Demus Oneshots

Highwayman's Treasure

Heavily inspired by Stand and Deliver

The doors crashed as they opened, turning heads. The figure in the doorway threw their straw-brown fringe out of their masked eyes and grinned.

"Greetings, noble friends and foes." They declared. When one of the guards rushed forward, they pulled a gun. "Okay, mostly foes."

The walked forward into the room like they owned the place, their gun trained on the guard.

"What is the meaning of this?" Remus' father asked, outraged. Remus shrank back in his chair, his hands balled into fists.

The newcomer grinned at Remus' father. They tucked their musket beneath their black and gold coat and straightened the coat.

"I've come to return." They said.

"Return? Return what?!"

The grin became roguish and wicked. They dug a small leather pouch out of their pocket and held it above their head so the whole dining room could see.

"150 solid, real ducats." They declared. "Paid in full." They threw the pouch onto the table. "It's all there but I trust you'll want to check."

"Who are you?!" Roman asked indignantly. The newcomer turned to Roman, their grin still plastered on their face.

"Forgive me, your Highness." They gave a low, dramatic bow, sweeping their arm over their head. "The Dandy Highwayman at your service. Now, back to business."

The Highwayman pulled out his musket and pulled back the flint. He aimed and shot at the pouch on the table, the shot ringing off the walls. The Highwayman threw their fringe out of their eyes again and blew the smoke off their musket.

"Check." He said. "Real ducats can withstand musket balls from up to three metres away." He threw his gun on the table and pulled his black gloves down. "Really, check if you don't believe me."

Roman made to grab the Dandy Highwayman's musket but the highwayman was too quick and whisked the gun away before Roman's hand was over the table.

"The pouch, Roman. Not the gun." They said, slipping the gun back into its holster.

Slowly, Remus' father picked up the pouch. Ducats spilled out of the rip in the bag, whole and gold. Each one made a clunk as it hit the table.

Remus' father took a breath. "Very well." He said. "If that's all, you can leave now and I won't have my guards arrest you."

"Ah, I don't do something for nothing, your Majesty." The highwayman said. "Now, you probably wonder 'how did a lowly highwayman such as myself come across 150 ducats from the royal palace itself'?" As he spoke, he took out his musket again and twirled it around his fingers.

A guest made to get up and run but the highwayman pointed his gun at them, freezing them to the spot.

The highwayman tilted his head up and, agonisingly slowly, pointed his gun at the ceiling.

"Go." They said. "Your daughter will need you."

The guest nodded once and ran out of the room. The highwayman took a breath before turning back to the king, a dazzling smile on his face.

"Anyway, like I was saying, how did a lowly highwayman such as I manage to procure 150 ducats straight from the castle?" He looked around the room. "Anyone? No? Roman? Your majesty himself?" The highwayman turned his eyes on Remus, who was desperately trying to sink into the chair. "Rem?" He asked and his voice changed. It was gentle, quiet, careful. The tone he used when...