The Runic Eye
By Richard LeBlanc
Act three: mice and men
The rat turned away from the woman and focused all of its attention on the bold and defiant prince. The savage humans scurried away to the corners of the room - much like rats might if danger loomed in the air.
"Hold on miss. I'll get you out of here as soon as I deal with ugly here," he stated seriously. The woman looked to be too weak to respond. With a loud unholy shriek - the rat charged! Gregory was barely able to dodge the massive rat's attack. He was about to leap at the rat's back - but with a powerful whip of the rat's tail - the prince was thrown hard into the stony wall of the cave.
You - cannot beat me. a voice whispered in his head. The prince looked around and saw that the voice he was hearing was coming from - the rat!
"You - can talk?" he asked in disbelief.
I am Tzago - god of rats. The rat answered with a shrill shriek.
"God? I doubt that," the prince retorted as he carefully got up.
You will learn to believe - before I am done - much like the other cowardly fools that worship me! The rat hissed as it charged at the prince. He attempted to back up but has flush against the stony wall. A powerful rake of the rat's claws sent the prince rolling over to where the chained woman was.
"You - okay?" the woman weakly asked.
"Been better. I'll be done in a minute," he reassured as he slowly got up.
Yield now! Worship me. The rat hissed. Gregory moved away from the chained woman and shook his head.
"Take more than that to break me," he goaded. The rat charged at him again. This time - he charged at the charging rat. He saw the rat open its large powerful jaws. Gregory leaped over the jaws and stabbed his sword into the rat's back. A shrill scream unlike anything he had ever heard echoed off the walls. Tzago - tried to fling the human from his back - but nothing seemed to work.
Get - off me - human! The rat hissed.
"Not until," he began as he pushed the sword in deeper. "You are dead!" he added with a twist to the sword. The rat began to stagger. Gregory pushed the sword in deeper. The rat fell to the ground. It was shaking for a few moments - but then - all life seemed to escape the giant beast.
Gregory fell from the dead rat and looked over to where the surprised looking woman was. He smiled and slowly got up. He looked over at the rat - making sure it was dead before he turned his back to it.
"You - killed it," she said in modest disbelief.
"It was more difficult than I thought," he began as he removed the sword and revealed the runic mark on it. "Runic Thorn - weapon of heroes," he said as he sheathed the blade and walked over to where she was.
"You would qualify," she commented. He reached up and touched the chains that bound her hands. As if by magic - the chains seemed to break. The woman fell into his arms. "Uh - s-sorry," she said modestly - her face inches from his.
"Don't be. Let me get you out of here," he offered as he effortlessly lifted her up.
"Oh - you're stronger than you look," she commented.
"I don't spend much time at the castle - so I tend to keep in shape," he replied as he carried her away from where she was captive. Her eyes seemed to light up upon hearing the first part.
"Castle? You - you are a prince?" she asked modestly.
"In title only. I have little interest in politics. That is why," he began as his mind wandered. "That's why I travel so much," he concluded as they reached the ladder that led to the tower.
"Oh dear," she began.
"Hmm. Not a problem," he began as he carefully put her down. He then turned around. "Put your arms around my neck - I'll get you up that way," he offered. Although she seemed a little hesitant - when she heard the sounds of the savage humans coming from where she was - the hesitation vanished.
"If you say," she began as she got a grip on him. Gregory then began to go up the ladder. The woman seemed genuinely surprised that he was able to carry her in such a way. In a matter of moments - the two were on the tower floor.
"That - was a bit of a workout," he said between gasps.
"Oh - you - you're bleeding," she muttered. Gregory looked at his shoulder and remembered when the rat had raked him with its claws. He was about to comment when she ripped off a piece of her tattered top and began to bind the wound.
"You don't have to," he began.
"You saved my life - I owe you no less," she replied. it was then that her face turned pale.
"What? Something wrong?" he asked hesitantly.
"Pookie," she replied.
"Huh?" he muttered.
"My cat - he is still down there - with those humans," she began. Seconds later a black cat scurried up the ladder and leaped into the woman's arms. "Oh thank god you are still alive - I would be so lost without you," she said happily.
"We should get going," he suggested. He removed his cloak and put it over her shoulders. "It will be dark soon - and even I have limits to what I can do," he added politely.
"So - what will become of me now sir?" she asked curiously.
"Can't you go home?" he asked curiously.
"Home? I don't even know where that is anymore. Those - people - took me from my home while I slept and - took me through tunnels - on boats," she stuttered. The prince put his arms around her to console her.
"Easy - I know some people in a near by town. We'll get you a room - some clothes - and maybe a bath," he added with a smirk. The woman modestly laughed and shook her head.
"You be dragged around by savages and see how good you smell," she retorted.
"You - will protect me?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course," he replied seriously.
"I - I am sorry. I must sound so foolish," she began.
"After what you've just been through? Please," he interrupted.
"Is - is it far to this town?" she asked hesitantly.
"We will be back long before sunset," he reassured.
"Sun - it has been so long," she muttered as she looked over at the opening that led out of the tower. The prince helped the weak woman out from the tower. As soon as the light seemingly touched her face - she buried it in the prince's chest. "It hurts," she whimpered.
"You'll get used to it," he reassured. She slowly looked away from the prince and looked out at the surrounding forest.
"So beautiful," she muttered.
"I agree," the prince replied. She looked over and smiled at the prince.
"What - you - you mea me?" she asked hesitantly.
"I'm not talking about your cat," he retorted.
"You are too kind noble prince," she replied politely.
"Please - don't call me that. I get that whenever I am at the castle and it drives me nuts. My name is Gregory - and that is how I like to be addressed - if you don't mind," he replied with a wink.
"I - am called Syn. I - fear that I am not of very noble stock," she began.
"Ask me if I care," he interrupted.
"Uhm - do - do you care?" she asked hesitantly.
"No I don't," he replied. Syn blushed and looked away from the prince.
"I - I would be one of your countless conquests?" she asked curiously. "If that is what you wish," she began but stopped herself.
"I - haven't - exactly," he began awkwardly.
"You - haven't?" she asked curiously.
"No - been too busy - running," he almost subconsciously admitted.
"You - running? I fear to see what could make one as brave as you run," she commented. The prince smiled and helped Syn walk.
"Monsters - villains - those I can handle. I can confront them with my strength and prowess. Memories - ghosts - I can't deal with those," he admitted. Syn sighed and leaned against the prince.
"As you have helped me - please allow me to help you," she offered.
"How?" he asked.
"By listening - by being there - I - I can see it in those beautiful eyes of yours. That even in a room full of people - that you feel isolated and alone," she said softly. The prince closed his eyes and sighed.
"You know much," he replied.
"I know only what you tell me," she replied as she gently touched his cheek with the back of her hand.
"You can help me?" he asked.
"I can try," she replied with a smile. On that note - the two headed back into the forest. Towards the nearest town.
* * *
Meanwhile - back in Eversky - Gwenyth was disheartened at what Samson had just reported to her. Much like when he checked it out before - the result of the research and investigating was the same.
"Nothing?" she asked in modest disbelief.
"The king and queen - did very little that could inspire such vengance," he replied. just then - the doors to the thrown room opened. The two looked and saw an ambassador for a bordering kingdom heading their way.
"Hello?" Gwenyth began.
"Greetings ambassador - what brings you here?" Samson asked. The serious looking messenger turned away from Samson and looked directly at the queen.
"Word has gotten to my king that you have in your possession - all of the Runic Weapons and artifacts - is this true?" the ambassador demanded. The tone shocked both Samson and the queen.
"Yes - they have been for some time - why?" she replied.
"You are ordered to part with them at once," he answered.
"Ordered? At once? Is there a reason?" she asked - remaining surprisingly civil.
"You are far too young to be in command of such devices and," he began but stopped. The queen almost gasped and placed her hands on her hips.
"I am a woman - is that it?" she asked sternly.
"That is an issue," he admitted.
"Need I remind you that all of the keepers of the Runic weapons and artifacts in the past were men - and look what happened. Those older - wiser men - were taken down by the Witch Queen," she pointed out.
"They - were not expecting," he began.
"And your king would be?" she interrupted. Samson raised his hand and stepped between the two.
"If she doesn't do as your king - orders?" he asked. The messenger looked over at the queen and scowled.
"If she chooses to be stubborn - there will be war," he replied coldly.
To be continued...
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1