Seventh Interlude - Part One

It's just after noon when Brock arrives at the house, not his favourite time of the day at all. The house itself is hardly worthy of comment, a farmhouse standing remote and alone amid North Yorkshire moors. He circles the building at a distance, noting out houses and barn, then finds a comfortable spot from which to observe. The day passes slowly, with no activity or sign of life around the place at all. As dusk settles into night, Brock makes his approach, knocking loudly at the farm's main door. A few moments pass before he knocks again, “Hello,” he shouts as he does. With still no reply, he crouches to flip the letterbox open and peer into the gloom beyond. There's little to be seen, so he tries the handle, which turns easily.

“Hello,” he shouts again as he opens the door, “Is there anybody home?”

Episode 7 - Chapter 100

They say... ...that we've chosen... ...a side, swallowed... ...our pride, finally... ...signed on... ...for a bumpy... ...old ride, we... ...who usually sit... ...on the fence, have... ...chosen a bench, joining... ...the team, that's how it... ...must seem, not... ...terribly keen, while... ...they scratch their... ...heads, what can it... ...all mean?

Such little attention... ...they've paid, in the days... ...since decision was... ...made, ...we can take it... ...or leave... ...your warp... ...and their weave... ...for as ever... ...we go... ...where we please.

Protected... ...our interests... ...we have, not... ...squandered it all... ...like a chav, good... ...nomz in that... ...place, with good... ...napping space. The allegiance... ...that's certainly... ...ours, well that plant... …it rarely flowers, let them... ...think what they... ...will, while we... ...take our fill... ...follow the plan... ...that is ours.

Episode 7 - Chapter 99

“Your grace,” Raven says to the prince, “Now that you are reunited with the Lady Ella, I would see to the repatriation of the imposters.”

“Good man,” the prince replies half heartedly, his attention focused entirely on the girl, “See that it is so.”

Raven bows out of the ball room, hurrying back to the dungeon where Robert and Fiona are waiting. He opens the doors to all the cells, barking “Go home,” to all that are incarcerated.

“You two,” he says to Robert and Fiona as he begins to draw a door on the wall. “It's time we found out what the hell is going on.” The three link arms as he opens the door he's just drawn and step through to the Peacock court.

“Friends,” the Angel says with a broad smile, “So wonderful to have you returned.”

“Never mind the platitudes,” Raven says accusingly, “Why have you brought the three of us here?”

Episode 7 - Chapter 98

“Well you're here now,” the prince says, “That's what matters.”

“And happy to be here,” the girl smiles warmly.

“Where did you find her?” the prince asks Raven.

“She was in the dungeon,” Raven replies, “Mixed in with the imposters.”

“Then why did she not say something?” There is an accusing tone in the prince's voice. He turns to the girl. “Why didn't you say something? Let us know you were there?”

“My mind, sire,” the girl replies, “It has not been my own, of late. I did not know who I was, never mind where. If it weren't for this fine guard I dare say I'd still be there.”

The prince considers this for a moment, looking Raven up and down. “Fine,” he says eventually, “Now tell me, what is your name.”

“Ella,” she replies, “Though my sisters call me Cinders.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 97

Raven takes the girl's hand in his. Looking her in the eye, he says “Everything will be fine, believe me. Just be yourself.” He squeezes her hand gently, a gesture she returns as she nods and nibbles at her lower lip.

“Deep breath,” he says, and he leads her into the ball room, setting his course directly to the prince languishing on his throne.

“Your grace,” he declares as he arrives, “I fear there has been a terrible mistake.”

“What mistake?” the prince replies with little interest.

“This girl,” Raven says, removing her hood. A gasp of shock sweeps through the court. “She's the one you're looking for?”

The prince is off his throne like a bolt of lightning. “Can it be?” he asks, “Have you finally come back to me?”

“My lord,” the girl says as she curtsies, “I should never have left you.”

 

Episode 7 - Chapter 96

Raven leads the girl through the complex series of tunnels, passage ways and stair wells that separate the dungeon from the ball room. They're almost at their destination when the girl stops dead in her tracks and Raven realises she's shivering with fear.

“Please sir,” she pleads, her voice quivering, “What's going to happen to me?”

“Don't be afraid,” he replies, his voice as soothing as he can manage, “In a few moments I shall present you to the court and from then on, I'm pretty sure your life will be charmed.”

“I'm just a simple farm girl,” she tells him, “I don't know a thing about court life. How will I know what to do?”

“I'll tell you a little secret,” he says with a wink. “Nobody really knows what to do, they make it up as they go along. Do what feels right. And always remember the farm girl you were, royal courts love that kind of humility.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 95

“There's a uniform over there,” Robert says, believing the words as he says them, and sure enough there is. Raven quickly changes into it, surprised by how well it fits. “Find her a cape if you can,” he says, gesturing at the girl, “Preferably one with a hood.”

“Will this do?” Robert asks, offering a folded cape that wasn't in his hands moments before.

“How are you doing that?” Fiona asks in astonishment.

“It's quite easy,” he replies, “Once you have the knack. You'll be able to do it too, once you've had time to practice.”

“No time for that now,” Raven says, “We need to crack on. Now you,” he says to the girl as he drapes the cloak around her shoulders. “The prince is going to want to know where you've been, why you haven't come forward. My advice: amnesia. You don't remember anything before today. Understood?”

The girl nods as Raven brings the hood over her head.

“You two stay here,” he says to Robert and Fiona, “I'm off to fix a fairytale.”