On Beatrix Hill: Part Two (rough draft)

Josie stood on her seat, looking over the edge of the boat. The water below looked silvery and glittery, reflecting her in a hazy cast. She could see the edge of the water as well; rather than flow to a bank, it fell over an edge, cascading down into an abyss that connected with the sky.

“Where is this place anyways?” Josie sat back down in her seat, smoothing her hands over her soft skirt.

“I’ve never been able to really figure that out.” Perley leaned back upon the railing. “I was in my plane one day, delivering supplies to the troops. I then realized I was being chased by someone.”

Josie’s eyes widened as Perley continued on about his story.

“I was used to that sort of thing, though,” he bragged a little. “But something about this place rattled me. I couldn’t see it clearly, but I could hear it. I could almost hear the other pilot taunting me. It was almost like a ghost in a way. So, in case it was an enemy ship, I tried to lead it away from my delivery zone. They kept following me no matter what. I became exhausted, and I knew I needed to land soon, but I was afraid. Against my better judgement, I went higher and higher into the clouds to lose them.”  He sighed heavily, looking down into his gloved hands. “I did, but I realized I was lost. So I just kept flying. Next thing I knew, I had landed in the water just on the outskirts of Beatrix Hill. I told myself at the time that I was dreaming, but the longer I stayed, the more I understood it was all too real.” He then looked up into the sky. “There’s no moon here, perhaps that’s where we are.”

Josie craned her neck up to look, but realized too late it was daytime. “Rabbits on the moon,” she then murmured.

“I always wanted to go to the moon as a little boy,” he chuckled. “It would make sense I would get there by accident.”

“I never imagined I could go anywhere,” Josie confessed softly. “I always thought I’d work at that shop all my life.”

His soft expression turned serious as Josie spoke. Perley turned to her, watching her sad eyes as she stared around at the people on the boats. Children were playing, mothers were holding their babies, fathers were reading to their kids. He noticed how her eyes seemed to stare at them, but look through them completely as well.

“Is it your family who runs that shop?” He asked.

Josie shook her head. “They just took me in and hired me. At first I helped care for their baby, then I took care of the shop once they were shipped off during the war.”

Perley leaned over so he was on level with Josie. “Then where is your family?”

“I don’t know,” a simple answer for something so much more than that. “I never knew them, and if I did, I was way too young to know.” She kicked her legs slowly in the air. “The orphanage I was at was taken over by troops, so most of us got put to work right away.”

Perley patted the top of her head. “Once we get Bess back, you won’t have to go back to that shop. You won’t have to work if you don’t want to. Like I said, I’ll give you a home as grand as a castle.”

Josie’s distant gaze returned to him and she smiled brightly. “I don’t need a castle. I wouldn’t know what to do with so much!”

“Well, you’ll see first hand in a while what a castle is really like.” He leans closer to Josie to whisper. “Once we do get to the palace, I’m going to have to rely greatly on you. I could get recognized while I’m there, which means I may need you to go inside and find Bess.”

“You think I can do that?” Josie whispered.

“I think you’re a smart girl, so I know you can. You found me, so I have no doubt you can find Bess as well.” He tapped the tip of her nose. “You’re also a small, cute girl, so no one is going to assume you’re there to steal away the princess. You just have to act like you belong there.”

“How do I do that?”

Perley pushed up her chin. “Keep your chin up, look annoyed, and don’t look at anyone. It’s a wedding day, so I bet everyone is going to look like that.”

“Really?” Josie almost laughed.

“That’s how everyone looked when I was growing up,” he laughed, making Josie finally giggle. “Just do that and I bet you’ll be able to get anywhere in the palace.”

The river boat came to dock just below a waterfall. The silver mist from the falls billowed around the boat, fogging Josie’s view of anything. They walked up onto the dock and then along a stone path on land. Perley kept his hand around Josie’s until they came out of the shroud of the waterfall.

“We’re very close now,” he whispered urgently. “Once we’re inside the castle, we won’t have much time to find Bess and get out.”

“What do I tell her when I find her?” Josie asked. “How can I prove to her you’re alive?”

“Here, take these.” He takes from his pocket the small broken fragments of his coattails and ear. “Show her these.”

Josie carefully cupped the pieces in her hand before placing them in the heart shaped pocket on her skirt. “But how will that prove you’re alive?”

“I’m the only one who calls her Bess,” he winked. “So she’ll know that I have talked to you personally.” He then ducked his head as they crossed over from the dock area and onto the castle grounds. A trail wound up to stairs which climbed up the side of a rocky steppe where a castle sat in the center of the top of the waterfall.

“Oh wow, it’s huge!” Josie remarked.

“That’s the wizard’s castle, the show off.” He kept a hold of Josie’s hand. “Once we’re inside, we’ll probably be taken to the courtyard, but we’ll need to go left in order to get inside. Once we are in, I’ll cause a distraction so you can find Bess.”

Josie was nervous, her guts churned but when she reminded herself it was all just a dream, she didn’t need to worry. “You have to be careful, okay? You can’t get captured or that will ruin everything.”

“Don’t worry about me. Just find Bess and the two of you can get out together. I’ll find my own way, don’t think twice about it.” They started ascending the stairs, which was a long way up. Halfway, Perley scooped Josie up and placed her upon his back. “Rest for now, I can carry us the rest of the way.”

“Thank you, Mr. Day.” Josie had never been carried before, she knew it was a dream, but it felt nice even there. She laid her head upon his back, feeling safe and secure in his arms.

Once at the top of the stairs, Perley let Josie back down upon the ground. Looking out over the waterfall, Josie could see Beatrix Hill spread out before them. In the distance, she saw a strange shape in the sky that almost looked like a blue marble.

“Come this way!” A booming voice announced. “Single file, single file.” A knight moved everyone along.

Perley kept his head down as they were ushered through. Several more knights guided them along the way. They came out of the long hallway into the courtyard which was decorated with flowers and streamers for the wedding. Perley looked around, his eyes darting every which way as he looked for their entrance.

“The door to the palace is over there, but there are so many guards. I don’t know how we’re supposed to get in,” he whispered to Josie. “Perhaps I am expected,” he chuckled. “That wizard knows he can’t keep her for long.”

Josie was listening, but she, too, was formulating a plan in her head. Back when she made deliveries during the war, she had her own way of avoiding the troops that occupied her town. That was how she memorized and knew every corner and pathway they had. She spotted a guard was looking quite beleaguered, and another who was getting annoyed at a crying child and was slowly inching away from his post.

“Follow me.” She tugged his hand. “Just watch.” She then ran ahead.

“Josie, wait!” He hissed.

Josie ran up to the annoyed guard and wrapped around his leg. She started crying and screaming, making incoherent noises. The guard tried to shake her loose, but it only made her sob and scream more. People from the crowd were looking, more kids began to scream in tune with Josie. The beleaguered looking guard came over to help, but anytime he came near her, Josie screamed louder and louder.

“I’ll just go get the captain, he’ll know what to do. Just take her inside or something,” the beleaguered guard yawned. “I did not get enough sleep for this.”

“Take her inside?” The one guard scoffed. “Ugh, fine.” He dragged his leg, taking Josie inside with him. He then shook her loose and dumped her there in the entrance. “Stay here, kid!” He slammed the door, leaving her there. Josie stopped screaming and crying and hopped up. She was between two doors, one going to the courtyard and one leading into the palace.

Josie checked, finding she could open the door into the palace. Peering inside she saw more knights guarding a narrow hallway. She could also hear music playing from somewhere inside. “I bet that’s where the princess is,” she whispered to herself. She then turned and peeked out the door to the courtyard and saw a knight approaching, but he was walking quite weird. She stood back, hiding behind a chair as he came in.

“Josie?” Perley took off the knight helm and looked for her. “Josie, are you here!”

She popped out from behind the chair. “You made it!”

“That was brilliant!” Perley stooped over to hug her. “How did you come up with a plan like that?”

“It was just like back home!” She was excited that it worked so well. “Lots of working soldiers didn’t want to deal with kids, and I could tell one was too tired to do anything about it.”

“I was able to get him aside in the bushes and take his helm. Very well done!” He then peered at the second door. “What’s it like inside?”

“More guards on one hallway,” Josie whispered. “Probably guarding the princess right now.”

“Remember what I told you?” He whispers.

“Chin up and look annoyed?”

Perley patted her back. “That’s my girl. Now, they’ll see us walking in, so I’ll distract this first set of guards. Once I have them away, go down that hall. I’ll try to catch up, if not, try and get the princess outside the courtyard.”

“Okay, good luck, Mr. Day!”

Perley smiled proudly upon Josie and shook her hand. “Good luck to you, young lady.” He removed the guard helm and popped his top hat back onto his head. “Now stand back, I’m not a master of plans like you are, but I have an idea.” He then opened the door serenly and stepped out. “Good afternoon, gentleman. Lovely day for a wedding, isn’t it?”

Josie watched through the crack as a chase ensued. Perley ran, just as fast as he had been in her daydreams. With the hallway cleared, Josie stepped out and put on the annoyed scowl Perley had taught her.

The hallway had looked narrow from the door, but walking down it, it felt so big and expansive. It felt like it went on forever, and with guards at post, it felt even longer. None of them paid her any mind, though, either she was too short for their line of vision, or the act was working.

At the end of the hall, a door was flanked by two massive guards. Josie steeled herself, prepared to be turned away at first try. She slowly approached and the guard sneered down at her.

“Flower girl?” Josie peeped shyly.

One guard snarled while the other reached out and opened the door for her. It actually worked! Somehow that really worked! This really was a dream! Josie quickly jostled herself inside as the guards nearly shut the door on her tail. She let out a sigh of relief before taking in her surroundings. The room was round and colored all pastel green. Pictures of pink roses hung on the wall and there were bouquets all over every surface.

Josie stepped quietly into the room, having not seen Bess yet. She came upon the vanity, finding beautiful jewelry laid out on velvet boxes. In the mirror, she saw the bride laid out onto the bed. Her beautiful gown spread out over the mattress.

“Excuse me?” Josie chirped nervously. She took a small step towards the bed. “Hello? Ms. Princess?”

“Hm?” Bess stirred from her slumber, slowly rising and rubbing her eyes. She gazed down upon Josie with soft silver eyes. “Who are you?”

Josie was taken by how beautiful Bess looked. Her long floppy ears framed her soft, round face, and her eyes were so lovely they reminded her of rain. “My name is Josie and I’ve been sent here to rescue you.”

Bess’ nose twitched. “Little girl, this isn’t funny. You shouldn’t be playing games like this.” She stood up from the bed. “How did you even get in here?”

“Wait!” She grabbed Bess’ hand. “I’m serious! I really am here to save you. If you’ll just listen to me please.”

Bess shook her hand free and held her wrist aloft. “I don’t need to be saved or rescued. There’s no need for it.”

Fear struck Josie’s chest. “But-” She quickly reached into her pocket. “I came here with Perley! You are Bess, aren’t you?”

Her tired eyes widened and she stepped towards Josie who placed the broken pieces into her slender palm. “See? I found him in this store!” She began to speak rapidly in a long stream of consciousness. “He’s been in the window for months and I just assumed he was a figure. But I accidentally broke him, you see, so I got scared and I wanted to fix him, but I couldn’t! Then he came to life and he asked me to help find you, but when we got here, we found out you were to be wed and-”

Bess sat down upon the foot of the bed, clutching the small broken pieces tenderly. “He’s alive?” She whispered.

“Yes! And he’s come here to save you, we both have.”

Bess looked up at Josie with tears in her eyes. “I haven’t been called Bess in so long.” She held the broken pieces to her chest. “I never thought I would again.” She then stood up. “Where is he?”

“He distracted the guards so I could find you. He said he would try to meet here, but if not, I’m supposed to lead you outside the courtyard.”

Bess smirked, looking out her window. She then opened the shutters and a strong breeze blew inside. “I can’t wait much longer, he’ll come for me soon.” She turned back to Josie. “We need to get to the room next door, but our only way to go across is this ledge outside.”

“I can lead the guards away,” Josie offered.

Bess shook her head. “He would probably see you. I can’t risk you getting hurt, not now, especially when Perley knows you’re with me.” She offers her hand to Josie. “It won’t be scary if we do it together.”

It’s just a dream, Josie reminded herself. “Okay, let’s go.”

Bess stepped out of the window first, carefully stepping along the ledge between windows. It was wide enough for statues to sit upon, but it was still quite narrow. She helped Josie out of the window, and carefully set her down. Below them was a steep fall which would land them into the dark waters, which would churn them through jagged rocks before they were spit out over the waterfall. Bess gripped Josie’s hand tight.

Her chin tilted up and eyes fixated on the window ahead of them, Bess took her first step. “I have you, I’ll fall before you do.”

Josie made a promise, she would reunite Pearly and Bess no matter what. “Don’t say that, Ms. Bess!”

Bess smiled at her before her expression set to stone as they slowly walked sideways along the ledge. Voices could be heard coming from the courtyard which were then covered by loud organ music. Bess slipped, her foot went off over the edge and her shoe went tumbling down the wall, splashing into the dark waters below. She picked herself up, looking to Josie to make sure she was safe.

“You okay?” She asked.

“You’re the one who fell!” Josie almost cried.

“It’s fine.” Bess stood up, wobbling with only one shoe until they reached the second window. Bess then held Josie up to open the window and placed her inside before she climbed through herself.

She exhaled heavily, clutching her chest where she had placed Perley’s broken pieces. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Josie sat down beside her. “If you wanted to escape, how come you just didn’t do that before, Ms. Bess?”

Bess smiled sadly at her. “There was no reason for me to. I lost the love of my life, it was too hard.” She then hefted herself up. “But knowing that fool is out there gives me strength again, and I want nothing more than to return to his arms.”

Josie smiled, watching how much both Bess and Perley loved one another gave her hope as well. “What’s the best way to get through the courtyard then?”

“Well, aside from going through the water, all the doors of this place either go out into the courtyard or down through the sewers.” She takes off her veil and tosses it aside. “I think from this hallway we can make it to the ballroom and we can reach the hedge maze through there. The hedge maze will then lead out just past the courtyard.”

“Do you know how to get through the maze?” Josie asked.

Bess braced against the wall, lifting up her leg to remove her remaining shoe. “I’m sure if we push through the bushes, we can figure it out.” She tossed the shoe aside then took a deep breath. “I do feel a bit woozy, though. That fall nearly did my head in,” she tried to laugh but she was obviously bothered.

“Stay here, I can go and fetch Pearly.” Josie offered out of concern, feeling that since it was her dream, she would be able to find him easily.

“No, darling,” Bess chuckled. “I will not have you risking your hide like that. Besides, the wizard hates little girls. If he caught you, who knows what would happen to you.”

Josie looked towards the door which was their second step towards escaping. “What’s the wizard like?” She asked.

“Big, intimidating, squishy,” Bess huffed. She recovered herself, standing erect then bundling up her skirt and throwing it over her elbow. “Come now, we must make haste. I’m sure by now they are aware something is afoot.”