensively noticing Spirit was back yet. Meaning Adelea and Lydia aren't home yet either.
"I wonder what they're up to..." Being gone this long, either Lydia's found trouble or trouble found Lydia. Again. "Hurry home, Princess." Miles heard the distinctive tune of a calliope in the distance. "If you are not here for the circus, Princess Sofia will give you an earful."
xxx
Boswell's main tent was completely surrounded by excited spectators. Food stands closest to the soon to perform spectacle were closing one after the other from so many customers demanding surplus of everything. The bathrooms were overrun as well. Good thing not many are opposed to using trees. Otherwise the grounds would be as messy as the zoo pens.
Adelea and Lydia maneuvered and shoved their way between closely hugging patrons. It was wise that they ate while on the run. People are smashing into one another so much their clothes feasted on their food and drinks. Judging by how thick the crowd was becoming, it was likely the entrance to Boswell's tent was ahead of them. Adelea managed to jump high enough to spot the small entry. They're right in front of the tent. The animals were just on the other side. Adelea and Lydia nodded. They moved closed. Lydia teleported abruptly. The gap tipped and toppled the shoving masses. Adelea and Lydia emerged at the tent's stern. The tent mentioned by the food man was connected to the main tent. A given since it would be an inconvenience to drag animals all the way around. That also meant there are two directions for them to be spotted. From here, either they play it smart, or spend a night in prison for trespassing, and whatever other crimes Boswell can concoct.
Lydia poked the flap open. Coast looked clear so far. "I'll head inside and scope it out. You know what Boswell looks like. Keep a look out."
"Okay." Adelea reached into one of her pouches and handed Lydia a marble. She held a similar one. "When it lights up red, that means you need to hide or run." No more need be said. Adelea retreated to a nearby alley, ducking behind empty barrels.
Lydia poked her head inside the tent. It was a small area housing the food. By the smell, it was past the expiration date. No one was around. She heard the growing audience on the other side. She had 12 minutes before the show started. She needed to make tracks and find Serena. Tiptoeing to the second entry, Lydia parted the folds and slowly slid her head inside.
"What the…" Her eyes and mouth broke. Drawn in by a trance, Lydia dragged her feet, spinning in awe and sorrow by the animals poorly cage in the stifling tent. "The Ringmaster wasn't kidding." An aviary of buzzards. A baby elephant locked in a cage. A caged black panther below a sheen tiger. An orangutan was placed beside a bear who was snoring the day away. And finally the adult elephant shackled by his ankles to the floor. "That maniac literally took the whole circus." It was so overwhelming she was dizzy. She caught herself on a barrel. Her fingers brushed to papers. An article caught her eye. Animus Mal and Apprentice walk among the Jaguars. Only subscribers can get the latest issue. "Well I'll be darned…"
"Well, well, well. Look at this." The tiger's malevolent purr sent chills down her spine. "Another she-cub come to bask in awe of the exotic animal." The sarcasm and misery dripped like venom. Note to self: avoid that one. Lydia took two steps to the left.
"Now, now. No call for hostilities." The panther calmly, if not grudgingly, reprimanded the frothing tiger. "Humans are simple creatures. Fascinated by animals of all shapes. They cannot help themselves." Simple? They do know she's standing right there, right?
"Man, please!" The orangutan spat through his teeth, folding his flabby arm. "As a distantly related human myself, I can tell ya there ain't nuthin fascinating' about us!" He grasped the bar, shaking them violently, "You hear me, Hairless! Nuthin! Now scram!" Lydia never understood how animals could call humans hairless.
Smacking lips twisted Lydia to a glass cage she hadn't noticed. A python as long as Roland's to-do list was coiled in assorted branches. Hungry radiated from that bloodthirsty smile of his. "I wish my cage would open." His tongue lathered his lips. A kaleidoscope of spheres rolled in his eyes. "She would make a tasty snack."
"Can we have the leftovers?" A stunted buzzard called.
"Yeah, we haven't eaten!" The next one prodded his gurgling stomach.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." The third ardently announced.
"It's the first one." The dreary looking one added.
"AND WE'RE STARVIN'!" The goofball one tripped on his own feathers. "Gimmie a funny bone, please!"
Buzzards, snake, and Tiger - Lydia made notes, List of animals to avoid. "Balderdash!" The elephant spat. "This human isn't impressed with us! I dare say she will offer that odd pouch of jingling bits to make us into her own personal entourage of animals!" Did the elephant just accuse me of being an animal bargain hunter? Lydia's not sure if she should speak, or wait for them to cool off.
"I don't know, Pop…" The smaller elephant pranced in his cage. He was halfway across the room from his father. "I think she looks nice." he was Lydia's favorite so far.
"Don't be fooled, Son! All humans are sly, crafty creatures! They will devour your flesh just as soon as look at you!" And she was feeling offended all over again. Serena's not in the tent. She should just walk out and leave them to be a side show.
"You guys mind, keepin' it down." The bear groaned, letting out a huge yawn. "I ain't gotten my 30 Z's yet."
"How can you be so flippant about this human?" The tiger said human without masking his disgust. By this time, Lydia's nonchalant about their conversation and is letting it flow. She forgets animals aren't immediately wise to her accessories.
"Because, man, she ain't fascinated by me." He itched his flabby stomach. "She can't make a coat or whatever out of me." Now they were just insulting her.
"Oh I dare her to try!" The orangutan sprang side to side, ready for a scrape to end all scraps. "Come at me, Bro! I'll send ya flyin' halfway us the nile with no paddle!"
"What's the nile?" The small elephant's trunk itch his confusion.
Lydia touched fingers to her lips. A shrill whistle silenced the animals quick. "First of all, Bear Necessities, I do not wear fur clothing because one: it itches, and two: it's wrong!" The Bear's eyes batted in shock. He was just scolded by a human. The rest of the odd herd gawked in shock. That human heard the bear! "And you! Human wannabe!" The orangutan glanced to both sides, then pointed to himself. "Yeah! You! Threaten me with fire again and I'll slow roast your hide with pineapple wedges and cranberries! You got me!" The orangutan's jaw slacked like a broken hatch.
"By jove! This She-Cub is TALKING to us!" The elephant cowered in his corner, foot lifted as a meek defense. "She is peircing our minds with her witch powers! Brace yourselves, men! This she-devil can manipulate us like that portly Boswell fiend!"
"OR…" Lydia stomped to the timidly pachyderm, pinching her ear, "The she-devil has a pair of earrings that let her talk to animals."
"BACK FOUL CREATURE!" The elephant's trunk lifted her by the waist. "Back to the pit from whence you came!" By sheer luck, the elephant threw her to a soft pile of hay. She angrily puffed the straw on her nose.
"I'm going to pretend that didn't happen…" She flipped around, dusting herself free of straw, "So I'm NOT tempted to pry your tusks of your face!" She roared. The elephant cracked his trunk like a whip, daring her to come at him. "Now listen! I'm not here to hurt any of you! I'm here for Serena."
"The hawk?" The panther's ears shot up.
"That's the one. She's my best friend's partner." Ears flicked at partner. The merry band aren't unfamiliar in the regards of animal-human partnerships. They are merely becoming a rarity as time advances. Lydia's head cooled enough to where she thought introductions were in order. A way to chip at the ice. "My name is Lydia. Serena belongs to my friend Adelea. And vice versa." Serena, again, is similar to Eezeyal in 90% of the way. What she says goes, and if you argue...thank goodness there are beak proof goggles.
The panther tilted a reserved brow, analyzing Lydia intensely. Stupidity clung to her drooping head. "I am Bagheera." The tension noticeably lifted. Bagheera bowed his head, sitting straight posture. He is willing to heed her plight. Lydia relaxed more.
"The name's Baloo!" Baloo reached past the bars, drawing Lydia into a noogie. "Nice tuh meetcha kid." Lydia dizzily wobbled, fixing her hair.
"Buzzie."
"Flaps."
"Dizzy."
"Ziggy."
"HA-HA! LUCKY!" The crazy buzzard pounced on his irritated friends. "Oh, and I'm Lucky."
"King Louie, at your service." He bowed.
"Colonel Hathi!" The elephant stood at attention. "Commander of the Elephant Patrol! That is my son, Hathi Jr." Hathi Jr. Saluted.
"I am Kaa. And you look delicious." Hypnotic revolved in his eyes. His tongue slurped his lips. Lydia made a mental note to not get too close.
"Shere Khan." His knitting brow made her knees knock together. That hard stare as sharp as a sword, piercing her to the core. "Now clarify on how you are related to the red-tailed bird."
A feline that does not play. Just her luck. "Boswell stole Serena off Adelea in a rigged card game. We came here looking for her, but can't seem to find where she's at."
"Boswell keeps Serena in his trailer outback." Bagheera regretted to inform her. "She's difficult to control with that stick he is waving, so he works extra hard on her."
"Stick?" Hathi accused Lydia of being able to manipulate them in a way similar to Boswell. There's only one way he can do that. "Adelea's wand! He uses that on her?"
"And all of us." Kaa moaned in shame. "We resist, of course. Then he gets mad…" His tail massaged his sore head, "Then this agony - thousands of claws and beaks drilling in our skulls - afflicts us."
"Oh…you poor things." Lydia knelt to Hathi Jr.'s cage, petting his tuft of hair. The baby purred, melting in her caresses. His foot stomped uncontrollably. The larger elephant was impressed. Lydia originally came to rescue Serena. A whole new brand of crime just blossomed before her. Boswell is creating a circus where the only one who truly benefits is himself. If the pain the python described is being administered, a cruel fate will befall these animals in the near future.
xxx
Adelea twitched anxiously in place, chewing her fingernails to the root. People frequently walked to the back to see what was there, and then they'd leave. Adelea's heart nearly bursts thinking they're part of the staff. She's a nervous wreck. SHE should be the one inside the tent looking for Serena. Not Lydia.
"It's my fault Serena's in this mess…" She miserably crouched, pressing her chest to her knees. Her fault, and her friend is risking her freedom and reputation to fix it. "Just like old times…" Though, back in those days, Adelea was the one with the shovel, and Lydia was neck deep in trouble. Times sure have changed.
Happy go lucky humming shot her blood pressure up. Skipping feet tapping in mid air, boasting of fame, riches, and glory. Adelea poked half her head out. That beading sweat froze to ice. Boswell was heading straight for the tent. Adelea dropped to her butt, fumbling the marble.
"Danger, danger, danger!" She adamantly whispered. Her marble blared red.
xxx
Lydia's breast pocket flickered red. It was the marble Adelea gave her. Red means hide. "CRAP!" Lydia heard someone coming, and she wasn't liking the open space. In desperation she ducked behind Baloo. He was large enough to hide her. As long as he stayed leaning to the bars. "Do a girl a solid?" Baloo gave her a thumbs up.
The flaps flew open. "Rise and shine my gaggle of money makers!" The cages and shackles ground disdainfully. The animals bared their teeth, growling venomously as their caretaker sauntered inside. Hands behind his back, he reveled in the anticipation of reining in the money. "Do not fret, my poor, steadily losing luster, vagabonds. The show is about to kick off without a hitch!" That voice of his curdled Lydia's skin. He sounded like a silver tongued madman that would sell his mother. Catching a peek at him, Lydia found him better suited for selling carts instead of running a circus. Boswell cackled maniacally, rubbing his palms together. Just thinking about the profits he will rake in is making him giddy. "Once our show is over, I'll finally have enough money to leave this dust ball, and take my show to the big kingdoms! That circus will rue the day they reduced me to a minor, opening act!" He picked up a dart and threw it smack in the nose of the Golden Wing Circus Ringmaster poster. "Soon there will be no Golden Wing Circus. Just Boswell's circus!" His crazed laughter echoed as he entered to the main tent. His show was about to begin. He can't be late for his adoring audience.
"What a deplorable person!" Bagheera hissed.
"I couldn't agree more." Lydia growled. There's nothing she hates more than a person who thinks only of them self. While others suffer around them.
Adelea popped her head inside. To her relief, Boswell was gone. Lydia emerged from her hiding place, watching Boswell's exit like a hawk. "Lydia." Adelea made her heart skip a beat. To not state the obvious, Lydia was doing fine. The way the animals eyed her like fresh meat, she doubted she'd fair as easily. "So?"
"These guys said Serena's kept in Boswell's trailer."
"No way she's there right now! The show's about to start."
"There are bigger problems now. Boswell plans to use these guys until they break like cheap furniture."
"He wouldn't." Adelea refused to consider it. No human being would be so cruel to animals. Poachers, maybe. But...this. Long term suffering and agony? She clamped hands to stifle her gasp at the tiger's boney appearance. The elephant's' skin were dried. "Malnutrition heightens the potency of my wand's power. Boswell is purposefully ensuring they can't fight him. Serena's stubborn, but the wand works eventually."
"Forget hurting feelings." A quick glance around the pen and it was obvious Boswell was mistreating these poor animals. Baloo's ribs were noticeable past his thick fur. All animals involved are going to be starved and hurt if things go on. "Adelea and I are going to get you all out of here." She decreed. Adelea nodded firmly.
"How?" Baloo stressed, seeing their hopeless situation in the shape of locks. "Boswell uses that sticky thing to lock us in. There's no way you can get us out."
"And why would you?" The tiger hissed. He trusted man about as far as he can throw them. he was not about to trust a she-cub. "Why would a human bother to lift a finger for us?"
"Because no one - animal or human - deserves to be a carnival act!" Shere Khan was caught off guard by the answer.
Adelea inspected the locks sealing them inside. At first blush they were standard. Highlighting the lock with Lydia's wand, however, revealed speckled fragments imbedded in the key slots. "It's a minor trick, but if we try to undo these locks a substance will explode and paralyze us. We'd never make it three steps."
"Then how do you plan on rescuin' us, Lass?" Buzzie's doubt in her abilities howled. Adelea heard harsh screeches. By his facial expressions, he sincerely doubted they'd succeed.
"By getting Boswell to do the work for us." Now the animals were confused. Adelea too. Lydia spun her wand on a finger, "Trust me. You guys are gonna love this."
xxx
Admission was closed. What little people hadn't gotten a ticket to the show or found carnival more interesting wandered the grounds. The main tent was closed, doused in darkness. Top to bottom the audience filled the benches. The stairway aisles had a few stragglers sitting as far to the sides as they could without blocking the walkway. Everyone's waited hours to see this show. The tent could hardly sit still.
Torches ignited, startling leaning spectators off the arena wall. Eyes watched torches trail in a large circle. The talking dwindled to silence as spotlights crisscrossed on the center ring. From the darkness, Boswell emerged in his melodramatic manner, soaking up the anticipation and excitement like a sponge.
"LADIES...AND...GENTLEMEN!" He roared. His voice echoing to the uncontainable masses. The crowd erupted in cheers. "Are you ready to see pythons, tigers, and bears?!" He put a hand to his ear. The crowd's roaring answered that. "Oh my! I guess I shouldn't keep you in suspense."
Immersed in the middle of the spectator seat, Adelea and Lydia reluctantly listened to Boswell's winded speech of journeying to parts unknown and risking life and limb to acquire the beasts for his fans. Stomaching gruel bean casserole was easier.
"I asked around." Adelea leaned to Lydia's ear. Boswell's pontificating deafened the crowd to them. "Apparently today will be the first day Boswell shows off the animals." No surprise. Adelea saw how badly they are treated. Boswell needed time to completely overbear them in his thrall. "So how is this going to work again?"
"When Boswell has all the animals on stage, that's when we make our move."
"And since these are exotic animals in one spot, he'll want to show them off." Before the actual show, or during the acts.
"Exacty. Tell me you still have that whistle." Adelea waved the chimera shaped whistle. "Good. I'd hate to do this to them, but it's the only plan we have."
"Serena will forgive me eventually." Adelea hoped.
"Now enough from me!" Adelea and Lydia caught the last part. "Let's get to the ones you came here to see tonight!" He stepped off to the side, surreptitiously drawing Adelea's wand as the dimming lights trailed away. A smoothly carved branch engraved with paw prints of dozens of other animals, and a leaf wrapped hilt. "First: we have possibly one of the largest land mammals in recorded history joining us. And his little calf as well! Please welcome…" He twirled the wand. The tip lit white. Hathi and Hathi Jr.'s eyes resonated the glow, "Jumbo and Jr.!" Hathi trudged unwillingly into the spotlight, carrying Jr. on his back.
"Jumbo? Really?" Lydia spat. Hathi stopped in the middle of arena.
"The unoriginality award goes to…" Adelea sardonically trailed.
"Next we have a bear with more stomach than brains! And he has a chimp friend to match!" Boswell tapped his palm with the wand twice. Baloo and Louie winced, succumbing to the hypnosis. "Give it up for Bobo the Bear, and Tammy the Orangutan!" Louie rode on Baloo's shoulders, both waving zombishly to the adoring crowd. The names he gave them were utterly ridiculous. Louie's a boy! Tammy belongs on a girl. "Then we have my personal favorite! He's 20 feet long, and will swallow you whole! Slinky the Snake!" Kaa surprised everyone slithering from the podium at center stage, coiling to the center. "Do I have any kitten lovers in the audience today?" Boswell teased.
"Me!"
"I am!"
"KITTY!" Two kids pounced on Adelea and Lydia, rooting for the upcoming felines. Thank goodness the parents caught them.
"One is the king of the jungle - next to the lion, or course!" Boswell slyly twisted and stretched his mustache to a curl. "The next is the elusive stalker of the night. Show your love to Stripes and Solids!"
Adelea and Lydia simultaneous placed hands to one another's mouths and roared, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Shere Khan and Bagheera being poorly named after billiards was just sad. Watching them strut to center stage on either side of Kaa was worse. Two noble creatures made to seem like house pets. It was painful.
"And finally we have our flight crew!" Adelea sat on the edge of her seat. "Scavengers of rotting roadkill hungering for every dish from mice to men! Welcome The Buzzards!" Buzzie, Flaps, Ziggy, Dizzy, and Lucky were shown above on the tightrope. "Leading this crew is my right hand bird! Graceful in air, and beautifull atop my shoulders," A shadow darted past the buzzards, brushing the torches as it circled the arena, "Please give a round of applause to my favorite red-tailed hawk…" Adelea's widening blue eyes became glossy. Glazed wings flapped leisurely. Meaty talons hooked to Boswell's forearm. Piercing cream colored eyes gleaming in the dramatic lighting, "Serena the Daredevil Hawk!"
The animals were all in place. "NOW!" Lydia bellowed.
Adelea took a deep breath. Blowing as hard as she can, a shrill banshee screech flooded the tent. The audience, Boswell, and Lydia remained unaffected. Boswell squinted and recognized the whistle. He gaped in dismay to his animal acts. The mind control spell broke in an instant. The animals roared, and wailed in agony. Thousand of tiny bugs were drilling in their ears, eating away at their skulls like maggots. Serena and the buzzards crash landed, throwing their wings to their ears. Bagheera, Hathi, Shere Khan, and Jr thrashed their heads wildly, futilely shaking the sound off. Baloo and Louie bashed their heads together. Pain failed to nullify the sound. Boswell heartedly waved the wand, hammering the very air for hs beasts to heed his commands. That blasted whistle interfered.
"Alright! Enough!" Lydia signaled. Adelea removed the whistle. All went silent. The animals collapsed exhausted. The two girl rose to their feet with other members of the audience, locking defiant, confident glares with Boswell.
"Who dares to interrupt my show?!" Lydia and Adelea gladly sauntered the stairs, wholeheartedly accepting guilt and confronting the charlatan. "You two! Explain yourselves!" They jumped into the ring, approaching him in confident strides. "Who are you and why have you denied these people a splendid show!
"I am Princess Lydia! Eldest Daughter of King Roland, and Future Queen of Enchancia!" The crowd was in awe. A handful recognized her.
Boswell staggered in disbelieving awe. Enchancia was next on his list of kingdoms to visit. He studied the royal family BEFORE King Roland married. His Royal Majesty, Prince James, and Princess Amber are well known, and are publicized in all the tabloids. The Queen Miranda, Princess Sofia, and Princess Lydia had yet to have their pictures added to the brochures. Boswell's, anyway. He wasn't too interested in the marriage of the royal pains.
"P-P-Princess!" He squeaked, tap dancing with sleazy shuffling hands. "You honor me! What brings you to my wondrous show."
"The animals used in this show are reported poached and being kept in poor condition!" Apprehensive murmurs broke Boswell down in a sweat. Agreements caught his ear. Fingers pointed to Shere Khan, one person noticed the buzzards looked sickly. Then a little girl cried because Hathi Jr.'s skin was cracking. "I am declaring the show over due to some VERY technical difficulties!" Her glare at the wand made Boswell hide it in his hat. "Thank you all for coming, please proceed to the ticket booth where you may receive a full refund."
"A refund?!" A guillotine on Boswell's high horse. The audience voiced their dislike, but left smoothly all the same. Boswell twisted Lydia by the arm. She was unmoved by his glare. "This is not Enchancia! You have no authority!"
Lydia yanked his collar. "Then why don't we involve the King and Queen of Khaldune and regale them on what's brought me to this scorching part of the world." Her eyes at his hat made his mouth run dry. That contract or not, he will be ruined piece by piece if the Royals get involved. "Unless, of course, you have a trailer we can talk in."
Not his trailer. One of his helpers warned him an angry mob was already gathered, demanding explanations and full refunds. Villagers who he hired to help him with this show were more mild, but furious at the rumors spreading like a wildfire.
Boswell ordered the animals back to their cages. He locked Hathi in place, then closed the cages on his acquisitions. Serena was thrown in with the buzzards. Her cage was at the elusive trailer Boswell housed himself in. Lydia waited for him to use the wand at any point to see how he seals them. The wand never left his hat. The locks clicked in place, and the animals were trapped. Hmm...Boswell diverted heated eyes to Lydia.
"Now, Princess," He addressed her title, letting the venom roll of his tongue like a bad taste, "Kindly explain why you have forced a devastating intermission!"
Lydia stepped aside to allow Adelea to take things from there. Boswell swallowed nervously. He resisted stepping back from her. "Do you recognize me?!"
The lies already built to Boswell's heinous lips. Teeth bit his lower lip, chewing whatever courage the coward possessed to answer, "Yes. You are the young lady from Greensville."
"I'm also here on behalf of the Golden Wing Circus you stole from!" Boswell figured as much.
Lydia took the reins here. "These animals and that wand are no longer yours to abuse! I demand their release immediately!"
"With all due respect, Princess Lydia," Boswell stretch his dress coat open. KA-CHING rolled open with Boswell's ownership contract, "Your demands, as well as your claim towards my livestock are null and void." A three page in one parchment littered top to bottom, left to right by the most eloquent, calligraphic, seemingly loophole protected, and complicatedly multisyllabic disclosure of his rights to the animals. Hardly legible chicken scratch is what it was. The transfer of ownership names at the dotted line were the only big and readable aspect. Sign, sealed, and protected by the ribbon certificate on the corner. Wonder if this guy is related to Ursula in some way. "As for the wand…" Boswell shoved the contract inside his coat before Lydia had a chance to proper read it. He chuckled menacingly. He smashed his hands together. The wand appeared as they parted, "I won this fair and square."
"Not hardly." Lydia scoffed. A sharp breath puffed out her nostrils. Air out of nowhere inflated his coat, lifting him off ground, then gusted out his sleeves, collar, and coattails. Cards flew all over the place, sprinkling on Hathi and the cages. The majority landing face up were aces and face cards.
Adelea lifted a facedown card, discovering another ace. "I knew it!" She shoved the proof of his sham at him. "You did cheat!" A rabid growl seethed through Boswell's grit teeth. "Those three Royal Flushes weren't luck!"
"It wasn't an accident you ended up playing cards with Adelea, either." Lydia handed Adelea the article Boswell kept on hand. Right there on the cover it summarizes the exploits of Mal and Adelea across half the Sahara, leading them Greensville. The article burst into flames in Adelea's hand. Ensnaring him in a void glare, she let the ashes fall, imagining him with them.
"You knew exactly who I was from the start."
"Of course I did! And this wand of hers was the perfect tool to promote my magic show." Boswell blurted. No need to hide it any longer. Nothing these little girls can do about it anyway. "I followed the exploits of her and her master for weeks. Studying her magic, and how to properly use it, I discovered a waterfall of endless possibilities." He spun to the glorious animals that are going to make that dream a reality. "The power to control animals to my whims was literally at my fingertips." He lovingly stroked the wand. "Once mine, I was able to leave that circus with three wheels and no horses to draw their carriage with!"
"You're a glorified swindler!" "You cheated me out of my wand and stole Serena!"
"Them's the breaks, Deary. Deal with it!" "Next time you should do your homework as i did." Adelea growled murderously. Her balling fists yearned to punch that smug smirk right off his face.
Lydia stopped with an extended hand. "You're cocky for someone whose sole talent is a scam in itself." Boswell's arrogance diminished on her words. Insult knit his brow. A tearling like her insulting him? He would not hear of it. "So why don't we have put your money where your fat mouth is?"
"As you wish!" Boswell unsheathed a deck of cards from his sleeve. He trailed the 52 cards in a protracted shuffled. Streaming and looping them in grandeur of her sleazy hands. "Poker? Rummy? Slapjack? Name your game, Princess!"
"Not cards. We're playing a game where you can't hold aces up your sleeves. Where a knack for maintaining face is the only way to win!"
"Oh? And what do you have in mind?"
Lydia borrowed his cards. A flourish of the hand, cross of the arms, and some dazzling finger taps. The cards transformed. Two barrel cups and ten dice drifted to a table height box. "It's called pirates dice. A game of liars." And, perhaps, one of her more favorite games. "You'll be perfect for this game. First to lose ten rounds hands over all they have."
Boswell isn't one to back away from a challenge. Least of all one issued by a pup with baby teeth in place of fangs. He pulled up a stool, daringly seating himself to the table. "And what does Her Highness what from humble ol' me?"
"I want the wand and your entire animal act."
That was the source of his income. Without them, he'd be left with nothing. "And what do I get in return?" He malignantly stroked his mustache. "Please make it worth my while, my dear child."
Lydia found her own stool and sat with him. Crossing her legs and arms, she matched Boswell's confidence. "A book of ultimate spells to accompany that wand. A book no one but I hold in my possession." Adelea cringed in disbelief. From behind the crate she showed him the book she meant. Adelea and Boswell gazed upon the tone in wonder. A book of ultimate knowledge and power. How can he refuse? Adelea's astonishment faded to confusion. When did she bring that along? Unbeknownst to the pair, Lydia was walking on a thinning wire with hardly a leg to stand on. The book in her hand was a trick of the light. An illusion. The real book would be blasting her to Bermuda if he heard her place him as a bargaining chip. Forgive me, Ubos.
"Allow me to curate the legitimacy of this book myself." Boswell bounced demanding fingers. Lydia happily handed him the book. She quickly dusted hay and dirt off her hand. Boswell furled the pages, picking a random, suitable place to read. Lydia puckered and blew. The book opened. Boswell was in awe of the spells and incantations inside. The next three pages held spells ten times more powerful. "Incredible." Adelea shifted an incredulous glance at Lydia. There was no way that was her real book. Her lips fighting a smile confirmed the rouse. You sly dog.
"Are you in?" Lydia scooped the dice in the cup, giving them a shake.
"Indeed." Boswell set the book and wand on the table. "I cannot wait to do some light reading tonight."
"I'm going to assume you've played."
"I have. And I am quite the master."
"What a coincidence. So am I." The two slammed the cups. The dice were loaded. "Make your call, Boswell."
"Very well. Let us go with my lucky number three. Three threes."
"Fine. Four ones."
"Ones?" One isn't difficult to get, but it's not exactly a number you wager on. "Are you sure you want to-"
"Want to call me a liar before we've seen the dice?" Lydia dared him. Boswell's lips sealed. She's aggressive for someone so young. "Then lets have a peak." Lydia propped the cup. Boswell cleared his throat and propped his.
In Lydia's hand she had one one, two fours, a three, and a six. Boswell's lucky number might just hold out. She'll stand firm. She soberly accepted, covering her dice. Boswell was impressed by her stoic persona. The way she trained her stare to the table, sneaking partial glances. Looking at his dice - two threes, a five, two ones, and a two.
"Four threes." Boswell upped.
"Three ones."
"What?!" Adelea choked. Boswell and the animals were dumbfounded too. She went from four to one. It's not against the rules. But it's not smart either.
"My, my, Princess. I thought you said you've played." Boswell mocked.
"Then call me a liar." She shrugged, resting a daunting hand to the cup. "Before I call you on those threes." He folds or he calls. If Lydia's made a liar now, it will determine the games flow. Boswell's a self trained scam artist. Finding tells isn't easy. It was luck he blinked rapidly.
"Ne'er shall anyone accuse The Great Boswell of lying!" He protested. Adelea rolled her eyes. He openly admitted he lied five minutes ago. "Lies!" Lydia snorted boastfully. She lifted the cup. Boswell his. "What in the-" Lydia's call won the round.
"It would seem I told the truth." She masked the relieved breath calming her pounding chest. Appears his blinking meant she was right. Or not. Too soon to tell.
"Beginners luck!" Boswell racked his dice. He had no idea. Lydia shook hers. The dice were set. "Let us take another gamble. Three sixes."
"Okay…" Boswell was mimicking her long shot by gambling on sixes. "Three threes then."
Boswell's low chuckle tingled her shoulders. He propped his cup. Aggravation twitched his brow. Every number but six was under his cup. Lydia checked her cup. Three, three - Good, until she saw three sixes. Adelea watched from her seat on the side. Lydia's thumping heel told her it wasn't good. Boswell caught her obsession to one side. A hand slipped to four dice, and four sixes replaced them.
"Six sixes!" Boswell jolted her to reality. Six or higher, he'd win. Lydia's neck tensed when she swallowed. "Well, my dear?"
"Five threes."
Boswell clicked his tongue, wagging a finger. "Luck's favor seems to shine on me this round, my dear."
"Doubt it! You're a born liar!"
"Am I?" The cups rose. Lydia's stomach sank. Boswell won that round. "Not so smug now, are you?"
"Pride before the fall, Boswell." She rounded up the dice, giving them a good shake. "I'm not finished yet." Adelea and the animals hung on. She passed them food and water, and she munched on some popped kernels.
Rounds three through five ended in a tie, Boswell, and then Lydia. Rounds six and seven went to Boswell, tallying him to three wins, Lydia three losses. Round eight went to her. She was catching up. Then Boswell, out of nowhere, won the next three rounds, locking Lydia in a corner. She was at six losses, with Boswell barely at four. Adelea's entire body would literally freeze and shutdown each time a number was called. Luck was indiscriminate, but would seem to fall to Boswell a majority of the time. He won the impossible and wagered on SEVEN ONES! Lydiia held strong, but she was fading more losses and he wins everything. Boswell lost his edge for a couple rounds, landing him with seven losses. The tide seemed to turn. Then Lydia blinked and she was at her ninth loss.
"Well THIS was by far the most exhilarating game I've played in a long time." Boswell drawled, tauntingly shaking his dice off to the side of his head. His flashing grin rankled Lydia petrified scowl. "Your pokerface is quite impressive." He put the cup down, ready to deal the final hand. "But I'm afraid experience and luck favor the elder."
Lydia distracted herself by shaking her dice. The game's flow wasn't right. Boswell's demeanor during his losses wasn't...kosher, so to speak. After the first calls, Lydia's seen Boswell disgruntled by whatever was hidden. Then, out of the blue, his attitude changes and he wins. Losing, he'd be shocked and awed. As if it shouldn't be happening. Accusing him of cheating will show bad sportsmanship. And prove he's getting to her. She has one turn left before he collects. A fake book and a wand. Ubos will kill her, and then her wand will be confiscated. One more chance to figure out if he's truly that good, or has an ace up his sleeve.
His sleeve? "...the white flag?"
"Huh-what?!" She jerked to reality.
Boswell dangled a white cloth. "Do your forfeit, Princess?"
Lydia spat through her teeth. She shoved the cloth away, then slammed her wand in the middle. "I'm all in!" Adelea jumped.
"What do you mean?" Boswell stroked his chin, interested where this is going.
"You win this last hand and you not only get my book," Lydia placed the cup down, "But I'll be your stagehand for as long as you desire."
"NO!" Adelea cried.
"Oooh…" Boswell drummed tingling fingers together. The possibilities, the press, the money King Roland will pay to have her back. "The sorceress princess as my lovely assistant? Agreed!" Boswell finally added the ownership contract to the pot. Lydia was relieved and nauseated. The bait was snagged. She just needed to reel him in before he elludes her. "AND, by the slim chance you happen to win," He flipped a stone, adding the Talisman offered to Adelea to the pot, "I throw this little talisman in with the rest of my items. The hawk, wand, and all."
"Agreed." No turning back now. "Two fives."
"Four fours."
The cups were propped. Lydia intensely watched his hands. By his expression - blank and stagnant - it was difficult to tell if he was winning or losing. A magician's hands are his true sign. The smallest slip - misdirection - and a parlor trick becomes an extraordinary feat. A half second glance at her dice, and it was back to his hands. There! Boswell's fingers fiddled with his dice again. At first Lydia assumed he was organizing his dice. Squinting hard, making no sudden movements to reveal she's spying, she saw his right cuff brushing the table. And that hand was completely still while propping the cup. So that's how it is. She inwardly smirked. Lydia believes in turn about. He wants to use his magic, she'll use hers.
"Six fours…"
A split second before Boswell's cup covered the dice, partially flared her eyelids. A randomized number changed the upward dice faces. She doesn't know what the numbers are, only that they weren't the six fours Boswell wanted.
"Five fives." Lydia called. "And you're a liar!" She unhesitantly
Boswell's menacing, victory seizing grin lifted his mustache. "Dear Princess, it would seem your book is-" He gasped horrified by what lied under his cup. Six, three, five, two, and another three. "BUT-BUT-BUT...H-how is this-?! I could have sworn-" He stammered, checking the table for his real dice. "THIS ISN'T WHAT I HAD!" He roared. The table quaked.
"Oh no?" Lydia crooned. One smooth motion revealed her dice. Four fives and a six. The five fives she predicted named her the winner. "Because I sure got what I wanted."
"YAY! Serena!" Adelea ran to the cage. Serena gripped the bars with her talons. The two embraced one another in longing hugs. Those soft feathers against her skin. Serena purred, nuzzling her beak to Adelea's cheek. "Serena! I've missed you so much! I'm so sorry." Tears of joy streamed from her cheek to Serena's.
Boswell arm swatted the game. "I will not accept this! You must have cheated!" He stomped.
"This coming from the man using his clever sleight of hand to up his dice?" Hypocrites. Lydia loved them so.
"You have no proof of that!" A very small lift to that foot sinking in the grave. "You're a sorceress! You used your magic to fiddle with my dice!"
"You have no proof of that~" She sang his own words back at him. "Now then…" Lydia's fingers curled to the wand. Boswell snapped an iron grip, crushing her wrist. Lydia winced as Boswell yanked her across the table. Fiery daggers in his eyes, and a foul steam hissing from his mouth.
"Do you really think I will allow you to scam me? ME?"
Deadpan indifferent hued Lydia's swelling impatience. "I don't." A demonic smirk split her face.
"How about a little persuasion?" Adelea snickered. At a snap of her fingers a spark ignited. The locks on Serena's cage and all the other exoctic animals' cages and shackles popped. Hathi's shackles went limp from his ankles, coiling to the the hay covered ground. The lid to Kaa's holed up box was flimsy plywood now. Easy for him to lift and slither free. Bagheera, Shere Khan, Baloo, and the other's cages flew open. Out they walked to freedom, bearing bloodthirsty teeth and beaks at their captor.
"H-How?" Boswell flipped Lydia in front of him, wrapping an arm to her neck. "How is this possible?" He staggered, yanking Lydia around like the human shield she was.
"After you left, my friend sprinkled a little bit of powder on your toys, dispelling your charm." Adelea strutted pridefully with Serena perched too her shoulder. The void was filled at long last.
"Quite ingenious of you to place a paralysis lock." Adelea crooned. She mockingly bounced her brow, "Too bad for you I'm a bit smarter."
"Be advised Boswell," Lydia crossed her arms, making no moves to remove him from her, "You can accuse me of theft. Be my guest. My life won't be hindered. Although…"
"Although…" Boswell hatefully mimicked the rising octave.
"Should the Ring Master of the Golden Wing Circus catch wind of this, I doubt the same will be said of you." Boswell frothed at his grounding teeth. He and that entire circus will voice their word against his. "And seeing as how I'm the one with a witness to my victory, the leg you thought you had was just amputated."
"You rotten-" Boswell ignored the encroaching animals. Cast all senses to the bottomless abyss. He drew a fist back.
Pressure at his temple stayed the preemptive strike. "Get your hands off of her." A shine as bright as Adelea's glaring eyes heated to Boswell's temple. He slowly raised his hands to shoulder height, edging away as ordered. Adelea moved between him and Lydia, wand aligned to the middle of his brow. "There is a beastkeeper waiting in Khaldune for these animals. Why don't you escort us?" Her pupils morphed to animal slits. Boswell let out a shrill yelp, flinching to one leg. There's that chill Lydia loves. Adelea can be the scariest person alive when she's mad.
xxx
Getting Boswell out of the village took a new brand of creativity Adelea and Lydia didn't have with the two of them combined. Word spread of Boswell's circus, and people were in a riot. Luckily - amazing they still had any - a young man selling cheese covered crisps was on his way to Khaldun's capital city to restock on his inventory. Apparently he and his family own several eateries selling strange food and beverage combinations. They are quite successful. He was happy to lend them a ride. The caravan of animals on the other hand: he hoped they weren't too hungry.
Gate guards intercepted the young man and girls. They quickly explained who they were, about Boswell and the animals, and then showed the guards the contract. Naturally the guards asked for the name of the beastkeeper the animals are supposed to be delivered to. Adelea and Lydia froze. They never asked the Ringmaster what the beastkeeper's name was. They didn't think there was more than one. Khaldune has 12 alone. 23 when others venture into town.
Their luck held when the beastkeeper in question arrived to move on to the next town. He recognized the pack of animals from the letter he received from the Ringmaster. The guards read the letter and accounted for the named beasts. So far all checked out. Seeing Boswell, the guards paused for a moment. They knew him. He is the performer they've voiced complaints about in regards to his acts at the village. The stunts he put the animals through in practices were unorthodox.
As per procedure, one of the guards sent word to the King and Queen of what transpired at the gates, and assured them all was well. In the mean time, Boswell was being arrested and saddled to a cage as he condemned the animals to. Due to the nature of his crimes being hosted in Kaleides, permission to send him back to face justice was needed before they could proceed. The beastkeeper and his friends loaded up the animals, and gave them a surplus of food and water before they would be transported.
Meanwhile, Adelea was talking the beastkeeper's number one assistant's ear off with the list of afflictions plaguing the poor animals. "They are malnourished and dehydrated. You'll want to mix an herb called hearty shroom in each of their bowls. The smallest elephant and the orangutan have infections here and here…" The assistant was happy to have strong, fast hands. Adelea had him filling ten pages of notes, and she wasn't done yet. "Make sure the buzzards have apple sauce placed on their beaks three times every two hours. Helps replenish and rejuvenate them."
A messenger sprinted to Lydia, the captain, and his guards. Lydia thanked him for the letter and proceeded to read the response. She smiled at the King and Queen greeting Lydia and Adelea, and thanking them for their help. They also apologized they couldn't come out to meet them. Towards the end is what made everything right with the universe.
"Courtesy of the King and Queen of Khaldune," She let the Captain read the response, "These kind Gentlemen will see you back to Kaleides Village." The captain nodded to his subordinates. The pair saluted, and adjourned to the driver's seat. "From there it will be up to the people what they choose to do with you."
"Do you know the consequences of your actions today?" Boswell grasped the wooden bars. "I was the source of wealth in that pitiful village! Without me-"
"They thrived without you for many years. I am confident they will be able to do so again."
"This isn't over! No prison will hold me!" Boswell swore to that.
"Maybe not." Lydia climbed the cage, dragging Boswell against the bars by the collar. "But at the very least the world will earn a reprieve." She shove him away, jumping to the soft sand. "Captain, I leave him in your capable hands."
"Safe travels to you, Princess."
"You as well." The captain hung to the back f the cart. A loud whistle prompted the coachmen to snap the reins, and the cat was on it's way.
Lydia felt a sense of pride in her work today. Adelea was amazing. Lydia doubts that if she wasn't there, there's no way any of this would have been possible. Hopefully this makes up for all the trouble Lydia caused her in school. She doubts it. She was pretty terrible.
Adelea wasn't meaning to step on toes, but she constantly corrected the helpers about the quantity and quality of food being distributed. It had to be just right, or the animals might get sick all over again. Lydia laughed at how excited she was. The helpers looked like they would rebel at any moment.
"So Flaps," Buzzie bumped his bummy friend, "Whatcha wanna do when we get home?"
"BLIMEY! YOU START THAT ONE MORE TIME!" Buzzie and Flaps flew into a tizzy over the simple question, and how annoying it was.
"I knew I should have eaten them back at the tent." Kaa wrapped his tail to his ear holes.
"Easy, Kaa…" Lydia lovingly patted him on the head, tracing half his spine, "Buzzards get tired during road trips, my friend tells me. They'll be out in no time."
"I hope so."
Large feline paws bumped her hip. Shere Khan stunned her with his husky smile. "Your friend is being thorough." He admired Adelea testing the water. She praised the chilly temperature. Perfect for Hathi and his son. "I've never seen a human who carried so vehemently for animals.
"Half the reason she dedicated her magic to nature was to help it." Lydia braved the virulent tiger, and scratched him behind the ear. "Animal health included. It would have broken her heart to leave you all like that." Shere Khan grunted in the back of his throat, blushing at the pleasure deriving from the soft hand.
"We cannot thank you both enough for your help." Bagheera chimed.
"Yeah, sweetie!" Louie swung upside down on the bars. "You gotta let us do somethin' for ya?"
"Just promise to live your lives when you get home. That'll be thanks enough."
"Will you and Adelea come visit?" Hathi Jr.'s tail wagged with hope.
"Adelea most likely. If I can get away, I'll definitely drop you a line." That's a promise she'll keep. Adelea joined Lydia by the animals, wanting to get one last look before they are returned home. "Hathi Jr. wants us to come visit sometime."
"After today? You better believe I'll visit!" She swore, petting the little elephant. "Wish we could stay longer, but it's time to go!" If they're lucky, they can make it back to Enchancia before the circus starts setting up. Adelea waved Spirit over to them. She inspected the saddle, and threw herself to the driver's spot. Serena sat between her legs, snuggling to her stomach. Heights schmeits. "When you and I get home, I am spoiling you rotten with those field mice you love so much."
That was Lydia's cue to skedew. "You all take care now, you here?"
"We will." Baloo thumped his chest and fanned two fingers at her. Lydia had no idea what it meant, but she liked it.
"M'Lady," Hathi bowed, "I would be honored to serve with the both you any time."
"Same here." She climbed behind Adelea, holding on tight. "Good-bye." The two girls waved. At the friendly farewells, Spirit charged and was off in the air.
Their next problem lied back at home in Enchancia. Hoepfully no one's noticed they've been gone all morning.
xxx
"Where have you girls been?" Miranda found Adelea and Lydia trying to sneak in at the front door. James, Amber, and Baileywick were with her. Yeah. People noticed. Serves them right for flying Spirit to the main entrance instead of back to the stables. "Constable Miles said you went on an errand. But that was hours ago."
"Yeah! The circus is almost here!" James angrily puffed his cheeks. One wish was granted. They beat the circus home. This was their best time yet. "Where'd you guys go anyway?"
"Oh! Um…" Lydia blushed, circling her list of lame excuses, "We weren't anywhere special." She laughed nervously.
"We've been at the zoo for the last few hours." Lydia's frown derided the lame excuse. Adelea didn't see her coming up with any ideas. Even Serena had to admit that was a poor excuse.
"The zoo?" Amber snorted. "We have a petting zoo here at the castle. Why go anywhere else?"
"Our petting zoo didn't have a tiger." Lydia winked. Amber and James weren't buying it. They were up to something. The grumbling in Adelea and Lydia's stomachs saved them further interrogation. "Come on! I'm starving." She dragged Adelea, running inside.
"Tell me your chefs can make Poppers!"
"They sure can try." Adelea snuck a glance back, sensing the harsh glares from Amber and James. "Don't make eye contact!" Lydia warned. "They have lip prying powers like you wouldn't believe."
James glowered impatiently. He knew Lydia's arrow dodging routine like the back of his hand. "They're not gonna talk, are they?"
"Nope!" Amber tapped her toe. She released a defeated breath. What can they do?
"Hey!" James put a hand to his ear. Exuberant music was coming from the village. "I can hear the circus! Let's go get Sofia!"
To be continued.
Egh. Not much of an ending, but I'm brain dead. Later.