Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star

by Brandon Mull

  Right. He reached into the water with one hand. Then he

  put his other hand in and rubbed them together. He stepped

  back from the birdbath without the ball, shaking droplets

  from his hands and then drying them against his shirt. He

  started walking back over to Coulter and Kendra.

  That's incredible, Kendra said.

  Forget anything, Seth? Coulter asked.

  He stopped, cocking his head.

  I wanted the ball, Coulter said.

  Oh, yeah! Seth cried. What was I thinking?

  Come back over here, Coulter invited. Now you've

  sampled a distracter spell. One of the spells protecting the

  fences of Fablehaven does essentially the same thing.

  Anyone who comes across the fence immediately has his or

  her attention diverted elsewhere. Simple and effective.

  I want to try, Kendra said.

  Be my guest, Coulter offered.

  Kendra walked toward the birdbath. She kept repeating

  in her mind what she was supposed to do. She even

  mouthed, The ball, the ball, the ball, repeatedly. When

  she reached the birdbath, she stared into the water at the silvery

  sphere. She wasn't distracted yet. She picked it up and

  brought it back to Coulter. Here you go.

  He looked flabbergasted. How did you do that? he

  asked.

  I'm as surprised as you are. I thought I was just a girl.

  No, really, Kendra, that was most unusual.

  I just focused.

  On the ball?

  Yeah.

  Impossible! The charge must have run out. After all

  these years… go put it back.

  Kendra jogged over to the birdbath and set it inside.

  Coulter walked over to the birdbath, hands balled into fists.

  He placed a hand into the water beside the sphere, began

  rubbing the bottom of the basin, and then quickly snatched

  the ball. It still works. I could feel the spell striving to

  muddle me, potent as ever.

  Then how did you get it? Kendra asked.

  Practice, Coulter said. If you focus on the ball it will

  distract you. So you focus on something near the ball. I was

  focusing on rubbing the bottom of the birdbath, keeping the

  ball in the back of my mind. Then, as I'm rubbing the bottom

  of the birdbath, when I notice the ball, I grab it.

  I concentrated on the ball, Kendra said.

  Coulter tossed the ball toward the bench. It came to a

  rest on the lawn. Go get it again. Don't even try to focus.

  Kendra walked over and picked it up. Guess I'm

  immune.

  Interesting, Coulter said thoughtfully.

  I bet I could do it now, Seth said.

  Set it down, Kendra, Coulter said.

  Seth walked toward the ball, stooped to pick some grass,

  and then went and sat on the bench. What? he asked,

  wondering why they were staring, then slapping his forehead

  again once they reminded him.

  Must be another side effect from the fairies, Kendra

  guessed.

  Must be, Coulter said thoughtfully. The mysteries

  keep piling up around you, don't they. You've reminded me,

  the fairies have caused some other peculiar effects here at

  Fablehaven. Let's move on to the fun stuff. We've made a

  fascinating discovery since your last visit. He raised his

  voice. Hugo, come!

  The massive golem came out from behind the barn, loping

  toward them with long, pounding strides. When Kendra

  had last seen Hugo, he was blooming with verdure, thanks

  to the fairies. Now he looked much more like he had before

  the fairies had resuscitated him: a primitive body of soil,

  stone, and clay, more apelike in form than humanlike, a few

  weeds and dandelions sprouting here and there, but no leafy

  vines or colorful flowers.

  Hugo halted in front of them. The top of Coulter's head

  barely reached the middle of the golem's powerful chest.

  Hugo was broad, with thick limbs and disproportionately

  large hands and feet. He looked like he could effortlessly tear

  Coulter limb from limb, but Kendra knew Hugo would never

  do something like that. The golem only followed orders.

  You remember Hugo? Coulter said.

  Of course, Seth said.

  Watch this, Coulter said. He picked up a stone and

  tossed it toward the golem. Hugo caught it.

  What's that supposed to prove? Seth said.

  I didn't tell him to catch it, Coulter said.

  He must have a standing order to catch things thrown

  at him, Kendra guessed.

  Coulter shook his head. No standing order.

  Faintly, Hugo smiled.

  Is he smiling? Seth asked.

  I wouldn't put it past him, Coulter said. Hugo, do

  whatever you like.

  Hugo squatted, and then jumped high into the air, raising

  both arms. He landed with enough force to make the

  ground tremble.

  He's doing things on his own? Kendra asked.

  Little things, Coulter said. He's still totally obedient.

  He completes all his chores. But one day your grandmother

  spotted him putting a baby bird back into its nest. Nobody

  had issued a command; he was simply being kind.

  You're saying the fairies did something to him! Kendra

  said. After Muriel destroyed Hugo with a spell, they rebuilt

  him, but they must have changed him.

  Near as we can tell, they made him a true golem,

  Coulter said. Manufactured golems, the mindless puppets

  who exist only to obey orders, were originally created in imitation

  of true golems, actual living creatures of stone or mud

  or sand. True golems long ago passed out of all human

  knowledge. But apparently Hugo is now one. He is developing

  a will.

  Awesome! Seth exclaimed.

  Can he communicate? Kendra asked.

  Only crudely for now, Coulter explained. His comprehension

  is quite good-it had to be, for him to take orders.

  And his physical coordination is as precise as ever. But he is

  only just beginning to experiment with expressing himself

  and acting on his own. Slowly but surely he has been

  improving. In time, he should be able to interact with us like

  a normal person.

  So right now he's like a big baby, Kendra said in

  wonder.

  In many ways, yes, Coulter agreed. One of the jobs I

  want the two of you to undertake is to engage in an hour of

  playtime with Hugo every day. He will not be under any

  order to heed your commands. I will simply leave him with

  the mandate to enjoy himself. Then you two are free to talk

  to him, play catch with him, teach him tricks, whatever you

  like. I want to see if we can get him functioning more on his

  own.

  If he gets too smart, will he stop taking orders? Seth

  asked.

  I doubt it, Coulter said. Obedience to his masters is

  woven too deeply into his being. It is part of the magic that

  holds him together. He could, however, develop into a much

  more useful servant, capable of making decisions and sharing

  information. And he could start enjoying a higher state

  of existence.

  I like this assignment, Kendra said. When can we
r />   start?

  How about now? Coulter offered. I don't think we

  have enough time for a real foray into the woods today. You

  need to be here after lunch so you can go into town with

  your grandmother. I have no idea what you might be doing

  there. Imitating Seth, Coulter pantomimed like he was

  locking his lips and throwing away the key. Hugo, I want

  you to play with Kendra and Seth. Feel free to do whatever

  you want.

  Coulter strode away toward the house, leaving Kendra

  and Seth with the massive golem. For a moment the three

  stood in silence. What should we do? Seth asked.

  Hugo, Kendra said. Why don't you show us your

  favorite flower in the garden?

  Favorite flower? Seth complained. Are you trying to

  bore him to death?

  Hugo raised a finger and then waved for them to follow.

  He stomped off across the lawn in the direction of the swimming

  pool. Picking favorites gives him a chance to practice

  making choices, Kendra explained as they ran to keep up

  with Hugo.

  Fine, then how about favorite weapon or monster or

  something cool?

  Hugo stopped beside a hedge with a flowerbed at the

  base. He pointed at a large blue and white flower with a

  trumpet-shaped blossom and vivid, translucent petals. It was

  delicate and exquisite.

  Good pick, Hugo, I like that one, Kendra

  complimented.

  Great, Seth said. You're very sensitive and artistic.

  Now, how about we have some fun? Want to go jump in the

  Pool? I bet you could make the best cannonballs!

  Hugo crossed and uncrossed his hands, indicating that

  he did not like the idea.

  He's made of dirt, Kendra said. Use your brain.

  And rock and clay… I thought it would just make him

  sort of muddy.

  And clog up the filter. You should have Hugo throw

  you in the pool.

  The golem turned his head toward Seth, who shrugged.

  Sure, that would be fun.

  Hugo nodded, grabbed Seth, and, with a motion like a

  hook shot, flung him skyward. Kendra gasped. They were

  still thirty or forty feet away from the edge of the pool. She

  had pictured the golem carrying Seth much closer before

  tossing him. Her brother sailed nearly as high as the roof of

  the house before plummeting down and landing in the center

  of the deep end with an impressive splash.

  Kendra ran to the side of the pool. By the time she

  arrived, Seth was boosting himself out of the water, hair and

  clothes dripping. That was the freakiest, awesomest

  moment of my life! Seth declared. But next time, let me

  take off my shoes.

  The Sphinx

  Kendra stared out the window at a huge, derelict factory

  as the SUV idled at a stoplight. Rotting boards crisscrossed

  the lower windows. The yawning upper windows

  were nearly devoid of glass. Wrappers, broken bottles,

  crushed soda cans, and weather-worn newspapers littered the

  sidewalk. Cryptic graffiti decorated the walls. Most of the

  spray-painted words looked sloppy, but a few had been

  expertly rendered with gleaming metallic letters.

  Can I take off my seat belt yet? Seth complained,

  squirming.

  One more block, Grandma said.

  The Sphinx isn't staying in a very nice part of town,

  Kendra said.

  He has to keep a low profile, Grandma said. Often

  that translates to less than ideal accommodations.

  The light turned green, and they drove through the

  intersection. Kendra, Seth, and Grandma had been on the

  road quite a while in order to reach the coastal city of

  Bridgeport. Grandma took a much more leisurely approach

  to driving than Vanessa, but despite the gentle pace and

  pleasant scenery, the prospect of meeting the Sphinx had

  kept Kendra on edge for the entire ride.

  Here we are, Grandma announced, activating the left

  blinker and turning into the parking lot of King of the Road

  Auto Repair. The run-down auto shop looked abandoned.

  There were no cars in the small lot, and all the shop windows

  were obscured by dust and grime. Grandma avoided a

  lone, rusty hubcap lying on the asphalt.

  What a dump! Seth said. You sure this is the place?

  The SUV was just coming to a stop when one of the

  three doors to the garage slid upwards. A tall Asian man in a

  black suit waved them inside. He was lean, with wide shoulders

  and a humorless face. Grandma pulled into the garage,

  and the man yanked the door down behind them.

  Grandma opened her door. You must be Mr. Lich, she

  said. The man lowered his chin briefly, a motion halfway

  between a nod and a bow. Mr. Lich gestured for them to exit

  the vehicle.

  Come along, Grandma said, descending from the

  SUV. Kendra and Seth got out as well. Mr. Lich was walking

  away. They hurried to follow him. He led them out a

  door into an alley where a black sedan was waiting. Bland

  features neutral, Mr. Lich opened the back door. Grandma,

  Kendra, and Seth ducked inside. Mr. Lich got up front and

  started the car.

  Do you speak English? Seth asked.

  Mr. Lich fixed him with a steady stare in the rearview

  mirror, put the car in drive, and started down the alley.

  None of them made further efforts at conversation. They followed

  a disorienting series of alleys and side streets before

  finally reaching a main road. After a U-turn, they were back

  on side streets, until Mr. Lich brought the sedan to a stop in

  a dirty alley beside a row of dented garbage cans.

  He got out and opened the door for them. The alley

  smelled like taco sauce and rancid oil. Mr. Lich escorted

  them to a grimy door that read Employees Only. He opened

  it and followed them inside. They passed through a kitchen

  into a dimly lit bar. Blinds covered the windows. There were

  not many patrons. Two guys with long hair were playing

  pool. A fat man with a beard sat at the bar next to a skinny

  blonde with a pockmarked face and frizzy curls. Wispy

  strands of cigarette smoke twisted in the air.

  Grandma, Seth, and Kendra entered the room first. The

  bartender was shaking his head. No patrons under twenty-one,

  he said. Then Mr. Lich appeared and pointed toward

  a stairway in the corner. The demeanor of the bartender

  changed instantly. My mistake. He turned away.

  Mr. Lich ushered them up the carpeted stairs. At the

  top, they pushed through a beaded curtain into a room with

  shaggy, calico carpet, a pair of brown sofas, and four suede

  beanbag chairs. A heavy ceiling fan spun slowly. A large,

  old-fashioned radio stood in the corner, softly playing big

  band music, as if tuned to a station broadcasting out of the

  past.

  Placing a hand on Grandma's shoulder, Mr. Lich

  motioned toward the couches. He did the same for Seth.

  Turning to Kendra, he gestured toward a door on the other

  side of the room. Kendra glanced at Grandma, who nodded.

  Seth flung himself
onto a beanbag.

  After crossing to the door, Kendra hesitated. The silent

  car ride and unusual environment had already made her

  uncomfortable. The prospect of facing the Sphinx by herself

  was unsettling. She looked over her shoulder. Both

  Grandma and Mr. Lich motioned for her to enter. Kendra

  knocked softly. Come inside, said a deep voice, barely loud

  enough to be heard.

  She opened the door. A red curtain fringed with gold

  tassels and embroidery blocked her view. She pushed

  through the velvet curtain into the room beyond. The door

  closed behind her.

  A black man with short, beaded dreadlocks stood beside

  a Foosball table. His skin was not merely a shade of brown ----

  it was as close to truly black as Kendra had ever seen. He was

  of average height and build, and wore a loose gray shirt,

  cargo pants, and sandals. His handsome face had an ageless

  quality-he could have been in his thirties or his fifties.

  Kendra glanced around the spacious room. A large

  aquarium held a vibrant collection of tropical fish.

  Numerous delicate, metallic mobiles dangled from the ceiling.

  She counted at least ten clocks of eccentric designs on

  the walls, tables, and shelves. A sculpture made of garbage

  stood beside a life-sized wooden carving of a grizzly bear.

  Near the window was an elaborate model of the solar system,

  intricate planets and moons held in place by wire orbits.

  Would you join me in a game of Foosball? His accent

  made Kendra think of the Caribbean, although that was not

  quite right.

  Are you the Sphinx? Kendra asked, bewildered by the

  unusual request.

  I am.

  Kendra approached the table. Okay, sure.

  Would you prefer cowboys or Indians?

  Spitted on rods were four rows of Indians and four rows

  of cowboys. The cowboys were all the same, as were the

  Indians. The cowboy had a white hat and a mustache. His

  hands rested on his holstered six-guns. The Indian had a

  feathered headdress, and his reddish-brown arms were folded

  across his bare chest. The feet of each cowboy and Indian

  were fused together to better strike the ball.

  I'll be Indians, Kendra said. She had played some

  Foosball at the rec center back home. Seth usually beat her

  two out of three games.

  Let me forewarn you, the Sphinx said, I am not very

  good. There was a mellow quality to his voice that evoked

  images of old-time jazz clubs.

  Neither am I, Kendra admitted. My little brother usually