CHAPTER 13
COWARDS AND FOOLS
Flossy and Stanley arrived at Town Hall only a little ahead of the rhinos. Assam Tortoise, tucked up tight in his shell and whimpering, was tied upside down to Flossy’s back like a dome-shaped backpack. Having just come in from the rain, the dapple-grey horse left a wet and muddy trail on the tile floor. The golden figures of animals in their niches seemed to jump with surprise as Stanley clip-clopped loudly across the Hall of Greeting. The hollow dome high above, with its rainbow windows and detailed frescoes of humans cavorting with owls, resonated with the news of their arrival and the tall doors leading to the Hall of Deliberation began to swing ponderously open, as if they were expected.
Flossy was livid with anger about what she had learned at the quay. Harry and Sally had been taken by the pirates, right from under their noses. Sergeant Boar had prevented Larry from stopping them and Assam had hid in the shadows instead of untying Stanley so he could run for help. She had become very fond of Harry in the short time she’d known him and he was the only way she could be reunited with her parents. The black boar had tied up Larry who would have stopped the pirates dead in their tracks. Stanley may have been able to bring back help in time if Assam had untied him rather than worrying about his own cowardly hide. Now it was too late, Harry and Sally were somewhere at sea held captive by blood-thirsty canines. There was no hope of escape, little for rescue. She of all people, having been held hostage for months herself, knew exactly what kind of danger they were in. The only reason they had been taken rather than killed was because they were useful in some way. In Harry’s case, Pirate Pratt would have a particularly nasty revenge in mind. He would need to make an example of Harry or he would be barked out of the pirate fraternity. He would want everyone to know that he had the last laugh. Tragically, Sally would probably already have been eaten. The pirates had a ravenous appetite and little opportunity for fresh meat.
Stanley was trotting across the beautiful compass rose mosaic set into the floor when Sergeant Boar emerged from the open doors leading to the Hall of Deliberation. He looked pleased, even a little smug. When Stanley reached him, he reared up on its hind legs and kicked out with his forelegs. The black boar dodged easily but then slipped on the wet floor, stumbled and landed flat on his surprised face, fat bottom conveniently poking up in the air.
‘This is for Harry!’ yelled Flossy, who had already drawn her sword. With one mighty stroke she brought the flat of the sword down upon the boar’s rump with all her strength. The slap was like a thunderclap.
The Sergeant squealed, his eyes round like dinner plates as he searched desperately for the grievous wound. Having found only a red mark from the slap of steel he struggled to his feet on the slippery floor, lurched forward and cannonballed wildly from the hall. He only just reached the top of the stairs when the stampede of rhinos returning from the quay hit him head on.
Flossy, mad as a scorpion and determined to find a way to rescue her friends, rode into the Hall of Deliberation and boldly approached the dais. She dismounted before Stanley had stopped, carelessly dropped Assam from her back, and arranged her damp clothes and hair as best she could. One of the big rhinos trotted to a stop behind her, breathing hard.
‘You may approach, Flossy Fairweather Human. You also, Captain Rhino,’ said the Mayor.
Stanley moved aside as Flossy and the big rhinoceros stepped forward. The captain was squinting in the bright light of the hall. His flanks were wet from the rain.
‘Report, Captain,’ ordered the Mayor.
‘Sir, Harry Possum and Sally Sloth could not be found. We released Stanley Horse with Miss Human’s assistance and have brought back Assam Tortoise for interrogation. We saw no pirates.’
‘Thank you, Captain,’ said the Mayor.
Captain Rhino stepped back, dipping his armoured horns respectfully.
‘We are glad to see you safe and well, Stanley Horse,’ said the Mayor, smiling. The Mayor faced Flossy. ‘I presume that is Assam Tortoise there beside you?’ he asked.
‘Yes, sir. Shall I...?’ asked Flossy.
The big lion gestured at the foot of the dais.
Flossy rolled Assam onto his back and dragged him to the dais then flipped him the right way up. She wasn’t gentle.
‘Come out please, Mr Tortoise,’ requested the Mayor politely.
Assam lay stone-like; unmoving.
‘Don’t cause us to run out of patience, Mr Tortoise. I really don’t want to lose my temper again.’
Assam peered up at the big lion with his one exposed eye. His four limbs, stumpy tail and head were still tucked tightly into his shell. Slowly he wriggled out his tail, then his legs. Last to emerge was his head and neck, eyes darting about nervously.
‘Perhaps you can tell us a little about your involvement in this unhappy matter,’ suggested the Mayor in his warmest, most reassuring voice.
Assam looked like he was about to speak but then twitched and looked back at Flossy.
‘Perhaps you should speak for him?’ prompted the Mayor.
Flossy explained what she had learned about Assam’s cowardly inaction; how he had failed to aid Larry or free Stanley, who could have quickly raised the alarm and secured help. She held nothing back, her scorn obvious. When she finished, she noticed that the hall had fallen deathly silent, as if everyone was expecting something further.
The Mayor roared.
The roar boomed off the lofty ceiling and expanded to fill the vast hall. Flossy wouldn’t have been surprised if the beautiful stained glass window above the Mayor burst and showered down in a deadly rainbow of glass shards. The crescent of animals behind her shrank back, some falling flat to the floor. Assam imploded into his shell with a speed not unlike the breaking of an overstretched bowstring. It was to Stanley’s credit that he held his ground unflinchingly. Captain Rhino too appeared unaffected.
When silence once again prevailed and the Mayor had regained his composure he lamented: ‘If anyone can find for me one courageous tortoise I will hand him my job and go into retirement!’ He gathered himself up and shook his head despondently. ‘Mr Tortoise, had you not considered there was a very good chance of Stanley Horse raising the alarm in sufficient time to stop Harry Possum’s and Sally Sloth’s abduction? Were you so concerned about your precious leather hide that you would prefer shaming the whole House of Tortoise with your cowardice?’ The lion turned away, giving up. ‘Leave our presence, we can take no more!’
Assam had become a stone; he did not move.
‘Someone… yes, you and you… remove this creature before I hurl him out the door myself!’ said the Mayor.
Two large gorillas stepped forward and effortlessly picked up the tortoise between them. The crowd parted as they left the hall. Someone standing nearby spat, Flossy couldn’t see who.
She noticed Iscariot Snake in the crowd. He was looking at her rather than the departing boar like everyone else. She tapped the pommel of her sword to remind him and smiled.