Logic to the Rescue by Kris Langman

Author:Kris Langman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, magic, wizards, science, logic, castles, chemistry, critical thinking, debate, logical fallacies
Publisher: Kris Langman

Chapter Two

Fugitives

Nikki reached over her shoulder and adjusted one of the straps on her new knapsack. Fuzz had stolen it from a dusty storeroom next to the castle’s kitchen. Cation, who was curled up in the bottom of the knapsack, gave an irritated squeak at having her nap interrupted and poked her head out, tickling the back of Nikki’s neck with her whiskers.

They were following a trail overgrown with weeds which meandered through the woods behind Castle Cogent. Fuzz was leading the way, and Nikki and Athena walked quietly behind him, their footsteps muffled by the pine needles covering the path. They kept up a good pace, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the castle as possible.

Nikki scratched at her arm where a stinging nettle bush had left an itchy red streak. The path had obviously not been used in years and they had to shove their way through nettles, ragweed, and other itchy, sneezy plants. Ahead of her Athena ducked under the swaying branches of a nettle bush heavy with thorns.

“Fuzz!” Athena snapped, “Why are you following this ridiculous trail with its stinging and poking and scratching? We should find the main highway at once.”

“Not a good idea,” said Fuzz. “We can’t risk being seen. We’re fugitives. Outlaws. There are wanted posters up all over the nearby villages. Your picture is especially lifelike. They’ve even drawn that little bump in the middle of your nose.”

“Bump! I do not have a bump,” said Athena. “And what do you mean, wanted posters? The king would never do such a thing. We are his emissaries.”

“I don’t think the king had much say in the matter,” said Fuzz. “It’s Maleficious’s doing. And that nasty piece of work, Rufius. He’s probably the one who told them to make sure to include your bumpy nose.”

“I don’t understand,” said Nikki. “I thought the Realm of Reason was a monarchy. Doesn’t that mean the king’s in charge?”

“He supposed to be,” said Fuzz, “but Maleficious has been plotting for years to take over. He’s power hungry, that one. Being the king’s advisor isn’t good enough for him anymore. Lately he’s been sending that little rat Rufius all over the Realm, handing out gold to the king’s knights. Trying to get the knights on their side. Some of them are loyal to the king, and they’ve refused the gold, but a lot of the others have taken it. There were a couple of knights at my favorite tavern on the Lake of Logophobia. I bought them a few ales and they told me all the details. Knights should never drink ale. Get them drunk and they gossip more than old ladies at a tea party.”

“So what are we going to do?” asked Nikki.

“We’re going to go to the king. Convince him to take action against Maleficious.”

Athena nodded approvingly. “Yes, very good. His majesty will soon put things in order. We’ll have no more of these posters of me with a bump on my nose. Where is his majesty?”

“He’s on vacation.

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