The Moon Calls

10

The next morning, Cassandra was feeling well enough to walk around, so they joined Rapunzel and Eugene for the trial.

"I hope this works..." Rapunzel said anxiously as Attila was brought up to the stand.

"Your Majesty, you have seen that the evidence undeniably places blame on Attila. Unless evidence to the contrary comes forth, I see no need to carry on." The Captain of the Guards said firmly.

"I do! I call to the stand Ms. Hortense Q. Crowley!" Rapunzel declared.

Varian looked around and Cassandra sighed as everyone gave confused murmurs.

"Uh, Blondie, you probably shouldn't just be making up people. This is a court of law." Eugene offered helpfully.

Rapunzel groaned. "Ugh. Old Lady Crowley?"

"Ohhh!" Everyone around the room said in unison.

"Oh, excellent!" Eugene chimed in.

"No one bothers to remember real names in Corona." Varian remarked jokingly to Cassandra, speaking quietly.

She nudged him with an amused smile.

An old woman walked into the throne room, grumbling.

"Of course." The Captain said, looking at her.

--

"That's right! I saw Attila that night. He was pickin' my precious plumbagos." The old woman declared.

"So, Dad, I think we can all agree that it's impossible for anyone to be in two places at once." Rapunzel said smugly. "The defense rests."

"I just have one question. Old Lady— er, Ms. Crowley, would be so kind as to point to the man you saw picking the flowers?" The Captain asked her.

"Of course I can! That's him! Right there!" The woman pointed at BigNose angrily.

Rapunzel slumped a bit in disbelief.

"I couldn't help myself! I'm a sucker for plumbagos!" BigNose started sobbing.

"Ms. Crowley, you told me you saw Attila the other night!" Rapunzel cried, looking at her.

"That's not him?" She asked, and Rapunzel shook her head. "How should I know? Those boys all look the same!"

"Sure, if you're blind." Varian muttered.

The old woman left and Rapunzel looked Attila sadly.

"Then, I am afraid I have no choice. Attila will be exiled to the Prison Barge of the Lost Sea." King Fredric announced.

The guards took Attila away. Rapunzel ran after him. "Attila! I'm so sorry!" She cried.

Varian frowned and stormed up to King Fredric, surprising everyone. "Is THAT how you treat someone who saved your daughter?! You think Eugene acted alone?! If it wasn't for him and the others, Eugene would be dead, BY YOUR ORDER, and Rapunzel and I would still be Gothel's slaves!"

"Varian, stand down." Queen Arianna said gently.

"NO!" He threw his hand out. "Attila is a good person and you're not being fair to him! You gave Rapunzel twenty-four hours to find clues, twenty-four hours she had to practically beg you for, all because you aren't just content with locking him away? Why is LADY CAINE in the dungeon, but you're sending Attila away on a BARGE?!"

King Fredric sighed. "My decision is final. Everyone is dismissed."

Varian fumed and stormed out, Cassandra, Eugene and Rapunzel following him.