Fragments, Chapter 3

King Bowser's persistence in taking our princess for himself has turned her homecoming speeches into something of a tradition. I could never count how many hundreds of Toads squeezed themselves into the castle courtyard each time, but it was always quite the sight from my seat on the dais - a sea of speckled caps, the brightly coloured spots of those in their prime, intermingled with the darker browns of us elders.

Princess Peach looked exhausted as she stood at the lectern, but she'd insisted on not breaking with that tradition - to recount Mario's heroic achievements at rescuing her from the beast's clutches, and to reassure everyone that their kingdom was, once again, safe. Toads like tradition, and that is why, perhaps, I felt so uneasy, right then.

For one thing, Luigi did not attend. I hadn't seen him since they'd come back the night before. Minutes before we were due to walk out onto the dais, Mario announced that Luigi had a strong headache, and was in bed, sleeping it off. A simple explanation, perhaps, but it didn't help me feel any better. Secondly, this was the first time Mario had provided the material for the speech, and I'd been anxious to read it before Peach went ahead with delivering it. It didn't say much, but then Mario isn't one for dwelling on details. All things considered, my assistant had done a good job in turning Mario's blunt words into something that read like a regal announcement. Most of all, though, in an unprecedented move, Peach had asked for Mario to stand beside her as she addressed her subjects, something that not only unnerved me, but kept the crowds twittering for longer than she'd perhaps anticipated.

Still, when she raised her eyes, the courtyard fell silent.

"Thank you, everyone, for a warm homecoming." Her voice faltered; she cleared her throat. "This has been a terrifying experience, for everyone. For me, for Mario, and not least, you, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. During our terrible adventure, we witnessed a great evil at work. You have seen and suffered its effects - the void that threatened to take everything. While I..."

I thought she was going to faint. I saw Mario tense, ready to catch her, but she leaned forward with her arms on the lectern, and took a deep breath.

"While I was away, every kingdom and province on Mushroom World faced total destruction. Since my return, I have been told how enormous holes appeared in the sky and swallowed parts of our kingdom away, along with thousands of our citizens. But the destruction of our world was just a small part of a master plan to turn the entire universe into chaos. I can reassure you now that the evil that caused the void has been destroyed, and the majority of its effects have been reversed. I have always had faith, that you, the people of the Mushroom Kingdom, have the strength to endure the greatest hardships, and come through winning. While I was away, you proved just that. I am proud of you all."

The princess looked up from her script in response to cheers and applause. Mario stood still, and stared at his feet.

"As our missing citizens continue to return, I am asking you all to stay vigilant. King Bowser had nothing to do with the void, but while we are still recovering from the aftermath, there is every chance he may take advantage of our weaknesses and strike." She cast a frightened glance at Mario before continuing. "I hope you will understand when I say that today's celebration has been postponed. But I promise we will celebrate, when the last of our people come home."

The crowd murmured, but I could see nods of understanding ripple through them. Yet Peach was shaking. For someone normally so defiant, it seemed almost as though she were giving in to the constant threat of Bowser's abductions. I could understand it if we didn't have Mario. But he was there, standing right next to her. It didn't add up. If we'd been weakened by the void, then Bowser's kingdom would have been, too. Why was she so certain an attack was imminent? No, something else had changed. Something that not even Mario could undo. Whatever it was, I suspected it had something to do with Bowser. I had to know what it was.

After she wrapped up the speech and smiled and waved to the crowds, we followed her back into the relative privacy of one of the drawing rooms. Peach sat down, while her attendants fussed around her, but Mario headed for the door.

"I want to check up on Luigi," he said, "if that is okay with you."

With a nod from Peach, he left the room. I felt compelled to follow but with my princess feeling so vulnerable, I didn't want to ask.

"You're free to go, too, Toadsworth," she said, "if you don't want to stay."

"Thank you, your Highness." I tried not to sound too delighted. I dawdled towards the door, giving Mario enough time to clear the study beyond it. The study itself was a small room compared with most of the others and after crossing it, I stopped and listened, counting his footsteps up the stairs to the guests' quarters.

When I knew he'd be out of sight, I pulled the door open and with my cane lifted so I'd make no sound, I slowly climbed the stairs after him. With my old legs not being as strong as they once were, I feared that my panting and puffing would have made more noise than if I'd leaned on the cane. But as I reached the top I spotted Mario at the other end of the corridor, still unaware that I was following him. He hesitated, his ear against Luigi's door. Then he stood back and looked over his shoulder. I pressed myself into a shallow alcove and peeped out as far as I dared.

Mario reached into his pocket, pulled out a key and unlocked the door. I adjusted my eyeglasses. Had I just seen that correctly? The keys to the guest rooms were always kept on the inside, for privacy. What was Mario doing with Luigi's key? What reason would he have to keep Luigi locked in his room?