> ‘When the university burned, I saw animals staring at the flame. It was like they were watching for something.”
>
> - Of Myth and Legend, El Viajar and the Deuda
A few days later, after another trip into the Deuda consisting of looking through parking lots and parks and checking businesses, Wiliam bid goodbye to Elena. The nightly walks still wore her out, but she gradually became used to it. They’d traveled farther, and more often, always avoiding other encampment members with William’s guidance.
William watched Elena climb the steps to her room. A part of him was glad that that this university finally had a purpose, a reason for existing, again. He began to wander through the university and talked to Shade who ran from the shadows to his side. Shade would stay a few moments, side by side with William on the stoney path, and then sprint off into the dark before coming back.
“I wish it was all over, Shade. I want it to all be done, I just want to rest.” Shade turned and rested on his haunches. His regality as a cat made prominent, he looked at William with a look of sadness. Then, he walked forward and rubbed his face and body against William’s leg. He began to purr, loud enough for Willaim to hear.
“I know,” William replied, “but I’ll be back before you know it. With me gone, you and the others will be safe.” William knelt down and rubbed his hands against his shadow friend’s ears. “I’ll make sure that you’re safe. Wherever there is shade, that is where you will be.” William recited the line, one that reminded Shade of easier times.
He stood and continued walking towards the fountain. He stared for a time at the staff jutting out of the statue of Rykard. The fountain to his back, and the church and sky before him, he spoke aloud, voicing his thoughts, “you should’ve died a long time ago.” William sat on his fountain edge, in his usual contemplative spot. The dried fountain, a silent guardian bearing witness to his thoughts.
It didn’t take long for Erasmus to find him. He emerged from the dark, and said, “I knew you’d be here. He stood before the fountain as William sat. Erasmus began in his usual animated way, arms moving around, excited, energized. “I met with the others,” he began, “and they all agree. They think that we’ll find the Necromancer during the upcoming Seasons Change Festival, the All Souls Festival.”
William sat, eyes not fully focused, ears not fully registering the meaning in the words that Erasmus spoke. The need to sleep invaded him from the inside, and attempted to drag him under, to let him rest. He rubbed at his eyes, and replied, “why do you think this is?”
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Erasmus wasted no time in explaining. “Some of the others saw a hooded figure near some of the supply buildings for the festival. They didn’t see his face, but the robe and necklace matched. He had a purple robe, pale skin, a hooked nose, no facial hair, and a weird necklace.”
A smile, a genuine, honest smile spread across Erasmus’ face. His pale skin contrasted sharply with the stone behind him. The church had burn marks on the sides of the building stone, but Erasmus stood in sharp, pale, dignity with Erasmus far below him. He continued, “we can’t be sure it’s not the cult, but it’s still something to go on. And wherever the cult is, that’s where the Necromancer should be.”
“And he’s usually near festival supplies,” William replied, stifling a yawn. He stretched and rolled his shoulders. “Maybe he’s going to sabotage the festival? It’s a good lead. I’ll go to the festival with Elena, he might be able to pick him out of the crowd.”
Erasmus clapped his hands and smiled more deeply. “Yes! With this, our torture will end. We’ll turn in the Necromancer, and be free of this.” The outcasts turn on one of their own. The other eating its own tail. “I’m looking forward to eating something nice when I’m alive again. What do you want to eat?”
William smiled, “I’d like to eat pancakes. I’ve never had any before.”
***
The next night, William, Erasmus, and Elena talked. After she came down, the two told her their ideas, and how they thought the Necromancer would show up at the festival.
“That’s perfect timing!” She said, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. “The All Souls Festival, and the Necromancer, ah!”
“I’m glad you’re on board,” Erasmus replied. “So, the idea is that we’ll wear costumes, blend into the crowd, and not stand out. A group of homeless, dirty people would draw a lot of attention.”
They both turn to William, with his clean, almost new clothes. “Well, maybe you just need a costume.”
William looked at his clothes and then scoffed. “How are your clothes so neat, anyway?” Elena asked, genuinely curious.
“Don’t mind him,” Erasmus said. “He just likes his clothes clean. We bothered him about it before, and his clothes just ended up nice and neat. He’s meticulous for a member of the homeless undead. Ironic.”
William didn’t try to correct them. He didn’t care to, but when he spoke, he did agree, “yeah, it’d be nice to get different clothes. Elena’s been wearing the same thing for weeks now.”
William smiled, and Erasmus smiled in turn, “I’m glad you’re happier, my gloomy friend.” He then turned and began to walk away, “I’ll see you two later.”
Soon, William and Elena were wandering together, side by side towards a donation box. Only a few blocks away, located within one of the plazas. The box itself was metal, large, and unyielding. They opened the side, and a large assortment of clothes tumbled out.
Elena knelt down, and began sifting through the pile, looking for something she’d like. She put aside a pink sweater, a blue sweater, jeans, a black shirt, and a white dress. When she grabbed a black jacket with a hood, she got a look as if she were inspired.
“If we get some black face paint, we can make you look like a spooky skeleton, like the band we saw.” She held the jacket up to Wiliam’s chest and checked to see if it’d fit.
William smiled in return, and asked, “does wearing that white dress make you the Sun iteri.” He nudged her slightly with his shoulder. She held it up, and pressed it against her torso.
“That’s not a bad idea. I’d need to get a staff, though. Too bad there aren’t any props in the pile.” The laughed for a time, before beginning their nightly trek.