Chapter 20
"Can we...?" the herald pleaded, “Can we use the proper heraldic terms, as it is a special occasion… Just this was once…? Please?”
“Oh, all right!” Og-dra-gob gob said, “As it is a special occasion – just this once, mind!”
“Oh thank you! thank you!” said the herald, “Thank you sire!”
All of the victors were assembled in the courtyard, including the ex-prisoners of the cage. All were rejoicing in the defeat of the horrid Spirus.
The herald took a deep breath and let forth a full panoply of emblazonments featuring all of the pily paly bendy dancetty prancetty stuff he could muster.
As his tourneyers stepped up to get their prizes Og-dra-gob turned to Roland saying, “It was wonderful to fight in a real battle after all these years — thank you again for inviting us!”
“Thank you again for helping me get my castle back,” said Roland.
“Yes, thank you,” said Dagarth.
“As I understand it, you were one of the villains!” Og-dra-gob said, arching his eyebrows at Dagarth.
“Err, a misunderstanding, a misinterpretation of my true motives. I merely pretended to be on the Spirusses side so that I could betray them when the time was right and help you … And so I did! And we have all defeated the Spirus! Hooray! Hooray!” he cheered, hollowly.
Og-dra-gob turned back to Roland and leant towards him, speaking confidentially, “Slippery character, isn’t he?”
“Tell me all about it do,” Roland replied.
With the prize giving done he decided it was time to get the nasty bit – and the nasty folks – out of the way so that the real party could begin. First Roland addressed his uncle: “Uncle, although I could and should be “wonderly wroth,” as the books have it, I intend to pardon you for your sins. You are family after all and it would seem ungracious not too, particularly as you have now turned over a new leaf, for the moment — or so it would appear, anyway… . I wish you to leave this castle and its environs and go back to your own, on condition that you never, ever return – and no more treasure seeking!
Dagarth bowed and scraped as he backed away, nervously looking at the swords that were still being brandished by Roland’s allies, “Thank you, oh thank you for being so merciful! I really won’t let you down, honest! Oh thank you!”
Roland continued “As for you, Bril-a-brag and Gloatenglorp, I also licence your departure. You may pass on to Caunterbury unmolested, where you may do penance before the blissful holy martyr.”
Bril-a-Brag and Gloatenglorp left without a word, but as he went Uncle Dagarth muttered, “I’ll bet he lays his hands on the treasure straightaway and gives most of it to those despicable peasants!”
He then glared at those peasants and gestured for his wife, sons and what was left of his retinue to follow him in his walk of shame out of the gate.
Roland addressed those who remained: “Now, enough of enemies! Let’s make more time for friends! I thank you once more, yee-hove-hees!”
The yee-hove-hees all cheered, “Yee-hove-hee!”
“and thank you to the Venerable Conceiver Of Strategies!”
The fool of the venerable conceiver of strategies beat him around the face even more enthusiastically as usual until the venerable conceiver at last seemed to realise that he was being appreciated, gave a smile and even started blowing kisses to all those cheering him.
“And Bobblejob and Jubblebub – step forwards! You did your part, albeit unwittingly, so I am promoting you both to be my guards with special responsibility for spotting mythical and non existent monsters – a post with no responsibility whatsoever. Nevertheless, you will still be supervised carefully to prevent you doing any harm…”
Bobblejob said, “Thank you! Thank you! I swear we will keep a special lookout for any mythical and non—existent monsters and report them straight away if we see any.”
“Yes, we will carry out our duties digitally.” Said Jubblebub.
“And then jump in the moat,” Oliver said.
Roland gave him a stare, then continued, “And Firebrace my old counsel; I am sorry you could not be with us in the final battle… What can I say, what can I give you but my grateful thanks and enduring friendship.”
Everyone cheered and Firebrace rose, as best he could, and acknowledged the applause.
“Oliver,” Roland said, “I make you seneschal of this castle and Savitri chief muster mistress and adjutant — if you will accept the positions.”
“Gladly,” said Oliver.
“Yes,” said Savitri, “and anyway, I have nowhere else to go!”
Roland asked them, “I would like both of you to supervise the guarding of the land surveyors and ensure they cause no further problems.”
They both confirmed acceptance of the grave responsibility.
Roland continued to express his heartfelt thanks, “Thank you villagers!” — the villagers cheered — “and thank you to the sun warriors.” — the sun warriors stood silent, in rows, like dummies, as if waiting for their next orders; but everyone cheered them anyway.
“And Lumenfarge! We all owe you everything. You put yourself out to bring us the instruments of this victory.”
Everyone cheered. In response Lumenfarge burned even more brightly and with a slightly pink tinge, almost as if he were blushing.
“And Mr Botherworth – indispensible, and also wonderful!”
Botherworth really did blush. Savitri hugged him.
Then the bird which had conveyed messages when Roland was in the tower’s cradle fluttered down and perched on his sleeve. It pulled at it with its beak and tweeted loudly, as if demanding its role in the victory be acknowledged.
“And thanks to you also – my able avian messenger! I hereby make you captain of my birds!”
The bird tweeted its appreciation and flew off, doubtless to inform its fellows of its new rank.
All said a quiet prayer to remember all those who had fallen in battle, especially the Knights Fortressers and particularly Brother Goodwill. “We will remember them!”
Then they all went off to the great feast that awaited them — all except for Roland and Firebrace, who remained behind for a moment. Roland turned to Firebrace and said, “The tower is the treasure isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” said Firebrace, Doubtless there is gold or silver to be found in many of its rooms, but it is as worthless as dust compared to the great treasure that is the tower itself — the connexion between earth and sky that sustains all life!”
“I am glad we saved the tower from the Spirus – and from Uncle Dagarth and his friends.”
“We did well – you especially, my young commander. But don’t think this will be your last battle; there are many others who seek to control the tower.”
“And destroy it,” said Roland, “The storm lords.”
“Them too.”
“One day I will defeat them and free my mother.”
“Yes,” said Firebrace, “One day you will.”
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