Marian took a bite and nodded. “How much rage is in this one?”

“Hardly any. And they’re on sale. Three for five dollars.”

“Lovely. I’ll take three.”

Susie used a spatula to scoop up the brownies and slip them into a paper bag. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” said Marian.

“Have a nice day. Hail Caleximus.”

“What was that?”

“Save the whales.”

“You said that earlier,” said Marian.

“Don’t you like whales? Why do you hate whales?”

“I don’t hate whales.”

“Good, because we love them,” said Susie. “Their blubber will serve to light our lord’s way as he wipes clean all life and hope from the surface of this accursed world.”

“Well, as long as the baby seals will be all right.”

“The seals are fine. Everybody likes seals.”

Marian took her brownies and put them in a Brown Star woven tote bag. “Thank you. Have a nice day. Good luck with the scourging.”

“Thank you. Be sure to tell your friends. We’ll be here all weekend.”

As Marian went back into the Farmers Market, Steve came over. He was wearing a white apron and a chef’s hat with DELICIOUS DESTRUCTION on it in a light green cursive font.

“How are things going, hon?”

“Just terrific. Making money hand over fist. Though, you know, that last woman, I don’t know if she believed we’re one of those tree-hugging groups.”

“Just remember that we have deep concern for the environment. We want to destroy it. Burn it to ashes and salt the Earth with mortal tears. It might not be the kind of environmental plan Greenpeace has, but they’ll be screaming in boiling bile soon, so all we need to do is keep going until we can get back the summoning box.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Anyway, she liked my lemon bars and the butterscotch brownies.”

Steve put an arm around her. “You’re a terrific saleswoman.”

“How are the others doing?” Susie asked.

“Real well. I’m glad you talked me into having one last sale. We’re pulling in cash and everyone is having a good time.”

“And isn’t that what Armageddon is all about?”

“That’s the way I learned it,” said Steve. “Say, have you seen Caleximus’s silver blade? We want to cut up some accursed fudge bars and I thought it might be fun to make a little ceremony out of it.”

“I think Jerry has it,” said Susie.

“Great. Thanks.”

“Talk to you later.”

Steve walked over to where Jerry was putting a couple of virulently blighted blueberry scones into a plastic container for a little girl in a Smurfette T-shirt. The girl ran to her parents and waved at Jerry. He waved back as the family took their infernal pastries to one of the outdoor tables for a snack.

“Hey, son,” said Steve. “Your mom said you might have Caleximus’s dagger.”