The Tale of Mlle. de Chante!
My first impulse was to scream. I held back the urge. I heard the
sound of metal cutting through the air, and I dodged a swipe from my
unknown attacker. I reached into the folds of my cloak and pulled out
my own sword. I blocked the next lunge, and ran into the light so I
could see who had assaulted me.
As soon as I had reached the pool of light under the streetlight, I
turned. No one was there. I looked around wildly, and ran to where I
was to meet Lady Eliza Hastings. After telling her what had happened,
she instructed me to where I was to meet with her husband.
"Always be
alert. Watch your back," she warned.
"I will."
I crept throught the dark alleyways, sword drawn. I was beginning to
remember what swordfighting my father had taught me. I tip-toed along,
trying not to make a sound, stopping every so often to listen.
Suddenly, I heard the quiet thud of boots on the pavement. I stopped
and held my sword with both hands, ready to fight.
"Leontine," someone
whispered. I didn't answer.
"Leontine, it's me...Hastings"
"Hastings? Step out into the light"
Hastings stepped into the light as instructed, just enough to proved it
was him.
"Don't scare me like that again!" I said, smiling. "I have
to tell you something. I was attacked."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. There was a child..."
"A child...I knew he had children...where is the little thing?"
"I--oh no!"
"What?"
"Follow me!" I ran back to the alley where I had been attacked. We
searched every where for him, but the boy was not there.
"Mairde!" I
muttered to myself. "We have to find him."
"Yes, he's Monsieur Arnaud's son."
"Monsieur Arnaud?"
"He's who we're trying to save. He is to be executed tomorrow morning
along with any family members found."
"The poor boy..."
"Come, we have no time to loose!"
~*
"This is where they're keeping him?"
Hastings nodded. "Are you capable with that sword?"
"I wouldn't have it if I wasn't"
"Good, you're probably going to need it."
I gulped and followed him around the building. He stopped and listened.
"There," he said pointing to a metal gate.
"How can you tell?"
"I can hear the boy crying"
I listened closely and sure enough, I could
hear his sobs.
"Leontine,"
Someone touched my shoulder, and I jumped. Lady Eliza was
standing behind me.
"sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"It's alright"
"Darling, you made it. They're keeping Monsieur Arnaud in there."
Hastings hugged his wife, and guestured to the gate.
"how many guards?" she asked.
"Looks like three or four" I said. i thought for a moment. "I have an
idea."
~*
I walked toward the nearest guard. "bonsoir, monsieur." I said, letting
a bit of my dress slip over my shoulder.
"Bonsoir, madamoiselle," he replied, "what might a pretty thing like you
be doing out alone at this time of night?"
I teased him, creating a diversion. Behind my back, I motioned for
Hastings and Lady Eliza to move in. I put my arms around the guard's
waist, and slipped his keys out of his pocket. "It is getting rather
late, I must be on my way," I said, slipping away.
The guard looked
confused. He turned to converse with another guard, standing nearby.
I slipped
around the other side of the building to meet up with Hastings and Lady
Eliza.
"I got the keys, The guard inside is asleep, so we shouldn't
have much trouble getting Monsieur Arnaud and his son out of there."
"Good work, Leontine," Hastings replied, "let's go"
I led the way. We snuck into the "prison", and found where Monsieur
Arnaud was being held. "We're here to help. Are you alright?" I said.
"We're fine. Louis is a little shaken, but he'll be fine once we get
out of here." Monsieur Arnaud replied.
"I got it." Lady Eliza turned the key in the lock, and opened the door.
She carried Louis out, and Hastings and I helped Monsieur Arnaud out.
"There is a carriage waiting to take you to the boat. You'll be safe in
England." I said.
"Leontine! Look out!" cried Lady Eliza.
The blade of a sword nearly caught my arm. I drew my sword, and whirled
around. Two of the guard were there, swords drawn, ready for action.
They lunged at the same time, and I met their swords with mine.
"Run!"
I yelled, and blocked another thrust.
I tried to hold them off, but I was no match for the two guards. I saw
someone sneak up behind them. I couldn't make out who it was. The tall
figure hit both of the guards in the back of the head, and they fell,
unconcious. The figure stepped into the light.
"Percy!" I said.
"Thank God you---"
"No time for that now. We must get to the carriage!"
We ran of into the night.
~*
When we were safely on our way to England, I hugged Percy.
"Merci monsieur!"
"Well now, what's this all about?"
"for saving me."
"That seems to be my job, Madamoiselle," He said, smiling.
"Marguerite is a lucky lady. A lucky lady, indeed!"