Read BEYOND THE LOOKING-GLASS: Book One in the BEYOND Series for Free Online Page B

Kellen. Robin raised a gloved hand to halt his men.
    “Methinks you position thyself far too high in thine own estimation,” Lancelot proclaimed. “And one day it shall bring thee misery and woe.”
    The second knight pushed up his visor and began to draw his huge broadsword. Lancelot spoke to him in a stern voice. “Put that away, Galahad. Our king would not look kindly to any spilling of Saxon blood in Sherwood this day.”
    Prince Galahad looked at the two intruders standing before him. “They could be Norman spies sent here by Sir Mordred, or possibly a witch or warlock in league with that fiendish sorcerer, Merlin.”
    “T’is enough foolish conjecturing, lad,” Robin said. “I fear you knights have spent far too many days chasing after mythical Black Knights and lost chalices. Let us all put down our weaponry and partake of some tasty food. This lady here informs me she is fair starving to death. And I don’t think she’ll attack you with a chicken leg if we all sup together.”
    Aleeta and Kellen went to the nearby stream and cleaned off the dust of the road and the muck of old London town. The Merry Men provided them with clean, rustic clothing. Kellen was not entirely grateful for his outfit. It made him look like one Robin’s merry men. And the rough cloth made him itch. But at least it didn’t stink of the filth of the old London slum.
    Robin Hood was as good as his word about the feasting. His band of outlaws and the two knights of the realm sat with Kellen and Aleeta at a meal fit for a king.
    Kellen watched, amused, as Aleeta wolfed down a juicy roasted chicken leg. She sat between Friar Tuck, in his rough monk’s robe and metal helmet, and Little John, who gripped a ham hock in one giant fist and a thick cudgel in the other. Nearby, Will Scarlet, in bright togs and a red cap, enjoyed a hearty drink, while Alan-a-Dale serenaded Aleeta with a soft medieval tune on his lute. All the outlaws Kellen remembered from those amazing tales of his youth.
    Later that evening, the two of them sat before a blazing campfire. They huddled close to keep out the night chill. She looked at Kellen, her eyes filled with tears..
    “Do you think we’ll find the kids?”
    He answered in a strong, reassuring voice. “Sure we will. Don’t worry. We’ll grab some shut-eye and get a fresh start tomorrow. We’re bound to pick up their trail in no time.”
    Aleeta moved in a bit closer. “This reminds me of when we camped out that time at Lake Kingston. Just after you got out of prison. Remember?”
    “Yeah. Your folks called the police. They were sure I’d kidnapped you.”
    “Well, you could hardly blame them. What with all that went on before. The ugly publicity. That ghastly trial all over the Government television. They had to put up with a lot.”
    “I know, Allie. And I’m sorry for all that. I thought crusading for the truth would help people. I never imagined I would wind up hurting everyone I love. Can you ever forgive me?”
    Aleeta smiled at him. “I did. A long time ago. Now, let’s get some sleep, so we can get an early start in the morning.”
     
    ~*~

NINE
     
    Anton Falconer sat by the small campfire watching the younger agent turning a roasting animal on a spit. He thought she looked quite attractive in the flickering firelight.
    Rosetti chuckled to herself and turned to give him a broad smile.
    “What is so amusing, may I ask?” he inquired.
    “I was just remembering the look on that old man Fagin’s face when you tossed his coin purse to the crowd.”
    “It seemed the appropriate thing to do at the time. And the townsfolk seemed to enjoy it. I imagine that old thief has swindled everyone in London--at one time or another. Served him right.”
    Nikki added another stick to the fire. “And I can still see that old pit bull called Bull’s-Eye scampering off with its tail between its legs when you gave it that look of yours.”
    “What look?”
    “You know. That stern, imposing one that