Jewel of his Heart

Chapter 15

After spending the night in a jail cell again Sapphira was once again being carted towards the gallows. This time in the Squaee there were twice as many Royal Guards surrounding the area to ensure that the previous days events would not occur a second time. The moment the cart had stopped she dragged up the steps and positioned below the hangman's noose.

The man in the dark brown cloak stepped forward to address the crowd.

"Let it be known that this woman..." before he could continue with his speech Sapphira made a bold move and spat in the man's eye, making the crowd laugh.

XXX

On the other side of the square Captain Phoebus came galloping on his horse and instead of dismounting the moment he reached the Royal Box he rode his horse all the way up the stairs. The King rose from his chair to see what the commotion was and saw Captain Phoebus approach him.

"What's this?" he asked in confusion

"The beggars are going to attack the Palace, hundreds of them are rioting!" said Captain Phoebus as he sat upon his horse.

The King was speechless, he slowly made his way towards the balcony to look out onto the crowds of people in the Square and soon he heard people chanting from afar.

"People are actually rioting for this woman?" he asked rhetorically.

The chanting grew louder.

"Sa-pphira! Sa-pphira! Sa-pphira"

A large crowd of beggars entered the square carrying pieces of parchment in their hands and started handing them out to every citizen they passed. A second group led by Gringoire and Esmeralda were marching towards the gallows.

"Free the innocent! Follow us! CHARGE!" exclaimed Pierre as he and Esmeralda ran towards the gallows followed by men and women carrying clubs and other weapons.

They both ran to the top, freed Sapphira from the noose then stood before the crowd in triumph and were greeted by applause and cheering from everyone. A high pitched whistle had soon silenced the crowd and they all turned to see Clopin standing on top of the Royal Carriage.

"I SUMMON YOU LOUIE THE 12TH TO GIVE UP THE GYPSY GIRL! THE CITIZENS OF PARIS HAVE COME TO SAVE HER! FROM THE NOBLES WHO WANT TO HANG HER!" he exclaimed addressing the King.

The events unravelling had left His Majesty dazed and confused for a moment as he looked at the King of the Gypsies.

"What is all this about? Who are you?" he asked, completely disregarding what Clopin had said.

"I AM CLOPIN! KING OF PARIS!" Clopin replied triumphantly as he knocked on the metal plate on his chest.

The crowd cheered until Pierre spoke up:

"SIRE?! Sire, My Lord?!" he exclaimed as he held Esmeralda and Sapphira close to him.

"And who are you?!" demanded the King.

"Sire, the gypsy girl is innocent!" replied Pierre as he held the two women closer to him.

"If she is innocent. Then who is the real murderer?" asked the King, unsure whether to believe Pierre.

"PARIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS?!" exclaimed a voice from above.

Everyone turned towards Notre Dame and were shocked to see Quasimodo holding Frollo over the edge of the Cathedral balcony as if he intended to drop him.

XXX

Whilst everyone watch in suspense Quasimodo turned his attention back to Frollo.

"Say it!" his whispered in a threatening manner but Frollo wouldn't give in.