Chapter 356: Brown Bread

Chapter 356: Brown Bread

At times like these, its easy to question your own judgement. Maybe it would be best to let the others do as they pleased. What did I care? At least they knew what they were doing, technically speaking.

If they wanted to go off and rule the world be it this one or the one we left behind it would be a lot easier to step back and leave them to it. My role would be greatly simplified if I allowed them to fuck it up themselves.

Its not that easy, though. Things arent always as they appear, and theyre never how youre told. I could simply wash my hands of it all, but that would just mean having to get those same hands dirty again when the irritants of now turned into the industrial strength abrasives of tomorrow.

Thinking ahead doesnt come natural to me. Looking ahead has always been painful. The light at the end of the tunnel hurts my darkness-accustomed eyes, and then turns out to be an oncoming train.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Maurice was inside the shrine. He had come here with that express purpose, and Biadet was on his payroll. Well, maybe she hadnt been working directly for him the idea the worlds greatest midget ninja had simply bent the knee to Maurice was a galling one but she had certainly decided to side with the ingrates. It was pretty galling, either way.

I walked cautiously down the steps into the shrine, always a step behind. This is the problem with not having a goal in life, other peoples goals end up occupying all your time.

Maurice wanted something that was here. Arthur had said this was the way home, but it wasnt clear if that meant a doorway or a magic wardrobe or one-way ticket on a magic bus. Golden Wing departing from Gate 4, last call.

This was a shrine. What or who was it a shrine to? Dead people or holy artefacts? I know, I should have asked when I had the chance, but asking people has never served me very well, whether its asking for help or directions or the truth. No one wants to share what they know in case you use it against them, which I would.

Biadet had managed to get Maurice here, but what did that mean? I was now in the adjacent world, so he should have been incapacitated. But then, so should have Biadet.

By the way, if youre wondering if she was dead, I couldnt tell you. Probably not, would be my guess, so I had her suddenly attacking from the rear to watch out for, too.

I was the only one who was supposed to be able to enter Arthurs secret den, but I wouldnt have put it past Maurice to come up with a way to enable himself to do the same. And what exactly was I planning to do when I caught up with him? No doubt he had prepared for that as well.

Walking away was clearly the best option here. Clearly.

But there was something at the back of my mind warning me to not accept the picture I had been shown. I didnt mind people going tryhard mode for what they wanted. As someone who wanted nothing in particular, I was fine with the leftovers.

What I did mind, though, was being told I was getting a good deal as a way to make me take a bad deal.

You know how it goes, smartass thinks he can not only cheat you, he thinks he can make you think hes doing you a favour. And I would still go along with it, knowing the truth, if it makes life easier in the long run, but it doesnt. Their little victory makes them evermore eager to fuck more people over, especially the ones theyve already fucked over before.

And Im not talking about Maurice, here. Although, talking of Maurice, I saw him up ahead, his back to me.

I floated towards the archway that led to Arthurs realm. I had a ball of light in my hand to help show the way and the wooden sword in the other to deal with whatever was at the other end.

Maurices body was frozen, or at least it appeared to be. It had vines growing out of it like any other body would. As I neared him, I shifted to the side and saw one vine extending through the archway. It did not appear on the other side.

He was inside. He had found a way to get where he wanted to get to, so a big round of applause for the boy who could. Maybe someone this ingenious really did deserve a chance to rule the world. Couldnt be any worse than any of the previous fuckers.

Nope, I wasnt having it. Not envy, not indignation, not even a belief he would do a terrible job. And certainly not for the benefit of the people. Fuck the people. What have they ever done but ruin everything?

That thought in the back of my mind had crystallised into a clear and solid idea. An understanding of what had happened and what was happening now.

I could have cut the vine connecting Maurices body to whatever part of him had travelled through the archway. It was a notion that made sense, even though I wasnt entirely sure what the effect would be. I didnt think it would help Maurice, though.

But despite having reached a decision on why Maurice was doing this, it felt wrong to not face him first.

Going in blind wasnt a good idea, though. If Maurice was confident he could take on both Arthur and Wesley on their home ground, that meant he would be prepared for me, too. I needed to approach this unemotionally. I had to be logical and analytical to understand what Maurice had planned. I had to put myself in the mind of a colossal geek overdosed on pointless trivia, and use it against him. Nerd judo.

I hovered in front of the archway, not liking the options in front of me.

When you arent a naturally proactive person, when youre drawn towards inaction whenever possible, you either embrace solitude and a sedentary existence, or you fake it. You learn how to deal with the daily rituals that make no sense to you by copying others.

You watch people order a coffee in a relaxed and chilled manner, and then you do the same. And once you get it right, when you manage to find the sequence of words that dont make you stutter, you repeat the same order for the rest of your life.

This isnt how it has to be, this is how Peter wants it.

Peters dead, said Maurice.

Then how are you able to use your powers so effectively? The whole island just fell for your last wheeze. Doesnt seem like the sort of thing you could do without a boost.

There was no doubt in Maurices face. Ive improved.

No, Maurice, you havent. Youre the same twat youve always been, just hidden under all of this. I waved my hand around to indicate his general presence. Youre the one Peter needed, not me. The only thing he wanted from me was to get me out of the way because Im the only one your powers dont work on.

Hes dead, said Maurice, still no doubt.

Of course, anyone can break the spell if they believe it isnt real, even you. But no ones going to think youre being manipulated by a dead man. Even the Council think hes dead. Its a great trick.

Had the Council fallen for it? Were they in on it? Didnt make much difference.

Hes really dead, Colin.

Peter had him bound up tight. Or I was completely wrong. Too late for all that now.

I have to admit, it does make me feel better knowing not all your shitty behaviour was your fault, but you cant just blame the drink, the alcoholic let it happen. He has to face the music. Even if I could convince you Peter isnt really dead, who knows what other scams hes pulling through you. You really shouldnt have let him in.

You dont know what happened.

I dont care what happened. I only know that removing you leaves him fucked. Not even he can use your powers if youre dead. Id promise to bring you back somehow, but I dont know if I can, and I dont make promises I cant keep.

There was a flash of something in his eyes. Still no doubt, but maybe fear.

Youd kill me, I said.

Only if I have to.

Oh, youll have to. I walked towards him.

Kill him! shouted Maurice.

I cant, said Wesley. Not in here. And out there, he has stopped everything.

Arthur, shouted Maurice, you have to stop him.

Arthur looked at me. How much control did Maurice have over these two? Were they part of it from the beginning? I sent the ball of light higher and brighter. The darkness was Arthurs to control here, but it was quite some way away.

Hes dead, said Maurice. Hes really dead.

No, he isnt. Peter is alive and being a bastard, same as always. Whatever he told you, whatever his plans for making everyone happy, it was all a lie.

Im doing this. Its my idea. Ive never been more certain of anything.

Thats how your power works. Thats how Peter works. The perfect union, really. But, Maurice, even if you are sure this is the right thing to do, you wouldnt be able to feel it over the shame of having to actually do it, like I can feel the shame swamping me for what Im going to do. I saw you when you killed that mouse woman and her babies. You had to do that, too. You werent like this. The real you wouldnt be as accepting of necessary evils. Not much of an improvement, if you ask me.

For the first time, doubt entered Maurices thoughts, I could see it in his face. This is only because you werent included, he said in a small resigned voice.

Fair point, I said, and then I raised my sword and killed Maurice.