Here is the third chapter of Center Game - for your reading pleasure!
Chapter Three
Up ahead, toward the right, at the edge of his vision, Kevin could see it now. Every so often, as the forest cleared, he could see beyond their own path towards the higher point ahead. And he knew. He could see the ragged troupe behind was tiring, but he was afraid to ask his captors for rest. Now if they could hold out long enough to make the next ridge, he thought that they might stand a chance.
Kevin recalled that time, over four years ago now, when he and his guards had been dispatched to pick up, and bring to the castle “a healer, with magic.” And when he saw Master Robert there, in the guards’ quarters in Killiburn, what an unlikely person he seemed to be, to be carrying so much magic. And yet – now with years’ worth of observation – he discovered that what was assumed to be magic was more a combination of knowledge and skill. How he had truly defeated Councilor Reordan using tools that he believed everyone had at their disposal. And was it not that very knowledge which had made him such a target now?
It seemed strange to him that in an effort to protect Robert from capture by those who sought him, to now be taken prisoner by this most unlikely foe. Count Gregorio, it seems, did just happen upon their little party innocently sleeping in the forest. And now they were prisoners in the hands of one who truly had no knowledge of their worth. Gregorio didn’t even know of Master Robert, nor what he meant to the people of the island.
And he thought of the Lady Judy, and how Robert must be fretting. She was great with child, and he could not tell how soon it would be before she would deliver. He prayed that it would not be anytime soon. He was sure that Master Robert could handle any needs that Judy might have, and yet, here she was among this ragged band of ruffians, away from the castle and all the comforts that would provide. At the very least, she had Diane with her, someone who also had helped many of the castle’s women in the birth of children. And also, there was the injured prince, Diego, among the men, who seemed to be tiring especially, and yet he kept walking along, and not lagging behind. It seemed that the young men who were surrounding him were keeping him going, yet there was a pained look upon his face, which worsened every time he would look back toward the walkers.
And, too, what was he to think of Gilbert? Was he truly changed, or was that a mere ruse? Also Chauncey. He had been told that the man had special talents, which he could put to use. But how, and against whom?
Thinking these random thoughts, he was suddenly startled to hear from the forest behind him the call of a whippoorwill. He knew that signal! It was the sign from nearby Forest Guards, letting them know that he and his group had been seen, and to remain alert. He looked toward Gregorio and his men and noticed that they were oblivious to the signal. Then he turned his attention to his fellow guardsmen, and all kept their own focus forward, yet he could tell that it was a signal that they had recognized. So, he continued on, encouraged.
Within the cart, Judy was startled by the cry of a whippoorwill. Suddenly alert and attentive, she looked about her with anticipation. She remembered that signal from years ago, recalling that she had been a prisoner with Falma, and the same signal had indicated the presence of Drachma’s men, and eventual release. She looked about her in the cart and noted that her companions had not reacted to the bird call.
“Diane,” she said quietly, “that bird call… did you notice it? That was the sound of the Forest Guard, indicating their presence.”
“Nay, Judy, I did not pay attention. D’ye mean that the Forest Guard know of our capture?”
“Yes! That’s precisely what this means. It means that we are not alone. I have no idea when they’ll strike, but mark my words, there will be a rescue attempt, perhaps when we stop for the night.”
“My poor Diego!” exclaimed Alex, suddenly. “Look…he is so tired, and this walk has been so hard fo’ him.”
They all looked out toward the men, and they could see the stern expressions of those who walked behind, and they could tell that Diego was tiring. His gait was getting more unsteady as he walked along within the group. Despite assistance from those in front and behind, his ability to keep up with the group was about done. Seeing this, Alex leaped out of the cart and ran back to her man.
“Diego!” she cried out, “Here, put your bad arm on me. Now, just walk. Along this way…”
Sensing some disturbance to the rear, Gregorio gave the signal to stop, and he turned his mount backwards, and he came to where Alex was now helping Diego.
“Whattsa matta’ this man?” He demanded.
Bob took it upon himself to answer. “The man has been seriously injured and is tiring.”
“Injured? My men no injure him. What you mean, injured?”
It was Alex who spoke up, “Ye canna’ see his injury… it’s inside. But he’ll be aw’right again. ‘e just needs rest.”
Gregorio was perplexed. He had never even noticed this little girl before. Who was she? And why was she speaking for this man? And why was he dressed in finery fit for a prince?
He summoned Kevin over, and asked him, “Who this man, and this girl? And why they say he injured?”
Kevin answered guardedly. “Your excellency, this man is but new to us. He comes to us as a survivor of a shipwreck. He is mostly unable to talk with us. For reasons we do not understand, this young girl, who rescued him from the sea, can talk with him, and speaks for him…”
“He… no talk?”
“Nay, sire.”
“What you think we do with him?”
Kevin began to respond, but Alex answered, “Oh, sir, he should ride in the cart! He shall be aw’right if he but rides. I shall make it sure.”
“Cara mia,” said Gregorio, “What is this child, this girl? And why she is here?”
In answer, Alex looked up at the count, and she smiled directly up at him. If she had been some sturdy man-at-arms, he would have known how to deal with that threat, but here was a small, six-year-old girl, who, with just that look, and that smile was able to penetrate his armor and immobilize him. He could do nothing but smile back and capitulate.
“Very well… he may ride in cart with you. Now, make it so!”
After initially speaking, Bob had just watched, as this fearless girl had effectively neutralized the threat posed by his captor. And he realized just what his dreams were telling him about how she was to be the one.
From the shelter of the forest, forty paces back Fausto and his brothers, with Marilyn Gilsen, had been watching intently as this little drama had enfolded. Too far back to hear what was said, they were nevertheless close enough to see what effect young Alex had upon the nobleman in charge of the operation.
“Never have I seen anything like that!” Said Fausto, in a most intense whisper. “That wee lass was so fearless. I wonder who she is. And also, the men…”
Marilyn had been stunned into horrified silence by the sight of the prisoners… and there was Bob! She had thought she was ready to see him. But out here, in the wild forest of Shepperton, tied up as a prisoner, and looking years older, such that she had a hard time recognizing him. But his distinctive gait gave him away. His hair was longer and hung in careless grey strands about his head. And he had grown a beard. He was wearing clothes that she could not recognize, but it was still Bob, and it was all she could do to hold herself back, and not get off her horse and run to him. But she knew as well that this was not the time. And whatever she could do for him it was not to be – not yet.
And so, she watched. Mute, but fascinated, as the injured nobleman was roughly put in the cart, which then pulled out and led the way for the prisoners to follow on foot. They all watched for another couple of minutes, then headed of in the direction of the cluster of men.
“I take it from your reaction that master Robert was among the prisoners, no?” Asked Fausto, when he felt it safe to talk.
“Oh, there’s no way that I was prepared to see him this way, as a prisoner,” she replied. “This was not the Robert Gilsen I remember. Not the stalwart doctor, out among his patients in the world of medicine. Not the unshakably confident cardiologist, whom patients and other doctors trusted with their own medical care. Oh, and I worry about what Tom told me. He said that I could only interact through others, and not directly with Bob.”
“Is that so?
“Oh, yes. He said that I could see Bob and Judy, but they could not interact with me. And that whatever interaction I would have with either of them would be through a girl named Alex (and I believe you just saw her), and some nobleman named Diego – and I wonder…”
Fausto answered her tacit question. “I do believe that the man whom they put in the cart is likely that man. And I believe that we shall find out soon enough. For now, though let us follow the prisoners at a safe distance until the others join us.”
“How many are there going to be? And when do you expect them?”
Stefano answered Marilyn’s question. “There might be as many as twelve, but you see the three of us count for five fighting men each.” He said with no pretense or boasting. “And with the looks of that party, I do believe it shall be sufficient.”
“He…he sp…speaks truth, m…ma…madam,” Justinian added.
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