Fourth Vector Ch. 39

It was now or never. Tavish pulled back his fist and launched it forward, catching the captain right in his jaw. The punch was completely unexpected and he stunned the captain at first while the other two looked to their leader to figure out the extent of the damage.

It gave Tavish the break he needed. He took off in a dead sprint for the door, his limp be damned. Chances were if the surprise punch came out of nowhere, he could at least make it to the street and attempt to hide before they caught him.

Unfortunately for Tavish, his punch made a lot of commotion within the center. Most of those around were already watching the interaction between him and the trio, and once the punch occurred, half the center was now paying attention.

"Stop that man! He's a traitor!"

Tavish was only feet from the door when he was tackled to the ground by two men at once. He did everything he could to escape their grasp, including trying to flip onto his back. He kneed one man in the nuts, using every bit of strength he could conjure but as that man pulled away, two more appeared to grab his shoulders.

Tavish used his teeth to sink into one of the hands that grabbed him, causing his owner to howl in pain. That was when he felt the next blow as a powerful fist crashed into his jaw.

The fight went out of Tavish quickly but the blows kept coming. He wasn't sure how long he was beaten until they pulled him to his feet but soon enough his hood was pulled back as the eyes of the entire room settled on him.

"It's him! That's Tavish!"

"Hang that traitor!"

"Fucking gut him right now. He betrayed Picardy!"

Tavish couldn't move. The man holding him from behind was easily double his size, and he didn't leave Tavish any openings.

He was completely at their mercy.

The captain walked in his direction, all the while nursing his jaw which had already started to form a sizeable bump. Behind him, the other two men followed.

"I knew I recognized you," spat the captain as he looked into Tavish's eyes. "You're Tavish, aren't you? You're the traitor!"

"I'm nobody!" howled Tavish. "I'm just a private, I told you!"

The captain slammed his fist into Tavish's stomach, taking the breath from his chest.

"Privates have nothing to fear from a few questions, Tavish," replied the captain when he was done. "And if you hope to disguise yourself from recognition next time, do more than just grow a beard."

"What do you want to do with him?" asked One Eye.

"I say we kill him right here and right now," said the man in the wheelchair. "He caused the death of so many Picards with his treachery. He deserves to die."

The captain appraised Tavish for several moments as he digested the question. Tavish found it hard to swallow as he awaited his possible fate. He could taste his own blood, the result of all the blows to his face, and at this moment, he wondered if he'd truly met his fate.

"It's not our decision to make," said the captain finally as his body language slackened. "As much as I would love to kill this piece of shit right now, I can't be the arbiter of justice here."

"What are you proposing?" asked One Eye.

"What are you going to do with me?" asked Tavish.

The captain looked back at him and sneered. "I'm going to take you to the King. He can decide your miserable fate."

*****

The journey from the disability center to the royal palace was a short one. Tavish was dragged the entire way, his hands and feet bound together by rope to prevent his escape. At first, he hoped to be moved through the streets without an audience but that wasn't to be.

His captives wanted everyone to know that they'd captured the traitor.

"We've captured Tavish! The traitor is finished! Come see the rogue colonel!"

The closer they got to the royal palace, the worse it got for Tavish. More people came to line the streets, all eager to catch a glimpse of him. Many threw whatever they had. At one point, he was hit by several turnips that were thrown at him. One nasty throw caught him just above the eye.

At one point, several widows who'd lost their husbands during the war approached him only to spit on him. One man cranked his foot back and kicked Tavish as hard as he could.

The abuse continued until they arrived at the palace. Tavish never thought he'd see the day when he was so happy to be back.

That good feeling only lasted for a moment. He was ready to sing another tune when he was deposited at the feet of King Aedan and King Jack.

"Your Majesty, we've captured the traitor formerly known as Colonel Tavish," informed the captain as he put his foot on Tavish's throat. "He was trying to hide amongst the disabled veterans but we were able to sniff him out. I brought him here so that justice could be dispensed against him."

King Aedan only managed to look briefly shocked. He looked down at Tavish with a bewildered expression.

"Colonel Tavish, what have you done?"

Tavish said nothing. It was only when the captain removed his boot from Tavish's throat that he managed to sit somewhat upright, looking back at both kings.

"Kill me then, don't stare at me," spat Tavish. "You have your man. Now put me out of my misery."

Death seemed like the only option that would get him out of this mess. Tavish could only hope for a quick death. The last thing he wanted was to be tortured.

"For a man who has forsaken his country, I'm inclined to grant your wish," said Aedan with a careless shrug. "The penalty for treason is death anyway. I can have you killed right now."

"Not just yet, if that's all right, Aedan," said King Jack as he appraised Tavish from afar. He then bent at the knees to bring him closer to Tavish.

Tavish didn't like the look that the Galician King was giving him. He remembered the man from his very first visit to Picardy, back when he was just a Javan commodore. Times have certainly changed in the last year and a half.

"I'm sure the fate for those that betray their countries is grisly indeed," said King Jack as he spoke a few inches from Tavish. "But your fate doesn't have to be so grim. In fact, if you can answer some questions about the Swabians, perhaps we can arrange a lighter sentence for you."

"Will you let me go?" asked Tavish in a rattled tone.

King Jack shook his head. "I don't see any scenario where you walk away a free man, Tavish. Not after all the harm that you've done. But if you help us and answer questions truthfully, we can make your death quick and swift. However, if you give us nothing of value in return, we can drag out your death to be as long as we need to make it. Days even."

"Weeks," added Aedan while giving him a punitive look.

"Weeks," corrected Jack. "So help us. Tell us what you know about the Swabians."

"I don't know anything. Nothing at all."

"You and I both know that's not true," said Jack. "Let's start with the force that was here on Picardy. Who commanded it?"

The question was simple enough and Tavish decided there was no downside in attempting to cooperate to secure a quick death.

"General Ferberg. He was Avila's right-hand man but now he's the Lord of Cormfeld."

Jack nodded. "Good, at least you're willing to tell me the truth. Tell me more about the army here on Picardy. I want to know the disposition of the Swabian forces. I want to know the exact date they left. I want to know numbers and anything else of value you can tell me. When I feel like you've told me everything, then we'll decide your fate."

Tavish didn't have many other options and he had no further reason to be loyal to the Swabians. So he did the only thing that made sense.

He sang.

Tavish told them everything that he knew. He gave every possible detail, down to the type of food the Swabian Army typically ate for breakfast and dinner. Most of it were things that he'd picked up from being in close proximity to Ferberg, and Tavish had the feeling that he'd surprised his interrogators by just how much he knew.

But like all stories, his too was destined to come to an end. There finally remained no more details to give and just over an hour after he started talking, he'd given them everything.

"Interesting," said Jack after he heard the whole thing. "Very interesting. What do you say, Aedan?"

"He certainly seems to have paid attention during his time with the Swabians, that's for sure."

"Such knowledge is valuable," said Jack. "Especially where we're going next."

At that point, Tavish realized he just might have an opportunity yet.

"I can still help you," he said, offering his services back to the country of his birth. "No one knows how the Swabians operate better than me. Wherever you're going next, I can guide your way. I can show you their weaknesses and where you can strike with the best chance of results."

Aedan's face darkened. "Just like you did for us? You'd tell us where they're weak just like the information you gave to Ferberg when you turned on your own country?"

Tavish stuttered for a lack of words.

"You've lost any chance of trust," said Jack quietly. "Your word, beyond what you've told us today, isn't good for anything. I don't doubt that the second we got you on Swabian soil that you wouldn't desert us and try to make your way to enemy lines once more."

"I'd never do that--" Tavish protested, although in the back of his mind, he still knew it to be a distinct possibility.

Jack raised his hand to silence him. "You're in no position to bargain for your life. Your use to us was the information you just gave us. Since you cooperated, I'm inclined to give you a merciful death but your fate is not mine to decide. Since you're a Picard, I'll let your king decide your fate."

Tavish looked over at Aedan as his lower lip began to tremble. Just maybe if he looked pathetic enough, the King would take pity on him.

Unfortunately, King Aedan had no pity left to spare.

"A quick death it will be," said Aedan resolutely. "A hanging at the gallows. May the gods see to it that your neck snaps quickly."

*****

The hanging was set for the next morning. Tavish spent the night inside the palace dungeon cursing his fate and his decision to cooperate with the Swabians. He remembered that at one time, he'd been a colonel in the Picard Army, and for those years of his life that he'd dedicated to his country, they'd been amongst the finest of his life.

If he was going to die now, he would do so with dignity.

He made only one request as he went to the gallows. Tavish wanted to wear the uniform of a Picard Army colonel one last time. If it truly was his time to die, then he would do so in the livery that he'd devoted most of his life toward.

The request was granted. Tavish put on his uniform shortly after dawn and was then led to the gallows, which was set a good distance away from the palace. A small crowd had gathered to witness his death, and many of the citizens of Daban jeered or hissed at seeing his appearance. Their opinion of him mattered little now.

In fact, nothing else really mattered to Tavish at all. Just the thought of leaving this cruel world that had so tortured him in the last two years.

The rope was securely fastened around his neck and he was led to the trap door. From there, he waited while the executioner got into position. The man soon announced his crimes to the crowd as Tavish looked out and made eye contact with those assembled in the front row.

He looked past King Aedan and King Jack before his eyes finally settled on the commander of the entire Picard Army, General Neil Fagan.

For the span of a few moments, his burning hatred knew no bounds. It was all the fault of Fagan that he was here in the first place. If Fagan hadn't been promoted above him, none of this would have happened. Perhaps Fagan would have been the one to leave? Perhaps their roles might have been switched?

Tavish never got the chance to finish that thought. The trap door beneath his feet opened and he dropped quickly into the space.

The gods were on his side at least. The rope jerked as he reached the bottom and his neck snapped, killing him instantly.

At least the torture of life was finally over.

*****

Michael Bainbridge was starving.

The entire morning had been spent without any food, rendering his stomach to a state of nearly constant growling. As the sun peaked around midday, he knew he would need to eat if he were to do anything else.

Not that his day was particularly strenuous. Michael spent most of the morning out on the palace grounds. There was an amazing grove of trees only about half a mile from the palace, and the branches of an old sycamore tree were perfect for climbing. That was often how he spent his free time on the palace grounds. He was used to not having any responsibilities and being out in the grove allowed him to get away from all the people that thought he was stupid.

Alas, he couldn't spend all day out there. At some point, he would need to come in, and that time was now. Michael made his way to the palace kitchens to grab whatever food wasn't good enough for Emperor Bancroft, which usually consisted of produce that wasn't at peak freshness.

"Michael, my boy, what are you doing here?"

Michael grinned at the sight of his favorite cook, Artemis. Of all the people in the palace, Artemis was one of his favorites. He was dark-skinned, even for a Javan, and he'd graced the kitchens ever since Michael was old enough to remember.

He also was one of a handful of people who knew that Michael wasn't really as stupid as he pretended to be.

"Just grabbing some food, Artemis," answered Michael as he appraised two different apples. "What looks better to you today? Honey crisp or red delicious?'

"Go for the honey, my young friend," replied Artemis. "They're a lot fresher, trust me."

"You've never let me down before, Artemis," said Michael as he took a bite from the honey crisp. "I don't expect you to start doing so now."

"I'd never, Michael, you know that," replied Artemis. "What have you been up to? By the smell of it, you've been down in the grove again."

"What else is a young man like myself to do on a day like today?" asked Michael. "After all, spring is here. I want to take advantage of the nice weather."

"Yes, but you should find a nice girl to spend that time with," advised Artemis. "Take her down to the grove and show her the magic of nature. I'm sure that would be a much better use of your time!"

Michael couldn't help but blush at the thought of bringing a girl to his favorite spot. Especially not just any girl.

He could only think of one girl.

"What if she doesn't want to come with me?" asked Michael. "What if she thinks going to the grove is dull?"

Artemis shrugged and then grinned. "Then she's not the girl for you. Find one who will like it. I promise you, it's just that simple."

Michael was unconvinced. Perhaps it was that simple for Artemis but the truth of the matter was that Michael wanted to bring Jade with him to the grove. The stunning servant girl nearly stopped his heart every time he saw her. If Michael was being honest, he thought she became more beautiful by the day.

The only problem with asking her to join him was that she still thought he was simple. Although she was always pleasant to him, it wasn't hard to tell that Jade treated him like he wasn't quite a peer but someone to be pitied.

And that frustrated him beyond belief. If only he could show her that this was all an act without breaking her trust? How could he woo her successfully?

"You seem so wise in the ways of women, Artemis," said Michael. "Any advice on how to get one that I have my eye on?"

Artemis pounded his chest with pride. "There aren't many women in the palace that don't know Artemis on a more intimate level. You have to put yourself out there, my friend. You have to be bold and be confident. And if they still don't like what you're selling, then just find a new customer!"

Michael pursed his lips. That was easy for someone like him to say. Artemis may not care what girl he went home with but Michael did. If it wasn't Jade, he wasn't interested.

"Like always, your advice gives me a lot to think about," said Michael as he took another bite of the apple. "You'll always be my sage, Artemis, no matter how old I get."

Artemis gave him a funny look that caught Michael off guard. It wasn't until Artemis' eyes swept just behind Michael that he realized they had a visitor.

Michael quickly turned around only to find himself face-to-face with Jade herself. The beautiful young brunette was giving him a curious look, one that was full of inspection and a shade of disbelief.

Just how much of their conversation had she heard?

"Jade!" said Michael with an alarmed tone. "H-how are you?" he stuttered.

"Fine," she said with a queer smile. She appraised him carefully without saying another word but it was obvious that the jig was up.

Jade knew he was a fake.

"How much of that did you hear?" he asked.

Jade gave him a knowing look. "Enough to know that Artemis gets around the palace," she said with a small giggle before settling her eyes on him once again. "And enough to know that there's more to you than there appears to be."

Michael swallowed hard. He couldn't decide where to look, and a quick glance at Artemis saw the older man giving him a helpless shrug.

"You're on your own now, my young friend," said Artemis as he went back to a plate of food.

Michael resisted the urge to panic. Instead, he did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed Jade by the hand and brought her around the kitchen to the massive pantry and closed the door. Along the way, he tried not to think about how warm and soft her hand was, but just the slightest touch was enough to keep his brain scrambled.

Once they were alone, Jade crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Michael, you have some explaining to do. What's going on?"

This moment would determine how their relationship would be moving forward. If Michael didn't take Jade into his confidence and pretended nothing was amiss, he'd never get a shot with the gorgeous brunette.

On the other hand, if he did admit everything, he ran the risk of her being disgusted with his fakery and never wanting to talk to him again.

Neither option was ideal but he had to dosomething.

Michael decided to throw caution to the wind.

"Jade, I need to make sure I can trust you," said Michael after a deep breath. "Can I trust you to keep this between us? Can I trust that you won't say a word to anyone else?"

Jade looked at him like he was about to let her onto the most delicious secret. The corners of her mouth upturned. "You can tell me anything, Michael. I promise it just stays between us."

He really wanted to believe her. More than anything, he wanted that chance. He wanted to tell her everything and roll the dice.

Here went nothing.

"I'm more than I appear, you're right about that," said Michael quietly. "I'm not actually... retarded."

Jade blinked several times before she responded. "You mean you're not..."

"No," said Michael as he shook his head. "Although I pretend to be. It's a long story actually. My great uncle used to think I was because I'm dyslexic but I'm really not. I'm not an idiot, Jade."

Confusion reigned on her face. "Then why do you pretend to be so?"

Michael shrugged. "Because I can? I don't know if I have a real answer to that. People treat me differently when they think I'm simple. They're nice to me. Sometimes they pity me and bring me things. Mostly, they leave me alone. Being part of the Bainbridge family comes with a lot of disadvantages. By pretending to be this way, sometimes I get to feel normal. I think that's the reason I let it go on."

Jade's eyes narrowed. "Who else knows about this besides me?"

"Well, Artemis for one," said Michael. "A few other servants. Definitely not the Emperor though."