Roger convinces the wizard to go to his chambers. [END]

They arrived at the castle and were met by the King's Guard. The head guard tossed Roger a sack of coins and told him, "Leave the girl with the others. They'll bring her to his majesty."

Becky turned to Roger, concerned. She was bound by rope and couldn't defend herself. It was a trick knot so she could get free, but she was still outnumbered if she tried to fight. Roger quickly tossed the coin back and insisted, "'Penelope' needs to be inspected by the grand wizard himself! He's had a keen eye on her when he first saw her at the village. I want to make sure she gets delivered to him directly. Besides, there's no telling if she even makes it to his Majesty instead of into the barracks for some fun with the boys.

The head guard snickered, "What do you care who gets her? The gold is still gold!"

"It is the king's gold that is worth the most! I sell directly to him!" Roger said, adamantly.

The head guard stared down Roger for a time, then turned to one of his men and murmured, "Send for his Majesty."

Becky raised a discreet eyebrow to Roger, acknowledging his salesmanship.

The grand wizard, Paul arrived. he looked like a dirty old man, only with an aura of malevolence and power around him. Roger felt uneasy in his presence, but he kept a strong face.

"Ah..." the grand wizard said. "Lovely Penelope... I see you've finally found your way here." He caressed Becky's face which caused her to shiver with revulsion. "Let's get a closer look at you..." he grinned.

"Might I suggest we go somewhere more private for that? Your chambers, perhaps?" Roger interrupted.

"Hmm... yes, I suppose that would be appropriate spot," Paul agreed. He snapped his fingers, "Come, girl!"

Roger followed them before he was cut off by spears. "Wait, what about me?"

"Pay the man," Paul told the head guard. The head guard tossed the sack of coins back to Roger. The grand wizard continued up to his chambers, followed by armed guards escorting Becky. Becky turned to Roger, looking ****.

Roger called out to Becky, "Becky! Catch!" He tossed out the dagger and Becky shrugged off the ropes, caught it and sliced the accompanying guards in their necks. As they fell, she took one of their weapons and swung it around, knocking another pair down the stairs. She turned to stab Paul, but he dodged and ran the rest of the flight up, locking himself in his room. The head guard sounded the alarm and more guards came spilling in! Roger shoved the door closed, keeping them out but there were too many. He was about to get swarmed by them when another group of soldiers cut off the first! Roger looked back, bewildered. Then he recognized the face of the man sounding the charge! It was Charles Marsh! He had rallied soldiers to his side and they were overthrowing the regime!

"Good show, Carmine!" Marsh said as he helped the other man up and patted him on the shoulder. "If it weren't for your distraction, I would never have cornered that gint to his tower."

"You were here the whole time?" Roger asked, surprised.

"Indeed I was! Waiting for the right opportunity to strike!" He grinned with a fist pump to show his enthusiasm. "Now, I will be taking home the crown in this little competition! I'll admit I wasn't much for it at the beginning, but it has turned out to be a romp! Don't worry, good man, you will be recompensed for your efforts as well!"

"Wait, isn't the grand wizard still dangerous?" Roger asked.

"Hah! Paul Hinklebottom? That old coot was Sebastian's accountant! He swindled the kingdom from him through embezzlement and fraud!" Marsh explained. "Of course, the weasel waited until your great uncle passed before making his move. Fortunately, Sebas was cunning enough to write up this secret will stipulation!"

"What's happening?" Becky asked Roger.

"We, um, lost?" Roger shrugged.

In the end, Paul Hinklebottom was jailed and Charles Marsh received the entirety of Sebastian Carmine's inheritance. He had proved that he could be as cunning and wise a ruler as Sebastian was. The new king endowed Roger and his his wife with land in the kingdom as a reward for their part in the effort. It was the very village that Penelope was from. Penelope became good friends with the Carmines. Roger and Becky decided to stay on the land and start a family.

THE END