Extract from the Diary of Logan, I

Dear Diary,
I can’t believe it, but the Crawler attack is over. With my sister at my side, we were unstoppable. She’s really upset though. Walter… he’s dead. She had to kill him to save Albion. The Crawler had possessed him, it was devastating for her. I attended his funeral this morning. I made sure to comfort my sister, seeing her in tears is devastating for me. Roy seems real sad too. For a child of only three, he understands death too well for my liking. I can see him now, from my window, standing at Walter’s memorial. He just stands there, as if in a trance. Perhaps that’s how he grieves…
I’m trying to avoid my sister. No need to remind her of Walter in any shape or form. I’m thinking about leaving Albion, setting off to start again. I’m hoping it will run by my sister well. I hope she sees the sense in it.

The Crawler

Walter groaned in his sleep. He began to become aware to a small voice that whispered in his ear.
“Waler…! Waler, wakey up!”
Walter’s eyes flickered open. “Huh? Who’s there?”
He saw Roy, standing wide-eyed and on tip-toes. Walter’s expression immediately softened and he helped the Prince into his bed.
“What’s troubling you, Roy?”
Roy dangled his feet over the bedside and watched them thump quietly against the bed. Walter sat next to him, hunched so he was eye level with Roy.
“I had a bad dweam.”
“What happened?”
“Dare was this big ugwy monstah-ghost-fing who kept sayin fings about dawkness. Den he showed me yoo Waler.” Roy looked up into Walter’s eyes, tears running openly down his face. “An’ yoo were dying. An’ the monstah kep sayin it was my fault. I twyed to save you Waler, I weally did, but evwyting filled with dawkness; it was so scawy! Buh den I saw sumfin in da dawkness and I weached out ta it. When I weached, dare was light, so I kep weaching until evewyting was white. Den I woke up an wanned ta make sure yoo were awive.”
Roy hugged onto Walter, burying his tear stained face in the ruffles of his nightgown. Walter hugged Roy too, comforting the child. But one fact remained that unsettled Walter.
From what Roy had said, he had seen the Crawler.

Nephew and Uncle

Logan awoke to the sound of bustle in his room. He growled and opened his eyes as light spilled in through a newly uncovered window. Blinking several times, Logan was not pleased with his assailant.
“Sister! What are you doing!?”
The Hero paused briefly. “Sorry Logan. Horrible official affairs to attend to. I thought that you and Roy might want to get more acquainted while I’m out…”
“So you woke me up!? What bloody time is it!?” he was still shielding his face from the light.
His sister blinked owlishly. “I donno, really. Suppose it’s nearly noon.”
Logan growled again, but he had no excuse not to be awake. Stumbling out of bed, Logan retreated into his dark closet, and came back out a few minutes later in a loose shirt and pants. Still combing his hair, Logan beckoned his sister over.
“Sister, get that new butler… Hobs, or something. Get him to make some tea… or something.”
She smiled. “Jasper’s back for today. He promised to help you with Roy if you had any troubles.”
Logan paused and glared in puzzlement at his innocent-looking sister. He tossed his comb across the room and straightened his shirt. “Very well, then. Get Jasper to make some tea.”
Still smiling, the Hero nodded as she buttoned Logan’s shirt. “I thought as much. I already told him to bring you tea when you were up and about!”
As if on cue, Jasper came into the room, a tea tray balanced skillfully on his hand. He smiled at the two siblings who stared at him quizzically. “Ah, master Logan, I see you’re awake now!”
Logan and the Hero quickly recovered. Logan cleared his throat officially. “Oh, good, you brought the tea.”
The Hero gave Logan a playful shove. “Of course he did silly! Now how ‘bout you give good ol’ Jasper here a proper welcome back!”
Jasper put up his hands. “I must decline, m’lady. I’m not too found of hugs.”
Logan nodded, blowing at a strand of stray hair. “Right then, welcome back Jasper.”
Jasper bowed slightly. “Good to see you in one piece, sah.”
He turned to the Hero. “Would you like to bring young master Roy in for some tea as well? I’m sure he would like a biscuit or two.”
She clasped her hands together delightedly. “Of course! What a splendid idea! I’ll be back in a minute, you two play nice.”
When she had left, Jasper poured tea for him and Logan. Sipping daintily, he inquired, “So, her majesty asked you to watch over the young Prince?”
Logan nodded, sipping at his tea as well. “I’m just as confused as anyone about why she chose me, my friend. But who knows what goes through the head of a Hero.”
“Indeed. Walter’s been spending a lot of time with the little tyke. He thinks the boy possesses Hero-like qualities. Perhaps one day our young Prince Roy will be a hero, just like his mother, eh?”
Logan frowned slightly. “Hmm yes, let’s just hope he doesn’t need to start another revolution.”
Jasper sighed sadly. “It all depends on how long we’ll last when the Crawler attacks.”
“My sister said she and Walter suffered from the Crawler when they traveled to Aurora. I only wish I could have shielded her from such an ordeal.”
Having finished their tea, Jasper began to gather the dishes. “Yes, but I do believe you will have the choice to shield young Roy from the Crawler, do you not?”
Logan was silent, a thoughtful scowl on his face.
Jasper stood. “I’ll go and take these to the kitchen. Sah.”
Logan nodded distractedly. “Bye, Jasper.”
Not long after Jasper left, the door opened again. Roy came toddling in on his clumsy toddler legs. The Hero came in right behind him, smiling fondly as she kept the Prince from falling.
Logan smiled and held his arms out. Roy stumbled into them, gurgling happily. Logan chuckled and tossed Roy in the air. He squealed with pleasurable delight and was caught once more in Logan’s arms.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? Aren’t you? Aren’t you?” Logan tickled Roy’s chubby baby tummy. Roy wriggled and chortled, amused by the baby voice Logan was using.
The Hero smiled as she placed her crown on Roy’s head. It titled to a sharp angle, covering his eyes. He reached up with his chubby hands, gurgling as he removed the crown and held it out to Logan.
“Dat!” he said gruffly.
Logan looked up at the Hero, unsure what to do. She had her arms crossed, still smiling.
“He’s giving it to you. Go on, take it!”
Logan held the crown as Roy let go. He beamed at the infant. “Thank you! Yes, thank you, thank you!”
The baby voice made Roy chortle once more, covering his face with his hands. He then held them out, grasping the air. Logan gave the crown back, and Roy flopped backwards, staring at his mother upside-down, offering the crown back.
As the Hero placed the crown on her head, Roy laughed.
“Shank yoo!” he squeaked.
Logan and the Hero laughed. Logan stood, holding Roy upright. Lifting him above his head, Logan placed Roy on his shoulders. “You wanna see your mama in da throne room, yes? Yes?”
The Hero frowned. “I don’t think—”
“Yes! Yes yes yes!” Roy bounced upon Logan’s shoulders, clasping onto Logan’s figure for balance.
The Hero stared at Logan a second, before smiling again. “I guess it’s settled then. Come on, don’t want to be late do we?”
“Yes!” Roy giggled.
Logan laughed. “Haha say no. No.”
Roy held up his free hand. “No!”
Logan and his sister laughed. “Okay, let’s go.”
Logan walked behind his sister as they made their way to the throne room. He held Roy on his shoulders, holding a conversation with his small nephew. Logan was given some wary and even some hateful looks, but no one could help but smile at Roy.
“We go frone oom?”
“Yup, we’re going to the throne room.”
“Mama go frome oom?”
“Yes your mama’s going to the throne room also.”
“Logee go frone room ahso?”
He laughed. “Yes silly! I’m going to the throne room also!”
“Waler go frone room ahso?”
“Walter’s already there.”
“’Ready theh?”
“Yes, Walter’s already in the throne room.”
“Oh. I nah know dat.”
“Quiet now,” the Hero said, placing a finger to her lips. “We’re nearly there.”
Roy leaned down and looked at Logan, a chubby finger to his lips.
“Shh. Nearry dare.”
Logan held his free finger to his lips too. “Shh.”
Roy’s eyes grew wide, and he kept silent, finger unmoving.
The Hero entered the throne room. Walter’s voice boomed out. “All rise, for the queen of Albion!”
Roy whispered excitedly. “Waler dare, Logee!”
Logan smiled. “Yep, let’s go inside.”
As everyone watched the Hero head to her throne, Logan and Roy slipped into the room, heading towards the far back corner. A guard saw them and opened his mouth to protest, but Roy held a finger to his lips and shushed him. The guard gave Logan a wary glance, but didn’t stop them.
Roy began bouncing and whispered excitedly in Logan’s ear. “Look Logee! It’s mistah Revah! Can I say hi, Logee?”
Logan smiled mischievously. This made Roy grin. “Go ahead, nice and loud so he hears you!”
Roy waved exitedly, whispering loud enough for Reaver to hear him from across the room. “Hi, mistah Revah! It me, Woy! How’s beeznus?”
Reaver glanced back and caught sight of Roy. He smiled his charming smile. “Why, hello master Roy! Business is good, thank you for asking.”
Roy pointed to Page, his eyes wide with innocence. “Is dat miss Page ova dare?”
Reaver nodded. “Why yes, yes it is. Why do you ask?”
Roy cocked his head. “Can you tell hah I sed hi, mistah Revah?”
Reaver bowed. “Of course, master Roy! How could I refuse?”
Reaver turned to Page and smiled. “My good friend, the young Prince Roy, says hi.”
The Hero beckoned to Logan. “Could you bring the Prince up here, brother?”
Logan lifted Roy off his shoulders. Roy held onto his finger with his hand as they walked up together. There was some nervous and some rebellious muttering from the assembled crowd as they saw Logan, but he was totally intent on helping Roy to the throne and didn't notice.
Roy placed a hand over his mouth and giggled, then waved to everyone he knew.
“Hi Waler! Hi miss Page! Hi again mistah Revah! Hi Mama! Hi mistah gahd!”
The Hero held out her arms. “Come here, you!”
Roy let go of Logan’s hand and toddled into her arms. She pulled Roy into her lap, bouncing him upon her knee. Roy pointed to the left side of the throne.
“Here, Logee! Come stan ova heah!”
Logan stood next to the throne and ruffled Roy’s hair, smiling fondly. This was a new occurrence for most everyone attending, and there was a sentimental silence from even the most hateful of Albions.
It was a new beginning for Logan.