Jewel of his Heart

Chapter 12

With Sapphira now safe and happy in the bell tower Quasimodo began the gruelling task of proving her innocence to everyone in Paris. He wrote a pamphlet explaining everything then with the help of the Printing Press that Archdeacon Frollo kept hidden away inside the Cathedral he began making thousands of copies to distribute around the city. He worked long and hard into the evening before he left the Cathedral to seek help from Sapphira's friends in the Court of Miracles.

Like a shadow he crept in and out of the caravans but unfortunately he was caught by one of the guards.

"Intruder! Intruder" the man cried out and the next thing Quasimodo knew he was being grabbed by multiple hands and being led towards the Meeting Halll.

XXX

Inside the Meeting Hall, Esmeralda, Pierre and Clopin were sitting together, in silence thinking about Sapphira, missing her very much and trying to think of a plan that would bring her home but so far they couldn't think of anything. Suddenly they heard a commotion at the entrance, Clopin rose from his seat and went to investigate. He was greeted by the sight of his comrades dragging the Hunchback towards him.

"He was sneaking by the camp" said one of the men.

"Alright back! He helped Sapphira" exclaimed Clopin as he motioned for them to leave.

Quasimodo approached him.

"You are the speaker?" he asked.

"Oh no, no him" replied Clopin as he motioned towards Pierre, who had just come up behind him.

"No I am the speaker" he said as Quasimodo approached him.

Esmeralda was by Pierre's side.

"How is she?" she asked Quasimodo

"She's fine. She asks for you both" he replied.

Quasimodo held out the copies of the pamphlet he was carrying with him to Pierre.

"What's this?" he asked as he took them from Quasimodo.

"Pardon. People of Paris. Quick please" he said. Pierre unrolled one of the pieces of parchment and read some of it out loud.

"Parisians day after day innocent people disappear. Some die on the gallows, others are buried alive in dungeons" Pierre reading the first paragraph of the parchment out loud.

"Yes" said Quasimodo softly.

"You wrote this?" asked Pierre

"I-I" said Quasimodo as he motioned to himself.

Clopin waved his hand over Quasimodo's face to get his attention.

"Is there nothing we can get you?" he asked.

Quasimodo shook his head and was about to depart their company when he felt his arm being touched, he turned he saw Esmeralda grasping his arm with both hands.

"Please, tell my sister we love her and pray she will come home to us soon" she asked desperately as a few tears fell from her eyes.

"I will" said Quasimodo as he touched her hand in reassurance.

"Thank you" Esmeralda sniffled.

Pierre took her in his arms to comfort her as she cried and Quasimodo departed from their company to return to the Cathedral.

"Your Highness, hope" said Pierre as he held up the parchment in his free hand feeling as though their prayers have been answered.

Clopin assembled everyone in the Court and instrucked them all to hand every pamphlet out anywhere they could and thus the crusade for Sapphira's freedom began