Metamor Keep -- Snips and Snails
By Christian O'kane

Part 8

"Thomas, Charles you're all right!" Misha shouted in delight and hugged the surprised stallion and rat. He wagged his finger at Charles, "Where have you been, I was worried."

"I thought it more important to be sure of the Duke's safety than to run off chasing that creature," the rat answered.

The fox nodded in agreement, "Good point." He turned to the Duke and looked him over. "Are you all right Thomas? Did he hurt you?" he asked.

The Duke shook his head, "I'm fine. It didn't come anywhere near me. As a matter of fact, I was several rooms away when it happened."

"He never touched you?" Misha queried.

"No, not so much as a scratch," came the reply.

"That's weird, I distinctly heard Madog claim he'd killed you," Misha commented.

"His exact words were that he had destroyed the Duke," Charles added.

The fox stroked his chin for a moment in thought before speaking. "He attacked the guards because they were in the way. Madog went after us because we were blocking his line of escape. If he didn't attack Thomas, and he didn't mistake someone else for the Duke, then exactly who did he destroy?" he asked.

Misha heard footsteps coming down the corridor and he turned to see Father Hough and Kimberly approaching. Hough bowed to the Duke and the lady curtsied.

"I can answer your question Misha," the boy said. He knelt down and picked up something off the floor. When he stood up Hough extended his hand towards the trio. Misha recognized the white stone object in his hand, it was a piece of an ear.

Realization flooded into him, "he attacked the statue?" the confused fox asked. He looked around and saw that pieces of it were scattered everywhere. He'd scarcely paid it any notice before.

Thomas let out a chuckle, "Of course he did. That was a statue of Brian the bastard. Don't you remember Misha? I told you about him when you demonstrated Madog."

"You see his orders were to destroy Duke Brian, nothing was said about any other Duke," Hough explained.

A sudden thought occurred to the fox, and he glared at Hough, "How do you know so much about what Madog's orders were?" he asked.

"That's easy, I asked him," the father explained, and motioned towards the floor behind his feet. "Come on out, you'll be safe with me," he said.

Nothing happened for a moment, but then a small gray metal head peered timidly from behind the boys legs. It was Madog.

"Hi," the automaton said in a timid voice.

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