Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.

Characters: Q CM G

Synopsis: The Queen wrestles with her conscience.

Rating: G

A fiction written by Jim Guy

The air was foul and the cave pitch black as Colonel Montoya and Captain Grisham entered the abandoned mine. A dim glow from their torches was the only light. “Like a picture from Dante’s inferno,” said Colonel Montoya as he surveyed the blackened sides of the cave.

“Dante who?” questioned Grisham.

“Really, Captain, you need to be better read and educated. One would think that the classics would be standard faire in a military academy like West Point.”

“I skipped that class.”

“No, really?” mumbled Montoya as he moved farther into the black hole. Picking up the remnants of a pickaxe from the charred remains of a skeleton.

Grisham looked at the axe head, “Must be gold in here, we could get some volunteers to start mining operations.”

“Grisham, you are a blithering idiot. Do you remember the last time we had volunteers work a mine? Let me refresh your memory. The Queen of Swords, rescued the volunteers, blew up the mine and you had a sword shot in half. Besides, from the looks of this mine, I would say a gas vein was struck and . . .”

A sudden rumble could be heard from deep in the tunnel. “Get Out!” yelled Montoya as the men ran for their lives. As they rounded one corner, Grisham dropped his torch. Another corner and boom. A large explosion and a fireball erupted though the mine. The concussion caused a landslide at the mouth. Fortunately the fireball went back down the tunnel. Unfortunately the cave entrance collapsed five feet in front of them.

As the dust and rocks settled, Montoya told Grisham “We are dead men. If you light another torch it will be even faster. The gas is still leaking in here. We should have brought some men with us. They could at least have dug us out.”

Unbeknownst to either of them they were not alone. The Queen of Swords had spotted them riding to the mine and had followed. Knowing they were up to no good, she kept close but out of sight. Chico shied as the explosion ripped the cave. Rocks and dirt collapsed the entrance. “Good riddance to bad rubbish” she said to Chico as she turned to ride away.

“No, Chico, I can’t do it. They maybe scoundrels but they are still human beings. I will not have their deaths on my conscience. If they did survive the blast, I am their only hope.”

She approached the covered entrance and climbed to the top of the pile. “This is going to be a bitch,” she said out loud as she started moving the rocks. Several times she attached a rope to her saddle and the rock. Chico dutifully pulled the large boulders away. Finally she found the demarcation between fresh dirt and the charred tunnel. Digging down she opened a small hole.

“Hola, is there anyone there?” she shouted into the hole.

“Si, Si” came the response. “Don’t light a torch or we will be blown to smithereens. The gas is still leaking and the air was foul” the voice started a hacking cough.

“Don’t go anywhere, I am digging as fast as I can.

“And where the hell would we go, bitch.” Came the voice of Grisham.

“You can go to hell if I close up this hole and ride away, cabron.”

“Grisham you idiot.” She heard Montoya say as she continued digging. Finally she had a hole large enough for one man to squeeze through.

There were ropes on both of the men’s horses and she tied one rope to each saddle and through the other end into the cave.

“Tie the end around you and hold on.” She shouted. Leading the horses she could see the ropes go taut against the weight. As the men reached the hole, she led one horse and then the other. Montoya came out first, coughing and gasping for air. Then came Grisham. He was almost unconscious. Montoya recovered first.

“Why?”

“Because you are human beings and I have a conscience.”

“We are grateful, Senorita Reina. We owe you our lives. Today you are in our gratitude. Tomorrow is another day.”

“I understand Colonel. Now tell, why were you in “La Cueva del fuego” don’t you know the legend?” When I was a little girl, this cave was a mine until a spark blew the mine. Fifty men died in there and no one goes inside. It is cursed. You really should get to know the legends before you walk into a death trap. Vaya Con Dios, Colonel.” She said as she mounted Chico and rode off.

Grisham was now recovered and he ran for his rifle. Drawing a bead on the Queen’s back be pulled the trigger. Just as he fired, the rifle was knocked to one side. The shot went astray.

“Why, Colonel I had her in my sights?”

“I am a gentleman, something you know nothing about. I gave my word that she is free today, for saving our lives. I am no scorpion riding the back of a turtle. Tomorrow is another day.”

“What does a scorpion and a turtle have to do with anything?” Montoya looked up to the sky and rolled his eyes while shaking his head.

The Queen had turned and was watching Montoya as he saluted her. She returned the salute and galloped away.

“Marta will have my hide for this, Chico but I will have a clear conscience. I know Chico, they are my enemies but whom would we get next? Someone worse may come along. Now let’s go home I need a bath and so do you. I might be able to find an apple for you also, if you get us there quickly. Chico neighed in reply. Suddenly he launched himself into a full gallop, which left the Queen hanging on for dear life.

The end

©Cueva del Fuego - James Guy - April 2001

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