by Brandon Mull
Caretakers Wanted
The silence stretched out for a long time. Kendra didn’t know how to respond.
“I get it,” Seth finally said. “This is a joke. Very funny.”
Nobody cracked a smile.
“I think they’re serious, Seth,” Kendra said, her stomach queasy.
Seth looked around the room. “Us? The official caretakers?”
“Co-caretakers, along with Celebrant,” Grandpa Sorenson explained.
Seth failed to resist an enormous smile. “No way. Really?”
“Really,” Agad said.
“Take a picture,” Seth said. “This is the best moment of my life.”
“Are you crazy?” Kendra asked her brother. “Do you get how dangerous this will be?”
“Do you get how in charge we will be?” Seth asked in reply.
“Of one of the most dangerous magical sanctuaries in the world,” Kendra said. “At a time when the dragons are attempting an uprising. Right after witches warned you of dragon storms, and a demon warned me about a new age of dragons.”
“Life is full of problems,” Seth said. “We’ll be inside Blackwell Keep. We’ll be protected.”
“Exactly how protected will they be?” Grandma Larsen asked.
“Blackwell Keep and their status as caretakers should grant all the protection they require,” Agad said.
“Until Seth goes adventuring in the mountains,” Kendra said. “He’ll hear about some treasure and wander off.”
“Exercising self-restraint would be critical,” Agad said.
“He has none,” Kendra said. “Zero. The sanctuary will fall in minutes.”
“I get how huge this would be,” Seth said. “I’d never do anything to endanger the sanctuary.”
“Like how you’d never do anything to endanger your cousin?” Kendra asked.
Seth placed a hand over his heart. “I’ve made some mistakes and learned my lesson. I promise I’ll keep the rules. I’ll only go where I’m allowed.”
“I don’t believe this,” Kendra murmured. “Will we have help?”
“Your Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson have offered to come as your assistants,” Agad said. “The Larsens would watch over Fablehaven. Blackwell Keep has a skilled, experienced staff, and Marat would remain as an additional assistant caretaker.”
Seth dropped to his knees, his expression stunned. “A dragon as my assistant? Yes. The answer is yes. With or without Kendra. Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“This works only if both of you come,” Agad said.
“Isn’t there somebody else?” Kendra asked.
“Nobody I can fully trust,” Agad said. “Most of the great old wizards of Dragonwatch have passed on or are actively engaged at other sanctuaries. And wizards have never been plentiful. Remember that all wizards were once dragons. If I send a wizard there whom Celebrant can turn, the sanctuary falls and hundreds of dragons are released. True dragon tamers have become so rare. Few can resist a full measure of dragon fear. You are the only candidates left whom I know I can trust.”
“So we’re your last choice,” Kendra rephrased.
“You’re so young,” Agad said sadly. “I wish I had another option. We really are in a crisis. I would not be here otherwise. If you can’t step in, Marat will hold out as best he can.”
“Please, Kendra,” Seth said. “We have to do this. The world needs us.”
“You just want to be in charge of Wyrmroost,” she replied.
“The world needs me in charge of Wyrmroost,” Seth declared.
“The world is doomed,” Kendra muttered. She looked to Grandpa Sorenson. “You want us to do this?”
“The choice is yours,” he said. “I don’t want to convey a false sense of security. A preserve like Fablehaven is a perilous place. Being caretaker comes with a host of dangers. Doing the job well can expose you to greater threats. A dragon sanctuary like Wyrmroost is a hundred times more deadly. The preserve is larger. The politics are more complicated. The occupants are more powerful. And with the dragons in a state of unrest, it is not someplace I would let you go if we had any other option.”
“But . . .” Kendra prompted.
Grandpa Sorenson shrugged. “If the dragons get free, the world could be destroyed. It could mark the end of life as we know it. If sending you and Seth to Wyrmroost prevents the sanctuary from falling, it would be safer than keeping you here. Safer for you. Safer for everyone. But the choice is yours.”
Kendra tried to will the knots in her stomach to loosen. It didn’t work. After the battle of Zzyzx, she had found great relief in believing the worst of her troubles were over. She had relished the relatively quiet months at Fablehaven since the demonic crisis had been averted. She had begun to anticipate the path the rest of her life would take.
And here was a new detour. A big one. Maybe a fatal one. She would be in way over her head. She would have to depend on her brother, who had better intentions than ability when it came to coloring inside the lines. And if they messed up, the whole world would pay the price.
But doing nothing might be a more certain path to destruction. Agad needed her help. Her grandparents would not agree to this unless the situation were dire. Kendra had risked her life at Zzyzx to save the world. If she was needed again, and nobody else could do it, what else could she say?
“All right,” Kendra said, already wishing she could take it back. “Can any of our other friends come? Bracken, or anyone?”
By the pain in Bracken’s gaze, Kendra knew there was a problem.
“In time, yes,” Agad said. “As we settle some of the issues elsewhere, we can send some of your friends to aid you. Right now, they are engaged in a variety of critical missions. Warren and Vanessa are working together in one location. Tanu in another. Maddox and Trask in a third. I mustn’t be too specific.”
“In case we get captured and they try to torture it out of us,” Seth said.
“Something like that,” Agad admitted.
“And Bracken?” Kendra asked.
“I’m sorry, Kendra,” Bracken said. “There is a situation where I’m needed.”
“An old enemy,” Agad said. “Ronodin.”
“That sounds familiar,” Kendra said.
“A dark unicorn who willfully corrupted his horns,” Bracken said. “My cousin.”
“Your cousin?” Kendra exclaimed.
“Ronodin is helping the dragons at Soaring Cliffs,” Agad said. “Nobody on site has any idea how to handle him.”
“I spoke with Mother about it,” Bracken said. “She insists I go after him. There may not be anyone else who can stop him.”
Kendra had no words. What was she supposed to say? Forget the stupid evil unicorn and come protect your . . . what? Your future girlfriend? Assuming no dragons eat her.
“A dark unicorn,” Seth said reverently. “That sounds intense.”
“It won’t be pleasant,” Bracken said. “But it’s something I have to do. I’ll come to Wyrmroost as soon as I can. If you end up going there.”
“Oh, I’m going,” Kendra said stiffly, trying not to cry. She couldn’t cry. They would be the most embarrassing tears of her life. “I’ll be all right.”
“At least you’ll get to see Raxtus again,” Seth said, trying to cheer her up.
The thought was encouraging. The son of the Dragon King was the only nice dragon she had ever met and a real friend. They had been through a lot together. She hadn’t seen Raxtus since he had visited Fablehaven shortly after the battle of Zzyzx. “True.”
“Mother plans to link the new fairy realm to the fairy shrine at Wyrmroost,” Bracken said. “I’ll make sure she does it immediately. That way I can visit right after I finish at Soaring Cliffs.”
Kendra nodded. “You’ll be careful?”
Bracken flashed a confident smile. �
��I’ll see you again in no time.”
“I will work to send additional help and to find a replacement caretaker,” Agad said.
“Once you see us in action, you won’t want a replacement,” Seth assured him.
“Perhaps,” Agad said. “It’s not a sure thing you can have the job.”
“Wait, you make an offer, then take it back?” Seth complained.
“I lack full power to bestow the position,” Agad said. “Even if Marat steps down, Celebrant can veto the new caretaker. The Dragon King would then have a year to nominate a replacement. Marat can veto any replacements Celebrant suggests. If after a year no agreeable candidate is found, Marat can assign anyone and Celebrant cannot block it.”
“Does Celebrant know that having us as caretakers could make Blackwell Keep more secure?” Kendra asked.
“He may suspect it,” Agad said. “He may not. But he will not casually reject placing two children as caretakers in place of Marat. Even though the two of you have accomplished much in your young lives, he will see your inexperience as an opportunity. And it will be. Talented or not, I would never assign anyone as young as you two to oversee any preserve, let alone a dragon sanctuary, except as a last resort.”
“We get it,” Seth said. “We’re your worst-case scenario. You’d rather have some old guy take over. We’ll still do it. What are the chances Celebrant will veto us?”
“If for no other reason, I suspect Celebrant may approve you to save face,” Agad said. “Dragons are extraordinarily proud. And not without reason—they are where the food chain stops, the ultimate alpha predator. Celebrant wouldn’t wish to seem afraid of anyone, let alone children. But nothing is certain.”
“If we become caretakers, could Celebrant keep us from leaving?” Kendra asked.
“Not directly,” Agad said. “But remember, he could refuse to instate a new caretaker for up to a year. After you are appointed, if you leave without finding an approved replacement, Celebrant would become the sole caretaker and the sanctuary would fall. He would have authority to free all the inhabitants of Wyrmroost.”
“When do we start?” Seth asked.
“Are you both sure you want to do this?” Agad asked, his eyes on Kendra.
“I don’t see any other choice,” Kendra said.
“Weak,” Seth said. “Come on, you killed the Demon King at the most intense battle ever. We can do this.”
Kendra felt Bracken’s eyes on her. She straightened. “You deserve a firm answer. If taking charge of Wyrmroost will help keep the world safe, I’m in.”
“That’s more like it!” Seth cheered.
“But is there a place we can keep him tied up?” Kendra asked, jerking a thumb at her brother. “Some sort of spell to prevent him from sneaking out?”
“I’m afraid that, as co-caretakers, you will both have the authority to do as you will,” Agad said. “Hopefully you will remember the gravity of the situation and heed the guidance from your grandparents and Marat.”
“I won’t let you guys down,” Seth promised.
“That will have to suffice,” Agad said.
“When do we start?” Seth asked again.
“I intend for you to depart immediately,” Agad said. “Time is short. I have already been away from Soaring Cliffs for too long. Bracken will accompany you at first to interview the staff. Call it a surprise inspection. Then Bracken will join me at Soaring Cliffs.”
“Are we flying there?” Kendra asked, recalling her previous visit to Wyrmroost. “Do you have a helicopter waiting somewhere?”
“No helicopters,” Agad said. “But I have a barrel.”
“Wait a minute,” Seth said. “I know we’re your last choice, but come on!”
“A special barrel,” Agad clarified. “And a surprise companion. This way.”
The wizard opened the doors and led them out of the study. Bracken approached Kendra and placed a hand on her arm, holding her back. The others exited.
“Are you all right?” Bracken asked.
Kendra showed her best impersonation of a smile. “This is all so sudden. I wish you could stay with us.”
“Me too,” Bracken said. “Ronodin is an old enemy capable of causing a lot of harm. He hasn’t surfaced in a long time. I have to go after him.”
“I understand,” Kendra said.
Bracken placed both hands on her upper arms. “None of us want this for you. It isn’t right. You’re so young and you’ve already been through too much. But your abilities as a dragon tamer are invaluable right now.”
He was standing close. Soon he would be so far away. “I’ll miss you,” she managed to say.
“I’ll miss you too,” he said, hugging her. “More than you could possibly know.”
He felt so good. He was so present. Would he really be gone soon? Would she really be trying to hold off a dragon rebellion without him? “I’d rather stay like this,” she said.
Bracken stepped back, his eyes tender. Then he reached behind him for something and held it out to her. It was his first horn. “I want you to take this,” he said.
“What if I lose it?”
“We’ll find it. Very few enemies would be able to steal it. Do your best to keep it safe. I had all but lost my connection to the horn when the centaurs had it. I’ve reestablished that connection. Among other things, it will allow us to communicate.”
Kendra accepted the pearly horn. It gleamed in her hands. “Thank you.”
“We better catch up with the others.”
In the living room they found Seth had grabbed his satchel. He stood investigating a man-sized wooden puppet with a smooth, featureless face. The wood looked a bit darker and more polished than Kendra remembered, but the joints of the simple human form were all still connected with brass hooks.
“Look, Kendra!” Seth said. “Mendigo!”
“You fixed him,” Kendra said to Agad, breaking into a smile. The automaton had once been a limberjack—a small wooden puppet that danced on a paddleboard. But the witch Muriel Taggert had grown the limberjack and animated him. Mendigo had been through many adventures with Kendra and Seth, finally getting dissolved by dragon poison at Wyrmroost. But they had salvaged his hooks and some splinters of wood, and Agad had apparently remade him.
“Not too difficult,” Agad said. “I just needed some time. I thought you might appreciate an extra hand at Wyrmroost.”
“What about Hugo?” Seth asked.
“Our golem is so vital to operations here,” Grandpa Sorenson said. “Plus he would have to shed a lot of size to squeeze through the barrel.”
“This barrel shares space with a barrel at Wyrmroost,” Agad said. “If you go inside and crouch down, you will be in both places at once. If you climb out on your own, you’ll still be here. But if somebody on the other side helps you out, you’ll be there.”
“We had a bathtub like that,” Seth said. “It connected to the Rio Branco preserve.”
“Still does,” Grandpa Sorenson said.
“Time to say your good-byes,” Agad suggested.
Grandpa Sorenson climbed into the barrel. For a moment he crouched inside. Then he vanished.
Kendra hugged her Grandma and Grandpa Larsen.
“What will you tell Mom and Dad?” she asked.
“A version of the truth,” Grandma Larsen said. “We’ll explain it was an emergency that only you two could help with. We’ll downplay the danger without lying.”
Seth hugged Grandma and Grandpa Larsen as well.
“Tell Knox and Tess good-bye,” Kendra said.
“We will,” Grandpa Larsen said. “Take care. We’ll pack some things for you and send them along.”
Grandma Sorenson climbed into the barrel.
“Do you want to go next?” Kendra asked Bracken.
“I come last,” Bracken sa
id. “Agad wants me to be a surprise. Be ready. If I detect a spy among them, it could get violent.”
Seth hopped into the barrel. A moment later Kendra found it empty. She waved one last time to Grandma and Grandpa Larsen and then climbed inside and crouched down.
A strong pair of hands slipped under her arms and lifted her out.
A New Beginning
Seth watched the brawny minotaur set Kendra on her feet beside the barrel. The bull-headed warrior wore an eye patch and had the silky, chestnut hair of an Irish setter. Seth never tired of seeing monsters; to his delight, most of the individuals who stood in a long line to greet them fit that description.
They were in a courtyard surrounded by gray stone walls. The blocky buildings of the modest castle had small windows and few doors. Under the gloom of an overcast sky, the fortifications looked ancient but sturdy.
The one-eyed minotaur lifted Mendigo from the barrel, and the puppet clattered over to stand near Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson. Bracken was pulled from the barrel last of all.
An Asian man shuffled forward, his long black goatee streaked with white. He had a shiny bald scalp and calm eyes that seemed to contemplate Seth without looking directly at him. His elaborate scarlet robes were generously embroidered with gold. A circular medallion hung from a golden chain around his neck, set with a single blue gemstone.
“Welcome, Kendra, Seth, and other guests,” the man said in a soft, clear voice. “I am Marat, current caretaker of Wyrmroost in partnership with the Dragon King Celebrant.” He gestured at Bracken. “I believe you are the unicorn?”
“That’s right,” Bracken said. “Your brother thought you might like me to meet your staff.”
“Indeed,” Marat said with a small smile and a slight bow.
“We weren’t informed of this,” complained a grim being who looked like a centaur, except with the body of a moose instead of a horse. Several scars defaced his brown skin, the most prominent beginning below one ear and curling halfway across his throat. Seth had heard of the alcetaur of Blackwell Keep but had never met him. Most of Seth’s previous visit to the keep was spent as a stowaway hiding inside a magical knapsack.