CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED and SIXTY-NINE

(part two)

“Shall I make us some tea?” Nelson asked.

“No,” Pierre said with a laugh. “I’ve had so much tea. I would like to see you, speak with you.”

Pierre looked at Jill and then winked at Nelson.

“This beautiful woman is not here for tea,” Pierre said.

Jill blushed. Nelson put his arm over her shoulder and said, “French men. We are just like that.”

Jill grinned.

“Let’s see if we can make it to the living room,” Pierre said. “Now little Titan-ling, may I draw on your strength?”

“Nelson said. . .” Jill said abruptly.

“He is right,” Pierre said. “But he forgets that I need strength. May I borrow some of yours?”

“Of course,” Jill said.

“I will put my arm over your shoulder,” Pierre said.

Pierre’s arm went over her shoulder. She put her arm around him. Pierre put his arm over Nelson’s shoulder as well.

They shuffled to the steps to Nelson’s living room. Jill closed her eyes and let out a breath. She directed some of her strength into Pierre.

“Thank you,” Pierre said.

They took the steps one at a time.

“This is a real prize,” Pierre said with a laugh.

Nelson directed Pierre to the comfortable reclining chair. Nelson checked that his father didn’t need anything before sitting on the couch. Jill took an armchair across from Nelson.

“Tell me what brings you here in the middle of the night,” Pierre said.

“My daughter was giving the Vanquisher,” Jill said.

“Not possible,” Pierre said. “The sword was destroyed.”

“The sword was made by Jill’s father Perses,” Nelson said. “Or so he says. He left it where he was told that his granddaughter would get it. Maughold was to give her the sword when he gave the Sword of Truth to Paddie.”

Pierre squinted at Nelson to see if he was saying the truth. Nelson nodded.

“I would show you the sword, but. . .” Jill said.

“You cannot break the sword of power away from her owner,” Pierre said with a nod. “Have I seen the Sword of Truth?”

“I don’t think so,” Nelson said.

Pierre nodded.

“My daughter is just a little girl,” Jill said with a sigh.

“How old is she now?” Pierre asked.

“She’ll be eight this month,” Jill said. “Paddie is seven.”

Pierre nodded.

“You know that many Queens of old were crowned at nine years old,” Pierre said.

“So?” Jill shrugged. “She is a little girl. Whatever she does with her life or in her life, she deserves some time to just be a little girl.”

“I see,” Pierre said. “Her father has fairy ancestry?”

Jill gave him an assessing look.

“Why?” Jill asked.

“There is a prophesy,” Pierre said.

Jill shot an angry look at Nelson.

“Jill is angry with me for not telling her about a prophesy that involves the Templars and her daughter,” Nelson said. He put his hand on his chest. “I don’t know of one.”

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow...