“Miss Rebecca says (Patreon)

oi should style me hair to cover me eyes,” Kelly elaborated.

“How'll ye see?” Mary asked, as Seamus permitted himself a slight smile.

"It was nice to see you all again," I declared, after giving Rebecca a stern look. "Rebecca and I really should be going. There is much to do.”

“Awww, already?” Kelly pouted.

“You’ll all see me again soon enough,” I replied reassuringly, tousling her hair.

“Ooncle Adler, what about the surprise?” Clyde asked, eagerly jumping up and down.

“Gracious!" I exclaimed, snapping my fingers. "You’re right! How could I forget? And what a surprise it is! Would you like to see a REAL magick trick?”

”Ooo, yes please.” They all gathered around.

I theatrically raised my hands and wiggled my fingers. “Abraca-Pocus!” I yelled dramatically. I thrust my arms downward as if to conjure something from the floor, and all the horror trinkets I confiscated earlier came tumbling out of my sleeves.

There were ghost pens, wooden dullahan heads, miniature pumpkin lanterns, snow-globes of haunted houses, plaster bones, rubber ghosts that moaned eerily when you squeezed them, packets of fake blood, imitation severed fingers .. every spooky novelty gadget Eltsac Mailliw could imagine. They tumbled out for several seconds until a sizable pile was at my feet. Had I really taken that many? The boys gasped and applauded while Kelly laughed. Rebecca covered her mouth as she snickered at my antics. As soon as it was clear that the flow of toys had stopped, the children dove in and excitedly started sifting through the pile.

"Come on, toots," I said as I grabbed Rebecca by the hand and impishly dashed out the front door before Mary could protest. "It's time to skedaddle!"

I threw in a "woo woo" and a couple of "nyuks" for good measure as we dashed down the path away from the house. What else were eccentric uncles for?

We reconvened with the rest of the group and I informed them that there had been a change of plan. We would have to make a trip to Hoardblemish to check on things there. It wasn't far, and the weather was pleasant, so I proposed that we walk. The fresh air and sunlight would do us all some good - especially Thomson. I summoned some Ixies to relay the new itinerary to Meadow and Typantronn III.

A few wonderfully uneventful hours later, we were walking the road towards Percysthorpe. Rebecca was humming a cheerful dirge, Burnside was sharpening her knives, and Thompson was exchanging hushed secrets with Mr. Calaveras. Birds were twittering in the trees along the road, and occasionally a sheep bleated in the fields beyond. I gazed at the horizon and suddenly froze in my tracks.

“WAIT!" I exclaimed. "Did he say The Duchess and her Huns??”

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