Mark of the Fool

Chapter 445: Upcoming Hellish Difficulties

Selina looked at Alex solemnly, earlier warm feelings draining away as she thought about the story her brother had told. What hed said was horrifying, a tale of monsters she could barely imagine, invisible dangers and enemies so powerful, theyd even given Baelin pause.

And shed always looked at the chancellor as invincible.

Then Theresa had told her story: of darkness beneath the earths surface, of powers trying to crush her and their friendsbut also of wonder and triumph. Selinas eyes were drawn to the mirror-sheen sparkling across Theresas blades as they leaned against the door frame to her and Theresas bedroom, catching the suns rays and the eye. She could see that something was different about them, something had changed.

Change

She frowned at the bed she shared with the huntress; she was growing, but the bed wasnt. With each passing night, it seemed to grow more cramped, leaving her wondering when shed find herself on the bedroom floor as Theresa sprawled out and encroached on her side of the bed.

Maybe she could pretend to be asleep and kick her out of the bed a few times, maybe then shed go and sleep in Alexs room.

Theyd probably like that, and she could end up with her own room and a bed all to herself. Mr. and Mrs. Lus angry faces appeared in her mind. No, they wouldnt like that idea if they found out

But then againher brow furrowed as she schemedthey wouldnt be mad at her, now would they?

Why do you look like youre hatching evil plans over there? Her big brother asked.

I dont know what youre talking about. She looked away from the bedroom, blinking innocently.

Oh yes, you do. That innocent look didnt work on me when you were five, and it wont work on me now.

Alex, what are we going to do? She asked sincerely.

And changing the subject wont help you either. Face it, Selina, Im too clever for yoh, oh wait youre serious. His big, stupid grin dropped. Whats the matter? What are we going to do about what?

About the Ravener and all those monsters? She leaned against Claygon. Clutching the hem of her shirt, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Theyre going to hurt youno, all of youone day. Her large green eyes looked from Claygon to Alex, then to Theresa and Brutus. Theyre going to hurt Khalik or Thundar or Najyah, Isoldethey keep getting worse, dont they?

Yes but, we keep getting stronger, Theresa insisted, patting Brutus head as he feasted on the beef strips. She strode across the room, taking her swords in hand, she spun them in her grip. Remember those Silence-spiders in the cave? My sword couldnt cut through their shells. I couldnt do anything to that damned, Hive-queen. But now?

She cleaved the air twice with the blades as each caught the sunlight. Selina blinked. Was it a trick of her eyes or did the airlook funny when Theresa slashed it?

Now I can split Ravener-spawn armour thats twice as thick as hers was, the huntress said firmly. Maybe three times as thick. Great-grandfathers twinblade cuts twice for every slash, and it can also deflect magic. I can defend us.

There was a scritching noise as Claygon wrote in his notebook. I am stronger. Will protect father. Will protect all.

Yeah, Claygons stronger than ever, Alex agreed. Im learning better summoning spells and other ways to defend myself and our friends. Well be alright, Selina.

Will we? Selina asked. Every time you tell me a story about the Ravener and its monsters, things keep getting worse. More people are dying, more monsters attacking, and theyre getting stronger too. You said Watchers died, and theyre so strong! Her voice rose. If they can get killed, why cant you?

Not going to happen, Alex tried to reassure her. If anything tries to kill us, well just kill em right back. A lot of things have tried so far, but nothings succeeded.

Im worried, Selina said. I wish I could help

Dont even think about that. Alex pointed at her. This isnt some bards roadside story where the princess gains the magical power of friendship and destroys the evil dragon.

I dont believe in that kind of stuff, Alex, she said, more than a little offended. But you learned spells in like a year and now you can fight. I can do the same thing.

Listen, the answers a hard no, Alex was unyielding. Youre eleven years old. The scariest thing you should have to worry about is whether youre going to study for a test or not. Thats how it is, and thats how it should be.

She frowned. No. No, youre wrong. Thats not how it is, Alex. Ever since we left home, monsters have been trying to eat me. Those Silence-spiders, the demons, those clawed monsters at Isoldes cousins ball. My friends tell me stories all the time about dragons and sea monsters attacking places that theyre from.

Selina folded her arms across her chest. If Im old enough to be eaten by a monster, arent I old enough to fight back? Arent I old enough to kill monsters?

Alex and Theresa looked at each other for a long moment.

Her brother sighed, an uncomfortable look on his face. Ilook. You know whats funny? Baelin told me the same thing once.

Really? Selina frowned.

Yeah, remember last year when I brought you with me to the Art of the Wizard in Combat for a bit? Alex asked. Well, just before that, Baelin told me this storywell, the storys a bit gruesome so I dont think Ill be repeating it here.

Awwww, I want to hear the story!

Well, ask him, then, Alex spread his hands helplessly. But the point is, it involved children facing some pretty grisly fatesas I said, gruesomeanyway, after he finished the story, he said something very similar to what you just said. That children can die whether or not they know how to defend themselves. You remember some of those lessons, right?

Yeah, Selina said.

Well, maybe a few more might be in order, Alex admitted. Now, I still cant teach you magic yet: Im not going against your teachers on that, and you need a good foundation of the theory first.

Okay, but what about after? She pushed.

Well, after that, well see about getting you to the point where you can turn any demon that wants to make a meal out of my sister into ground meat. His jaw clenched.

And then! She pushed, leaning forward. And then I can come to Thameland, and

Absolutely out of the question. He firmly waved her suggestion away. And you cant blame me for that one because its out of my hands. Baelin, Professor Jules and the other administrators of the expedition only let qualified researchers and fighters join. And their standard for who can get in is probably going to be even higher after this latest incident. That wont include little sisters, Im afraid.

Ah, bah! She frowned. Maybe Ill ask Baelin.

Hell say no.

You dont know that.

Trust me, I think I do he paused. ...at least I hope so. So! Your lessons on how to defend yourself are going to be restricted to training, and only in proper places.

Im not going to blow up the insula, Alex, Selina said. Im not stupid.

I know youre not, he said. Youre many things, dear little sister, but stupids not one of them. But, the thing is, learning magic can go wroAh! You said the insula! That reminds me of something.

He looked at Theresa, waving her over to a chair. Honey, could you come here for a minute? Ive got something I want to talk about. Something important.

The huntress paused. Whatis it? She frowned. Youre not saying that youre about to go off and do something dangerous all by yourself, are you?

... Alex froze, like a deer caught in lantern-light. Alrightso I have two important things I want to talk about.

Alex! Selina snapped.

It is okayI will protect, Claygon wrote.

Alex paused again. Okay, three important things.

So, lets get the parts out of the way that are going to get me yelled at, Alex sighed, looking at the golem, the huntress and his sister.

Selina watched him closely. Itd been a long time since shed seen him this nervous.

Right, so theres no easy way to say this, Selina, but well be going down to the hells for a while, he said.

What? She demanded. Whatre you talking about?

She listened as her brother explained how he, Theresa, Claygon, and their friends would be heading to the hells with Baelin to learn to fight demons. Selina wasnt sure which feeling was stronger: fear or jealousy.

That sounds dangerous she said, when hed finished. But youll be with Baelin, so that should be okay.

Yeah, Alex, Im not sure why you looked so anxious, Theresa said.

Yeeeeeah, yeeeeeeaaah, wellthen theres the part where I might have to go and uh He ran his fingers through his stupid-scraggly looking beard. Selina did not like that beard. Well, look, I might maybe sort of kinda have to go down to the hells uhwithout Baelins help. And uhwithout uhClaygon.

What? Theresa and Selina exclaimed as one.

The golem flinched, staring at Alex.

YesI know, buddy, I know, the Fool said. Yeah, I know, buddy. The problem is that one of the things I need to do down in the hells needsa subtle approach. Baelin tells me that I wont be able to bring many of my friends down there with me, and I wont be able to bring ClaygoYes, yes I know its dangerous, but I

No, you have to take Claygon! Selina pleaded. Hes so strong, and hes saved all of us!

Yes, but if I need subtlety, then thats the one thing that Claygon doesnt have. I cant exactly go somewhere without you being noticed, buddy. And thats not all, Alex said grimly. Itd have to be a small team that comes with me, and theyd have to be people that could go unnoticed.

He scratched his scraggly beard. AndIve been giving it some thoughtif I go alone, Id feel a lot better.

Alex, you cant defend yourself as well as youd need to, Theresa insisted. You need someone at your side.

I did think of that, you know, he said. Seems a bit foolish to train myself in all these group tactics just to muck it all up by going to hell by myself. But, you all mean the world to me He looked at the golem, the young woman and growing girl seriously. and so does the cabal. Hells, Id feel like utter garbage if I got Grimloch killed on some dangerous mission. This isnt like when we fight in Thameland, where we can just blow up all of our problems. It might involve sneaking and all that, possibly not bringing our full power to bear.

He sighed. But I was thinking about my summoned monsters. They fight by my side, they can appear out of nowhere and theyre expendable. Of course, Ive got to summon them and I might not always have enough time for that. SoI thought, what if I get some people that were, oh by the Traveller, this sounds awful: expendable? Folk that I wouldnt mind working with butif something happenedI wouldnt be getting half of my friends killed. Maybe mercenaries or something. I dont know.

Silence hung in the air.

Alex, Im not sure thats the best idea, Theresa said. I understand you want to protect us, but the people you can rely on most to watch your backwell, thats us.

Yeah, you should all go together, itd be safer, Selina insisted.

Well, thats the rough part, I cant take everyone with me, so anyone that comes along could be in for a rough time of it. Wed be dealing with moredanger than wed normally have to since thered be less of us. Itjust doesnt sit right with me.

Theresa put her hand on his. Dont worry, well figure it out together.

He smiled. Thank you.

Gross, Selina wrinkled her nose. Now you have me super scared about what the third thing is. Are you going to tell us that you have to be demon food? Everything youve already said is awful.

Well, this ones a bit different, his eyes twinkled as they scanned the room, his mouth took on a wistful smile. What would you say if I wanted to get us out of here?

Like go and get some lunch? Selina asked. I am getting hungry.

No, I mean, out of this apartmentout of the insula, he said. Im asking if you guys would be open to anupgrade in our living arrangements. Not right away, but soon. Im asking if you might like living in our own place.