Words Take Flight Part 2.

Is Sir Robert really going to kill her?” Ari exclaimed with worry. Though he knew rationally that Lady Josephine was a fictional character, he felt strangely unsettled watching her ride towards certain death. Meanwhile, Priya was willing Sir Julian to action. More than anyway she wanted the frantic knight to focus and figure out the location of his missing fiancé.

“Work it out, Julian”, Priya called to the knight’s shadow, pacing above her upon the ceiling of the library. “You are every bit as clever as Josephine; you just need to start paying attention. 

“Think, Julian”, the knight’s shadow urged himself, as he paced around their cottage. A note on Josephine’s pillow reading simply ‘I love you’ had already made him worried and suspicious. All that he needed was some clue as to where she may have gone.

“I need to get inside of your head”, Julian sighed. He closed his eyes, willing himself to think. Then he had an idea.

“Her letters. I wonder if I can find a clue”. Julian rushed to Josephine’s desk and rifled through her papers. As soon as Julian found the spy’s report and the notice of bankruptcy, the truth dawned on him. He saddled up Shadow and raced towards the village, praying that he wasn’t too late.

All eyes were fixed upon Robert’s cottage. Even Julian and Josephine were looking down upon their flying, shadowy steed. 

“How is this even possible?”, Josephine wondered. Where was this place and why were their darkest memories appearing here to haunt them?

“It’s strange isn’t it”, agreed Julian. “I remember everything that happens next, and yet that is impossible. Everything was supposed to stop. For me, everything is supposed to…”

“Don’t say it”.

Julian looked over his shoulder and grabbed Josephine’s hand. Lovingly, he squeezed it.

“I won’t. 

He smiled and reminded her that they were together now. 

“Just focus on me, my love. We are the ones in control, this time. Rest your head on my shoulder and listen to my breath. I’m here, Josie and I am not planning on going anywhere”.

“Do you promise?”.

As Julian smiled and nodded, she weakly gave him one in return. Josephine kissed him on the cheek and then buried her head in Julian’s shoulder. She prayed that the worst day of her life would all soon be over.

Even Ari anxiously watched on as Josephine knock upon the wicked knight’s door. Robert answer it and shot Josephine a cocky grin.

“You’re a little overdressed, my lady. Don’t tell me the King actually gave you a knighthood. If so, I feel sorry for every adversary that crosses your path”.

“Forgive me for not having you pegged as the trustworthy type”, Josephine replied. “Everybody knows that keeping a cool head isn’t your strong suit, Robert. I’ll take whatever protection I can get from your winning personality”.

Robert grinned approvingly.

“You are a feisty one. I like that”.

Lady Josephine grinned as well. For once she was thankful that Robert was flirting with her. Perhaps this meant that her plan had a chance of succeeding. She endured his sickening small talk for a few moments as she built up her courage. At last Josephine forced herself to say those horrible words.

“Robert, will you marry me?”

Ari’s eyes widened. He blinked and double check the text scrolling above him.

“Did I hear her right, Priya? Did Lady Josephine just propose? I thought that she was engaged to that other knight”.

Dumbfounded, Priya nodded. While Josephine and Julian were engaged, they weren’t married to each other yet.

“She’s saving Julian’s life, daddy. Look at the text. Josephine is offering her hand in marriage on the condition that Julian’s bounty is torn up. Robert needs to swear that he never lays another hand upon Julian as long as he lives”.

Ari frowned. What a horrible sacrifice for a lady to make.

“Do you think that Robert will accept the deal?”

Priya sadly nodded. She explained that Lady Josephine was the heir to an enormous fortune. Robert’s only loyalty was to himself. She was certain that he would be willing to cut all ties with the Shadow League in exchange for a fortune and an estate of his very own.

Robert’s shadow fell silent as he considered the proposal. Then he shot Josephine a grin that was pure evil. 

“As fun as it would be to torture Julian with our union, I am afraid that I have to decline”.

Josephine paled. Robert noticed and snickered.

“Really my dear, you only have yourself to blame. If only you hadn’t been so vigilant in helping Sir Julian play the hero maybe we could have struck a deal. 

Robert took a step closer to Josephine.

“You see, Lady Josephine, there is a bounty on your head as well and I intend to claim it. This way I will win my fortune and get my revenge”.

Josephine, Priya and even Ari gasped when they saw Robert draw his sword. Suspecting all along that it may come to this, Shadow Josephine drew her husband’s sword with a trembling hand and dodged the blow. While she did not possess the skill of a knight, her teacher was one of the kingdom’s finest. Josephine prayed that she had learned enough from her fiancé to silence Robert once and for all. 

“I love you, Julian”, Lady Josephine whispered before moving in for the attack.

Priya and Ari watched the duel, helpless to change the outcome. Amazingly, Josephine was putting up a decent fight all on her own and had even managed to knock Robert to the ground. She smiled as she noticed that he was unconscious. Had she just won? Lady Josephine approached his body, not seeing the danger that lay ahead. Fortunately Julian did.

Everything happened so fast. A second after Julian had leapt from the bushes, Robert had pulled out his concealed knife. While the knight pushed Josephine to safety just in the nick of time, he wasn’t quick enough to dodge the attack. As the tiny blade tore into his side, Julian screamed. Josephine froze and looked like she was going to faint.

“Now do you see the danger of fighting battles that aren’t your own?” Robert gloated. It was an argument he had been having with Julian ever since they were kids.

“You were always so foolish in that respect. If only you had decided not to meddle with tradition the two of us would still be the dragon hunting champions of the Prismatic Kingdom. The only person to blame for your death is yourself”.

Though Julian was terrified and in agony, he attempted to replicate Robert’s cocky demeanour. 

“Do you honestly think that you can intimidate me? I took a vow to defend this kingdom from evil, and I am proud to oppose you until the end. I have made a difference in this world, and I have known love. Even if you win this battle, you will never win in life. You are nothing, Robert”.

On most days, Julian was a quiet, modest man who detested gloating. At that moment, Julian was desperate enough to resort to insults. He had landed awkwardly on his injured shoulder, he was unable to reach his spare blade and on his other side, he was quickly losing blood. The knight had already come to terms that he had lost this fight. His only hope was his brave fiancé, creeping up behind Robert. He shot her a weak smile as Josephine silently bent down to pick up Julian’s fallen sword. If they stood any chance of defeating Robert, Julian had to hold his attention, even if it meant giving up his own life in the process.

As Julian had predicted, his words sent Robert into a fury.

“How dare you call me nothing. I’ll show you my worth. I’ll have you begging for forgiveness before your death”.

Robert reached for his sword and pulled himself to his feet. Julian tried to stand but failed. The only weapons at his disposal were his words and Josephine’s stealth and courage.

Do your worst, nothing”, he taunted. “I have nothing to fear, after all. You were always useless with a sword”.

“I’ll show you the meaning of useless”, Robert screamed. As he pinned Julian’s other shoulder to the ground with cold steel, he laughed in triumph. The villain was so blinded by revenge and his magnificence that he failed to see the lady assassin behind him, raising her sword. Then, with one swift thrust, she plunged it into his back. Josephine saw Robert’s eyes widen with surprise before they turned cold and lifeless.

Frantically Josephine rushed to Julian’s side. Undoubtedly he must have been in great agony, though he didn’t show it. Somehow Julian still managed to keep a brilliant, brave smile across his face.

“It’s going to be okay”, he assured her. “You are okay, Josie and you are still safe. I was so worried that you wouldn’t be”.

Josephine nodded through her tears. She felt that it was her duty to him to keep herself together even though her world was falling apart.

“Of course I am okay” she assured him. Josephine was reunited with the man she loved, after all. She brushed away his bloodied, ginger bangs and forced a smile. “Now it is my turn to look after you, alright? I am not going anywhere, I promise”.

The lady Josephine was as good as her word, however there was nothing more that she could have done for the dying knight. As much as Josephine encouraged him, cradled him, comforted him and loved him, Julian had already lost so much blood. Devotedly, helplessly, Josephine waited with Julian until it was time for him to draw his last breath.

Ari started to bawl.

“What was the point in that?” he cried, brushing the tears away from his eyes. It was a good thing that Robert wasn’t real. He felt like giving him a good kick in the teeth.

“Do you understand now why these stories are a waste of time, Priya. Is that how you want to spend your energy, crying over people who don’t even exist. It is ridiculous”.

Priya did not respond. She could have sworn that she had heard something strange and she was trying to locate the sound. Far too late, Priya discovered the source of the laughter.

Wicked Robert, free from his story, hovered above them upon his horse Quagmire and cackled. He helped himself to a hardback from a nearby bookshelf and grinned. Gesturing to the members of the Shadow League, he rallied his army and pointed down at Ari. 

“He’s the one who destroyed us all. Bricks at the ready, league. Attack!”.

“Daddy!”

Selflessly, Priya threw herself upon Ari. As a storm of books showered down upon them, the poor girl took every blow of every projectile on behalf of her father. It wasn’t too bad to endure until a very well aimed encyclopedia connected with the back of her skull. Poor Priya was knocked out cold.

Josephine’s heart went out to Priya. While they had never met, deep down she considered her to be one of her closest friends.

“He’s hurting our girl, Julian”.

The furious knight could not bear to watch them throw another book at Priya. He grabbed for the nearest brick and wondered if he could use it to help.

“I wonder if Robert can fly without Quagmire”.

He pulled back his arm and put the experiment into action. As the expertly aimed thesaurus connected with Robert’s head, Julian received his answer. Robert dropped like a stone, disappearing into nothingness just before he fell to the ground. Josephine grinned and also grabbed a brick, ready to take on the entire Shadow League. The bounty hunters saw her, shrieked and also disappeared into thin air.

“Priya!”.

Ari pulled his daughter into his lap and shook her gently.

“You shouldn’t have done that, Pri. It’s my job to protect you, remember? Open your eyes, honey. Come on, Priya. Wake up”.

Priya smiled as her father’s kind words and opened her eyes.

“Aren’t you glad that I read romances now, daddy? You may not be able to see the lessons within them but I do. Julian and Josephine taught me that anybody can find the courage to protect the people that they love. Did it work? Are you okay, daddy?”

Ari grinned and hugged Priya. He was better than okay. He was fortunate to have such a brave and clever daughter.

“Are you okay, Priya?”

Julian did not know how he knew the girl’s name, but he called to her anyway.

Priya looked up at him and waved.

“Sir Julian? Lady Josephine?”

Julian nodded his head, and Josephine waved back.

“We’re fine, thanks to you”, they called.

Priya started to smile, but then she saw that the words above them had stopped scrolling. Only the last two words remained: The End.

“Are you both okay? Do you know what is going to happen now”?

Meanwhile, Ari scrambled to his feet and gave the pair of them a bow that would not have been out of place at court.

“I cannot apologise to the two of you, enough. This is all my fault, I am afraid. I should never have thrown your book into the fire. Are you… Are you going to disappear next? Is this how this works?”

The knight and lady looked at the smouldering book and then up to the smoke. A few minutes ago it had been as high as the ceiling, but now it was starting to dissipate. After exchanging a look, they shrugged in unison. They didn’t know.

“Now if you had only thought to ask me, I could have told you that there is almost nothing left. My life has already flashed before my eyes. Most of my characters have flown away and left me. Soon it will be like I never existed”.

Priya, Ari, Julian and Josephine all shared a look of confusion.

“Who is there?”, Sir Julian called, wishing that he had his sword.

“Who do you think it is”? the mysterious voice snapped. 

“I said that there is almost nothing of me left. Who else that you know was thrown into the fire today? Come on, Lady Josephine. Surely you can figure it out at least”.

Josephine, still dealing with the revelation that she was a story book character, tried to think.

“My mother always said that all books have a soul. Is that who you are?”

“Very good”, the Book praised her. “I knew that there was a reason why you were one of my favourites. I am sad that we will soon have to say goodbye to each other”.

Goodbye?

Very unlike himself, Ari was devastated.

“Does this have to be goodbye? I did this to you, and that wasn’t fair. Is there any way to make this right? Priya loves Julian and Josephine. It wouldn’t be right to make her say goodbye.

The Book snorted.

“That was your doing, Ari, not mine”.

Ari went rigid. Oh God, the Book was right. He turned guiltily towards Priya. 

“ I am so sorry, Pri. I should have listened when you were tried to tell me how much the story meant to you”.

“Yes, you should have”, the Book interjected, still fuming mad. He had never asked for a fiery demise. The Book sighed, took a moment to accept its fate and then decided to look on the bright side. 

“Fortunately I am just a tiny part of ‘A Chivalrous Romance’. Even after I am gone, the story will live on. That is assuming you have no plans of torching my brothers and sisters, of course”.

Ari hung his head. “Of course I won’t”, he muttered, feeling ashamed. 

“As for what lies ahead for this Julian and Josephine, I have no say in their survival. Perhaps they will fade. Perhaps Priya will find the courage inside of her to save them”.

“She’ll save us”, Sir Julian declared. Without really knowing her, Julian liked their dearest reader and trusted her with his life.

“You will save us, won’t you, Priya?” Josephine called. As much as she had every confidence in the girl, the lady was worried that it was an impossible task. 

“I’ll try to”, Priya replied. Immediately doubting herself and unwilling to give the pair false hope she added, “I don’t know what I am supposed to do, though. Do you have any ideas?”

Surprisingly, the answer came from Ari. 

Instead of giving her a stern talking to and a reminder to stay strong and fight for her objective, Ari gave her a rare smile and a kiss on the cheek. Perhaps there was something to be said about the power of love after all?

“Just be yourself, Priya. If you are supposed to save them, then it must be something that only you can do. Just stay calm and believe in yourself”.

“Believe in yourself, Priya”, Julian encouraged her, certain that this was the key. 

“Believe in yourself, Priya”, chorused Josephine. “You believed in us for all of this time. Let us believe in you”.

“Believe”, Priya repeated, psyching herself up. Then, her emerald eyes lit up. Of course, she was the only one who could save them.

Priya stood up, closed her eyes and started replaying the story from the beginning. She smiled as Josephine tried to deny that she was attracted to the knight and she laughed as they had their first fight. Her heart beat faster as they started going on quests together and fluttered as they began falling in love. Vaguely Priya was aware of Ari kneeling next to her.

“Hurry, my darling. I don’t want to alarm you, but the smoke is almost gone. They are starting to fade”.

“You are wrong”, Priya argued. She opened her eyes to confirm it. Sure enough, Julian and Josephine were still watching over her proudly.

“They will never fade. Not for me. I believe in the lady and the knight too much for that to ever happen. Julian and Josephine are real to me, and they will always have a place in my heart.

A breeze swept through the library as Shadow made his rapid descent, Still carrying Sir Julian and Lady Josephine, they were on target to knock Priya over, and yet the fearless girl stood firm. As they passed through her body, they disappeared from view but not from Priya’s spirit. She smiled as she felt the tingle of their love for each other and their most devoted reader close around her heart. When Priya closed her eyes and saw them smiling back at her and holding hands, she knew that the rescue mission had been a success.

The romance of the Knight and his Lady would live on inside of Priya for always. As long as there are readers of stories, the words within books will take flight in their reader’s imaginations and find new homes within their hearts.

The end