Benny Bones by Brian Hogan

Chapter 3 Fools and Fellows

The sun beamed down onto Jessie's neck as he walked to the line of trees ahead. Strands of hay stretched high above, bending as he passed through. Jessie panted while running behind Ariya. Mr. Aisley's book hung heavy.

Perched among the thick branches of an oak tree sat the tree fort: a platform of horizontal wooden boards, fenced off with a nailed-on ladder below.

Ariya waited in front of the tree, staring up at the sunlit leaves. Branches swayed in the wind, procuring white light to fall down and scatter on her face. Jessie slowed, her beauty fully arresting him. She's so pretty standing there. Wish I could hold her now. Feelings lit up his heart and mind like fireworks across a black sky, their colors — new and exciting — so bold and breathtaking.

"The sun looks nice under the tree... You know, I think a lot here." She smiles at Jessie. "Meet you at the top." Ariya shouted, before clambering up the wooden slats.

Jessie peeked over the edge of the fort's platform to find Ariya sitting on the edge, looking out.

When Jessie lowered beside her she nodded towards the forest "That's Volgoth there."

Ariya pointed to the forest on the horizon. Dead thorny and twisted trees splayed along the edge of the dreary place. Crows flew up from the confines of black branches.

"Mysteria has fought The Volgons for years but what we need is a brave knight. One that will go, and slay the Volgon King." Ariya stood and held out her hand. "Noble knight Jessie, will you fight for my kingdom?"

He stared at her, blinking. Then, when he finally saw the frown forming on her face, he said,

"Oh yeah, sure."

"Humph, good." She walked over to the tree. In the crook of its branches was a chest. From inside her pocket, she retrieved the old key, inserted it and turned. With a click the lock was open. Ariya shuffled through till Jessie heard her cry, "Aha, found it!" From the chest she revealed a long oak branch, tied to its top was an agate, the largest Jessie had ever seen.

"With this sceptre I knight you. May you forever be strong while serving me, your queen." She said, touched both his shoulders in ceremony. "Now rise Knight Jessie, protector of Mysteria and slayer of Volgons"

Jessie got up slowly not sure if she was done, though the smug look on her face *said* she was.

"Alright, now what?"

"Now we hunt Volgons, first did you bring anything to eat? I'm hungry."

Jessie reached to his bag to check, all-the-while trying not to let Ariya see the book he'd taken from her father's study. *What is he hiding?* Ariya thought. Overcome with curiosity she stepped close and leaned over to peek.

"What's in the bag?" She gasped, "you took Daddy's book!" Ariya reached in fast and grabbed the book.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. I have to know what it says, please, give it back."

"You know he never lets me read these. I don't know why, I can read it just fine." She ruffled through the pages, then shut the book with a snap. "Okay, I'll let you keep it, *but* you have to read it with me, else I'll tell."

"Fine." He said, defeated, though Inside his stomach twisted into knots at the idea of her reading its contents.

"I'll go first." Ariya took the book to a pillow lying beside the tree trunk.

The trunk jutted out from the center of the platform and splayed out over the setting sun and blue sky. Jessie seated down beside her. He scooched in close as Ariya flipped through the pages, looking for a place to start. He felt his anxiety rise as he came in to lean over her. Felt the warmth of her skin pressed against his own. He was far from comfortable, but he wouldn't pull away — he needed to see what was in this book.