by Brandon Mull
“What does that mean exactly?” Seth asked.
“I can get no more specific,” the Diviner said. “You have all the direction I can currently offer.”
“Can we see you again?” Seth asked.
The Diviner stared off into the distance for a moment. “The way out of here is simple. Follow the blue carpet. If you should find me again, you will. If you should not, you will not. Let that supply what peace it can.”
Tess sat cross-legged on her bed, watching the light of dawn bleed into the sky. She knew if she crawled under her covers, she could probably fall back to sleep. But she felt eager for a new day, and she was enjoying the cool tranquility of the early hour.
Yesterday morning, a fairy had come to her window. Her name was Nina, and she had streamlined yellow wings, unusually sparkly. They had played for a time, and Nina had promised to return this morning, but Tess saw no sign of her.
Padding over to the window, Tess rested her arms on the sill and leaned out, conscious of the tremendous drop to the ground below. She saw no fairies.
Tess got dressed, then went out to the sitting area that separated her room from Knox’s. She crossed to Knox’s door and opened it just enough to see he was still sleeping beneath the covers. Closing the door and backing away, Tess retrieved the card she had made the previous evening and decided to seek out Emery, the beautiful servant who attended their group.
After unlocking the front door of their suite, Tess peeked into the hall. Emery stood talking with Raza. Tess felt strange remembering they both were dragons. Marat had looked nothing like a dragon in his human form, so she knew it was possible.
Emery waved at Tess, said something to Raza, and came her way. “Up early again?” Emery asked.
“I made you something,” Tess said, trying not to feel shy.
“Let me see,” Emery said, approaching and accepting the card.
Tess had drawn a picture of a dragon reading to a little girl. THANKS FOR THE STORIES was printed in all caps. Tess knew the art was imperfect, but she hoped the characters would be recognizable. “That’s you and me.”
Emery’s eyes widened, and Tess thought that tears might have glimmered for a moment. “Is this why you asked for colored pencils yesterday?”
“I wanted to thank you,” Tess said. “Would you tell me more stories?”
“I am here to serve you,” Emery said with a little curtsy. Her long black hair was pinned back in a complex style Tess had never seen. “Would you care for breakfast?”
“Sure,” Tess said. “Could I have eggs again?”
“Scrambled with cheese?” Emery asked. “Toast on the side?”
“Yum,” Tess said, following Emery to the dining room shared by all the companions except Kendra.
“What would you like to hear about?” Emery asked as she tied on an apron.
“Yesterday you told me about the different giants,” Tess said. “How the night giants and the hill giants protect the gentle giants. And how the sea giants almost went extinct. And how the sky giants used to live in a floating kingdom.”
“Good memory,” Emery said.
“What was it like being a dragon?” Tess asked.
Emery paused, an egg in her hand. “Dragons are a difficult topic for me. Too many painful memories.”
“Sorry,” Tess said. “It seemed interesting.”
“It is very interesting,” Emery said, cracking another egg into the pan.
“Why is this sanctuary called Titan Valley?” Tess asked. “Are there titans here?”
“There is one actual titan,” Emery said. “The father of the Giant Queen.”
“How big is he?” Tess asked.
“Much bigger than the Giant Queen,” Emery said. “But he has slept for centuries.”
“Where does he sleep?” Tess asked.
“In the Valley of the Sleeping Giants,” Emery replied.
“Are there many sleeping giants?” Tess asked.
“It’s hard to be sure,” Emery said. “Some can be clearly identified. They are the servants of the titan.”
“Are the servants big?” Tess asked.
“You tell me,” Emery said, leading Tess to a window. “See that ridge out there? Do you see how it kind of looks like an old man lying on his back? Hands on his chest? Feet poking up? See his face in profile? His nose and chin?”
“It does look like a man,” Tess said.
“He is Pietro, one of the sleeping giants,” Emery said.
“He looks bigger than the Giant Queen,” Tess said.
“Don’t say that too loudly,” Emery cautioned. “But yes, he is. Most of the sleeping giants are larger than the queen.”
“Is he made of dirt and rocks?” Tess asked. “He has trees and bushes on him!”
“The sleeping giants have slumbered so long that they are merging with the landscape,” Emery said. “Some claim they are long dead and will never awaken. Others maintain the sleeping giants are merely dormant and may someday rise again.”
“Where is the titan?” Tess asked.
“I’ve heard that the titan, Garocles, slumbers in a vast cavern at the far end of the Valley of the Sleeping Giants. He hibernates on a huge slab by the blue light of an eternal flame.”
“Does he look like a giant?” Tess asked.
“An enormous giant in a white toga,” Emery said. “The sky giants pattern their dress after him. He is technically the Dragon Slayer of Titan Valley, though none of us have ever seen him active.”
“Can he wake up?” Tess asked.
“Only the Giant Queen knows.”
“Can I go see him?”
Emery shook her head. “None are allowed in the Valley of the Sleeping Giants, let alone into the titan’s shrine. It is sacred ground for the giants.”
“I bet it isn’t sacred to dragons,” Tess said.
“I would rather not speak for the dragons,” Emery said. “As for myself, I think it is best to let sleeping giants lie.”
“Probably smart,” Tess agreed.
“Your eggs are ready,” Emery said, using a spatula to slide fluffy scrambled eggs onto a plate beside two pieces of wheat toast.
“I’m not sure I can eat so much,” Tess said.
“Eat what you can,” Emery said. “Through the eyes of a giant, it is a miniscule portion, so any waste will seem small.”
Knox sat at breakfast with the satyrs, munching a crisp piece of bacon, hot and crunchy, the way his dad made it. For some reason his mom and sister liked their bacon less done, a little chewier.
Newel took a long sip of apple juice and wiped his lips with his hairy forearm. “This is the life. I hope we’re exiles forever.”
“It really is the only way to travel,” Doren said. “I’ve never had servants. Doesn’t take long to grasp the appeal.”
Knox forked a fragment of pancake and used it to mop up some of the excess syrup on his plate. “Doesn’t it make you a little nervous that breakfast was made by something that could eat you for breakfast?”
Newel glanced toward the kitchen. “Emery? In her dragon state, I wouldn’t want to come within a hundred miles of her.”
“She knows our names,” Doren observed. “And we sometimes get a little bossy.”
“You were the one who wanted french fries in the middle of the night,” Newel accused. “I was content with those leftover croissants.”
Knox lowered his voice, eyes on Emery, who was washing dishes. “I have a feeling that if this preserve falls, we will have some really furious dragons on our hands,” he said. Did a small, knowing smile bend Emery’s lips? If so, it vanished as swiftly as it came.
“For now, we’re just following instructions,” Newel said. “Don’t forget, they’re serving us, but they’re also spying for the Giant Queen.”
“Doesn’t hurt to be courteous,” Doren murmured. He raised his voice. “Emery, these pancakes are a dream come true. And the bacon! I ate twice my normal helping.”
“I’m glad you enj
oyed the food,” Emery said.
“Can I help with the dishes?” Doren asked, clearing his plate and utensils.
“Please, no,” Emery said. “Allow me the privilege of doing my duty.”
“Sorry I asked for those french fries the other night,” Doren mentioned.
“Ask again,” Emery said. “Make your wishes known, and I will endeavor to fulfill them.”
“This is the life!” Newel mouthed.
Warren poked his head into the dining room. “Meeting at Kendra’s. We’re receiving assignments.”
Knox wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’m not getting left behind,” he said.
Newel looked at him with a deadpan expression. “We have very different goals.”
The three of them rose from the table and hurried down the hall. Knox found Tess, Vanessa, Tanu, Warren, and Kendra ready and waiting.
“The Fairy Realm has fallen,” Kendra announced gravely.
“What?” Tess exclaimed with a gasp. “How?”
“We’ve gotten word the Fairy King let Ronodin in with a bunch of dragons,” Kendra said. “The dark unicorn stole the crown from the Fairy Queen, so fairies are now under his command.”
“What about satyrs?” Knox asked, glancing at Newel and Doren.
“I’m offended,” Doren said, folding his arms.
“Ronodin is now technically our king,” Newel said. “We’ve never paid much attention to those protocols. Maybe a little on holidays. He has no practical power over us, but the fairies are a different matter.”
“The fairy explained that satyrs are more loosely bound to the crown,” Kendra said.
“Can he mess up your fairykind status?” Tess asked.
“The fairy didn’t think so,” Kendra said. “Except I may not be able to give fairies orders anymore.”
“This is horrible news,” Newel said. “If we keep losing ground, what will be left?”
“We have to fight back,” Kendra said. “Warren, Tanu, Vanessa, and I are going to the Dragon Temple to recover the Harp of Ages. It can put dragons to sleep.”
“I’m going too,” Knox said. “Final answer. I have spoken.”
“We need you to lead a different mission,” Kendra said.
“Lead?” Knox checked.
“You, Tess, and the satyrs must go to Humburgh and find Seth,” Kendra said. “Knowing you guys are taking care of that problem will allow us to raid the Dragon Temple.”
“How far away is Humburgh?” Knox asked.
“Too far to walk,” Kendra said. “But we have friends in high places who will smuggle you there through the same passage the Giant Queen uses. It will take a matter of minutes.”
“We know Seth is in Humburgh?” Newel asked.
“We suspect he is,” Kendra said. “It is a large town, and this will be a challenging job. If you find him, he might not be happy to see you.”
“I’ll do it,” Knox said. “I was worried you were going to give me busywork or something. Finding Seth is the main reason I came here. You can count on me.”
“And as long as Knox takes full responsibility, we’re in too,” Newel said.
“I really want to see Seth again,” Doren said. “Even if his memories are wiped.”
“I’ll go too,” Tess said.
“Good,” Vanessa said. “Your sensitivity to magic will be an asset there.”
“There are other pressures to worry about,” Tanu said. “The Perennial Storm will hit Titan Valley within a day or two.”
“Are you kidding?” Doren exclaimed.
“I wish,” Tanu said. “It’s a magical storm of unfathomable power.”
“I know,” Doren said. “I remember cowering in a shelter during the Perennial Storm years ago. My uncle Igor disappeared in that storm.”
“We have reason to fear Ronodin has plans against Titan Valley,” Vanessa said. “He earned the Giant Queen’s favor and was here not long ago.”
“And we got news this morning that Polar Plains has fallen,” Warren said. “The more dragon sanctuaries fall, the more Titan Valley becomes the main target.”
“And the more dragons can join the fight,” Tanu said.
“When do we put this plan into action?” Knox asked.
“Now,” Kendra said. “Gather whatever you want to bring. Warren, Tanu, Vanessa, and I will see you off, and then we will depart as well. We’re out of time.”
“I was just beginning to worry today would be boring,” Knox said.
A steady breeze flowed from the west, sometimes gusting enough to make the flags and banners along the street flutter and snap, or even to blow off hats. Seth made his way down the avenue alongside Virgil, with the invisible presence of Reggie nearby.
“Are there magical barriers or sensors that could block Reggie from getting inside?” Seth asked.
“He is technically part of somebody who resides in the coliseum,” Virgil said. “I don’t see how anyone could protest his entrance. With him traveling formless, the hardest part for the guards might be detecting him in the first place.”
“Worst-case scenario, I still have my pass from the rabbits,” Seth said.
“I doubt you’ll need it,” Virgil replied.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside today?” Seth checked.
“You’ll be working behind the scenes,” Virgil said. “I think my time would be better spent trying to get Calvin an audience with Sable.”
“Excited, Calvin?” Seth asked.
“I don’t have words to explain it,” Calvin said. “Today could be the day I have dreamed of for years.”
“I have a good feeling about it,” Seth said.
The avenue delivered them to the plaza, where crowds were beginning to gather in the morning light. Seth felt jealous of a woman taking a bite of a baked apple dusted with cinnamon. Without warning, a hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind and whipped him around. The grip squeezed as Seth looked up at a dignified older man with steel gray hair and a close-cropped beard. He wore a chain-mail shirt and carried a broadsword.
“Celebrant,” Seth said.
The hand on his shoulder tightened painfully, making Seth crouch a little and arch his back. “Do not utter my name,” Celebrant demanded through lips that barely moved.
“Lighten up or I’ll shout for help,” Seth replied through gritted teeth.
The grip remained firm but stopped being painful.
“You’re still after the stone,” Seth surmised. “You were there in the castle after . . . I forgot myself.”
“You also still hunt the same prize,” Celebrant accused.
“I just want my memories back,” Seth said. “Wait a minute—back at Stormguard Castle, you mentioned somebody who lost an arm.”
“Now two arms,” Celebrant said.
“Her fault,” Seth said. “She tried to kill me. She’s a dragon too?”
Celebrant nodded toward somebody, and a powerful man with a ponytail of brown hair seized Seth by the upper arm. Celebrant kept a hand clamped on his opposite shoulder, and together they marched Seth away from the plaza.
“Wait a minute,” Virgil said, stepping in front of Celebrant.
The Dragon King briskly shoved the satyr to the ground and kept walking.
“Help!” Seth shouted, but before he could call out again, the man with the ponytail covered his mouth. Seth thrashed, but the men holding him were too strong.
Shall I intervene, Master? Reggie asked.
“Yes,” Seth yelled as best he could into the palm over his mouth, jerking his head in a nod.
The guy with the ponytail lost hold of Seth and sailed through the air, landing in a tumble. Celebrant launched sideways, bouncing and sliding over the cobbles of the plaza, bowling over a young couple who had been holding hands.
“Stay on them,” Seth called as people cleared away from the supernatural fight.
“Get him, Kerzian,” Celebrant ordered.
The man with the ponytail charged at Seth but
seemed to collide with an invisible wall. He barely had time to register his surprise before he was hurled backward, his body skipping a long distance over the cobblestones.
Celebrant regained his feet and faced Seth, hand on the hilt of his sword. “You are making the wrong enemies, whelp,” Celebrant threatened.
“So are you, grandpa,” Seth replied.
As Celebrant started to draw his sword, his legs lurched sideways, and he slammed down violently, the metal of his sword and armor ringing against the timeworn stone.
“Prevent those two from following me,” Seth instructed. “Then come find me.”
Consider it done, Reggie replied.
Seth hurried swiftly toward the nearest of the arena entrances. Virgil came up beside him. “Sorry I was little help back there,” the satyr apologized. “I’m not much of a fighter.”
“It’s all right,” Seth said.
“It’s almost too bad you can’t keep Reggie in his present form,” Virgil said. “He’s quite powerful.”
“He deserves to be restored to his body,” Seth said.
“It’s true,” Virgil said. “I’m going to give you some space. I’ll watch with Calvin until you’re safely through the entrance.”
Seth took his place at the end of the line, trying not to look over his shoulder too much. He half expected to see Celebrant or Kerzian shoving their way through the crowd, but neither of them materialized. Seth scanned the area with his shadow-charming senses and soon perceived Reggie drifting his way.
They gave up, Reggie communicated once he drew near.
“Stay vigilant,” Seth murmured.
I am, Reggie assured him. They are heading off in a whole different direction.
“They may be back,” Seth whispered.
I’ll remain alert, Reggie promised.
Seth tried to relax as the line inched forward. He felt like he was doing a horrible job of hurrying away from danger. At least Reggie was keeping watch. Finally, Seth reached the front of the line, and a minotaur waved him through the entrance. If the guards noticed Reggie, they gave no sign.