Page 124 of Ever After

“Has it always been a sculpture garden?” Levi asks.

“Nay.” Jowan’s brow furrows. “I think it went up after milord took the ague. I remember watching them bring the statues in and wondering why Simple Simon was doing it.”

“Who?”

“Simon St Claire. He was my lord’s nephew who took over the title. It always struck me as odd that he put in a sculpture garden, because he wasn’t exactly a man of the arts.”

“No?”

“More a man of the ladies and brandy, if you know what I mean.” His grin fades. “The vicar became right friendly with him.”

That startles me. My mind had Boynton dying at the same time as Branok and Xander for some reason. “Boynton stayed in the village, then?”

His face twists with hatred. “Aye. And I knew he’d had summit to do with the captain’s disappearance. I tried to watch him, but I think it made him suspicious of me.”

“How did you die?” Levi asks and then grimaces. “Sorry. Is that rude of me?”

“Terribly,” I murmur. “You should make him a cup of tea forthwith.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Jowan looks between us and smiles. “You be like the captain and my lord. Always bickering but in a good way, you know?”

“You didn’t mind their relationship?” I ask.

He gives me an incredulous look. “I was in the navy for years. It weren’t the first time I saw two men together. Anything that kept the captain happy was fine with me. He was a sight less crotchety when he had my lord in his life.” He sobers. “I don’t rightly think that anything that makes two people so happy can be bad.”

“Did you look for Branok?”

“Of course. Day and night, but I knew he were gone.”

“How?”

He shrugs, his body glimmering faintly. He’s fading. “He would never have left my lord. The last thing he said to me was to watch out for Xander. Those were his exact words, and I swore I would.” He moves his hands in a voila gesture. “And here I am and here I stay until he discharges me of the duty.”

“That’s good,” I say.

He smiles proudly and turns to Levi. “Pub brawl,” he says. “Some old sot hit me over the head with a bottle, and it were lights out for me. Found myself back up at the hall unable to move away.”

“You can’t move either?” I ask. “Why?”

“Because I’m the captain’s man. Old Boynton knew I’d help him in any way I could.” There’s sudden movement in my peripheral vision and Jowan’s face lights up. “Captain,” he exclaims.

I turn and see Branok leaning over the wall ahead of us. He smiles. “Jowan. ’Tis glad I am to finally see you and your ugly face again.”

“Beauty is as beauty does.” Jowan’s face is split in a wide grin. “It’s good to see you.” He stands straighter. “I did as you asked.”

Branok’s face is gentle, a warm curve to his mouth. “That you did,” he says softly. “You were always one to trust. I would thank you for that.”

“No need. ’Tis my duty as your man.”

“And how about as my friend?” Branok says softly.

The two spirits exchange a long glance and then the little man dips his head. “Aye, I can do that.”

Branok grins at him. “So, these two lads think the book is buried here. Any idea where?”

“I don’t rightly know, sir.”