Murdered!

Jewel, in the ballroom, was the center of attention. She was unusually quiet that evening, her friends noticed. Jewel was well known for her laugh; it was happy and carefree sounding, but this evening she didn’t laugh. She was absorbed in her thoughts; she knew that she must tell her father that she loved Sir Riley, but she was afraid to. Also, Prince Leos would be angry, he already didn’t like her to speak of any man besides himself. Finally, Jewel decided to tell her father in the morning.

The young Countess Meralynn stood near the Princess. She listened to the others talking, but her eyes kept straying towards the beautiful Slavinder gemstone necklace that Jewel was wearing. Why doesn’t my father get me one of those. She thought crossly. He has enough money. It wasn’t fair, just because Jewel is a princess means that she gets everything beautiful.Countess Meralynn grew more and more jealous. She wanted that necklace, and she was going to get it, no matter what.

In the corner of the ballroom, there was a person. He had sharp beady eyes, and they watched the princess. He saw her dismiss herself, saying she did not feel well. He smiled maliciously. Then he left also. Getting into a carriage, he drove away.

Jewel went to her room. She lay in bed, for a while, and then fell asleep, a smile on her lips.

The moonlight streamed through the window.

Suddenly a shadow fell across the room. The window slid open, a figure appeared and slipped into the room. It crept over to the bed. The figure was wearing a black cape and was masked. It stood looking down at the Princess. The figure leaned over, and then its black gloved hand drew something from its belt. Lifting it, the figure plunged it downwards.

Then, turning, the figure stepped over to the desk. It quickly wrote something on a paper. Stepping back to the window, the figure slipped through. The black cape caught on something, and the figure pulled it free. The window closed, and the figure climbed down the trellis, and into the garden. It disappeared down the path, the black cape fluttering behind.

* * * * *

The maid hurried down the corridor to the Princess’s room. She knocked, there was no answer. Quietly she opened the door, and stepped in, the Princess lay asleep on the bed. Suddenly the maid froze in horror, and then screamed! For the Princess had a dagger in her heart!

The maid turned and ran screaming towards the door. Prince Keven met her. “What is it, Elise?” he asked.

The maid pointed towards the bed. Prince Keven looked, and then stood staring. He turned and ran down the corridor. He burst into a room. King Ronald and his trusted councilor Lewin were in it.

“What is it, Keven?” asked the king, upon seeing Keven’s pale, horrified face.

“It is Jewel!” Cried Keven hoarsely, “She has a dagger in her heart!”

The King and Lewin stared at each other. They followed Keven back to Jewel’s room. King Ronald went over to the bed.

“Get Doctor Harrison!” he ordered.

Elise, who was still standing there, obeyed quickly.

King Ronald stood gazing down at his beautiful daughter. Keven dropped down beside the bed and touched her hand; it was ice cold.

“Jewel,” he muttered brokenly.

His head sank, and soon his sobs were heard. King Ronald laid his hand on Keven shoulder. Lewin stood watching the father and son who had lost one of the most precious things in the world.

He was turning to go, when he noticed the note on the desk. Stepping over, he picked it up. He drew in his breath sharply. The paper said, in bold clear print: ‘Revenge! – The Caped Avenger.’

“It ought to say, ’The Caped Villain!” Muttered Lewin, “Imagine, killing a beautiful young girl for revenge.”

Hearing a noise, he turned. It was Doctor Harrison.

“What is it?” the doctor asked.

Lewin motioned silently towards the bed. The doctor stepped over. He looked down. “The Princess!” he exclaimed, unbelievingly, “What happened?”

“We don’t know.” Lewin said quietly, “But whoever did it, left this note.” Lewin pointed towards the desk.

Doctor Harrison studied it. “Hmmm.” Was all he said.

Then he turned to the king. “I’m sorry, your majesty, but you will have to leave.”

The King nodded, as if in a daze. He touched Keven’s shoulder. The boy looked up. “We have to go break the news to your mother.” King Ronald said, quietly

Keven obeyed silently. Lewin watched them go, and then he turned to the doctor. “What a dreadful thing to happen.” He said.

The doctor nodded. Lewin left the room. Doctor Harrison went over to the bed. He stood looking down at the lovely girl. Never again would he hear her happy laugh. He bent over and picked up a pale, cold hand. Automatically he checked for a pulse. He dropped the hand, and then stopped. Quickly he picked it back up again. Yes, there was a heartbeat!

“I must be going crazy!” he muttered. There was a dagger in her heart, how could she be alive? Checking closer, he saw that, the dagger had missed her heart. The dagger had logged the wound. He pulled out the dagger. Blood began to seep through. Quickly the doctor plugged it. Then he leaned over and placed his ear over her heart. Sure enough, it was beating. It wasn’t strong, but it was there.

The doctor stepped into the hall, seeing a maid he called out, “Get Doctor Brownly, and hurry!”

The maid disappeared. Doctor Harrison stepped back into the room and began to get his supplies ready. A few moments later, Doctor Brownly arrived. Doctor Harrison hurried over. “You heard what happened?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Doctor Harrison motioned towards the bed. Doctor Brownly muttered an exclamation of horror.

“Thomas, I think I’m going crazy.”

Doctor Brownly looked at him, “Nonsense Frank.”

“John, I think that I heard a… a heartbeat!”

“Impossible!” exclaimed Doctor Brownly, “You can’t be stabbed in the heart, yet live!”

“Check for yourself.”

Brownly looked at him, and then stepped over to the bed. He felt for a pulse, and his eyebrows went up. He leaned over and placed his ear over her heart. Slowly he straightened. Turning to Doctor Harrison, he said, “I don’t believe it! She’s alive!”

He looked at Doctor Harrison, “Is it possible that we’re both imagining things?”

Doctor Harrison shook his head.

“Well, maybe we want her alive so much that we are?”

Doctor Harrison shook his head again. The two colleagues looked at each other. “But, how is she alive?” asked Doctor Brownly.

“I believe that the dagger missed her heart, and it also clogged the wound.”

“We must do all we can to save her.” Doctor Brownly said quietly.

They sent for Doctor Viroldo and for all the supplies they would need.

End of Chapter Two

(Hmmmmm…sometimes I wonder if this part of the story is medically accurate. My 14-year-old self didn't care, and I don't know if my present self cares either! :) You live and learn...and you'll never know everything.

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