As was his custom, King Rupert finished his nightly constitutional by slipping down from the parapet walk via
the hidden passage to walk the inside perimeter of his keep. He would sometimes linger near the guards
quarters to listen to ribald tales, but generally he kept to shadows making sure all was right with his
kingdom. Tonight as he came upon the stockade, he saw a mangy dog with its paws up against the building by
one of the grates that opened into the stockade's tiny prison cells. The dog was whining pitifully. Rupert
harumphed, and headed over to investigate.
"There, there, boy, why are you whining? Someone you know locked up in the king's gaol?" he asked reaching
down to scratch Jeffy.
"Ho, kind sir, I feel bad for my poor dog. It's not his fault that his blind master didn't see the royal
coach, and so failed to bow," said the wizard through the grate. "I was taking him home to feed him, when I
was arrested. Could you be so kind as to get him a morsel. I haven't much, but perhaps 2 pence could get him a
victual?" The withered fingers proffered the large copper coin through the grating.
"You are indeed blind?" the king asked.
"Yes, I'm no traitor to the crown if that's what you fear, good sir," the wizard said. He felt good about
this stranger. He sensed a strong degree of honesty and integrity. So he added, "I'm sure you will get in no
trouble from the king. I just hope the guards remember to let me out tomorrow after I've learned my lesson."
"Oh, I think it will be sooner than that, old man," Rupert said. Then taking a hold of Jeffy by his collar,
the king led him around to the front of the stockade.
"Your Royal Highness!" shrieked the young man staffing the front desk as he stood to attention, and bowed with
a flourish banging his head on the desk.
Troops rushed to attention. Jeffy looked up at the man holding his collar. This was the king? He didn't look
the way a king should look.
"Is that mangy hound bothering you, sire?" asked Sergeant Riley.
"No, I am bothered by the fact that my guards would imprison a blind man for not seeing!" the king roared.
"Ah, yes, sire. I was a bit troubled myself, but the captain said the orders came from the Grand Duke himself,
your highness," the sergeant said as he dropped to one knee and bowed.
"Oh, come now, how are my guards to defend me if they drop to their knees every time I appear."
"Oh, my head?" the young guard said regaining consciousness.
"I think from now on it would be safer, if guards simply salute from now on, except in formal settings when
the Minister of Protocol would demand everybody behave properly," the king, "Far more practical if you all
just salute from now on. Now go get the man - the blind man - out of his cell. I'm pardoning him, so there
will be no issue with Robespierre," the king said.
The old wizard was escorted from his cell and into the front room of the stockade. He moved slowly and
uncertainly as the guard led him. Jeffy yelped as he entered.
"Your lucky day, old man, king's pardoning you," the guard whispered as he guided the old wizard.
"Pardoning me?"
"Shush, just listen, it's better that way."
"Ah, you looked more starved than your dog," the king said. He shoved the tuppence into the old wizard's hand,
"You'll be needing this later, but tonight, you and your dog shall feast on leftover's in the king's kitchen.
Least that we can do considering how Robespierre treated you."
"Your highness?" said the wizard dumbfounded and concerned that his magical senses had recognized the king at
once. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
"There, there, enough bowing for today. If everyone's on bent knees nothing get's done. Now take your dog
and follow me. I trust he can lead you," the king said.