-- That’s my answer. I won’t do it. I’m not going.

[Evening - Military Hospital]

[Inside Ferdie’s office/lab ]

Well lit by lamp light the entire room was.

It fell warmly upon books and beakers, a coat rack to one corner, a couple of chairs and a little dining table with teacups. 

Various chemical smells spotted the air.

To one wall, jars of different sizes sat on shelves with brightly coloured liquids, some with odd objects floating within. 

To another, a wall made of wooden drawers used to store a variety of medicines and common and rare dried herbs. 

Everything save a study table, appeared to be in its proper place, clean and orderly.

**

They all looked at him.

Exasperated, Anna took to her feet in a huff. 

While Violet sat small in her chair disheartened, her eyes glistening and on the verge of tears. 

Ferdie however, simply frowned. 

With much disappointment in his voice, he asked

Ferdie: You understand that they won’t be able to do this without you, don’t you? Are you certain?

Jerry: Yes, I am. And besides Ferdo..

He began, eyes upon a restless Anna who had begun pacing

Jerry: …we’re already short on capable hands here- even if it is on His Majesty’s orders. And sending me will only place further strain- 

Ferdie, who was already turned in his seat to face his friend, next placed a hand upon his shoulder saying

Ferdie: Yes, I’m quite aware of the situation we find ourselves in. Even so, allow me to be the one concerned with such, won’t you?

While Jerry fought internally to find and state another reasonable excuse, Ferdie continued

Ferdie: It isn’t as difficult a matter. The request for a medical officer to join the group could mean that he is severely injured or ill or perhaps, simply as a precaution..Every medical officer here is qualified. Anyone will do

Jerry: Yeah but Ferdo-

Ferdie: ..Either way, I have the written request with His Majesty’s seal upon it along with an Imperial token to pass the gates.  It would be more than enough to grant you all leave of the city. 

Jerry: Yeah but-

Ferdie: What is required now is haste. Before I send anyone to Moorspeak and before His Majesty’s men make their way for Arden.  The three of you need to arrive there before they do

Jerry shook his head. His light straw coloured hair swayed across his forehead as he did. 

His words then met Ferdie directly and without waver

Jerry: Yeah but Ferdo, why don't we simply let His Majesty have him? This is lunacy. And don’t you dare even try to convince me otherwise, for I well know-

Ferdie: Jerry-

Jerry: No. 

Removing the hand on his shoulder, he strongly added

Jerry: I well know that if Alex is indeed taken to Moorspeak and is kept there, the war will end. Do you not trust His Majesty? The southerners will yield. They would have no other choice but to surrender and turn-

Anna: They sailed all the way here with thousands of men.

Anna had bluntly interrupted him. And now she stood squarely behind her empty chair, her sandy hair resembling much like a lion’s mane 

Anna: Do you really think they would turn back now? 

Jerry:  Uh…I don’t kn-

Anna: Had they found him on the island- Do you think the southerners would’ve retreated? No. With or without him, they will continue until everything is destroyed.

Jerry: Then…what is.. What makes you think that by doing this-

Ferdie: I..we do trust His Majesty, Jeremiah. Even so, have you not noticed that ever since the negotiation failed, the fighting has only intensified? And we..we see the results here, don’t we?

Jerry: …

Ferdie: I know it’s asking much but there’s no one else I would completely trust to send, Jeremiah 

Brows furrowed, he shook his head as he replied

Jerry: Yeah, well…but then..-What makes you think…If I were him, I would let- after everything,.. 

Ferdie: …

Jerry: ..Why would he concern himself to stop the war?

Ferdie: He may or he may not. Even so, there’s something…I really do believe he can convince his brother to end the fighting and return to their homeland. Afterall, he convinced us to trust him

Jerry: Yeah…Still, it’s a probability- you don’t know for certain that he would

Ferdie: No, I do not. 

Jerry: …

Ferdie: Even so, I do know that he'll be silenced in Moorspeak dungeons. And once his brother learns of his whereabouts, they'll tear a path straight through the city to get there. They'll burn everything to the ground as they did on Onyx and by the time His Majesty’s men arrive from Farsla, there won’t be much or anything left to save.

Anna then scoffed at Jeremiah's stunned expression. 

And as the only one standing, her words fell like stinging rain. Addressing Ferdie, she stated

Anna: If he’s this afraid, then he’ll only become a burden. Perhaps, it’s best that he remains here.

Ferdie: It is a dangerous endeavour. He has every right to be.

Jerry: I am. And...and it’s not only that but also I- you know-

He blinkingly stuttered this all while massaging his neck

Ferdie: Jeremiah..

In an attempt to sway him, Ferdie spoke tenderly 

Ferdie: …know that I understand- you're afraid and rightly so but Anna..

Anna: -hmph!

Ferdie: ..and Violet have sworn to me that they shall protect you with their very lives should anything occur

Regaining his words, he replied zealously. Waving his hands about and shifting in his seat

Jerry: Theirs- my life? What if we’re found out? What if we’re caught? Agreeing to treason wasn’t on my list of things to do for today.  And I think that I prefer my head attached to my precious neck. Thank you all the same but my answer is still no.

Anna: Well, what if we threatened your life instead?

Ferdie: Anna. That isn’t- You’re not helping.

While Ferdie held a scathing look at her, she appeared unbothered. 

To Violet however, she interrupted, her voice small but clear

Violet: Jerry?...Won’t you please reconsider? 

***

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Under the watchful eyes of his older fellow prison guard, the group waited.

--  I expected the delegation to be larger. Isn't he dangerous?

He read again the Emperor’s letter bearing his golden seal. 

His Majesty ordered medical attention be given toward the southerner before his release and departure for Moorspeak.

It gave reason for the lone medical officer but-

The prison guard scratched the tuft of hair he called a beard and returned the letter with a questioning expression.

- Why? Do you think that the pair of us won't be enough to handle him?

-- Uh...I suppose..you are capable if you were sent. Uhm.. 

As he concernedly glanced at each of them and back again

- He’s chained up, isn't he?

-- He is. However..uh..I think it’s best if I-

He began distractedly before the other guard interrupted stating

-- The prisoner is on the first level below…  

Retrieving a large ring of keys from off the wall, he beckoned as he added

-- ..And it’ll be a pleasure to finally be rid of him. Follow me.

**

Lit by oil-lamps along stone walls, down a long corridor he led them. 

At the end, an aged wooden door. 

It creaked open to reveal stone steps winding down into cool darkness.

Footsteps echoed. Keys jangled. And their hushed voices carried on ahead, into the dimly lit dungeons below.

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[Evening - Military Hospital]

[Inside Ferdie’s office/lab ]

Jerry: Violet, I’m sorry but I..cannot

They were seated in a little rebellious circle- or rather, a square, broken presently by a standing Anna. 

Violet meanwhile, attempted to meet his apologetic eyes to lend convincing words and hopefully sway him. 

Yet all she heard from her lips was a pitiful attempt as tears quietly streamed down her face.

Violet: I know you truly are sorry…I know.. 

Jerry: …

Violet: ..and I can see that you’re afraid and I…I understand that feeling

Jerry: …

Violet: I also know that even though Alex may not be someone you might readily stick your precious neck out for, I know you can. You already did once. I saw you. And, when I did…I silently admired you for it. 

His face seemed to colour as he caught Violet’s gaze solely upon him. He gave a mumbled finish to a reply saying

Jerry: Sure, yeah. But that was only because- ..you know- ..making a ruckus- with the sword..disturbing everyone

Violet: Alex gave of himself to assist you in saving the lives of wounded officers- without question or want or rest. We’re indebted to him. Please. 

Jerry: …

Pleading, Violet continued 

Violet:  Please, help us. We can save his life- We can save many lives and put an end to the war but only if we’re brave enough and do this.  All I ask of you is to help me- help us to save Alex… Won’t you,...please?

Anna: Violet…

Although mostly soft-spoken, her words were determined and passionate. 

And Jerry, his face defiant and stern all the while, held strong for a moment longer before weakening. 

He groaned as he shrank.  

Under the pressure of her glistening eyes, he frowned and pleaded

Jerry: Help me, Ferdo. …How do I say no to that?

To himself, Ferdie smiled before replying

Ferdie: I don't believe that you can

Violet: …

With eyes shut as if in prayer, Jerry sighed then replied in defeat

Jerry: …fine, very well. Yes. I’ll help rescue the lovebird from its cage

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