Book of Scarborians XIII

In the royal park

Elvie said to Ty, "This is

not my Scarborough."

Ty asked her, "What do you mean?"

Elvie said, "I'm out of time."

Ty listened to her

talk about her knight order

from Scarborough past.

She said, "The cruel Burgesses

summoned my knights to this land."

Night gave way to dawn—

Parsley, Sage, Rose, and Mary

walked to the castle.

The Burgesses pitched a tent,

welcoming their esteemed guests.

Meanwhile the art thief,

forced to walk toward his death,

cried, "You can't do this!"

His private execution

was set for the noonday sun.

Ty disguised themself

as the royal gravedigger

of the castle grounds,

digging up a cambric shirt

without seams or needle work.

The Burgesses led

Parsley, Sage, Rose, and Mary

in the breakfast toast.

Mary whispered to Rose, "This

reminds me of my nightmares."

Ty tipped their pitcher,

washing the cambric shirt clean

over the dry well.

The Burgesses sprung a trap,

as their guests drank drowsiness.

When their eyes opened,

noon arrived at the gallows.

Parsley's shirt was changed.

Fully armored knights stood guard

for the thief's execution.

R.L.P. Auriga

Long Island, New York