The Horns of Kern
*
Awll disappeared behind Gertrude as he made his way up to the castle. He was surprised to see so much activity going on this late in the evening as he approached his destination.
The stairs were festooned with pinecones and evergreen boughs and huge candles rose above them. He walked up the stairway and pounded on the great door. A page opened it and bid him to enter. Gertrude stood just inside the foyer, looking at all of the beautiful decorations while he waited for the page’s introduction.
“Gertrude! It is so wonderful to see you. We are looking forward to the party your mother is giving the day after tomorrow.” Norman smiled one of her heart-stopping smiles. “Please come in and join us for a cup of tea and some cakes.” Gertrude smiled back and followed Norman into the Grand Hall. Octavius and Emmaline were sitting near the fire.
Octavius rose to his feet as they entered. “Gertrude, please come join us, my friend. Is this a social visit or a matter of concern? Please sit down. Would you care for a cup of tea?”
Gertrude said ‘hello’ to the Queen and took a chair next to hers. “I am afraid that it is a matter of concern that brings me here. Tonight, my mother was attacked by a human.”
“Is your mother all right, Gertrude? Are you sure it was a human?” The king looked at him questioningly.
“She is well, just a little bit shook up by the whole ordeal. I finished taking the body to the coroner’s. He lies in a vault as we speak. He was chasing my mother earlier this eve down the streets of our village. He had a knife drawn and would have found his target if I hadn’t stopped him. She had seen him up at her sister’s house, and he took chase after she left. I assume that he felt threatened and he didn’t want anyone to know that he was in the village.”
“What was this scoundrel doing at your aunt’s hovel?” The king was thoroughly perplexed.
“My aunt and uncle were being blackmailed by Lemerich. This black-hearted knave was enforcing Lemerich’s orders. He had gained control over my cousins through our past Grand Frog Troll, Toggart, and threatened all of them harm if they did not cooperate. You are already housing one of my cousins, Zeon. I believe that you should lock up my other cousin, Meade, for his safety and the safety of others.”
“Please forgive me, Gertrude, but what role were your aunt and uncle playing in this scheme?” The king leaned his head upon his hand and looked intently at Gertrude.
“They were relaying information to Lemerich as to what was happening in the kingdom. I do not believe that they found out that much, even though my aunt was up here at the castle, working on the ladie’s gowns for the ball.”
Octavius nodded. “I do not believe in talking about the workings of my government in front of guests, so I believe you are correct in your assumption. Do you think your aunt and uncle would be interested in helping us by giving Lemerich false information?”
Gertrude smiled. “I was thinking the same thing. I will go tomorrow morning to ask for their help. After this evening, I believe my aunt would do anything to restore the honor to her family name.”
Octavius rang a bell and a page appeared before them. “Go find the commander and have him come here. I wish for him to pick up a troublemaker.” Octavius smiled at Gertrude. “Are you sure you want to have your cousin locked up? We have no evidence against him except hearsay.”
“The burns on his arm tell me he was playing with fire. I believe that if you question him and tell him that if you don’t get the information you desire, he will be making little rocks out of big rocks for the rest of his life, I am sure you will find him guilty of aiding the enemy. Now I must be going. I am sorry I disturbed you so late in the evening. I felt I should talk to you before you heard about it through the local gossip mill.”
“Thank you, my friend, for informing me. Please accept my apologies if you felt that I mistrusted you.” Octavius stood up. “Please, Gertrude, let me walk you to the door. I do hope your mother is doing fine. Please tell her that we are thinking of her.” The two stopped at the door.
“My mother will appreciate your concern. I will be setting up guards around our village starting tomorrow. I would suggest that you do the same, Octavius. This step may not stop the intrusions into your kingdom and villages, but it will make them aware that we will not stand idly by.”
“I agree, Gertrude. I shall charge Andre with the task of finding your cousin, Meade, and putting guards at the borders of the kingdom. The ball is next week and I do not wish to have the event marred by turmoil.” Octavius opened the door. “Good night, Gertrude, and thank you again.”
Gertrude stepped out into the chill of the night air once more. The wind was still playing with the snow in a game of tag. It was very quiet. He stopped for a moment to listen to the wind racing through nearby pines. Suddenly he heard footsteps and saw a shadowy figure running towards him. “Halt, who goes there?”
The figure slowed to a walk. “Gertrude, it is me, Norman.” Norman was out of breath from running in the cold air. “You did not speak to me at all up at the castle, and I wanted to make sure that everything was fine between us. I could feel a little tension between you and my father. Is everything all right?”
Gertrude chuckled. “Ladies are the first to think that something is wrong when there is nothing wrong at all. Everything is fine, Norman. If something were bothering me concerning our friendship, I would not hesitate to tell you.”
“I am glad you said that. Why haven’t you been up to see me?” Norman pulled her coat up closer to her face.
“I am sorry about your accident. When did you break both of your legs?” Gertrude smiled one of his devilish smiles.
Norman looked at him, not understanding his question. “I did not break my legs.”
Gertrude folded his arms in front of him. “Pre-cisely!”
“Oh…Oh! Well I have been busy with the preparations for the ball.” Norman appeared to be insulted. Then she looked at Gertrude and started laughing. “Well, I am glad that you are not angry with me. I am freezing. I am going back in before my nose turns into a strawberry.”
“I shall walk you back to the door. Your father would be angry with me if I were to let something happen to you.” The two walked back to the castle door in silence.
Norman turned towards Gertrude and gave him a hug and a kiss. “Thank you, Gertrude.” She opened the door and disappeared.
Gertrude found himself once again standing alone out in the cold. ‘Well, I had better be off before I freeze, although I am sure that I would make a better gargoyle than some standing guard on the castle walls.’ The walk was long, cold and tiring. A single candle flickered in the window by the door. Everyone had gone to bed. Gertrude got undressed, washed and put on his nightshirt. He crawled into bed and fell into a deep sleep.