Quest For The Key

Chapter 18: Action

Pepper hadn’t given up yet though. Even if Lenerd wouldn’t help her she was determined to save them all. They were the chosen ones, they had to finish their quest and she had promised Jealousy that she would help them. Now it was time to make that happen. When the next guard came to give her water she told him about Jack. He didn’t believe her at first but when he saw the dried blood on the ground he came in. The guard examined the body and even began to pick him up. 

In defence Pepper kicked him but the guard slapped her across the face. Quickly, feeling her blood course through her cheek she picked up the dagger hidden in Jacks backpack and slit a cut on the guards arm right down to his hand. The guard swore again and dropped Jack’s body just outside the cell with a THUD of Jack’s head. In anger she shoved the dagger into his mouth trying to shove it down his throat. The guard collapsed to the ground splattering the walls and Pepper with blood. Pepper quite pleased with herself snatched the keys and unlocked Lenerd. Even if he hadn’t wanted to help her he still deserved freedom for what happened to his wife. Jack was too heavy to carry and he was still unconscious she would have to come back for him. Lenerd at least agreed that he would help Pepper find Maple. Together they ran out of the cellar.

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The ceremony had already begun. Maple felt a turning in her stomach and presser in her head. She had been told not to scream or cry or she would  be beaten. The music began and the queen pushed her forward. Slowly, slower and slower she tried to walk, but each time coming closer and closer to Brian, the queens nephew. Maples eyes narrowed on the ring he held between his long fingers. Now she was face to face with him. Brian was good looking but he had horrible teeth and breath. Besides from that not too bad. Even though he was pure evil and spoiled rotten. He was tall slender and dressed in black just like my dress. The priest began to talk loud as if the room were ful but we were the only ones there except for a few close relatives like his parents and the queen.

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Now that Pepper and Lenerd were up they had heard the procession music and had feared the worst but by the time they got there it was too close. As they pushed threw the big wooden doors to the grand pink ball room where the wedding was taking place the priest spoke the deadly words “ you may kiss the bride”

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Maple was sweating all over as Brian leaned in. She could tell by the way he looked at her he was picturing nasty thoughts. Picturing Maple and him married with no escape for her. She let him kiss her. He held her there. His warm smooth lips against  against each others awkwardly before they parted. Then he swooped her up in his arms and turned to face Pepper and Lenerd.

Lenerd’s mouth dropped open as a tear rolled down peppers face.

“We're too late” panted Pepper who was still tired from the long run.

“It’s not over yet” shouted Lenerd firmly seeing the pain in Pepper’s eyes.

Then he charged at Brian and punched him in the nose twice but, Brian was trained and Lenerd was not, Pepper screamed. She had been right it was too late ...for Lenerd. Brian brought a blade from his belt and pierced his chest. Lenerd stumbled to the ground his hands in the sahpe of a cross ofver his chest trying to keep his blood inside him. Blood was starting to pool as Pepper approached him. Lenerd managed to speak a bit before he died.

“ Do you know the reason I wouldn’t risk breaking out and getting you killed” he whispered to Pepper. “ because you’re my daughter”. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a scar in a funny p shape that she remembered. Tears filled her eyes.

“ oh father” she cried Lenerd’s head dropped as he said “ I Love You”. 

Maple had to stop the queen before she killed pepper or sent Brian to do it. Without thinking she ran and pulled Pepper to her feet and started to pull her along out the door. Pepper just cried. They were almost out when Pepper remembered Jack. So, they ran to get him. It took both women to carry him out. They were half way down the tunnel Brian grabbed her. He had his hand around her ankle. Maple kicked trying to get free and finally kicked his nose and heard it crack. Brocken...for sure. Then they ran off in the direction of the forest.