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Chapter 10 - The Devil's Fury

As Hermann flew forward with talons outstretched, Alexander ran forth. His kind could slay a roosting eagle, but now it was time to kill an eagle in flight. Leaping into the air, the Northern caracal brought a paw down on the golden eagle's back, sending the raptor crashing to the ground. Upon landing, the Defender of Man then bit the avian on the neck.

The humans were all stunned. While Roxana emerged to join her mate by his side, it was Mr. Cortes first who moved, while Herr von Fell stared at the lifeless cadaver of Hermann, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. Mr. Cortes went forth to release Alan from the spinning wheel, while Mrs. Cortes and Young Cortes went forth to untie Gemma and Olga. Herr von Fell's minions were not even paying attention to the actions of the Cortes family, much like Beelzebub, their eyes were on Herr von Fell.

At first the Exiled Herr uttered "You slew Hermann…" in a somewhat impressed tone, before wrathfully repeating himself and grabbing his crossbow.

Alexander did not wait for Herr von Fell to take aim. Already he could see Beelzebub charging forward with club in hand. He had to be quick!

Jumping to the side just as Herr von Fell fired his crossbow, the next thing Alexander heard was a pained cry from Beelzebub. With some hope that yet another enemy was dead, the Northern caracal looked over at the Albino Chimpanzee.

Alas, Beelzebub still lived, wounded, but not fatally. The crossbow bolt had entered the back of the Monkey-Man's right shoulder and now the club he had been holding was laying upon the ground, while the whimpering Troglodyte made his exit from the tent.

"Herr von Fell!" cried Carol, sounding quite alarmed. "Do not shoot another bolt! Look where the cat is standing!"

Alas, Herr von Fell took no notice. Completely ignoring Carol's plea, the Devil loaded his crossbow with another bolt and pulled the trigger. Like a flash, Alexander jumped out of the way and by doing so, caused the bolt to hit whom he had been standing behind: the elephant.

Roaring in pain, the mammoth beast proceeded to rampage, causing the caracals, Alan, Gemma, Olga and the Cortes family to flee the scene. The last thing any of them heard was the sound of the elephant knocking Carol down and then proceeding to crush her skull beneath its foot. Once they had gotten far enough, they saw Timothy waiting for them, with a less than happy expression upon his countenance, though one that brightened up upon seeing Gemma.

"I'm sorry, Alan." Said Timothy, opening his car door to allow Gemma in. "Turns out that the chief of police in Whitby is a fan of Herr von Fell's exploits as a big game hunter and forbid all of his officers from coming."

While Roxana got into the car and lay upon Gemma's lap, Alexander merely looed at Olga and the Cortes family, as Alan inquired what the Northern caracal was wondering: "What will happen to you?"

"As the leader of the community, I would say it is about time we moved elsewhere." Replied Mr. Cortes. "Would your uncle have any place on his estate for us?"

"It is likely." Stated Gemma from the automobile. "Quebec Castle is legendary for being understaffed."

Nodding, Alan told Mr. Cortes: "Quebec Castle is monumental in size, equal to England's Blenheim Palace I am told. There would be more than enough room for your community, I think. I can talk to my uncle about it. He is a reasonable man."

Smiling, the Old Romani placed a hand on Alan's shoulder and said to the boy: "Then we shall be seeing more of each other, son, and don't worry, I'll be making sure my boy stays out of trouble!"

"I as well!" chimed in Mrs. Cortes with a laugh. Young Cortes could do naught but roll his eyes. He was not that mischievous.

After that, Alexander followed Alan into the car and while the Northern caracal was happy that they had rescued Gemma, he could not help but wonder what had happened to Herr von Fell. They knew that Carol was no more, but what of Herr von Fell? Did the Exiled Herr still live? Was that the end of this? No more Herr von Fell, no more Beelzebub, just like that it was over?

Alexander doubted it. He doubted the Devil died so easily, nor would his troglodyte. The only question was, when would they meet again?

As Timothy drove up to Quebec Castle, Alexander stood up on Alan's lap and looked up at his magnificent home. Paradise, Heaven, Valhalla, the Elysian Fields… No, no… Not yet. The Canada lynx Miltiades still roamed the heavily forested estate and there was still that minor annoyance, the goose Lucifer. It was not exactly Paradise, but close to it, just as the Herr von Fell Circus was the closest thing Alexander would ever know of Hell.

Upon entering the country house, the five were greeted by canines Cnut and Emma, running out of the kitchen, barking excitedly. The two canines were soon followed by Alan's uncle Captain Smith, his fiancée Igraine Lombard, Gemma's father Robert Cook and his fiancée Eleanor Armstrong. While the rest of them were happy to see Alan, Gemma, Alexander and Roxana all back safe and sound, Captain Smith was not only happy, but also furious with his nephew.

The first thing Captain Smith did upon seeing Alan was hit him over the head with his hand and exclaim: "Damn fool! Herr von Fell wants your head! You could have gotten yourself killed!"

Rubbing the back of his head, Alan looked down at Alexander, who in turn looked up at Alan, before proceeding to rub against his master's legs. After that, Alexander rubbed against the legs of Ms. Lombard, who said to her fiancé: "Now, Kull, that was very brave of Alan to go and rescue Gemma with only Alexander and Roxana to aid him."

"I had aid from some of the Romani in Herr von Fell's employ as well, Uncle Kull." Stated Alan. "And after tonight, the entire community save for those loyal to Herr von Fell—"

"They are welcome here, of course." Stated Captain Smith. "I shall employ them all! Kitchen staff, cleaning staff, stable hands… Dear me, new horses… No longer just Peter and Catherine, I wonder what their names will be."

Alan, Gemma, Mr. Cook, Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Lombard could do naught but laugh. Of all things, Captain Smith was wondering about, it was the names of the new horses.

"Captain Smith, I think we should instead worry about how many Romani are coming." Pointed out Mr. Cook. "How much is this community? Have we enough room?"

"I think we're fine, dad." Commented Gemma with a smile. "It is a single Romani community, two members excluded. Not the Hebrews in the search of the Promised Land."

"Or the Gaels in their four hundred and forty years of wandering." Added Alan, also with a smile.

"I'd still like to know how much there are." Uttered Mr. Cook.

"Twenty-to-thirty probably." Stated Captain Smith. "That sounds like the size of some of the small Romani communities that Captain Thorsen would drag me to when he was in the mood for arm wrestling." Arm wrestling? Captain Thorsen would go to certain communities when he wanted to arm wrestle? Alexander could not help but think that his master's predecessor had been an odd man. "Now, everyone, I shall be turning in. It is getting late our children and caracals are home and I am expecting a guest tomorrow morning. Igraine, Eleanor, you can both stay in a guestroom, as for me, I shall be going to bed now. Good night, all!"

And so did Captain Smith make his exit from the scene, walking up the stairs of the entrance hall with Cnut following after him. After that Mr. Cook went off to his own quarters with Ms. Lombard and Ms. Armstrong going up the stairs as well to select rooms of their own, Emma following after them. That left Alexander and Roxana alone with Alan and Gemma.

The two caracals both stared at the two redheaded adolescents, looking into each other's eyes with smiles upon their countenances. Why didn't they say anything to each other? Alexander did not understand it, anymore than Roxana did. They had heard Alan express his love for Gemma to the Cortes family, why did he not now? Was it possible that she already knew, thus making a confession of love to her redundant? Alas, the caracals did not know.

Perhaps, such words were not needed. If the four-footed ones needed no words, then did humans? Alan and Gemma had known each other for fourteen years, practically their entire lives. Were words needed for individuals that had known each other for so long?

Alexander knew not, nor did Roxana and yet, perhaps they were not.

What the two felines saw happen next proved that perhaps sometimes, no words were needed. Alan and Gemma embraced one another and the latter gave the former a kiss on the cheek.

Alexander may not have known what had happened to Herr von Fell and Beelzebub that night, but as far as he was concerned, he did not need to. Gemma had been rescued and everyone was now safe and sound. What more could be asked for? Since he had come to Quebec Castle, Alexander had heard these read of aloud by the inhabitants of the country house and now did he truly know what a happy ending was.