A Forgotten Memory

Chapter 16: Planning

 I don't tell Rose my exact plan. I tell her to keep a close eye on Diana, and that was all.I put on my cloak and walk quickly toward the stables, fetching Rowan. If Lionel touched my horse, he's definitely in for it.

 I am greeted not by the stable boy when I first arrived, but by a long, shimmering blade. William comes from the shadows. His eyes flit this way and that. He's nervous.

 "William," I say calmly. "Put the sword down."

 The boy shakes his head. "I'm supposed to report you to Lionel."

 "And you know what then happens to me? William, trust me, I'm no traitor. You do not want my blood on your hands." I coax. I take my index finger and touch the flat of the blade, lowering it.

 William gently lowers the sword.

 "Is Rowan here?" I ask. "I would assume Lionel would kill a 'traitor's' horse."

 William nods. "Uh, uh, yes." He swallows.

 I rest a hand on the boy's shoulder. He flinches as I do so.

 "What? Worried I'd kill you?" I laugh.

 "I'm not scared of you." He says, attempting to sound brave.

 "William! I've known you for most of your life. I would never kill anyone!" I say. "Unless in self-defense." I add to myself.

 "Okay..." He walks away, careful to never turn his back on me. I look sadly at the ground. Lionel has messed up my life. I know, if my plan doesn't work, I'd have my head severed from my body and be publicly shamed in Tours. And in history. And the future would remember the villain Colin North, the terrible and murderous prince who'd try usurping the city of Tours from the grand and valiant Lionel and try to steal away Lionel's bride-to-be Diana.

 I set my jaw in a firm line. Never would that be me. That's Lionel, not me.

 William returns cautiously. As I saddle Rowan, I turn to William. "William, please, do not say anything to Lionel. He tells lies. Just please...believe me."

 William nods, his gaze elsewhere.

 After what seemed like forever, I saw the city of Orleans. From the top of the hill, I could imagine the position of The Magic Helper. Thor's place. If my plan went well, and I could convince Thor, his name wouldn't be Thor after that.

 I wish I had company. That'd really help me right now. If this fails...I need to think positively. It should work; why wouldn't it?

 It appeared the same as last time: shoved in the street corner, easy to pass. If it weren't for the rank smell of the natural herbs outside the wooden door of The Magic Helper, I'm afraid it would have been extremely hard to find.

 I pause outside the dark oak door of the shop: Thor would probably go insane at the sight of me. I remember that I did not treat him too nicely, or fairly, because of what he is. But that is going to change.

 Also, I think, he is the key to helping us defeat Lionel. Diana did not deserve a diable in her life. She deserved better, and, in the back of my mind, I hoped the better would be me.

 Pedestrians began looking at me as I stared at the door. I must've been standing there for minutes until I sighed heavily and, after muttering a quick prayer, pushed open the doors of The Magic Helper.

 I was not greeted with the creepy, droning voice that Thor had welcomed Rose and me with last time. Instead, it was silent. It was dark; the only lights that I could see were odd shades of green, blue, and red.

 I walked into the main room that Thor may have looked at as a torture chamber ever since I came to his business. I could see the device that I had used to electrocute Thor. I shivered. What had gotten into me? I could blame it on Lionel, but I don't; it was human nature— that dirty, filthy plague that we had brought upon ourselves ever since we left Eden.

 I was hoping Thor was still here. Without him, my plan would be futile and faulty. But, alas, he was sitting at a desk in a room that led off from the "torture chamber," writing on a piece of parchment.

 He did not look up from what he was writing when he spoke. "What is it you want from me, Sir North? Did I not tell you what you asked for?"

 "I didn't come here to get information, or question your moral codes." I paused. "I came to get your help."

 Thor dropped his quill. "My help?"

 I nodded. "You see, Diana and Lionel's 'wedding' is in a few days. When that day comes, I need you to be ready..." I explained to him my plan. The whole way through, he did not make any faces or show any signs of emotion.

 That was, until I finished, when he broke into a wide grin. "My, Colin, I cannot believe this. I will help. But what do I get in return?"

 "I'm afraid I can't say yet." I had an idea in the back of my mind. "What do you need for the wedding day?"

 Thor sat back in his chair and delicately stroked his black beard. "Chemicals. Gasses. Yes, that'll do."

My plans to wedding-crash were set into place. All that needed to happen was for Thor and I to pull this off.

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Hello my lovely readers!

Quick author's note here. I just wanted to let you all know that it has been my great pleasure writing this story alongside a great friend of mine. And I'm sad to say that soon this story will draw to a close. Thank you for your votes and comments.