“I see the cottage!” Eli said, pointing up ahead.
Relief and dread enveloped Karina when the dilapidated structure came into view. It was obvious that no one had lived there for many years, since part of the door was torn from its hinges, and the shutters had all but deteriorated. Large vines and bushes grew all around the wooden house, obscuring its foundation.
Even though it was clear that no one was present, Wouter walked boldly to the house, his determination evident. She could feel a rush of heat rise to the back of her neck. If he didn’t find any clues, what would he do to her?
All too soon, the outlaws pushed past the broken door and ushered them through. The smell of damp earth immediately surrounded her. As her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, she saw the clutter of furniture and dust-covered items that the woodcutter had left behind.
“Search the house,” Wouter ordered his men. But only Jak followed his command. The other two knights stood by the door, peering out into the forest.
“Do you think the green demon will be appeased by our offering?” Clement asked.
“I hope so,” Daud said, closing the broken door as best as he could. Several shafts of light came through the rotted shutters, although the room was still mostly in shadows.
“What are you two doing, standing there?” Wouter said, gritting his teeth.
Clement moved to the center of the common room. “We need to prepare in case the — the forest spirit finds us here.”
“Didn’t I tell you to cease with this talk?” Wouter said, his face becoming red.
“Even if we don’t talk about this, the problem won’t go away, sire,” Daud said, his hand clutching at the hilt of his sword. “Clement said that no one was in this cottage. And he’s right. I don’t think we’ll find any clues here. We should leave right now.”
“You would counter my command?” Wouter asked quietly.
“In all matters of war, I wouldn’t question you, sire. But we’re not dealing with men here…”
“I can’t stand this,” Clement said, “I told you that there’s something eerie about this place. I’m not staying here to find out what ‘tis. I’m leaving.”
A loud crackle sounded just outside the entrance.
Clement stopped abruptly and stared at the door.
“What is that?” Daub gripped his sword hilt tightly, causing his knuckles to turn white.
“It looks like the green demon has come for you,” Eli said.
Daub made a move to lunge at the boy, but Wouter stayed him. “You go outside, and find out what that noise is.”
“Nay,” Daud said, raising a palm in the air. “If you want to know what that noise is, why don’t you go?” He took a step back. “If you think I’m stupid enough to confront whatever is out there, then you’ve lost your mind.”
“I’ll go,” Jak said, giving Daud a sneer. “I always believed that our second commander was a coward.”
When the large knight exited the cottage, Wouter turned to his remaining men. “I should have you both killed for your insolence,” he said, the muscle working in his jaw.
Daud pointed his sword at Wouter. “I don’t plan to die this day either by your hand, or by the hand of —”
A bang echoed at the side of the house, as if a large body hit the structure with tremendous force. It was followed by a groan, and then silence.
The men exchanged startled looks with each other before they turned to stare at the wall. But then a noise resonated to the right, near the broken shutters. Karina whipped her head around just in time to see a shadow pass by. A chilly streak ran down her spine.
“’Tis him,” Eli’s voice was just above a whisper, although he sounded as if he shouted. Instinctively he stepped closer to Karina, and she placed an arm around his shoulders, drawing him tightly to her side.
They were trapped in the abandoned cottage and were doomed. The green demon was waiting for them outside, ready to take them away. She lifted her eyes to the ceiling, praying that somehow God would deliver them from the impending terror.
“Who goes there?” Wouter yelled. He held his sword high, looking frantically to the left and right.
But the banging continued throughout the cottage.
“We’re going to die!” Clement let out a frightened cry.
“Shut up, fool!” Wouter hissed.
The three men stood with their backs to each other, startling each time they heard the noise. It came first from one direction and then the other. They each gripped their swords, ready to thrust it at their unseen foe.
Suddenly the door slammed open. The wooden panels smashed into the wall before falling to pieces to the ground. The force of the shattered door caused the latent dust particles to scatter into the air.
The three men swiveled around to face the entrance.
Karina let out a startled gasp just as her heart stopped beating. There standing at the doorway was the green demon in all his glory. He looked much worse than she could ever imagine. The creature, as tall as a man, was draped in greenery, the foliage hanging down to the ground like wilted flowers. He watched them from behind his thick, shiny curtain of leaves. Holding her breath, she saw his great head swivel briefly at her direction. But then, as if he lost interest in her, he turned back to the cowering men; the leaves on his body rustling softly as he moved.
“Stand back!” Clement sobbed, the sword trembling in his hand. But he didn’t dare drop it. “Don’t come any closer, you vile creature!”
Wouter was the first to gather his wits. “Get him!” he yelled.
He pushed Clement with his free hand while he raised a foot and shoved Daud toward the door. Clement lost his balance and crashed his head on the ground with a resounding thud. Meanwhile Daud stumbled, head-first, toward the front of the room.
And then all pandemonium broke loose.
The green demon advanced, and two more forest spirits rushed in after him. Suddenly swords appeared in their hands. Then there was a flurry of activity, screams, shouts, and the clang of metal clashing against metal. Karina watched in horrified silence as the creatures skillfully deflected each sword thrust. Clement, who watched the display of terrifying skill, fainted. In a matter of seconds, the outlaws were disarmed. Two of the green demons grabbed Wouter and Daud by the cuff, and slammed the two men into one another. Just as the outlaws became unbalanced by the impact, a third forest spirit rushed at them, a splinter of wood held over his head. And when he got near enough to the knights, he crashed the weapon down on their heads, knocking them senseless.
A pair of green demons stood over the unconscious knights, observing their handiwork. Meanwhile the third one tottered toward Karina and Eli.
“Please,” Karina cried as she hugged Eli to her. “Don’t hurt us!”
The green creature stopped as if he was surprised by the intensity of her appeal.
She shrank back, uncertain as to whether he would spring at them and kill them right then and there. But the green demon remained in one spot. In fact it was…shaking.
“I think he’s laughing at us,” Eli whispered, stirring in her arms.
She peered closer at the creature. Eli was right…
The green demon plucked off a leafy helmet, revealing a smiling, unforgettable face.
“Geoffrey?” she said, half suspecting that she was seeing an illusion.
And when his warm laughter filled the room, a flood of relief flooded her body.
“Geoffrey!” Eli broke free from her arms and launched himself at the stable master. “We thought the green demon got you.”
Curving his lips, he said, “Nay, it appears that the green demons got the outlaws.”
Bram lifted the helmet of leaves and twigs from his head and walked over to them. “Geoffrey’s plan worked, and we outwitted these traitors without bloodshed.” Amusement danced in his eyes. “’Twould seem that they were surprised to meet more than one green demon.”
“’Tis true providence that we encountered you in Treville,” Coenred added as he joined the group. He clapped Geoffrey on the back. “We should return to town and take these traitors with us.”
“And don’t forget to take Sewallus too,” Eli said. “The outlaws tied him to a tree not far from here. He confessed to ma dame that he killed Osbert.”
A stunned expression momentarily crossed Geoffrey’s face.
“We’ll take care of him as well,” Bram said, looking over at Geoffrey.
“Fine,” he said, and beckoned to Karina. “We’ll retrieve the princess from the stables. She should be happy to know that all is well.”
“Aye, I am certain that she will be happy with the news,” Coenred said. “’Tis all thanks to you though. I will recommend to the princess that you receive knighthood for your cunning and bravery.”
“I think you will make a fine knight, Geoffrey,” Karina said, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
“Thank you, Karina,” he said, beaming.
She responded with a smile of her own, although she didn’t feel like smiling. Geoffrey placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her toward the exit.
The princess, indeed the entire town was now safe from the outlaws. She should be thrilled, but for some reason she wasn’t.