Chapter 25
It seemed to Braddle as if the Council Building had been persuaded to join General Stoo’s side. On its front, draped above the main door, was a large portrait of General Stoo in gleaming armour with an expression on his face that did not come naturally to the real one. It suggested strength and determination but also generosity and benevolence. The building wore the portrait like a badge, ostentatious and over-the-top, as if it was desperate to show its allegiance to the new regime. Around the building was a chain of lit torches and then another chain of soldiers standing to attention. For Braddle, the most surprising thing of all, however, was the large crowd gathered in front of the building. It wasn’t protesting nor was it on the verge of smashing the windows and rampaging up the steps. Rather, it looked as if it was enjoying itself and pleased with how the night out was going. There was laughter as certain, talented individuals entertained parts of the crowd with songs and poems; others were dancing in small groups around small fires to the sounds of a Stringer. Occasionally, there was a surge of excitement as the Council Building door opened and closed again for, it seemed, no apparent reason. Confused, Braddle stood and watched the scene. His Uncle must have guessed his thoughts for he said:
“Don’t be upset Braddle. There are many, many more people who have not come. Even a fool can have supporters.”
Belay spat loudly onto the ground in front of him.
“Come on. Let's get round the back. The others will be waiting.”
Grenta screwed her face up and looked at Braddle.
“Disgusting” she said.
“I know how he feels though” replied Braddle.
The crowd curled round the back of the building but it became less dense as it did so. Braddle and Grenta followed Malik and Belay around the edge of it. When they were in line with the door, the door that Braddle had used when he visited Drostfur, they stopped.
“We will wait here” said Uncle Malik. “When the signal is given and that door opens run to it as fast as you can. We’ll be right behind you.”
“How long to go?” asked Belay.
“Any moment now, I think” replied Uncle Malik.
It was difficult to know how many of the crowd were part of their group or whether, in fact, they had all managed to arrive in time. Braddle looked around him. A little further away he noticed Ipitch. He was talking quietly to another man wearing a cloak and a large, floppy hat. They were flanked by two other men who were listening intently to what he was saying. The other man must be Drostfur thought Braddle. The building was about twenty metres away. Around it, the lit torches continued with soldiers standing on guard every five metres or so. The space between the soldiers and the crowd was clear. Braddle turned to Grenta standing next to him.
“Your parents are not going to be happy Grenta” he said to her.
“No, I don’t think they will” she said. “How could they expect me to stay in my bedroom though? I wanted to help you and your uncle.”
“I don’t know how you can help but I’m glad you’re here all the same.”
A loud roar came from the front of the building. The roar was followed by screams and shouts.
“The diversion has started” said Belay. “Get ready.”
Ipitch left Drostfur’s side and walked into the empty space between the crowd and the building. The soldiers on guard watched him but did not move. Then with his best military voice, a voice perfected over forty years of military service, a voice that could easily reduce a grown man to tears, if he wasn’t quick about it, he addressed them.
“WELL? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? THE BUILDING IS UNDER ATTACK. GET YOURSELVES TO THE FRONT!”
The soldiers looked at each other unsure what to do. They were under orders to remain in position until their commanding officer told them otherwise and their commanding officer was not someone you disobeyed. He would not think twice about throwing any soldier he deemed unfit to be in his company into one of the spronger divisions. The noise from the front of the building continued. One soldier stepped forward and looked at his comrades.
“MOVE IT! NOW!”
The soldiers moved. They moved very quickly indeed, as Ipitch, ex-general Ipitch, knew they would. When the last soldier had sprinted around the corner of the building he strode to the door and knocked. The door sprung open. After a quick word to the man inside he turned to the crowd and nodded.
“This is it! Go!” shouted Belay.
Braddle and Grenta ran forward. They were the first to the door and ran inside. As she did so, Grenta failed to notice the look of astonishment on Ipitch’s face as she ran past him and in to the building. Behind them it felt as if a rain-river had suddenly formed and was rolling and crashing towards them. They were told to get to the end of the corridor fast. They ran to it, passed soldiers pressed close against the wall, and stopped. Turning they saw the rain-river solidify into the men and women of their small army. Braddle’s uncle was standing in the middle of it. The top of his head could just be seen. Belay had been swallowed up, though Braddle could hear him hiss to someone “mind my foot.” When the last one was in, the door was slammed quietly shut. Ipitch, followed by the young soldier who had been at the meeting in his house, squeezed through the crowd to where Braddle and Grenta were standing.
“You two young ones stay back until this thing is done” he said. “Well, we need to move swiftly. You all know what to do. Sergeant Telter will let you into the chamber a handful at a time. Go to your positions quietly without arousing suspicion and wait for the signal. Sergeant, over to you.”
Sergeant Telter opened the door and looked in the chamber. Immediately, the sound of music and laughter danced through from the heat-heaving room. Braddle heard two men talking not far from the door.
“Can you believe it?” he asked. “They pulled their trousers down and stuck their bare behinds in the air…”
“Really? Disgraceful” the other man said.
“…Then a fight broke out.”
“If only I had been there. I would have taught them some manners.”
“Don’t worry, they will be. They are all under arrest now. General Stoo will deal with them in the morning. You know how he despises coarse behaviour of any kind.”
“I should think so to. Things will be done differently in Carporoo now thanks to General Stoo. The quicker we make a start the better.”
The men walked away. Sergeant Telter indicated that the first five should go through. After a minute, another five followed them. When Uncle Malik and Belay reached the top of the line, Uncle Malik told Braddle that he should stay hidden and look after Grenta. Before Braddle could reply that he would, both his uncle and Belay were gone. The last in line were Drostfur, Ipitch and five other men. Drostfur held the floppy hat in his hand. Sergeant Telter informed them that General Stoo was standing on a raised platform with two other men at the far end of the chamber. He was about to give a speech.
“Right” said Ipitch. “Drostfur you remain here until it is safe to come out. I and these other gentlemen will apprehend General Stoo. Sergeant as soon as the building is secure escort the Councillor to the platform. Make sure you leave enough soldiers behind to guard that door though.”
Sergeant Telter said he would. With that, Ipitch and the other men entered the chamber.
With the door slightly ajar, they listened quietly to what was happening inside. They heard a voice call for silence. General Stoo was, indeed, about to make a speech. When the room quietened down, General Stoo began.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, loyal friends and devoted patriots…”
Drostfur shook his head.
“Not long to go now” he said to Braddle and Grenta. “Tomorrow we shall have our own celebration and you two shall be guests of honour.”
“The misrulers, the traitors, the, dare I say, politicians have…gone from our midst and now Carporoo can assume her former greatness…”
“Braddle, things may get a little heated in here” said Drostfur. “Wh
en the trouble starts it would be better for you and your friend to head to my office. As you know, it has a means of escape. Hopefully, you won’t need it but, if we do not succeed, then you and your friend should get as far away from here as you can.”
“Alright” said Braddle.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he does as you say” said Grenta.
Drostfur laughed.
“I’m sure you will young one” he said.
“Undesirables, the unproductive, those who do not know their place - all the leftovers discarded by a well-fed spronger - are no longer welcome. They…”
General Stoo let out a loud screech. This was followed by screams from his audience and a crashing noise as if a large table had just been overturned.
“Go now” said Drostfur.
Braddle grabbed Grenta’s hand and ran into the chamber.