Waiting For Sunrise - The Books Of Beginning AU

49. The Dire Magnus

"Let us out!"

"What's that Screecher doing there?"

"Get it away! Get it away!"

"Help!"

Michael winced as the children continued shouting at him and rattling the bars of their cells. His descent down the stairs, followed by one of the Countess's monsters, had whipped the already frantic group into a full blown frenzy. Much like the one they were in when they tried to hang him... But no, he couldn't think of that now. He couldn't shrink away from this task. Not when there were lives at stake. So he drew himself up to his (admittedly not impressive) full height and squared his shoulders in the way Miss B did when the Savages were being unruly. He tilted his chin up like Abigail would, crossed his arms like Gabriel, became still and sturdy as King Robbie'd been while facing down the horde of salmac tar. He tried to replicate the glare Kate was so good at leveling, and then, finally he opened his mouth and shouted, "QUIET!"

The children's cries died down to a murmuring. Dozens of shining eyes were fixed on him. Michael took a deep breath. "The Screecher's been enchanted by Dr. Pym. He's a wizard and my friend, and he's helping me rescue you. But anyways, the Screecher does whatever I tell it. You don't haveta be afraid of it anymore."

The children squirmed and fretted, but Michael remained rooted in place. His voice was steady; he was mimicking the tone Rafe so often used back home. Except, he'd put a bit more urgency in there, a particular directness that came from Emma.

"We're gonna unlock you, and then we're headed to a rowboat. We're getting outa here," he declared.

"But what about the Countess? And the rest of the monsters?" Someone asked.

"Dr. Pym dealt with the Screechers an' he an' Kate are dealing with the Countess now," Michael replied. "They've cleared the path for us. But now we gotta get moving."

There were no more protests. The Screecher unlocked the cells and the children came rushing out in one great surge. It was overwhelming, but Michael managed to stay calm enough to direct them up the narrow stairs and to the deck. He and the Screecher were the last ones up, and they found the children chattering with nervousness and anticipation and hope. Michael sighed, and found himself calling for quiet once again.

"Alright," Michael said to the group. "Even though Dr. Pym's handling the witch, that don't mean we can let our guards up. We gotta be stealthy. That means no more talking. Understand?"

There was a murmur of assent from the crowd. "Good," Michael said. "Then-"

"You!" A voice cried out, and Michael found himself being spun around to face Stephen McClattery. "How are you here?" The redhaired boy demanded to know. 

Michael swallowed. He could almost feel the cord being loped around his neck as this same boy played judge, jury, and executioner. 

"Well?"

Once again, Michael pushed the memories to the side. He quickly explained to Stephen that Dr. Pym, Gabriel, and King Robbie were taking back the town and that Michael had come with the wizard to rescue the children. He explained that Kate was with the Countess and Dr. Pym, that Emma and Gabriel were trying to keep the dam from falling, and how that left Michael himself to load everyone into the rowboat and get them to safety. 

"You have to believe me," he concluded, his voice taking on a pleading tone. "We don't have time to-"

Stephen held up a hand. "Right," he said plainly. "Let's get moving, then."

Michael exhaled in relief as he, Stephen, and the Screecher set about separating the kids into groups. Unfortunately, the dinghy couldn't take everyone at once, so it was decided that the dozen youngest children would be sent on first, with Michael and three of the older kids to row them to shore. As Stephen gathered up those kids, Michael and a trio of boys around his age climbed down the ladder to the rowboat, preparing to help the little ones into the boat.