Eritopia

Best to Obey Orders

'My son had nothing to do with this,' Beetle said to one of the guards as they marched back through the streets to the City.

The guard was stony-faced.

''E's been brainwashed. Please explain that to the King,' Beetle pleaded. The gravity of the situation was beginning to dawn on him.

'Tell him yourself,' the guard said in a gruff voice, grabbing Beetle's arm and pushing him along.

They found nothing in their search at the bridge. The river had washed away any footprints that had been left there.

'Look, can't you leave me 'ere? I've got things to prepare, stuff to do,' Beetle implored as they passed his hut.

The grip on his arm tightened. The Longjackets marched him all the way back to the Palace. The wide gates creaked open as they approached and a shower of rust dropped off the hinges. They walked through. Once across the courtyard they went into the Palace, and left Beetle standing outside with a guard. The two of them eyed each other.

'Always best to obey orders, eh?' Beetle said.

The other man said nothing.

Soon a couple of Longjackets came out. They ushered Beetle into a large chamber.

'So, there was no-one there? Are you sure?' A large, imposing man was bellowing at the Captain of the Guard. The other Longjackets had disappeared.

'Not at all sure, sir, but if they were there, we missed them.'

The big man glared at him. He was dressed all in black, with a great shock of black hair cascading onto broad shoulders. His eyes glowed like coals above his thick beard.

'It was hard to see if anyone had used the Bridge. Still submerged, as usual. There may have been tracks, but unfortunately...' The Captain's voice tailed off.

'Yes, yes, the river is in flood, I appreciate that. Or your men trampled on the evidence.'

The Captain bowed.

'They are here, I am sure,' the bearded man said. He dismissed the officer with a wave and turned his attention to Beetle.

'Greetings,' he began. 'My name is Melos. No doubt you have heard of me?'

Beetle gulped, and nodded.

'Good, good. And your son, he hasn't come home yet?'

'Not that I know, sir, and it's not like 'im, to be honest. I'm sure 'e's being 'eld against his will. Pressed into captivity, 'owever you want to pitch it.'

'We will see.' Melos laid a hairy hand on Beetle's shoulder and led him over to a window.

'Look, out there, what do you see?'

Beyond the window was the Palace courtyard, filled with groups of soldiers. One group was being drilled. Another was weeding the cracked paving stones. Other guards sat around under canopies set against the walls. They were smoking and playing cards.

'Well?' Melos urged.

'Er, soldiers?' Beetle replied.

'Ill-discipline,' Melos said. 'Boredom. And idle soldiers are nothing but trouble. They gossip, they spread rumours.'

'Yes, sir.' Beetle wasn't sure where the conversation was going.

'Take a seat,' Melos said.

Beetle, relieved, collapsed into a chair. Melos pulled up another and sat opposite.

'I understand about your son, I do.' Melos leaned forward. 'You want to protect him, make sure he isn't influenced by these people – what do you call them – The Brotherhood?'