"Careful with the bell!" Sarousch snapped at his men. "It's not worth as much on the black market if it's dented!"

The two strongmen hefted La Fidele onto the gondola Sarousch had waiting for them in the underground canals of the catacombs. Two more of Sarousch's men loaded up a large trunk and a few other supplies stored in bags or covered with tarps. They placed the trunk behind the bell with a thud.

"Clumsy oafs!" Sarousch scolded. "My contingency plan is in that trunk! Do you know I had to trade a Gypsy boy and a Slav boy to convince that German mercenary to part with it? It's the most valuable item in this boat, save for the pope's bell!"

The men muttered apologies as they shuffled back off the boat.

Sarousch straightened his toupee and adjusted a sleeve. "Take the circus caravan and meet us at the rendezvous point," he instructed. "Gondoliers!" He gave a clap, and his strongmen produced poles with which they pushed off the bank, steering the boat deeper into the catacombs.

They hadn't gotten more than 500 yards from their launch point when Sarousch heard a noise behind him that sounded suspiciously like a farm animal. He stormed to the rear of the gondola and pulled back a tarp. He gaped at what he saw. A dark haired boy with bronze skin had his arms wrapped around a goat. But what really surprised Sarousch were the child's eyes. He knew those green eyes.

Djali gave an enraged bleat and charged at Sarousch, butting him right in the belly and knocking the wind out of him. The goat then leaped to the nearby bank and bellowed for Zephyr to follow.

As Zephyr tried to make the jump, Sarousch caught him by the cowl. "Oh, no you don't, brat!" Sarousch gasped out.

"Run, Djali, run!" Zephyr cried. "Get Papa!"

Djali turned and disappeared back up the tunnel.

Sarousch tossed Zephyr onto the floor of the boat. "Where did you come from, runt?" he growled.

"You'll never get away!" Zephyr cried defiantly. "My papa is the captain of the guard!"

Well, this was a pleasant surprise. "Is he, now? And tell me, child, your mother...is she a Romni?"

Zephyr crossed his arms and continued to glare daggers at the magician.

"Is your mother called...Esmeralda?" Sarousch probed.

The boy's mouth dropped open. "How do you know her?"

Sarousch gave a sinister chuckle. "Oh...just a hunch."


Quasimodo marched outside of the cathedral. Phoebus' men were still trying to calm the crowd and console poor Joseph. They hadn't yet hauled Madellaine off to the Palace of Justice. Quasi stopped the guards before they could leave. "I just have questions," he said.

He turned to Madellaine. "I think my friends' boy, Zephyr, might've been taken by Sarousch, along with La Fidele," he said. "He's only five. In fact, it's his birthday today. We were supposed to have a party for him. And...you're the only one here with any information that might help me get him back. Please, tell me the truth; how do I find Sarousch?"

Madellaine sniffled, trying to control her breathing. She looked pitifully at Quasi. "He told me to meet him southeast of town, where we came in. There's a graveyard there, and he'll be taking the catacombs." She held out her rope-bound hands. "Please, Quasi, let me help you find him! I know Sarousch! I'm your best bet at getting Zephyr back, but I need you to trust me."

Quasi was about to answer when someone gave a shout. The crowd turned to see Phoebus and the guards returning to the cathedral square. Marching with them was a crowd of Roma.

Quasi ran to greet his friends. "Esme! Phoebus! I think Zephyr went after..."

"Sarousch has him," Phoebus said. "We know. That girl, Madellaine. Is she being cooperative?"

Quasi glanced over his shoulder. He saw Madellaine shrink back at the sight of the crowd. He then turned and saw that Clopin was observing her with suspicion, one thumb absently rubbing the handle of his scythe.

"She's willing to cooperate," Quasi said. "But we should be careful. Sarousch told her to be afraid of Clopin."

"Well, he got that right," Clopin said darkly.

"We can't...we can't blame Madellaine," Quasi said. "She's Sarousch's slave. She just wants freedom. Look, the Archdeacon is my friend, and there were times that he kept me safe from Frollo and was a way better parent to me than Frollo ever was. I'm really worried about him. But...I was wrong to blame Madellaine like I did. She was just...trying to survive." He turned and gave Madellaine a gentle smile.

"What has she told you so far, Quasi?" Phoebus asked.

"Sarousch has gone into the catacombs. He's headed for the spot where he came into Paris."

"The old Court of Miracles," Clopin said with a nod.

"Madellaine offered to help," Quasi added. "She knows Sarousch better than any of us."

Phoebus exchanged a glance with Esme, who simply gave him a nod. He dismounted and walked up to Madellaine, taking the rope that bound her from the guards. "You'll come with us, but remain bound," he told her. "You are to advise only. This is for your safety as much as ours." He then addressed his men. "The catacombs have multiple entry points. Go with the Roma to cut off as many access points between here and the old graveyard as possible. We'll go in where Sarousch did. If he's trying to haul a bell, he's sure to be much slower than the rest of us."

The plan set, Phoebus led his team consisting of Quasi, Esmeralda, Clopin, Madellaine and a handful of guards toward the nearest entry to the catacombs.

Once inside, they were reminded just how much of a maze the catacombs were.

"Where to next?" Phoebus asked Madellaine.

"I...I'm not sure," Madellaine confessed.

Suddenly, they heard desperate bleating.

"Djali!" Esme cried. She knelt as the goat appeared and galloped into her arms. "Djali, where's Zephyr? Take us to him!"

Djali spun once and dashed back the way he'd come, bleating at the humans to follow.


Sarousch couldn't say he was surprised when he heard footfalls and shouts, and even a goat. Nor was he surprised when Phoebus appeared. He was, however, annoyed. There was a gate coming up, and Phoebus had rather inconveniently placed himself on the bank that had the controls to operate the gate.

"Surrender now, Sarousch!" Phoebus demanded. He easily kicked the latch holding the gate's gear in place, allowing it to splash shut. "You have nowhere left to go!" Beside him, Esmeralda pulled out a knife, fully prepared to fight.

"Oh, I think you'll let me through without a problem," Sarousch said, holding his prize aloft. Zephyr squirmed in his grip.

"Papa! Mama!" the boy cried.

"Is that La Esmeralda?" Sarousch asked with a predatory grin. "My, what a lovely couple!"

"Give me back my son, Sarousch!" Esme snarled.

"No, I think I'll keep my bargaining chip for a while. Open the gate, Captain, or you'll lose any chance of seeing your brat again."

"He's not kidding," Madellaine whispered. "He'll hurt Zephyr."

Phoebus clenched his teeth, but complied with Sarousch's demands. He took the crank and opened the gate, allowing the gondola to cruise through.

Madellaine looked around and saw a footpath leading to the other side of the gate through a side tunnel. She nudged Quasi. "I have an idea," she said. "I know how we can cut off Sarousch and save Zephyr, but I need your help. I need you to untie me."

Quasi regarded her suspiciously for a moment. Then he softened. "I'm gonna get into so much trouble for this," he said, releasing her from her bonds.

Madellaine smiled. "Come on," she said. "Bring the rope. I just hope it's long enough."

On the other side of the gate, they looked around as Madellaine gave Quasi a rundown of her plan. Quasi spotted a good, solid rock jutting out from the opposite bank. He easily lassoed the rock and pulled the rope taut. "Ready," he said.

Madellaine nodded and approached the rope. She looked confidently at Quasi before stepping up. "I trust you," she said.

"And I trust you," Quasi replied.

Madellaine turned her attention to the rope and held out her arms. "A hush falls over the crowd as Madellaine begins her graceful trek," she recited to herself. Before she knew it, she was ten feet above the middle of the canal, just as the bow of the gondola was coming into view.


Sarousch chuckled to himself. This was too easy! Using the captain's half-breed brat against him was going much better than he had imagined it. Yes, it was going too well. And the ex-Rom knew from life experience that when something was going too smoothly...

A purple and blue blur slammed its way onto his boat.

Ah, yes. There was the hitch, and its name was Clopin Trouillefou, who remained in a rather irksome state of unarrested, despite Sarousch's best efforts. He noted the weapon Clopin pointed at him and found himself somewhat surprised at the Romani leader's choice of arms. "Taking up farming, are we, Clopin?"

The jester wasn't playing. Under literally any other circumstance, Clopin was all for witty banter and macabre humor. But there was not a hint of mirth in his eyes. The look of pure rage and bloodlust on his face unnerved Sarousch.

"Put. The boy. Down." Clopin hissed, voice low and menacing. He shoved the scythe closer.

Sarousch's strongmen rushed forward and brandished swords. Clopin barely blinked before turning his scythe on them. Both minions managed to dodge the blade with their hamstrings intact, but not without going straight into the canal.

Clopin turned his glower back on the magician. "I'll tell you one more time, Sarousch. Release the boy!"

Sarousch's nerves were beginning to fail him, but he wasn't about to give into Clopin's demands. "Uh...no!" He clutched Zephyr close to his chest and ducked behind La Fidele just as Clopin let out an enraged roar and took a swipe at him. Clopin's blade struck the bell with a loud ping that set the entire boat shuddering.

Sarousch swung a loudly protesting Zephyr under one arm while he grabbed a sword from the chest he'd taken aboard. He used it to fend off Clopin's scythe as the two danced around La Fidele. As long as Sarousch kept the bell between himself and the irate Romani leader, he stood a chance. Once they'd made a complete circle back to the front of the boat, Sarousch gave up on the notion of parrying with Clopin's blade and thrust Zephyr in front of himself just as Clopin brought the scythe around to swipe at him again.

Zephyr yelped as the scythe stopped an inch from his head.

"Coward!" Clopin snarled. "Drop the boy and fight me like a real man!"

Sarousch held Zephyr by the cowl, which was starting to choke the boy. He raised his arm over his head to hold Zephyr further from Clopin, but still use him as a shield. He pointed his sword at Clopin.

"I'll release the boy when I'm good and ready!"

A mere moment after he said that, Zephyr disappeared from his grip. He glanced up, baffled. Balanced on a rope above him and holding Zephyr in her arms was Madellaine. "Don't mind me," she taunted, "I'm just standing here looking pretty."

On the steep bank nearby, the bell ringer laughed as he held the rope taut. Clopin also cackled. "Well done!" he cheered. "And now to take care of some unfinished business!" He swung at Sarousch again, and they were back to parrying around La Fidele.

"If you don't mind, it's getting late, and I'd rather take your head off in one swipe," Clopin called, back in a mood to banter again, now that Zephyr was safe. "So would you please stand still?"

As Sarousch avoided the scythe, he saw that Phoebus and the guards were making their way out of the previous passage and onto the surrounding banks. Various Roma were also gathering on one bank. He smirked at Clopin.

"I do enjoy how you put on a show," he said. "Look at all the king's guard, watching two Gypsies with well known criminal histories floating casually down a canal with the pope's stolen bell in their possession. Your captain friend's word only goes so far, Clopin. You know that."

"It goes far enough," Clopin said, not letting up as he continued the game of cat-and-mouse. One swipe later and Sarousch's toupee was in the river. "Once I'm done with you, it's a simple matter of pulling the boat in and putting La Fidele back where she belongs." Another swipe and he'd disarmed Sarousch.

The magician dove behind La Fidele, threw open his supply chest and reached for his "contingency plan." He had one more trick up his sleeve, if he could just get his spark powder and...

Clopin was obviously bored of playing ring-around-the-bell. He vaulted over La Fidele and landed in front of Sarousch. He brandished the scythe as Sarousch half-lay-half-sat trying to conceal the chest with his cape.

"I generally give the condemned one chance for last words," Clopin said menacingly. "Choose yours wisely."

"Ah, yes, very merciful of you, monsieur," Sarousch said, fiddling with his spark powder beneath his cape. He just needed another moment. "To be perfectly honest, my original plan is a bust thanks to a bit of meddling from the brat on the rope back there. But not to worry, I've made an adjustment!"

Sarousch shifted suddenly, shouldered the arquebus he'd been priming, and pulled the trigger. The shot rang out. Several people shouted and ducked. And Clopin crumpled.

Clopin had heard of the new German guns before, but had never seen one. As fast as he was naturally, even the great Clopin Trouillefou couldn't dodge a bullet at point blank range. The lead ball slammed through his stomach and chest. He dropped his scythe and toppled over, clutching his abdomen. He heard Esme scream his name.

Sarousch rose to his feet and placed his gun aside to stand over Clopin's shuddering body triumphantly. He placed a shoe on his fallen opponent's ribs. "Long live the king," he quipped. He then used his foot to shove Clopin's limp form overboard.

He barely had time to chuckle when the boat lurched sharply to starboard, throwing him off balance and nearly into the canal. He turned and saw a swarm of Roma on the bank, most of them holding ropes. One of them had managed to lasso the bow, and more ropes were coming. The Roma swiftly tied Sarousch up and hauled him ashore. One man tied the boat to a rock to anchor it, then jumped into the canal to help Quasi and Phoebus retrieve Clopin from the water.

Sarousch was unceremoniously tossed in front of a group of very intimidating, large bodied Roma. A few of the guards joined them as well. Xavier waved them off.

"This one's ours to deal with," he said. "He shot our leader. You boys worry about your bell."

One of the guards nodded. "Very well. Come on, men, let's check on La Fidele."

Sarousch glanced up at what promised to be his executioner and chuckled nervously as Xavier produced a cutlass and raised it. Begging would be pointless now, and Sarousch knew it.

The guards pointedly ignored what happened next. Their backs were turned, and as long as they didn't see it, they had deniability. Just another internal dispute among the Roma. Nothing to concern themselves with.


Quasimodo and Phoebus hauled Clopin ashore as several more Roma joined them, all murmuring over their leader. Esmeralda rushed forward, removed her sarong and pressed it to Clopin's wound, hugging him to her as she did so. Madellaine kept Zephyr pressed to her, trying to shield him from the sight.

Clopin was still conscious. He laid a shaky hand over Esme's. "D-don't," he managed. "It's...it's no good."

"Don't say that!" Esme demanded, tears stinging her eyes. She turned to the crowd. "Someone get a doctor!"

"Esme," Clopin whispered. He swallowed, trying to clear the blood that was pooling in his mouth, and tried to speak up for the benefit of the crowd. "Xavier...will have to take over...until the next election. I want you to help him. Help lead our people."

"That's not necessary, Clo!" Esme said through gritted teeth. "You have to hang on! For me! Please!"

Clopin's breath was ragged now. "Take care of her, Dweebus," he murmured. "It's...been...an honor."

Phoebus gave a halfhearted chuckle at the old nickname. "Hey, we've got years of annoying each other left. You'll see."

The corner of Clopin's mouth twitched upward. "Maybe...some other lifetime."

With that, the jester's eyes closed for the last time. His hand fell from its perch on Esme's hand.

"No!" Esme sobbed, hugging her cousin and surrogate father tightly as she grieved.

Phoebus allowed his wife to weep for a few moments. Then he quietly removed his cloak and draped it over Clopin's still form, reverently covering his face. He then stood and walked over to Madellaine, taking his son from her and hugging him close. Zephyr quietly sobbed on his father's shoulder. Djali rested his head on Esme's lap. The rest of the Roma stood by in reverent silence.

After several long minutes, Esme gently laid Clopin's head on the ground, wiped her eyes, then stood up to address her people. She'd been charged with a responsibility, and she wasn't about to neglect it.

"We have a funeral to arrange," she said, her voice hitching only for a moment. She turned to Xavier and added, "You have my full support to lead our people."

Xavier gave her a grateful smile, then nodded in the direction of the heap that was the remains of Sarousch. "Burn the traitor with the sewage," he instructed the other Roma. "And then we will bury our leader with honor."

The Roma moved to obey. Quasi stood and reached to collect Clopin's body, but Xavier clapped a hand on his shoulder to restrain him.

"Don't," Xavier said. "You're family. It's not your job to handle the body. We'll take care of it. Your job is to support La Esmeralda."

Quasi nodded and laid a gentle hand on his cousin's arm. "What do you need me to do, Esme?"

Esme clasped his hand. "You need to take care of La Fidele," she said. "The pope is still coming tomorrow."

"And he should know the whole story about La Fidele," Madellaine said. "About how...how a crazy...jester...saved the bell and a little boy."

"That's actually a good idea," Phoebus said.

Quasi nodded. "Yeah, we'll do that. Clopin deserves that."

It was decided, then. The pope would not get his bell until he knew the sacrifice that had been made for it. Quasi would see to that.


AN: No, that's not a typo. "Romni" means "woman." The plural is "Romniya."

I'm going to post the final chapter from my bunker, where I'll be hiding from all the other Clopinphiles out there. To be fair, I did warn you multiple times that I was going to do it. Go ahead, scream at me in the comments. I will read your flames in January, when I can use them to warm myself.

The arquebus was an early musket, invented in Germany. In the novel, this is the gun that was used to kill Clopin during the battle for Notre Dame. I'm probably using a bit of artistic license here to enable Sarousch to work around the actual physics of using a musket at point blank range. I've never shot an arquebus myself.

I have also made a reference to the origin of the modern English word "slave." This word exists in some form in many European languages, as well as Arabic, and directly refers to the Slavic people, who endured 600 years of such brutal and intense slavery that it was eventually named for them. The same people who enslaved them also routinely enslaved the Roma, but the Slavs also engaged in enslaving Roma, largely as an act of misguided revenge. Of course, it did not help one bit that slavery was seen as normal throughout most of the world, including the majority of Europe, where it wasn't even controversial. France was an exception, and even they allowed it in the colonies they later claimed in the New World.