Page 86 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

“She was done in power and mind,”said our narrating skeleton, sitting unobtrusively in her armchair in the shadows of the courtyard.

I sent a small jet of power through my queendom, and Picket appeared soon after.

“Care for Valetise before we leave,” I ordered him. “She has done the queendom a great service this night.” I gently squeezed her hand, for Valetise was but a gentle and simple monster, really. “Valetise, you are a wonder, and I am struck anew. Thank you for your part in this scare.”

I glanced at Picket. “You are sure of your role?”

“Yes, my queen. The picket will respond to my call. I will do my part in bringing your vision to life.”

Suchticklings of future frights.

I looked to my skeleton next. “Dearest new monster, you have remained out of the walls of late. Are you ready to speak your name?”

For a beat, it appeared as if she might duck into the walls again, but she remained still in the shadows. When she spoke, her voice was shy. Shy, as it never was when she narrated the inner thoughts or state of the other monsters in the room.

The elephants in the room. I smiled at the idiom from my human existence.

“I am called Candor,” she whispered.

Such uncertainty in herself, but none in voicing the hidden heart of matters. “My, but I connect how you will help monsters to communicate the true thoughts of their hearts always. Our wellness cannot turn sour in your deep-seeing comments, nor in the bravery of yourself to declare them without hesitation.”

The skeleton fidgeted in her armchair. “In purpose, I am never uncertain. Many lies have existed before you, and they will not continue beyond. Not in the safe walls of your queendom.”

“Candor,” I said. “You are aptly named. Welcome to my queendom, and thank you.”

“The queen meant every word she said,”stated Candor, then squeaked. “Thank you, my queen.”

“We depart,” I announced after.

My dreaded wooden horse awaited, but what a wondrous transformation. Alivinghorse tossed its mane of tasseled wool and reared high to show its hooves of copper and its coat of splintered wood. Everywhere but the saddle was an injury for anyone so foolish as to touch the mount.

Air flowed in and out of its mouth. Breaths expanded the mount’s chest. The horse’s very real eyes rolled, and sap-like saliva frothed from its mouth.

“Mother,” I said. “I am sorry to have doubted the journey of such a creature.”

I would present a fearsome image indeed to humankind. They were so fragile about such things.

My mount lowered for me to settle atop the saddle, and I paused to set a fingertip to a particularly savage splinter. A prick of blood remained behind, and I stared at the drop. “Life. That is your name, dear mount. Life is Mother-given. Life is unpredictable. Life is joy covered with splinters, and beauty tangled amid discomforts. Life is your name.”

The mount rippled his wood mane in answer.

I settled atop Life, and Picket opened the wall of bars.

Candor called, “The queen rode toward grand hauntings with her trusted subjects.”

There was a great rustle of pride in monsters at her announcement, and what better moment and feeling to start up a trot for the presidential grounds.

I had rarely visited them. My mother was not much for gatherings and announcements being more focused on preparing for her withering days and spending all her days with me. We were unusual on the matter. Most citizens in Vitale jumped at the opportunity for any event that brought disturbance to the monotony of their days. At such grounds, the president addressed his people. Here Vitalians might celebrate the few festivals that still existed after The End—solstice and harvest celebrations, along with the middle of winter when harder times turned the page into an easier slide.

Behind me walked, slimed, and padded fifteen pawns. A wagon carried Valetise, Picket, and Candor. As we continued, the minion shells of King Take came in, as ordered by their liege.

What a grand feeling to have monsters united behind me. An age of this awaited us on the other side of struggle and strife. A great reminder of why I fought the battles I fought.

“My queen,” called Is. “This location is ideal to dismount and disperse for the grand fright. Humans have gathered in near entirety.”

Deep, unmatched excitement trilled in me. “Is the stage set?”

“Yes,” he hissed, and the most delightful pawn symphony arose as pawns laughed together. A nervous laughter triggered a rumbling amusement and low staccato snicker. A chuckling chime layered over raucous snorts.Goodness,that was my favorite gift from pawns.

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