"Letter from Sir Vincent, sir."

Lieutenant Colonel Staquait (Stah-kay) hummed, looking through his old letters of the upcoming prisoners. He waved his hand as his soldier placed a letter on his desk. The soldier observes as Staquait wasn't bothered to read the letter. Sir Vincent is a very convincing, and fearful man. He cleared his throat. 

"Sir, may I ask a personal question?"

"No. You may leave."

The soldier nodded and left the room. He spotted other soldiers guarding the cells and walked over to them. 

"A letter from Sir Vincent? That doesn't sound good," one of the soldiers shivered, glancing at the Colonel's office. 

The other shook his head. "No good news. I have heard Colonel is close partners with that man."

"Yes. From what I heard, Sir Vincent ordered Colonel to publicly execute the Red Witch fifteen years ago. That was scary."

Not far from them, two prisoners were overhearing the conversation. They paled when they heard about the Red Witch. She was just a child when they first started training. They observed as the soldiers were walking away and snickered. 

"This is our chance. Let's go."

After many close calls, they finally escaped the prison. The moon was out by the time they climbed on top of the wall. The sand dunes were a sight everywhere around. 

"Hooft, we made it!" a short, plump man grinned at his partner. "That's right, Hugo. And you can kiss the Foreign Legion goodbye," A tall, scrawny man grinned at him. Hugo glanced at the prison and kissed his hand goodbye. "Goodbye and good riddance, you chumps."

They jumped over the wall and yelped when they got stuck as their cuffs were connected to the wall. The chain slid over, dropping them to the sand. They looked at the prison and started walking. The sand would dig through their boots as they took steps. After a few hours of walking, they stopped for a breather. 

"Come on. We'll head North, towards Europe," Hugo suggested, already walking forward. "You know? with Paris, the Eiffel Tower, croissants–" he grunts as he falls to the floor when Hooft didn't move. 

"Not so fast, Jr. That's exactly what they'll expect us to do. We'll head South instead," Hooft smirked. "South? There's nothing that way but jungle," Hugo protested. "Exactly! They won't ever think to look for us there."

"And why not?"

"Because a couple of guys like us wouldn't last a minute in the jungle," Hooft revealed.

Hugo chuckled. "You're a genius, Hooft."

"And that's why we'll stay one step ahead Hugo. Superior intellect," Hooft and Hugo started running in the jungle's direction. 

"And who has that?"

As the two prisoners ran off, they left a trail behind them. To think the sand dunes will cover their trail is not going to occur. 

The next day, Lt. Col. Staquait stood over the trails and smelled the tracks with his sword. He smirked, turning to his soldiers. "Assemble our squad of our best men."

"We are going after them?" The Lieutenant asked, unsure. 

"They are criminals, Lieutenant. And I intend to bring them to justice. Even if I have to hunt them to the very ends of this earth."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"–Then the bloodthirsty pirate, Blackbeard pointed his cutlass at Lieutenant Maynard and forced our hero out onto the ship's plank! Maynard bravely stepped towards his certain doom, not once glancing down at the shark-infested waters below. Blackbeard cackled a sinister laugh!–"

"Too scary! Too scary! I can't take it anymore! Make it stop!" Tantor snatched the book from Brook's hands. 

Tarzan and the others thought they should read a story. It was Tantor's turn to pick but he easily got scared how Brook made a great impression and mood for the story. Tarzan, Terk, and a baby baboon were intrigued by the story.

Brook blinked in confusion when Tantor was looking over the pages. 

"Hey! What gives?!" Terk shouts, glaring at Tantor. "You're the one who picked out that book!"

The baboon jumped on top of Tantor, also infuriated. 

"I know. But the binding looks so pretty and inviting. They really ought to put warning labels on these things," Tantor grumbles, looking over the book. 

Brook laughs, walking over and taking the book. "Well, it just serves to show that you can't judge a book by its cover."

Tarzan dropped down from the tree and stood behind her, looking at the pages and sniffing it. "How should you judge a book?"

"By what's inside, of course," Brook smiles. "It's also a saying that applies to people too. You can't always go by outside appearances."

"You have to take the time to read them," Tarzan smiles in realization. Brook laughs, nodding at him. She opens the book, "Let's see what happens. 'Lieutenant Maynard bested Blackbeard and they all lived happily ever after and so forth.' The end."

"Next time, I pick the book," Terk spoke to Tantor. "So, I assume Blackbeard went to prison, right? No chance of probation? No work release programs, right?" Tantor asks. 

Brook laughs as Tarzan hugs her to his chest. "We're safe from him or any other dangerous criminals."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook went to see Dumont for new tea and wasn't expecting to see guests when she came back. They were an odd couple. Before she would introduce herself, she hid her hair with her blue scarf.

Dumont was nice not to say anything about her to anyone, but these men are wearing the Foreign Legion uniform. Their shirts were ragged and ripped from the sleeves but she knows that uniform when she sees one. Coming from the same place where she almost got executed fifteen years ago. She paled when she remembered that day and shook her thoughts away. 

She goes to step away but her eyes widened when they were conversing comfortably with Tarzan. She bit her lip in thought but couldn't come up with anything. 

'They ask about you, say something else, Brook,' She thought to herself as she walked toward them. 

"Hello?" She smiled.

Hugo and Hooft turned to see the girl standing behind them and stiffened. "Well, who are you doll?"

Brook's eye twitched at the nickname and shook their hands. She narrowed her eyes when she saw shackles on their wrists. "Brook."

Tarzan walked to her and grabbed her hand. "She's my wife," he introduced. 

"Oh! You got a winner here, jungle boy," Hooft smirked, elbowing the man. 

"Yeah, she's a pretty one," Hugo grinned. 

Based on their accent, they are Americans. What are they doing in the jungle? 

'Act natural, Brook.' She smiles, "Would you like to accompany us for lunch?"

They agreed and walked away. Right when Tarzan was about to follow, Brook stopped him. "Where did you find them?"

He blinked. "They were about to get killed by crocodiles in the far side river. I saved them."

"Were there more of them?" she asks. He frowns but shook his head. He spotted the scarf on her head and frowned. "Why are you hiding your hair?"

"I'm sorry, darling. I can't trust them yet." Tarzan understood, grabbing her hand and following the others. 

They sat and watched as Hugo and Hooft completely finished all the fruits on the table. The others just watched them. 

"Are we certain they're not pirates? Ask them if they know Blackbeard," Tantor whispered to Tarzan. 

"They're not pirates," Tarzan chuckles. "They're Americans."

"Okay, but if you end up walking the plank, don't come crying to me," Tantor crossed its legs. 

"So, you gentlemen are with the Foreign Legion, am I correct?" Archimedes asks. 

He was also suspicious of the men. He made sure to check on Brook while at it. After all, he barely managed to save the girl from Foreign Legion years ago. What they are doing here, they do not know. He was relieved to see Brook wearing a scarf to hide her identity. 

They are not sure how long they are staying, but while they do, Brook should be far away from them. 

Hugo and Hooft stopped eating, turning to Archimedes. "Yeah, we were...and then we busted our way out," Hugo spoke. 

Hooft swallowed the bite of the apple and spoke over him. "Out of the rank and file. You see, we're not really soldiers."

"You're not?" Brook asks, placing another plate of fruit in front of them. 

"We're not?" Hugo asks obliviously at Hooft. "No, no. We're super secret agents. Cleverly disguised as soldiers...uh soldiers in really raggedy and dirty uniforms," Hooft nodded, noticing their ripped uniforms. "Yeah, we're the rag squad and we're on a secret mission right now," Hugo smirked. "Oh! Mission, yeah," Hooft nodded. 

"Really? What kind of mission?" Tarzan grinned. 

"A super secret one, of course!" Hooft moved the subject. "Yeah! After all, we're super secret agents, remember?" Hugo grinned at Hooft. 

Brook frowned, not believing a thing. She leaned over the table with her hands on her chin. "And what are those on your wrists?"

"These?" Hooft looked at the shackle on his wrist "Well, there's a very simple explanation for these. See, these would be our..."

"Decoder bracelets," Hugo spoke up. 

"Yeah! Exactly Jr!"

After Hugo and Hooft ate, Tarzan accompanied them to leave. Archimedes and Brook sighed in relief when they didn't suspect a thing from her. 

"I feel like my soul left me," Brook sat on the chair. "I feel like I have aged more," Archimedes rubbed his nape. 

Brook frowns. "What do you think, Mr. Porter?"

"I think they can be trustworthy. Besides, you don't have to worry about a thing, sweety. They're gone," Archimedes placed his hand on top of hers in comfort. 

"Yes, thank you," she smiles back. 

"Hello there!"

Brook and Archimedes flinched. They spotted Hugo and Hooft grinning at them.  "Did you forget something?" She stood, shaking away the dirt off her skirt. 

"No, sweetheart. Tarzan here offered a place to stay with you all. Isn't that great, Roommate?" Hugo grinned.

Her eyes widened and glanced at Archimedes who shook his head at her. 

"That's...good news," Brook nervously laughed. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook and Tarzan sat on top of one of the tree's branches. Below them, Hugo and Hooft entertained Terk, Tantor, and Archimedes with their tricks. 

Brook stayed far away from them and only read a book. "They're staying?" she spoke up to her husband. 

"Yes," Tarzan grinned before whispering to her. "Until they finish their super secret mission."

"Darling, um..." she didn't know where to start. Tarzan seems to trust those two and she doesn't want to worry him. "You shouldn't believe what they're saying, dear. I mean, after all, we don't really know these men. How do we know that they can be trusted?" 

"Well...they don't have any weapons and look how much fun they are," he laughs looking over at the group below. 

Brook sighed, "I know that they appear harmless enough, but remember what I said about judging a book by its cover."

Tarzan nodded sitting next to her. They sat in silence and Brook finally decided to speak to him about her troubles. 

"Tarzan?"

He glanced at her, giving her his full attention. His blue-green eyes connected to amber. 

"Do you recall when Clayton mentioned Vincent?" she asks. Tarzan's eyes widened, remembering his foul words before harming her. 

"Unfortunately, Vincent didn't finish the job. He ordered me to kill you, but you were so persistent to be away. Smart. You can't escape from me now, dear."

"Yes," he growled at the ground. His jaw unclenched when Brook faced his chin to her. His eyes softened when he stared at her. 

"You see...after Vincent separated me from my parents. He tried to publicly execute me. He didn't want to dirty his hands so he asked someone else to do his bidding," she continued. Tarzan frowned, not knowing where this conversation was going.

"Vincent ordered the Foreign Legion to kill me."

His eyes widened and looked down at Hugo and Hooft. He frowned, going to jump to interrogate them but Brook stopped him. "We don't know if they're really working for the Foreign Legion. They say they're secret agents, but we just have to keep an eye on them. Just, please...be careful," she looked up at him. 

Tarzan stares and nods. "You don't have to worry. I'll make sure nothing else happens to you. I already failed twice."

Brook shook her head, hugging him. "I'm alive because of you. I am grateful for that. You shouldn't feel the burden to take in that pain. Don't worry. Being by your side, I'm sure nothing will."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

After the agreement, Hugo and Hooft have been...troublemakers. They have been everywhere, taking the food from everyone, making Brook wash their clothes, and even teaching everyone how to gamble. 

Brook was patient but she's starting to think that the men are just bluffing in being anything. She sighs as Hooft accidentally hits her with a banana and she walked away for some quiet. Miss Jane wouldn't tolerate them and she's sure Miss Jane would blow a fuse. 

"If those bumblers are secret agents, I'm the Queen of Jungle," she rolled her eyes. 

She stopped when she saw boots in front of her. Looking up, she paled seeing the Foreign Legion uniform. 'No...' 

The man was tall and broad. He had a visible red scar on his right eye and a scowl was plastered on his face. 

"My apologies if I startled you, madam," Lt. Col. Staquait puts his sword away. "A lady such as yourself alone in the jungle."

'He doesn't recognize me...' Brook's eyes widened. She coughed, looking away. "I do all right on my own, thank you Mr...."

"Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel Jean Staquait," he introduced himself. "At your service."

Brook's eyes widened. Now remembering the man. It really is him. And bad timing!

"I only meant you should be careful because there are criminals loose in the area," Staquait explained. She blinked. "Criminals?"

"Yes. Deserters. Very dangerous."

Could it be Hugo and Hooft? They were criminals? Her eyes saddened as they completely fooled Tarzan. He trusted them. 

"Is it a man, not too bright, and the other portly and dumb as a stump?" she asked.

"That would be them. You know where they are?"

Brook hesitated but nodded. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Okay, don't want anybody hurt here. Take it nice and slow and keep your hands where I can see them, nature boy," Hooft instructed. Tarzan blew on the dice in his hand and gave a throw, losing at the score.  "Oh, you know what I would do now? Now, this is just me, mind you, I would let it ride! Bet it all!" Hooft encouraged. 

"Yeah that's the only way to turn that streak around," Hugo grinned. 

"It is a game of arts, you know," Archimedes nodded. He stopped when he saw familiar boots behind him. 

"Good day, gentlemen," Staquait pointed his sword at Hugo and Hooft. 

"Yeah, hey, hi there Colonel Staquait," Hooft greeted, focusing more on the game. 

"Hey, do you mind Colonel? We're in the middle of–"

Hugo and Hooft gasped in horror seeing Staquait in front of them. Tantor screamed, running away. They were fully surrounded by soldiers with rifles, pointing at them. 

Tarzan glares, standing protectively in front of the two. 

"Take them," Staquait ordered. Tarzan looks around and spots the boat from his treehouse. Grabbing his spear, he threw it to the rope. It cut, the boat falling where most of the soldiers stood. 

They moved out of the way before being squished by the boat. Tarzan didn't waste time and dropped Hugo and Hooft onto the boat. He jumped and grabbed the rope, falling down and pulling the boat upwards. 

Hugo and Hooft exclaimed as they were going fast to the top. Tarzan tied the rope to one of the branches and slid to their direction. 

Staquait growls and points at Tarzan. "Get them!" His soldiers shot their guns at Tarzan, narrowly missing him. He jumped to the boat, denting it a little for Hugo and Hooft to fall off. 

Tarzan managed to catch them and slide away. Staquait and his soldiers ran after them. Archimedes pales as he vividly recognized Staquait. He paled more when Brook ran after them and called out for Tarzan. 

"Tarzan! Stop!"

After running for so long, Staquait was getting impatient and snatched Lieutenant's rifle, pointing at Tarzan. Brook gasped and pushed the gun away before being shot. 

The bullet pierced through the vine Tarzan was swinging, making them fall to the ground. She screamed in shock and ran faster. 

The soldiers finally surrounded Hugo, Hooft, and Tarzan, pointing their rifles at them. Tarzan flung himself to one of them, kicking them away. He stopped when he hears Brook behind them. 

"Tarzan, stop! Hugo and Hooft are criminals," she explained. 

Hugo and Hooft looked at each other guiltily. They couldn't bear to look into Tarzan's eyes. "Criminals?!" Tarzan frowned. "No, they're super secret agents," he whispered to her in secret. 

"They lied, Tarzan," Brook sadly sighed.

"Is this...true?" Tarzan asks, glancing at the two. "Truth? Well, the truth can be a very obscure kind of notion–"

"Is it true?!" Tarzan snapped at Hooft, glaring at them. They flinched back, seeing the anger in his eyes, and gave in. "It's true," Hooft stated. 

"We're not super secret agents," Hugo looked down in shame. 

Tarzan's eyes widened in disbelief and ran away. "Tarzan, wait!" Hooft called. "Let us explain!" Hugo called. 

Brook dampened, seeing Tarzan upset. She glanced back to see Staquait placing shackles back to Hugo and Hooft's wrists, connecting each other. "Private Hugo and Hooft. I hereby place you under arrest. Again. It's a shame you can only be executed once for your crimes," Staquait walked away, putting his sword away. 

"Executed? What for?" Brook asks. 

"The worst crime a soldier can commit, my dear. Refusing to obey a direct order."

"Insubordination?" Brook frowned. "Is it serious?"

"It is when I'm giving the order," Staquait turned away. 

"And what was the order?" 

"Staquait ordered us to burn down a village!" Hugo shouted. "But we wouldn't do it!" Hooft added. "No!" Hugo shook his head. 

"When an officer gives an order, a soldier carries it out. It doesn't whine nonsense about women and children!" Staquait snapped at them before turning to Brook. "Now, if you will excuse us. These two have a date with the executioner."

"No..." Brook shook her head. "What have I done?" she teared up as they walked away. They were victims. Refusing to kill anyone. She blinked the tears away and ran to find Tarzan. 

After running for a few minutes, she spotted Tantor, running faster. "Tarzan!"

Tantor ducked down and helped Brook to the top of the tree where Tarzan and Terk were. She pants from the running and reaches over. "I've been looking all over for you. We must rescue Hugo and Hooft at once!"

"Uh, excuse me? Are you trying to play mind games with us, Red?" Terk glares. 

"I'm so confused. Are they bad guys or not?" Tantor asks. 

"No. They're not. They're heroes, actually," Brook spoke. "Wait, wait, wait, you said they were criminals," Tarzan frowns. 

"They both are but that is to say that," she sighed as she wasn't making sense, calming down. "You see, sometimes the people in authority, the ones giving the orders and making the laws? Well, they're the ones who are the real criminals," she shamely closed her eyes. 

"You mean...like that man back there," Tarzan referred to Staquait earlier. 

"Colonel Staquait. The same man who was ordered to execute me."

"What?!" Tarzan, Terk, and Tantor. "Why didn't you say anything?!" Terk snapped. 

"I thought for a moment, he was just a Captain when we met and had changed when he was focused on bringing the criminals...but he was still the same. It's all my fault! I only focused on protecting you but I ended up hurting Hugo and Hooft too," Brook covered her face with her hands in shame. 

"You judged him by his cover," Tarzan mused. 

"Yeah. Stung by my own metaphor and now Staquait is going to kill Hugo and Hooft!"

"No! He's not," Tarzan growls as in cue, the thunder rumbled behind him, indicating a near rain. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Staquait and the others arrived at their campsite. They stood as the clouds gathered around them, awaiting the rain. Staquait looked over the jungle with a blank expression. He got the prisoners to his hold. 

He faced them, "I considered simply flinging you two fools off that cliff, but I decided on a more...historical approach."

Behind Staquait, he revealed the blanket that was behind him, revealing a large guillotine. Hooft stood paralyzed but Hugo only chuckled. "Well that's very thoughtful, just a little off the sides, please," he smoothed down his hair but Hooft elbowed him. 

"Actually, Hugo. I think he's planning to take a little off the top, if you get my meaning," Hooft dragged his thumb on his neck. 

Hugo was still confused but saw the serious look Hooft had, he gulped nervously and turned to Staquait. "Hey, you guys don't understand. I don't look good in a brush cut!"

Staquait chuckles. "Step right up," he urged. 

"Any last requests?" the Lieutenant asked. 

"I wouldn't mind dying of old age," Hooft shrugged. "Yeah, hey, how about some key lime pie?" Hugo grinned. 

"That sounds refreshing and you'll be back from Florida in no time! Just stick to the back roads!–"

"Enough!" Staquait snapped. "Put them in!" The soldiers shoved them near the guillotine. The sharpness of the blade was intimidating of the sight. You can see the glint of the blade from below. 

"Prepare to taste some justice," Staquait smirks but stops as he hears a cry echoing around them. Hugo and Hooft grinned in relief, knowing exactly who it is coming from. 

Tarzan swung on the vine, kicking two men who were standing behind Hugo and Hooft. He then dodges Staquait's blade and rolls over, tripping him. Three other soldiers shot their rifles at him but Tarzan grabbed the rope of the guillotine and swung to them, kicking one of them away.

The rest kept firing before a tremble shook the earth. They frowned in confusion until Tantor ran towards them. They dodged his stampede. 

"Attack! Attack!" Tantor shouted, trampling the ground with Terk and Brook on his back. 

The soldiers composed themselves shooting the elephant. Tantor stopped, narrowly missing one of the bullets. 

"Retreat! Retreat!" Tantor screamed, running away. But one of his tusks ripped one of the tents, making him blind. He ran around, unable to see. He didn't realize with all his running, he crushed the tents, and their food supply. He also crushed the candle they had, setting everything on fire. 

Tarzan looked over in worry but dodged one of Staquait swings. His eyes widened when Staquait also sliced the rope of the guillotine, dropping the blade. His sword was knotted to it, snatching it from his hand.

Tarzan ran away with Staquait running after him. Staquait grabbed his sword and started swinging at him but Tarzan jumped to the wood of the guillotine and swung around, kicking his face. 

Tantor ran around, destroying the guillotine. Tarzan ran over and snatched the ripped tent from Tantor's face. He blinked when he saw the destruction he made. 

"Hey, not bad! You're one elephant stampede!" Terk grinned. 

"Where's Hugo and Hooft?" Brook asked.

They spotted them running towards a cliff. They stopped before falling off the edge, dragging dirt off where they stood. 

"Nowhere left to run," Staquait glares, pointing his sword at them. "I shall dispose of you myself."

"Hey no, don't we get another last request?" Hugo nervously asks. Tarzan dropped in front of them, making Staquait smirk sinisterly. "Oh, very well, my primitive friend. We will settle this mano a mano. " 

Staquait swung his sword at Tarzan wildly. He dodged every swing, taking steps back. Staquait sliced the tree Hugo and Hooft were near in. Staquait took out his sword from the tree but grunts when Tarzan shoves his shoulder to his chest, dropping him to the ground. 

Staquait pants, groggily standing up. "Truly. I have met my match. I will lay down my weapon!" 

He threw his sword above Tarzan, slicing through the vines. Dropping them on top of Tarzan, trapping him. Tarzan grunts as he struggles to remove them. 

"Never send an ape to do a man's job," Staquait glares standing over him. 

Tarzan stops when he sees Hugo and Hooft running towards Staquait, raising their connected shackles with an intention of bringing him down to the cliff. Except the plan didn't go through as Staquait dodged them, making them fall off the cliff.

"Hugo! Hooft! No!" Tarzan shouted in shock as they fall to their deaths. Staquait sinisterly chuckles, turning to Tarzan and raising his sword. "Don't worry. You're about to join them."

Tarzan's eyes flared in fury and growls at him, attacking him to the ground. Tarzan goes to attack him again but Staquait kicked his leg, tripping him harshly. Staquait grabbed a torch and started swinging at him, but he tackled him, flaring his nostrils at him. 

Staquait's soldiers stood, prepared to take out the wild man but Staquait didn't fight back. "Put down your weapons! Now!"

His soldiers complied. "Our mission here...is through," he pants. 

"Go. Leave this jungle," Tarzan glares before running back to where Brook and the others were. "I will go. After all, I said I would hunt them to the ends of earth and so I have," Staquait and his soldiers walked away.

The fire died down as the rain poured over the jungle, leaving smoke to its remains. 

Brook finds Tarzan and hugs him. "Thank goodness you're all right." He hugged her back tighter, smelling the smoke coming from her. 

"Hey, what happened to Hooft and Hugo?" Terk asked, looking around. The mention of their names made Tarzan tighten the hug. Brook's eyes saddened as it was too late to save them. 

"They're gone," Tarzan sighs. 

"Oh, one day they're pulling a peanut out from behind you ear and the next they're gone," Tantor sadly sighs. "What does it all mean?"

Terk rubbed her eyes, trying to prevent the tears from falling. "I just got a little something in my eye over here."

Brook hugs her husband, rubbing his nape. "I'm sorry," she sniffs. Tarzan shook his head, hugging her to him. 

"Hello up there!"

They all stopped when they heard a voice. The screams could be heard from the cliff and ran over to see Hugo and Hooft stuck in one of the branches with their shackles. 

"We could use a little help down here! Hey nature boy!" Hooft called. "Yeah, don't leave us hanging down here!" Hugo grinned. 

"Hugo?! Hooft?!" Tarzan grinned. Tantor helped, picking their shackles to the top and meet with Tarzan and the others. 

"What happened big guy?" Hooft asks as Terk hugs them both. "Hey, where's Colonel Staquait?" Hugo asks, looking around.

"He's gone. He left because he thought you were dead," Tarzan explains. 

Hugo and Hooft blinked and grinned to each other. "Riiight...Well, you see. That was our plan all along," Hooft grins.

Hugo nods. "Yeah, yeah! I mean, strategy is our middle name."

Brook laughs as she and the others didn't believe a word they said. Tantor picked everyone on his back and traveled back to Archimedes' plan. The ride was quiet so Brook spoke up. "So, what are you guys going to do now?"

"Well, we figured we'd move back in with you guys," Hooft grins behind Hugo who was behind her. "Yeah, speaking of which. What's for dinner tonight?" Hugo asks. 

Brook chuckles, looking forward and hugging Tarzan from behind. "I have a better idea."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The next day, they were all at Dumont's Trading Post. Hugo and Hooft were once again gambling with Archimedes. Archimedes laughs in glee when the dice rolls to seven. "Did I win?"

He later frowns as Hooft grabs his things he bet. "Ah tough luck, professor," Hugo grins. 

"B-B-But I could have sworn that seven–"

"Oh no, pops. You're thinking of Winter rules," Hooft smirks. "Yeah, this is Summer," Hugo encouraged. 

Not far from them Brook and Dumont observe them. She turns to him, "What do you think?"

"They can start tomorrow," Dumont smiles. Brook chuckles, "Just imagine. Hugo and Hooft doing an honest day's work."

"Work, yes. Honest? I'm not so certain," Dumont laughs shaking his head. 

Brook laughs, walking outside. Hugo and Hooft noticed and ran after her. "Miss nature girl!"

She stopped at the nickname. Is it because of what she's wearing? She turns to them and saw the conflicted expression they had. 

"You're not perhaps the Red Witch from England, are you miss?" Hugo asks. 

She stiffens but didn't see any malice in their eyes and hesitantly nods, taking off the scarf off her head, cascading her red tresses. 

"I figured," Hooft nods. "I saw a glimpse of red while riding back yesterday. But don't worry, nothing will happen to you. We owe Tarzan a favor, and we swear to keep you safe miss."

Brook beams at them. "Thank you so much! I just hope Staquait doesn't figure it out soon. I want to keep my family safe from harm."

"You can count on us, miss!"

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Lt. Col. Staquait entered his office, going through the many letter on his desk. Going through them for hours, he finally noticed the letter from Sir Vincent next to his candle. 

He sighs, rubbing his nape before opening it. 

𝙻𝚒𝚎𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚕 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚒𝚝,

𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝙰𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊. 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙰𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝙿𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎, 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎. 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚗 𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚗. 𝙺𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚍.

𝚂𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚎𝚍,

𝒮𝒾𝓇 𝒱𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒢𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓇𝒹

Staquait sees a second note behind it, revealing a portrait of Brook Quinn. His eyes widened when he saw a young girl with a scarf on her head. Her eyes were blank but he couldn't mistake her to anyone. He seeths, dropping the note on his desk and stabbing it with his knife. 

"So you're still alive, Miss Brook Quinn..."

Published: April 26, 2022

Word Count: 5000