Book of Scarborians XIV: Finale

Six medieval knights

standing armed at the gallows

with the Burgesses

listened to their captain speak,

"I refuse to harm this thief

for your sacrifice."

One of the house members said,

"Choose a subsitute."

Elvie removed her helmet

and replied, "Give me Parsley."

Sparing the thief's life,

the knights escorted Parsley

up to the gallows.

Parsley knelt before Elvie

wearing the old cambric shirt.

Then the knights turned coat,

striking down the Burgesses

one blade at a time.

Elvie's sword struck Parsley's shirt,

shattering into steel shards.

In the aftermath

Parsley, Sage, Rose, and Mary

were saved by the knights.

Elvie said, "Our work is done.

Knights, the way home is opened."

One by one, her knights

vanished with the autumn wind.

She was the last to go,

but before she disappeared

her ram horn blew loud and shrill.

Mary saw it first—

the castle grounds' overgrowth

of peppercorn plants.

Sage opened Delaney's map,

showing Parsley the castle.

Reclaimed by nature,

a DeLorean in park.

Rose said, "Look, a car!"

Ty asked, "Who would leave it here?"

Parsley and Sage said, "Our Mom."

THE END

R.L.P. Auriga

Long Island, New York