by Brandon Mull
“He thinks he’ll live,” Tanu said. “He lost a leg up to the hip and an arm just above the elbow. His armor looked shredded.”
“Why didn’t he bleed to death?” Seth asked.
“I don’t think he bleeds,” Tanu said.
“What?” Seth asked.
“My guess is he must be undead,” Tanu said.
“Like a zombie?” Seth asked.
Tanu shook his head, blotting his lips with a napkin. “No, something well beyond a zombie or a wraith. More powerful and evolved. It’s just a guess.”
“We have similar guesses among the Fair Folk,” Lomo said. “The Somber Knight is no ordinary being.”
“Does that mean he’ll be all right?” Seth asked.
“He wanted to get back to his lair beneath the city,” Tanu said. “Who knows how much he can regenerate? Time will tell.”
“Speaking of regenerating, I take it you weren’t gassy when he found you?” Seth asked.
“The potion had just worn off,” Tanu said, expertly snapping crab legs and removing the meat with his fingers. “He offered me a lift to Terrabelle. We had to leave the road at Thirsty Gulch to get here. Almost got killed by dragons. Even with just the two front legs, that bull is fast. The Somber Knight and I clung to what was left of the body, rode it like a sled. Dullion or not, that bull deserves a medal.”
Seth braced himself before asking his next question, worried about the possible answer. “What about Kendra?”
“She got away!” Tanu said. “The Somber Knight saw Raxtus rescue her after she was delivered to Celebrant.”
“That must be who the dragons were chasing,” Calvin said, “when we came here on Tempest.”
“Probably,” Tanu said. “She’s the only quarry who would have drawn that much attention.”
Seth was smiling. “Raxtus did the right thing. I was worried we had lost him.”
“It was brave,” Tanu said. “He’ll be hunted by his own kind for the rest of his days.”
“At least until we win the dragon war,” Seth said.
Tanu gave a chuckle as he spooned gnocchi onto a plate. “I like your optimism. Even if we win, Raxtus will forever be hated for what he has done. It was noble.”
“A dragon rescuing a human,” Lomo said. “Just when I thought the times could not get stranger.”
Calvin flopped down on the table on his back, his arms and legs spread wide. “I can’t eat another bite. Why do I do this to myself?”
“Don’t take this food for granted,” Seth teased. “How about some more cobbler?”
Calvin hugged his stomach and rolled from side to side. “I think I’m full to the top of my throat. Anything I try to swallow will stay in my mouth.”
“There’s always room for peach cobbler,” Seth encouraged.
Calvin closed his eyes and puffed out his cheeks. “I went beyond my limits.”
“Maybe we could fill in the cracks with some milk,” Seth suggested.
“You’re going to make me puke!” Calvin said. “It would be a lot of puke. Let me suffer in peace.”
The door opened again, and two guards admitted Creya the eagle. “You have a visitor,” the red-haired guard announced.
Creya flew from the guard’s forearm to the table and perched on the back of a chair. “I have a message from Kendra,” the eagle announced.
“You do?” Seth exclaimed, relief flooding over him. “That means she and Raxtus must have outrun the dragons!”
“Yes,” Creya said. The large bird glanced from Seth to Lomo. “The message is secret.”
“That will be all for now,” Lomo told the guards.
They exited.
“I can leave if you wish,” Lomo said. “But I am still a Knight of the Dawn in full fellowship. Inner circle. I’m incarcerated for violating our neutrality policy. That is all.”
Seth felt in his gut he could trust Lomo. Of course, he had once placed some trust in the demon Graulus as well.
“Inner circle?” Tanu asked. He walked around the table and whispered something. Lomo whispered something back. They had a few more quiet exchanges.
“He knows the right code phrases from his time,” Tanu said. “He should be safe.”
“Stay,” Seth invited.
The potion master gave a slight nod as he returned to his chair and served himself some cobbler. He took a bite and closed his eyes. “Almost worth getting dragged through dragon-infested briars.”
“Go ahead,” Seth urged Creya.
“Kendra made it safely to the Zowali Protectorate,” Creya said.
“That’s a relief,” Tanu murmured gratefully.
“She has learned how the dragons intend to win the war,” the eagle announced.
“How did she do that?” Seth asked.
“She met with a stingbulb of Patton Burgess brought to fruition by Raj Faranah,” the eagle said. “After hearing what she knew from Ronodin, he understood the plan.”
“What’s the plan?” Calvin asked.
“You know he’s here?” the eagle checked, looking at the nipsie.
“Don’t mind me,” Calvin said. “I have a food hernia.”
“He’s loyal,” Seth said.
“And on my deathbed,” Calvin said. “Tell my mother I love her.”
“An object called the Wizenstone is hidden here at Wyrmroost,” Creya said.
Tanu started coughing up cobbler and wiped his face with a napkin. “Did you say the Wizenstone?”
“Yes,” Creya said.
“That should be long gone,” Tanu said, shifting uncomfortably. “The stuff of legend. Too powerful to really exist.”
“Not according to Patton,” Creya said. “It’s inside Stormguard Castle.”
Tanu bowed his head. “Of course it is.” He looked up. “The dragons know this? Why not just leave it there? How are they ever supposed to get it? Nobody has been inside Stormguard Castle since it was cursed.”
“Patton has,” Creya corrected. “Briefly.”
“What does he know?” Tanu asked.
“Lethal defensive barriers protect Stormguard Castle all but four nights each year,” Creya said.
“The festival nights,” Seth guessed.
The eagle stretched her wings and ruffled her feathers. “Yes. On the solstices and equinoxes each year the castle can be accessed by certain individuals.”
“Who?” Seth asked.
“Let me guess,” Tanu said bleakly. “Scraped-up potion masters full of cobbler.”
“Mortals,” Creya said. “Fair Folk. And magical creatures with a human avatar.”
“So dragons can enter,” Seth said.
“Only in human form,” Creya said. “Magic is stripped from those who enter. The dragons would have to remain in human form. The Fair Folk would lose any magical talents.”
“What about nipsies?” Calvin asked.
“Any other magical creatures cannot enter,” Creya said. “Only those who can take mortal shape.”
“But I’m really small,” Calvin said. “These kinds of spells often don’t take the especially tiny into account.”
“I know only what the stingbulb told us,” Creya said. “Apparently, if the dragons get the Wizenstone, they will win the war easily.”
“And they are going after the Wizenstone tomorrow?” Seth said.
“We assume,” Creya said.
“Tomorrow is Midsummer Eve,” Lomo noted.
“What if we get it instead?” Seth asked.
“Patton thinks we could use it to win the war,” Creya said.
“This is huge,” Seth said. “We were in trouble. We didn’t know what the dragons were planning. We didn’t know how to approach this fight. Now we have a chance.”
“It’s better than nothing,” Tanu said. “Does Kendra have a plan?”
“To go after the stone tomorrow night,” Creya said. “She hopes you and Seth can help.”
“The Zowali Protectorate is a good distance from Stormguard Castle,” Tanu s
aid. “How do they hope to arrive?”
“They are currently devising a plan,” Creya said. “Access to the castle does not begin until an hour after sundown.”
Tanu scowled. “That makes it really difficult. We will be unprotected for up to an hour before entering the castle.”
“I can’t imagine there will be anywhere near the castle to hide for that hour,” Calvin said.
“We have to try,” Seth said. “If the war depends on this, how do we not try?”
Tanu rubbed his eyes and then ran both hands through his thick hair. “We must try. Meanwhile, I think I know a way to get us to Kendra.”
The prison door opened. Two guards entered, followed by two satyrs and two children. “This is our busiest night in ages,” the red-haired guard announced.
“There you are!” Knox exclaimed to Seth. “Eating dinner? Any left for us?”
Seth leaped to his feet. “Knox? Tess? Newel? Doren? What the heck are you all doing here?”
“We were trusted to watch the little ones,” Newel said. “So naturally we’ve been cast into a foreign dungeon.”
“The road from Blackwell Keep runs straight to here,” Doren added.
“We saw some dragons,” Knox said. “A few came really close to the road.”
“You drank the milk?” Seth asked.
“I knew all your VR nonsense had to be a lie,” Knox said.
“It was the best I could do on short notice,” Seth said. “How do you like my sanctuary?”
“Your sanctuary?” Knox asked.
“Well, I’m the caretaker,” Seth said. “The guy in charge. Me and Kendra.”
Knox gave a scoffing laugh. “Right. That’s why you’re in a dungeon.”
“I really am the caretaker,” Seth said, looking to the others.
“True,” Tanu said.
“He is,” Newel affirmed. “We could have told you that.”
“Seth and Kendra are the caretakers,” Creya said.
“The talking bird!” Tess said.
“Nice to see you again,” Creya said. “I’m a golden eagle.”
“You must be the worst caretaker ever,” Knox said.
“That’s possible,” Seth replied. “I haven’t been on the job very long, and the dragons have already declared war. And I guess I did end up in a dungeon. Wait, why are you even at Wyrmroost?”
“We came through the barrel,” Tess said.
“Do Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson know you’re here?” Seth asked.
“They know we’re at Wyrmroost,” Knox said. “I came without permission. Tess tagged along.”
“I’m surprised they let you leave the keep,” Seth stated. “Do they know you came to Terrabelle?”
“We came to save you,” Doren said.
“You brought Knox and Tess to save me?” Seth asked. “They are so new here! They have no clue!”
“There were reasons,” Doren said. “There is a murderer loose at the keep. The barrel to Fablehaven is missing and possibly sabotaged. And Tess is our key to roaming free at Wyrmroost.”
Tess pivoted at the waist, swinging her cloak from side to side. “I have my fairy queen robe.”
“It’s actually a cloak of innocence,” Newel said. “It offers enormous protection if worn by someone new to the sanctuaries who has broken no rules and means no harm.”
“And you came here without permission,” Seth said. “Grandma and Grandpa are going to skin you alive.”
“We had the cloak, and we stayed on the road,” Knox said.
“We had help from the lion bird,” Tess said.
“We ran into a griffin on the road,” Newel said. “One of the ones that went looking for you but was forced out of the sky by dragons. He was heading back to the keep, but he agreed to carry Knox and Tess here. On foot, of course. Paws and claws, not wings. Doren and I ran.”
“We’re good runners in a pinch,” Doren said.
“I don’t want to do that again soon,” Newel said. “My sides got sore.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever sweated so much,” Doren said. “Not even when Newel and I play tennis.”
“I’m glad you got here safely,” Tanu said. “These are very foolish times to explore the sanctuary.”
“We weren’t exploring,” Knox said. “We were on a rescue mission.” He looked around. “Where is Kendra?”
“She’s with the talking animals,” Seth said.
“The eagle can talk,” Knox said.
“They have a whole territory,” Seth said. “Kendra is there. And we need to get there. Or I need to get there.”
“You want to leave this city?” Knox asked. “Have you seen the girls? They’re almost as pretty as the ones in Texas.”
“Almost?” Seth asked.
“Yeah, pretty close,” Knox said.
Seth rolled his eyes. “You should stay, then. I bet a bunch of them want a thirteen-year-old boyfriend with a basketball full of fake signatures.”
“That’s okay,” Knox said. “I want to help get Kendra. My job is only half done.”
“You’re not saving me,” Seth said. “I’m fine.”
“In a dungeon is not fine,” Knox said. “You were lost, and we found you.”
“And we rode a lion bird,” Tess said. “It’s been a good day.”
Seth looked at Tanu. “What do we do?”
“I have an idea that could get us to the Zowali Protectorate,” Tanu said.
“How many of us?” Seth asked.
“As many as want to come,” Tanu said.
“I’m interested,” Lomo said, “if we can break out.”
“Are any of the doors here locked?” Seth asked.
“The outermost one,” Lomo said. “Security is lax.”
“This whole dungeon is weak,” Knox said, looking around the comfortably appointed dining area. “The Fablehaven one looked more legit.”
“The food is excellent, though,” Tanu said, patting his belly.
“I’ll talk to the chef,” Lomo said, rising. “He’ll prepare some sustenance for you newcomers.”
“I like how this guy thinks,” Newel said.
“Get him on the team,” Doren advised. “Are these cream puffs?”
“Where has this dungeon been all my life?” Newel asked, smelling the cobbler.
“Shall I take a message back?” Creya asked.
“No,” Tanu said. “We’ll need you. I must have words with the chef as well. I have a potion to brew.”
Shrunken Chances
“Seth, wake up.”
Jolted out of sleep, Seth sat upright with his fists clenched to find a goat standing by his bed. Seth relaxed and stared at the animal through squinty eyes. A quick taste of walrus butter revealed the goat to be Newel.
“Scary dream?” the satyr asked.
“Tough week,” Seth said. “Lots of running for my life.”
“Ready for more?” Newel asked. “Come on.”
The satyr left the room. Seth slid out of bed and slipped on his boots. Returning to the dining area, he found Tanu, Lomo, Newel, Doren, Calvin, Creya, and Knox already there. Knox looked newly awakened, his eyes puffy. He wore his hair short on the sides and longer on top, and right now the longer part was disheveled and matted.
“What time is it?” Seth asked.
“Maybe an hour before dawn,” Lomo said.
“I did the quick and dirty version,” Tanu said, indicating a bowl of beige fluid on the table. “It should shrink us, though.”
“To my size?” Calvin asked hopefully.
“A little bigger than you,” Tanu said. “Strong stuff, though. Three or four inches.”
“What if the bird just eats us?” Knox said.
“I don’t eat talking creatures,” Creya said. “Ask our rodents.”
“We can trust Creya,” Lomo said. “Her reputation precedes her.”
“You’re coming?” Seth asked Knox.
“Sounds like you need all the help you can get,” Knox said
.
“Are you an expert with cursed castles?” Seth asked.
“Are you an expert dragon fighter?” Knox countered.
“I killed one with Kendra,” Seth said.
“Really?” Knox asked, surprised.
“A poison one,” Seth said.
“Well, maybe you have some experience, but you had to start someplace,” Knox said.
“True,” Seth said. “Do you get that you might die? We all might.”
“Not me and Newel,” Doren said. “If magical folk can’t enter the castle, no use in us tagging along. We’ll watch Tess.”
“Keep her safe through Midsummer Eve,” Seth said.
Newel winked. “We’ll hole up here. Eat dungeon chow.”
“I might try for a life sentence,” Doren said, patting his belly.
“You may get in some real trouble if Dalgorel determines you helped me escape,” Lomo said.
“We’ll play dumb,” Newel said.
“It’s a specialty,” Doren added.
“Anyway, I’m in,” Knox said to Seth. “If you can take this risk, so can I.”
Seth shrugged. “Your funeral.”
“The brew I made will shrink our clothes,” Tanu said. “But no items. And no magical clothing. And certainly no magical items.”
“My clothes didn’t shrink last time I used a shrinking potion,” Seth said.
“Tiny naked Seth Breath,” Knox said with a smirk.
“It’s more complicated to get the clothes to shrink,” Tanu said. “But I had dragon parts to work with. Superior ingredients.”
“My sword?” Seth asked. “It could be useful.”
Tanu held up two small drawstring bags. “Creya is our ride to the Zowali Protectorate. She will carry two bags.” He held up one. “This one is normal. We’ll ride in it.” He held up the other. “This one was just loaned to me by Lord Dalgorel. It’s an extradimensional bag.”
“Like the knapsack we used to have?” Seth asked.
“Yes,” Tanu said. “The inside of this little bag is the size of a large trunk. We can bring anything that will fit through the mouth.”
Seth retrieved his sword and the vial of horrors and put them inside the magical bag. He removed his fleet boots and stuffed them in as well. “They’re magical,” he explained. Lomo added a sword.
“I already included some of my gear,” Tanu said. “Lord Dalgorel reluctantly let me store many of the dragon parts I collected in an ice house here.”