Book 5: Chapter 65

Book 5: Chapter 65

Sunlight illuminated Alices face as she stepped out of the prison. She winced and covered her eyes with her hands. She hadnt realized how glaring it was before; it actually caused her eyeballs to sting. Alice glanced around, and after a bit, she found what she was looking for: a skeleton waving at her from inside of a metal carriage, one of the vehicles the dwarves used for transportation. Leader-in-law, over here!

Alices expression darkened. What the hell was a leader-in-law? She stomped over to the carriage and directly jumped inside, leaping over the skeleton sitting in the drivers seat. The carriage squeaked when she landed, and it quickly righted itself from the impact. Did Nate send you?

Yep, the skeleton said. The leader sent me to pick you up. Youre lucky I dont have a stomach, or I wouldve died of starvation while waiting for you. The skeleton cackled and stepped on the gas pedal, causing the carriage to lurch forward. What took you so long?

Its not my fault the dwarf took forever to figure out a way to properly secure the prisoner, Alice said. She shook her head. Forget it. Catch me up. Whats happening?

Oh, nothing much, the skeleton said and jerked the steering wheel to the left. Immediately after, it jerked the wheel back to the right, causing Alice to nearly tumble out of the carriage. Pothole. It cleared its non-existent throat. You should put your seatbelt on. Its a new safety feature added by the dwarves; it helps prevent people from falling off.

Alice glared at the skeleton. If it werent for the fact it needed its skull to drive properly, she wouldve punched it off. She grabbed the seatbelt, and it didnt take her long to figure out how to put it on. Somehow, it didnt make her feel any safer. She sighed and leaned back before crossing her arms over her chest. Has a cure been found?

No, the skeleton said. Were still working on it. Unfortunately, its pretty difficult becauseit took one had off the wheel and knocked on its skull, causing a hollow thudding sound to ring outwe dont have any brains.

Alice sighed. Arent the humans and dwarves helping you with this?

Well, yes, the skeleton said and cackled. But who knew they werent much smarter than us? Honestly, we undead have already developed a solution, but the dwarves and humans wont let us do it because they doubt us.

Alice raised an eyebrow. What is it? Kill all the berserkers and let them become skeletons too?

The skeletons eye sockets widened, and it turned its skull around to stare at Alice. No wonder why youre the leader-in-law; you came up with the same solution as the leader!

She wears black armor, and she has red hair, the skull said. There was a sword hanging on her waist, but I didnt see her use it. All she did was kick me, and I couldnt resist.

Alice furrowed her brow. That didnt sound like any guild master she knew. Why else would such a strong human go to the area designated as a quarantine zone? Wait a minute, Alice said. Arent you describing Mary?

She didnt tell me her name, the skull said. How would I know if shes named Mary or Single?

Alices brow furrowed. Why were there so many problems? Before she met Vur and Tafel, itd be rare for her to have to act more than once a month. Now, she didnt even have time to relax much less focus on planning her wedding! Maybe it was time for a vacation.

***

Oh, there he is, Grimmy said, his eyes lighting up. He chuckled and glanced at Leila, who was walking behind him. I knew Ramon would be fine. As expected, nothing happened to him.

Leila peered to the side, looking around Grimmy. Ramon was sitting on his haunches in front of a crystal seal, and he turned his head to look towards his parents. His eyes widened, and he climbed to his feet. Mama! Papa!

Ramon, are you okay? Leila asked and dashed over. She hugged Ramons head and glanced at the crystal seal. There was a pure-white goat with pink eyes staring at her. Leila narrowed her eyes, and she looked at Ramon. Did this goat do anything to you?

No, Ramon said and shook his head. She wants to be my friend. She was teaching me how to talk to the air.

Grimmy raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kozabokget. What trick are you playing?

Kozabokget rapidly shook her head. No tricks, she said. I dont dare play any tricks. All I ask is you please keep the human-dragon monstrosity away from me.