No Good Deed

by Jerry Jackson

  “Ah ha” the king laughed, “seems you have failed once again, and I get to keep my prize. I can’t believe we’re supposed to respect you pathetic creatures. When news gets out on how I beat you this experiment in “justice” will be over!” He began to walk away.

  Obidaan waited a few seconds before speaking, letting the king think he really had gotten away with something. “You are wrong, your majesty.” Obidaan said defiantly.

  “Wrong? How so? You failed on your rescue attempt, you failed with your fake gold, and she’s now mine. How am I wrong?”

  “Just as my gold is fake, so now is your prize. Isn’t that right Don?”

  “Correct you are.” Don said in Darla’s voice. He then undid the rope and using it he grabbed one guard around the neck with the rope while kicking a second. Keeping the guard between himself and the other two, a flurry of bad attacks were made by the guards as they attempted to thrust their halberds at him. Finally, he pushed the guard he was holding into one of the guard with one hand and grabbed the halberd, just below the blade, with his other. He then kicked over the halberd, kicking the guard holding it with both of his feet cause the guard to go sprawling on the ground unconscious. Grabbing the pole with both hands now, he proceeded to poke both guards in various parts of their upper body and face, before doing a full sweep, connecting on both their cheeks and knocking them unconscious to the ground.

  The king drew his sword, but it was more ceremonial than anything else. Don instantly disarmed him by walking up to him and just taking the sword out of his hand, no special maneuvers or anything. It was obvious the king couldn’t wield it. He then spun the king around and whacked him on his butt with the flat side of the sword, caused more damage to his pride than anything else. He then proceeded to walk over to Obidaan, Just before he joined them he willed the spell off of himself to reveal his true form.

  “No, this isn’t possible.” The king protested.

  “But it is. Let’s just say I didn’t come alone.” Obidaan laughed.

  “Oh, and don’t worry about her.” Obidaan said, “She’s safe at home. But if I were you, I’d be making some serious appeasements to your neighbors. They’re not going to appreciate your attempt to hog the water rights.”

  “You, you, you bastard! I will make you pay for this I swear! I will not be outsmarted by the likes of you.”

  The group left him to his rant.

  It was an uneventful trip back to Bocktaria. Relina passed the news on to Don. Don was somber about it but could offer nothing more than “Someday.”

  When they arrived, Shuronda was there and greeted them with a much happier tone. “Thank you!” She went and hugged the three of them. “Thank you for returning our queen.”

  “It was our duty and pleasure.” Obidaan replied, “Where is she staying now?”

  “She’s in the castle, along with your friends. There are still some livable spaces there. The guards will show you when you get there.” She waved at them as they went past. The three followed the guard on the short trip to the castle. Obidaan was aghast as they walked through the rubble. What they had seen briefly before didn’t begin to show the full extent of the damage Gunther had done. The guards took them to an antechamber, which was now being used as the dinning hall/royal chamber/bedroom for guests. There they were having lunch and making do with a couple of chickens a wild boar and some roasted potatoes.

  “Well met!” said the new vizier. “Please come this way.” They were escorted to a spot next to Darla.

  “Please, join us for lunch. It isn’t much but I’m sure it’s better than the trail rations. Thank Terry for the boar.”

  They ate pretty well. After lunch, Obidaan asked, “Darla, will you join us on our journey back to Pinnacle? The queen mother is looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I thank you for the offer, and know that is your task; however, considering the situation, it is best that I stay here and negotiate with the other nations. My mother will understand. Wilzendor, please bring the box.”

  The vizier got up, left the room and in a few minutes was back with a box. In it were five medals. “For your heroic rescue of me, I do hereby bestow on each of you, the Bocktaria star cluster. This is for heroism beyond the call of duty. Normally, these would be handed out in a public ceremony and a national holiday would be declared in your honor, but considering the circumstances, I’m afraid..” she began to trail off as Wilzendor began pinning the medals on each of the heroes.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Obidaan said. “Besides, look at it this way, when you get done with the rebuilding, invite us back. Then we can have a national holiday in celebration of the rebuilding of Bocktaria.”

  “You are too kind.” Darla replied. “One more thing,” she took the ring off of her finger, kissed it and whispered something into it. “Give this to my mother. She will know what to do and she will understand why I could not accompany you.”

  “As you wish,” Obidaan said. “If it is ok with you, we’d like to spend the night here and leave in the morning.”

  “As you wish,” Darla replied with a smile, “I will have beds prepared. It will take some time; I am a bit short handed.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Relina said, “we’ll use our trail beds and be comfy right here. It’s no problem at all.”

  Darla smiled, “Very well then. Now, if you will excuse me. If you need anything, ask Will, he will see to your needs.”

  They said their goodbyes. The afternoon was spent cleaning themselves and their equipment. Relina also broke the news to Terry and Alister. Both were sympathetic.

  The next morning during breakfast, a guard came into the chamber. “I have a couple of ladies looking for Alister?”

  “They follow you everywhere,” Relina said jokingly, “don’t you ever rest?”

  “None for the wicked; I am Alister. Please show them in. Darla, with your indulgence please?”

  “Sure, I’m game.”

  Two ladies walked into the room, it was the same two who helped Alister get to Darla in the first place.

  “Your m.. Darla, I’m sure you know Betty and Bianca, the chambermaids who fed you during your captivity. But what you don’t know is they helped me get to you.” They curtsied, “Since I had impersonated one of them, it became very dangerous for them to stay. One of the things I arranged was for them to escape and come here. I was hoping you could not only offer them asylum but positions as your personal chambermaids. You said so yourself you are short handed.”

  Darla didn’t hesitate. “Consider it done!” she reached out and hugged both ladies. They let out a bit of a squeal and hugged her back, “I was so worried about you two. I’m so glad you’re safe. You can stay here as long as you like,” they hugged again.

  Alister was a bit surprised, “That was easy.”

  “You silly,” Betty turned to him, “we’ve been talking and keeping her company for a while, we developed a strong bond with my lady, yes we have. And we hoped that when she was rescued she’d find a way to take us with her, and it happened thanks to you!”

  “Of course,” Alister thumped his head for missing the obvious connection.

  They finished breakfast and hit the road back to Pinnacle.

  Back at the castle in Pinnacle, the king, queen, and queen mother were there. She was frantic now, seeing that Darla was not with them and the chests still were.

  “What happened? What went wrong? Where’s my baby? Why do you wear medals of Honor if Darla isn’t here? Oh, Darla, Darla, Darla.” She began to cry it was obvious she wasn’t thinking straight and missed the connection with the medals.

  Obidaan went up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Nothing went wrong my lady. Darla is safe and currently working to restore Bocktaria. She regrets that she could not be here personally. Darla gave us these medals. She also told me to give you this,” he reached into his po
uch and handed her Darla’s ring. “She said you’d know what to do with it.”

  Wiping away her tears, the queen mother kissed the ring and held it to her ear. Her tears of sorrow now turned to tears of joy, “She’s safe! She’s safe! O praises to the gods! Thank you, thank you, thank you! She hugged and kissed each and every one of them.

  “Party time!” yelled the king.

  Over the next several months our heroes filled their time with minor missions, training, visits to the orphanage, and watching Alister get out of trouble.

  During this time, Relina went to visit with Mordechi. She walked into his chambers shortly after lunch, leaving Obidaan at the orphanage to play with the children. She knocked on his door.

  “Come in.”

  Mordechi was doing some writing at his desk. As the door opened, he turned to see who it was. “Ah, Relina, my dear, please, do come in. Have a seat anywhere. Wine?” He reached for a glass and poured some into it.

  “Yes please.” She took it, had a sip and sat down.

  Mordechi, refilled his glass, took a gulp and faced Relina. “I could ask why you’re here, but we both know it’s about what I told you a while back.”

  “Yes. You said you had visions where Obidaan was both a hero and villain. I’ve got to know what is going on.”

  Mordechi finished his glass and refilled it. “My dear Relina,” he trailed off, “I had visions of the coming darkness and Obidaan is the linchpin. He is either the savior or the slayer. At this point I can’t tell.”

  “What do the gods say? Surely they know what to do,” she was clearly distraught by what he had said. She took a drink.

  “Yes, they do, but as with all prophecy, they do not tell in fear of creating a self—fulfilling prophecy. Worse yet, I don’t know which is the better choice.”

  “What?” Relina was shocked. She almost jumped out of her seat and nearly spilled her wine. She recovered and then took a large gulp, finishing it. Mordechi offered her more. She grabbed the bottle from him, poured herself another glass, downed it, and then refilled her glass before speaking again. “Am I to believe that the best thing could be that Obidaan destroys the world and we stand around and let him; or worst oppose him, or are even killed by him? What are you saying?”

  “Whoa, hold on,” Mordechi stood up, and put his hands out, “I didn’t say all that. You’re reading too much into it at this point. Look, all I said was I can’t tell. Here’s what it could mean. Either he’s the savior, somehow averting the coming darkness or, in order to save the world, he takes on the darkness and a massive war wages, which devastates the land.” He sat back down. He was putting a spin on things, and Relina could tell he was still holding back, she wouldn’t let him.

  “What’s the part you aren’t telling me?” she was still standing and anxious, she wanted to know everything, and wanted to know it now. “We’ve known each other too long. I know when you’re hiding something. Spill it.”

  Mordechi sighed heavily. He finished the wine in his glass, got up and got the decanter that was now on the table, “The final one is that he is the darkness. Regardless of which one, the end seems to be the same, a new world order is ushered in. That, that…”

  “That what? We get a thousand years of peace or something?”

  Mordechi laughed at the concept. “No. We’ve proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that can’t happen, otherwise, there’d be no need for the paladins.”

  “Even so, isn’t that a lot for one person?”

  “He will be the catalyst, the linchpin. His actions will sway first a few, then hundreds, then thousands, then millions of people. Rest assured, he will have lots of help. Remember, no one does it alone.”

  Relina sat thoughtful for a minute, “So, what are we supposed to do?”

  “All I was told was I’m supposed to follow my heart. No matter what happens, follow my heart. It will lead me to the right decision.”

  “Decision for what?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m supposed to make one, and follow my heart when I do.”

  “And what about me?”

  “You, for you, the only advice I can give is,” and Mordechi got very solemn and serious, “love him. Love him with all your heart. Love him, even when you are mad at him. Love him, even if he makes the wrong decision; especially if he makes the wrong decision. Because, then only can love, your love of him, show him the right way.”

  “Thank you,” Relina stood up, “I think I’ve heard all I can handle for one day.” She put her glass on table.

  Mordechi walked around to her and they embraced. He held her, feeling her fear and frustrations and she didn’t hide them. A tear ran down her cheek. “I almost wish I didn’t know,” she said.

  Still holding her, “I know, but the story is still unfolding. There are years to go before we have to worry about anything. That much I do know. There is time.” He let her go and gave her a kiss on the forehead, “Go with grace.”

  Alister was having a blast in town. With his medal and new stories, he was becoming the hit of the night circuit. Where he played there was standing room only. He was well fed, had plenty to drink, and the choice of companionship. Yes, life was good. Then one day, life got interesting.

  At the end of a great night at the Five Coins Inn, Alister was sitting on the stage recovering and talking to people, mostly ladies, when he heard a gruff voice call out to him.

  “Little man on stage,” Alister ignored it at first but then the man called out to him louder, “Little man on stage!” and it was followed by a resounding “Thump!”

  The crowd grew silent. People began to move away from Alister. Alister looked to where the voice was. There, was a very tall and burly man. Where he had thumped the floor with his club was now crushed and broken. Alister’s eyes grew wide with fear; he began to get up. “Gunther,” he said in a scared voice, “s—s—so nice to see you again. If you’ll excuse me, I was about to leave for the evening.”

  “If you take step off stage, …I swing Thumper, bring entire building down on puny head. I walk away fine. You and most patrons will not. Sit. I see you start to cast, whole building be on head before you done!”

  Alister was petrified. For the first time in his life, he didn’t have an exit strategy. For the first time, the situation got the best of him, and he knew there was nothing he could do about it. It was obvious Gunther was quite drunk. Alister knew he was screwed. He knew he was totally at the mercy of Gunther—the—Mad. Resolved to his fate, he sat, looked over at the bartender, and in a calm, almost surreal voice said, “Your finest stout, please.” There was no fear, no pain, no pleasure, just resolution. The bartender began to pour him a 30—ounce glass. They both figured it was his last drink.

  Gunther advanced. No one stood in his way. The bartender gave Alister his drink, Alister thank him, and for the first time in his life, paid for it including a tip. The bartender then darted for the door.

  Gunther advanced some more, Alister held up his hand, holding his index finger up as if asking for a minute. Gunther stopped and leaned on Thumper. Alister chugged his beer.

  Now done, he motioned for Gunther to come on. Their eyes were fixed on each other. Alister just stared at him as he approached, “Ok, I’m ready,” was all Alister could say.

  Gunther laughed, “Will beat you up later though, but not now. Today, we talk and I thank you as I curse you.”

  “Thank me?” Alister was relieved and confused.

  “Yes, thank you, for saving my marriage and curse you for sleeping with my wife. This I will not forgive. However, you have shown us a better way, so I not kill you. She has shown me things, things I like, things she likes, things we both like, all because of you.”

  “Glad I could help?”

  “Shut up fool! And you are fool. You brilliant yet stupid. That night, when she carried me to bed, I was mad but relieved. For the first t
ime, you could say pressure was off.”

  “Huh?”

  “Always the man, am I, so always must the man be I. Not so with wife, I gave myself to her, she gave herself to me. That evening we gave ourselves to each other.”

  “Oh, I get it. If you want a woman to…” Alister stopped himself.

  “Yes. Now I know too. Now I understand. I am the man, but I have to let her be the woman. Now I understand.” Gunther zoned out for a moment of bliss, “But I digress. I love wife, could not kill her. Could kill you and was going to. However, the next morning we have talk, long talk, make love some more, then more talk. In the end, we realize how we mistreat each other. How I ignore her, how she not always see why I do things. She run to your arms because mine not available. For that, I blame me. Yet you still sleep with her. For that, I blame you. For other things, I blame her. We finally able to be together like never before. For that… I thank you. Apparently, you tell her things, she tell me. I understand, we together now. Still, you sleep with my wife, and for that you will feel pain, but not today.”

  “Um, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say nothing! That keep Thumper quiet,” Gunther got up and began to walk to the door. “You good man, you also slime. You will get what is coming to you, just not today. I’d start worrying tomorrow if I were you.” Gunther staggered out the door.

  Alister sat there, then passed out on stage. When he woke up, he looked around. Across the bar, sipping on some wine, seemingly oblivious to what was going on, was Lucinda. She winked at him and he went over to her.

  Terry ran to the butcher shop. Through all the excitement they had, they had forgotten about their beef. She hoped it hadn’t spoiled by now. Mickey was behind the counter, as always.

  “We forgot about the meat.” Terry started, “is it still ok?”

  “Of course it is. When you didn’t come back, I figured you were on a mission, so I preserved it for you,” he went into the back and pulled out the beef. Saying a quick word, he removed the preservation spell that was on it. “There you go, fresh off the hoof.”