Ronnie did not consider the giant manacle that was still on her ankle after she severed the chain as 'jewelry'. She therefore did not like it. It slowed down her frantic running. If she didn't run, she wouldn't escape this network of dark caverns, so she really wasn't enjoying the manacle right now.
"Stupid manacle." she emphasized as she ran. She hadn't seen or heard from the Dock brothers after she toasted them, and that, at least, was fortunate. The bad thing was, she had no idea which way was 'out' in these caves, and that was pretty much delaying her escape a great deal.
How the hell do those idiots manage to find their way through here?!
One tunnel led to another, which led to sixteen others. Ronnie couldn't see daylight anywhere coming from any tunnels leading off. These dark caverns were unnerving, even for her. She prided herself on not being like all the other Pauline Fargolons in the world, who were scared of spiders, snaked, darkness, and everything in between, and who fainted at the drop of a hat. She had never been inclined to act so weak and helpless. She ran through another tunnel, and turned the corner.
And despite all her efforts, she still screamed when she saw what was there.
*********
"I'm NOT going on this FOOLISH endeavor." Pauline said, stamping her foot down for the umpteenth time. Norman sighed, did this woman never shut UP? She had paraded around, declaring her right not to go because of money and power. All they wanted her to do was accompany the kidnapping party back to the manor, and point out her personal chambermaid. They could always take Jeeves, but he wouldn't make a single move without her exalted word giving the go-ahead. Which she wouldn't, because no matter what it was that Bell's Bandits wanted to do, her only opinion on the matter was the her way was the right way. And it was always the opposite, imagine that.
"You have to. You or your butler has to point out Katrina." Jaoullin said.
"...Katrina? Have you been drinking again, you idiot??" Pauline demanded.
"Whoopsy, wrong maid. My mistake. I meant Gretta, of course." he corrected. Norman fixed his best friend with a stare.
"Whaaat?" Jaoullin demanded.
"Wrong maid, again." Norman said, flashing a rare grin. "It's Fifi." Jaoullin reddened.
"Right. Fifi." he said, embarrassed. Norman and Scotch exchanged a humorous glance.
"We need an organized plan." Scotch said. Pauline made a sound that, when accompanied with the disgusted look that never left her face, clearly stated that she thought they could never formulate such a plan.
"First, we need to know where in the manor the maid is likely to be." Bechno said. They looked to Pauline and Jeeves. Pauline stared at the ceiling in comtempt, but caught Jaoullin's slight movement towards the Star Ostrich Sword out of the corner of her eye, and made a half-nod to her butler. Norman smirked a little--Jaoullin had always been persuasive in more ways than one. Jeeves begrudgingly began to give them the info.
"Fifi is the head chambermaid at Fargolon Manor. She is authorized to clean and straighten up my Lady's room and the Master's Quarters, and no other maid has such clearance. She...could be anywhere in the manor." Jeeves nervously adjusted his collar and shifted his gaze around the room so much that even a child could tell he had been lying about the last statement.
"Okay, Jeeves," Scotch said assertively. "Spill it. Just tell us where she hangs out, and stop dragging this out forever." Jeeves looked desperately to his mistress. She pretended that no one else existed for a few moments, but Norman could see her cracking under the pressure.
"Oh, FINE!" she blurted. "Fifi is in the servants' quarters by night, and by day she is either tidying up my room, my father's room, or any of the other restricted areas in the manor. She..." Pauline's outburst was losing its steam, they could tell, and she was about to clam up again. Jaoullin made a big deal out of polishing his sword at that moment.
"...She usually spends her time gossiping around the kitchen staff." Pauline said angrily, and sank back to her usual disgusted self, apalled that she had submitted to these...these...lower lifeforms. Norman was pleased--when the bandits worked as a team, they could get info out of even the snootiest snobs or closemouthed agents. But Bechno had a final question for Pauline.
"Is there a side-door to this kitchen?" the old dwarf asked, twirling his mustache.
"NO." Pauline said with such severity that they immediately knew they had a lead.
"Then how come the kitchen staff know such gossip? I mean, assuming that they know the variety of gossip that would interest the head chambermaid enough that she would hang around there all the time, they must have outside ties she doesn't." Scotch said, hitting it right on target. Pauline looked positively livid.
"Yes, I SUPPOSE there COULD be a DOOR there." she said through clenched teeth. That meant yes.
"Okay then, everyone get ready, 'cause we're going back to Fargolon Manor." Scotch said. They all went off to get their stuff, leaving Pauline to stew with her butler.
********
Ronnie nearly lost her balance and fell over completely. It wasn't a particularly horrifying sight at all, it just surprised her. Okay, really surprised her.
There was a man that she had almost run into coming around the corner. He had the look of most of her bandits--a scarf tied around his head, along with well-worn, fairly loose clothing. He had a crew cut, and brown hair. He was large and muscular, and stood at about Ronnie's height. He was fairly good-looking, though somewhat rough around the edges. All-in-all, he had a very rugged appearance.
She could care less about his appearance, it's who he was that bothered her.
"Biggs!" she gasped, trying to get a hold of herself so as not to look foolish. He smiled winningly (at least he thought it was pretty winning) and laughed.
"Why, Ronnie! Ronnie Bell! I never expected to see you HERE." he said with a grin. "What're you doing with the Dock brothers? Don't tell me you were--"
"Wipe that grin off your face before I take it off for you." she snapped. "Absolutely not. Those two creatures are the last thing I'd ever--beyond last!" She shot him a glare that he had come to know well, from frequent usage. Of course, it had been a while since she'd had to use it on HIM.
"Oh, really. Well, one can never be sure, with you." he said, eyeing her.
"Stop it, you hopeless bastard! Why won't you ever---RRGH!" she said, seething. Biggs shrugged.
"Well, it still doesn't explain why you're here." he said suspiciously. "I won't stand for it if my biggest rival's pulled my deal out from under me." Now it was her turn to look suspicious.
"Deal? What are you talking about??" she demanded. Biggs smirked.
"I asked you first." he said cheerfully. She hated that.
"Well, I was pulling a job the other night, and these two bunglers thought I was Pauline Fargolon, and KIDNAPPED me, if you must know." she said tightly. Biggs raised a brow.
"Pulling a job at Fargolon Manor? I never thought you'd have the guts." he said. She ignored his comment and went on.
"Yes, we were kidnapping that insufferable girl, and they had the same bright idea. I don't know how they managed to get through security." she said bitterly.
"Kidnapping? Gods, Ronnie, that's big-time. I never thought you'd go All The Way." he said, with amazement that soon turned into a joke, like everything did with him. "But we both know you already passed that hurdle." He grinned. She smacked him.
"Will you never stop?" Ronnie said, exasperated. "Well, I've explained myself. Now it's your turn." Biggs got that look on his face that meant he was about to be humorous again. Wonderful.
"Well, if you must know," he said, imitating her, "I struck up a deal with these two 'bunglers'." Ronnie looked skeptical.
"Those two wouldn't know a deal if it clubbed them over the head." she said.
"That's true enough." Biggs said. "But let's just say I've tapped the Docks' ...hidden potential." He looked very satisfied with his Big Mysterious act, but Ronnie knew how to deflate that.
"They're great in bed??" she said with a satisfied smile. Biggs lost his air of confidence immediately.
"That's not funny." he said, glowering. "I am strictly a LADIES' man." Ronnie was beginning to enjoy this conversation.
"Tell that to the ladies." she said, still smiling. Biggs glared daggers.
"Women love me." Biggs insisted, "Why, just the other night I--"
"Oh, please. Don't make me throw up with descriptions of your sexual escapades." she said, laughing. Biggs' pride was clearly injured. He tried desperately to regain control of the conversation. It was the same as always--Biggs could usually take it as well as dish it out, but Ronnie knew just where to hit him.
"Well, uh, I've got this great deal, and you don't. So there." he said, puffing his chest out.
"Uh-huh. And since you haven't established the nature of said deal, I'll just assume my previous suspicions are true. I'll bet the women at the pub will love to hear this." Ronnie said, never losing her smile. Biggs looked desperate. He knew very well that Ronnie wasn't the type to gossip with anyone about anything, and he obviously didn't want to tell her just what his secret deal was, but he couldn't risk the slim chance that she would.
"Uhh..." Biggs said, obviously wrestling it over in his head.
"Listen, how 'bout I make YOU a deal. You tell me what this deal is, and I don't interfere or anything, and you...haven't seen me around, if the Docks bring it up. Deal?" she said ambitiously. Biggs thought it over, then shook her hand with minimum reluctance.
"Okay, then..." he said. "The Docks are sitting on a fortune's worth of valuable treasures. I found out through a little poking around, and now I'm gonna buddy-buddy around with these guys so I can get at this fortune. They have no idea." Ronnie took all this in.
"Treasure, you say?" she said. Biggs nodded. "Treasure, just sitting in a cave?"
"Yeah. It's some ancient family fortune, but the family's gone now, and it's ripe for the picking. And remember, you said you'd stay outta it." he warned.
"I meant it, too. So long as you keep up your end." Ronnie said, and she did mean it. She had no current interest in treasure, especially if it meant buddying around with the Dock brothers to get them. A smirk crossed her face. She couldn't resist one last jab.
"How good of buddies did you say you were?" she said mirthfully. Biggs clenched his fists.
"Anyway, I'm off." Ronnie said with a wave. "This IS the way out, right?" Biggs nodded dismissively and turned to walk in the caverns.
"Oh, Biggs!" Ronnie said. He turned back.
"What now?" he asked irritably. She smiled.
"How do you know it's not just another legend? I've heard plenty about lost treasure in these mountains, and I've never seen evidence to back it up. You'll regret it if you have to pal around with the Docks for nothing!" Biggs smiled too, suprisingly. He fumbled in his pocket.
"See this?" he said, bringing out several precious stones. "There's more where that came from." Ronnie looked at the stones with interest. They appeared to be very real.
"How did you get a hold of those? Have you actually seen the rest of the treasure?" she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. She had meant not to meddle, but it was becoming more intriguing by the minute. Biggs seemed to find no harm in telling her the details now, in fact, he was getting so into it he was forgetting to insult her or anything.
"I met someone in a tavern...a treasure hunter. Turns out he had seen some of the treasure, but there was an accident that killed his partner, and he lost his taste for that particular mission. There's supposedly something guarding the treasure. The guy figured it wasn't worth the trouble they had had, and sold me the map for a small price." Biggs explained. It seemed pretty convenient to Ronnie.
"And the jewels? They just appeared, or what?" she asked doubtfully.
"He threw in the proof for a little extra." Biggs said, obviously proud of the way he had dealt with whatever treasure hunter he had encountered.
"Sounds dodgy to me." Ronnie said. Biggs frowned.
"What's it to you? You said you wouldn't get involved." he said darkly.
"I told you the truth. But I wouldn't mind seeing some of this treasure, just to see if it's true." she admitted.
"Yeah, see it. Right, you want a cut of it!" Biggs said accusingly.
"Treasure is treasure." Ronnie said, "But as it is, I don't have the time. I still have to pull off that ransom. My men have no idea where I am right now."
"Ah." he said disdainfully. "Would't want to worry your MEN." He turned to go back in again.
"You're just jealous that my men are better-looking than yours." Ronnie said, winking at him before turning and walking away, not giving him time to reply.
*********
Security had been beefed up at Fargolon Manor, that much was apparent. Guards patrolled all the outer walls, so the crew had to be extra careful when sneaking around the perimeter.
"Once we get on the grounds, Pauline, where is the kitchen door?" Bechno asked. Pauline looked absolutely furious, moreso than usual, mostly because she had been thoroughly gagged to avoid her attracting undue attention to the group. She pointed vaguely.
"Right." Scotch said, noting the direction. He signaled for them to head quietly that way.
Later, once they had successfully snuck onto the grounds (although Eyesoar had sneezed at a nearly critical moment, and Pauline put up her usual, if muffled, fuss), the group of five bandits, an aristocrat and a butler made their way towards where she said the side kitchen door was. Indeed, as they hid in various shrubs around the area, the saw a light slice into the darkness from within--and a kitchen worker carried a bin of trash outside and set it there. He went back in, and the door didn't appear to be locked.
"Okay..." Scotch ordered, "We can't all risk being seen here again, so only one person is going into the kitchens to find Fifi. If she isn't there, that person will report back and go check another area." They exchanged glances amongst themselves. Jaoullin was a good charmer and handsome, he could probably persuade the maid to come out...Norman could do a fair bit of sweet-talking himself...Bechno had a voice of authority, and was stealthy as well...Scotch needed to stay, and Eyesoar would be keeping watch. So who would it be?
"Jeeves, you're going in." Scotch said, startling everybody. The butler looked nervous.
"I, sir?" he asked uncertainly. Scotch nodded.
"You know the manor, you know Fifi, you're inconspicuous. So, you're going to go find her, and feed her some story that'll make her come outside." Scotch said casually.
"I...I..." Jeeves stammered. Scotch eyed him.
"No funny stuff." he said evenly. "Or you know what'll happen to HER." He gestured to Pauline, who looked desperate and horrified and angry at the same time. Norman took out a nice, shiny knife and waved it around as if this were merely a picnic lunch, and he was about to cut a slice of pie. Jeeves wiped some sweat from his forehead and nodded weakly. He stood up and walked shakily into the kitchen.
"What if he blows it, Scotch?" Eyesoar asked. "What if he rats on us??"
"We have to take that chance. I don't think he can consciously do anything that might harm Pauline...we've just got to pray that I'm right." But Scotch looked like he had some private doubts.
"Just in case...I'm going to check the servants' quarters...y'know, that one outside building we saw before." Jaoullin said, standing up.
"...okay. Report back soon." Scotch said after a moment. The Sunshine Knight walked off into the darkness, his golden armor glinting in the moonlight.
"You know," Bechno said, "That he'll be checking out the servants as well as the quarters." Norman grinned.
"Yeah, well...at least if Fifi's there, he'll be able to bring her back." he said. Pauline seemed to have realized that a few minutes had gone by without her complaining or trying to escape, so she began thrashing around again.
"Stop that." Scotch said dismissively. "Look there, what's that?"
There were two semi-important-looking guards standing outside a ways away, next to a middle-aged man. He was dressed very well, and he had a definite air of authority. Scotch signaled to Eyesoar, and the young Winger nodded. He glided silently over and perched where he could hear their conversation.
"...not safe in my own home!" the middle-aged man raged. "How could your force let something get through?!! And now, my daughter, MY daughter, gone!!!"
"We've told you before, sir, we don't know how they did it..." one guard captain cowered.
"We've tightened security around the manor, sir." the second said.
"That doesn't matter!!!" the older man fumed. "My daughter is gone already!! And who knows what cruel torture she's being subjected to?!!" The guards flinched.
"Well...we've sent out search parties, sir..." the first one offered.
"THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING, YOU IDIOTS!!! THERE WASN'T EVEN A RANSOM NOTE!" the old man bellowed. This, judging from the extreme rage he was displaying, was obviously Mr. Fargolon, Pauline's father. The second guard seemed excessively nervous as he brought up a point.
"Sir...Jeeves is also missing...have you considered that maybe...uhh..Pauline.." he said, not wanting to finish for fear of the retaliation.
"WHAT??!!!!" Mr. Fargolon bellowed. "ARE YOU INSINUATING THAT MY SWEET DAUGHTER WOULD RUN AWAY FROM HOME?!!!!!!" The guards cringed, shaking their heads. "I want her found, and I want her found NOW!" He stormed away, towards the manor's front door. Eyesoar flew eagerly back to the others. Pauline was having a fit.
"MMMMMMPPPHHHHH!!!!" she gagged, scooting along the ground frantically.
"That's her dad..." Eyesoar said, explaining what Mr. Fargolon had said.
"No wonder she's flailing all over." Bechno observed. "Well, not to worry, lass, you'll see your father once he pays us the ransom." Scotch frowned.
"We still have yet to demand any ransom..." he noted. Eyesoar let them sort that out and flew over to eavesdrop on the guards again. The first one was consoling the second, who appeared traumatized by Mr. Fargolon's outburst.
"I never knew he was like this when I took this job..." he sobbed.
"There, there. You get used to him yelling like that." the first one said.
"We'd better send that inquiry soon..." the second said miserably, "Before he has a chance to yell at us again." The first nodded.
"Yeah, well, he always finds an excuse to yell anyway...but really, do they think that inquiry to the Darstons is gonna turn up anything??" he said uncertainly.
"Well, it's the only lead we have." the second said, brightening now that he wasn't being screamed at. "That maid found that ring, you know..."
"But the Darstons don't have a problem with this place, do they? I always thought it was the Ettes they were feuding with." the first guard said. The second shrugged, and Eyesoar hurried back over to the group.
"Guys! Guys!!" he said excitedly.
"Quiet, do you want them to find us??" Norman shushed.
"Listen..." Eyesoar said, not slowing down a bit. "Those guards said they're putting in an inquiry to some Darston person, because a maid found a ring!" Scotch blinked.
"Say what? A maid found a ring, and...the Darston family, you mean?" he asked. Eyesoar nodded.
"What kind of ring?" Norman asked.
"I think we're about to find out..." Bechno said, gesturing to the side door that had just opened. Jeeves walked out of it stiffly, followed by a woman who was anything but stiff. She swiveled her hips as she walked, wearing a short little skirt and low cut top. She had curly black hair that fell down her back, and full red lips.
"What's going on, Jeeves?" she asked in a cute little voice. She had a Zexen accent.
"You...shall...see...Fifi..." Jeeves said fakely. Norman and Bechno jumped out and seized the maid, who gave out a little scream. Seeing Pauline tied and gagged, her eyes widened.
"Miss Pauline!" she squeaked before Scotch clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Don't scream. We aren't gonna hurt you, we just want information." he whispered in her ear. "Understand?" She nodded, pale. He took his hand off slowly.
"You are Fifi, right?" Scotch said. She nodded.
"I am Fifi. What do you want with me?" she asked.
"We just want to ask you some questions about the night Pauline was kidnapped." Norman said. Fifi looked at them strangely.
"But you are the kidnappers, what do you need to know?" she asked.
"We need to know if you found anything in her room afterwards. We didn't drop anything, so if there was anything suspicious, it's something we need to know." Scotch explained.
"But, why?" Fifi inquired. "What can you use such information for??" Bechno sighed.
"Our boss disappeared in the manor after we left...we think someone else was there. If you give us the information, we'll be...lenient with Pauline." the dwarf said.
"Oh. Well, I found only a ring with a 'D' insignia on it. It was not Miss Pauline's, so I do not know who it could be. They are questioning the Darston family." Fifi said.
"Just the ring? With a 'D', you say?" Norman made certain.
"Yes. That was all. Although we cannot be certain it belonged to the Darstons." the maid said.
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere." Scotch said with satisfaction.
"Indeed." said a stern voice from the doorway. "Much farther than expected." They whirled around in shock. Mr. Fargolon and several guards stood in the light from the kitchen doorway.
"J-Jeeves!" Scotch said, stunned. "You--"
"I did nothing, sir..." Jeeves said tonelessly. They saw Jaoullin, held fast by two soldiers, in the doorway.
"...sorry..." he mumbled.
"Enough. Seize them!" Mr. Fargolon commanded.
********
Ronnie walked along the mountain path. These were higher mountains than she lived in, very cold and foggy. She nearly lost her footing several times, which was very bad. Bad because there was a sheer drop-off on her right, and drop-offs hurt when you dropped off of them, generally. She had no idea how Hickory and Dickory Dock could tolerate life at such an elevation. They must not get out as much as she had thought, because it could take a whole day to traverse those caverns and this mountain range to get anywhere. She walked along in silence for the longest time. Suddenly, she saw a small bit of fur on the road. Some sort of small fuzzy animal was injured. She knelt down to inspect it.
"Hmm...what have we here?" she said. It appeared to be a rabbit. The rabbit made some pitiful sound, but Ronnie couldn't see any physical signs of injury. "I don't know what's wrong with you..." she said. Suddenly, she heard the rustling of a bunch of small objects moving onto the path at once. She looked up, terrified.
"What the--?!" she cursed angrily as the 'injured' bunny joined its companions, donning battle gear like the others. She had wandered foolishly into a pack of cutrabbits. She raised her fists. They rushed her so fast, however, she couldn't get a hit in. She stumbled, lost her balance and nearly went hurtling to her doom--at the last moment, she desperately caught hold of a root hanging out the side of the cliff. One cutrabbit hopped evilly over to the root, getting ready to sever it with its bladed weapon. The others, however, scattered. The cutrabbit swung, but was knocked out of the way by a very large boot.
"Biggs!!" Ronnie called desperately. "Help me!" Biggs looked down at her, smirking.
"Me, help you? My biggest rival?" he asked, in mock-shock.
"Cut the crap, Biggs! Just pull me up!!" she shouted. He frowned at her.
"Maybe if you were nicer about it..." he said innocently. She glared.
"Please, help me." she said quickly. Her grip wouldn't last forever. Biggs looked reluctant, but reached down and pulled her up. She sighed in relief as she pulled herself onto the cliff.
"Hey, now you owe me big-time!" Biggs said joyfully. She grimaced. The thought of owing her life to Biggs Amoeba was enough to make her ill. But then she gasped. She almost choked.
"C'mon, what's your problem?" he demanded. She stared, almost not daring to blink for fear it would disappear.
"L-look, it's her! Biggs!! It's HER!!" Ronnie cried, dashing forward. There was an old woman a ways up the path, short and shrouded in a dull orange cloak.
"It's who??" Biggs asked aloud, puzzled. Ronnie pointed frantically.
"It's the old woman!! After all these years---I have to talk to her! I must!" Ronnie cried, sprinting.
"WHAT old woman?? Are you insane?" Biggs shouted.
"THE old woman, Biggs! Hurry up!" Ronnie said, pointing. Biggs could clearly see an old woman. But what did it have to do with anything at the moment?
"Gods, Ronnie, I've never *puff* seen you run so *gasp* fast! Does she owe you *pant* money or something?? Slow down!!" Biggs panted, dashing after her. A million thoughts flew through Ronnie's head as she ran--she had only seen the old woman once before, shortly after her father's and fianc�'s deaths. Ronnie knew there was no mistaking her...and now, after ten years, she had to talk to this old woman. She wanted answers. Answers to questions that had burned holes in her soul for years.
If the old woman knew things about her father's death, nothing was going to stop Ronnie from finding them out!
