CHAPTER 30
Winter in Paris felt warmer than summer in Siberia. Billy couldn’t believe almost a year had passed.
He sent a greeting as he descended to his great-uncle’s estate outside Paris. A few hundred English quads, from an original battalion of one thousand, occupied the barn. They spent the last several months moving coin to England while George got used to his new leg. Billy wanted to make a big deal out of their official return, so he asked them to fly back as a group just before the first anniversary of King Richard’s coronation. George came out to meet him, while his wife and thirteen year old son waited outside their front door.
"You've done well for yourself, uncle," Billy concluded after looking around. "Not many gay men have beautiful wives."
"Marie developed a crush on me after our first great victory saving Paris. A thousand quads can really influence a battlefield. The French had no idea we were coming." He laughed. "Neither did the Mongols! When the French discovered we were all unpaid volunteers, well, the appreciation was overwhelming. The king's young niece seemed infatuated with me, and I needed protection against the inevitable rumors, so I let the king marry us and grant us this estate. I never dreamed I’d have a son that looks like me. Thank goodness for alcohol. Until he turned four, I assumed he was not mine.”
“You were willing to raise someone else’s child?”
“Well, I never expected to have kids, yet I cannot deny her children. It’s bad enough her husband is gay. I’m shocked she’s stayed faithful. I’ve told her to find someone discreet. She is, after all, French. She has been wonderful to me, and I’d do anything to make her happy.”
“Would another child make her happy?” Billy asked quietly.
George gripped Billy with surprising strength that really hurt. Even with one leg, George was still a warrior.
“Sorry, uncle. That was out of line.”
“You’re too young to think of such things.”
“Actually, Susan’s great-granddaughter, Emily, already gave birth to my first baby. My dad ordered me to have as many children as possible, as soon as possible, so the Mongols cannot exterminate our line.”
George groaned sadly. “Marie actually told me to give her more children, or she’ll return to the front lines. They both got wounded during that Mongol offensive a year ago. I can’t sleep when she fights. Somehow, her death scares me whereas my own does not.”
“Ask her, then. No one else need ever know.”
“Then why do I want to shove my wooden leg up your ass?”
“I don’t know, uncle. Maybe you’re gay.”
Marie and George Jr. embraced Billy.
"Wow! The Red Baron!" Junior couldn’t believe the Baron would spend the night in their home. His neck looked burned and he held his arm funny. "All of Europe is talking about you. Can I get a video with you doing your dance? Please?"
Billy laughed, popped into the air, and showed his four burning wands while his mother recorded her son in the background.
"I know some ladies who’d like to meet you, Mr. Baron," Marie said with a knowing smile.
"I’m flying with you to England tomorrow, but if they look anything like you, then I'd love to meet them tonight."
Marie laughed, hugging her gay husband. She still loves him, Billy realized.
Once inside, George gathered them close. "We have a family secret to share with you, but if you tell anyone, the Mongols will kill us. Remember the stories of my niece, Elizabeth? This is her only child, Billy. The queen and my brother John murdered his father, so Billy killed them and put my brother Richard on the throne."
The news stunned them. The Red Baron took off his helmet to reveal a thirteen year old orphan. They both looked disappointed, and once again it pained Billy to look his age. His baby face shined through his facial scars.
"How can you be the Red Baron?" Junior demanded. “You’re no older than me.”
“You’re a week older, actually.”
"But the Baron is old. We’ve all seen the videos.”
"That was my father, who was a real baron in Prussia. Our family used to rule Bohemia.”
“Tell them about the gold,” George begged Billy.
“Oh. I gave George a ton of gold because he helped my parents meet. The rest of his team split several tons so they won’t return home broke."
Marie interrupted. “A ton of what?”
George laughed. “Gold, my love. We are officially a toner.” Meaning they were worth a ton of gold.
Billy dumped his backpack at their feet. “I’m also giving away ten gold kilos to every blood relative. I had them specially re-melted.” He took out a golden cube and lifted it into his cousin’s arms. It weighed him down like a guilty thought.
“This weighs more than my armor!” little George said, rejoicing rather than complaining.
Marie still couldn’t believe their change in fortune. Just a year ago they were all about to die. "You’re a prince, again?"
"Yes. My brother is king and my lands have been restored. All thanks to Billy."
“Try these,” Billy said to Junior, handing him a set of powerful wands.
The boy popped up in the air and fired his hand wands four meters out.
“These are amazing. Where did you get them?”
“I took them from a dying Mongol millennial. They are yours on the condition that you practice every day. The lives of your family may depend on it.”
Marie caressed the gold block like a baby’s face. She looked ready to cry.
"I fought without pay, so we've accumulated a bit of debt," George informed Billy with classic English understatement.
"Marie, I’ve started a body armor factory in England. Uncle George has agreed to operate it for ten gold kilos a year, if you are willing to move to London.” She squeezed him so hard he could barely breathe. "You are now Lady Marie, King Richard's sister-in-law, while you, cousin, are Sir George, the king's nephew."
“How can I ever repay you, Billy?” a joyous Marie asked.
“I’m sure you and Uncle George will think of something,” Billy answered cryptically, looking hard at the gay husband.