| Chapter 15 Matt junior peered over at the retired psychologist. They were both walking at a steady pace. It was the first time that the Kidd had ever really looked at the psychologist. Matt senior’s hair was spiked and it was white with brown at the very tips. He wore a sleeveless navy blue shirt and black cargo pants. Strapped to his back was a well-crafted sword with no guard. He wasn’t extremely tall, maybe 5’8” or 5’9”. Of course, he had the half-elvish look to him; slightly pointed ears and a relatively narrow face, though certainly not gaunt. His eyes were always changing colors, sometimes they were almost bluish, but usually they took on the color of hazel-green. They psychologist glanced over at the Kidd and gave him a “what are you looking at” look. “So you say this is where you saw the penguins? Somewhere around this cliff?” asked Matt senior. “Yes,” replied the Kidd. “Hmm,” was all the psychologist said. ***************** Anday smiled as he walked along the garden path. There was so much he needed to do for tomorrow but he was so glad that Hannahoko had forgiven him and would be ready to trust him enough command a great defense against Russia, and perhaps Mona. He looked up and spotted Ginny sitting on a bench in the garden. She seemed so serious, sitting there. Perhaps she knew as much as he did about the next day. A rascally smirk crossed his face. He ran up to Ginny and before she could say a word he swept her up in his arms and began to swing her around. “Anday Stmatkin you put me down right this minute!” She screamed kicking her legs. The Commander placed her down. “Guess what Ginny?! I was promoted back to Commander!” “I’m so happy for you!” she said sincerely, and then remembered what he had just done and added, “But that still does not give you permission to throw me around like that. That is NO way to treat a lady.” “I know, I’m sorry. I’m just so happy.” He bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I have to go now, I have a lot of things to get done,” with that Anday began to run off. Ginny stood stunned for a moment but she wasn’t dazed for long. She turned towards him and yelled, “Anday Stmatkin you’re impossible!” **************** It was quite dreary in a darkened cell, Nick decided. He almost came to enjoy when the timid elf came to bring him food simply because it broke up his day. It was about lunchtime, he knew this from his stomach growling, so Alyx would be coming soon. Every day he gathered a little more information out of her, and perhaps gained a little more of her trust. She came in toting a tray that seemed bigger than she was. “Here you go, sir,” said Alyx, still keeping as much distance between her and Nick as she could. Nick flashed her a roughish grin. “Thank you, Alyx.” Was it his imagination or did her cheeks just get a darker hue of pink? “You’re welcome, sir. Is there anything else you want?” “Would you be willing to give me an update, Alyx?” The tiny elf eyed him warily. “Well, I think I can, today, sir. I have a little bit of time.” “Thank you, Alyx.” “Well, okay, this is what’s going on. Russia is planning their attack for tomorrow. And, Mona is too. She has just about five thousand penguins. And...are you sure I can tell you these things, Nick?” “Yes, I’m positive, Alyx, I can’t go anywhere anyway.” “Okay then. My brother Rifius is on Russia’s side. Well, I suppose both of us are. He thinks its best that way, Nick. He told me that Hannahoko doesn’t care about anyone but herself, he says ‘down with the monarchy.’ And, Miss Erika promised use that we would never go hungry again, Hannahoko could never do that for us.” “Hannahoko is doing far better than Erika would, and she cares much more,” Nick said defensively. “That is easy for you to say, Nick! How often were you wondering where your next meal was coming from?” Alyx yelled and then blushed at her loudness. “ I’m sorry, please just continue..” said Nick, “How is Hannahoko?” “Why do you care so much for that Queen? Why won’t you join us on Russia’s side? Then you can leave this cell. Its the smartest thing to join Miss Erika, so my brother says.” Nick almost began explaining himself but then decided to say something entirely different, “Alyx, what did you say?” “Its the smartest thing to join Miss Erika. You should join us too.” “Why is it smart?” “Because she will take care of you forever!” “Alyx, I think you’ve just shown me the light. Perhaps I should join back with Miss Erika. And you can help me convince her that I‘ve seen the truth.” Alyx seemed quite pleased. ********************* “Wait,” the psychologist put a hand out to stop the Kidd from continueing to walk, “I hear something, quick get behind that boulder.” The Kidd did so without comment, and the psychologist followed. A horrible sound filled the air, it was something in between screeching tires and a baby screaming. Matt junior peered around the side of the boulder and saw what produced the sound. A huge group of mutant penguins were emerging from the ground. In their, was it hands? they held a assorted weapons, starting with knives and ending with lasers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Oh Nick,” Alyx said in-between gasps for breath, “I don’t know where Miss Erika or Will is but-” “Did you say Will? Is Will here?” “Yes, but please let me finish, I’m going to let you go. You must protect Hannahoko. They’re going to murder her. Nick, I never knew that they were going to do that! They just told me that they were going to dethrone her. Nick, Rufius is going to help assassin her! You must stop him. Please, he could get hurt. Will you save him?” “Yes yes of course, just please let me go,” Nick replied hastily. Alyx still hesitated but she decided to let him go anyway. “Thank you,” he said and embraced the small elf, “Leave it all to me, you go and find a hiding place. Are there any guards out there?” Alyx’s face reddened in shyness when he hugged her. “No, just about everyone is gone, they went to meet with Mona..” “Thank you Alyx, no you go and hide!” She smiled and ran off. Now to find Hannahoko, thought Nick. |