by Wade Adrian
Calder stared, the first echoes of a yell escaping his throat.
Cecil shook him a bit. “Calm down, it’s perfectly fine. He’s my friend.”
The older man’s jaw snapped shut, his eyes turning to Cecil with an incredulous look. “He’s what?”
“I told you it was a long story. Nothing to worry about. Dark Lord, army of skeletons, yada yada. I’m kind of in charge of them… now. Nothing to be afraid of.” He shrugged one shoulder.
Calder was quiet for a few moments, his eyes cutting back and forth from Murray to Cecil. “You know,” he cleared his throat, “when I told you to make some friends, this isn’t what I had in mind.”
Murray groaned. “Oh, that one hurt. I mean it. Actual physical pain.”
Cecil nodded. “He’s not known for his puns. Or, well, he is, but in a negative way.”
Murray nodded. “Right? That one’s been done to death.”
Cecil sighed.
Calder didn’t. He laughed.
“Oh don’t encourage him, please.”
Murray winked. “It’s a great army we’ve got here. People are just dying to get in.”
Calder grinned a little. “You know, resurrection jokes are a dead art. But I hear they’re coming back.”
Cecil groaned.
Calder and Cecil walked down the hill a short while later. It had taken some explaining, but Calder was in the know now. It might be a day or two before it really sank in, but him being able to make just awful puns was a good sign. He might be mad later, but right now he was too relieved to be angry.
Murray and Egerton were ferreting the crown away for now. They knew where to go. Cecil would meet up with them later, though he assumed they wouldn’t be far anyway once they had hidden the crown.
The camp that Thorn had set up was a sight for sore eyes. It was almost civilized. The other camps had brought along their supplies and made the place larger. Tents were still going up. Red ones as well as blue.
Cecil almost jumped out of his skin when Kenley appeared in front of him, waving his arms. “Cecil! There you are!”
He put his hand on the scholar’s shoulder. “Less enthusiasm, if you please. Kinda… low profile is better.”
Kenley nodded. “Heard all about it. Smart, really. Come on, we’ve got a place staked out. A bit away from the others. And I have news.”
Hardly an offer Cecil could pass up. He nodded. “Lead on.”
There was a cook fire and a circle of chairs off in one corner of the camp. A few guards let them through but gave everyone else wandering by dirty looks.
“Huh.” Cecil hooked a thumb at them. “What’s up with that?”
“There are some perks to having an elevated station.” Lady Aldora appeared beside them and took Cecil’s arm. She looked much better, her hair combed neatly, a bright blue and yellow dress adorning her. “Come, have a seat.”
Bonnie waved from the fire with a smile.
He waved back. “Seems like your job might have gone away, sorry.”
“I got a new one.” She pointed at Lady Aldora.
The lady shook her head. “It’s impolite to point, dear.”
“Oh, right, sorry.”
Kenley sat beside the fire. “She saved us, you know. When things went bad and all the skeletons started going nuts, miss Bonnie called my scholar comrades and I close and had us start a fire. We even had a few Rojo people with us. Scouts, apparently. We all doubted such a silly thing would keep rampaging skeletons at bay, of course, but we also didn’t have a hope of out running them, and only a handful of weapons to defend ourselves. When they started approaching… miss Bonnie barked orders at them. Pick this up. Put that down. Move over there. Pour this into that.” He shook his head. “They listened. All of them. She had them dancing about cooking up a storm.”
She shrugged. “I recognized a few of them. Getting the others to help wasn’t hard with a few examples.”
Cecil scoffed. “They fought me.”
Kenley nodded. “We heard. The difference is, Redding was focused on you. He didn’t have a spare thought for those off in the distance. He’d given a broad order, and Bonnie, given authority over all things kitchen and cooking, gave them more specific orders.”
“Huh.” He blinked a few times. “I don’t think it would have occurred to me to even try.”
She shrugged. “It was pretty much just like the rest of my week. No big deal.”
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Kenley moved a bit closer to Cecil after he sat down. “There’s a few other things…”
“Oh?” Cecil gnawed on a bit of hard bread someone had brought.
“Gomer and Aldora described what happened on the hill. I think I understand it.”
“That makes one of us.”
“Mmm.” The scholar nodded. “It sounds to me… like you’re the seventh lord after all.”
Cecil’s eyebrow crept up. “No, your math is screwy. Murray, Egerton, plus three more means I’m the sixth. And eighth, I guess.”
Kenley shook his head. “The crown has a sort of… transitional period. It adjusts to the lord as he uses it. You barely used it at all. When you…” The scholar noticed Calder not far off, probably in ear shot, and cut his eyes back and forth a few times, “were injured… the gem on the crown wasn’t glowing. Leastwise, not nearly so much as the others. It had a grip on you, but a tenuous one. When Redding used it, he tried to call on all the power he could, all at once. It latched onto him with everything it had. In the end, I believe it considered him to be the sixth lord.”
If that were true… Cecil might have truly been free of the crown for a few brief moments there. Well, perhaps. It had still had some grasp on him. There was no telling what would happen if he had died then… and he wasn’t keen on finding out what would happen if he died now, either.
“It does… seem a bit different now.”
Kenley nodded. “The full power of the crown is yours to command. If you see fit to do so.”
“I don’t.” He shrugged. “Nothing has changed. Well, except no one is breathing down my neck anymore. Happy about that.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have any more leads on how to destroy the crown. It will undoubtedly be more difficult now that it is complete and at full strength, but I’ll keep looking. In the meantime, I do have a… semi-solution.”
“Oh? I’m all ears.”
The island Gomer lead them to was all but featureless. A hunk of rock in the middle of the sea with a lighthouse on top to keep people from running into it. Cecil could see the shore from here, but he wasn’t going to get there without a boat of some sort. He walked down the gangplank after the… boxes were unloaded. Gomer himself helped, and several of his more senior men had volunteered for this rather inglorious duty.
Kenley followed along with his notebook.
The soldiers straightened up after dropping the boxes outside the lighthouse and started back down to the boat.
Gomer nodded as he looked around at the sea. “Yes, I think this will do nicely.”
“Clear.” Cecil rubbed at his arms. Place was frigid even with the sun beaming down at them.
The lid of one of the boxes crept open slightly. Red lights within scanned the area before the lid opened in truth. Murray rubbed at his neck. “Agh, cramped.”
Egerton grunted. “The island won’t be much better.”
Cecil shrugged. “No, but it’s the perfect place to hide the crown for now. It’s remote, no one has reason to come here, and it will be quite difficult for someone to sneak up unseen.”
Egerton nodded. “Indeed. Quite defensible.”
Cecil opened a pack at his side. The red gems set into the shiny black crown gleamed. “This will be in your charge now.”
Egerton stared for a moment before bowing his head. “Very well. I shall guard it with my life. You do realize, of course, that others will come. The crown calls to the dead.”
“You were boxed up for this part, but that’
s why we’re here.” Cecil pointed at the rocks underfoot. “There are some caves, supposedly, in addition to the lighthouse itself. Very few people have ever been here, let alone died here. The odd sailor perhaps. You can keep quite a few around but out of sight. In fact, you’re also in charge of the lighthouse.”
Egerton frowned up at the structure. “I don’t know how to operate it.”
Gomer shrugged. “No worries there, we’ll get you and yours up to speed. Then this will be your charge. Lives will be on the line.”
The skeleton leveled unblinking eyes at the soldier. “Do you really think that matters to me?”
Cecil smiled. “Of course it does. Because I say it does. It’s part of the deal. Being here keeps you safe, and keeps the crown safe. In return you keep a few sailors safe. Seemed fair to me.”
Egerton sighed. “As you wish, my lord.”
Murray chuckled. “Oh, don’t be all grumpy. It’s not all doom, gloom, and rocky islands that smell like fish.” He tapped the top of the box that remained unopened. “This is for you, to do as you please.”
Egerton’s skull tilted a bit to the side. “I don’t understand.”
Cecil shivered. “Redding. He was a lord. The crown will call to him, whether we like it or not.”
Egerton’s eyes narrowed at the crate. “I see…”
Murray laughed softly, but it grew, ending in a cackle. “And we brought his fun little boxes, too.”
That got Egerton’s attention. “You don’t say.”
Cecil set the crown on his head. “Just to make it official… Lord Egerton, you are hereby the commander general of this island. All those who set foot upon it are in your jurisdiction and are subject to your judgment and or whims.” He removed the crown again. “So when he does get up, and other skeletons show up, they follow your lead. So says the Dark Lord.” He held the crown out.
“Mmm…” Egerton took hold of it. “You were never much of a Dark Lord, sir.”
Cecil scoffed. “Still happy to disappoint.”
“But…” Egerton lifted his chin. “I think perhaps you are a decent man. Maybe even bordering on being a good one.”
“I’ll take it.” He held out his hand.
Egerton shook it… and pulled Cecil a bit closer. “You realize, of course, that this is only temporary. You’re not like them. Lords… are not men. When the time comes, the crown will be waiting. As will your loyal servants.”
Cecil didn’t know quite what to make of that, but he nodded. “Good to know.”
As Gomer and Cecil started back down from the lighthouse, Murray’s feet clacked along behind them.
Egerton raised his chin. “You’re not staying?”
“Figured I’d keep him safe, for now.”
“Hmph. Good. He’s fool enough to need it.”
“Don’t I know it.” Murray gave a short bow. “Have fun with Redding.”
“Oh, his stay will be… memorable.”
Gomer narrowed his eyes at Murray. “You came here in a box. I doubt the sailors will be alright with a skeleton walking around.”
“No problem. I’ll walk home.”
Gomer’s jaw dropped open, ready to question the statement… but he thought better of it. “Hmph. So be it.”
Murray chuckled. “Another six months, this guy might finally get it.”
“So, Cecil…” Gomer ignored Murray. “What are your plans, now?”
Cecil shrugged. “I’m a farmer. I’m going to farm. I’m not sure why people have so much trouble with that. Reginald found me another piece of land. A good one. No doubt because Lord Thorn told him to.”
“That would probably help get it done, yes.” Gomer nodded. “You know, if you ever consider a military career…”
Cecil shook his head. “No, General. No skeleton armies. Not for you or anyone else.”
The older man shrugged. “I had to ask. There might be some cause in the future that requires a few…”
Cecil shook his head. “Nope.”
“Hmm.” Gomer cleared his throat. “How about you, Murray?”
“Scarecrow. Duh.” The skeleton rolled his eyes.
“Wait… you’re going to help him farm? Really?”
“What else would I do? Open a lemonade stand?” Murray stopped when the boat came into view. “I’ll see you back on the mainland, boss.”
Cecil nodded. “You know where to go.”
The last leg of the walk was quiet, aside from the waves hitting the rocks. They made plenty of noise. They were nearly back to the boat before Gomer broke the silence.
“Well, try as you might, Mr. Dark Lord, I’m not sure the world is done with you just yet.”
“It better be done with me, or it’s going to get a face full of skeletons.”
He glanced back up at the lighthouse. Maybe Gomer was right. The thought that this was a mistake bounced around in his mind. Something would happen and he would want that crown…
Well, if it did happen, he knew where it was and it was under far better guard than he was. No one else could use it while he lived, and he planned to live as quietly as possible to keep it that way.
Of course, that was no given. He could see the blue and gold banners on the upper deck from here. Taken over by the nobles the moment they set foot on the ship. Aldora was a bit better than the rest these days. She was standing on the island, waving off retainers insisting she not only return to the boat, but back to the nice part they had meticulously set up for her.
She bowed her head slightly. “Gentlemen. Is it done?”
Gomer nodded. “I don’t think any place has better built in security, and then… more on top of it.”
“Good.” She let out a breath and put on a small smile. “We could use a break.”
“Enjoy it.” Cecil shrugged. “Not a lot of rest on the farm.”
Gomer’s eyebrows crept up. “She’s not… no.” He shook his head in disbelief. “No.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What? It’s my land.”
Cecil nodded. “It is. But the tradition in my family is we don’t have visitors that sit around.”
She turned her narrowed gaze to him. “No doubt you receive few visitors.”
“Certainly keeps the freeloaders away, yes.”
Lady Aldora shrugged slightly. “I’ve grown rather accustomed to getting my hands dirty. Come along, this place is murder on my hair.”
Well, she wasn’t entirely reformed from a life of nobility, then…
Her retainers agreed, waving for her to return to the ship with all possible haste, excepting only if such haste might result in a stubbed tow, broken nail, or any sort of sweat.
Gomer cut his eyes to the young lady once they were on board, then threw them at Cecil. Then inclined his head that way. She sighed a bit before shrugging. “Very well.” She waved to her trainers. “Give us a bit of space, would you?”
They mumbled as they wandered off, not terribly far, but out of earshot.
Cecil narrowed his eyes at them. “What?”
“We just think…” Gomer shrugged.
Lady Aldora shook her head. “Please, I’ll handle this.” She picked up Cecil’s hand with her own. “He has brought some fears to me, and convinced me enough that I think it’s worth mentioning.”
Cecil rolled his eyes.
Gomer crossed his arms. “This is important. Some day something terrible will happen, and we’ll need you to sort it out.”
She nodded. “It’s a fair point. I…” she frowned, “considered becoming a lord myself, in that moment where Redding had taken it. I mean, if Gomer hadn’t saved you.”
Cecil narrowed his eyes. “Oh, guilt. How original.”
“Don’t be difficult, dear. I’m trying to say I also considered the weight of it, and I find it fits better on you. I trust you more with it than I would myself. Or, well, anyone, really.”
The solder nodded. “We just want you to understand, there may be a big enough threat. I won’t call on you for anything
that the military can handle, I swear. But some day, some important enough cause may appear.”
Cecil sighed. “I mean, if you think so. But imagine this: you’re involved in a battle, things are not going your way, the fate of the country is in your hands and suddenly… skeletons. Just tons and tons of skeletons. Even if they came to help you, do you think your first reaction would be to thank them, or to scream and run? Because I know what mine would be.”
Gomer nodded. “I understand. I do. I mostly mean if it’s a time that there’s simply no reason to send troops, because it would be tantamount to killing them. Then skeletons.”
Cecil glanced aside at Lady Aldora.
She nodded.
He shrugged. “Fine. Maybe. We’ll see.”
The old soldier clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s all I can ask you for. Thank you. I’ll sleep easier.”
“Ahem.” A man dressed in the blue livery of a Greater Azul sailor cleared his throat. He had on a big hat that made it hard to see his face. “A moment, sir?”
Cecil nodded. “Sure. This about my luggage?”
“Uh… yes.”
Cecil pointed. “Got to take this. Boring, I’m sure. I’ll be along shortly.”
Aldora narrowed her eyes at him, then at the sailor. “You must learn to hold secret meetings more discretely, Cecil.”
“What? Boat guy wants to talk crates. My special crates.” He hooked his eyes around the deck. Only a handful of people were aware of what they had brought here.
She shrugged one shoulder slightly. “Very well, come along General. The only decent food is on the upper decks.”
“Sounds delightful.”
“It’s a nice boat, really.” Tim sat on a barrel, looking over the side. He was decked in blue and gold livery, like everyone else.
Ani let out a huff. “Smells like fish.”
“That would be the ocean.”
“Not sure what we’re doing here.”
“Relax, the only one that ever saw us clearly was Murray, and he didn’t come back from the lighthouse. Take a deep breath. Wait, don’t. It would taste like fish. Or seaweed.”
“No, I mean, I don’t know what we’re doing here.”