Mark of the Fool

Chapter 403: Reunions and the Refusal of Pettiness

The not-so-little crocodile had obviously taken well to Kybas concoctions. The last time Alex saw him hed actually grown quite a bit, but now, he was at least another foot longer than at the summer games, and he was thick like a log, sleek and powerful. His scales were shiny and clean, and his gait was steady and strong as he strode along beside his goblin master.

A huge basket was strapped to his back with the scent of a buffet of mushroom dishes wafting from it.

Hello! Kybas carried a pot of what smelled like mushroom soup. Its been a while!

Yeah, man, howve you been? Alex asked, looking up at the scaled, monstrous mask he had sitting on his forehead.

Oh, Ive been good! Very good! the goblin grinned, bobbing his head enthusiastically. Harmless has grown so much!Its all been very good! Hell be the biggest and strongest, in no time.

Yeah, Alex said. I can see that. Is Salinger working you hard?

Nope. Kybas nodded to Theresa and the others, then lifted his soup pot onto the table. He began untying the basket from Harmless back. I mean, he does work me very hard, but its nothing I cant handle.

He leaned toward Alex and whispered. Beats growing mushrooms by myself in a cave wondering when Ill get caught. He gave a little giggle.

Yeah, no doubt.

Kybas! Grimloch flashed his many-fanged grin at the goblin. Hows hunting been?

Good! He grinned back wickedly. Harmless is learning well. If he keeps it up, hell be killing sea serpents soon!

Oh, sea serpents are the best eating! Youve gotta try some, Grimloch growled. Ill take you hunting and we can boil up whatever we catch together. But Harmless can have his raw if hed like it better that way.

Ooo! Ooo! That sounds fun and delicious! the goblins voice rose. Maybe Ill take you to my home one day: theres big lizards there, and their meats tough, but so, so juicy! Cant get any of that here.

Grimloch laughed. Yeah, they got everything here except the best meats.

I know!

Alexand the rest of the groupgaped at Grimloch. Hed only seen the shark man that animated once before...and that was also when hed been with Kybas. Was the world ending? Was the sky about to drop on them?

He gets like that around Kybas, Nua-Oge confirmed quietly from somewhere behind Alex. Its great. So glad my baby brother made such a good friend. They really seem to understand each other!

Y-es Prince Khalik muttered somewhat awkwardly. Its uncanny. Theymost definitely seem to understand each other.

A match made in the hells themselves, Alex thought. I dont want to be anywhere near either of those guys when they go hunting together. Maybe

Shiani! Selina suddenly cried. Hey! Heeeeey!

Alex looked up to see Shiani, Malcolm, Eyvinder and Rhea coming toward them along the beach. Caramiyus and Angelar were just behind, their doberman-like faces covered by werewolf masks.

Shiani was wearing a phoenix mask, but he could see her body language open up as soon as she saw Selina. Hi Selina, its been awhile, she called excitedly. Youre so much taller than last time we saw each other!

Its been way too long, the young girl smiled, taking one of Shianis fish dishes from her. A very spicy scent drifted from it. I had this idea I wanted to talk to you about

Whoa, whoa, Alex said. Lets let them get settled first before we start an inquisition here.

Oh, its alright, I havent seen Selina for a long time! Shiani laughed. You need to lighten up, Alex.

Yeah, what she said, dont be so grumpy and mean, ugh. Selina put her hands on her hips.

What? Alex cried incredulously, spreading his hands. Im just trying to make sure my little sister isnt rude! How does that make me the bad guy?

But Selina had already turned back to Shiani and was chatting away like Alex wasnt there. I wanted to talk to you about heat, and how it moves She started.

I wouldnt worry about it too much, Rhea said, the tall elf putting her dish down and smiling warmly. Shiani was pretty excited about catching up with her.

And the rest of you were a good consolation prize, Malcolm added, sliding a tray of layered sandwiches and frozen juice cubes onto the table.

Judging by how excited she is, it would seem that the rest of us are a consolation prize for Selina as well, Isolde smiled.

Alex sighed, staring up at the heavens. You hear that, mother and father? Your daughter thinks her own brother and all her friends are consolation prizes. He laughed as Selina guided Shiani to her seat, shaking his head. Well I guess thats only natural, eh? he whispered.

He watched his friends settling at the table and an old memory came back to him.

It would be a shame if the next Festival of Ghosts were to come around next year, where he would be one of the dead being honoured by his friends and family.

He remembered thinking along those lines just before the festival when he and Baelin talked about the hunt for the demon summoner. Hed sworn not to get involved in finding the dangerous maniac back then.

In the end, though, Leopold had pulled himand everyone hereinto it.

Thats the trouble with dangerous maniacs, demons and He looked at Roals statue. they get others involved in their bullshit.

Putting the thought away, he turned to take a seat but found Isolde staring at a table nearby. Well, she was trying to be discreet and make it look like she wasnt staring buteven while she helped unpack Rheas incredibly aromatic curryher eyes were focused on the other table. At first, Alex didnt recognize its occupantsconsidering they werent wearing their characteristic [coloured] shirtsbut he soon realised she was eyeing the Hydra Companions.

He hadnt seen or spoken to any of them since the Games, and

Wait.

His eyes searched beyond the Hydra Companions and rested on the true recipients of Isoldes covert attention. There, in all of their glory, sat the Ursa-Lupine Brotherhood, and among them, the familiar redheaded figure of Derek. The young man lookeddifferent.

Older, with a leaner, harder physique and more grace to his movements. His long red hair had been cut low and his eyes hung lower; he actually looked exhausted.

Damn, Alex whispered. Thats quite the change. What happened to him?

Well, Isolde said. I have not thought much about Derek since the summer

A single glance at her body language revealed this as a lie. The young noblewomans face always went slightly blank when she lied.

and I do not really care much what happens to him

Another lie.

however, my friends have informed me that the demonic attack seemed to shake him. Her lip twitched. He entered third year trying even less than in our first year. But such behaviour does not lead to success in ones third year. Not that I celebrate his inconvenience or anything like that.

Another lie.

So, he found himself on academic probation. Again. I understand he has to apply himself nowthough he is rather bitter about the situation. In the end, I suppose the shaking from the summer did him some good. She looked at Alex. Not that it is any of my business, of course.

Of course, Alex said, fighting to keep his face straight. He was the very last person who could criticise someone for taking joy in petty revenge.

There was the tinkle of a spoon ringing against a cup.

Alright, everyone, its time to honour the departed, Thundar said, looking around the table. He was wearing the mask of an antlered fae this year.

All things considered, his demon mask from last years festival would have beenin poor taste.

I know I led things last Festival, but does anyone mind if I go again? the minotaur asked. Kinda feels like we started a tradition.

There was a chorus of approval from the group.

Alright, then, he cleared his throat, falling into words similar to those hed spoken at their first Festival of Ghosts. With our masks on to frighten away ghosts of evil folk who might be called by our words, we keep those were honouring in our minds, and dedicate the food we eat to them. We take our masks off to finish our feasting by sunset. Then well all go out together as a group so the dead dont follow any of us cos were alone. Everyone ready?

Some nodded, some spoke up, and all sat taller and straighter in their seats. Alex noticed that the other tables were also preparing for their own ceremonies.

Alright, bow your heads everyone, the minotaur said. Close your eyes and think about who youre honouring with this meal.

Alex bowed his head, closing his eyes beneath the same dragon mask hed worn last year. He waited for Selinas hand to slide into his like it did at last years ceremonybut it never came.

Guess they do grow up fast, he thought.

Oh, honoured ancestors. Thundars deep voice began. Lost friends and family, fallen members of the herd: we think about you through the year, but during this feast, we bring you into the centre of our thoughts and dedicate this food to you. We eat for you so thatthrough usyou can taste mortal sustenance again. Please watch over us throughout the year, and please keep those on deaths plane who might harm us, away.

He paused. Please bring forward whoever youre dedicating this feast to in your thoughts.

Images of Alexs mother and father came to his mind as they had last year. But now, they were joined by those who had fallen in the battle on Orecas Fall, and those whod lost their lives during the fight in Crymlyn Swamp.

He shuddered.

How many more faces will join these next year?

Now, say aloud who you want to honour, Thundar instructed.

Mother and father, Alex said quietly. Those who fell in the Crymlyn. Those who died here.

Murmuring spread around the table, but he only focused on Selinas words:

Father and mother, his little sister said quietly. Those who lost their lives against the demons. Those who lost their lives against the Ravener.

Let the dead from beyond join with the living in this feast, Thundar pronounced. And let our memories of them grow happier and stronger. Alright, lets begin. All of you can open your eyes and take off your masks. And-Oh holy shit!

Alexs eyes opened and his gaze drifted skyward.

This year, he wasnt surprised at what was coming, but he was amazed nonetheless.

Like last year, the early evening sky was filled with hundreds of glowing beings shining with silver light, drifting like scores of autumn leaves. Ghosts of the fallen: mortals, beasts and monsters. He heard a sigh of relief escape his own mouth: thankful that there were no demonic shapes floating above.

A choked cry reached him from a nearby table.

Edward! a doe beast-woman pointed to the sky. Its my Edward!

A wave of gasps travelled between tables as folk pointed, calling out the names of loved ones floating within the stream of spirits passing by. Alex watched the ghostly throng, then exhaled deep and low. He too was finding familiar forms within the multitude of spirits. They werent folks he knew by name, but he remembered them as opponents from the Grand Battle.

He also recognized those hed seen lying broken and unmoving on the sand.

Slowly, he bent his head to pray for their safe passagebut realised he no longer knew who to pray to. Calling on Uldar seemed hollow, and the Traveller was the patron saint of his hometown, she wasnt a goddess who could guide these souls whod fallen in battle in a foreign land.

In the end, he offered his silent prayer to any god who would listen:

To any merciful deity who hears me, I ask you to guide these souls into their reward in the afterworld, as you see fit. May they rest in peace, and may their sacrifice in life give them what they need in death.

As he listened to the whispered prayers of his friends and those at tables close by, a disturbing thought struck him.

Mourning mortals whove fallen is one thing, he thought. But how do you mourn the loss of a god? Of a church? Of ones entire faith?