Bone, Vol. 9: Crown of Horns

By Jeff Smith

Thorn is called to wake, rat creatures seen running in droves, a little Thorn in a cave, someone stating to run, and also instructing how to bar them as long as possible. Fire can be seen through little Thorn's eyes as they're all about to attempt escape as rat creatures are said to be coming into the courtyard. Then, Fone is seen gently trying to waken Thorn as she dreams and mumbles to her mother of where they were heading. Next, younger Lucius states for the group to follow Briar to her sister, they meeting "Mother", and all traveling til hearing rustling behind them, feeling they are found.

1 of them offers to take Thorn, and she's led to the Red Dragon. Thorn is told where she's going, reaching out, as RD licks her front, up to her neck, affectionately. Thorn follows RD, til he hears Rat creatures and tells her to go to the cave. When they reach it, he allows her to ride his back as they see more dinos, they all looking at something. RD asks Thorn to step up and look, she seeing nothing at first, then thinking she sees a waterfall.

Thorn next changes into a young adult and looks royal, and holding a sword. RD believes she may have seen everything, she turning when hearing her mother. She sees her make signs with her hands and tells her to quickly search for the crown of horns. Then, her eyes are open as Fone asks if she's up.

Thorn asks what had gone on, Fone reminding Tarsil's men had beat them up and stuck them in a dungeon. She then shares of having her same dream with the exception of seeing her mother's face this time. She also mentions still not knowing what the dragons are trying to show her. She's remembering how they'd ended up in there when she realizes 1 of her teeth is loose, she popping it out.

Fone winks at her showing his own missing tooth, the 2 hugging and Fone comforting of getting out. Next, Rose is watching the enemies approach from the ramparts til seen by some guards who don't recognize her at 1st til she punts 1 guy off the side. The others pledge loyalty to Rose before they hear a shout for Atheia to give up, or die. Tarsil calls out to them of who they are, Briar IDing herself as rightful heir of Atheia.

Briar adds of her army being protected by the Lord of the Locusts, so they hadn't a hope to win. Tarsil doesn't take this though, which Briar isn't surprised being met with his indifferent to scare tactics, he showing his face and stating he'd fought dragons, and it looked it. When Briar lifts her hood with her clawed hands, she looks like the unscarred Tarsil, laughing and mocking him. Briar flies at Tarsil and slices him with her sword, facing them and looking like Gollum, again.

Briar shouts for everyone to attack and GB shouts for the men to set fire to the buildings closest to the wall, and to block the gate. She orders the archers to also push back any ladders popping up with their spears. GB can be seen by Briar around the fighting rat creatures, smiling. Back with Thorn, she states of hearing what sounds like the war.

Fone then starts shouting for the guard, and Smiley replies. When Fone asks if Phoney's with him, he moves Smiley to talk through a hole, saying the guards'd left when the fighting began. Fone makes how real the trouble they are in when reminding no one knew where they are. To keep Phoney calm, Fone comes up with the idea of claiming to know where the treasure is as Thorn starts feeling pain, stating the Locust is closer.

Thorn next starts looking for a way out due to remembering to focus looking for the crown of horns. Meanwhile, GB is helping fight the rat creatures on the ramparts, still. Soon, GB orders her men on, and the 1's with the eye symbol must decide who they're fighting with. Begrudgingly they join forces only to fight through the rat creatures, GB losing many of them as she led.

GB's soon being held down by more soldiers. Thorn is trying to pry a bar from their window loose. Fone reminds how they were told by the Council not to pursue the crown, but Thorn believes her mother from her dream. Fone next deduces of Thorn possibly destroying herself if she succeeded in gaining the crown of horns, since the locust is a part of her.

Fone begs she not resort to it, so she tearfully agrees, he also helping now to get out. Taneal then calls from the barred window and relates of her bro helping their cousins next door. Then Taneal states of leaving temporarily for soldiers gathering in the courtyard and she'd be hiding, and for them to stay silent til she came back. Whilst she's gone, Thorn has another attack, Taneal returning with her bro and the cousins.

Thorn isn't breathing, so Smiley takes over breaking the bars, and when Taneal mentions Tarsil being killed, and GB being overtaken, Thorn comes to, and breaks through the bars, looking for the gate. GB is stubbornly holding the men off still, til 1 threatens to chop her head, they interrupted by a blue spirit popping up above her. The soldiers flee in fear, and GB turns to see Mermie doing her magic. GB then is told by her teacher of they losing Thorn, but she fighting her way across the parapet til Mermie is seen helping her, GB finally spotting her, and the 2 reuniting warmly.

Mermie's visions help drive more away, and then GB notices Briar must also be calling them, wondering her reason. Then, they all see the stars go red, Thorn sad to say they're only going out for them, due to ghost circles coming down on the city. RD tells princess-looking Thorn to look at the light again, but she can't see anything. RD states of dragons ruling earth when dreams hadn't fully left the waking world, and it was new.

The 1 dragon is Mim, a queen and keeper of every dreamer. Mim held her tail in her mouth to coax dreams, encircling the world. As long as she does this, balance'd remain, and the dreaming world'd blossom. Mim oversaw the dreaming and cared for everyone in peace, until the locust 1 day isn't pleased.

As a nightmare creature and not having a form, he could only stay in the spirit world. The locust decides to take a body so he could go to the waking world, but chooses Mim, driving her crazy, and putting everything out of balance. A huge rumbling starts and Thorn gets a vision of Briar in a volcanic area. Fone is calling to her as she sees a crown explosion, GB next ordering the soldiers who approach to get her to the armory, but now the Vedu wanted to talk terms and wouldn't let anyone in there, so GB agrees to anything for the urgency.

The Vedu don't trust GB's word, since Tarsil died with where the treasure was hidden. A huge aftershock occurs, and they see a dark mushroom cloud with claws coming out of it. As GB is dealing with them, Phoney states to Fone of having a plan, due to knowing where the treasures at and they could all escape for home, but Fone can't think of considering this at such a time. When GB's teacher states of the people's fears getting out of hand, Thorn declares it's too late to stop the Locust from entering.

Phoney and Smiley return to the well, and Phoney waits as Smiley grabs the cart, he acceding to allow Bartleby to tag since Smiley insisted due to he still being but a child! Back with Thorn, she tells of the Locust's new host not being her. Thorn explains what she'd seen in her dream being of the Locust reentering Mim and coming with a huge swarm of locusts. GB worries about Lucius as she knew the path is destroying all as Mim came closer, Fone worried about themselves.

Smiley and Phoney get a view of what's in the 1st chest Phoney pulls up, jewels and gold coins popping out. Phoney instructs they hurry as GB and Thorn are climbing back down the ladder, and see the rat creatures running back at them. Meanwhile, Phoney thinks he's got everything planned out in case he had to bribe their way out, and Smiley worries about Fone showing up. The old man who got jacked is yelling at the gate to be let out, seeing Phoney and grabbing at his cows which have led his cart.

The OM topples the hay cart, Bartleby gets seen, and as Smiley tries to help him escape, Phoney is trying to save his treasure. The OM tries to stop Smiley from escape, he hit on the head as Bartleby climbs the ladder. Smiley and Phoney follow along with soldiers, and reach GB on the ladder, so she lets Bartleby make his way up til Fone sees the nonsense Phoney'd gotten the 2 into. The bickering between Phoney defending his treasure locating skills leads Thorn to ask if he could detect the crown of horns, Fone surprised she is still after it.

Phoney throws him a loop next when actually providing an answer which pisses off Fone, since Thorn'd now try to go to Tanen Gard. As Fone declares he won't be keeping his promise to Phone of returning with them when Phoney asks, Thorn has moved off the ladder. When Fone reaches the parapet again, he sees Thorn had made a long jump which Bartleby offers to jump him to, so they leave a protesting Phoney behind with Smiley. GB sees Bartleby and Fone giving chase before she must help the farmers defending a certain side of the gate, going off with her teacher, as Phoney and Smiley look on at Fone and Bartleby.

Fone and Bartleby spot Thorn in a rubble part of town lifting a sword from a dead fella, Bartleby retreating before the rat creatures could accost them, and Fone seeing Thorn jump into a ghost circle. As the rat creature leader orders for retreat, Fone decides they should follow to see if they meet Thorn on the other side. With Thorn, she's talking herself into standing and walking, another voice assuring she doesn't have to travel far. When Thorn regards the speaker, she ID's as Tear Rahjan, a farm girl who got trapped in a ghost circle with her family.

More come out of the area and plead for her help as they relate of the Locust spotting her location, and for her to escape before he punishes them by turning the place to ash. Bartleby and Fone make it past all the rat creatures quietly as they see Thorn popping out of a ghost circle and fly right into Fone. Torn points out the coming storm with Mim's approach and how they'd have to take a shortcut to get to Tanen Gard before the storm reached where they are. GB is readying the soldiers to open the gate at her command.

It is done, and Smiley is about to hold back with a rod one of the rat creatures being stabbed at, when he recognizes the 2. GB sees the rest of the enemy survivors retreat again, and orders repairs to the gate for barring shut once more. GB then turns to see Phoney let his sword go when he sees blood on it, leading her to ask if he'd prefer going home. She reveals a hidden tunnel which got them past the ghost circles and to the mtns to Boneville.

GB has Phoney answer fast on if he wishes to leave, and he stutters of having to get his cousins. GB confirms this is a proper response and is making sure. This dumbfounds Phoney with her test, she then leading him to a secret passage by moving a boulder to see her sis Briar. Fone, Bartleby, and Thorn are slowly making their way through the rocky pass.

Thorn is 1st to spot a buddy of Fone's laying in their path, Rock Jaw asleep. So, Fone asks if they should turn back, but Thorn urges they go single file, but he sees Fone. Thorn is about to attack with sword when Fone instead has her quiet, and gets Bartleby to walk to them, RJ's eye closing again. They run on and reach the plateau, seeing the path to Tanen Gard, but also the army in their way.

Briar obv knew what they are trying, so now Thorn is game-planning, Fone not digging the decision, but following Bartleby to start their distraction. As the 2 walk, Bartleby is 1st to see Thorn is directly walking toward the army, Fone shocked, again. They watch as the army takes notice, start running at her as she starts flying at them, then up to the mtn. As Bartleby and Fone are climbing, they are next noticed, Fone feeling spurned for being left behind and climbing onto Bartleby when he urges they follow her, then.

They reach the opening hole to Tanen Gard, Bartleby wanting to come, but too scared, so advising Fone to be careful for dragons be angry. Smiley is making a quiche for the prisoners and tells GB's teacher so when he asks why he isn't watching them. What's worse is he knew they had a food shortage, and still is doing this, explaining when demanded. Smiley thinks if the rat creature prisoners are fed stupid well, and are allowed to escape, they'd tell the other rat creatures they could last a long war, so'd want to give up.

The teacher allows it, and watches Smiley implement it. The rat creatures fall for it quick, since not eating since the ghost circles opened. 2 kids next come in to inform the teacher of a big cloud and something moving in it. 1 boy states of Queen Rose not being found when the teacher asks, so they all go out to the gate, and the rat creatures see the quiche just out of reach on a barrel.

GB and Phoney are nearing the split in the tunnels, so tells him to be quiet when he asks if this is a good plan. GB shows him the path leading to the mtn, the 1 to Tanen Gard, and leads him toward the 1 leading to Briar where hopefully Lucius and back up waited. Phoney reminds of why they weren't letting Fone and Thorn snuff out the locust with the crown of horns, GB laying into him on what awaited Thorn and Fone if the dragons fought them, so Phoney'd come with her to stop Briar or die in the attempt. Meanwhile, Fone is traveling to locate Thorn through caves, then shouting her name upon spotting her running, but he gets swept up in a wash of water.

Fone is washed into a ravine area, and can't get out, calling to Thorn, and then hearing and at 1st seeing who he thinks is Bartleby, til more rat creatures stare at him. GB leads Phoney directly where Briar and many rat creatures waited, Briar sharing how she'd always be a step ahead. Briar's been hearing the Locust since she was a girl, and it made 1 feel like the smartest, she also knowing what Thorn is up to, and doesn't think she'd make it. Thorn is walking through the tunnel and hits an icy bottom, walking forward, but then hearing and seeing a large rat creature.

Kingdok states Thorn must go past him if she wishes to touch the crown of horn. Fone finally makes his way out of his hole and sees the rat creatures heading in 1 direction. So, to get to Thorn before them, he urges himself to jump to a lower bridge. Thorn is telling Kingok to let her by, but he wants a fight to the death.

Thorn asks why, since the Locust had turned on both of their peoples. Kingdok reminds her of his slave status and either he died or she would. Thorn attempts peaceful passage, but Kingdok admits to murdering her parents and eating her mother whilst she lived. Thorn looks pssed, but then states of having to touch the crown, and tries to dash past, KD catching her ankle and tripping her.

When Kingdok takes a good chomp on her thigh, she stabs him in his brow. KD falls, and she's stuck trying to reach out to the horns. Back with Briar, it's announced the Locust has arrived, she bidding Rose farewell. She tries to slice her with her scythe, but Rose is quick, turning her around, and Phoney runs to the cave.

Fone discovers Thorn trapped by KD's tooth, and states of having to hurry, for rat creatures are chasing him. Thorn shares of attempting to touch the wall for it being the crown of horns, so Fone tries 1st, also having the Locust within him, but nothing occurs. Thorn confesses she'd taken out his part of the Locust when he'd gone through the ghost circle, the rat creatures then catching up. As Rose is fighting off Briar, Lucius and Wendell with the Vedi join in, which distracts GB, and Briar slashes her.

When Briar goes for a 2nd hit, laughing hysterically, Lucius body slams her from behind. Fone and Thorn are trying to get his Locust piece back, but since the rat creatures are running at them, Fone holds Thorn's hand and tries touching the gold wall, again. This time, big reaction which affects Briar like a lightning bolt. Fone doesn't see how close the rat creatures have come to him, he seeing a bright light as he floats closer.

It greets him before he's pulled on by Thorn, stating they couldn't go in this direction or they wouldn't be able to return, so she leads him back. Outside with GB, the Vedi are celebrating for the retreating rat creatures, and 1 hooded Vedi asks GB if she needs treatment, but GB is informing a fallen Lucius of the kids locating the crown, tearfully. Fone is being coaxed awake by Thorn, telling of the dragons coming from everywhere, hece they're retreat. Fone quickly uses the sword Thorn points out and gets her leg loose of KD's tooth.

Thorn tries to get Fone to leave her, but they move forward til she passes out. RD offers Fone put her on his back, coming from ahead of them and warning how pissed off the other dragons are. RD moves them to the far side of the opening, and Fone sees the mad rush of dragons pouring through. RD shoots them to the entrance where Bartleby waited, he running alongside them, but moving off when they realize the dragons are crashing their way through the mtn, directly behind RD.

GB is told of the funnel cloud still moving, despite their victory with the Locusts, she realizing Thorn is right of Mim's approach, so warns the rest to prep for her arrival. GB is about to get Lucius moved, but Wendell reminds her hes passed, so turns to the Pawans and rat creatures surrounding and coming at them. 1 of the Vedi informs GB of seeing the RD, which she then notices the fracture in the earth behind them as he ran. Ted the bug catches up with Fone's status as RD runs, and tells them where GB is, RD changing direction to help her out.

Immediately, RD flame-spits the enemies away from GB, she helps Thorn down as RD advises the group to hang tight, and the fury of dragons split the Earth, and out toward Mim's mouth. Soon, she's covered by all the dragons turning her red to green in color. Mim next flies into the entrance to Teren Gard, everyone watching silently. Then, Phoney walks through asking why they aren't fighting and brought reinforcements.

Fone is called by Thorn for GB becoming weak from her wounds. Next Phoney and Fone are shown in the gates of the city dressed like officials and standing with some Vedi. Fone and Thorn's teeth both had been fixed with a piece of the crystal from the horn, and Phoney is being told to be quiet as they're watching Thorn being crowned Queen of the Valley. GB is seated next to a Snow White-looking Thorn, Smiley telling Phoney to chill, since Fone doesn't have to decide to return to Boneville, yet.

They would return to Barrelhaven 1st, but Phoney doesn't let it lie, since he knew Fone is tempted to stay, and help Thorn. Smiley puts Phoney in his place for once, since they all plan to go bury Lucius in Barrelhaven, so Phoney agrees to wait for Fone to decide and to support his decision because he loved him. Smiley tells Phoney to pep up as they prepare to walk behind the cart GB and Thorn are getting in. Phoney complains the weather too chill to walk, and before setting off, Taneal runs to give Thorn a dragon prayer stone for luck on their travel back.

Taneal also tells Fone of carving 1 of he and Bartleby which'd be ready when he got back. Fone is grateful and humbled, hugging her goodbye. Before they start, Thorn gives the Bones choice to ride, but Phoney, downcast declines in preference of walking "a while". Then, 1 of the Vedi offers him the fallen hay cart he'd come in on, Phoney agreeing and thanking the hooded fella, the trio boarding and following Thorn's cart.

As they're riding, Phoney gets squirrely looking through the haystack, locating his treasure and now hyped about leaving. The group had taken 2 days to travel Old Man's Cave, and are now going through a forest Phoney tripping out over not making it before snowfall, but no flakes having fallen, yet. Wendell and Euclid meet them on their path, the 2 explaining how Euclid got out of a ghost circle when it moved. Wendell then shares how they are meeting them due to a couple rat creatures being spotted in the area, Smiley wondering if it's their boi prisoners, admitting they aren't terrible.

GB agrees if it's the 2, they were most likely harmless and hungry, but they'd be wary. Wendell then quietly greets Lucius in his coffin, and lets them know everything is prepared for Lucius' burial. The small group gets it done, and goes indoors. As Thorn sits near the fireplace with Fone, the townspeople who woke out of ghost circles bring her offerings of their crops.

Wendell chats to GB of Thorn's adjustment to royalty, and how she had the best advisors with her teacher and Mermie. She also tells of hoping to discover Tarsil's treasure for the importance it served to the community, making Phoney antsy to leave. Smiley reminds him Fone still had time to decide, since they are headed for the farmhouse, so Phoney grudgingly replies Fone better get on with it. Wendell offers GB to stay, but she respectfully declines in order to see the farmhouse again before returning to Atheia.

The group then acknowledges Phoney's paranoia of being snowed in right before he shares of seeing a snowflake, the group hearing a thump, and see outside the snow had fallen altogether. Fone and Thorn return to the farmhouse with the winter solstice tree, Smiley excited to put his prizes under it. Thorn then suggests they play some instruments for the festivities, Smiley joining in as GB dances. Fone prepares a plate and goes out into the snow, calling out and 2 rat creatures jumping out declaring Fone's death.

Fone then shows the hot quiche and they chill, letting Fone go despite not getting the yearly holiday, and not caring, for the quiche is their focus. Spring hits and Phoney is on top of it, yelling for everyone to get up and leave. When Phoney gets inside, he tells Fone he better know what he wants, Smiley tempting him with home foods, GB talking of the power he'd have if he stayed, but Fone knowing his decision. Fone solemnly states to Thorn of going home to Boneville, which she knew due to seeing him pack his bag.

She supports his choice, ofc and GB has Phoney hook up Bessie the cow, so they could tag with them to the pass. They're crossing the fairly quick river and Phoney has to remind Smiley to mind their chests falling out, they then hearing a noice in the forest they were heading toward. They all prepare with spears, when they hear Ted and RD show themselves. RD leads them all through the forest to the desert.

Smiley happily shows Bartleby where they're headed, Phoney excited, as well. Fone farewells GB, then RD and Ted, RD advising how to stay on path. Thorn next gives Fone a pack of biscuits and honey, hoping he'd decide to come back with her. They do the last farewells with all, and Phoney mentions having more than enough supplies, which GB takes note of, and Smiley confides how GB'd helped dump out the treasure to fit bread thingies, she then giving him the gold coins he'd stamped his face with for their worthlessness, Smiley giddy-yapping them on.

A short time during travel, Phoney says he doesn't even like bread thingies, but asks for 1 when Fone says it's all they had. Smiley asks for a gold coin as payment, which Fone supports, since they're in the desert and what choice did he have. Back in Atheia, Taneal's statue of Fone with Bartleby, and RD who's hidden under a side, stands in the city with flowers around it.

This story is SO damn worth it! It cleans up nicely, and definitely give the emotes. Each character develops in the way they should, felt no awkward moments which didn't fit the story. I'm also glad Smith knew when to end it, and it serves greatly!