Caught
A Fairy-Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
By James Menaker
For Essie Menaker
(Happy Birthday!)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Page 19
Without hesitation the princess
raced towards the river to help the outnumbered knight. Sir Diego
knocked the heads of two bandits together, knocking them out, but he
did not see the third man sneaking up behind him, knife drawn to
strike.
The fairy shot towards the
attacker like a glistening arrow, knowing she had not a moment to
lose. The goon raised his weapon and then crumpled to the ground,
howling in pain. Sir Diego turned around in time to see the knife
fall out of his enemy's hand. There was no sign of the princess.
“Oh, be quiet,” he growled
at the man on the ground, “You will be fine.” The howls turned
into whimpers as the man put his red, throbbing thumb into his mouth.
“Your highness?” the knight called out.
“Come on, sir knight!”
Princess Esperanza was already on her way up the road towards the
village. The billowing smoke was growing larger and darker by the
minute.
The pair raced towards the
village, unsure of what waited for them. Perhaps a band of
brigands...or a mighty dragon...or a fire golem...or simply a
wildfire that was sweeping across the buildings. They rounded the
corner and came to a screeching halt, mouths agape.
“Suprise!!!”
The entire village was gathered
together in the square, surrounding a large fire pit with a pig on
the spit. It just so happened to be Sir Diego's birthday and the
entire community had turned out to celebrate.
“What about the brigands that
attacked us?” the baffled princess asked.
The mayor, in tears over his
great joke, patted the knight on the back. “Visiting merchants who
agreed to put on a show. I never thought it would work this well,”
the three attackers were staggering into the village, nursing their
wounds. “Looks like I owe these fine fellows an extra bonus after
the thumping you gave them. Worth every penny,” he chuckled as he
went to see his accomplices.
The knight shook his head in
disbelief. “Allow me to show you my home, milady.” It was the
best birthday he ever had.
Page 18
“This is rediculous...I'm not
singing anymore. I'm royalty, after all.” Esperanza crossed her
arms.
The knight looked up at her with
alarm, “But the boat said...” She shook her head.
“FINISH THE SONG,” bellowed
the vessel's head.
Essie shook her head one more
time.
“THE SONG!”
“Figures...” Sir Diego
mumbled as he pinched his nose. The boat rocked back and forth until
it flipped upside down.
The princess flew to the shore,
feeling a little sheepish that her actions resulted in the knight
getting soaked. “Rediculous mystical piece of junk,” she
muttered as she saw it floating back downstream. “Now where has
that big person gone?”
The big person in question was
just emerging from the river on the opposite shore. “Thank you,
milady,” he called out, “Thank you for the lovely swim on this
scorching summer's day.” He sneezed, violently. “I do believe I
will head home now before I run across any other wizards or fairies
or magical boats or cages...I need a nap.”
Princess Esperanza watched the
knight trudge away, talking to himself the whole way. She smiled to
herself and turned towards the setting sun. Getting home would be a
3 day journey, but after today's adventure she had no doubts that she
would get there. And probably have some more stories to tell.
Page 17
The princess had a difficult
time continuing their song. She kept giggling at the knight's “Tra
La La's.” Sir Diego had gotten so into the song that he was now
standing in the middle of the boat with one hand extended to the
shore and the other pressed against his heart. He continued his
melody for a solid 5 minutes after they had reached the dock.
“A fine song,” the seahorse
proclaimed. “Your fare has been paid in full.” With that the
vessel departed the shore and returned downstream.
“Well, milady,” Sir Diego
said as he turned to face the fairy,
“What do you recommend we do
now after our successful escape?”
“I think...” The princess
cut off as a wave of shrieks fell upon the pair. The adventurers
were surrounded by armed creatures of every kind: centaurs, wolves,
eagles, minotaurs, pixies...even fairies. Spears, swords, teeth and
claws were pointed threateningly as the circle closed in.
“Hello, my friends. Has it
been so long that you have forgotten me?” The knight spoke clearly,
looking each creature in the eye.
A griffon was the first to
speak. “It is the Liberator! The knight who battled the mage to win
our freedom! Stand down, every one!” Weapons were sheathed,
smiles replaced snarls and stories were exchanged. The princess and
knight were hailed as heros and treated to an extravagent
feast...highlighted by Sir Diego's singing.
“Tra Laa Laaaaaa...”
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