Twas The U.N.C.L.E. Round Robin - Chapter 6

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Napoleon woke with a groan and slowly pushed himself into a sitting position against the stone wall of his cell.  As cells went he’d been in worse, but not many.  No cot, no window, just cold damp stones.  The only way in or out was a solid oak door with a small barred window that allowed a faint light to illuminate his surroundings.  The floor was covered in mouldy straw that had obviously been there for quite some time.

He had no idea how long he’d been here but judging by the way his stomach was growling it was morning.  He wondered how Illya was faring.  The last he had seen his Russian partner was when Lady Olivia’s goons had pulled him struggling to the opposite side of the courtyard.  He hoped Illya had enough sense to not antagonize the large THRUSHs manhandling him, but he doubted it.

Napoleon stood as he heard a key rattling in the door.  It swung open and two large guards entered, one blocked the door pointing his rifle at him.   The second put a wooden bucket on the floor and pushed it towards Napoleon with his foot.  “Wash” he growled and tossed a grimy rag at him, then he set down a stack of clothing.  “Her Ladyship insists you dress for brunch.”

“Of course” Napoleon grinned “I wouldn’t want to disappoint my hostess.”

His two guards never more than a few feet from him Napoleon was led through a maze of underground hallways, then up a narrow flight of stairs.  Solo knew he had to put off any escape attempt for the time being.  A meal with the mysterious Lady Olivia might give him the information U.N.C.L.E. wanted and help him locate Illya.

A heavy oak door was opened and Napoleon was pushed inside what were obviously Lady Olivia’s living quarters.  A crackling fire lent the only warmth to the lushly renovated surroundings.  Heavy tapestries hung on the stone walls, antique furniture filled the room.  A door opened and Lady Olivia entered, dressed in a lovely black skirt with a Royal Stewart tartan blazer.   “Mr. Solo, so kind of you to join me.”

“How could I refuse” he murmured as he kissed her hand.

“Oh, what a charmer you are...so unlike your disagreeable associate.”

“Ah, speaking of my associate...how is he?”

“Alive.”  Olivia smiled, “Well, at least for now.”

Lady Olivia slid her arm into Solo’s.  “Tell me Mr. Solo, do you love the Holidays?”  Not waiting for him to answer she continued “I do, I love receiving presents, If you told me what U.N.C.L.E. knows about my plans I’d be ever so happy….would you like to see my Christmas tree?”

She led Napoleon through an archway into a dining area where a table was set for two.  In the corner of the room was a large evergreen bedecked for the season.  Napoleon smiled as he held the chair for Lady Olivia and then sat across from  her.  “Lovely tree” he smiled hoping his Solo charm wouldn’t let him down.  “But not as lovely as the vision sitting across from me!”

Olivia sighed, thinking that it might just be a tad difficult to kill this one.

“When I was a little girl my father would tell us stories about our heritage, that the Stewarts were the rightful heirs to the British throne. I knew that one day I’d be able to right that wrong.   With THRUSH’s help, and my plan,  I will do so and I will be the Queen.  I was born to be Queen!”

Napoleon shook his head.  It was obvious that not only was Lady Olivia dangerous, and no doubt beautiful but like so many other THRUSH she was also somewhat insane.  He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Lady Olivia saw the look of pity on Solo’s face and a cold fury took her.  “Look up Mr. Solo...look up at my Christmas angel.” Solo looked up.  Illya, bloody and unconscious hung by his manacled wrists from a short chain threaded through an iron ring embedded in the ceiling.  Dangling his bare feet were only a few inches above the top of the gaily decorated Christmas tree.

At Napoleon’s stricken expression Lady Olivia began to laugh.