Saturday, June 10, 2006

Episode 22: Moonlight Journey

"Take her!" Eric gasped. "For pity's sake, take her before she crushes me!" He sagged forward, letting his burden slip from his shoulder.

Doremus and Scaramouche leaped forward to assist Gundar. Together, they managed to break the fall of the senseless woman as she slid head-first onto the floor.

"Who may this be?" Scaramouche demanded acidly. "You were left to watch the cave! Did you desert your post?"

Eric flopped into the nearest chair, his chest heaving. "The princess Laesta, as requested."

Gundar tugged at the woman's arm and rolled her onto her back. "Rather more corpulent than I expected," he observed. "And poorly turned out for a princess."

"She had no clothes on her at all when she was taken from the mudbath," Doremus said. "I had this garment from one of my . . . visitors."

Even with every lace let out as far as possible, the gown was greatly strained by its task, and had burst its seams in numerous places. It might once have been green, but was now the colour of the earth, garnished with food stains.

"Could you find no shoes and stockings to fit?" Gundar said. The princess' legs and feet were wrapped in rags.

"There were no stockings large enough," Doremus said curtly. "And shoes were denied her to hinder her escape."

"What's wrong with her?" Scaramouche asked. "Has she been hurt?"

"No," Eric said. "They shared the mead with her. She was the first to lose consciousness. The men were trying to revive her when they were overcome.."

"So you took action without consulting anyone," Gundar said to Eric, allowing a note of exasperation to creep into his voice.

"That I did," Eric answered. "I saw no reason to delay. But, if I had to do it over again, I would not attempt the task alone. 'Twas a job for a mule, not a man." He rubbed his shoulder. "I dare say I strained something."

"Pick her up again," Gundar ordered. "We are leaving forthwith."

"Now?" Doremus said. "Without supper?"

"Now," Gundar said firmly, trying to ignore the savory smells of the roasting meat. "We must be far away before those ruffians wake up."

"I cannot move a step," Eric proclaimed. "I must rest. If you want that great sow carried any further, you must be the one to do it."

"Then help me settle her on my shoulders," Gundar said valiantly, heaving the princess into a sitting position.

"No need," Doremus said. "I will let you use Moly -- provided you take Yamyn as well."

"Moly?" Gundar queried.

"Molybdena carbuncula," Doremus said. "That is the learned name for a pack animal from the land of the Tellurites. She has served me well over the years. She will not relish carrying double, but she is more than equal to the task."

"So be it," Gundar said sourly, knowing full well that he would collapse under the royal burden before he had managed a hundred paces. He was not resigned to the idea of taking charge of Yamyn, but it would be simple enough to abandon him by the roadside before he woke up.

"I say we eat first," Scaramouche proclaimed, "and rest until first light."

"And when the men in the cave wake up?" Gundar demanded. "They will surely come here."

Scaramouche shrugged. "We can fight them. We have one in custody already, and only three remain. A simple ambush should do the trick."

"And then the rest of Gallagher's gang will come looking for us with swords in their hands!" Gundar said. "Remember, these are the very men who dared to kidnap the princess in broad daylight."

Gundar's nerves were raw by the time he had prevailed against the complaints and arguments of the other two. He swore explosively at nothing in particular as he accompanied Doremus to the small shed where he kept his beast of burden.

"Leadership is no simple matter," Doremus observed. "Perhaps you need to learn to listen more carefully to what others have to say."

"Do you think I am making the wrong decision?" Gundar challenged.

"Not necessarily," Doremus said. "But without the support of your companions, even a good decision can turn sour."

"In my country, the rule is Obey or die," Gundar informed him.

"A convenient rule for those who hold the power," Doremus observed, "but it crushes those who are subject to its tyranny. True leadership enlists the will and heart of all."

"That is not practical," Gundar said. "The rabble has no stomach for anything but complaining."

Doremus did not reply, and they finished their walk in silence.

Moly was an ungainly furry beast the like of which Gundar had never seen, twice the size of a donkey, with a broad, thick back and six legs. The misshapen head, vaguely similar to a bloodhound's, protested mightily when Doremus awakened her.

"She is not accustomed to going out after dark," Doremus said as he buckled on a wide leather pad held down by a multitude of straps. He spoke softly to the beast, reassuring her.

"Hurry!" Gundar urged. "It will be daylight before we get loaded up."

When they returned to the cabin, they found Eric and Scaramouche feasting on meat they had cut from the outside of the roast. Gundar decided not to make an issue of it, and accepted a piece for himself.

They worked together to drag the princess outside and heave her onto Moly, head and shoulders dangling on one side, and legs on the other. Then Gundar picked up Yamyn from his chair and laid him on his belly beside the princess.

"Sit up here and keep an eye on things," Gundar said to Scaramouche. After some experimentation, the mannikin settled astride Moly's neck, facing backwards, holding the provision bag in front of him.

The motley party set out into the moonlit night.. Doremus led Molly, while Gundar and Eric walked on each side to steady the load. Despite Doremus' careful efforts to tie the passengers securely to the pack harness, they kept shifting with Moly's every movement, especially when she was descending. The walk seemed endless. Gundar was just beginning to wonder whether Doremus had led them astray when he saw the outline of Eric's carriage.

"At last -- we can ride in style right up to the king's palace," Gundar said with satisfaction. He had walked entirely too much for his liking in the past few hours.

Eric peered into the shadows. "Where are the horses?" he asked in a tight voice. "I staked them out right over there."