Gryphon's Glenn

Chapter Thirty-Five

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The crowd was stunned into silence. So was everyone else. Luna looked at her crew, still hidden from sight, and smiled.

"Pardon me?" Girard asked Terros in disbelief.

That was when Marta stepped out of the shadows and joined her husband. She took his hand in her own and squeezed it. Many people in the crowd gasped in shock.

"Marta?" Walter asked, his voice shaking slightly. The youngest Knight was the first to seemingly remember how to speak. "How? They decapitated you! I saw it!"

"Unknown to me, someone slipped me a Phoenix potion before the execution," Marta replied.

"Marta..." Albert said softly. He stared at her, a small smile playing at his lips that he covered after a moment with his usual stoic expression.

"They have joined forces with the Pirates," Girard said calmy. "Terros, you are relieved of duty. Albert, arrest them."

Albert looked at Marta and Terros before turning toward Girard. He hesitated.

"That is a direct order, Albert. Do your duty to this Kingdom," Girard said sharply.

Albert took a deep breath before tossing his sword on the ground. "Consider me retired," he said.

"Albert-" Girard began to protest, but Albert cut him off.

"Down with the False King!" Albert declared. Atlee smirked. Marta nodded with approval. Terros began to laugh in apparent surprise.

"Well done," Terros said, patting Albert on his back.

"My loyalty is now and always shall be to this Kingdom, to Queen Bethany, and to you and Marta, Terros," Albert replied firmly.

Now, everyone began snapping out of their stunned silence. The people all spoke at once as they tried to make sense of what was happening.

"Marcus," Girard said.

Marcus raised his sword. "Yes, my King?" He asked.

"Arrest them all."

"Yes, my King. Knights of Gryphon's Glenn, stand with me now! We must defend our King!" Marcus proclaimed grandly.

Donovan was the first to stand beside him, raising his own sword. Several others followed his lead. The King looked at Nicholas and Flynn expectantly, and they quickly joined the others.

"Derek, hurry up and fall in line," Girard said dismissively.

Derek smiled before moving beside Terros. He tossed his sword next to Albert's on the ground.

Girard was furious. "Charles," he said. "Come join the others."

Charles shrugged. "My King," he began. Girard nodded with approval. Then, Charles tossed his sword on the ground. "Was Desmond," he finished. "Down with the False King!"

Now, Girard's confidence wavered. "You?" He demanded in disbelief. "Unacceptable! Julian, arrest Charles for his treason!"

Julian took a deep breath. Luna watched nervously, not sure how Girard would react to one of the castle orphans turning on him. Julian tossed his sword into the pile. "Down with the False King!" He proclaimed.

Girard looked like his head was going to explode. "Julian Arden, how dare you?" He demanded. "I raised you!"

"Yes... After you murdered my parents," Julian replied calmly.