Chapter 24
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“Alys, you can come out.” I tell her. She peeks back around King Louie’s Throne for the tenth time, her brown eyes focus only on Holliday; who is now grinning like a fool, as he has three women falling over him with care and attention. Not giving a care that he is still sitting on the floor naked as the day he was born.
“How is Louie?” I ask to get her attention.
“He’s still out cold.” She doesn’t even turn her head away from her perusal of Holliday.
“Louie is here?” Holliday gives himself a shake and tries to stand. “I got some pay back for him.”
“Please, don’t even bother, he fainted at the sight of blood.” Diana puts a hand on his shoulder and pushes him back down.
“You must have done something to make him feed you to the river? ” I asked raising an eyebrow in speculation, from what I have seen of Holliday he is almost a force of chaos that rivals me.
“I took offense at his idea that he take my guns. Tribute he called it. High way robbery if you ask me.” He snarls at the idea that some one would take his guns away. “I may have killed some of his guards well.”
“And we just killed their replacement.” I put my hand over my mouth to cover the giggle that I can feel well up.
“That would explain a lot.” Diana has no such compunctions she just laughs out loud.
“Still leaves us with the problem of how do we get out of here?” Holliday says looking around the throne room.
“I think you are sitting on it.” I remembered how hard Louie tried to get back to his throne when we shot him.
Holliday looks down, then back up at me. “And I thought it was a might cold in here because I am naked.”
“Diana would see if you can find some clothes for our boy here?” I sigh to myself as I check over his various wounds. The guy is a menace.
“I would take it as a kindness,” He oozes charm at Diana, “But I don’t think I can fit in of Louie’s pants.” Alys takes this opportunity to giggle at him. Holliday goes back to grinning at her.
“Jack pot.” Diana sings out. She had been opening the trunks behind the throne. Throwing open the lid she pulls out Holliday’s Buckskin outfit and gun belt and guns.
“Well how do you like that. ” He winks at Alys. “come to me my little darlings.” He holds out a hand for the guns.
“Stop fondling your guns, Stupid.” Diana jokes at him, “Get dressed, I swear I have never seen such a show off in all my life.” She puts her hands on her hips and give Holliday a murderous frown.
“Not in front of the children.” I say, waving my hand in Alys’ direction. Who even if she is more interested in the sight of Holliday rather than frightened, I don’t want her to lose her good spirits.
We give Holliday a hand up, he is still stiff and hurt but seems to be perking right up. Diana and I share a look at one another and roll our eyes. Men, she mouths to me. I smile back.
While Holliday gets dressed, I go to give a listen to the door while he dresses. Silent feet are creeping close.
I walk quickly back to my friends. “We need to get a move on it. It sounds like Louie’s loyal subjects are getting some courage back.” I tell them.
“What no more fighting?” Diana actually looks upset at the idea. I guess it has been a slow month.
“You can beat me up later.” I say to assure her the fighting has not stopped. “But first I think we need to move the throne out of the way. “
“Alys will you give us a hand.” I look over at the girl, she is still starring at Holliday who now has his trousers on and is slowly working his shirt over his head. “Alys,” I add some sharpness to my tone. “Give the man some privacy and come help us.”
She startles and chews her lips for a second then marches over to help Diana and me.
“Push back.” She says. “Papa said the throne of god went back.”
Diana and share a look. I shrug, why not.
We push and the throne slides back on casters set on rails, to reveal that there is hole underneath.
“What do you know.” Holliday sounds in awe, “The little guy had a clue.”
“And I bet the accomplices are our Bernard and Elmer.” Diana and I share a smirk at the thought.
“Who?” Holliday asks.
“Later, into the hole.” I point.
“It is dark.” He whines.
“Get into the hole and help Alys down.” I bite out at him.
“Oh sure.” he smiles at the mere mention of holding Alys. “I am going.” He slowly climbs over the edge. “See me going.”
“Does he ever stop talking?” I look for help from Diana, she just shakes her head no. Alys giggles and help Holliday find the hand holds that had been put in for just such a climb.
“Ooh.” Louie groans as he starts to wake up.
“Go.” I wave Diana back and gesture to the hole.
Alys is now climbing down in to Holliday’s waiting arms. “Now honey you just let ‘ol Holliday take care of you.”
“I think I am going to be sick.” Diana whispers to me.
I whisper back. “later.”
I walk around the throne to Louie. He is slowly looking around but when he sees me his eyes go wide in horror.
“NO, don’t hurt me.” he shrieks like girl.
“You would be dead if I wanted to hurt you. Right now you are going to listen to me and learn.” I kneel down and stick my face in his. “No more funny business if you want to stay king, Louie. You will send Elmer and Bernard to the Kindred Compound as representatives, You will agree to be our “Good” neighbor and you will never, ever try to enslave any one ever again.” I push him, not persuasion but a deep understanding that if he crossed me I would come back, And I would be very angry.
“Please don’t hurt me.” he squealed some more. “What ever you want. I can do that, I promise.” He finally agrees and I let up on my stare.
“Good. Now get out there you have tend to your people.” I point to the door way full of bodies. there might even be one or two people alive in that mess. I didn’t take off everyone’s head. I am not that mean.
I stand in one smooth motions and walk over to the hole. A quick glance shows me that my companions have finished their climb so all that is needed to is for me to jump down and join them. oh and seal the hole up so the tunneler can’t follow us. These people keep me busy.
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