The Four Tales Read online

  “I’ve known you since you were a boy, King – I mean, sir. You might recall our many escapades together? You were running amuck through the castle halls, and I was helping your governess find you. It comes to mind with, rather, longstanding frequency.”

  The beast smiled, and at once, felt his fangs pressing against his lips. Running a hand over his mouth, he forced the grin away and nodded.

  “I might remember such a thing.”

  “Then, sir, you know I know this you will be temporary. No matter what, you’re my king.”

  Nodding, the beast turned back to the mirror. “It’s been almost a hundred years, Buford. I don’t know if I would call such a time ‘temporary’, would you?”

  “Perhaps, you have something left to learn?”

  “I seem to be failing, Buford. More people are dying. They have something the townspeople call ‘the sickness’. There’s a good chance it’s my fault too.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, sir.”

  “Buford, you have unwavering faith in someone who has destroyed his kingdom for almost a century.”

  “I have faith in the little boy who sat by his mother’s side every day before she died, sir. I have faith in the little boy who saved a little girl from her father’s abuse. I have faith in the little boy who took my hand and asked me to go fishing with him from the age of three till age seven.”

  The beast felt his eyes prick and water fill them. Blinking, he ignored the feel and the picture of the little boy Buford conjured. Folding his hands together in his lap, he inhaled before answering.

  “You seem to have forgotten about the boy who wanted to go to war and collect all the Second Kingdom’s power for himself.”

  “No, sir. I haven’t forgotten. However, I do recall what prompted the reaction in the first place.”

  “I don’t,” the beast said.

  “You might want to start there, then, sir. If you can determine the cause of all of this, you might just remember the solution as well.”

  Beast nodded and fell silent.

  “Would like supper served, sir?” Buford asked again.

  “Yes, please,” the beast told him. Before the door clicked shut, he whispered, “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, sir,” Buford, the ever-alert butler, told him as he closed the door.

  His gaze on the mirror, the beast observed the girl’s hugging again. He wondered what it would be like to have such a close friendship with someone. Watching as Roz walked down the road and further away from him, Beast sat back to contemplate his future.

  6

  “What’s going on Roz?” her father asked as he set his coffee cup on the table.

  She shrugged and turned to plate their eggs. Leuthar had stayed away from her the previous evening and hadn’t come home until the early morning hours. Unsure if she’d have another episode confronting his anger, she’d kept to her room most of the night.

  “Roz?” her father’s voice broke her reverie.

  “It’s fine, dad. How are the crops growing?”

  “You’re evading, and I’ll let it happen for now, but I will come back to my question. The crops aren’t succeeding. The carrots, squash, and surprisingly, the Brussel sprouts are hanging in there, but the parsnips and leeks aren’t developing well.”

  “What does it mean? Will we have enough to share with the community if they won’t grow?”

  “I don’t know, sweetie. At this point, I’ve discussed it with the council, and they’re hoping we can pull through as many end of summer plants as possible. We’ll be heading to the field with the cabbage, broccoli, turnips, beets, peas, collards, scallions, endive, and cauliflower day after tomorrow.”

  “Are the rotating fields working? Do you think you’ll find more in the second field than the first?”

  “I want to say yes,” he told her and took a sip of coffee, “but I don’t know. Our chicory supplies for the coffee really struggled this spring. We have a sustainable amount for everyone, but no one will find extra in the pantry depot. It was handed out evenly among every family, and when it’s used, it’s gone.”

  “Dad, I didn’t realize it was so bad. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “I hoped the summer crops would pick up, and I expected that by continuing to use the rotating fields we’d find one more durable than another. It isn’t working out the way I’d anticipated. We’re going to plant the end of summer vegetables next month, and the whole team is praying they will succeed.”

  “What does the council say?” Roz took a seat across from him and tucked her left arm to her side.

  It was sore after a night’s rest, and she was keeping it close. She watched instead of participating at practice, and Leuthar hadn’t shown up at all. Trying to keep it from her father was a bit difficult because he kept looking at it, and she had a feeling Captain Ralph had told him.

  “They’re calling for a meeting tomorrow night with the whole town. Captain Ralph feels the people need to know where we stand, and why we need to go through with the plan he and the other captains came up with ten years ago.”

  “You mean, storming the castle?”

  “Yes, I think they’re uncertain themselves with the strategy they’ve established. It’s been a long time in the development phase, and no one’s seen or heard the beast in years. Your grandfather was the last to catch a glimpse, and many are skeptical.”

  “Do you think they’ll put a stop to it? Will parents pull their kids out?”

  “I don’t know. Captain Ralph is concerned they’re losing faith in the plan because it’s taken years to build and bring together.”

  “We couldn’t rush into it! No one was prepared! He’s making us an army. That takes time, dad.”

  Her father raised his hands, palms out, and shrugged. “I’m not discounting their plan. We walked through the pros and cons years ago. Captain Ralph told us building a fighting army who could take out the beast and break the curse would take time. Families are getting more scared.”

  “Because of the sickness?”

  “Certainly, that is a large part of their worry. They want to know there’s going to be answers and a solution at the end of this. Many don’t want to lose their children either. I don’t.” He reached out and took her hand.

  “We knew there would have to be sacrifices, dad. Is it too far off in assuming all of the parents agreed to this proposal when it was first introduced?”

  “No, it’s not. We’ve heard the story of the beast’s reign and how it affected the entire kingdom. There’s no access to any other country beyond our own. We have no communication with the Second Kingdom, and we don’t even know if they’re an actual kingdom. At the time, everyone wanted to have the opportunity to change this world.”

  “Do you disbelieve the stories? We’ve never really talked about it. I just supposed you did think they were true.”

  “I do believe it. The story hasn’t changed throughout the years. We’ve been told the beast took control of our last army and attempted to send them to war with the Second Kingdom. He’s been seen in passing several times throughout the years and knowing your mother’s father saw him was enough validation for me.”

  “At the end of the day, do you think the captain’s plan is worthwhile?” Roz wanted to know. She hadn’t ever asked him before but assumed he did agree with it. Now, it was important for her to verify what he felt.

  “We’ve tried living in peace. We’ve tried sneaking into the castle before only to have people come back with tales of murder or disappearance. There are too many memories and stories to recount. With our food sources dwindling and the sun seeming to get blacker, we have to take the next step, and yes, I agree with Captain Ralph.”

  “It’s nice to know you’re behind me on this. I believe it’s worth a try, and I hope we triumph, but I’m scared we won’t.”

  “We all are, Roz. This avenue has to be taken for us to even find out if it will work. If it does, then we’ll have something to celeb
rate.”

  “What if it doesn’t? What if this is our life?”

  “I can’t accept that,” he said and shook his head.

  “Dad, what will we do if it is?” Roz knew he understood her.

  Lifting his eyes, he took a deep breath before he dropped his head into his hands. “I can’t think about it yet, Roz. We have to try this. I’ll deal with reality once we’ve gotten past Friday night.”

  “Okay,” she nodded.

  “Tell me about yesterday,” he instructed and folded his hands on the table.

  “It was a typical day. Why? Anything unusual happen to you?”

  “Roz, don’t evade the question. I want to know what happened at training.”

  She shrugged and pulled her left arm closer to her stomach. Not wanting to get into it, she tried to avoid the absolute truth.

  “We had a great session. Leuthar bested me. He’s got a lot of potential when he focuses.”

  “Roz?” his tone was hard.

  Ducking her head, she took a deep breath. “Leuthar pinned me to the mat.”

  “What else?”

  “You obviously know. Why are you making me tell you?”

  “Captain Ralph is concerned Leuthar has caught the sickness.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him Leuthar has always been angry since your mother passed. He indicated it wasn’t typical frustration but real anger. He’s worried for you and for Leuthar.”

  “It was nothing,” Roz lied.

  Shaking his head, her father extended his hand. Placing hers within his, he squeezed it and sighed.

  “I know you want to protect your brother, Roz. I do too. However, if he’s gotten to the point where others can recognize a change, then we’re going to have to admit the truth to ourselves.”

  “Dad,” Roz interrupted, “he’s just angry. It’s just frustration. He’ll be fine. Can we wait until after Friday to talk more about this?”

  “We can’t save him, Roz. You have to accept –”

  “I don’t have to accept anything!” She yanked her hand out of his. “Friday, just give me until after our mission to bring this up. Please, dad. We could break the curse and save him.”

  “He could kill you, Roz. I’m not so concerned for myself, but for you, I’m very afraid. He’s always been hostile toward you regarding your mother’s death, and if he has the sickness, he’ll become more and more unpredictable. You know how this goes.”

  “Nina’s parents stopped eating. They’re living in a cage, and I can’t do that to Leuthar.”

  “Roz, this isn’t your fault. We have to keep everyone safe.”

  “True, but it isn’t his fault either. It might not be the fault of any of them. Please, can we just wait to have this conversation after Friday?”

  “Friday won’t change what will need to happen in the end, Roz.”

  “Breaking the curse might cure him. There’s a chance the beast’s death could take care of all of these plagues! We have to try.”

  Sitting back, he crossed his arms. Shaking his head again, her father stared across the table at her. For a few seconds, he said nothing.

  “Dad, you told me you believe there is a beast.”

  “Your grandfather saw him about ten years ago, and there hasn’t been another sighting since.”

  “You told me you believed.”

  “Fine, Roz, maybe I do. However, even if it’s true and killing the beast breaks the spell, it might be too late for them.”

  “It’s Leuthar, dad. Nina’s parents, Captain Starsky’s wife, Captain Madison’s daughter, and so many others. We can’t let them die.”

  “The doctors are working on it, but they have limited means, and we can’t put all of our hope on the curse.”

  “We have to at least try. Nina keeps trying to get me to believe, and I don’t know what to do if I lose all of my hope. I’ve had so many negative days, I don’t know half the time what I believe. Today, for Leuthar, I’m trying really hard to trust we aren’t walking into a trap or a lie.”

  Getting up, her father pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to you, Roz. It’d be worse for me if it happened because I didn’t protect you from your own brother.”

  Snuggling under his chin and holding tight, Roz shook her head. “You don’t have to worry about me, dad. I’m a lot stronger than you think. After all, I’ve been practicing beating people up for a very long time.”

  Laughing, her father pressed her closer to his chest. “You have a point,” he gasped before releasing her.

  He kissed her forehead and smiled down at her. “Fine. Friday.”

  “Thanks, dad,” she said and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

  Resettling on her feet, she asked, “Do you think we should eat our cold eggs now?”

  “I forgot all about them. I’d hoped Leuthar would come home and join us, but he appears to be staying out again.”

  Taking a bite, Roz nodded.

  “I’m going to go out to look for him. If he has the sickness, and it’s getting worse, I want to know who he’s with and where he’s going.”

  “Good idea,” Roz agreed.

  They finished their food in silence, and as Roz stood from the table to collect the dirty dishes, Leuthar walked in the front door.

  “Son! I was about to send out a search party. You’ve been disappearing from home lately. How are you?”

  Roz appreciated her father’s attempt at normal. His tone was even, and they both struggled not to stare and detect anything untoward.

  “I was with friends,” Lauthar growled.

  “Good! I’m glad to hear you’re having some enjoyment. How’re things at the armory? Does the gunsmith believe he’ll have enough working weapons for us to take on Friday?”

  “Yes,” Leuthar replied.

  Jamming his bag on a hook, he went to the sink to wash up. Roz and her father exchanged a look before turning back to cleaning up.

  “There’s eggs, if you want some. They’re probably cold, but I can reheat them,” Roz offered.

  “I can do it myself,” her brother snarled while drying his hands and shifting his stance.

  Roz stepped back and allowed him access to the countertop. She replaced the cups she’d collected back on the table. Their father stepped up beside her and angled his body between her and Leuthar.

  “Son, how about I make you some fresh eggs?”

  “I’ve got it,” Leuthar muttered.

  “Okay,” he said, and backed away from his son, pulling Roz with him. “We’ll be in the living room if you need us.”

  Once they’d exited the kitchen, her father bypassed the living room and took her into his study. A room not often used, Roz took the seat her father indicated across from a large desk. He took the other seat by her side.

  “Roz, I don’t know if we can wait until Friday. This isn’t a mood swing. He’s becoming openly hostile.”

  “Dad, it isn’t his fault. We made a deal. Please wait until after the mission.”

  “What if something happens while all of you are on this mission? I won’t be responsible for others dying if he loses his capacity to maintain his anger.”

  “He won’t. I’ll be with him, and I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  Sighing, he shook his head. “That doesn’t comfort me Roz. He could turn on you. You’re putting yourself and others in danger.”

  Stung by his accusation, Roz jerked backward. “I would never do that! He’s fine. Leuthar is fine. He went to hang out with friends. Wouldn’t they have said something by now if they noticed a change in his behavior?”

  Considering her words, he gave a reluctant nod. “Yes, they would be the first to report it.”

  “Exactly,” she agreed. “Also, the armory would have said something. Maybe this mission is making him tense. Maybe it’s stressing him out, and the stress is causing some frustration and anger. That’s normal.”

  �
��You could be right, Roz. What if you aren’t? He pinned you down in class.”

  “He was supposed to,” she argued. “It’s what we’re trained to do.”

  “So, you’re saying he used a little more force than necessary because he was happy to finally pin his little sister, who normally takes him down? Roz, isn’t your explanation stretching things a bit?”

  “I know what I’m talking about, dad. Even you said it, he’s been upset at me because of mom’s death. You know he thinks she died because I wasn’t here to take care of her. From his perspective, I left her to die by herself.”

  “Instead, she passed, and you came to get me.”

  “It doesn’t look that way to him since he came home to find me gone and her dead. He’s never accepted my explanation.”

  Her father shifted and crossed his arms. Gazing across the room, he watched the dim light out the window. Rubbing the bottom of his chin, he sighed and shook his head.

  “We should have seen this coming. Didn’t he worry about you poisoning her food?”

  “Yes. After she died, he blamed me for leaving her. Months later he started asking if I fed her food which killed her. He didn’t seem to understand it had nothing to do with me.”

  “So, he could have the sickness. It could have started showing itself two years ago?”

  “Dad, keep your voice down. He was just upset.”

  “Roz, enough! You know the sickness begins with unexplained, uncontrollable anger, hallucinations, and altered realities. We can’t let him go.”

  “Dad –”

  “No, Roz. Tomorrow I’m talking to the council and telling them our suspicions. We have to do what’s right by everyone. Your brother shouldn’t go on this mission.”

  Roz nodded. “Okay. I get it. I just can’t understand why no one has found the root cause of what’s happening to our people. Why is this happening?”

  “There has been discussion that it could be something we’re eating now. They haven’t figured out what it is because our resources are very limited. We don’t seem to have the books we need.”

  “Could the castle have what we need?”

  “It’s possible. The council are sure it could help us figure out a cure even if we can’t find the beast there. If we can find a library, we might strike gold, so to speak.”