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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.

Malsatonthesecondfloorbed.Hehadbeenplanningtogotothethirdfloor,buthedidn’tthinkhecouldhandleanotherflightofstairs.

IthadbeengeQngharderandhardertogoouttowork.Beinganelderlyadventurercommandedsomerespect—aMerall,youhadlivedthatlong—butMalwasn’tupforcrossingropebridgesthatunraveledonceyouwerehalfwayacrossachasmanymore,andhewouldprobablyhavetoadmitthatsoonerorlater.

Infact,hewasgoingtodieoneofthesedays,wasn’the?Itwasn’tasifMalhadneverthoughtaboutit.IthadcrossedhismindnotlongaMerbecominganelder.Buthehadneverthoughtaboutitseriously.

“Hey,Mal,”Chrissaid.“Iwaswonderingifyouwereupforagame—areyoufeelingallright?”

“WhatifI’mdying?”Malasked.

Herfirstins<nctwastotellhimthathecouldn’tdieyet.Theyweresupposedtodietogether,andeventhoughshewasslowingdown,shewass<llingoodhealth.Chrisdidn’twanttobetheonewhosurvivedhim.Butshesqueezedhishandandsaid,“Thenwe’llspendasmuch<metogetheraswecan.Whetheryouareornot.”

Malwentontoplaymahjongthatday,andhetookcareofhimselfaswellashecould.Butas<mewentby,hisgooddaysgrewfewerandfartherbetween.Onemorning,hecouldbarelyshowerandputhissuitonbeforehehadtogobacktobed.Malhadhadotherdayslikethis,buttoday,hedidn’tthinkhecouldeventakeacoupleofpainpillsandgoadventuring.ThejobhehaddreamedabouthavingsincehewasaliCleboywasover.Maybeeverythingwouldbeoversoon.

Hedidn’twanteverythingtoend,evenifitwouldmeanthattherewouldbenomorepain.Evenwithoutadventurestogoon,Malhadhisfamily.Janhadjustjoinedthefamily,andWillwasabouttocomebackfromcollege.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforehiskidsstartedontheirgreatworks,andmaybehewouldhaveagrandchildsoon.Butwouldhelivethatlong?

“Hey,Mal!”Brandonburstintotheroomwithafinger‐gun,probablyonhiswaytothebathroom.“What’sgoingon?WhyareyoujustsiQnghere?”

“CanyoucallthekidsatOldtown?”Malasked.

Brandonshookhishead.“Thephoneswon’tbeupagainforanotherweekorso,ifthey’vemadeitbacktocollegefromhereyet.What’swrong?”

“Ofcourse,”hesaid,notlookingatBrandon.“Icouldn’tbetherewhenMomdied,andnowthekidscan’tbeherewhenI—”

“No,no.You’renotdying.You’remyliClebrother.I’mtheonewho’ssupposedtohaveonefootinthegrave.I’mtheonewiththebadeyesightwhocan’tremembermyteenbirthday.”

“ButwhatifIam?”

Brandonwalkedaroundtotheothersideofthebed.“ThenIdon’tknowwhatcomesnext,”hesaid,movingthepillowstositbesideMal.“Noneofusdo.Ihopeit’sgood,butIcan’tpretendtohaveanykindofspecialknowledgeofwhat’sontheotherside.ButIcantellyouwhat’sgoingtohappenhere.We’llmissyoualot,butwe’llgoon,likewedidwhenDadandMomdied.Will’sgoingtocomebackandtakeover.Butifyoudiebeforehecomesback,thentherestofuswillrunthingsaswellaswecan.”

“Ididn’tdorightbyhim.”Mallookedoffintothedistance.“ImightnothavetoldhimthathehadtomarryJan,butIforcedhimintoitallthesame.Ishouldn’thavedonethat.”

Brandondidn’tknowwhattosay.“Itwasagoodidea,”hesaid.“Jan’sbeenatthebooksalot.Ithinkshehasabreakthroughontheway.”

“Butshe’snothappy.”Malsniffled.“AndWill’snotgoingtobehappyeither.Iwon’tevengettotellhimI’msorry.”

“Butyoucantellherthat.”

“Thingsweregoingsowell,”Malcon<nued.“ButIcan’thelpbutfeellikeImuckeditallupintheend.Youdon’tfeellike…likeitwasamistakeleQngmebetheheir,doyou?”

“Idon’tregretit,”Brandonsaid.“I’vethoughtabouthowthingsmightbedifferent.IlikekidsalotmorethanIthoughtIdidwhenIwasyoung.Butthatcouldbebecausethey’reyourkidsandChris’s,notmine.WhoknowswhatkindoffatherIwouldhavebeen.AndIthinkitcanonlybegoodthatyouwerecompassionateinsteadoffeelinglikeyouhadtobeastoughasironallthe<me.Iwouldn’ttakeitbackformyselfifIhadthechance.You’vebeengreat,andyou’res<llgoingtobegreat.”

“Nowlet’sgolivewhatpartsofourlivesareleM.”

AndtheydidasMaldancedwithChrisinthenewlyredecoratedsecondfloorbedroom.

Don’tyouworry,there,myhoneyWemightnothaveanymoneyButwe’vegotourlovetopaythebills

MaybeIthinkyou’recuteandfunnyMaybeIwanttodowhatbunniesdowithyouIfyouknowwhatImean

Ohlet’sgetrichandbuyourparentshomesinthesouthofFranceLet’sgetrichandgiveeverybodynicesweatersAndteachthemhowtodanceLet’sgetrichandbuildourhouseonamountainMakingeverybodylooklikeantsFromwayupthereYouandIYouandI

WellyoumightbeabitconfusedAndyoumightbealiDlebitbruisedButbaby,howwespoonlikenooneelse

SoIwillhelpyoureadthosebooksIfyouwillsoothemyworriedlooksAndwewillputthelonesomeontheshelf

Ohlet’sgetrichandbuyourparentshomesinthesouthofFranceLet’sgetrichandgiveeverybodynicesweatersAndteachthemhowtodanceLet’sgetrichandbuildourhouseonamountainMakingeverybodylooklikeantsFromwayupthereYouandIYouandI

Oncetheygotoutside,MalpromptlystartedafightwithJulian.Apillowfight,thatis.

“Ihopeyou’regoingtobehappy,”Malsaid.“IknowIhaven’tmadeiteasy.”

“Don’ttalkaboutitnow—hey!Youhitme!”

ThepillowfightseemedtotakeMal’smindoffhisfateforawhile.

AMerthat,itwas<meforlast‐minutegoodbyesassixo’clockapproached.

But<mekeptgoingon,andsoonawindevencolderthanusualblewontothegrounds.

“Itis<me,”Malwhispered,closinghiseyes.“Ididn’twanttothinkaboutittoomuch,butIcouldn’thelpit.”

Unwillingtoputupafight,hetookthedrinkthatDeathofferedhim(itdidn’tlookortastelikeanythinghe’deverseen)andfadedaway,finallyfeelingfreeinthoselastfewseconds.

Deathlingeredforamoment,poin<nghisfingeratBrandonbeforefadingaway,too.

Christookitespeciallybadly.ShehadneverexpectedtoloveMalasmuchasshedid,andtheyhadalwaysthoughttheyweregoingtogotogetherun<lthoselastfewdays.

Butitwasn’teasyonanyone.

Brandonsummedupeveryone’sfeelingsinaspeechdeliveredwithcharacteris<cvigor:

“YOUWEREN’TSUPPOSEDTODIETHISSOON,DAMMIT.”

Juliankeptitsimpleandhonest:

“Onsomelevel,weneverreallyunderstoodeachother,butyouweres<llmybrother.We’regoingtomissyou.”

AndChrisspokelast:

“Youwereagreatfather,despiteyourconcerns,andyouwereawonderfulhusband.I’llmissyou,too.”

Andthen,asBrandonhadsaid,theyalltriedtogoon.

ItwasthemiddleofthenightwhenWill,Arthur,andSabrielgotbacktoOldtown.

“Niceplace,”Sabrielsaidwithpointsofherfingersasshewalkedin.“NicerthanIexpected.”

“Ofcourseitis,”Willansweredfrombehindher.“Wejustrebuiltit.Ijustwishwecouldhavemovedthatrecliner.”

ThenewsofMal’sdeathhadreachedthemontheirway.ThemoneyhehadleMtothemhadreachedthemtoo:twentythousandsimoleonsthattheyusedtoaddontothehouse.

Althoughallthreeofthemwouldhavepreferredtohavetheirdadthanthemoney,theyhadtoadmitthatithadhelpedthemtransformWill’scollec<onofwallsintoaspacethattheycouldcomfortablylivein.

“I’mreallygladyou’rehere,”Willsaid,huggingSabriel.

“What’sthisabout?”sheasked,tryingnottosquirm.

“What?Ineedareasontohugyou?You’remyliClesister,andIcareaboutyou.”

It’snotthatsimple,shewantedtoscream.Howcoulditbe,wheneverylastthingWilldid—almosteverylastthinghediddrovehercrazy,andnowhehadinheritedeverything?Shouldn’thebealiClelesswillingtowalkupandhugher?And,forcryingoutloud,didhehavetotouchher?

Butheneededthis,soSabrielletWillhugher.Itwasn’tsobad.Andshethoughtshekindofneededittoo.

“What?I’mnotimportanttoyou?”Arthurasked,whackingWillwithapillow.

“Hey!Ofcourseyouare!”

“Good!BecauseIwasn’tgoingtostopchasingyouwiththispillowun<lyousaidthat!”

“Soareyougoingtostopchasingmewiththepillownow?”

“Nope.”

Sotheywenton,too.Arthurprovedtoberemarkablyhard‐working,geQngaheadstartonhistermpaper.HewaspreCysurethathewantedtochoosethedramamajor,buthisfreshmanwri<ngclasswasn’tgoingaway,nomaCerhowbadlyhewanteditto.ItwasawaytonotthinkaboutMalforaliClewhile,exceptforthethoughtthathisdadwouldhavewantedhimtoworkhardanddowellinclass.

ButSabrielcouldn’tfocusonherhomework.Itwastoostupidforwords,soshewasn’tgoingtowriteany.

Shewentoutsidetocry,wheretherewaslessofachancethatWillandArthurwouldbewatching.

NothinggoodwasgoingtohappentoSabriel,wasit?Firsttherewastheheirship,thenherdemo<on,andthenherdadwasdead.Collegewasn’tbadsofar.Atleastthey’dgoneonanicelongjourneytogetthere,andshewasn’tboredyet.Butitwasn’tgoodenoughtomakeupforthismess.

Sabrielhadbarelysaidgoodbye.Noneofthemhadhadthechance,butshe’dbeensoupsetovereverythingelsethatshehadhardlyeventhoughtaboutit.Itwaslikeshehadn’trealizedthatinordertobeheir,herdadwouldhavetodie.

Enoughofthis.Sabrielhadtodosomethingthatwasn’tweepingintohergloves.Shes<llwantedtosaysomethingtoherdad,butevenifshecould,whatwouldshesay?Thebestthingshecoulddowasliveherlifewellandhavealotofadventures.Its<llfeltlikeshewouldn’thaveanythingtodowithoutbeingtheheir,butshewasnotgoingtolivetherestofherlifeinsidethehousewhereshehadgrownup.Andifoneofthemmanagedtodosomethingaboutthelackofhousesinthearea,thenshewouldn’thaveto.

Maybeshecoulddoit.Someonewouldhavetogetitdoneright.

“Sothat’swhyyousuddenlydecidedtostudyeconomics,”Arthursaid,loweringhispillowforaminute.“Ithoughtyouwereinsanewhenyoufirsttoldme.”

“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.”

HavinghisownlifewassomethingArthurhadbarelythoughtabout.Hehadknownhedidn’twanttobetheheir,buthehadassumedthathewoulds<llliveinthehouse,likehisuncleshaddone.“Whatifwecould?”heasked,smiling.

“Not‘could,’Arthur.Wewill.”

“SocanIgetadiscountononeofthesehouses?”

“MaybeifI’mfeelingnice.”

“Whatarethechancesofthat?”

“Rightnow?Notveryhigh.”

Willsquintedatthediagram.Hewantedtothrowthebookacrosstheroom,butheneededtounderstandthis.Whydidthisbook'spublisherhavetomakethetypesosmall?Theperiodsattheendofsentenceslookedlikespecksofdust,andhecouldbarelydis<nguishtheo'sfromthec’s.Hemightnothavebeenboredtotearsnowthathissiblingswerethere,butits<llwasn’tmucheasiertofocusonboringtheore<calnonsensewriCeninsmalltype.

AsWillputhisbookbackontheshelf,ithithimagain.Hislifewasn’tjustabouttryingtopuzzleoutwordsonapageanymore,likeithadfeltsomany<mesduringthelastthreeyears.WasitreallygoingtomaCerinayearwhetherheunderstoodthosediagrams?He’dbeathomeandleadingthefamilythen.Howwashesupposedtodothat?

“Justtellmewhattodo,”hepleaded,lookinguptotheceiling.Justonehint.

ButnomaCerhowmuchWillcried,novoicefromtheskiescamedowntotellhimeverythingwasgoingtobefine.Hestoppedcryingandtriedtothinkaboutsomethinghappy.Hehadclasssoon,andhedidn’twanttogetaheadachefromcrying.

ThingsweregeQngbeCeralready,aMerall.Hewasn’talone,andhewasn’tstrugglingtosurvive.Maybeeverythingwouldturnoutokay.

“Whyareyouwri<ngyourtermpaperthisearlyinthesemester?”thellamaaskedArthur.

“Whyareyoustudyingthisearlyinthesemester?”Arthuranswered.

“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.”

“Somehow,Idon’tthinkWill’shad<metokeepadiaryofroman<cconquests,”Arthursaid,lookingdownatthekeyboard.“Butifhehas,don’treadtomefromit.”

“Iwon’t.”Sabriellookeddownatthebookagainandstared.“Thatshouldn’tbeanatomicallypossible.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”

“Ijustdo.”

Whiletheylaugheddownstairs,Willsatatthechessboard.Insteadofmovinganyofthepieces,though,hestaredatthewall.

Hisprofessorhadsaidsomethinginlectureaboutthephonesbeingdownsixandahalfdaysaweektoillustrateherpoint.Willwasn’tsureifheunderstoodthelessonhewassupposedtobelearning,butthelecturehadmadehimstartthinkingaboutsomethinghehadreadacoupleofchaptersago.Whatifthephonesdidn’thavetobedownallthe<me?

Itdidn’tmaCerthatitwasdarkandthetypewas<ny.Hehadtofindwhathewaslookingforbeforehewenttosleep.

“I’msogladwegottogotocollege,”SabrielwastellingWill.“Iwasn’tlookingforwardtoabreakdown.”

“Metoo,”Willsaid.“Itsuckedatfirst,butnowthatyouandArthurarehere,thingsaregeQngalotbeCer.”

“Goodmorning,”Arthursaid,grabbinganotherbowlofcerealandsiQngdown.

Sabrielstaredathim.“HaveyouforgoCenyourshirt?”

“TheonlypairofpajamasIcouldfindwasmissingone,”Arthurexplained.“IguessIcouldhavestolenyours,Will,sinceyouwearyourunderwearmostofthe<me.ButIdidn’tfeellikeit.”

“Theboysaregonnaloveyou.”

WilllookedatSabrielforasecondbeforeherealizedwhatshewastalkingabout.Hehadn’tknownArthurlikedguys,butherememberedaskingwhyhisbrotherhadn’tbroughtanygirlshomefromschool.Itmadesense.

Whatelsewastherethathedidn’tknowabouthisbrotherandsister?Andwhatotherpartsoftheirliveswouldhemissoutonduringthenextthreeyears?

Arthurlinterruptedhistrainofthought:“Didyoustayupallnightstudyingorsomething?”

“What?No.Notstudyingforclass.It’skindofasideproject.”Maybehewouldn’thavetomissoutontheirlives,ifitworkedoutlikeitwassupposedto.“ItmightwindupturningintowhatIdotofixupWinterfell.”

“Oh?Youweren’tplanningonkeepingthisasecretfromus,wereyou?”

“Well,IwantedtoknowifithadachanceofworkingbeforeItoldeitherofyou,”Willsaid.

“Whatdoyoumean,‘hadachanceofworking’?Eithersomething’sgoingtoworkout,orit’snot,”Sabrielsaid,thinkingofherownplan.“Youmighthavetotwistafewarmstogetthere,butit’ss<llgoingtogothesameway.”

“It’slessaboutarmtwis<ngthanaboutscience.”Willexplainedwhathehadfoundaboutthephones.“I’mgoingtohavetoresearchthissomemore,butIthinkIcanfixitsotheyworkalldaysoftheweek,notjustTuesdayaMernoonsandevenings.”

Hewasn’tsurewhatkindofreac<ontoexpectfromSabriel,butshesmiled.“Nice.Iwasstar<ngtowonderifyou’dcomeupwithanything,butthat’sgood.”

“Well,haveyoucomeupwithanything?”Willasked.

“Ofcourse.I’llbuyupland,buildhouses,sellthem,andlaunchamassivebusinessempire.Profitwillrollintofundmyadventures.”

“AndyouknowI’mplanningtobringbackpar<es,”Arthursaid.“It’sgoingtobealoteasiertohavethemifwecancallout,soIthinkyouhaveagreatplan,Will.Also,IthinkIneedtoteamupwithSabrielandstartsellingclothes.Sheshouldn’tbeforcedtowearapinkdresslikethat.”

Sabriellaughed.“Nokidding.Here’stohavingplansforthefuture.”

SabrielapproachedWillasheleMforclass.Shehatedhavingtosaythis,butitwasbeCerthannotspeakingupatall.“Keepmeintheloop,okay?”sheaskedhim.

“Inwhatloop?”

“Withwhat’sgoingon,”shesaid.“Liketheconversa<onwehadthismorningaboutwhatwe’regoingtodoforthefamily.Ifmyplanworks,Iwon’tbearoundallthe<me,butIs<llwanttoknowhowthingsaregoingwiththefamilysoIcandosomething.”

“Ofcourse,”Willtoldher.“Daddidn’tdoitbyhimself,andIneverthoughtthatIcould.I’mgoingtotellyouandArthureverything.Ifmyplanworks.”

“Thanks.”

Sabrielwatchedhimleaveforclass,herfacealmostexpressionless.ItwouldbebeCerforeveryoneifsheacceptedthatWillwasleadingthefamilynow.Especiallyforher.

BriCanyhadspentmostofthedayalterna<ngbetweenea<ngeverythingshecouldgetherhandsonandthrowingitallup.

Soitwasn’tmuchofasurprisewhenshefoundoutthatshewaspregnant,thoughits<llmadeherhappy.

“But…howcanyoubepregnant?”

“Well,whentwopeopleloveeachotherverymuch…”

“Veryfunny.ButhowamIsupposedtobeadadatthisage?HowamIsupposedtobeadadifIcan’tgetoutofthehouse?Ididsitthroughmybrother’sexplana<onofbirthcontroldevices,butIdidn’tthinkIcouldgetanyonepregnant.”

Clearly,thatmadetwoofthem.“Idon’tknow.Butatleastyou’vebeenaroundbabiesbefore,andit’snotlikethiskidisgoinganywhereforthenextsixmonthsorso.Justtrytogethereassoonasyoucan,okay?”

“Great.”Julianwasreallystar<ngtohatetheideaofthismarriage.

JulianheldthephoneasfarawayfromhimashecouldbeforepuQngitback.Afather.HolyPlumbbobonacracker.Hetriedimaginingthereac<onseveryoneelseinthehousewouldhave:hystericallaughter,stonysilence,and…ChriswouldreactinapreCynon‐judgmentalway,butshe’ds<llthinkitwasfunny.Malcouldbeannoyinglysanc<monious,butatleasthewouldhavetriedtobenice.

Fornow,hewasgoingtopretendthatthishadnothappened.

Brandonhadbeenstaringatthetypedwords“TheLastWillandTestamentofBrandonStark”forthelasthalfhour.Itwasprovidingnoinsightastowhomheshouldleavehisposi<onasLawofWinterfellto.

“Iknow,”hesaidtonoone.He’dtrytogetintouchwithWill.Hisnephewmights<llbeatcollege,buthewasgoingtoberunningthisplaceoncehegotback.Itwouldn’tberighttoavoidconsul<nghim.

Apparently,luckwaswithhim.Thephonerangthatnight.

“Hello?”

“UncleBrandon!What’sgoingon?How’severyonedoing?Wewouldhavecalledearlier,but…youknow…”Sabrieltrailedoff.“Iseveryoneokay?”

Brandonsighed.“Idon’tknow.Ikeepsayingoverandoveragainthatthiswasn’tsupposedtohappen.Yourmomandyour—”Whatwashesupposedtocallher?“—Janhavebeenstudyingalot,andUncleJulian’sbeengluedtothemahjongtablelately.Meanwhile,I’vebeenpuQngfiresoutatthelawoffice.Thatremindsme,Ineedto—”

“Whoisit?”Willasked.

“UncleBrandon.Thingssoundsreallybadbackhome,Will.”

“IsthatWill?”

“Ofcourse.Whoelsewoulditbe?”

“Well,itcouldhavebeenArthur.Theirvoicessoundalotalike,”Brandonsaid.“Anyway,Ineedtotalktohim.”

Ofcoursehedid.“Whydon’tyoujustcomeoverhere?”Sabrielasked.“Weallwanttoseeyou.”Besides,shedidn’twantthemtoforgetabouther.

“Great.”Brandonwasn’tsureifhe’dbeabletotravelverywell,butthemorbidthoughthadcrossedhismindthathemightnotgetanotherchancetoseethekids,andhedidn’twanttomissit.“I’llseeyousoon.”

WhenBrandonarrivedatthehouse,hesawWillwithabruneCewholookedlikeshewasswooningoverhim.Whatintheworldwasheupto?

WillleanedclosertoDe.“Thanksforcomingallthewayouthere,”hesaid.“IwashopingI’dgettoseeyouagain.”

“It’snotrouble,”Deanswered.Shefoundherselfthinkingabouthowshedidlikeredheadedguys.“I’mgladIgettoseeyou,too.”

Nogoodcouldpossiblycomeofthis.Willhadalreadyagreedtomarrysomeoneelse.Whatwashethinking?Washethinkingatall?

ButWillfinallyseemedtorealizehewasthereandcameovertogreethim.

“Comeon,”Brandonsaid,reachingouttoWill.“Giveyourolduncleahug.”

BrandonlookedatWill,thenatthewoman,thenbackatWill.He’dsaysomethingwhentheywereinside.

Arthurpulledinachairfromthestudysothatallfourofthemcouldsitaroundthesmalltableinthekitchen.

“Ihaveaproblem,”Brandonexplained.“I’vebeenlookingforasuccessorastheLaw.That’snotsomethingthatmostofushavetoworryabout.Oncethewaterwascleanandtherewasfood,thenthatwasdone.ButbeingtheLawdoesn’tend.Ifthere’snoLaw,theneverythingthatI’vedonewillfallapartagain.LilywasgoingtodoitaMerme—"

“Was?”Arthurasked.

“Shegotfired.Is<llwanttoyellatsomeonetoreinstateher,butshesaysthatit’snotrightifshedoesn’tfollowtherules,andsheprobablyisright.Itcan’tbebadtohaveanimageofbeingten<mesmorevirtuousthaneveryoneelsewhenyouwantpeopletothinkyou’reimpar<al.”Eventhoughtryingtodothatcouldbeawfullyannoying.“Sothatleavesmewithoutasuccessor.”

“Thereisn’tanyoneinyourorganiza<onwhocanhelp?”Willasked.

“I’vethoughtaboutit.ButIdon’ttrustmostofthem.They’regoodemployees,butIdon’twanttothinkaboutwhattheymightdoifI’mnotincharge.”BrandonlookedatWill.“SoIwantedtoknowwhatyouthinkaboutthis.”

“Me?”Somehow,hehadn’texpectedthis.

“Yes,you.You’rethemaninchargenow,andthethreeofyouaretheoneswho’llhavetolivewithwhateverIdecidetodo.Youshouldhavesomeinput.”

“Butyou’re—“Willprotestedwithoutthinkingaboutit,unawarethatSabriellookedlikeshewastryingtoavoidsayingsomething.

“Onlytheonekeepingthingsgoingun<lyoucomeback.Iwanttoknowwhatyouthink.”

Willhadbeenabouttosay“theonewhoknowsthemostaboutwhat’sgoingon,”butapparentlythatwasn’tthekindofques<onhisunclewanted.Somehow,hehadn’trealizedwhathisfather’sdeathmeantun<lthismoment.Willwantedtosaythathewasn’tready,butthiswasexactlywhathehadwanted,wasn’tit?

HelookedupattheceilingandthoughtaboutBrandon’sques<on.

SabrielwatchedWill.Comeon,shethought.Dotherightthing.Sheknewwhatshewoulddointhissitua<on,butwouldhefigureitout,orwouldhedosomethingstupid?Ofcourse,shewouldspeakupifhediddosomethingstupid,buthehadn’tbeenveryidio<clately.Sheshouldgivehimachance.

“Itshouldbeoneofus,”Willfinallysaid.“Trus<ngusisn’taproblem.ButIthinkbeingtheheirandbringingthephonesbackisgoingtobeenoughforme.”Helookedathisbrotherandsister,thenturnedbacktoBrandon.“WhatdoyoudoastheLaw?”

“Twomainthings,”Brandonexplained.“I’mthechiefjudge.ThereareotherjudgesinWinterfell,butIhearappealsfromtheirdecisionswhenthereareques<onsoflawupintheair.IcanalsorecommendamendmentstotheCode,thoughtheyhavetobeapprovedbythelegislature.Some<mes,Icanvetotheirdecisions,butthey’vepushedafewawfullawspastmyvetoeslately,likethatoncefiredyou’reoutlaw.Sowhatareyouthinking?”

WilllookedatArthurandSabrielagain.HehadbeenabouttosaythatSabrielshoulddoit.Sinceshehadwantedtobetheheir,itwasmorelikelythatshewouldactuallywanttobetheLaw.ButifWilleverhadtogobeforethecourts,hedidn’tthinkhewantedSabrieltohearhiscase.Shewouldprobablydecideagainsthimjustbecauseshedidn’tseemtolikehim.Well,ifSabrielwastheLaw,shewouldatleasttry,butWillcouldn’timagineherbeingimpar<al.ArthurwouldbebeCeratthat.ButwhoknewifArthurwantedtobetheLaw,orifSabrielwouldflipoutifhepassedoverherforthis?

Besides,itwouldn’tbeeasytobothrunamassivebusinessempireandcontrolthelegalsystem.Butitalsowouldn’tbeeasytobeanactorandcontrolthelegalsystem.

“Bothofyoushoulddoit,”WillsaidtoArthurandSabriel.

“What?”theybothasked,oneafewsecondsaMertheother.

“Yeah.”Willnoddedseveral<mes.“Ithinkyou’dbothbegoodatit,butatthesame<me,therewerereasonsnottosayeitheroneofyoushoulddoit.Butifyoudoittogether,thenyou’llbringeverythinggoodaboutyoutothejob,andeverythingwillworkoutwell.You’lls<llbeabletobringbackpar<esanddates,andyoucanhaveyourbusinessandyouradventures.”

Sabrielgrinned.“Sweet.”

“You’rehappywiththis?”heasked.“You’renotgoingtotrytokillmejustbecauseIdidn’tgiveittoyoualone?”

“Ofcoursenot.Don’tmakemestartcallingyouidiotagain,”shesaid.“I’dlovetodoitfull<me,buttherealestatebusinessandwhateveradventuresmightbeouttherearecallingme.TheonlywayIwouldhavekilledyouisifyou’dignoredme.”

“Great.”Willtriedtosmile.“Whataboutyou,Arthur?”

“Atfirst,Ididn’twantanypartofit,”Arthursaid.“Kindoflikebeingheir.Butasyoutalkedaboutwhatyoudo,UncleBrandon,IstartedwonderingifI’dbegoodatit.I’dliketotry,andifSabriel’sgoingtodoitwithme…”

“Thereyougo,”Sabrielsaid.“Wearegoingtobegoodatthis.”

“UncleBrandon?”Willasked,turningbacktolookathim.Itseemedlikethiswastoogoodofasolu<on,andUncleBrandonwouldbetheonetotellhim,ifanyone.

“I’mnotsureifit’swhatIwouldhavedone,”Brandonsaidslowly,“butIdon’tseeanyreasonnottodoit.I’llrewritemywillsoyou’reinitasmysuccessors,Arthur,Sabriel.”Hesmiled.“Andnicejob,Will.”

WillhadtostudyaMerthat,butArthurandSabrielstayedtotalktoBrandonabouttheirnewrole.

“Don’tjustrelyonwhatthepeoplebeforeyoutellyouaboutthelaw,”Brandonsaid.“IknowwhatitlookslikebecauseIwroteit,butyou’renotgoingtobefamiliarwithitthesamewaythatIam.Findoutasmuchasyoucanaboutthefacts.Youcanbeasfamiliarwiththelawasyoulike,butitdoesn’tmeananythingifyoucan’tapplyittotherightfacts.Andrememberthatpeoplecansurpriseyou.You’regoingtohaveyouropinionsaboutthepeoplebeforeyou,andthat’sgood,butyoushouldn’ttakeanythingforgranted.”

Astheydiscussedwhattheymightdo,Brandongrewmorecertainthathewasleavinghistaskingoodhands.

AndaMerthat,alltooawareofwhathadhappenedtohisbrother,Brandonsaidgoodbyetohissuccessors.

Beforehewent,though,hehadtoaskWillwhathewasdoingflir<ngwithsomeonewhowasn’tJan.

“Iknow,Iknow,”Willsaid.“Itwasnothing.Iwasjust…”Hedidn’twantittobenothing.Hetriedtostopthinkingaboutthewaythingscouldhavegoneifhedidn’thavetomarryJan.

Brandonnodded.“Iknowyou’regoingtodoagoodjob,”hesaid.“Iknewitbeforetonight,andI’mevenmoresureofitnow.Just…becareful.”

“Thanks.”Willswallowed.“Iwill.Everything’sgoingtokeepgeQngbeCer.You’llsee.”

“IhopeIdo.”BrandonhuggedWill.

Neitheroneno<cedthatsomeonehadbeenwatchingthem.

Gueststarring:SimDe(fireflower314)

ImayhavegonealiCleoverboardsayinggoodbyetoMal,butifanyone’sworthit,heis.He’stheonewhotookmefromjustplayingachallengetowri<ngastory.Yes,Iwantedtointroduceyoutoeveryoneelse,too,butIreallywantedtointroduceyoutohim.IwillmissmyliClewhitesheepalot

Musiccredit:“YouandI”–IngridMichaelson

Next<meonAnApocalypseofIce:

+Skilling,skilling,andskilling+Who’sthatguywatchingBrandonandWill?+Morecollegefun<ems(disclaimer:funmayormaynotbeincluded)+Wehaven’tseenAlayneforawhile,havewe?Whatcouldshepossiblybedoing?

AndIhaven’tforgoCentheBC;I’vebeengoingbackandforthbetweenthetwoeversinceIstartedthat.I’llprobablywindupwrappingthatupbeforeyousee11.2.

“Mydressdoesn’thaveapregnancymorph!Nowonderyoufilmedmefromtheneckup!”

HappySimming!