A table had been brought into the king’s chambers, and Charly was hunched over a diagram of the castle well.

“Oh come on Christine, I need to see love.”

As others glanced awkwardly, the king smiled.

“Don’t worry captain.”

He placed out a hand and said, “Your daddy needs to work now. Off you get.”

As everyone stared, the spectral cat jumped off with a happy purr.

The king noted the odd looks and said boldly, “The trouble with you
lot is that you don’t believe.”

Charly scanned the plans carefully.

“So a natural spring supplies the water?”

“Correct sir,” the designer said.

“That’s torn it. We’ll never flush the arsenic out now.”

“Perhaps we can neutralise it?” Grant suggested.

“Does anyone know how?” Charly asked.

The king piped up.

“The healer might know.”

Charly smiled at the news.

“Go and bring her then.”

The woman was duly summoned, and as she heard the details, she smiled.

“I certainly can neutralise that. Should take about an hour or two.”

“That’s great my dear,” Charly said. “Is there anything else on our rather busy agenda today?”

The king nodded and rolled a map across the table.

“As you know, the French have their own populace and likely some kind of armed force. So, I want to build forts along here.”

Charly saw the locations along the coastline.

“I wouldn’t bother with the salt zone sir. Those animals that we met will keep any invader out.”

“What about the other locations?” the king asked.

“There is no problem with them sir.”

The happy king smiled.

“Then it’s settled then. You and Grant will survey these sites and report back here.”

The captain of the guard nodded.

“Come on Grant. We have work to do.”

“As always,” his friend grumbled.

After they had left the castle, the king sighed loudly.

“You know something? I fancy a hunt in those northern woods.”

“Without knights sire that would be unwise,” an aid warned.

The king shrugged his majestic shoulders.

“We have no knights now. Anyway, I’m the king. No one would dare attack me.”

Two hours had passed, and the king was fast approaching the woods with the crossbow packed away in the saddlebag. Just ahead, he spotted a beggar.

“I had better stop.”

He pulled the reins as the steed reached the unfortunate man.

“Can your king be of assistance?”

The beggar raised his head and suddenly drew a sword from beneath the filthy coat.

“You get off sire or be ran through. Your choice.”

The startled king stared in mute disbelief.

“You must be crazy man.”

“Crazy or not sire. I’m the one with the sword. Now get down!”

The king nodded and dismounted. He slapped the rear and the steed galloped into the distance.

The beggar bowed and pointed toward the thick wood.

“If you would sire. We’ll have some privacy at least.”

Raising his hands, the unfortunate monarch did as he was told.

As night fell, the two friends rode toward the castle after completing the survey. At the gate however, the guard said, “Thanks you be back sir. The king has gone missing!”

Charly stared in disbelief at the incredible news. Through gritted teeth he asked, “What do you mean the king’s missing?”

The guard shook his head.

“The aides can explain sir.”

Charly nodded and trotted into the courtyard. As Grant and he
entered the king’s chamber he found the two aides waiting for them.

“I’ve just heard,” Charly said. “What the hell happened?”

The smaller man came forward.

“He insisted on going hunting sir in the north woods.”

“What alone,” Grant asked. “He must be out of his tiny mind.”

“He is the king sir.”

Charly cursed.

“It’s too late now to do a damn thing! We leave at dawn Grant. I’ll take two pike men on horse with us.”

The aides nodded as the captain walked towards his apartment. As he sat upon the sofa, a spectral cat jumped upon his warm lap.

“Hello sweetheart. Sorry for being so long.”

As Grant stared, Charly smiled.

“You heard our king mate. You need to believe.”

Grant shrugged his shoulders and sat at the table.

“What do you think has happened mate?”

“It could be an accident or foul play. We’ll find out tomorrow eh?”

A sudden knocking broke the tension.

“Enter,” Grant said.

An aid rushed in at once.

“Sorry sir but the king’s mount has returned alone.”

“Any sign of blood?” Charly asked.

“No sir.”

Charly smiled.

“He may be alive then. Thanks.”

As the door closed, Grant asked n awkward question.

“With no issue, who succeeds him?”

Charly just stared.

“Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that.”

He yawned as the spectral cat purred softly.

Gazing at his groin he whispered, “Time for bed Christine? Let’s go then.”

He stood slowly and trotted off as his friend shook his head sadly.

As the sun rose, the king stretched.

“Good morning sire,” his abductor said softly.

“Oh you are still here I see. I was hoping that you would have
wandered off.”

“I can’t do that sire after catching you.”

“What do you want with me anyway?”

The beggar grinned.

“I reckon to collect a handsome fee for your majesty.”

“We don’t negotiate with terrorists. That’s a stated policy.”

The beggar laughed.

“I’m no terrorist. I only want food and a decent living!”

The king shook his head.

“The only thing you will get is a rope when my captain catches up
with you.”

“I’ve heard of your lap dog sire. He’ll pay rather than see your guts strewn amongst the trees.”

“He is far more worthy than a lapdog. I assure you of that.”

“No worries. He’ll pay. I’m damn sure of that. Now move yourself!”

He pointed the sword tip at the king’s royal chest and marched him deeper into the woods.

Not too far off, four men rode along the track that led to the north forest.

The captain of the guard was followed by his faithful friend Grant, and two pike men.

“We should be close now,” Grant commented.

“I agree with that.”

Turning to the pike men he asked, “How are you two doing? Sorry for putting you on horseback. With no knights...”

“No worries sir. Our bums are just sore tis all.”

Charly smiled.

“Nice to see a bit of loyalty eh Grant?”

“You never cease to amaze me mate. Ah, there’s the wood. Now what?”

Charly pulled the reins and stopped.

“Everyone dismount and lead on.”

As they reached the trees, the mounts were tied up and the swords drawn from their sheaths.

“The king can’t be that far now,” Charly muttered. “Everyone follow me and please keep the noise down.”

As the tall Cypresses closed in, the group headed deeper into the
forest as curious squirrels watched their progress.

Grant stepped upon a fallen branch that snapped loudly.

“Do you mind?” Charly hissed.

"Sorry boss. I hate woods.”

“I suspect our monarch would agree with you mate.”

They stumbled on until a clearing was reached.

“Hold it!” Charly yelled.

Everyone stared at the amazing sight.

The king was firmly tied to a thick tree, whilst a crossbow had been set up two feet from his head. A long string hung until it vanished behind another tree.

“Good grief,” Charly whispered.

“One wrong move Charly and he’s had it.”

“That’s what worries me mate. Look, you take the pike men off to the right eh?”

“What will you do?”

“Talk my way out of this ruddy mess.”

Grant grinned and led the two pike men off. Once they had disappeared, Charly stood in the open.

“Whoever you are, I’m the king’s captain.”

“Thanks that you are here captain.”

“Sorry for taking so long sire.”

Another voice called out, “I want a gold bar for my troubles captain.”

“I need to see you first.”

The voice chuckled.

“I’m no ruddy fool mate. No archer is going to pluck my feathers.”

“I’m on my own promise.”

The beggar stepped out and Charly spotted that he was holding the string carefully.

“Now don’t do anything stupid,” Charly said. “Killing him will lose any gains that you have.”

“One gold bar captain. That’s all that I want.”

“It may take time.”

The beggar grinned.

“I have plenty.”

Meantime, Grant and the pike men had reached the rear and were watching proceedings carefully.

“This is damn awkward,” he hissed. “If we take him down that ruddy bolt will fire.”

“If I may sir. I have a suggestion.”

“Let’s hear it mate.”

“These pikes are pretty heavy but can be thrown if necessary. I reckon I could take out the ruddy crossbow in one blow.”

“Are you sure?”

“Oh yes sir. Then you and my mate can get the ruddy bloke.”

Grant thought the desperate plan through.

“Okay...Try it.”

The pike man knelt steadily and launched the heavy weapon. As Grant watched, it struck the mounted bow hard. As it reeled back, the hideous bolt was launched skyward.

“Get him!” Grant squealed.

The beggar stared at the disaster and turned to behead the trapped king. Charly dashed out with flailing sword and cut him down.

As he fell, the pike man skewered him.

“Two seconds sir,” Charly panted untying the king.

“Thanks captain. You are certainly a bloodhound.”

When he was released, he gave the still body a hard kick.

Charly was resting later that day as Grant sat at the table.

“We done well today.”

“Yes we did Grant. I’d say the king was damn lucky.”

“At least he accepted your ban on future solo trips.”

Charly laughed.

“He had no choice did he. I threatened to clap him in irons.”

As they both laughed, Grant suddenly yelled.

Charly glanced up and said sharply, “Leave him alone Christine!”

As Grant checked his lower leg, he noted a red cut.

“I don’t believe it!”

“What she scratched you?”

Grant glanced at him.

“Then it’s true.”

“Of course it’s true mate. Come on now. You really didn’t think I
was mad did you?”

As his friend went crimson, Charly chuckled.

“You did think I was mad...”

The two friends laughed, as the spectral cat jumped onto the sofa headrest purring loudly.