I DO NOT OWN REIGN. WE ARE DOWN TO THE FINAL FIVE CHAPTERS. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED THIS STORY SINCE THE BEGINNING.
Chicago, Illinois. The Next Day.
Chris drove the El Camino out of the city. It was a silent trip for the most part. There was no point in talking about what happened. Everyone knew that Nathan had condemned himself to death. Now Francis rode up front while Mary and Shawn sat in the truck bed. Shawn was taking Nathan's loss hard and Mary was doing her best to comfort him.
"I just can't believe that he's gone." He said as he laid his head on the Scottish Queen's shoulder.
"There was nothing you could have done." She said as she stroked his head. "When someone makes a decision like that, there's nothing that you can say to change their minds. He died honourably, take comfort in that." Meanwhile, Nathan was also the subject of conversation in the truck.
"I'm sorry about Nathan," Francis said as Chris drove.
"Thanks man." He said quietly as his phone went off. Luckily, Chris pulled up to a stoplight which gave him a chance to check it. As he did, he was horrified to see that King Blade has sent him a picture of Nathan's body, confirming that he had made the ultimate sacrifice. Another text read U R NXT.
"What is it?" Francis asked as Chris put his phone back in his pocket and dried off his tears.
"It's nothing." He replied as the light turned green and the truck continued on its way.
Verona, Wisconsin. The next day.
The group spent the night at another hotel before heading back to Verona. It seemed like suicide to head back into King Blade's territory, but they didn't have a choice. It was a requirement for the spell that Snow gave them. For it to work, Mary and Francis would have to be in the same place that they were when they had appeared. After having lunch, they returned to Verona and went to the local Wal-Mart in order to pick up the things that they would need to perform the ritual.
"Ok, if everything works out all right, we can have you two home by tonight." Chris said as the four went inside the store.
"That is comforting news." Francis said as they looked around at the mass of humanity that had gathered.
"Are there always so many people here?" Mary inquired.
"It's almost Christmas." Chris explained. "Everyone's got to get their shopping done." They spread out to get all of the materials they needed.
"Who knew that Wal-Mart catered to Pagans?" Shawn asked as the group surprisingly found everything that they needed.
"We're just lucky that the incense was on sale." Chris pointed out. "It was the most expensive thing." As they went to the checkout, Mary's eye was caught by a section of the store that was overflowing with Christmas decorations.
"What is all that?" She asked as she moved closer.
"Well, it's a week before Christmas so they're really going all out on the Yuletide decor." Chris pointed out as Mary took Francis and started going through the aisles. They were surrounded by holly and nutcrackers and bells. There was even a snow machine that spread fake snowflakes everywhere and a shit ton of pretty and colorful lights. Meanwhile, Christmas carols were being played full blast over the speakers.
"What is Christmas like at French court?" Shawn asked Francis as he watched Mary explore.
"Sometimes, it can really be stuffy." He sighed as his spirits were raised to see his wife filled with glee.
"Well then, let's un stuff it." Shawn said as he made a fake snow ball and threw it at Mary. It hit her right in the face and she was stunned for a minute.
"Francis did it!" Chris exclaimed as Francis gave him a look.
"I did not!" He said as Mary wipes the fake snow off and then gave the French King a wicked smile.
"It's war then, is it?" She asked as she returned fire with a fake snowball of her own. Francis took it right to the chest as the royals began having a snowball fight. Even Chris and Shawn joined in. Eventually, Francis and Mary fell into the snow, bursting with laughter. The four friends danced together in the fake snow as the sound of Here we come a-caroling filled the store. It was agreed that all present had not had so much fun in their lives.
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