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Footsteps rang out across the cobbles from behind, but Lord Garsh did not remove his gaze from Spangler, keeping the blade pressed against his throat. It was only when Spangler's eyes widened in fear and concern at the sight behind him, that he was intrigued enough to turn and look. Two guards were leading a man and a woman towards them.
“And what do we have here?” He raised one eyebrow at the guards.
“We found them in the Queen’s room sir, her Majesty’s gone.” The guards, in a hurried conversation which took place on the walk down the main stairs of the palace, had decided to leave out the part where they had been knocked out for a period of time at their posts. “They had this with them.” The guard held up a device with a horn protruding from a brass bell. Lord Garsh’s eyes narrowed.
“Really?” He said slowly, turning back to Spangler. “These must be the friends of your's I’ve heard so much about Arthur. How wonderful of them to come to me, rather than me going to the trouble of finding them. Though...” He turned to Becky and Spencer. “I wonder what you have done with our Queen?” His eyes moved to the Vibobbler for a moment. “Though it’s of no consequence, I will simply release a statement saying the queen is ill, and requires bedrest.
“You will do no such thing!” A furious voice screeched around the cobblestone courtyard. They turned to see Queen Lisandra, marching ahead of a group of men. Her face red with indignation. “Guards! Arrest that man at once!” Garsh stepped quickly to Spangler, drawing his sword against his neck before the guards had moved more than a step. He stood behind, using Spangler to shield from any potential crossbows from enthusiastic guards.
“It seems things have changed quicker than anticipated,” he snarled. “And now I think I will leave.” He began backing away towards the gate and the street beyond. Queen Lisandra looked around her men who were nervously raising and lowering their crossbows, unsure if they should risk a shot or not. She threw her arms into the air.
“Oh, for goodness sake!" She strode over to Lord Garsh, who turned just in time to see a small, but very determined fist flying towards his face. It struck on the bridge of his nose and he staggered backwards, releasing Spangler.
“Shoot!” screamed the Queen pointing at him with indignation. There was the twang of multiple crossbows being fired, and five arrows thudded into the chest of Lord Garsh with a sickening noise. He made no noise, but his eyes went wide and his sword clattered to the floor. Then, slowly, he fell to his knees and face first into the cobbles. A moment later, Spangler followed him. Spencer and Becky wrenched free of their guards who were now only loosely holding them by the arm as they watched the scene. They ran to where Spangler lay prone on the floor and knelt next to him.
“Arthur, are you ok?” Becky was checking his neck to see if Garsh had caused any damage, but there was nothing there.
“I don’t think I can survive without him.” They both turned to Garsh who lay a few feet away, a pool of blood forming around him.
“There’s no time, please let me explain to the Queen, we... know each other in a way.”
“But...” Becky began to protest before the Queen screeched again, her voice rising to a level similar to a dentist's drill.
“Will somebody tell me what is going on right now?!”
“Please," Spangler pleaded with them, his breathing becoming ragged. “Tell her to speak to me, now.”
~~~~
They sat in a side chamber off of the main hall. It appeared to be a room in which the Queen accepted guests. She sat on a high chair that definitely had the whiff of a throne about it at the end of a long table, they sat on smaller chairs on either side and listened.
“Your friend told me he knew my mother, and I believed him as he knew... certain things. He said I had been brainwashed by that awful man out there and that you helped save me and clear my befuddled mind. I have spoken to my advisors and they seem to corroborate this.” She looked away for a moment thoughtfully. “Some of them will have to lose their heads of course for allowing this to happen...” She snapped back to them “But that is, I’m afraid, the way of things.” She paused and took a sip of her tea from an ornately decorated china cup. “He did of course tell me to release you. Apparently, the danger to myself and my empire is not yet over, and only you can help in this regard.” She looked between them both, possibly waiting for some confirmation of this, but neither of them spoke. Spangler had died right in front of them, saying his final words to the Queen in a whisper they could only barely hear. Spencer stared at Becky, feeling awful about the tears which tracked their way down her cheeks. Becky stared at the table.
“I understand that you have lost your friend, so I will ignore your rudeness in not replying to your Queen.” Her voice implied that this was very much a one time arrangement. “I am willing to believe your friend's story, as it appears to be the only explanation to make any sense of what has happened here.” She paused for a moment, then slapped her hand down on the table in front of her. “Can you please pay attention to what I am saying!” They both jerked their heads to face her. “Thank you. I have decided that you have one hour in which to prove to me that there is indeed a further threat, and that you are able to resolve it.”
“An hour?” Spencer looked at Becky. He wasn’t sure an hour was going to be enough. They had arranged to meet Nebwett back at Ingress to connect his Vibobbler which they had used to return Lisa, to the one they were planning on bringing back from the palace. They had no idea where Garsh would have kept his, or even if he had more than one, but it didn’t matter. According to Nebwett, they only needed two to make this work. Either way, he didn’t see they had much choice.
“Ok, an hour. We’ll need to find something that Garsh left here first, we’ll need an hour from after we find what we’re looking for.” The Queen chortled, leaning back in her seat before shouting to the two men who stood by the door.
“Bring in the device!” One of the men opened the oak door to the chamber and vanished through the opening, returning a few moments later with another Vibobbler. Spencer turned from the device back to the Queen.
“How did you know we’d need it?”
“Your friend told me where to find it, and that if you were to have a chance of sorting this mess out you would need it. Last thing he said. Now, your hour has started.”