The King of Bones: Part 3 (Final)

The captain loaned Arrow a small skiff that he rowed to shore and beached on a small strand of sand. After he pulled the boat ashore,he noticed it was oddly quiet on the island. There were no birds, no insects, not even a strong wind. All he could hear was the crash of the surf.

Safe from the sea spray, Arrow strung his bow and began searching for Ginnea. What he found were rocks. The island was larger than he thought it would be, and everywhere he walked he found only dark gray stone. He crisscrossed the island, following paths between the larger rocks. Hours passed, but he found no trace of any life, let alone Ginnea.

Following the shore, Arrow found a cove that was littered with large rocks. It was also littered with splintered wood and the remains of a giant mast.

Throwing his bow and quiver to the ground, Arrow waded into the shallow water and searched the wrecked holk. He found no trace of Ginnea. Just like the island itself, the wreck had no trace of life, not even the bodies of the crew. Arrow remembered the screamers in the storm and shuddered.

Back on the shore, Arrow picked up his things and looked up at a ridge overlooking the cove and squinted. Something fluttered in the wind. Sparing one more hopeless look at the wreck, Arrow picked his way through the rocky slope.

At the top he found a throne, carved from obsidian and inlaid with precious jewels. It sat overlooking the cove and wrecked holk below, and from its sharply pointed back, a white veil blew in the wind.

A white veil, like something a bride would wear to her wedding. A bride like Ginnea was to be, Arrow surmised.

Exhausted and despairing about what to do next, Arrow collapsed into the chair. He fought sleep as long as he could, but the last thing he remembered was seeing the sun beginning to set over the shallow cove.

#####

Arrow jerked awake in the throne. There was no wind, no salty sea air, and no clouds or stars above him. The veil remained clenched in Arrow's hand, however, and the throne was exactly as it was when he sat down. What was different was the high-vaulted ceiling above him, the torches on the walls that burned with a curious paleness, and the white-armored man reflecting the flickering light.

Arrow examined the man in wonder. The armor got its color not from iron enamel, but from bone. The cuirasse, vambraces, and chausses were all made of small strips of bone linked together and highly polished. The cape he wore was also made of these bones. It clacked and clinked as he walked like macabre wind chimes. On his head was a helmet fashioned from a human skull with a silver crown on it.

“I am the King of Bones,” the man in white said, his voice soft, but filling the entire chamber. “And you are in my throne.”

Arrow jumped to his feet and took several steps away from the throne. “I'm sorry, I didn't know! It was on an island over a cove and now I don't know where I am,” he stammered.

The skull helmet nodded slowly. “I see. The Isle of Bones. I have a holding there. Curious traffic it has seen lately.”

“What happened to Ginnea!?” Arrow blurted impatiently.

“Ah. Now your presence on the Isle makes sense,” the King of Bones said. “The girl was sent as my bride, as per the agreement with her kingdom. As we speak, the plague there is abating.”

“Then...she's...your...?”

“Not quite. She only just arrived before you did. She was very sick when she arrived. Very sick, I'm afraid.”

“Does she want to marry you? Did anyone even ask her?”

The King of Bones laughed gently. “My boy, your naivety is refreshing. However, it is an unfortunate truth that princes and princesses are the currency of kings and queens, even more valuable than coins and tribute.”

“You did not answer my question.” Arrow said.

“Indeed.” The king of Bones clapped his hands twice. “Why don't we ask Ginnea herself?”

The princess entered the chamber, wearing a beautiful white gown. Arrow thought she looked less pale than when he briefly saw her. Arrow also thought she was remarkably beautiful.

“How are you feeling, my dear?” the King asked.

“Much better, thank you. What was all the commotion about?”

“There was an intruder. I had to be sure you were safe, but-”

“Ginnea!” Arrow exclaimed.

“-But it seems he is a friend of yours,” the King concluded.

“Arrow!?” Ginnea said. “How...why are you here??”

“So that is your name,” the King mused.

“I'm here to help you. You don't have to marry him if you don't want to. I'll get you out of here!”

The King of Bones laughed gently again. “My dear it seems you have another suitor.”

Ginnea looked up at the King, a question unable to leave her lips.

“You hoped to rescue the princess?” The King asked. “To take her away from this unearthly place?”

“I...well yes, when you put it that way,” Arrow said.

Ginnea blushed, but Arrow also recognized a smile.

“I regret to tell you that she cannot leave my kingdom.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was very sick when she arrived. Deathly, in fact.”

“Oh...” Arrow looked at Ginnea. “I'm sorry.”

“There was nothing you could have done, Arrow. I'm sorry,” Ginnea said.

“But you still don't have to marry him if you don't want to! You don't actually want to, do you?”

Ginnea slowly shook her head. “No, but I have a duty to fulfill.”

“You amuse me, Arrow,” the King said. “Truly. You have come a long way for Ginnea and it would be a shame for your challenge to go unanswered. Since you feel so strongly for her, I propose a contest of riddles, with the Princess as arbiter.”

“Riddles?” Arrow asked.

“One riddle each. Ginnea decides which she prefers. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Ginnea said.

“Agreed,” Arrow echoed, wracking his brain for something clever.

“I shall begin,” the King said. “I am a chicken without feathers and have but a single bone. How can this be?”

Ginnea pursed her lips in thought and finally said “An egg.”

The King of Bones nodded, then motioned for Arrow.

Arrow paced around the throne twice, desperate for a good riddle.

“The Princess is waiting,” the King reminded him.

Arrow stepped around the throne once more and took a deep breath.

“I fly a long distance seeking your heart. What am I?”

“Arrow!” Ginnea smiled. She ran and embraced him.

“So it seems the Princess has chosen her winner,” the King of Bones said. “However, an agreement between kings is still an agreement.”

“But you said-” Arrow began.

Ginnea paled and embraced Arrow tighter. “Please, you said I could choose the winner.”

“I did, but an agreement is still an agreement.” The King of Bones reached up and removed his helmet. Beneath it was a middle-aged man with dark beard peppered with gray. If not for the bone armor, he could have looked like a knight, or a smith, or a miller. “You would deny the King of Bones his bride, but I will not.”

The King slowly approached the couple. Ginnea buried her head in Arrow's chest. Arrow himself closed his eyes in fear.

He felt a slight pressure on his skull. Opening his eyes, he felt the cold silver of the crown on his head. Arrow stared at the armored man.

“Hail, King and Queen of Bones,” the bearded man said. “May your reign be long and happy. The crown is a heavy one, as are the duties. Now I must leave before the sun sets.” The former King sat down on the throne.

“Where are you going?” Arrow asked.

“I think I'll try my hand at sailing,” the King smiled.

The throne flashed with light and was suddenly empty.

Arrow and Ginnea looked at each other.

“I've never been a king before,” he said sheepishly. “I don't know what to do.”

Ginnea kissed his cheek. “There have been worse kings. Now let's go and explore our kingdom.

She took his hand in hers, and together, they stepped out of the chamber.

Part 1
Part 2