I fear our cover may be blown. If you awake and find this note, know that I have had to flee the Barony with Frankches. The tablet must be protected at all costs. It is the key to everything. We will go to the Predas and seek refuge. You must run too. Seek out the committee. They meet every Tuesday at the Solar Baron's old Estate in the countryside, not far from here. Ask for the Fruit Baron. He will protect you. Good luck Wes, my dear friend. Godspeed. Otto.
The young man turned the note over again in his hands. It was handwritten, clearly scrawled in haste, barely legible in parts. He had found it stuffed into the back pocket of his trousers hanging over the edge of the chair next to the bed.
He looked across at the bed next to him. The old man was snoring loudly as usual. They never seemed to be awake at the same time so he had not had a chance to speak with him. He wasn't sure what had woken him from his slumber or how long he had been asleep, but when he had first opened his eyes he had found himself in a darkened room, curtains drawn shut, the low humming and rhythmic electronic beeping from the heart rate monitors, the only things breaking the silence. He had just been able to make out the drip stands looming large alongside him. He had tried to get out of bed, but his body had not responded well and he had realised that it was going to take some time to get his legs and arms used to moving again.
At first, he had drifted in and out of consciousness for what felt like days on end, but the past week he had been more aware and had begun to feel stronger... and famished! He had spent as much time as possible stretching, sitting up, pulling himself out of bed for a few minutes, and learning to balance once again on unstable feet. He had seen no sign of any other life around, other than the fresh plate of Pizza and vegetables that always greeted him when he awoke from his afternoon naps.
Your horses have been secured Miss Delilah, and have been taken down to the stables for the night.
Thank you my good man,
she replied, her rhetoric of contrived courtesy escaping the intellect of the guard.
I'd like to see my Father, now please, rather urgently!
The meeting was just drawing to a close as word sent by the guard reached the podium and the ears of the Fruit Baron. He sighed. He was still fuming inside. That Delilah would continue to disobey his wishes and insist on wandering the countryside at night, was beyond him. And now she had roped Henry into her escapades! And he had thought Henry was the sensible one of the two. He nodded his head to the attendant, closed the session, and headed off to where Delilah and Henry were being held.
Delilah knew that if she confided in Henry any further before following through with her plan, that she would be risking complete failure. She didn't know how much longer Henry could sustain her lies and she wasn't about to put his fortitude or loyalty to the test. This was too important!
Aah Father, you came!
Delilah thumped headlong into her Father, knocking the Folio, out from under his arm, flying across the room in the process. Her Father's protestations were met with shouts of glee as she gestured wildly to Henry, over her Father's shoulder, to collect up the manuscript and run. Henry, however, had other ideas, and instead of fleeing with the Plans, he froze and watched as they slid under a nearby sofa.
Delilah scowled at him.
Delilah, that's enough now!
Her father chastised her and then seeing her slowly dissolve into tears, bent down gently and wiped her cheeks, his voice softening in the process.
There is a lot at stake at the moment Delilah. Things of which you know very little and could not possibly understand at your age. I have much to do still this evening and more meetings with our friends, the Barons. I can't be spending my time worrying about you and Henry and what trouble you may be getting yourselves into. It may be late, but you cannot stay here, so, I have arranged for the guards to take you both back home without further ado.
This was an out that Delilah had not anticipated, but a very welcome one. As her father turned to address a now-shaking Henry, she seized the opportunity, reached under the sofa, and retrieved the Folio. The papers had come loose but on quick perusal, seemed to be intact. She tucked it quickly inside her coat and headed out the door.
C'mon Henry, you heard my Father, we have to leave now! She growled
Her father, sufficiently distracted, bid them farewell and left the room as a relieved Henry took up his place in tow behind Delilah.
The young man paced in annoyance. Nobody had come to visit him during his waking hours, and the door to the room remained locked. He had busied himself scouring the bookshelves for something to read these past few days and had come across a book on "The Solar Extensions for the Outer Reaches of the Barony." It seemed very familiar and upon opening and reading the first few pages, realised that curiously he understood the technical language being used to describe the processes and equipment used in the schemes. The Foreword to the book was addressed "For my son Wes".
He had popped it into his rucksack to read at a later date and was now working a plan to duck out of the room at the first opportunity and head for the hills.
He had one remaining burning question: Who the hell was Otto and Wes?
Wordcount: 999
Photo from Canva Pro gallery.
This is my entry to @dibblers.dabs "The Tale of Two Pizzas",
the first collaborative novella on the Hive blockchain. You can catch up on all the action to date here and here. Please follow @dibblers.dabs and look out for the next chapter in a few days' time.