The Legend Thief

by The Legend Thief (mobi)

  "They did," said Winston, wading down into the water and the one-eyed fishes. "But Ambrosia and Gourmand stole it from them earlier today. Now they're hiding somewhere in Paragoth's domain while Bedlam's army rushes to the surface to destroy us. I suppose Morton figured that if he couldn't find Alexander's blade, Bedlam's body would do. Either way, Morton gains a bargaining chip he can use with Bedlam, and Exile is destroyed."

  "So he's given up his search for the blade?" Sky asked , his stomach sinking. If Morton wasn't looking for the blade anymore, then that meant he truly intended to bury him.

  "I suspect Morton still wants Alexander's blade, not only as another bargaining chip, but for more sentimental reasons," Winston replied, his voice bitter.

  "You mean because he used it to kill your son?" said Sky, guessing.

  Winston glanced at him, but didn't say anything.

  "It's true, isn't it?" said Sky, his mind racing as he connected the pieces together. "You said Morton killed your son and that you hate him for it. Alexander was killed with his own blade, but they never found the killer-you think it's Morton, and you think he wants the blade not just to stop Bedlam, but as a memento, or maybe as a symbol that he's beaten you-a sentimental reason. Alexander Drake was your son, wasn't he?"

  A single tear fell down Winston's face, and Sky knew: It was time to end the game, whether Winston wanted him to know who he truly was or not. Sky couldn't take it anymore.

  "Uncle Phineas ... why didn't you ever tell me?"

  Winston looked at him sharply . . . and then he smiled, and Sky knew it was true.

  "Phineas, it is you!" Sky threw his arms around Phineas, who hugged him back. Sky was still mad and he still wanted answers, but for now he was content to wait. Phineas was alive!

  "You've always been far too clever for your own good," said Phineas, grinning.

  "You weren't exactly subtle," Sky accused. "'There Once Was a Flowering Botanist'? Really? You couldn't have picked a more obvious song to whistle."

  "Ah, yes," said Phineas. "I sang that to you when you were small, until you figured out what the lyrics meant."

  "It was horrible-worst song I ever heard," said Sky, smiling. "Limericks were never meant for music."

  "Your mother was of the same opinion, as I recall, and explained her reasoning quite vigorously," said Phineas.

  Sky laughed.

  "Aren't you curious to know why I look like this, how it's possible?" Phineas asked.

  "You're using Alexander's Slippery Wick Brew," said Sky. "I mean, it makes sense.... He really was your son, wasn't he?"

  "Hunters like myself can't have children of our own, an unfortunate side effect of a prolonged life," Phineas said. "But Alexander was adopted, and yes, he was my son in every way that matters."

  "And you believe Morton killed him?"

  "Yes," Phineas replied. "I do."

  "But ... that would make Morton the owner of the blade," said Sky, his stomach dropping. "If Morton is the owner of the blade, then we can't use it to free Bedlam unless Morton gives it to us willingly or...”

  "He dies," said Phineas, finishing Sky's thought. "I am aware of the situation."

  "But you can't kill him. Bedlam said that if someone with the Eye of Legend dies, dire consequences will follow," Sky pointed out. "Of course, that didn't stop Morton from hunting me, so maybe the consequences aren't so bad."

  "They are bad," Phineas confirmed. "Potentially catastrophic. It's hard to predict, but it's always horrible, and fixing things is even worse; that is why we prefer to trap creatures with the Eye who turn evil. In your case, Morton convinced a majority of the Hunters that you were a big enough liability to be worth the risk."

  "I feel so honored," Sky said blandly. "You have an Eye, don't you? Like Morton'. Like me. You've lied to me all these years."

  Phineas raised an eyebrow. "It's possible," he evaded.

  "Have you talked to Bedlam, by chance?"

  Sky nodded. "He's trapped in Cass, though somehow I suspect you already know that." Phineas smiled, but didn't expand.

  "We have a deal," Sky continued. "Bedlam will save Crystal and take his army back to Skull Valley if we free him."

  Phineas sighed in relief. "Excellent."

  "Can we trust him?" Sky asked.

  "Yes," said Phineas. "Bedlam is one of the most honorable creatures I have ever met. If he promised you that he would heal Crystal and leave, then that is precisely what he will do."

  "Good," said Sky. "The only problem is that we don't have the blade or Bedlam's body, and even if we had both those things, we don't know how to use the blade to free Bedlam, not to mention that Morton owns the blade, so we couldn't use it even if we had it."

  "That is one of the most confusing sentences I have ever heard," Phineas said appreciatively. "Congratulations, Sky­we might make a hunter of you yet." Sky grinned.

  They reached the ladder leading out of the catacombs.

  Sky's grin faded. Their time was short. Once he climbed that ladder, he would have to leave Phineas again. It was time to ask the question that had bothered him more than any other.

  "Why did you let me think you were dead?"

  Phineas smiled sadly. "Many reasons, and none of them good, I'm afraid. Mostly it was to protect you and Exile. I've been undercover at the Academy of Legend for the past year trying to steer the events Bedlam has now set in motion. It's very dangerous. But I suspect it was also for the same reason you never told your parents about Errand: The longer you keep a secret, the harder it is to share."

  "You've been with Errand for the last year, haven't you?

  He was there with you, at the Academy, wasn't he?" The words came out sounding more bitter than he had intended. He knew it was stupid to feel jealous, but Sky couldn't help picturing the two of them traveling the world together, laughing about how they had really pulled one over on that fool Sky.

  "Not for the full year, no, but enough," Phineas replied, his voice level and cautious. "It took me some time to find him, and even more to convince him to come with me. Errand was instrumental in getting the hunters to come to Exile-a backup plan should our efforts to free Bedlam fail, though I'm afraid they won't be enough."

  "Especially since they're leaving," said Sky. "Morton has called a retreat."

  "''m aware," Phineas replied. ''I've talked to Hagos. I suspect the retreat may not go as well as Morton has planned." "And Errand's here? In Exile?" Sky asked.

  "That's not for me to say," Phineas replied. "Errand's secrets are his own to share, as yours are yours. Secrets are a hunter's currency, after all."

  "Ah. I see," said Sky. "I think I can guess who he is."

  "''m sure you can," said Phineas. "In fact, it would surprise me if you couldn't."

  Sky thought for a moment. "So there really is a Winston Snavely?"

  "One of the few friends I have left among the Hunters of Legend. He's currently taking a much needed vacation in the Caribbean with hopes of meeting a flowering botanist." Phineas smirked and Sky laughed.

  Phineas grew serious again. "Sky, I know the last year has been hard. I'm sorry I arrived here too late to stop the hunt last night. I spent eleven years training you for these sorts of things; from the time you could crawl, I've watched over you. Don't begrudge Errand his time with me. He has a far harder road ahead than either of us, and he will need you before the end. He will need both of us."

  "What end? You make it sound like something horrible is coming," said Sky.

  Phineas smiled sadly. "Have I ever complimented you on your coat? It's quite fetching."

  "You're evading," Sky pointed out.

  "Did you know I once met a woman named Eva Ding? Lovely lady," said Phineas. "Though she had the strangest fascination with pudding tarts...”

  Sky rolled his eyes and climbed up and out of the sarcophagus.

  As he reached the top, a thought occurred to him. "Phineas, if Morton killed Alexander, then why did he leave the blade behind? Why didn't he take it with him?"r />
  Phineas frowned. "An astute question, one I've asked myself for years, but I've never given myself a satisfactory answer. It wasn't until recently that Morton learned the blade could be used to free Bedlam, so he didn't fully appreciate its value. But even so, shimmering blades are incredibly rare, and Alexander's holds more secrets than almost any other. Morton could have taken it and hidden it away, or come up with some story to explain how he got it. He's a powerful Hunter- few would have had the courage to doubt him. To be honest, I have no idea why he left it."

  Sky thought about it and couldn't come up with a good answer, either, but the. question troubled him. Why wouldn't Morton take the blade?

  They exited the tomb and Fred the Piebald swooped down and landed on the awning above them.

  "Fred! Where have you been? Are the other Piebalds okay?" Sky asked.

  "CAW!"

  "Well, tell them to stay hidden," said Sky.

  Phineas looked up and spotted Fred. "Fred, is it? I've never trusted Piebalds; their brains are smaller than peas, you know."

  "CAW!" Fred croaked.

  "I've never heard such rude language in all my years," Phineas sputtered. "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

  "CAW!"

  "You've never kissed my mother in your life," Phineas retorted. "And I'm still of the opinion that butter pecan is the better flavor."

  Sky guffawed, remembering Morton's story about Phineas arguing with a bird over ice cream flavors. "You know this bird?"

  "CAW!"

  "Fine, Piebald, whatever," Sky corrected.

  "We've met," Phineas replied guardedly. "Though I haven't seen him for some time. I wonder what you could possibly be up to, Fred?..."

  "CAW! CAW!"

  "I've been busy-I haven't checked yet," said Sky.

  "What package is he talking about?" Phineas asked.

  Sky pulled out the package from the bowling alley. "It's the reason we went to the bowling alley. Someone sent a letter saying a Marrowick would deliver a package that would stop Bedlam's army.

  "I suspect Bedlam is the only one who can stop his army should the hunters fail," said Phineas.

  Sky opened the package. Inside, he found a small , blood red seed no larger than an acorn. A note in the package read:

  When Hope, Patience, and Vengeance fail, and the broken world around you breaks, plant this seed within your heart, and avail to free a soul and mend mistakes.

  "Sounds cryptic," Phineas observed.

  Sky checked the packaging, but there was nothing else inside. On the outside, all he found were a few splotches of Marrowick wax.

  "Did you send this?" Sky asked. "No," said Phineas.

  "But you could be lying to hide something from me. It wouldn't be the first time."

  "I could be, but I'm not," Phineas replied, looking troubled. "So who sent it?"

  Phineas took the seed and examined it. "No idea, really. I've never seen a seed like this before." Phineas held it up to the light, and the blood red shell turned clear so that Sky could see a golden globe in the middle.

  "What is it?" Sky asked.

  "It appears to be some kind of golden globe," Phineas replied.

  Sky rolled his eyes. "I can see that."

  "Then why did you ask?" Phineas retorted.

  Fred cawed, swooped down, and snatched the packaging from Sky's hand.

  "Hey!" Sky shouted. But Fred simply flew away with the envelope.

  "Someday soon that bird and I are going to have a very long talk," Sky promised.

  "I expect you shall, and longer than you might suppose.

  You have many of those in store, from what I understand," said Phineas, handing the seed back to Sky. "You'd best keep that and the letter until we ascertain their purpose."

  Sky put the seed in his pocket. He watched Phineas, tempted to tell him about Morton and the Grove of the Fallen and how Morton planned to bury him. But if he told Phineas what Morton was up to, Phineas would come with him, which meant that he wouldn't go help Crystal, and Crystal needed all the help Sky could send her.

  "I've got a few things to do," Sky said. ''I'll catch up with you at the manor later."

  "Hurry, then." Seemingly preoccupied, Phineas strode off. Sky didn't have any allies to help him with Morton, but he still had the erfskin cookies Phineas had given him. If the cookies really gave him the strength and resilience of a Gnomon, he might just survive his burial. Or maybe he would die from, gross-cookie poisoning. Either way, it was his best bet, and the blade was his only real hope of saving Crystal. He had to try.

  With the erfskin cookies in his pocket, Sky turned and raced north for the Grove of the Fallen.

  Chapter 23: Buried by Porp-a-lorps

  “Hello, Sky,” said Morton. “You’ve forgotten your underwear.”

  “And my toothbrush,” Sky replied as he approached Alexander's gravesite. "I didn't have time to pack, and since I'm not going anywhere, I didn't see the point."

  Alexander's coffin sat beside his open grave and Sky eyed it anxiously, knowing the sort of "grave business" Morton needed him for. "With Hunter's Mark the buried dead shall shimmering blade hold in my stead."

  They meant to bury him.

  The only problem was that the blade was never in the coffin, according to Em. Nikola had carried it the entire time, until he'd gone insane. So unless Nikola, in his madness, had left the riddle and somehow hidden the blade below, this whole experience would come to a terribly disappointing end.

  Morton stood on one of the piles of dirt, staring down into Alexander's grave. Chase was there as well, along with Solange Avaray, but there was no sign of Hagos Adera.

  Three Hunters of Legend to bury one thirteen-year-old boy.

  Chase winked, but Sky ignored him. He wasn't sure how to handle Chase just yet.

  Solange, on the other hand, glowered and seemed very unhappy to be there. Sky wondered what'd happened to Hagos. "Hagos had a...change of heart, so to speak. Rather than inviting him, I've asked him to prepare our hunters for the retreat back to the Academy of Legend," said Morton, seemingly reading his thoughts. "Winston has thankfully dis­appeared, so, alas, it's just the four of us here to mark this splendid occasion: The recovery of a shimmering blade is not a small matter. Nearly all have been lost or taken by outcasts like Malvidia and Phineas."

  "So you're really leaving? You're just going to abandon the Exile hunters to face Bedlam's army alone?" Sky asked. "Yes," Morton replied.

  Sky waited, but Morton didn't expand.

  "We've searched the hole," Morton continued, "and it appears there is nothing down there."

  "Does that mean you're not going to bury me?" Sky asked. "Oh, no-we have every intention of burying you," Morton replied, smiling.

  Sky grimaced. "Let's get on with it, then."

  Sky walked over to the coffin, trying not to shake.

  "There are a few conditions before we do this," said Morton, before Sky could open the coffin.

  "Conditions?" said Sky incredulously. "You're about to bury me alive and you're giving me conditions?"

  Morton grinned. "Of course. Should this work, you will give the blade directly to me. As a gift. Freely and wholeheartedly."

  "Why would I need to give it to you? Don't you already own it?" Sky asked, watching Morton closely.

  Morton scowled. "No."

  As far as Sky could tell, Morton wasn't lying. But what did that mean, exactly? Was it possible that Morton hadn't killed Alexander? But if he hadn't, who had?

  "And what do I get if I give you the blade?" Sky asked.

  "You are my apprentice. You will come with us to the Academy of Legend during our retreat. In other words, you get to live," said Morton.

  Sky shook his head. "Not good enough. I'll give you the blade, but I get to set the conditions."

  "And what, precisely, are your conditions?" Morton asked, looking amused.

  "Your hunters stay here to defend Exile," said Sky. "And you use the blade to free Bedlam."

&
nbsp; "And why on earth would I do that?" Morton asked.

  "Well, you've already got his body," Sky replied. "And the main reason you want the blade is so you can have another bargaining chip to use with Bedlam should you need it. That tells me that you're already considering freeing him to save your own hunters. Just make the deal now- save your hunters and Exile as well. Honestly, with Phineas dead or gone, there's no reason not to. Besides, Bedlam was your ally once. He could be again."