It was an actual metal fork, and it was simply there in his hand as if it had been here the whole time.
“You know, it’s real good if you put the fries on the burger.” Seymour set the box of fries down so Zolrya could help himself. “And oh, if you go to Wendy’s, dip your fries in your Frosty.”
“Really? How unusual.” Zolrya used his fork to peel off the top bun of his cheeseburger. He added a few fries in a neat row, asking, “So, how is your search for my beloved’s brain going?”
“Uh, it’s goin’.” Seymour forced a smile. “We beat up a bunch of therebellymonsters and found out they’re stickin’ these beacons everywhere.”
“Beacons?”
“Yeah.” Seymour nodded at Day. “Can you show him, lil’ girl?”
Day stirred from her food coma long enough to pull out the crystal.
“Oh! Your little spirit friend?” Zolrya grinned as he reached out to take it. “I believe I can smell her. Very sweet.”
Right, because that wasn’t creepy at all.
“Yup.” Seymour chose to ignore the comment. “Her name is Day, Your Majesty.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Day.”
“Aw, it’s nice to meet you too!” Day smiled sleepily, but then she frowned. “Even though I’ve seen your butt.”
Seymour struggled not to laugh. “She saysit’s nice to meet you too.”
Zolrya turned the crystal over curiously, pausing as he stared at the tiny object inside it. He gasped. “Le oliphant de Roland!”
“The elephant do what?”
“The horn of Roland,” Sariel said quickly. “A famous knight who died in battle, but not before blowing his horn to alert his allies to avenge him and his men.”
Day meowed softly. “He died…?”
“Fighting to his last breath.” Sariel gave Day a comforting squeeze. “He is considered a great hero.”
“It is said a piece of his soul passed through the horn on his way to heaven.” Zolrya cackled. “Can you believe it? Howstupid.”
“So, it’s not… actually magical?” Seymour asked slowly.
“What? No, areyoustupid? It is very magical.” Zolrya gave the crystal a shake and then held it up to his ear. He smiled, offering it out to Seymour. “Listen.”
Seymour copied what Zolrya had done, giving the crystal a good shake like it was one of those magical eight ball things. He held it up to his ear and was startled to hear faint tones, like the sound of distant wind chimes. “What the hell?”
Sariel took it next so he could listen too. “How curious.”
“What is it?” Seymour asked. “You’re a super smart, uh, faerie king. Bet you already know.”
“Of course, I do!” Zolrya giggled. “But it is so nice of you to acknowledge it.” He flicked his fingers at the crystal. “It’s the horn of a Leshy. A cute little forest fae who loves to sing.”
Sariel made a face that indicated a leshy was not cute or little.
“The magic of their song resonates still in their antlers, making for quite a powerful enchanted horn when crafted correctly.” Zolrya chewed on a fry. “Mmm, such a shame this is only a piece.”
“Is that what that sound is?” Seymour gestured to his ear. “That tone or whatever. Is that, uh, their magical song?”
“Oh, no. Normally, hearingthatsound would mean you were going to die.” Zolrya chuckled. “Isn’t that funny?”
“Cool. So very cool.” Seymour tried to keep smiling, but now he had Marsha’s cheerful smile invading his brain. “And, so, what is that exactly?”
