Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 26: Kneel to the Crown

Chapter 26: Kneel to the Crown

"Ruber, unhand her!"

Kayley panted as Lady Julianna ordered Ruber away. Amused, Ruber pinched Kayley's cheek. He pinched harder as Kayley squirmed.

"Ruber!" Lady Julianna struggled. "I demand you leave immediately. Get out! When Lionel – "

"Oh Julianna." Ruber released Kayley. Gallantly he strode to her mother. "Purest, pristine Julianna. Let's not play make believe. Lionel is dead."

Ruber motioned. Two henchmen handed him a bloody sack. As they advanced, Kayley suddenly noticed: Ruber had invaded with monsters. Most of his men were pirates. But the remaining militias did not have eyes; their sockets were vacuous cavities sucked inward. They looked undead.

"Yes. Sir Lionel is dead. And as a happy coincidence." Ruber overturned the bloody sack. A severed, mangled head dropped out. "We killed him."

The head thudded. Veins and viscera stretched, sticking to the floor as the head rolled. Ruber stomped. The face flipped up.

It was Sir Lionel.

Lady Julianna closed her eyes as Kayley screamed.

"So passes," Ruber mockingly held his heart. "A worthy opponent. Oh how bothersome – Captain Hook, silence the girl while I.. console her mother."

A clothe was stuffed in Kayley's mouth. Kayley choked as Captain Hook forced it over her tongue and down her throat.

"Better." Wolfishly, Ruber turned. "Now. Julianna..."

The pirates jostled Lady Julianna forward. She glared murderously as Ruber approached.

"Julianna. Lionel's treasure." Ruber stroked her cheek. "How about a little kiss? Now that you're single."

Lady Julianna spit. "Impertinent pig!"

"Is that a no?" Leaning, Ruber gnawed Lady Julianna's lips. "So rude. Ooo well. I'll just help myself."

Lady Julianna shrieked. The pirates cheered as Kayley kicked against Captain Hook. Peripherally, she saw Schmendrick doing the same. But as the pirates barked obscenities at her mother, Kayley was powerless to help.

"Now." Ruber flicked his hair. In the same motion he withdrew a serrated sword. "Enough with the pleasantries. Julianna, your hospitality is charming. But your house guests are undesirable."

Ruber danced his sword over Schmendrick's eyes.

"Harboring my enemy? An enemy of the crown? Tsk, tsk Julianna. This magician is a criminal. And I believe he has something of mine."

Lady Julianna seethed. Lip bleeding, she hissed. "What do want?"

"Caliburn." said Ruber. "And..." he leered at Kayley. "Apparently the future king. Deliver  these  to me Julianna, so that I may be king. Annnnd, oh why not, you may be my queen."

"What?" Lady Julianna breathed.

"King." Ruber flourished his sword. Air hummed  over the irregular iron grooves. "Oh, oh, oh. I just can't wait to be king! You see Julianna, I've stumbled upon a lucky bargain. It seems The Boogie Man, and my new Fantasian friends – "