Authors note: This is more fantasy then actually historical. So, ya know....Its just a fun story.
Sir James Gordon, commander of the city guard, paced about the bell tower of the church impatiently. The Knight operated on his own schedule, but usually came when summoned. And he was most assuredly needed in this time.
"I got your message James. Communication by hawk has proven quite useful." The Knight said as he materialized from the shadows. If it were not for them being on holy ground, James would have thought the Knight were a demon. Indeed, it seemed as though the Knight strove for such an image, with his black armor and horned helmet. His cape flaps in the wind, creating the illusion of wings.
"Took your right time getting here. Got a proper nasty situation happening in Gotham." James grunted. Trained hawks had indeed facilitated speedy meetings between himself and the Knight, but it was still damnably slow. Especially in times of emergency. And he had been tempted more then once to follow the bird one day to wherever it called home. But some instinct told him he was right proper off not knowing who the man under the helmet was.
"Apologies Commander. Mireface recently reared his unpleasant face and was ambushing riders in the Forrest. Took more then stern admonishment from myself and my squire, Robin, to stop him." The Knight replied gruffly. Gordon suddenly noticed the the smelly brown "mud" streaking the Knights costume. Gordon had heard rumors of the Knight taking on an apprentice, but this was the first confirmation of it.
Mireface was a seemingly unstoppable, recurring menace to any unwary riders. Since his appearance in the kingdom, every muddy road had become suspect, and travelers were incouraged to carry extra water to fend of the creature. Thunder audibly cracked the sky above, and the ensuing peal of thunder booms like the end of days.
"Great. We could always use another devil." Gordon muttered angrily. Gotham seemed to attract monsters and criminals for some reason.
"Not a devil Commander. At least, not always. Mireface was a man once." The Knight replied, the slight touch of sympathy in his voice is lost in the noise of the storm. "But i'm sure you didn't call me here to swap nightmares."
"In a manner of speaking, yes. The Jester is back in Gotham. Him and...."
"Harlequin." The Knight interrupts. "I've heard. Their both as mad as hatters."
"Indeed. The Jester has poisoned the city wells. The doctors are baffled at the symptoms. Perhaps you could--" He looks around, and realized he was talking to himself. "Fellow moves pretty quiet to be wearing all that armor." Gordon commented as he started down the stairs.
Harlequin busied herself about the hideout, clearing out the Jesters failed experiments, and dusting his collections of poisons as she hummed a song to herself. She had been a healer once upon a time, that's how she had first met the Jester. She had been assigned to leech him, to bleed the madness out.
But what the others couldn't see was that he wasn't mad or possessed. He was creative, and brilliant, and funny. And sweet! Like the time he gave her a pair of wild hyenas he had 'bought' from some merchant. Actually, he had probably just killed the merchant and taken the hyenas. Puddin just wasn't no good at negotiating a price, She giggled at the thought.
Not that her beloved clown had laughed much lately. The damned Knight had stolen the mirth from him. Always interrupting the Jesters wonderful pranks. And Lord J played the best pranks. Like the time she woke up with a lepers arm in her bed. How funny! She had laughed all morning about that one. Then there was the time he dropped her in the crocodile moat. With her hands tied behind her back. That had been a fun night, she sighed to herself.
It was good to be back in Gotham. They had taken a brief vacation to the city of the star, but they had their own maniac there. Called himself The Green Archer. He had about as much humor as the Knight. Maybe less. They hadn't stayed there very long, Lord J said the Archer wasn't worthy of his time. She suspected (though would never say) that Lord J couldn't move on just yet. Not till he put a smile on the Knights face. If she was a good girl, Lord J might even let her help with that.
"Hmhmhm...You wear those boots and i will...wear that dress....Mmmm...Kiss me...Beneath the dusty twilight...Lead me...Out on the moonlit floor....Lift your open hand, Call forth the band...and make the glowing bugs dance...Mmhmhm....Silver moon sparkling...Mhm..."
More 1602 action here--> DC 1602: The Green Lady
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