Ollie changed tactics and aimed for one of the creature’s too-small wings. They were relatively still as the Jabberwocky used its other appendages for the deadly assault. Aiming for the intersection of two of the supporting bands of cartilage, Ollie focused on remaining calm. His arrow passed through the glutinous wing and tore a chunk of waxy flesh as it exited. That got the Jabberwocky’s attention. It grasped a fully armored corpse in its claws and hurled it in Ollie’s direction.
The throw was on target. Ollie was knocked down and pinned to the ground by the dead Elite. Severe pain shot through his left leg. From his pinned position, Ollie lifted his head and saw a light blue uniformed leg emerging at an angle from under the heavy soldier.
I wonder whose leg that is.
Movement had died down around the Jabberwocky, but it continued to scan the crowd. When there were no more soldiers within striking distance, it took flight, barely wounded.
Intense pain dragged Ollie into unconsciousness, but not before he witnessed the Jabberwocky’s unsteady flight.
I got him…
*****
Tjaden expected commotion on the day of Jubilation, but the sight as he entered the plaza with Captain Darieus was complete mayhem. Enough so that the two heard the din from their sequestered position on the training grounds. Thousands of citizens swarmed the gates leading out of the square to the city proper. Soldiers, especially the Fellows, attempted to aid fallen brothers, and a huge, unorganized group surrounded King Barash’s throne. Tjaden’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, but Captain Darieus was calm, even unconcerned about the devastation.
Tjaden followed Captain Darieus to the edge of the king’s dais. Bluish and still, the king lay on top of Captain Darieus’ Elite cloak, his physicians helpless to aid. They directed a blanket be placed over the body. King Barash was dead.
Even though he hadn’t been assigned to the guard, and was only a recruit, Tjaden felt a pang of guilt. The man he’d sworn to defend lay dead in front of him.
Captain Darieus addressed a nearby Elite, “Soldier?”
With a salute he answered, “Sir, the Jabberwocky. It…it came out of nowhere. Went straight for His Majesty. It didn’t care about anyone else until after it killed him. Left with some minor wounds, a few arrows stuck in. We have dozens dead and at least as many injured.”
“The beast grows bolder,” Captain Darieus said loudly to no one in particular. In a rising voice he continued. “He must be destroyed. We must have order!
“People of Palassiren and citizens of Maravilla!” The push of the crowd diminished, and many turned to listen as Captain Darieus ascended the dais. “The Jabberwocky has struck at our very heart. It has discovered our capital and taken the life of our beloved sovereign. This deed will be avenged, and the people will be safeguarded. I have groomed a hero to hunt the Jabberwocky. To discover its lair. And to slay it!” He raised one clenched fist for emphasis.
“I present—Tjaden, our Champion.”
The crowd, many with tears still staining their faces, seemed to stand taller. Some even applauded and called for the Jabberwocky’s head.
Tjaden was stunned and irritated. His departure was supposed to be quiet, with no fanfare until after he succeeded.
“Draw your sword,” Captain Darieus whispered.
Tjaden grasped the hilt of his sword and raised it over his head, thankful to be wearing the dark blue of the Elites instead of his pale blue recruit uniform. The cheering grew even louder and he knew he had to go along with Captain Darieus’ plan. “I swear to you the Jabberwocky will find its demise by the power of my vorpal sword!”
His statement was met with more enthusiastic cheering. “Well said,” Captain Darieus commented over the noise of the crowd.
“Thank you, Sir. I just wish I knew what vorpal meant.”
“In good time, Tjaden.” Raising his voice to quiet the inflamed throng, Captain Darieus continued. “In two days time we will send off our hero. He will carry our vengeance to the foe.”
Two days? I’m not ready. Thoughts of Elora came to mind and he determined that ready or not, he would go.
In two days I’ll set off with Ollie and we’ll all have revenge. Ollie!
Tjaden cast about, embarrassed he hadn’t thought of his friend sooner. Recruits were easy to spot in their grayish blue uniforms but he didn’t see Ollie anywhere. A few recruit uniforms stood out among the ranks of the dead and wounded.
“Excuse me, Sir. I need to find Ollie.”
But Captain Darieus didn’t hear. He was preparing to address the assembly again.
“In this time of danger the kingdom needs strong leadership. Prince Antion is obviously too young to provide this. I will step into King Barash’s place and serve as King Regent until Prince Antion has reached an age appropriate to serve as Ruler and Protector.”
Lieutenant Markin stood near Captain Darieus, visibly shaken. He wiped tears from his eyes and shouted, “Citizens of Palassiren…your King Regent!” He went to one knee and a ripple spread outward through the crowd as they acknowledged their sovereign.
Tjaden, who had been moving through the crowd, kneeled near a fallen Elite, twenty paces from the spot of the melee. The soldier had three deep gashes from his waist to his shoulders, but Tjaden spotted swathes of blue gray fabric underneath the body.
A familiar voice sounded from under the dead Elite. “Looks like you’ll be embarking solo on this one, Champion.”
Ollie lay trapped by the bulk of the dead soldier and his armor. Sweat soaked his uniform and he spoke through clenched teeth.
“What do you mean solo? And what happened to you?” He started to roll the limp soldier off his friend.
Grimacing in pain, Ollie pointed to his left leg, and Tjaden saw the source of his agony. The leg was angulated sharply above the knee, obviously broken. Ollie was breathing rapidly and gripping his thigh with white knuckles.
“Physician!” Tjaden yelled as he continued to pull the dead soldier’s body free.
Just as Tjaden finished extricating Ollie, a physician arrived and went to work cutting the pants from the injured leg.
With very little hesitation he said, “Your femur’s definitely broken. I’m going to straighten it to relieve the pain.”
Ollie’s eyes widened. “What? No!” Tjaden held his writhing friend by the shoulders as the doctor grasped Ollie’s ankle and knee firmly. He slowly pulled as he aligned the leg, leaning back to use his weight. Ollie screamed in pain. When the doctor had pulled sufficient traction, the bones folded back in line.
Ollie took in a large gasp as if preparing to scream again, but only sighed and gasped, “Well that does feel a lot better.” Most of the strain disappeared from his face.
Even before catching his breath, Ollie looked up at Tjaden and said, “I got him, Jay.” He had never looked so proud in his life and Tjaden wondered if he was hallucinating.
“Huh?”
“The Jabberwocky. Stuck some arrows in its neck and poked a hole in one wing. It was flying unsteady when it left.” With a theatrical air he added, “With wrecked wing the wretch withdrew.”
“I’m glad you got a couple licks in, Ollie, because I’m still going after it.”
“I heard. Five days sooner than planned.”
Tjaden nodded. “That’s right. I still don’t know how, but I’ll find the Jabberwocky, and bring back Elora.” Looking over his shoulder to where Captain Darieus continued his speech, Tjaden added, “Who knows? I might even bring back the beast’s head.”
*****
Later that day Tjaden was summoned to Captain Darieus’ audience room. He waited in a corner as the new king regent finished his conversation with Lady Cuora, one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom, who also had one of the shortest tempers.
“A Council should be assembled to advise the young king!” Lady Cuora’s snaky black hair encircled her head and red-clad shoulders, bobbing in every direction. “The military would certainly play an important role, b
ut by no means should be the sole ruler.”
“I assure you, Lady Cuora, my position as regent is temporary. When the current threat has been eradicated, we can discuss other possible arrangements. Now if you will excuse me, I need to see to that very issue.”
Lady Cuora followed his gaze to where Tjaden stood in the corner. After a quick examination, she said, “A boy? That’s your grand plan? Bah! You make me wonder if you even want the current threat to be eliminated.”
Before Captain Darieus could answer she spun and stormed from the room. Thankfully, she didn’t spare another glance for Tjaden.
Captain Darieus dismissed the Elite and Fellow that remained behind as his guard, and motioned Tjaden forward. “The burdens of leadership,” he said with a sigh. “But we have more urgent matters, don’t we?” He motioned for Tjaden to draw his sword, then reached for the hilt.
“This style of sword is called a flamberge, flame sword,” said Captain Darieus, tracing the undulating edge with one finger. “The wave-like blade inflicts as much damage as a wider sword, but allows a faster strike due to the reduced weight.”
“But you said I needed a vorpal sword to kill the Jabberwocky.”
Nodding, Captain Darieus said, “Yes. Vorpal means flame and truth. You have the fire, now it’s time for the truth.”
“So I had the vorpal sword all along?” Tjaden asked. It was an impressive weapon, but he never considered that it held any magical properties.
Captain Darieus shook his head. “The flame sword is appropriate for your mission, but the fire to which vorpal refers is in here.” He tapped Tjaden’s chest. With no regard for the tip of the blade, he rapped the end of the sword against the stone floor and added, “Not in here.”
“But, Captain—“
“The proper title for a king regent is Lord Protector, or Highness. Lord Darieus is also appropriate. But no more questions until you hear the rest.” He returned Tjaden’s sword and walked to a desk at the side of the room. From a drawer he produced a glass container. Approximately the size of a grapefruit, it was filled with a murky, brown substance. The stubby neck was sealed with thick wax
“Tjaden, the Jabberwocky that plagues our land is male.”
Tjaden was taken aback. He had always considered the beast an it.
“The creature I killed was female. This globe contains musk from that female. Due to his overly keen senses, this is the truth you need to defeat the Jabberwocky.”
“How does a jar of stench hold the truth, Sir?”
“When did the Jabberwocky start attacking our towns?”
“It’s been happening for generations,” Tjaden answered confidently.
“That is exactly what I want everyone to believe.” Captain Darieus smiled down on Tjaden. “The truth is the first Jabberwocky attack occurred twenty years ago. With soldiers stationed across Maravilla it was a simple task to spread rumors of a beast that destroyed towns and kidnapped people from one end of the kingdom to the other. Mind, it was almost always in a far away town. A few legitimate attacks validated our stories.”
“You mean…” Tjaden didn’t know what to say.
“That’s right. If you ask any citizen how many people have been taken over the years, they’ll say hundreds. Thousands. The truth, as far as we can tell, is closer to three dozen.”
“I still don’t see what the lies have to do with me. Or the truth. I just want to kill it and get Elora back.”
“That’s fine for a small town farmer. But you can’t kill it with just a sword. Understanding its history will be your true weapon.
“I have been entrusted with the daunting task of protecting an entire kingdom and making a thousand thousand people feel secure. If they have nothing to fear, the king has trouble raising taxes. People complain that the army is too powerful, and we end up with an insufficient number of soldiers, which places the kingdom in danger. The easiest road to peace is through a common enemy. Now that I am king I need to consider it more than ever.” He paused, then added, “For the well-being of the citizens.”
Tjaden couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The man he had looked up to his whole life had been manipulating the entire kingdom.
Captain Darieus didn’t give him time to consider it further. “Tjaden, let’s get back to the point. Based on what I’ve told you, do you have any idea why our villages have been under attack for the last twenty years?”
After a moment of thought he answered dolefully, “You killed his mate. He…wants revenge.” Somehow Tjaden felt a tinge of sympathy for the monster.
“Correct.” Grasping Tjaden firmly by the shoulders, Captain Darieus looked him in the eyes. “Killing its mate does not excuse it for two decades of murder, kidnapping, and terror. The beast has killed our king and close to fifty of our brothers-in-arms. How many more maidens will we allow him to carry off? How many soldiers and rulers must die? How much longer must he be allowed to exact a vengeance long since earned?”
He paused to allow Tjaden to consider.
“You will face the Jabberwocky with fire in your heart, bearing the truth. And the truth is this: the Jabberwocky’s true nature is a creature of peace. But losing its mate transformed it into a depraved monster.”
Holding the sealed jar he continued. “Here is the secret behind your vorpal blade. In the moment before you approach him, you will coat your sword with the pungent fragrance of the female. It will awaken the creature’s true disposition. And you will slay him.”
Tjaden’s thoughts turned to Elora. He was torn between compassion for the loss of the creature’s mate and desire for revenge. But the choice was simple; he had to rescue Elora.
Tjaden nodded, forcing down the gloom he felt, replacing it with images of Elora.
“Very well. Now let me tell you where to find him.”
Later that night Tjaden talked with Ollie in their quarters. Ollie had spent most of the day in the infirmary, but there were so many injured soldiers, stable patients were moved to quarters. A large splint held his leg in place and he was confined to bed for at least two weeks.
Tjaden told Ollie everything he’d learned. The truth about the Jabberwocky’s mate and his true personality, the lies to the citizens, and how Tjaden would use the female’s essence to slay the Jabberwocky. Shifting to find a comfortable position, Ollie listened keenly.
“Jay, I think there’s more going on than we realize. You should’ve seen the Jabberwocky. It, he, was definitely looking for something specific.”
“And you said he went straight for the king after he got his bearings?”
“Yeah, but not only that. After he killed the king, he inspected the body. I don’t know why but after he checked the body he went berserk. He changed from focused to enraged faster than a rabid dog.”
“Darieus still isn’t telling me everything,” said Tjaden, slamming the flat part of his fist against the wall.
“You mean King Darieus?” asked Ollie. “Or at least Captain Darieus?”
“He doesn’t deserve that title.” The realization that his hero might actually be a despicable person left him dumbfounded.
With a quizzical expression, Ollie asked, “And if all you need is this magic essence, why waste all the time training with machines?”
After thinking for a moment, Tjaden answered, “I’m not sure, Ollie. I’ve got a lot to figure out.”
Ollie laid back in bed. “Try to figure out a way to get at the Jabberwocky’s belly or neck. I don’t know how you’ll get close enough, but those are the only parts any of us could pierce.”
“If he didn’t have Elora…” Tjaden let the words hang in the air. “I’m leaving tomorrow, Ollie. I told Darieus I don’t want to bother with well-wishers crowding the streets. He agreed, and said he was going to suggest it to avoid other would-be rescuers from following me.”
Elbowing up in bed again, Ollie said, “I’d tell you to take any Elite who would go along if I thought it would do any good. But I don’t think a hundred Elites could ki
ll that thing.”
“Thanks for the encouraging words,” said Tjaden with a smile.
“Like I could stop you if I tried. It’ll work, Jay. Captain Darieus wouldn’t waste his time just to send you to your death.”
“I hope you’re right. Because I’m going either way.”
Tjaden lay in bed for hours considering the details Darieus had given him about the Jabberwocky—its history, its superb sense of smell, and its motivation. But hours of pondering didn’t bring any answers.
By sunrise the next morning he was out of the city and on the road, pleased to no end by the lack of crowds and formal send-offs.
With two horses and enough food for three weeks, Tjaden traveled in the brown workman’s clothes he’d arrived in. The journey would only take one week in each direction, but he needed enough food for two people on the return trip. Though he knew the path ahead would be thorny, he was relieved the day of action had arrived. Practicing, planning, and preparing were fine, but he preferred action.
As he rode, Tjaden counted the coins in the pouch Darieus had given him. Ten gold pieces in addition to some silver and copper! He’d never held more than a couple silvers at one time. Towns along the way sold supplies, but Tjaden didn’t want to waste time or encounter a lot of people. The coins would only be used if it became necessary.
The hunt for the Jabberwocky would truly begin at the Tumtum tree. The Harbinger Spoke, the road to the northwest, led to the forest where he would find it. Darieus had offered Tjaden a contingent of soldiers as an escort, but Tjaden insisted on riding alone. Any danger he faced along the way would be minor compared to his final goal. In addition, he’d grown wary of Darieus and didn’t know if he or his men could be trusted.
The moon shone brightly so he was able to ride into the night. Hours after sunset, he made camp under a large willow. As soon as the sun rose the next morning he was on his way. The Harbinger Spoke ran within a few miles of a dozen towns, but not directly through any of them, so Tjaden was able to keep to himself.
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