The City: PuzzleLocked Book 1

Someone must have caused enough noise to alert a hansom driver, who looked about and saw the children escaping. He called out, “The prisoners are escaping! Guards, guards, the prisoners!”

The guards ceased chopping, looking toward the mayor. The mayor shouted, “They’re just damn kids. Go round them up and shove them back in the carriage. And someone watch that carriage more closely.”

Dammit. We didn’t plan for this contingency.

As the guards started to put down their axes and run after the kids, Flor heard the sound of salvation. Alastair was talking loudly, animatedly, about some sort of beer facts. He was surrounded by a small procession of what looked like friars with a wagon pulled by a donkey. Irving walked alongside the donkey, hope in his eyes.

Flor watched as they rounded the corner and saw the mayhem of four guards chasing five kids while the mayor stood atop the hansom and yelled at them. Irving must have seen his sister, for he yelped in joy, then shouted, “My sister! My sister Enora!” He then ran to one of the kids, just as a guard caught her. Irving continued his part, “Thank you, thank you for finding my sister! She ran away just yesterday and I’ve been looking for her since. How can I ever thank you!” He went to shake the guard’s hand and hug his sister simultaneously, much to the chagrin of the guard.

Lord Oliver shouted at no one in particular, “What’s all this about!?”

Alastair shouted, “Looks like a happy family reunion, Lord Mayor! Thank you, Lord Mayor, for finding and returning these kids!” He turned toward the friar and shouted, “Three cheers for the Lord Mayor! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!” The friars all cheered loudly.

Flor sneaked through the trees and then came up from behind the wagon. “What’s all this delay going on!? I have places to be,” she complained loudly.

Alastair turned to her and winked. He said, “The Lord Mayor is reuniting families. Kudos to him!”

The guards had caught the other four kids and were looking questioningly at the mayor for direction. The Mayor, uncertain what to do, waved them down.

Alastair said, “Since it looks like the way is blocked, maybe the friars would be so kind as to take these children back to their homes?”

The friars conferred and began to turn the wagon. The kids, each standing confused by the guards, looked at each other and then ran to the wagon.

I can’t believe this is working. “Well, since the way is blocked, I might as well go back also.” Flor walked to Alastair and said, loudly, “Mind if I join you?”

He nodded and they began to move. He leaned in and whispered, “Good job, Love!”

The friars had started to get the donkey moving when Flor looked back. The Mayor had indicated that the other guards should release the thugs. Someone new was walking down the path toward the felled tree. The individual was too far for Flor to tell, but it looked like someone with an actual name above their head.

Flor heard, loudly, “Lord Mayor! You are deceived. Those men and those friars have plotted against you. I watched that brawler release the lock to the carriage and free the children, and I know these two men felled this tree not an hour ago. The Lord of the Keep will be disappointed if you fail to bring him his sacrifice.”

Your disposition with Oliver Guillem Francesc changed from Neutral to Despised.

You have unlocked the Achievement: Hated! (Become Despised)

The Mayor seemed surprised by the new individual. Flor tried to spur the others on, but as they encouraged faster movement, heard the sound of the guards mounting their horses, then the sound of hooves riding in their direction quickly. It was only a moment later that she felt a spear enter through her back. {No combat gem game today.}

Minus three health. You have died.