“Looks like we’re evenly matched,” Eddie whispered.
“I’m sorry I ever doubted you,” Vic said.“Give me a hug.”
Eddie threw an arm over him, and then Vic began to lift him and smash him onto the floor again.
“Stop that this instant!”I snapped.“I’m calling this a draw!”
They both waved up at me.
Chapter11
The duel was undecided.Since Flag-Staff was neither chosen to be executed for treason nor bound into servitude for the same, he was simply released.He rushed off, to his own chambers, unable to look us in the face.
“You don’t anticipate problems from him in the future?”I asked the Prince.
“No.We Aquans are loyal creatures.This was merely the King and I both showing him who has the upper hand.He’ll continue to advise us in his former capacity—knowing now that we know his treacherous nature.He’s bound, you see, by our mercy.He should follow the path of redemption in this way.”
“What if he just gets sneakier?”I asked.
“That is always a possibility,” the Prince said.“But it’s one to entertain in the future, should further issues such as this arise.I have brokered a peace agreement between King Venom-heels.He and the soldiers are not to abduct humans, or the Undead, any further.”
“Why was that necessary?I thought it was a rescue,” I said.
“Did you really believe I did not pay attention to Flag-Staff’s brazenly irresponsible translation in your trial?”the Prince asked.“We each had our parts to play in this charade, my dear.”
I gasped.
“You’re—you’re just as bad as Flag-Staff,” I said.
“Perhaps,” he said.“I at least was upfront about my treachery.And I do feel bad.So I suppose I will apologize for my trickery.Venom-heels and I have both known of Flag-Staff’s yearning for the older days for some time.When I spoke of our relationships, I was not lying.And in truth, Flag-Staff was less than honest with you about his machinations.I merely used the same trickery as he did.”
“So you’re saying the first crewwaskidnapped, after all,” I said.
“Yes and no.They were lost in the unusual fog upon the waters.When they beached themselves against one of our higher-floating pieces of architecture, it was simply safer for all included to take them into custody.They were to be charged with Invasion, but I sorted the entire affair out quite quickly when I understood what was happening.”
“I don’t know how we can possibly thank you,” Brother Al said.
“Your delightful company was more than enough, thanks,” the Prince said.“We will continue in this peace, lorded over by a strong man who respects the rule of Aquan law.I remain in an advisory position.From here, I can work more closely with the citizens of the Coral Kingdom going forward.I assume you know of what I mean, Brother Aleister.”
“Yes,” Brother Al said.“As a figurehead, you are held and bound by certain standards.You can inspire and lead.Should one wish to actually solve problems; however, one must work behind the scenes.”
“Precisely,” the Prince said.“We will send some food and rations with you.Our architects and engineers have mostly patched your original vessel.Should you return directly to where you came from, it ought to hold.There is only so much we can do with clamshell, seaweed and spittle, you understand.”
“Perfectly,” Brother Al said.
Eddie and Vic had been patched up and hobbled towards us.Eddie’s arm was regrowing already; Vic was beginning to resemble less and less of a walking mound of flesh.
“Did you see us down there?”Eddie asked.
“Most impressive,” Brother Al said.
“I would have won,” Vic said.
Eddie made the verbal equivalent of an eye-roll as a grunt.
“Guys,” I said.“Come on.This posturing is getting old.If we can’t all work this out, then we’re not responsible enough for this kind of thing to work.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Eddie said.“I’m too tired to fight anymore.Doesn’t seem worth it.I think… I could rest for a whole week.”
