Quee Quaig's Coffin, Book Two (part 4)

Quee Quaig's Coffin

Thatch Colón

Book Two, Part 4


Sir, Your Highness rather, said Carl, I need a stop to this strife.  The very plane is in peril and this very land is a large hinge to the future.  If you could broker a truce? Perhaps Queen Iolanthe can send some of her army to help make it lasting. 

You know Iolanthe well enough to ask for her sister soldiers for us, you are a deep and powerful man Carl, granted.  Do not heed the tales of bloodshed, they will be true, but we will make a truce, and await the Fae.  I cannot guarantee how long I can hold a truce, so once I send word to Iolanthe, her sister soldiers will need to be quick.  

I am sure they will be your Highness, said Carl.  I have paid a life debt to her, and I would think she wants me alive so she can redeem it.  

A life debt to Queen Iolanthe, wondered the Gd, you have depths to you Carl that I would like to know.  If you are ever here again, and you will know it, It may not be here but it will be here, I will fill your pipe with the most wonderful Pipe Weed, and you will sing me your song.  

My Lord, said Carl if we are ever here again, that will be a song I will gladly sing.  

Until then, said the Gd.  The ring of protection is lifted, you may leave the circle.  Que Quaig, my time is short, what would you claim in victory.  

The fastest horse in all the land, my Lord, Answered Que Quaig, not for me mind you, but so I can be about the Seq Queens business all the faster.  The expression on the Gds face showed that he did not believe that for a second.  

Done, he said.  You shall have Katahdin, foal of McKinley, sired by Kilimanjaro, from the line of the steed of song Ktu.  

Tank Ee Lord, said Que Quaig, I shall ride her with honor and tell all of how I came by her.  

Perhaps, said the Gd, not the whole story eh? I cannot have every hero thinking they can do what you did.  

Ah, of course my Lord, I hear and obey.  

With that hero's, there is another verse for your song, and the finest one yet.  You are now allowed to add Godsbane to your titles, for you have killed a god here today, and that is how one earns that title.  Few mortals have ever borne it, do not hide it, it is a great honor, an honor your grand daughters will boast about.  And with nothing else said, he turned into mist and was never seen again by the two men. 

Sir Gdsbane, said Que Quaig shall we depart?

Yes fellow Gdsbane, we are at one end of the world, and the Library of all Knowledge is at the other.  Put your cloak on, pull your boots up, pack your pipe for we are off, two we have done, waiting is one.  I fear it will be the most difficult challenge yet.  I am not anxious to try, but we will walk north, as far as we can today, and for the rest of the days after, until we find the land of Key Beck.  

As you wish, said Carl and lighting their pipes with his fingers, started walking.  


Well it is late, very late.  We have gone through the first arm load of lumber sonny here brought in, and I am beyond tired.  Tomorrow night pays for all, as they say.  Third day is the charm.  You know the options, I will see you all tomorrow for the end of the tale, sadly shorter and blander than it should be, but time is time, and tides are tides neh? I bid you all a Bon Neuf.  With that I limped to bed, my bones creaking with age and half remembered fights.  The Covers were on, and when my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep, deep and Dreamless. 

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