Lila nodded and stood up. "Okay then, let us move quickly."
Westan tried to follow her lead, but as he went to stand up his new bruises caused him to tense up and he unintentionally groaned in pain. He had to stop moving and rest against the wall for a moment to catch his breath.
Westan couldn't even believe the state he was in! To think that his own guards would capture and abused him so! He had never been so humiliated in his entire life. Zacchaeus was the true enemy, while Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson were innocent of everything they had been accused of. And now they were all going to die, all because of his blind ignorance!
"Here." Lila said as she helped him up slowly.
Westan looked away with embarrassment. He wondered why this servant girl was even bothering to help him after the way he had mistreated her earlier. She would be much better off leaving him behind, as his injuries were sure to slow her down. And honestly he was thinking that death might just be better anyways. How could he ever go on living as a fugitive in his own Kingdom?
Westan knocked Lila's hand away.
"Just go; leave me here." He said quietly.
"What?" She said in astonishment.
"I said leave me. Save yourself, and get help for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson if you can. I will only be a hindrance in this condition, and this is all my fault anyways. So just concentrate on helping those worth saving." Westan said bitterly.
"Do not be stupid! I cannot just leave you here like this!" She protested.
"I said LEAVE ME! I will not go along with you, so get yourself out while you can. That is an order." Westan snapped.
Just then he watched as Lila raised her hand up in the air. She swung at him fast and hard, hitting him square on his right cheek.
"Stop acting like such a selfish child!" She whispered angrily.
Westan held his red face and looked at her with shock. He had never been slapped by anyone before in his whole life, yet she had done it without any hesitation at all!
"Look, Bartholomew risked his life to try and help you, and now he is in need of your help. Do not let what Zacchaeus said cause you to lose hope or courage, or else he will win! There is still time to save yourself and your kingdom, if you really want to." She said confidently.
Westan looked down at his feet. He did not have high hopes for any such success. But perhaps he could try to escape, at least for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson's sake. He probably really was the only one who could stop their execution anyways. And maybe if he could find some loyal guards then there would be hope to catch Zacchaeus as well. It was a big long shot, but it was also all they had.
"Alright, I shall follow you then." Westan said.
Lila nodded with a smile. Then the two of them stood up, ready to leave. But suddenly, Westan felt a hand grab the back of his shirt, and before either of them could even react he was pulled into the arms of the no longer sleeping guard. The man quickly put the poisoned dagger Zacchaeus had left on the desk up to Westan's throat. He felt fear engulf him as the knife came dangerously close to his skin, knowing that with one prick he would die a very painful death!
"Now wench, open the door and let the others in!" The guard growled to Lila.
Westan knew their only opportunity for escape was gone, all because of him! Again! How incredibly stupid he had been in delaying her with his own selfish fears!
Westan watched helplessly as Lila obeyed the man and headed towards the door. He did not understand why she was even bothering to spare him at this point when doing so meant she would be killed too!
"Run Lila, just go!" He shouted.
The guard tightened his arm around his neck and put the dagger up to his right eye instead. Westan closed his eyes as the dagger came ever close to piercing him.
"Just stop it, I am not trying to run!" Lila said.
The guard snorted. "Then hurry up and open the door!"
Westan opened his left eye and watched helplessly as Lila unlocked and opened the door like the guard had ordered. So it was official, there was no longer any hope for either of them.
******
If Lila ever believed in miracles, it was now. When she had opened the door, she thought it would lead to both the King's and her own immanent death. But instead she was surprised to see a handful of new guards standing outside, talking with the traitorous ones. However, when they saw the King being held prisoner it was clear that they were not in on the treachery.
The man closest to Lila also looked to be the head guard, for and his face instantly became aware of what was going on. His eyes glanced to everyone there in a second, and he already knew who was with him and who was against him. As quick as a flash he pushed passed Lila, knocked the dagger out of the startled guard's hand, and threw the King aside to safety. The others with him quickly grabbed hold of the guards outside the door, realizing they were all betrayers, and fought to overpower them. Within moments the traitors were all defeated, after which she was also grabbed, probably mistaken as an enemy too.
"Wait, she is not with those men!" The King shouted just in time.
The head guard eyed her from head to toe as he reluctantly released her, although he did not lower his sword. Lila's heart fluttered nervously as she rubbed her newly sore arm. His grip had been so strong that she was quite positive a dark bruise would soon be forming there!
"My Lord are you alright?" The man asked anxiously.
The King nodded as he sank to the ground, looking incredibly relieved.
"Yes, thank you..." He said, sounding most grateful.
"Forgive us your Majesty for our incompetence and failure to keep you safe from harm!" The head guard said, truly sounding distressed.
"Do not apologize! You saved both our lives just now!" The King replied.
"What is this maid doing here with you? Are you sure she is trustworthy?" The man asked, still suspiciously eyeing Lila.
"Yes. She tried to warn me of all this treachery earlier, but I did not listen. Zacchaeus is actually the one responsible for all you see. He even explained everything to me himself!" The King said bitterly.
The head guard accepted the information, and immediately turned to his men with a counter-plan.
"You three, tie up these treasonous rats. Then go and alert every one of my command for a castle lockdown, no one is allowed to go in or out of the castle until I say so. But do not to raise any suspicions. If anyone asks why I am doing this say it is because I fear the prisoners will try and escape before their execution." He said ever so seriously.
The men all nodded and obeyed him right away. But the King also started heading towards the door.
"That execution must be stopped! The men accused are in fact innocent!" He said anxiously.
Lila went to follow, but much to her surprise the head guard grabbed the King by the arm and swung him back into the room. Then he shut the door and locked it.
"What is the meaning of this?" The King snapped, looking quite tired of being thrown around.
The man humbly bowed as he spoke.
"Forgive me my Lord, but it seems there are many betrayers against us. Zacchaeus’s guards could even be hiding among my own men! I am afraid that I must keep you here where it is safe." He said.
"But two men are going to be killed for a crime they did not commit!" The King shouted.
The guard shook his head. "Punish me all you want for my disobedience later sire, but I must do whatever is needed in order to protect you, even if it is against your will. I am sorry for those men, but your safety is my top priority."
The King clenched his fists in anger and slumped to the ground in frustration.
"I will never be able to forgive myself if they die!" He shouted with anger.
Lila was suddenly very worried for Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson. If they could not do something the execution would still take place in the morning! There had to be a way she could help! There just had to be a way! She had come this far already!
"Wait!" Lila gasped, an ever so brill
iant idea suddenly coming to her.
The King and head guard looked at her with great surprise.
"What is it?" The King asked.
"You can let me go to the dungeon with a note saying that the King himself has ordered the event to be stopped!" She said.
"Yes, brilliant Lila!" The King said as he stood back up with renewed hope.
The head guard looked impressed and gave her a small smile.
"I do admire your courageous spirit lass. But I fear these men knew you were with the King. If you are seen, it might cause trouble for my men and I cannot allow that." He said, the King's safety still his only priority.
The King growled with frustration again. "So I really will be the cause of Bartholomew's and Mr. Jameson's death then!?"
"Please," Lila said to the guard. "Is there any way at all?"
The man's face was very serious, but he looked thoughtful too. Lila could see that he was a good and reasonable man, one with a duty that that was more important than his own life and did not want to risk jeopardizing. However, when he saw the King's distress about the matter, she could see a change in his eyes.
"If you want to do this lass, then you must at least make yourself unrecognizable." He said.
The King suddenly came over to her, smiling with hope.
"That will be easy Lila! All you have to do it hide your red hair and freckles!" He said.
Lila frowned with irritation at his unintentional insult, knowing there really was no time to be offended. And he was right anyways she supposed since her looks seemed to stand out. But still, hiding her wild hair was easier said than done. She would never have enough time to tame it!
Just then Lila knew exactly what she had to do. Without hesitation she grabbed the poisonous dagger, it being the only knife within sight, and carefully began cutting off her long red hair. Lila felt a pang in her heart as she chopped off one handful after another, making it short enough to hide under a cloth. She knew her silly red hair wasn't anywhere near as important as saving Bartholomew and his father's life, but it still hurt to throw away what little femininity she had.
Once Lila finished the deed she walked over to the empty fireplace and rubbed some of the ashes on her face and clothes. Then she covered her head with a dirty cloth and looked in the mirror again. Indeed, she was unrecognizable now.
"Well done Lila." The King said, looking at her with admiration.
The head guard nodded in approval and took out the keys to open the door. Lila walked over and prepared to leave.
"Here, this is the proof of my orders." The King said as he handed her a note which he had already written and signed.
"And take this too, you just might need it." The man said as he handed her the poisonous dagger once more.
Lila took both and tucked them away.
"Be careful." The King said, truly looking anxious.
She nodded. "I will."
Then she left, running down the hallway faster than she ever had, already knowing her chances of success were quite slim.
Chapter 10- Out of Time
“Ahh!” Westan winced in pain.
“My apologies sire!” The head guard whose name was Garret said.
The man was trying to bandaged up Westan’s new bruises, and it was turning out to be a very painful process. But he supposed he could not really complain; at least he was still alive.
“Do not apologize. I would be as good as dead without you right now. Thank you again for coming to our rescue." Westan said quietly.
The head guard looked up at him seriously.
"My Lord, you need not express thanks! Your safety is the most important thing to me. I am just sorry that I did not come to you sooner. The prisoners you are trying to spare kept insisting that you might be in danger, and although I did not exactly believe them I thought it wise to check on you anyways." He said.
Westan groaned with shame. Even after a death sentence Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson were still trying to protect him! Why? Why did they even care when their own lives were in danger due to him?
Right now the two of them were still locked up in his room quietly, waiting to hear a reply from either Lila or the guards he had sent out. He just hoped someone would be able to stop the execution in time! He just couldn't bear the thought of them dying this way when they really were good and innocent men!
"I always knew Zacchaeus was a snake, but to think he we be bold enough for actions such as this! I should have confronted him years ago before he gained so much power..." Garret growled angrily.
Westan sighed and put his face into his hands. It seemed everyone could see Zacchaeus’s true nature, except for him. How very blind he truly was.
"Sire, are you quite sure about sending that servant girl? What if she cannot be trusted?" The man suddenly asked with worry.
Westan half smiled to himself. "I do believe she is completely trustworthy. In fact, I think it would be safe to say that I could entrust my very life to her, considering my experiences with her tonight."
"Good. I do hope she makes it in time." He replied.
Westan clenched his fists anxiously. How he wished to have gone with her! He wanted nothing more than to see Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson released safely! He could not express how sick the anticipation was making him.
Westan went over to look out his window. Dawn was almost upon them.
******
"What!?" Lila shouted with disbelief.
"Yup, the prisoners have already been led up to the stage. Very sorry Miss." The dungeon guard repeated with a shrug.
Lila's heart sank. Would she really be too late after all?
She quickly turned without another word and started running towards the stage outside, not nearly ready to give up just yet. She ran down the stairs and out the castle’s doors as fast as her feet would carry her. She was panting terribly, and her legs felt as heavy as metal, but she forced her body to keep on moving.
After a moment Lila saw the stage, and that Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson were already there placed in the stocks. Their heads were covered too, which meant their sentence had already been announced and the executioner would be momentarily heading towards them.
"STOP! BY ORDER OF THE KING, STOOOOP!" Lila screamed over the crowd’s excited cheers.
But it was not use; no one paid any attention because no one could hear her! And it was too crowded to reach the stage where the guards stood. So what was she to do? Was she really going to have to stand here and watch them both be killed!?
Just then out of the corner of her eye, Lila saw Zacchaeus sitting in the King's spectator seat. He was boldly taking the King’s place today, and no one seemed the wiser of it. The man even sat there with a wide grin on his face.
Lila suddenly got a crazy idea. She quickly pushed her way passed the crowded people, ignoring the increasing volume of their cheers which indicated that the executioner was reaching his ready position. When she made it the spectator’s box she was stopped by two large guards.
"Commoners are not allowed beyond this point." One said harshly.
"I have a message from the King!" She said breathlessly, holding up his signed letter.
The guards glanced at one another with sudden confusion. Then Lila heard the crowd’s cheers intensify, signaling that the executioner was picking up his axe and preparing to cut the rope that would release the falling blade.
Without thinking Lila dove under the guards and ran to where the council man was sitting. She grabbed him from behind and put the poison dagger to his throat.
"TELL THEM TO STOP!!" She screamed.
The man looked at her with anger and elbowed her in the stomach before she could even say another word, knocking her back into his guards’ hands.
"An accomplice of the prisoners!" Zacchaeus shouted to them.
The men tightened their grip on her as a sudden silence fell over all the people, indicating the falling of the execution blade.
"NOOO!" Lila shouted with horror.
******
Westan smiled with triumph as the people below fell silent. He could see the looks of shock on their faces as they looked up and saw him positioned dangerously on the flagpole outside his window.
"MY LORD, COME BACK IN HERE NOW!" Garret shouted as he reached out towards him again.
Westan dodged his hand and crawled a little further out on the pole. He felt bad for worrying the man who had just saved his life, but he was not about to watch helplessly as the execution took place. Since Lila had obviously not been able to make it in time, Westan decided that he needed to get the people’s attention himself. So when Garret wasn’t looking he grabbed a trumpet horn, climbed outside onto the flagpole and started blowing it as loud as he could. When the people finally looked up he took off his crown and started waving it around in the air. It only took a second for them to realize he was the King, and that he was in danger.
"Watch yourself my Lord!" Garret warned.
Westan suddenly slipped, almost causing himself to fall down to the ground below. He gasped with fear and tightened his grip on the pole, pausing to calm himself before he started panicking. Then he took a deep breath and began shouting down to his undivided crowd.
"STOP THE EXECUTION!" He said.
No one made a move, as they did not seem to understand what he was saying. So he repeated it louder this time, but still they did not hear. So he said it once more, as loud as he could in fact. For a moment no one made a move, and Westan wondered if anyone would be able to hear him from this height. But then he saw two guards quickly run onto the stage, they grabbed Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson from the stocks and quickly headed back inside the castle with them. Although the crowd was denied their public execution they all seemed entertained by the King’s wild actions, so no one made any fuss as the criminals were taken away to safety.
Westan then felt Garret’s grip on the back of his shirt. The man quickly pulled him back into his arms before he could even react, and dragged him off the pole and back into the room. Cheering erupted from the crowd when they saw his safe return.
A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story Page 13