Page 80 of The Truth About Myths
Pedro sheathed his pistol. "I came as soon as I received the message. Canastra caught your girl?" His tone was as sharp as a saber.
Henrique nodded, gritting his teeth. “Not for long. I’m getting her back.”
Chapter 31
"Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter."Homer,The Iliad
WhilePedrovanishedthroughthe window to secure a carriage and fresh
horses for their escape, Henrique armed himself with a cane, two pistols, and a saber.
Dio grimaced. "Next time you set up on a leisure trip, remind me to go the other way."
"The weapons are a last resource—in which case, I will use them. You are not to fire a gun even if an army charges us, do you understand?"
Dio nodded, his fair skin turning green.
Henrique eyed his microscopes and chemical bottles. His research would have to stay behind. The ether caught his attention. Before he could change his mind, he placed it inside his coat.
"My father would choke on his diplomatic medals. Steal the princess? What if Isabel resists?"
A flush rose over Henrique's face, and he cleared his throat. "Heroes have no such moral qualms. In Hercules' times, depending on the situation, any seafarer became a pirate or freebooter."
"When I called this"—Dio circled his finger, encompassing the room or the whole of Spain—"the hero's quest, I should have expected you would make me rue it."
Henrique grinned. "Too late."
"They will persecute us. These loyalists are modern-day inquisitors."
"When they realize the princess is absent, we will have crossed the border to Portugal."
Dio shook his head. "They must have a dungeon waiting. What if he peels the skin off his prisoners?"
Henrique grabbed Dio's shoulders and shook. "This is your chance to enter the hall of heroes. Side by side with Perseus, Atalanta, Hercules, and Achilles. Rise, Diomedes da Veiga, and claim your glory."
Dio didn’t look convinced. Henrique could not blame him. Haranguing wasn't among his many skills. With a nod and then another, Dio followed Henrique out of the room.
Stealthily, powered by the righteousness of righting a wrong and accepting the weight of responsibility as if it had never found worthier shoulders, they set to the main house through gardens painted by the first blush of dawn. The only thing missing to complete his quest was his royal package. He counted the gallery windows until he found the one behind Goya's painting. When he flung his leg above the windowsill, Dio tapped his shoulder.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Now is not the time for doubt. Either you are with me, or you are not."
"Move your ass faster then. The Guardia is coming."
They entered the darkened corridor. A sharp inhale revealed the presence of a single guard. Henrique sighed, relieved the minion was alone. Before Henrique spouted an excuse, Dio clobbered the guard in the head.
"I've told you, no weapons," Henrique said as he sidestepped the fallen body to reach Isabel's door.
"Ouch." Dio shook his fist. "I didn't know my hands counted as weapons."
Henrique listened to the room's noises. Scurrying inside pointed to nervous preparations. Thank God they were not too late.
The loud, deaf voice of Lady Montijo reached them.
Henrique eyed his friend. "This is your turn."
"I have no idea what you mean."
