Wicked Runaway: A Mark Cannidor Adventure

Chapter Twelve

The captain had been missing for days. There was no denying that he was not going to return. Then again, he was in no fit state to lead a crew, and the children could see that was apparent. In the days that followed his departure, Elizabeth had taken full rein of the Twelve Green Bottles. It was hers, after all, and she wanted to make the most of it. She introduced a Happy Hour every weekday between 6pm and 10pm. She hired some of her crew mates to cook meals and serve drinks at the bar. The old barman who once worked in the parlour remained and was promoted to the position of head barman. Albeit he was rather disgruntled by all the new staff Elizabeth had hired to ensure the place could make ends meet.

Mark, Jeremiah, and Sophie knew that Elizabeth had an alibi.

‘You see, children, the captain wants this place to be run properly,’ Elizabeth explained on a sunny Friday afternoon, when the place was in full bustle. ‘Might as well show him how it’s done’.

‘I’m not enjoying this,’ Sophie explained shortly afterwards as they were busy sweeping the floors. ‘She’s getting mad with power, that one’.

Mark couldn’t agree more. In the days that followed, Elizabeth started shouting at her staff. Glasses were thrown at punters who disagreed with her. And the head barman resigned.

‘I have been in this position for many years!’ he grunted as Elizabeth fretfully walked him to the door. ‘Never in my life have I been controlled by a dictator!’

‘Malcolm, please!’ Elizabeth cried out. But it was too late. Malcolm had left as well. Mark couldn’t blame him. In fact, he was rather relieved to see him go. Malcolm wasn’t the sort you could get along well with. And because he was so stuck in his ways, it was difficult for him to open up to change, which was why there had been so many disagreements at the parlour most recently.

Mark was frustrated. Not only was the captain’s plan of maintaining a parlour abysmal, but they were also failing in their efforts to build an army to fight against Malcheffi. Elizabeth had too much on her mind. So, on a Sunday afternoon, Jeremiah came to Sophie and Mark with some terrific news.

‘I’ve found out where King Harry lives!’ he shouted gleefully as he joined them outside of an ice cream place called Cool as Winter. As he sat down, he took out a map of Alliva, and it was clear that he had badly circled a castle with a piece of coal. Mark saw that the name of the castle was Hickory Palace, and it was on the outskirts of Gold.

‘I mean, they renamed it to Steeple Palace to reflect the current owners,’ Jeremiah explained. ‘But at least we know what we need to do now’.

‘What, you think we should visit him?’ Sophie suggested.

‘Well, why shouldn’t we?’ Jeremiah asked, sitting down, and taking some of Marks dessert.

‘I mean, hypothetically speaking, it is his army after all,’ Sophie continued. ‘And he did enlist Ste’s help to build an army. I think we owe it to him to deliver his promise’.

‘But how do we get there?’ Mark asked, studying the map.

Jeremiah shrugged.

‘Try using magic,’ Sophie suggested.

‘I haven’t got a magical bone in my body, remember?’ Mark snapped.

‘Let me try,’ Jeremiah suggested. He took the map and concentrated with all his might. Slowly, the map began to reveal a footpath between their current location and Steeple Palace. It was crystal clear. The two locations were marked in green, and the way leading to the palace was coloured in red.

‘Brilliant!’ Mark trilled. ‘How did you manage that?’

Jeremiah tapped his forehead, in a way that said it was all in his little secret.

‘So, now all we need to do is walk to the palace,’ Sophie suggested.

Which is what they did. They paid for their ice creams and set off down to the palace. The children chatted merrily along the way, ambitiously discussing their plans to recruit an army of people to join them. Sophie had never met the King before, so she was happy to take her opportunity once and for all. A short while later, the conversation turned towards Quinte.

‘He’s just odd, that’s all,’ Jeremiah explained. ‘Always a lost cause. He has never been married from what I remember, and he just likes to think he knows everything…what’s wrong with you, Mark?’

Mark had begun to turn pale. He had a feeling that Quinte was right about something. He may have been going stark raving mad, but did he know a lot more than he should? Had he revealed too much to Sophie and Jeremiah, potentially putting them in jeopardy?

‘I’m fine,’ Mark lied, removing that thought from his mind and straightening up.

He dreaded to think what would happen to Sophie and Jeremiah if they knew the things he knew. They were not with him when he heard that conversation between Quinte and Captain McGough. Yet, the ship still stood on its dock, not moving anywhere. Mark had kept a watch on the ship every morning, wondering what Quinte’s plan was with the ship.

It was all too much for him.

After an hour of walking, they approached the palace. On the outskirts, it was such a large building. Mark couldn’t begin to calculate exactly how big the palace was. It had at least a dozen windows on the front of the building, and it was surrounded by a moat and green wilderness. There was a drawbridge leading up to the castle, and Mark guessed this only opened once permission was granted to the person wishing to cross. The building was so beautiful as well. It was a Pearl sort of colour, and from up here, there were glorious views of the ocean and the city down below.

‘There’s a guard stood outside the gates,’ Sophie whispered in Jeremiah’s ear, pointing towards a man wearing a blue tunic, a large black hat with peacock feathers, and highly polished black boots.

‘I’m not so sure about this,’ Mark whispered.

‘Nonsense,’ Jeremiah said. ‘I’ll do the talking’.

The children approached the guard. The guard’s eyes followed the two children suspiciously as they approached him.

‘We’re here to see the king,’ Jeremiah said.

The guard observed Jeremiah for several long moments, then he laughed loudly.

‘Isn’t that what everyone says?’ the guard chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes.

‘It’s true,’ Jeremiah continued. ‘We’re from the Sellina, and Captain Stephen McGough is supposed to be working for the King to help recruit an army. Well, you see the captain has gone. We don’t know where he is. So, we’re here to help the King’.

‘Don’t you think the King will have his own resources?’ the guard snapped.

‘We are the King’s resources,’ Mark said.

‘I see,’ the guard said, stroking his beard. ‘I wonder…who may you be?’

Jeremiah paused. He was lost for words.

‘I’m Mark Cannidor,’ Mark replied, stepping forward and taking control of this situation. ‘My parents are Edward and Hazel Cannidor. They are still in England, but they were very good friends with King Harry during the first wizarding war. These are my friends – Sophie and Jeremiah’.

The guard stroked his beard, studying Mark for several long moments.

‘I see,’ the guard said. ‘Well, then – wait here, will you?’

The guard left the children alone for a few moments.

‘I hope this works,’ Sophie whispered.

‘Of course, it will,’ Jeremiah responded. ‘If it doesn’t, then we’ll need to find Ste and give him a real what for’.

‘I’m sure the king won’t talk to us,’ Mark said.

‘What makes you say that?’ Jeremiah asked.

Mark didn’t have a chance to reply. The guard returned. This time, he was accompanied by a woman carrying a brown sack which was oddly light. She was a greying woman with a black dress, and she seemed rather strict.

‘I see you children were looking to speak to the King?’ the woman asked. She sounded as though she might be from somewhere in Scotland.

‘That’s right,’ Mark replied.

‘Well, I’m afraid that’s quite out of the question,’ the woman continued. ‘You see, the King has more pressing matters at this moment in time. There is a war approaching the island, and the King is, indeed, struggling to manage his resources. He must build an army of Oficials before sundown tonight, otherwise we may find ourselves losing this battle. So, he has no time to speak to you. However, there is something you can do for us all’.

The woman revealed to the children the sack which she was carrying behind her had a stamp which read Property of Steeple Palace. She opened the sack, and Mark saw the contents inside.

‘He has instructed me to give you these’.

The woman gave Mark the sack.

‘There are thousands of application forms inside this bag,’ the woman explained. ‘I hear that Captain McGough has taken over the Twelve Green Bottles. Yes? Good. Well then, use the premises to recruit a home guard. I’m sure Elizabeth would be happy to help you with that’.

The woman winked at the children, then she was escorted back to the castle.

‘Well, that was useless,’ Jeremiah muttered as they started to walk away from the castle.

‘Not if I can help it,’ Mark said ambitiously. ‘I have an idea’.

***

‘You went to the palace?’

The children had returned to the Twelve Green Bottles. Elizabeth was busying herself with some customers when they arrived, and as soon as they found a table by themselves, Elizabeth had joined them. They explained everything that happened with the guard and the woman at the palace, and the sack they were given as a task.

‘I’m surprised they didn’t give you a chance to speak to Harry,’ Elizabeth continued sullenly. ‘Normally he is quite hospitable towards his guests’.

‘I told the guard who I was as well,’ Mark said. ‘But he told us the king was busy with something else. That was why the woman came out’.

‘Grey hair? Elderly?’ Elizabeth asked.

The children nodded.

‘That would be his mother, Rose,’ Elizabeth continued. ‘Lovely woman. If you get to meet her again, that is, I am sure she will warm herself to the three of you. On the outside, she may seem uptight and unforgiving. But she cares about everyone in that palace. Especially her son’.

‘Her son?’

‘Harry’.

‘Surely that must make Rose the Queen?’ Mark asked curiously.

Elizabeth chuckled.

‘Goodness, no!’ she exclaimed. ‘She never wanted the job. She handed the throne straight to her son when he turned twenty-four. She never liked to be in charge. Always asked for guidance from those around her. In fact, Edward and Hazel Cannidor were very good friends with…I’ve said too much’.

‘Wait!’ Mark said. ‘Don’t stop there. I want to know more’.

Elizabeth paused, studying Mark affectionately.

‘Well,’ Elizabeth responded. ‘If you must know, your parents were best with friends with the Royal Family of Alliva’.

Mark’s jaw dropped.

‘Mate, you’re practically royalty now,’ Jeremiah jibed, elbowing Mark in the ribs. ‘That’s a special claim to…’

‘Shut up, Jay!’ Mark snapped.

‘Anyway,’ Elizabeth sighed, bringing an end to the banter. ‘The Cannidors were a lot closer to the Steeples than most people might think. They helped the family a great deal during the first wizarding war of Alliva, and they actually saved Harry’s life. It was an incredible journey for them. Soon after the war ended, Rose was thankful for the work her son had done. So, she handed the thrown to Harry. He has been in charge ever since.

‘Now, don’t expect me to go into full details. I can only tell you so much. The only encounters I can recall are the ones I’ve read in newspapers. They had dinners with the Royal Family and everything. Yet, they also had their dark secrets as well. It would be a shame to the whole family if the truth got out. It would cause a great amount of pressure and embarrassment. That’s why your parents are well respected, Mark. They had hearts of gold. They cared about every person they met. Wizard or not. They looked after the Steeples and they certainly looked after you. That’s why you’re so lucky to have them’.

Mark found this fascinating that he had parents who were so thoughtful towards others and went out of their way to achieve so much. He didn’t want Elizabeth to stop talking about them, but then there were more pressing matters to worry about.

His parents were one of those issues.

‘Oh,’ Elizabeth said, opening the bag the children brought back from Steeple Palace. ‘There are…hundreds, no thousands of papers in here’.

‘Let’s have a look, Elizabeth,’ Sophie requested. Elizabeth handed Mark, Jeremiah and Sophie a piece of parchment each. Mark studied what looked like a formal note.

My Dear Allivans,

The time has come for us to rebuild our land. We must fight against the great dark wizard of the age. Therefore, I am adding to the existing Royal Battalion of Alliva. There will be applications accepted at most outlets and businesses in Alliva. Please complete the form on the back and return it before the stroke of midnight on the 25th July.

Wizards only to apply.

The very best,

King Harry Steeple

Steeple Palace, The Port Capital of Gold-by-the-Sea

Alliva

‘Wizards only?’ Mark asked.

‘There are non-wizards here on the island as well,’ Jeremiah explained. ‘Lucky that both communities can agree to get along here’.

‘Certainly,’ Elizabeth agreed. ‘Most countries have such a medieval attitude towards magic. It’s a good job that Allivans can keep this country a secret’.

Mark thought that was a good thing. From what he had read in books, there were still medieval attitudes towards wizards and magic in the country. In fact, there were myths that trials were still held all over the country, and people were still burned for possessing magical powers.

Not on his watch. He was glad to be somewhere safe.

‘Well, then,’ Elizabeth said, standing on her feet. ‘No time to waste. We have an army to build’.

Mark, Jeremiah, and Sophie took a handful of leaflets each and stood outside the Twelve Green Bottles in a desperate bid to recruit as many people as possible.

It occurred to Mark that there were mixed attitudes towards joining Harry’s army. Some people were more than happy to sign up. Others were reluctant, not wanting to leave their jobs or families. Some snarled down at the children, and others made up prophecies as their excuse not to join.

‘Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that when the enemy burns down your house!’ Jeremiah spat after a young gentleman tried to make them believe that Allivan taxes were not used to fight but were used to pay for the King’s private bathroom.

‘Well, at least we’re recruiting some people,’ Sophie said proudly.

‘Yeah, but it’s not enough,’ Jeremiah responded.

Mark sighed. He was glad they took a step forward with their work today. They were glad to be supporting the effort to win the war against Malcheffi. No matter where Malcheffi was in the world, they would be ready.

And Mark would finally get to return to England.

With hope.