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PreviouslyonAnApocalypseofIce:
Themassiveheirshipcontroversywasfinallyresolved.Willacceptedit,albeitwithreserva<onsalongthelinesofmarryinghisuncle’sgirlfriendbeingtotallyweird.Janalsoaccepted,albeitwithsimilarreserva<ons,inaddi<ontoabrokenheart.ThisisbecauseJulianwasalreadyengagedtomarryBriCany.Youdon’tevenhavetoaskwhetherthisisanapocalypsefamilyorasoapopera.
Inaddi<on,Brandongotsomebadnews:Lily,whohehadplannedtosucceedhimasLawofWinterfell,hadbeenfiredandwasineligiblefortheposi<on.Unfortunately,hedidn’thaveabackup,leavinghimscramblingforwhoshouldbenext.
Finally,ArthurandSabrielheadedofftocollege.Arthurgothisfirstkiss,whichmadehimpreCyhappy,butSabrielwasnotinagoodplaceaMerlosingoutontheheirshipandbeingdemoted.
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Malsatonthesecondfloorbed.Hehadbeenplanningtogotothethirdfloor,buthedidn’tthinkhecouldhandleanotherflightofstairs.
IthadbeengeQngharderandhardertogoouttowork.Beinganelderlyadventurercommandedsomerespect—aMerall,youhadlivedthatlong—butMalwasn’tupforcrossingropebridgesthatunraveledonceyouwerehalfwayacrossachasmanymore,andhewouldprobablyhavetoadmitthatsoonerorlater.
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Infact,hewasgoingtodieoneofthesedays,wasn’the?Itwasn’tasifMalhadneverthoughtaboutit.IthadcrossedhismindnotlongaMerbecominganelder.Buthehadneverthoughtaboutitseriously.
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“Hey,Mal,”Chrissaid.“Iwaswonderingifyouwereupforagame—areyoufeelingallright?”
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“WhatifI’mdying?”Malasked.
Herfirstins<nctwastotellhimthathecouldn’tdieyet.Theyweresupposedtodietogether,andeventhoughshewasslowingdown,shewass<llingoodhealth.Chrisdidn’twanttobetheonewhosurvivedhim.Butshesqueezedhishandandsaid,“Thenwe’llspendasmuch<metogetheraswecan.Whetheryouareornot.”
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Malwentontoplaymahjongthatday,andhetookcareofhimselfaswellashecould.Butas<mewentby,hisgooddaysgrewfewerandfartherbetween.Onemorning,hecouldbarelyshowerandputhissuitonbeforehehadtogobacktobed.Malhadhadotherdayslikethis,buttoday,hedidn’tthinkhecouldeventakeacoupleofpainpillsandgoadventuring.ThejobhehaddreamedabouthavingsincehewasaliCleboywasover.Maybeeverythingwouldbeoversoon.
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Hedidn’twanteverythingtoend,evenifitwouldmeanthattherewouldbenomorepain.Evenwithoutadventurestogoon,Malhadhisfamily.Janhadjustjoinedthefamily,andWillwasabouttocomebackfromcollege.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforehiskidsstartedontheirgreatworks,andmaybehewouldhaveagrandchildsoon.Butwouldhelivethatlong?
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“Hey,Mal!”Brandonburstintotheroomwithafinger‐gun,probablyonhiswaytothebathroom.“What’sgoingon?WhyareyoujustsiQnghere?”
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“CanyoucallthekidsatOldtown?”Malasked.
Brandonshookhishead.“Thephoneswon’tbeupagainforanotherweekorso,ifthey’vemadeitbacktocollegefromhereyet.What’swrong?”
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,notlookingatBrandon.“Icouldn’tbetherewhenMomdied,andnowthekidscan’tbeherewhenI—”
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“No,no.You’renotdying.You’remyliClebrother.I’mtheonewho’ssupposedtohaveonefootinthegrave.I’mtheonewiththebadeyesightwhocan’tremembermyteenbirthday.”
“ButwhatifIam?”
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Brandonwalkedaroundtotheothersideofthebed.“ThenIdon’tknowwhatcomesnext,”hesaid,movingthepillowstositbesideMal.“Noneofusdo.Ihopeit’sgood,butIcan’tpretendtohaveanykindofspecialknowledgeofwhat’sontheotherside.ButIcantellyouwhat’sgoingtohappenhere.We’llmissyoualot,butwe’llgoon,likewedidwhenDadandMomdied.Will’sgoingtocomebackandtakeover.Butifyoudiebeforehecomesback,thentherestofuswillrunthingsaswellaswecan.”
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“Ididn’tdorightbyhim.”Mallookedoffintothedistance.“ImightnothavetoldhimthathehadtomarryJan,butIforcedhimintoitallthesame.Ishouldn’thavedonethat.”
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Brandondidn’tknowwhattosay.“Itwasagoodidea,”hesaid.“Jan’sbeenatthebooksalot.Ithinkshehasabreakthroughontheway.”
“Butshe’snothappy.”Malsniffled.“AndWill’snotgoingtobehappyeither.Iwon’tevengettotellhimI’msorry.”
“Butyoucantellherthat.”
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“Thingsweregoingsowell,”Malcon<nued.“ButIcan’thelpbutfeellikeImuckeditallupintheend.Youdon’tfeellike…likeitwasamistakeleQngmebetheheir,doyou?”
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“Idon’tregretit,”Brandonsaid.“I’vethoughtabouthowthingsmightbedifferent.IlikekidsalotmorethanIthoughtIdidwhenIwasyoung.Butthatcouldbebecausethey’reyourkidsandChris’s,notmine.WhoknowswhatkindoffatherIwouldhavebeen.AndIthinkitcanonlybegoodthatyouwerecompassionateinsteadoffeelinglikeyouhadtobeastoughasironallthe<me.Iwouldn’ttakeitbackformyselfifIhadthechance.You’vebeengreat,andyou’res<llgoingtobegreat.”
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“Nowlet’sgolivewhatpartsofourlivesareleM.”
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AndtheydidasMaldancedwithChrisinthenewlyredecoratedsecondfloorbedroom.
Don’tyouworry,there,myhoneyWemightnothaveanymoneyButwe’vegotourlovetopaythebills
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MaybeIthinkyou’recuteandfunnyMaybeIwanttodowhatbunniesdowithyouIfyouknowwhatImean
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Ohlet’sgetrichandbuyourparentshomesinthesouthofFranceLet’sgetrichandgiveeverybodynicesweatersAndteachthemhowtodanceLet’sgetrichandbuildourhouseonamountainMakingeverybodylooklikeantsFromwayupthereYouandIYouandI
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WellyoumightbeabitconfusedAndyoumightbealiDlebitbruisedButbaby,howwespoonlikenooneelse
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SoIwillhelpyoureadthosebooksIfyouwillsoothemyworriedlooksAndwewillputthelonesomeontheshelf
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Ohlet’sgetrichandbuyourparentshomesinthesouthofFranceLet’sgetrichandgiveeverybodynicesweatersAndteachthemhowtodanceLet’sgetrichandbuildourhouseonamountainMakingeverybodylooklikeantsFromwayupthereYouandIYouandI
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Oncetheygotoutside,MalpromptlystartedafightwithJulian.Apillowfight,thatis.
“Ihopeyou’regoingtobehappy,”Malsaid.“IknowIhaven’tmadeiteasy.”
“Don’ttalkaboutitnow—hey!Youhitme!”
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ThepillowfightseemedtotakeMal’smindoffhisfateforawhile.
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AMerthat,itwas<meforlast‐minutegoodbyesassixo’clockapproached.
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But<mekeptgoingon,andsoonawindevencolderthanusualblewontothegrounds.
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“Itis<me,”Malwhispered,closinghiseyes.“Ididn’twanttothinkaboutittoomuch,butIcouldn’thelpit.”
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Unwillingtoputupafight,hetookthedrinkthatDeathofferedhim(itdidn’tlookortastelikeanythinghe’deverseen)andfadedaway,finallyfeelingfreeinthoselastfewseconds.
Deathlingeredforamoment,poin<nghisfingeratBrandonbeforefadingaway,too.
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Christookitespeciallybadly.ShehadneverexpectedtoloveMalasmuchasshedid,andtheyhadalwaysthoughttheyweregoingtogotogetherun<lthoselastfewdays.
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Butitwasn’teasyonanyone.
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Brandonsummedupeveryone’sfeelingsinaspeechdeliveredwithcharacteris<cvigor:
“YOUWEREN’TSUPPOSEDTODIETHISSOON,DAMMIT.”
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Juliankeptitsimpleandhonest:
“Onsomelevel,weneverreallyunderstoodeachother,butyouweres<llmybrother.We’regoingtomissyou.”
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AndChrisspokelast:
“Youwereagreatfather,despiteyourconcerns,andyouwereawonderfulhusband.I’llmissyou,too.”
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Andthen,asBrandonhadsaid,theyalltriedtogoon.
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ItwasthemiddleofthenightwhenWill,Arthur,andSabrielgotbacktoOldtown.
“Niceplace,”Sabrielsaidwithpointsofherfingersasshewalkedin.“NicerthanIexpected.”
“Ofcourseitis,”Willansweredfrombehindher.“Wejustrebuiltit.Ijustwishwecouldhavemovedthatrecliner.”
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ThenewsofMal’sdeathhadreachedthemontheirway.ThemoneyhehadleMtothemhadreachedthemtoo:twentythousandsimoleonsthattheyusedtoaddontothehouse.
Althoughallthreeofthemwouldhavepreferredtohavetheirdadthanthemoney,theyhadtoadmitthatithadhelpedthemtransformWill’scollec<onofwallsintoaspacethattheycouldcomfortablylivein.
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“I’mreallygladyou’rehere,”Willsaid,huggingSabriel.
“What’sthisabout?”sheasked,tryingnottosquirm.
“What?Ineedareasontohugyou?You’remyliClesister,andIcareaboutyou.”
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It’snotthatsimple,shewantedtoscream.Howcoulditbe,wheneverylastthingWilldid—almosteverylastthinghediddrovehercrazy,andnowhehadinheritedeverything?Shouldn’thebealiClelesswillingtowalkupandhugher?And,forcryingoutloud,didhehavetotouchher?
Butheneededthis,soSabrielletWillhugher.Itwasn’tsobad.Andshethoughtshekindofneededittoo.
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“What?I’mnotimportanttoyou?”Arthurasked,whackingWillwithapillow.
“Hey!Ofcourseyouare!”
“Good!BecauseIwasn’tgoingtostopchasingyouwiththispillowun<lyousaidthat!”
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“Soareyougoingtostopchasingmewiththepillownow?”
“Nope.”
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Sotheywenton,too.Arthurprovedtoberemarkablyhard‐working,geQngaheadstartonhistermpaper.HewaspreCysurethathewantedtochoosethedramamajor,buthisfreshmanwri<ngclasswasn’tgoingaway,nomaCerhowbadlyhewanteditto.ItwasawaytonotthinkaboutMalforaliClewhile,exceptforthethoughtthathisdadwouldhavewantedhimtoworkhardanddowellinclass.
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ButSabrielcouldn’tfocusonherhomework.Itwastoostupidforwords,soshewasn’tgoingtowriteany.
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Shewentoutsidetocry,wheretherewaslessofachancethatWillandArthurwouldbewatching.
NothinggoodwasgoingtohappentoSabriel,wasit?Firsttherewastheheirship,thenherdemo<on,andthenherdadwasdead.Collegewasn’tbadsofar.Atleastthey’dgoneonanicelongjourneytogetthere,andshewasn’tboredyet.Butitwasn’tgoodenoughtomakeupforthismess.
Sabrielhadbarelysaidgoodbye.Noneofthemhadhadthechance,butshe’dbeensoupsetovereverythingelsethatshehadhardlyeventhoughtaboutit.Itwaslikeshehadn’trealizedthatinordertobeheir,herdadwouldhavetodie.
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Enoughofthis.Sabrielhadtodosomethingthatwasn’tweepingintohergloves.Shes<llwantedtosaysomethingtoherdad,butevenifshecould,whatwouldshesay?Thebestthingshecoulddowasliveherlifewellandhavealotofadventures.Its<llfeltlikeshewouldn’thaveanythingtodowithoutbeingtheheir,butshewasnotgoingtolivetherestofherlifeinsidethehousewhereshehadgrownup.Andifoneofthemmanagedtodosomethingaboutthelackofhousesinthearea,thenshewouldn’thaveto.
Maybeshecoulddoit.Someonewouldhavetogetitdoneright.
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“Sothat’swhyyousuddenlydecidedtostudyeconomics,”Arthursaid,loweringhispillowforaminute.“Ithoughtyouwereinsanewhenyoufirsttoldme.”
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“Nope.Well,thenumbersareboringascrazy,butifI’mgoingtosetupanykindofhousingempire,Ineedtoeitherfigurethisoutorfindabunchofminionswho’vefigureditoutalreadyandcandotheanalysisforme.Thinkaboutit,Arthur.Peoplecanmoveout,butnoonehasanywheretogo,andthere’sallthislandthatdoesn’thaveanythingonit.I’lldivideitintolots,buildhouses—justafewbasicfloorplans,it’snotlikethey’regoingtolookanydifferentontheoutside—andsellthemoff.Andthenoneofthem’sgoingtobeforyouandoneofthem’sgoingtobeforme.We’renotgoingtobesleepinginrandombedsscaCeredaroundthehouse.We’llgettohaveourownlives.”
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HavinghisownlifewassomethingArthurhadbarelythoughtabout.Hehadknownhedidn’twanttobetheheir,buthehadassumedthathewoulds<llliveinthehouse,likehisuncleshaddone.“Whatifwecould?”heasked,smiling.
“Not‘could,’Arthur.Wewill.”
“SocanIgetadiscountononeofthesehouses?”
“MaybeifI’mfeelingnice.”
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“Whatarethechancesofthat?”
“Rightnow?Notveryhigh.”
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Willsquintedatthediagram.Hewantedtothrowthebookacrosstheroom,butheneededtounderstandthis.Whydidthisbook'spublisherhavetomakethetypesosmall?Theperiodsattheendofsentenceslookedlikespecksofdust,andhecouldbarelydis<nguishtheo'sfromthec’s.Hemightnothavebeenboredtotearsnowthathissiblingswerethere,butits<llwasn’tmucheasiertofocusonboringtheore<calnonsensewriCeninsmalltype.
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AsWillputhisbookbackontheshelf,ithithimagain.Hislifewasn’tjustabouttryingtopuzzleoutwordsonapageanymore,likeithadfeltsomany<mesduringthelastthreeyears.WasitreallygoingtomaCerinayearwhetherheunderstoodthosediagrams?He’dbeathomeandleadingthefamilythen.Howwashesupposedtodothat?
“Justtellmewhattodo,”hepleaded,lookinguptotheceiling.Justonehint.
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ButnomaCerhowmuchWillcried,novoicefromtheskiescamedowntotellhimeverythingwasgoingtobefine.Hestoppedcryingandtriedtothinkaboutsomethinghappy.Hehadclasssoon,andhedidn’twanttogetaheadachefromcrying.
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ThingsweregeQngbeCeralready,aMerall.Hewasn’talone,andhewasn’tstrugglingtosurvive.Maybeeverythingwouldturnoutokay.
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“Whyareyouwri<ngyourtermpaperthisearlyinthesemester?”thellamaaskedArthur.
“Whyareyoustudyingthisearlyinthesemester?”Arthuranswered.
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“Yeah,butyou’rePleasure,”Sabrielanswered.“You’resupposedtobeprocras<na<ng.Unlikeme.I’mjustreadingacrappyromancenovelbecauseit’soneoftheonlythingsontheshelfthatisn’tsomekindoftheore<calphysicsnonsense.WheredidWillgetthisthing,anyway?”
“It’sprobablyhisdiary,”thellamaquipped.
“Ew.”Sabrielpaused.“Can’tbe.Theguyhasraven‐blackhairandemeraldorbs.”
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“Somehow,Idon’tthinkWill’shad<metokeepadiaryofroman<cconquests,”Arthursaid,lookingdownatthekeyboard.“Butifhehas,don’treadtomefromit.”
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“Iwon’t.”Sabriellookeddownatthebookagainandstared.“Thatshouldn’tbeanatomicallypossible.”
“Howdoyouknowthat?”
“Ijustdo.”
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Whiletheylaugheddownstairs,Willsatatthechessboard.Insteadofmovinganyofthepieces,though,hestaredatthewall.
Hisprofessorhadsaidsomethinginlectureaboutthephonesbeingdownsixandahalfdaysaweektoillustrateherpoint.Willwasn’tsureifheunderstoodthelessonhewassupposedtobelearning,butthelecturehadmadehimstartthinkingaboutsomethinghehadreadacoupleofchaptersago.Whatifthephonesdidn’thavetobedownallthe<me?
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Itdidn’tmaCerthatitwasdarkandthetypewas<ny.Hehadtofindwhathewaslookingforbeforehewenttosleep.
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“I’msogladwegottogotocollege,”SabrielwastellingWill.“Iwasn’tlookingforwardtoabreakdown.”
“Metoo,”Willsaid.“Itsuckedatfirst,butnowthatyouandArthurarehere,thingsaregeQngalotbeCer.”
“Goodmorning,”Arthursaid,grabbinganotherbowlofcerealandsiQngdown.
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Sabrielstaredathim.“HaveyouforgoCenyourshirt?”
“TheonlypairofpajamasIcouldfindwasmissingone,”Arthurexplained.“IguessIcouldhavestolenyours,Will,sinceyouwearyourunderwearmostofthe<me.ButIdidn’tfeellikeit.”
“Theboysaregonnaloveyou.”
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WilllookedatSabrielforasecondbeforeherealizedwhatshewastalkingabout.Hehadn’tknownArthurlikedguys,butherememberedaskingwhyhisbrotherhadn’tbroughtanygirlshomefromschool.Itmadesense.
Whatelsewastherethathedidn’tknowabouthisbrotherandsister?Andwhatotherpartsoftheirliveswouldhemissoutonduringthenextthreeyears?
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Arthurlinterruptedhistrainofthought:“Didyoustayupallnightstudyingorsomething?”
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“What?No.Notstudyingforclass.It’skindofasideproject.”Maybehewouldn’thavetomissoutontheirlives,ifitworkedoutlikeitwassupposedto.“ItmightwindupturningintowhatIdotofixupWinterfell.”
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“Oh?Youweren’tplanningonkeepingthisasecretfromus,wereyou?”
“Well,IwantedtoknowifithadachanceofworkingbeforeItoldeitherofyou,”Willsaid.
“Whatdoyoumean,‘hadachanceofworking’?Eithersomething’sgoingtoworkout,orit’snot,”Sabrielsaid,thinkingofherownplan.“Youmighthavetotwistafewarmstogetthere,butit’ss<llgoingtogothesameway.”
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“It’slessaboutarmtwis<ngthanaboutscience.”Willexplainedwhathehadfoundaboutthephones.“I’mgoingtohavetoresearchthissomemore,butIthinkIcanfixitsotheyworkalldaysoftheweek,notjustTuesdayaMernoonsandevenings.”
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Hewasn’tsurewhatkindofreac<ontoexpectfromSabriel,butshesmiled.“Nice.Iwasstar<ngtowonderifyou’dcomeupwithanything,butthat’sgood.”
“Well,haveyoucomeupwithanything?”Willasked.
“Ofcourse.I’llbuyupland,buildhouses,sellthem,andlaunchamassivebusinessempire.Profitwillrollintofundmyadventures.”
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“AndyouknowI’mplanningtobringbackpar<es,”Arthursaid.“It’sgoingtobealoteasiertohavethemifwecancallout,soIthinkyouhaveagreatplan,Will.Also,IthinkIneedtoteamupwithSabrielandstartsellingclothes.Sheshouldn’tbeforcedtowearapinkdresslikethat.”
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Sabriellaughed.“Nokidding.Here’stohavingplansforthefuture.”
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SabrielapproachedWillasheleMforclass.Shehatedhavingtosaythis,butitwasbeCerthannotspeakingupatall.“Keepmeintheloop,okay?”sheaskedhim.
“Inwhatloop?”
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“Withwhat’sgoingon,”shesaid.“Liketheconversa<onwehadthismorningaboutwhatwe’regoingtodoforthefamily.Ifmyplanworks,Iwon’tbearoundallthe<me,butIs<llwanttoknowhowthingsaregoingwiththefamilysoIcandosomething.”
“Ofcourse,”Willtoldher.“Daddidn’tdoitbyhimself,andIneverthoughtthatIcould.I’mgoingtotellyouandArthureverything.Ifmyplanworks.”
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“Thanks.”
Sabrielwatchedhimleaveforclass,herfacealmostexpressionless.ItwouldbebeCerforeveryoneifsheacceptedthatWillwasleadingthefamilynow.Especiallyforher.
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BriCanyhadspentmostofthedayalterna<ngbetweenea<ngeverythingshecouldgetherhandsonandthrowingitallup.
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Soitwasn’tmuchofasurprisewhenshefoundoutthatshewaspregnant,thoughits<llmadeherhappy.
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“But…howcanyoubepregnant?”
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“Well,whentwopeopleloveeachotherverymuch…”
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“Veryfunny.ButhowamIsupposedtobeadadatthisage?HowamIsupposedtobeadadifIcan’tgetoutofthehouse?Ididsitthroughmybrother’sexplana<onofbirthcontroldevices,butIdidn’tthinkIcouldgetanyonepregnant.”
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Clearly,thatmadetwoofthem.“Idon’tknow.Butatleastyou’vebeenaroundbabiesbefore,andit’snotlikethiskidisgoinganywhereforthenextsixmonthsorso.Justtrytogethereassoonasyoucan,okay?”
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“Great.”Julianwasreallystar<ngtohatetheideaofthismarriage.
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JulianheldthephoneasfarawayfromhimashecouldbeforepuQngitback.Afather.HolyPlumbbobonacracker.Hetriedimaginingthereac<onseveryoneelseinthehousewouldhave:hystericallaughter,stonysilence,and…ChriswouldreactinapreCynon‐judgmentalway,butshe’ds<llthinkitwasfunny.Malcouldbeannoyinglysanc<monious,butatleasthewouldhavetriedtobenice.
Fornow,hewasgoingtopretendthatthishadnothappened.
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Brandonhadbeenstaringatthetypedwords“TheLastWillandTestamentofBrandonStark”forthelasthalfhour.Itwasprovidingnoinsightastowhomheshouldleavehisposi<onasLawofWinterfellto.
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“Iknow,”hesaidtonoone.He’dtrytogetintouchwithWill.Hisnephewmights<llbeatcollege,buthewasgoingtoberunningthisplaceoncehegotback.Itwouldn’tberighttoavoidconsul<nghim.
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Apparently,luckwaswithhim.Thephonerangthatnight.
“Hello?”
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“UncleBrandon!What’sgoingon?How’severyonedoing?Wewouldhavecalledearlier,but…youknow…”Sabrieltrailedoff.“Iseveryoneokay?”
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Brandonsighed.“Idon’tknow.Ikeepsayingoverandoveragainthatthiswasn’tsupposedtohappen.Yourmomandyour—”Whatwashesupposedtocallher?“—Janhavebeenstudyingalot,andUncleJulian’sbeengluedtothemahjongtablelately.Meanwhile,I’vebeenpuQngfiresoutatthelawoffice.Thatremindsme,Ineedto—”
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“Whoisit?”Willasked.
“UncleBrandon.Thingssoundsreallybadbackhome,Will.”
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“IsthatWill?”
“Ofcourse.Whoelsewoulditbe?”
“Well,itcouldhavebeenArthur.Theirvoicessoundalotalike,”Brandonsaid.“Anyway,Ineedtotalktohim.”
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Ofcoursehedid.“Whydon’tyoujustcomeoverhere?”Sabrielasked.“Weallwanttoseeyou.”Besides,shedidn’twantthemtoforgetabouther.
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“Great.”Brandonwasn’tsureifhe’dbeabletotravelverywell,butthemorbidthoughthadcrossedhismindthathemightnotgetanotherchancetoseethekids,andhedidn’twanttomissit.“I’llseeyousoon.”
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WhenBrandonarrivedatthehouse,hesawWillwithabruneCewholookedlikeshewasswooningoverhim.Whatintheworldwasheupto?
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WillleanedclosertoDe.“Thanksforcomingallthewayouthere,”hesaid.“IwashopingI’dgettoseeyouagain.”
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“It’snotrouble,”Deanswered.Shefoundherselfthinkingabouthowshedidlikeredheadedguys.“I’mgladIgettoseeyou,too.”
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Nogoodcouldpossiblycomeofthis.Willhadalreadyagreedtomarrysomeoneelse.Whatwashethinking?Washethinkingatall?
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ButWillfinallyseemedtorealizehewasthereandcameovertogreethim.
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“Comeon,”Brandonsaid,reachingouttoWill.“Giveyourolduncleahug.”
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BrandonlookedatWill,thenatthewoman,thenbackatWill.He’dsaysomethingwhentheywereinside.
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Arthurpulledinachairfromthestudysothatallfourofthemcouldsitaroundthesmalltableinthekitchen.
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“Ihaveaproblem,”Brandonexplained.“I’vebeenlookingforasuccessorastheLaw.That’snotsomethingthatmostofushavetoworryabout.Oncethewaterwascleanandtherewasfood,thenthatwasdone.ButbeingtheLawdoesn’tend.Ifthere’snoLaw,theneverythingthatI’vedonewillfallapartagain.LilywasgoingtodoitaMerme—"
“Was?”Arthurasked.
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“Shegotfired.Is<llwanttoyellatsomeonetoreinstateher,butshesaysthatit’snotrightifshedoesn’tfollowtherules,andsheprobablyisright.Itcan’tbebadtohaveanimageofbeingten<mesmorevirtuousthaneveryoneelsewhenyouwantpeopletothinkyou’reimpar<al.”Eventhoughtryingtodothatcouldbeawfullyannoying.“Sothatleavesmewithoutasuccessor.”
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“Thereisn’tanyoneinyourorganiza<onwhocanhelp?”Willasked.
“I’vethoughtaboutit.ButIdon’ttrustmostofthem.They’regoodemployees,butIdon’twanttothinkaboutwhattheymightdoifI’mnotincharge.”BrandonlookedatWill.“SoIwantedtoknowwhatyouthinkaboutthis.”
“Me?”Somehow,hehadn’texpectedthis.
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“Yes,you.You’rethemaninchargenow,andthethreeofyouaretheoneswho’llhavetolivewithwhateverIdecidetodo.Youshouldhavesomeinput.”
“Butyou’re—“Willprotestedwithoutthinkingaboutit,unawarethatSabriellookedlikeshewastryingtoavoidsayingsomething.
“Onlytheonekeepingthingsgoingun<lyoucomeback.Iwanttoknowwhatyouthink.”
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Willhadbeenabouttosay“theonewhoknowsthemostaboutwhat’sgoingon,”butapparentlythatwasn’tthekindofques<onhisunclewanted.Somehow,hehadn’trealizedwhathisfather’sdeathmeantun<lthismoment.Willwantedtosaythathewasn’tready,butthiswasexactlywhathehadwanted,wasn’tit?
HelookedupattheceilingandthoughtaboutBrandon’sques<on.
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SabrielwatchedWill.Comeon,shethought.Dotherightthing.Sheknewwhatshewoulddointhissitua<on,butwouldhefigureitout,orwouldhedosomethingstupid?Ofcourse,shewouldspeakupifhediddosomethingstupid,buthehadn’tbeenveryidio<clately.Sheshouldgivehimachance.
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“Itshouldbeoneofus,”Willfinallysaid.“Trus<ngusisn’taproblem.ButIthinkbeingtheheirandbringingthephonesbackisgoingtobeenoughforme.”Helookedathisbrotherandsister,thenturnedbacktoBrandon.“WhatdoyoudoastheLaw?”
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“Twomainthings,”Brandonexplained.“I’mthechiefjudge.ThereareotherjudgesinWinterfell,butIhearappealsfromtheirdecisionswhenthereareques<onsoflawupintheair.IcanalsorecommendamendmentstotheCode,thoughtheyhavetobeapprovedbythelegislature.Some<mes,Icanvetotheirdecisions,butthey’vepushedafewawfullawspastmyvetoeslately,likethatoncefiredyou’reoutlaw.Sowhatareyouthinking?”
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WilllookedatArthurandSabrielagain.HehadbeenabouttosaythatSabrielshoulddoit.Sinceshehadwantedtobetheheir,itwasmorelikelythatshewouldactuallywanttobetheLaw.ButifWilleverhadtogobeforethecourts,hedidn’tthinkhewantedSabrieltohearhiscase.Shewouldprobablydecideagainsthimjustbecauseshedidn’tseemtolikehim.Well,ifSabrielwastheLaw,shewouldatleasttry,butWillcouldn’timagineherbeingimpar<al.ArthurwouldbebeCeratthat.ButwhoknewifArthurwantedtobetheLaw,orifSabrielwouldflipoutifhepassedoverherforthis?
Besides,itwouldn’tbeeasytobothrunamassivebusinessempireandcontrolthelegalsystem.Butitalsowouldn’tbeeasytobeanactorandcontrolthelegalsystem.
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“Bothofyoushoulddoit,”WillsaidtoArthurandSabriel.
“What?”theybothasked,oneafewsecondsaMertheother.
“Yeah.”Willnoddedseveral<mes.“Ithinkyou’dbothbegoodatit,butatthesame<me,therewerereasonsnottosayeitheroneofyoushoulddoit.Butifyoudoittogether,thenyou’llbringeverythinggoodaboutyoutothejob,andeverythingwillworkoutwell.You’lls<llbeabletobringbackpar<esanddates,andyoucanhaveyourbusinessandyouradventures.”
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Sabrielgrinned.“Sweet.”
“You’rehappywiththis?”heasked.“You’renotgoingtotrytokillmejustbecauseIdidn’tgiveittoyoualone?”
“Ofcoursenot.Don’tmakemestartcallingyouidiotagain,”shesaid.“I’dlovetodoitfull<me,buttherealestatebusinessandwhateveradventuresmightbeouttherearecallingme.TheonlywayIwouldhavekilledyouisifyou’dignoredme.”
“Great.”Willtriedtosmile.“Whataboutyou,Arthur?”
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“Atfirst,Ididn’twantanypartofit,”Arthursaid.“Kindoflikebeingheir.Butasyoutalkedaboutwhatyoudo,UncleBrandon,IstartedwonderingifI’dbegoodatit.I’dliketotry,andifSabriel’sgoingtodoitwithme…”
“Thereyougo,”Sabrielsaid.“Wearegoingtobegoodatthis.”
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“UncleBrandon?”Willasked,turningbacktolookathim.Itseemedlikethiswastoogoodofasolu<on,andUncleBrandonwouldbetheonetotellhim,ifanyone.
“I’mnotsureifit’swhatIwouldhavedone,”Brandonsaidslowly,“butIdon’tseeanyreasonnottodoit.I’llrewritemywillsoyou’reinitasmysuccessors,Arthur,Sabriel.”Hesmiled.“Andnicejob,Will.”
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WillhadtostudyaMerthat,butArthurandSabrielstayedtotalktoBrandonabouttheirnewrole.
“Don’tjustrelyonwhatthepeoplebeforeyoutellyouaboutthelaw,”Brandonsaid.“IknowwhatitlookslikebecauseIwroteit,butyou’renotgoingtobefamiliarwithitthesamewaythatIam.Findoutasmuchasyoucanaboutthefacts.Youcanbeasfamiliarwiththelawasyoulike,butitdoesn’tmeananythingifyoucan’tapplyittotherightfacts.Andrememberthatpeoplecansurpriseyou.You’regoingtohaveyouropinionsaboutthepeoplebeforeyou,andthat’sgood,butyoushouldn’ttakeanythingforgranted.”
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Astheydiscussedwhattheymightdo,Brandongrewmorecertainthathewasleavinghistaskingoodhands.
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AndaMerthat,alltooawareofwhathadhappenedtohisbrother,Brandonsaidgoodbyetohissuccessors.
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Beforehewent,though,hehadtoaskWillwhathewasdoingflir<ngwithsomeonewhowasn’tJan.
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“Iknow,Iknow,”Willsaid.“Itwasnothing.Iwasjust…”Hedidn’twantittobenothing.Hetriedtostopthinkingaboutthewaythingscouldhavegoneifhedidn’thavetomarryJan.
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Brandonnodded.“Iknowyou’regoingtodoagoodjob,”hesaid.“Iknewitbeforetonight,andI’mevenmoresureofitnow.Just…becareful.”
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“Thanks.”Willswallowed.“Iwill.Everything’sgoingtokeepgeQngbeCer.You’llsee.”
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“IhopeIdo.”BrandonhuggedWill.
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Neitheroneno<cedthatsomeonehadbeenwatchingthem.
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Gueststarring:SimDe(fireflower314)
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ImayhavegonealiCleoverboardsayinggoodbyetoMal,butifanyone’sworthit,heis.He’stheonewhotookmefromjustplayingachallengetowri<ngastory.Yes,Iwantedtointroduceyoutoeveryoneelse,too,butIreallywantedtointroduceyoutohim.IwillmissmyliClewhitesheepalot
Musiccredit:“YouandI”–IngridMichaelson
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Next<meonAnApocalypseofIce:
+Skilling,skilling,andskilling+Who’sthatguywatchingBrandonandWill?+Morecollegefun<ems(disclaimer:funmayormaynotbeincluded)+Wehaven’tseenAlayneforawhile,havewe?Whatcouldshepossiblybedoing?
AndIhaven’tforgoCentheBC;I’vebeengoingbackandforthbetweenthetwoeversinceIstartedthat.I’llprobablywindupwrappingthatupbeforeyousee11.2.
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“Mydressdoesn’thaveapregnancymorph!Nowonderyoufilmedmefromtheneckup!”
HappySimming!