Valiant

Chapter 42: How to Save a Life

As Vindr flies along the streets, the world blurs around me. The adrenaline in my stomach rolls in and out like the waves of an ocean. Each gallop propels strength into my limbs and fire into my heart. The reins chaff the webbing of my hands, but at this moment, I would not loosen my grip upon them for the world and all its bounty.

The streets are undeniably bare. Shops lie vacant and closed, and I see but one vendor upon the road, peddling his merchandise to nonexistent crowds without putting a lick of effort into his cry. Then, he catches sight of me on the road and stops mid-speech. 

"Ho, weary traveler! Stoop down from thy noble steed and pray grace me with your presence for but a moment. For, the day is hot, and I hold within my stores many marvelous secrets of which I would share with you!"

His extravagant, flamboyant manner, although it grabs my attention, does little more than distract me. Nonetheless, I slow my steed to ask him the obvious question. 

"Peddler! May the gods shine upon your graciousness. Had I more coin I would most certainly entreat you-" I knew that if I had rivers of gold I would not spare a drop on this merchant's phony cures and placebos, but he brightens at the false compliment. "- but alas, I must away. For, as you said, the day is quite warm, and I seek the shade of my abode. But tell me, goodman, where be the rest of your customers?"

The man waves his hand in a dismissive manner and flops, disgruntled upon his stool. "They be at the town square. Today they've caught an adulteress, and Prince John himself is to conduct the hanging. It was said that there was a cloaked man fleeing from her place a few hours before sunrise, when her husband was yet returning from- hey! Wait up!"

But, I have heard enough. I dig my heels into Vindr's sides, off he flies down the road again. This time, the pounding, thundering roar of energy drops to around my navel. Dread runs its icy fingers up and down my back, causing me to shiver into the heat of the sun. Why is my hand throbbing?

Shaking my head, I adjust my grip upon the reins, and lean forward against my stallion. Jagged, shadowy teeth of wood and stone rise around us and fall as we gallop through the vacant roads. When the low pounding of drums reaches my ears, my heart drops into my boots, and an old, familiar pain writhes around my stomach.

Then, we near the town square. My arms are shaking, and my teeth rattle against my jaws as I dismount. I don't bother tying Vindr off, but fly into the sweaty mass of people. The heat multiplies. The noise is terrible and silent- the kind of breathless murmur one feels in their throat instead of their ears. The gallows sport two hooded bodies, with their hands tied off behind their backs and their dresses spotted with rotten fruit and dirt. I can't tell who they are from this far away. I push closer, nudging and shouldering past man after man with my eyes fixed upon my targets. The drums stop.

My heart jumps into my throat as I see the ropes thrown onto their necks. I break into a run, using my broad shoulders to cleave a path through the sea of men and women. The drums roll to a stop, and Prince John takes the stand.

His Excellence today sports a crimson cloak with wrought golden-thread symbols. A ring of gold entwined with fine steel sits about his forehead, winding around a polished ruby at the very front. The crown pushes his golden locks down against his scalp in a very undignified, but comical manner. His eyes, however, challenge anyone and everyone in their icy blue stare. Opening a scroll, he speaks to the guard flanking his left, who raises a horn to his lips and blows. All murmuring stops. All motion stops. All eyes are trained upon the boy.

The prince clears his throat and begins to speak. 

"Today," he roars, sending his words across the the yard to the furthest pairs of ears. "Is a day of justice. Two women were caught conspiring against the crown, and one has betrayed my personal order to apprehend and detain an escaped prisoner-" at this, some murmuring goes throughout the crowd, but is quelled by another horn blast.