Page 173 -- XIX.

Chapter Nineteen: ‘Come forth, ye jubilant devils...’
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A line of police officers stood in Geoffrey’s path. “Sorry, this area is closed off,” one of them said.

Geoffrey’s green balloon-hat waggled as he ogled the mass of rubble and abandoned vehicles behind the line. “What happened?”

“We can’t disclose that information,” the officer said. “Please turn back.”

Geoffrey frowned, but obliged.

The prince’s advisor, whose name Geoffrey had still not bothered to learn, was waiting for him at the nearest street corner--as was an enormous yellow-and-green boa constrictor. The man was clearly a wreck, and having the snake at his feet was doing him no favors.

“It seems we missed all the fun,” Geoffrey said sadly. “Maybe we shouldn’t have stopped at that amusement park after all.”

The advisor watched the boa slither up Geoffrey’s body and coil around the young man’s shoulders. “I still don’t understand w-why that thing listens to you...”

“Oh, it does not listen. It simply has no will of its own anymore.” He scratched the snake’s head. “Normally, animals tend to dislike me, you see. I was never very good with pets, but they did provide valuable practice.”

Abruptly, a red-haired man turned the corner. “Over here, you said?”

‘Yeah. Should be--ah, there it is.’

Geoffrey’s brow rose as he spotted the reaper approaching from behind the stranger. “Why, hello.”

The stranger returned a wide smile. “Wow, it really is an aberration! Hello there, little fella. How’d you get all the way out here to Atreya? Not lost, are you?”

Geoffrey tilted his head. “Excuse me? Who are you?”

“Ah, I’m Desmond Grantier. This is my friend, Ezmortig. I assume you can see him, yes?”

“I can. Why do you seem to know about me?”

“Oh, we belong to Abolish.”

“Abolish?”

Desmond blinked at him. “Don’t you even know where you come from?”

Page 172

The journey was a short one. The tour bus pulled up to a quite well-kept auto body shop, and everyone exited. Fully regenerated, Roman led the group inside.

There were people in the waiting room. They eyed the new arrivals uncomfortably.

Roman rang the bell at the front desk. “Gerald! Get your crusty old ass out here!”

The others all exchanged glances.

The door behind the counter opened, and the elderly mechanic stepped through. He took one look at Roman and sighed. “Alright,” said Gerald. “I’m sorry to everyone who was waiting, but we’re closed now. I need you all to leave.”

“What?” said one man, standing. “But you have my car. I need it tomorrow--”

Roman stepped in, smiling. “I know it’s inconvenient, but trust me, pal. This is for your own good.” He grabbed a pad and paper off the counter and scribbled a quick note, handing it to the customer. “Here. Go to this address and give this note to the cute blond girl there. She’ll provide all of you with new vehicles, free of charge.”

The man’s expression faltered, and he read the note. “Wha--this address isn’t even in Sescoria. This is a hundred kilometers away!”

Roman’s smile waned. “Then I guess you’d better get going.”

“This is ridiculous!”

Helen intervened, and the stranger did a double take. “Please listen to him,” she said. “Some very bad people are coming here. They will kill you if you stay.”

It didn’t take much more convincing after that. The customers soon filed out of the building.

“So who’s coming to kill us?” Gerald asked.

“Abolish,” said Roman. “Two members, both pretty strong, but nothing we can’t handle.”

Gerald’s expression darkened, and he looked over the group another time.

Roman scratched his bare chest. “By the way, you got any spare clothes?”

Page 171

Roman led them over the ruins of the Belgrant Gatehouse. Abandoned cars lined the street, doors left ajar. No doubt people had fled after seeing the gatehouse fall and hearing the subsequent explosions. Sirens in the distance warned of an imminent police presence.

Roman shambled toward a tour bus at the tail end of the traffic jam. He was still missing a quarter of his flesh. He no longer wore a cap, and his undershirt was gone, save only his left sleeve.

“Oh, I don’t even have to hotwire it,” said Roman. “Keys are still in the ignition. You drive, sword girl. I’ll tell you where to go.”

Lynnette stared at him, perhaps wondering if he was even human. “Why can’t you drive?” was all she asked.

He waved a hand in front of his face. “I don’t have my glasses. They melted.”

The Queen stirred in Hector’s arms, and he set her down in a chair behind the driver’s seat. She shook her head, blinking a few times.

‘Welcome back,’ said Mehlsanz.

Hector took the seat across from her as the engine started.

“What happened?” the Queen said.

“We survived,” said Roman. “But the enemy will be back. We’re going to my associate’s garage. We’ll be in better fighting shape with his help.”

‘Who are you people?’ said Garovel. ‘Vanguard?’

‘No,’ said Voreese. ‘Are you?’

‘No.’

‘So we’re all independent here.’

‘Seems that way.’

The bus hit a curb, and everyone eyed the driver.

“...I’ve never driven a bus before,” she said over the noise.

“Just turn right when you reach Willard Street.”

Mehlsanz tilted her head. ‘That girl is strangely understanding, considering she can’t see the three of us.’

“She is a good soldier,” said Helen.

‘I’m sure you’ll have fun explaining the situation to her later,’ said Mehlsanz.

“I am still not sure I understand the situation myself.”