The Nibiru Effect

Memory 54

Jonn looks at me as though I'm crazy. Kara appears equally confused by my claim, but I can tell she's relieved I managed to distract her father from the gruesome task he was getting ready to accomplish.

"What the drowned are you talking about?" asks Jonn. "Of course it's Avalon. Who else could it be?"

"Have you considered the possibility that King Kanto is exactly who he claims to be?"

"That's ridiculous."

"The boy's right," says the king. I guess he just realized how close he came to death. "I don't know who this Avalon character is, but I'm not her."

"Shut up, liar!" barks Jonn, pressing the blade of his knife deeper into the folds of fat that hang from the arkane's neck.

The king falls silent.

"He's not lying," I say.

"Yes, she is. It's what she does. And there's only one way to put an end to it."

The mad look in Jonn's eyes tells me I've lost the argument. King Kanto is about to die, and there's nothing I can do about it.

"Please, Dad," begs Kara. "Just listen to Will. If you still want to kill King Kanto after that, we won't stop you."

Jonn considers her proposal for a moment before rolling his eyes.

"Fine. I'm listening."

Kara may have delayed King Kanto's murder, but his life now rests squarely in my hands. No pressure, right?

I take a moment to gather my thoughts.

"I saw the look on King Kanto's face as you were about to kill him. It was a look of confusion and fear, the look of a man who had no idea why he was about to die."

Jonn grunts. "It's all part of her plan. Avalon is a liar, a manipulator."

"No," I insist. "I've experienced true terror on more than one occasion, and I can assure you it's not something that can be faked. King Kanto wasn't just afraid; he was terrified."

Jonn raises an eyebrow. Is he starting to believe me?

"That doesn't prove anything," he says. "I was about to kill her. Anyone in that situation would have been afraid. Even Avalon."

"Think about it," I urge. "If King Kanto truly is Avalon, then why doesn't he have a time travel ring? And what of her partner? Where's Arko?" I'm on a roll, so I keep going, spewing all of my evidence before Jonn can interrupt. "Why didn't she revert to her true appearance? The arkane guards are gone. There's no logical reason for her to remain in the body of an overweight king when her true form is far more suited for escape. Do you remember how angry Kanto got when you accused him of releasing the plague? Why would he do that if he were the real Avalon? Wouldn't she admit to it? Wouldn't she boast about it? Wouldn't she—"

"All right!" growls Jonn. "That's enough."

I want to protest, but I have run out of arguments. I did my part. Now it's up to Jonn to decide whether or not he believes me.

A heavy silence fills the room. I glance at Kara. She looks worried.

"All right," says Jonn after almost a full minute of silence. "This fat slob isn't Avalon. But that doesn't mean he isn't involved."

He's right. King Kanto could be in cahoots with Avalon. For all we know, he's been working with her all along.

"I'll tell you everything," promises the obese ruler. "All I ask is that you release me."