Debra L. Rollins - Revenge For the Huntsman

“There it is…the mirror at last!” Cierce pointed to a shimmering mass hovering between two trees, her sharp eyes growing silvery in her excitement. Her world was but a hundred feet away.

“Remember…no calling out for help once we’re through or you die instantly,” Burly reminded the couple. “A carcass will do just as well if you wish it to be that way.” Quickly he took a strong leather tether, tied each of them around the waist and wrapped the end around his wrist.

Again Virginia and Wolf nodded that they understood.

Wolf pierced the gloom with his eyes; they flared green for a moment, trying to comfort Virginia. He sensed her wildly beating heart, wishing he could do more. She was a strong one though, as she had proved in the past. Now she had a small one to fight for too. He knew she would do what she had to do to keep her baby safe, as would he. For now, they must go along with their captors in the hopes that someone in Castle White would come to their rescue so no due harm would come to either them or their cub. If only it was just himself… he fumed.

Wolf eyed the back of the Troll and growled low in his throat.

“I know what you are thinking, Wolf.” Cierce appeared from his backside stealthily. “Please…think of your mate and do what you are told.”

Her words surprised Wolf, causing him to wonder. Huff-puff! Why should she be concerned for Virginia’s safety? Wolf shook his head, confused. It didn’t make sense.

The four pressed on, Cierce leading, Virginia, Wolf, then Burly bringing up the rear. The wolves were still missing, causing Cierce to fret.

What was taking so long? The old one should have rounded them up by now and returned. Did they change their minds and decide to stay, she wondered? Her silvery eyes scanned the forest for movement as she listened for the slightest sound of paw steps. Her hairs stood up on her neck. Something was definitely wrong. She stopped dead in her tracks.

“Why have you stopped?” Burly demanded brusquely, still sore from her rejection. “We’re almost there.”

“Something’s not right.” She spoke low, keeping her eyes centered on the darkened growth of bushes and trees to the right of the mirror just ahead.

Virginia nudged Wolf in the side.

“What’s happening?” she whispered low so the Troll wouldn’t notice her.

“I don’t know,” he answered back. He tried sniffing the air; to smell what Cierce smelled, remembering too late the pebbles placed in his nose. He choked loudly instead, catching Burly’s attention.

“One more noise from you…” The Troll prince threatened, raising the knife to Virginia’s neck.

The snap of a twig captured the foursome’s attention, and then all hell broke loose.

“Put down the knife, mister, real slow!” A familiar male voice shouted.

“Oh no!” Cierce cried. This couldn’t be happening…not when they were so close to the mirror. She could feel the adrenaline course through her veins as she saw her chance for freedom disappearing as two law officers advanced towards them, weapons drawn. She felt her neck hairs bristle fully as her hackles rose, her canines elongating in her distress.

Another pair broke through the brush a second later, coming to a sudden halt at the sight before them. The man and woman caught Virginia’s attention.

“Dad! Grandmother?” What was her grandmother doing here?

“Cripes! Tone! Don’t come any closer!” Wolf warned. “He has a knife to Virginia’s throat.”

“Virginia! Wolf!” Marjorie yelled out. “We’re here to save you.” She started forward but the sight of Cierce stopped her in her tracks.

“Margie, stop!” Tony shouted.

“Lady! Are you nuts? Stay back!” ordered Jones. “Jesus Christ, Julie…would you look at that? What is that?”

“A werewolf?” Jules answered. “Naw…it must be a costume or something.”

“But she changed in front of us…how do you explain that?”

Burly took advantage of their confusion, moving his prisoners closer to the mirror’s shimmering image, lowering the knife as he did so.

“The wolves!” Cierce cried.

“It’s too late! We must leave them,” Burly snapped. “They made their choice.” He turned away from her anguish and hardened his heart. What was he anyway…an Elf or a Troll?

“Hey!” shouted Tony, running towards the officers as Burly ushered his prisoners to the entrance of the mirror.

“Aren’t you idiots going to do anything but stand there and gawk? That’s my daughter and future son-in-law…help them!”

The younger officer got down on one knee and aimed his handgun.

“Stop where you are or I’ll shoot!” He took aim on the tall male with the knife and prepared to squeeze the trigger.

“Hey! That’s not what I meant,” gasped Tony. Virginia and Wolf could easily be hit by mistake. He lunged for the officer, arriving too late. The gun went off with another loud crack at the exact moment a darkened form pounced on the officer’s back, causing the bullet to lodge uselessly in a tree trunk.

A low growl brought the officer to his feet faster than he ever thought possible as he stared at the amazing sight in front of them. Three large wolves stared menacingly, each one baring long, sharp teeth…ready to strike at any movement.

“Everyone…” Officer Jones kept his voice low and steady. “Step back…slowly. Shelly?”

“Yeah.”

“As soon as we get these two away from those wolves…we open fire, understand?”

Tony and Marjorie slowly retraced their steps, walking backwards. Tony gulped. These wolves were wild and may do anything. He did as the officers asked, pulling Marjorie back with him.

“Okay, Shelly…open fire!”

The sound of multiple gunshots rang out as the three wolves raced zigzag across the ground, dodging bullets until the inevitable happened.

Cierce gasped as one of the wolves yelped in pain and fell to the ground motionless. She moved to aid her cousin but Burly stayed her with a strong arm around her waist.

“Let go! My cousin needs my help.” She twisted fiercely, but Burly held tight, trying to reason with her.

“If you go any closer, you may get hurt too. They appear to have powerful magic. You get these two through the mirror.” He hesitated as if making a decision. “I’ll bring the wolves through.”

Cierce stopped struggling, her eyes settling to a silver-blue, her canines detracting a bit.

“You would do that for them?”

“I would do that for you.”

Then he was moving towards the motionless form before she could comment.

“Move!” She ordered, grasping the tether tightly as Wolf, then Virginia disappeared into the portal. The last glimpse she had of the Tenth Kingdom was Burly rushing towards the downed wolf, while the other two drew the humans attention.

The dark of night had fallen as Wendell and his troop of armed guards and entourage traveled towards the Disenchanted Forest where Madam Tatler made her home. They had arrived early enough for Wendell to look down over the village before him and sigh. Little Lamb Village, its picturesque buildings immaculately taken care of by the townsfolk, displayed his royal colors everywhere. He had been expected.

He had hopes of secretly passing through on his way to find the old witch without all the pageantry and pomp that usually went with a visit to any of his outlying provinces. He called for the courier to be brought forward.

“You should know the roads through my kingdom well enough. Do you know of a way to this Madam Tatler’s cottage without traveling through the village?”

The man nodded his head.

“I do, but it’s rough going, normally used only by Trolls. I don’t recommend it, Sire.”

“Are you accusing me of being soft?”

The man’s eyes widened in fear.

“No, Your Majesty! Your deeds of heroism are known far and wide. Why, just the other day I told my wife…”

“A simple no will suffice,” Wendell rolled his eyes. He turned back to his head guard. “Giles, bring those two trouble-making Trolls to the head of the line. I have need of their assistance.”

Instead of leaving Blabberwort and Bluebell at the castle alone while he brought Madam Tatler in for questioning, he decided to bring them with him instead. If he was lucky, they would run into the eldest prince along the way and he would be rid of the lot of them before their return to Castle White. The thought was pleasing but improbable. He couldn’t be so lucky. Look at what a fiasco the ball turned out to be, not a likely wife in the bunch. Only Lady Lupine proved extremely possible and she’d disappeared as quickly as she had shown up. Now he had to deal with two bumbling Trolls…no matter that they were royalty, and a plot involving none other than the Huntsman’s mother. Life here in the Nine Kingdoms certainly was not what you could call boring. Not even close.

“You wanted us for something?” Blabberwort asked, riding up along side Wendell’s horse. The little proxy king rode close behind his sister, his crown tipping nearly off his head. He seemed to be having a hard time staying astride his horse, nearly falling off a few times at the beginning of their journey. A horseman he was not, unlike his sister who rode well.

“We are taking a different road into the forest. I have reason to believe that other Trolls may travel this road and do not wish to start a confrontation with any of them. May I have your solemn oaths that if we meet others along the way that you will help in keeping peace so that we may assist you in finding your bother? Call it a truce if you want, but I must have you assurances that my men and myself shall not fall under any dire circumstances. I too will solemnly promise that nothing will befall any Trolls. Well? What say you?”

Bluebell and Blabberwort exchanged glances.

“It’s your decision, Bluebell,” remarked Blabberwort. “You are King of the Trolls, not I.”

Bluebell eyed the Fourth Kingdom guards surrounding him and his sister. All were large and heavily armed. It would take quite a few Trolls to defeat the King and his men, and even if they did what would that accomplish? Burly was still missing, their dad still dead. A lot of good Trolls had already perished due to greed and hate. Perhaps fighting was not the answer after all.

Bluebell nodded to Blabberwort and they gave their oath to Wendell.

Cierce anxiously waited for a sign from the mirror that others were coming through the portal. She could make out faint lights and outlines of buildings beyond the forest but from her vantage point, she could only see the slightest of movement in the foreground.

Then suddenly two wolves leapt from the mirror into the candlelit room. She held her breath. Where were Burly and the last wolf? A few more seconds passed before they too, exited the mirror.

Both Cierce and Virginia gasped aloud. Blood was everywhere, covering both the wolf and Burly. The old one must have been injured pretty badly thought Cierce.

“Quick!” Burly snapped. “Turn off the mirror!”

Cierce reached for the lever on the frame and turned it. The mirror flashed brightly for a second, allowing Virginia and Wolf a moment to see Tony and her grandmother rushing the shimmering portal from the other side before it fazed out and went dark.

“Cripes!” Wolf cursed.

“Oh, no!” cried Virginia, then turned her head away. Unless Wendell could help them, they were on their own.

“We have to clean up this blood,” Burly said, “or they’ll know someone has come back through the mirror.”

“We don’t have time! I must get the old one help as soon as possible or she’ll die.”

“Suck an Elf, Cierce!” He glanced around, grabbing a tablecloth. “Help me wrap her up in this so her blood won’t drip. They’ll be able to follow her blood trail otherwise.”

Cierce nodded, doing as he bid. A moment later, they were ready to leave the castle.

Wolf went over all possible ways to escape. If they yelled loud enough they may be able to summon Wendell’s guards, but…he stole a look at the knife Burly still carried on his person…he would not take the chance that Virginia and their cub get hurt. Their feet were not bound, but both their hands now were. Wolfies found it ungainly to run using only their legs. Arms were important for balance and speed. He would never be able to outrun the tall Troll. His gait was much too long. On top of that, they were still tethered together at waist. Huff-puff, what a predicament! If only it were his time of month. The handcuffs would not be able to hold him then. He raised his hand to his temple and scratched nervously. Yes siree, a predicament indeed.

The castle’s vast corridors appeared deserted. Only the flickering candles threw shadows across the ceiling and walls, lighting the way for the odd menagerie. On occasion, a snoozing guard on sentry was tiptoed around and a door could be heard opening or closing but those were few and far between. Where were all Wendell’s guards? The castle was usually full of them, day and night, guarding their king. So few on duty could only mean one thing. King Wendell was not at the castle. Wolf didn’t convey this thought to Virginia. He didn’t want her to lose hope that they would be rescued. They would have to make good their escape another way.

The group made their way to the kitchens, where the only activities at this time of the night was a fire burning low on the hearth. The smells of food from the larder teased Cierce’s senses. She was extremely hungry. They had been so busy; they had not taken anymore time out for food. She salivated but pressed on towards the exit ahead. The wolf needed tended to quickly and this was hardly the safest place in the world for any of them, especially the more unpredictable younger wolves. She stole a look at Wolf. Why wasn’t he reacting to the smell of food? Odd… his species had ravenous appetites, surely he could smell the luscious aromas also.

Wolf watched Cierce stealing looks at him from the corner of his eye. Was she suspicious of the deception? The pebbles teased his nose, making him want to sneeze but he held out until the feeling subsided. He must remember to look suitably loopy if she stood close enough, otherwise she would know her powers of seduction were useless.

Moments later they were all out the door and running towards the stables. With luck the carriage that brought Lady Lupine and Lord Llort to Castle White would still be housed there, along with the horses. Cierce shook her head. The ball seemed to have taken place ages ago…in truth; not even a week had passed. So much had happened since then.

Burly roughly pushed Virginia and Wolf through the stable door while Cierce looked carefully around. They did not light a lantern. She didn’t need one in which to see and smell the familiar pair of horses lent to them by Madam Tatler. Dicey and Corabell had been with the old witch even before her time. The horses whinnied a greeting as she reached up and patted both on their soft, velvety noses.

“Hello, old friends,” she murmured. “Glad to see you, too.”

Burly laid the old wolf inside on the carriage floor, then shoved Virginia and Wolf inside unceremoniously. The other two wolves guarded the doors of the carriage, keeping them imprisoned while he and Cierce harnessed the horses. The Troll prince then pushed open the door off the stables, careful not to allow them to creak too loudly, then led the horses across the courtyard, out a service gate and into the night.

Once reasonably far enough away from the castle, Burly climbed aboard the driver’s seat and settled as best he could on the uncomfortable bench. He sighed, longing for the soft, leather upholstery of the carriage he and the she-wolf used while in the other world. Too bad they could not have taken the vehicle back with them, for he had hoped for a chance to use the contraption himself.

The carriage hit a rough spot in the road, causing him to cringe in pain. His shoulder was very sore, perhaps from carrying the wolf for so long. With luck the pain would be gone by the time they arrived at the seamstress’s shop.

But that was nearly twenty miles away and within a couple of hours day would break. They needed to be within Dooren’s village shop before the sun rose in case there were search parties from the castle. He inhaled the fresh night air, sighing wistfully. Already he missed the sharp pungent odors of the Tenth Kingdom.

Ahead on the road the forest rose up to meet them and minutes later the carriage entered its depths and was swallowed up by the dark.