Book 2: Chapter 47 (1/2)

“What brings you here?” Mr. Skelly asked, ignoring Alice’s baffled expression. “I thought you went to Fuselage with Vur. Does that mean he’s here as well?” His head swiveled and completed one whole rotation around his neck. “I don’t see him.”

Tafel sighed again and raised her head. “Going to Fuselage was the plan,” she said. “But plans never go as you expect them to, and now I’m here. Vur’s here too, but I’m not sure where. I think he’s on the continent, but it’s possible he’s somewhere else.”

“You two know each other?” Alice asked, her gaze switching from Tafel to Mr. Skelly.

“Yes,” Tafel said and scratched her head. “We’re acquaintances.”

“What?” Mr. Skelly asked, gasping and bringing his bony hand to his mouth. “We’re not best friends? My nonexistent heart is crying right now.” He lowered his head to the side and clutched his ribcage.

Tafel rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Mr. Skelly raised his head and blinked. “We’re hosting a party. Isn’t that obvious?”

Tafel snorted and smacked his skull. “Why are you here?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips. “Shouldn’t you be doing skeleton stuff back at home?”

Mr. Skelly nodded. “I am. For home is where the mistress lives,” he said with a wink.

“Auntie is here too?” Tafel asked, raising an eyebrow. “Then who’s watching over our kingdoms?”

“Ah.” Mr. Skelly exhaled. “A calamity has befallen the three kingdoms. A new power swept through the continent and united it into a single empire while you were gone. We were forced to leave along with the fairies, braving the ocean and new lands. The mistress had been kidnapped earlier by Grimmoldesser, and no one was capable of defending the lands.”

“Did you just say Grimmoldesser?” Alice asked.

Mr. Skelly ignored her and continued speaking, “As such, we took it upon ourselves to depart on a journey to find our mistress. We found her, but Grimmoldesser refuses to let us see her until we accomplish his task.”

Tafel pursed her lips. “A calamity befell the kingdoms? Is everyone okay? What about Sera and the other dragons? Surely they could do something about it.”

“Oh, the calamity is Pyrrhicandra,” Mr. Skelly said and waved his hand in front of his face like he was shooing a fly. “Everyone’s fine, but they had to give up their dignity—something that we find unacceptable. She declared Fridays as mandatory pink robe day.”

“…So you came here because you didn’t want to wear pink,” Tafel said and bit her lower lip. “You’d rather face off against a few holy dragons instead of….” She sighed and shook her head. “I’m starting to wonder if Vur’s taking after you, or if you’re the ones taking after him.”

“Vur’s already surpassed us in strategy and warfare,” Mr. Skelly said. “Of course, we’re the ones taking after him. Also, holy dragons aren’t an issue. If they’re anything like Leiandra, then I bet they’ll be willing to talk before obliterating us. And once we start talking, I’ll win the fight with my smooth, nonexistent tongue.”

“What was that bit about Grimmoldesser!?” Alice grabbed Mr. Skelly’s forearm, causing his bones to creak. “Don’t ignore me!”