by Brandon Mull
Warren waved as he approached Kendra. “Good job getting the location of the key,” he said cheerfully.
Kendra scowled, flexed her vaporous muscles, and pointed at the cave.
“I figured the ettin would be tough,” Warren said. He lowered his voice. “We’re going to trick him, not fight him.”
Warren led the sheep to the edge of the waterfall; then Tanu crouched and fed the sheep a potion. Kendra saw no difference in the animal. Holding a small flask in his hand, Warren led the sheep behind the waterfall.
Tanu and Vanessa retreated to Kendra, each holding a potion ready. Tanu scrutinized Kendra for a moment. “Stay low,” he advised. “You won’t be gaseous much longer.”
Kendra pointed at the cave and cocked her head curiously.
Tanu sidled close and whispered. “I gave the sheep a sleeping potion. It’s very potent, but I tinkered with the recipe so hopefully the sheep will remain conscious until the ettin eats it. I tuned the mixture for the ettin’s chemistry. Let’s hope Ptolemy will soon be in dreamland.”
Kendra pantomimed throwing hatchets.
“Warren has the gummy potion,” Vanessa said. “It will make him virtually indestructible.”
Kendra nodded. Her body started to feel extra fizzy, and she coalesced into a solid again. Vanessa and Tanu supported her until the dizzy spell passed.
Tanu handed her a bottle. “Here is another one in case you need it. If Ptolemy shows himself, don’t hesitate.”
“All right,” Kendra said, watching the cave, worried for Warren.
“How deep is the cave?” Vanessa whispered.
“I didn’t have to go very far to find the ettin,” Kendra said. “He’s super buff. Huge muscles. One of his heads is nice, one is a jerk, and the middle one seems to be listening more to the jerk.”
“Well, I have an enlargement potion ready in case it turns into a fight out here,” Tanu said.
Vanessa glanced at him. “Does your shirt stretch?”
“The solution is tuned to treat my clothes like part of me,” Tanu said. “Similar to fur or a hide.”
About half an hour later, Warren emerged from the mist, carrying an iron pole with a complex symbol at the end. He took wobbly steps, legs bending in ways that made Kendra wince.
“Is Ptolemy neutralized?” Tanu called.
“He took the bait,” Warren said, speech slurred, head bobbing oddly on his rubbery neck. “Sleeping like a baby. Wait, I’ve known too many babies. Sleeping like an old guy after a long day.”
Clutching the lightning key with two hands, trying to keep it steady with unstable arms, Warren handed it to Vanessa. Then he held out a hand to Kendra. She shook it and felt the rubbery fingers compress beneath her grip.
“Gross,” she said, reflexively releasing him.
“Doesn’t hurt,” Warren said as clearly as he could. “The gummy potion worked great. Ptolemy hit me with hatchets, punched me, pulled me, stomped on me. It didn’t hurt. My body stretched around sharp edges without tearing and squished flat under heavy blows.”
“Perfect,” Tanu said.
“How long will Mr. Three Heads be out?” Warren asked.
“He ate the entire sheep?” Tanu asked.
“Spat out a few bones,” Warren said.
“He’ll be unconscious for a day or two,” Tanu said.
Warren nodded floppily. “It’ll give that cave some much-needed silence. That guy wouldn’t shut up. Three heads are definitely worse than one. Should we head back to our dungeon?”
Tanu looked at Kendra. “Next stop, Dragon Temple.”
“I’ll catch up,” Vanessa said. “With an ettin asleep so nearby, it would be a waste not to have a quick bite.”
“He looked kind of germy,” Warren said.
“I’ll be careful,” Vanessa promised, licking her lips.
There’s Seth!” Knox exclaimed. “I call it! I found him!”
“You’re not serious,” Newel said.
“That sure looks like him!” Doren cried, pointing. “See? Over there, by the swordsman. Is that a satyr with them?”
“We found him!” Tess enthused.
Knox ran through the crowd of the Arena Plaza to reach his cousin. The wind gusted, and a goblin chasing a bandanna almost collided with him.
Knox, Tess, Newel, and Doren had been carried to Humburgh through the Giant Queen’s passage by Rustafet. The giant shuttled them across Big Side to the Small Town entrance, with directions to the Arena Plaza. They had rooms reserved at a place called the Wayside Inn that Knox had not yet seen. Knox had been looking for Seth at the Arena Plaza for about five minutes.
“Seth!” Knox called as he drew near to his cousin. “We found you.”
Seth turned and regarded him skeptically. “Do I know you?”
“You don’t remember me?” Knox asked.
“I’m sorry,” Seth said. He stood by a tough-looking guy with his hand casually on the hilt of a sword and a satyr wearing a yellow shirt under a tweed vest.
“It’s me, Knox. Your favorite cousin!”
“You’re my cousin?” Seth asked.
“The ob-Knox-ious one? From Texas? With the smelly Knox socks? I sometimes make fun of your Seth breath! You have to remember.”
“You’d be surprised how clean my memory was wiped,” Seth replied.
Tess and the satyrs caught up.
“Do you recognize me?” Tess asked. “Your cousin?”
“I’m afraid not,” Seth said.
“I’ll give you multiple choice for my name: Tess. Jules. McKinley. Or Laura.”
“I don’t know,” Seth said. “Jules?”
“No, but I always wanted that name!” Tess said. “Good guess. Try again.”
“Tess?”
“Good job,” Tess said. “Maybe your subconscious knows.”
“You seem nice,” Seth said.
“What about us?” Newel asked. “Do any memories stir?”
“A hint is you introduced us to fast food,” Doren said.
“Sorry, guys,” Seth said. “I only know about fast food—I have no memories of eating it.”
“We have a huge favor to repay,” Doren said solemnly. “Where do we start? Taco Bell?”
“We’re Newel and Doren,” Newel said. “We’ve been looking for our best friend.”
“You have many who care about you,” the swordsman said.
“Who is this guy?” Newel asked.
“Looks like he can handle himself in a brawl,” Doren assessed.
“This is Fenrick,” Seth said.
“Who’s the new satyr?” Doren asked contemptuously.
“I’m Virgil,” the satyr said, holding out a hand to shake.
Newel clasped his hand. “Nice to meet the flavor of the moment.”
Doren glared. “Have fun while it lasts.”
“Fly high,” Newel said. “Try not to think about the crash.”
“Look, guys,” Seth interrupted. “I’m sure you mean well. We’re on important business.”
“Are you going to trash another sanctuary?” Knox asked.
Newel and Doren winced.
Seth looked uncomfortable. “I probably deserve that. I’m not trying to hurt anybody. I just want my memories back. You probably want that for me too!”
“We’re here to help you,” Knox said.
“Meet your reinforcements,” Newel said.
“You don’t have to be lost anymore,” Tess added.
Seth glanced at Fenrick and Virgil, then back to Knox. “Can we talk later?” Seth asked. “I have an urgent appointment.”
“We crossed oceans to find you,” Knox said. “We almost got killed a bunch of times. And I took out a powerful demon.”
“We have rooms at the Wayside Inn,” Doren said. “We can feed you. And your new sidekicks.”
“Are you with Kendra?” Seth asked.
“Not at the moment,” Knox said. “But she was with us. She sent us to look for you while she tries to save the wo
rld.”
“How?” Seth asked. “What’s the problem? What’s she doing?”
Knox glanced at Newel and Doren. The satyrs theatrically looked away, as if they had become interested in anything besides the current conversation.
“You don’t want to tell me,” Seth said. “I get it. You know I lost my memory, and after all I’ve done, you don’t know if you can trust me.”
“We really are here to help you,” Knox said.
“Help me how?” Seth asked. “Take me in? Lock me up? Keep me from doing more damage?”
“Nothing underhanded,” Newel said.
“We’ll find your memories,” Tess said.
“Doing that will be complicated,” Seth said. “I’m in the middle of the process, and making progress. Right now, extra people might capsize the boat.”
“Harsh,” Newel said.
“The new Seth is falling in the polls,” Doren added.
“It’s not personal,” Seth said. “I’m going someplace where unexpected tagalongs could hurt my chances. Virgil set up an important meeting.”
“Who would let a satyr organize a meeting?” Newel said with a huff.
“Have you ever been to a party, Virgil?” Doren asked. “Ever watched an action movie? Or binged on donuts?”
“Virgil has been a big help,” Calvin called. “We’re closing in on important mysteries.”
“Calvin!” Tess exclaimed. “You really were with Seth!”
“I’m fine,” Calvin said. “We really do have a meeting.”
“You can vouch for us,” Tess said.
“They really are your cousins,” Calvin said. “The satyrs are longtime friends.”
“Good old Calvin,” Newel said.
“He tells it like it is,” Doren affirmed.
“Seth, don’t you have some news for Kendra?” Calvin asked.
Seth frowned. “Can you tell Kendra that Celebrant is here?”
“At Titan Valley?” Knox asked.
“In Humburgh,” Seth said.
“Is he pulling wagons?” Knox asked.
“I wish,” Seth said. “He’s in human form, still hunting the Wizenstone.”
“How do you know?” Newel asked.
“I saw him,” Seth said. “He tried to kidnap me, but Fenrick stopped him.”
“Thanks for saving him,” Tess said.
“Seth has aided me more than I can repay,” Fenrick said. “You have a noble friend and cousin.”
“You haven’t seen him pick his nose,” Knox said.
“Whatever,” Seth said.
“Seth is on the right path, guys,” Calvin said. “You can count on him.”
“Then maybe he should know,” Newel said. “Kendra has gone after the key to the Dragon Temple. She hopes to retrieve the Harp of Ages to help in the dragon war.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Seth said, glancing at the swordsman.
“What should we do about Celebrant?” Tess asked.
“Spread the word,” Seth said.
“Did you hear about the Fairy Realm?” Newel asked.
“No,” Seth said.
“It fell,” Doren said. “Ronodin is the new Fairy King.”
Seth blanched. “You’re not serious.”
“The Fairy Queen is overthrown?” Virgil asked.
“We got word from a fairy who escaped,” Newel said.
“That is disastrous news,” Seth said. “Ronodin is dangerous.”
“We know,” Knox said. “Didn’t you work for him?”
“Kind of,” Seth said. “He kidnapped me and was tricking me. He got me indebted to the Underking. I didn’t know who I was. I got away once I could.”
“It must have been rough,” Newel said.
“That’s life,” Seth said. “Thanks for the news. How about I catch up with you guys at the Wayside Inn after this meeting? Maybe we can help each other.”
“Sounds fair,” Newel said.
“You aren’t going to ditch us?” Knox asked.
“Not without good reason,” Seth said. “Thanks for trying to help me.”
“Sure,” Knox said.
Seth gave a wave and turned.
Knox watched his cousin walk away.
“Should we follow him?” Doren asked.
“I will,” Newel offered. “At a distance. Doren, take the kids to the inn and I’ll meet you there.”
Newel slipped into the crowd, not directly following Seth and his new friends. The satyr worked his way at a diagonal, keeping them in view.
“Think Newel might ditch us too?” Knox asked.
“If there’s good food involved?” Doren replied. “Absolutely.”
Those satyrs seemed jealous,” Virgil said as they advanced through the crowd. “And Knox is a little much.”
“Calvin, are you sure they weren’t dragons in disguise?” Seth asked.
“I would have sensed it,” Merek said.
“I don’t think any powerful creature would assume the form of a satyr,” Virgil said. “We’re considered frivolous.”
“You’re levelheaded,” Seth pointed out.
“I’m about as serious as satyrs get,” Virgil said. “And I spend my life studying games.”
“How far to the Chime House?” Calvin asked.
“Just a few blocks down this street,” Virgil said, the rising wind causing him to tuck his head and raise an arm against it.
Virgil had surprised Seth by meeting him as he and Merek emerged from the arena. The satyr explained that he and Calvin had visited the manor and made contact with an associate of Humbuggle’s called Sable. After speaking to Virgil for a few minutes, she had decided they should meet in private at the Chime House, where their conversation could not be overheard. Sable had promised to bring Serena. Since the appointment was not until one in the afternoon, Virgil had decided to see if Seth would emerge in time to join them.
Seth took Calvin from his pocket and cupped him in his palm as they walked. “Can you believe you’re about to see Serena?” Seth asked.
“I can’t express how excited I am,” Calvin said. “Have you ever wanted something so desperately, for such a long time, that it began to feel like an impossible quest without an end? Where you knew you might never succeed, but the prize was so worthwhile that you devoted your whole existence to the journey, even if it might all prove fruitless? That’s how I feel. I’ve wanted to see Serena so badly for so long that it’s hard to accept it will finally happen.”
“I’m happy for you,” Seth said.
“Don’t jinx it,” Calvin said, wringing his hands. “Let’s be happy afterwards.”
“Do you hear it?” Virgil asked.
“I hear about a thousand monkeys pounding xylophones,” Seth said. “And maybe a hundred of them blowing flutes.”
“It gets annoying when the wind rises,” Virgil said. “The Chime House is much quieter inside than outside. I don’t know how the neighbors tolerate it.”
Merek leaned close to Seth. “See the man on the other side of the street—the one with the black beard?”
Seth glanced in the indicated direction. “Short guy? Chubby?”
“Dragon,” Merek said.
“Really?” Seth asked. “Him?”
“Don’t make eye contact,” Merek said.
“They can’t kill us here in town,” Seth said.
“Nor can we slay them,” Merek said. “I can’t believe I threw Celebrant to the ground. Well, my incorporeal memories did. I’ve long dreamed of testing myself against him.”
“You may get your wish,” Seth said. “Based on what I understand from working with Ronodin, the dragon war is getting ugly.”
The Chime House came into view up the street. The four-story structure was built out of dark wood and featured three rapidly turning windmills. Wind chimes lined the eaves, windowsills, balconies, and porches, rippling vigorously in the wind with an incessant tinkling that seemed to jangle across every possible pitch. Other decorations hooted and shri
lled as the wind passed through them, adding to the cacophony.
A pot-bellied ogre with a sloping brow, huge nose, and dangling earlobes stood in front of the wooden stairs leading up to the Chime House porch, leaning on a metal cudgel. Virgil walked right up to the ogre and held up a folded card.
Virgil spoke words that Seth could not hear over the clangorous chimes. The ogre checked the card, then jerked his chin toward the porch. Virgil, Seth, and Merek climbed the stairs to the front door, and Virgil rapped the knocker.
A troll with yellow markings on his black scales opened the door. He had a fin down the center of his head that continued along his neck and back. The troll admitted them and closed the door, reducing the noisy chimes to a tuneless rustle.
“Do you have an appointment?” the troll asked.
“We’re meeting Sable in the Serenity Parlor,” Virgil said, showing his card to the troll.
“Excellent,” the troll said after a brief inspection of the card. “Sable is among our most valued clients. Put away your invitation and follow me.”
They climbed two sets of abnormally creaky stairs. Discreet signs along the way shared messages like “Stay Where You Belong” and “No Admittance without a Guide.” At the top of the stairs, they turned down a hallway where every step sounded like a tap on a bongo drum.
“Hard to sneak around in here,” Seth said.
“You have no idea,” the troll said in a snide tone. He stopped in front of a wooden sliding door. “The Serenity Parlor lies beyond. One of our finest spaces.” He indicated a rope that disappeared into a hole in the ceiling. “When the time comes to depart, pull this cord and wait for a guide. Should you attempt to navigate these halls unescorted, you will be promptly mauled by whisper hounds.”
“Understood,” Virgil said.
The troll gestured at the door and backed away. “Your encounter awaits.”
Virgil slid the door aside. The floor of the room beyond was lower than the hall and immersed in a thin layer of water that ran from beneath the left-hand wall across the room to disappear under the wall on the right. The blades of one of the windmills zoomed by outside the lone window. A long table awaited in the middle of the room, with a man and a woman seated on the far side. There were two empty chairs on the near side, plus additional chairs at the head and the foot. A candelabra with three candles burned in the center of the table.