The Bandits

Walter stood watching the bustling bandit camp. He had come across the river to their camp, and since he had friends among them, he stayed. He listened idly to the gossip and watched a card game. Suddenly he heard the name, ‘Lord Garth’ and began to pay attention to what was being said. Walter wanted to know what the King’s counselor was up to in the abandoned castle. Listening he heard a man saying, “I heard that Lord Garth told everyone that the Princess was with her father at King Darren’s. But I was talking to the guard there, and he said that none of them was there. Mighty strange, if you ask me.”

Here Walter broke in, “Did you say the Princess is missing?” he asked quickly.

The bandit eyed him and said, “Why sure, but that don’t affect me at all.”

Here the bandits’ leader spoke, “Why do you ask?” he inquired with interest.

Walter told him about his experience in the abandoned castle. He told him that now, he suspected that the girl was the missing Princess.

“I see. If I had some money, I’d go get her, since I’m a loyal subject of the King,” he said fervently.

“I’m thinking about going back, myself,” Walter said, “I know the castle well. I think that if you didn’t mind the risk, it would be relatively easy to climb the tower up to the Princess’s cell window. I’m pretty good at climbing, and maybe I’ll try it.”

* * * * *

The fiddler played buoyantly, and the men playing cards laughed joyously. Though the night was gloomy, the people of the inn were certainly not.

A carriage drew up outside. The driver dismounted and opened the door. Outstepped a gentleman. He turned and helped a lady out of the carriage.

“Are you sure you wish to spend the night here?” he asked quietly.

“Yes,” she spoke firmly, “I cannot ride on any longer. We can continue tomorrow.”

“Of course, Lady Grace, if you wish,” the gentleman replied.

“It was kind of you, Sir Francis, to accompany me,” Lady Grace said.

“I could do nothing else. This is not a time for a young lady to travel alone.” answered the gentleman.

“It was still kind of you to help me search for my brother,” she said, with a sad smile.

“Your brother was also my friend. I hope that we find him, milady,” Sir Francis said.

“I will search until I find him. I cannot understand why he would run away. Adara was found, Lord Garth told me so. She is with Prince Kylos and King Raymond at King Darren’s palace. Normally she would not accompany them on affairs of business, but she gave them quite a scare,” Lady Grace said, “If I could find him, I would tell him so.”

The two entered the inn. The innkeeper hurried over.

“May I help you?” he asked politely.

“Yes, a room for the lady, and one for myself,” said Sir Francis.

“Of course! Right this way!” the innkeeper led them away.

Two men were watching from the corner of room. When the innkeeper returned, one sauntered over.

“Say, did they pay for the rooms in advance?” he asked casually.

“Yes.” The innkeeper held up a gold piece.

“I see, thanks.” The man went to the door.

Tossing down a coin for the drinks, the other left also. Outside, he hurried into the forest. The first man greeted him.

“Did you see that coin?” asked the first man.

“Sure, gold, wasn’t it, Trenton?” replied the second.

“Yup, solid gold. Say, those two must be loaded with money. Gold is a might bit heavy, perhaps we might relief them of a bit, eh, Jake?” said the first man.

The man called Jake grinned, “Sure, just what I was thinking. We should go and tell Penter about this.”

The two disappeared. Soon they arrived at a bandit camp. Entering a hut, they beheld a man lying asleep on a cot.

“Hey, Penter, we got news!” called Trenton.

The man on the cot stirred. He opened his eyes and yawned. “What is it?” he said, drowsily.

“There’s a rich lady and gentleman at the inn.”

Penter closed his eyes. “You woke me up to tell me that?” he asked lazily.

“They paid in gold.” Said Trenton.

“Gold!” suddenly Penter was awake, “Real gold?”

“Yes, I saw it myself.” Replied Trenton.

“When will they leave the inn?” asked Penter.

“At dawn, most likely. They seemed to be in a hurry.” Answered Trenton.

“Well, they will have to stop in their journey to help a fellow man,” said Penter, with a grin.

* * * * *

Lady Grace and Sir Francis rose before dawn. After they breakfasted, they set out. Down the lonely road they went. Just when they reached a lonely spot on the road, a rider rode out of the shadow of the trees.

“Halt!” he ordered. He held a pistol.

The driver pulled up. Sir Francis put his head out of the carriage window.

“Driver, why have we stopped?” he inquired. Then he saw the man. Quickly he drew his head into the carriage.

“What is it?” asked Lady Grace.

“There is a man out there with a pistol,” Sir Francis informed her.

She drew in her breath sharply. “What does he want?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll ask,” said Sir Francis, but before he could do so, the man spoke again.

“Get out of the carriage, and don’t try anything funny,” he instructed.

Sir Francis obeyed, then he helped Lady Grace out of the carriage.

“Now then, all your money,” demanded the man.

Lady Grace looked at him. She studied him from head to toe. Then she spoke, “Gladly, you seem to be in need of it,” she said softly.

The man looked at her, startled.

“What do you mean?” he queried.

“Your clothing is ragged, and you seem poor,” she replied, “I would gladly give you all my money, but I need some. You see, I am looking for my brother who has gone missing. I need money so that I can look for him.”

The man stood looking at her.

“Then, you feel sorry for me, a bandit?” he asked, astounded, “And I just tried to rob you?”

“Yes. You may have half the money I have with me. I only ask you to reconsider, and restart in life. You can’t always have been a thief,” Lady Grace said kindly.

She opened her purse and emptied half the contents into her palm. She held it out to the bandit. He took it and stood looking at it. Then he glanced up at her.

“Can’t say enough,” he said gruffly, “But thank you. You are the kindest lady I have ever met.”

“You are welcome. If you ever need anything, come to the DeWitt castle, and I will gladly aid you,” she replied.

“Your brother, what does he look like?” asked the bandit, or Penter, as he was introduced to you.

Lady Grace quickly described Sir Adrian. The bandit stood listening. Then he spoke, “I met a man like that, but he had a beard. He could be your brother though. He was going as part of the crew on the Fairy Princess. He called himself Barlow.”

“Barlow! That is my brother’s middle name. Where did you meet him?” asked Lady Grace.

“In the fishing village of Kiderden. They were to leave that evening,” explained Penter.

“Kiderden, is it far from here?” inquired Lady Grace.

“A day’s journey.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Lady Grace.

“You are welcome, I only hope that he is your brother,” replied the bandit. He turned his horse and rode away. The two stood watching him leave. Then Sir Francis turned to her, “Lady Grace, you are truly a gem. You just gave a bandit half your purse and your best wishes.”

“Ah, not so much a sacrifice. He would have taken all my money. He also gave a clue as to where Adrian could be. I sincerely hope that he will take my advice and turn over a new leaf.”

The two climbed back into the carriage and drove off.

* * * * *

In the village of Rathin, the courtyard was crowded. The people were shouting and waving their fists. Gallows stood in the courtyard, and a man stood, his neck in the noose. The drums began to roll. An official stood, overlooking the rabble.

“This man, Charles Murton, of been accused of robbing the coach that carried the payroll for the soldiers. He will now hang,” the official announced, “If you have nothing to say for this man, you may forever hold your peace.”

The people of the crowd watched as a man wrapped in a cloak, pushed through the throng. He mounted the platform.

“I have something to say,” he said, in a gruff voice, “It was not this man who robbed the coach…it was I.” He threw back the cloak, revealing his face.

“Hey! It’s the bandit, Penter!” shouted one of the crowd, “He’s wanted by the law!”

They swarmed about him. The noose was taken from about Charles Murton’s neck, and was placed around Penter’s. Charles Murton stood, looking astonished as the death sentence that had faced him, was removed. Then he realized that Penter was going to take his place. The man would die for him! Quickly he raised a hand and pointed.

“Look!” he shouted.

Everyone turned to look, and while everyone was distracted, Murton rapidly removed the noose from Penter, then they ran towards the gate, and out. Mounting their horses, they rode off. The guards mounted also and chased them. But the two men reached the safety of the forest just in time. Deep among the trees, they paused. Penter turned to Murton. He grasped his hand.

“Thank you,” The bandit said quietly.

“You’re welcome. Thank you also for saving me, with the probability that you would lose your life,” said Murton, “Here we must part. I wish you a pleasant journey. But you had better flee here. You will not be safe.”

“Aye. I shall flee for my life. Thank you for your service. I hope no one knows who freed me,” Penter said.

Then Charles Murton rode away. Penter stood in the dark forest, watching him disappear in the distance. The bandit’s hand went into his pocket and touched the gold pieces resting there. Because of Lady Grace, now Penter could do what he had planned; rescue the Princess from the abandoned castle. When Walter had told him about it, he decided to rescue her. Penter remembered what Walter had said. You could climb the tower to the Princess’s cell window. He would try that.

* * * * *

Lady Grace made inquiries in the village of Kiderden about a man called Barlow. One villager told her this, “He set sail in the Fairy Princess. The ship sank during a storm. There were no survivors. A passing ship found the wreckage. There were searches for any sign of survivors, and there were none. No one could have possibly survived.”

Lady Grace felt shocked. Adrian was all she had in the world. If he was dead…

End of Chapter Seven

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