Storybound

by Marissa Burt

  This was the first time Una had ever been alone with him. And for once she knew what to say. “Why do you always watch me?”

  The methodical scraping stopped. Indy stared hard at her. “What do you mean, fair lady?”

  Una clamped her mouth shut. She had already forgotten that this was an exam. Though Peter had told her the examiners couldn’t know her thoughts, they were reading everything she and the boys said and did.

  “Never mind,” she mumbled, and added a “kind sir.” She stood. What would a Lady do to help set up camp? Might as well try for an A.

  She swept the leaves off to the edge of the clearing. Tidying up seemed ladylike. Once the rabbit was roasting over the fire, Indy left to get the water himself, since Horace had returned only to sit under a tree where he appeared to be sleeping.

  Every so often, he would open his eyes long enough to say something rude like, “When’s dinner, woman?” Or, “Where’d our Villain go? I need to kick him in the side.”

  Una was never gladder to see anyone than when Indy returned. It had gotten cold once the sun disappeared, and the three of them gathered around the little fire to share their meal. The berries disappeared too quickly, and Una forced the rabbit down, because she was so hungry.

  They all sat in silence together for a long while. Soon the quiet was broken with the sounds of the night animals. The stars overhead looked like little cut holes in black velvet. The fire popped and crackled, tiny bursts of heat blending with the cold air.

  After a while, Indy stood. “I’ll take first watch,” he said. “You two get some sleep.”

  Una didn’t have to be told twice. Not sleeping the night before coupled with the day’s hike made it nearly impossible for her to keep her eyes open. She found a relatively flat spot on one side of the fire and set her satchel down for a pillow. It didn’t matter that she only had her cloak between her and the hard ground. It didn’t matter that Horace’s snores were nearly as loud as Professor Roderick’s voice. Almost as soon as Una shut her eyes, she was out.

  When Indy woke her several hours later, her body was still heavy with slumber. Everything tingled. “I’m up. I’m up,” she said to Indy, who, once he saw that she was sitting, went over to the other side of the fire. Soon, she could hear the sound of his regular breathing.

  Despite the chill of the night air and the newness of her surroundings, Una had a hard time staying awake. She rubbed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, but her thoughts were jumbled and foggy with sleep. That was when she remembered what was in her satchel.

  Wide awake now, Una waited until she was sure that Indy was fast asleep. She pulled out a few other books first, but then her fingers found the dragon book. She glanced over at Indy, and then at Horace. So far, so good. The book felt like it belonged in her hands, a solid weight, and she ran her fingers lightly over the black dragon that snaked up the spine. She had to figure out how to open it. In the firelight it was hard to see the blue border. Una felt along the edges. If she did open it, would it take her to Alethia’s house, just like the one that had taken Jedediah to Sophia’s cottage? And if it did, what would she find there?

  Even though the heat from the fire was warm, she shivered. She examined the binding. It looked sound. The cover was a soft brown leather with a dulled pattern set into the front. No matter what she did, no matter how she turned it or thumped it or pulled on the edges, it remained shut fast. For a long time she traced the dragon on the spine. She sighed. After all this, and she didn’t know how to open the book. Maybe there was a way to ask Professor Thornhill about Muse books without making her suspicious. Fat chance. Or was there another teacher they could ask? Una remembered Peter saying that his Backstory professor had been fired for talking about the Muses. Maybe he knew something about their books. That seemed like her best shot. As soon as the practical was over, she and Peter would find him. Una’s eyes grew heavy, and it wasn’t long before she nodded off again, the book clasped tightly against her chest.

  Chapter 29

  Elton hadn’t stayed in the classroom after Edenberry told him Una wasn’t there, and Peter waited until Edenberry’s back was turned before he slipped out the classroom door. This would probably mean another failed practical, but Peter didn’t care. He rushed down the hall and outside.

  Elton must know that Una had the book. What else would have him in such a panic? Where would Elton go next? Peter watched groups of happy students who had no exams today and were relaxing on the quad. That was it! The Tale station. Elton might follow Una there.

  Peter couldn’t go back to the classroom since Edenberry would be there, waiting to send him into his own exam. He was halfway to the Tale station’s main entrance when Sam found him.

  “I’m going to ace it, Peter,” he said with a self-satisfied smile. “Eating practicals are a piece of cake. Literally. I just have to find the room and—”

  Peter interrupted him. “Una’s in trouble.” He explained about Elton.

  “Forget Eating!” Sam’s eyes grew wide. “Lead the way.”

  It didn’t take them long to find the right examination wing, empty now that all the students were in the exams. The hallway was well marked, and they soon found the correct door. Sam pawed Peter’s leg. “Wait. I smell something, Peter.” He opened his mouth to take in more of the scent. “There are beasts here.” His back was arched, his fur puffed out, and his eyes round.

  “Beasts?” Peter swallowed. “Really?”

  Sam’s nostrils flared. “And not the talking kind.”

  Peter shivered. Talking animals were one thing. Wild ones were another. And wild beasts! He pulled his sword from its sheath.

  Sam slinked forward. They could hear the snarls before they were halfway down the hall. The air smelled of wet fur, and the growls and snaps up ahead set Peter on edge. He crept along the passageway. How many were there? Three, maybe four?

  The noises grew louder, and soon Peter could see around the corner. It was worse than he thought. There were five of them. And they were the wolf kind. Each was packed into a wooden crate, but, instead of taming them, their captivity whipped them into a fury. Their powerful muscles flexed under matted fur as they threw their bodies at the crate walls, rocking them from side to side. Frenzied howls filled the air, and they snarled at each other through the slats. Peter caught glimpses of gleaming yellow eyes and sharp fangs glistening with saliva as the beasts tried to snap through the crates. The howling escalated. They knew Peter and Sam were there.

  Elton stood next to them, mumbling something incoherent as he squinted at a tiny book. Every so often, he dabbed his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief. “Shut up!” he screamed at the beasts. “Just shut up!” He looked over, and Peter didn’t duck quickly enough. Elton had seen him. “So that’s it, my delicious creatures,” Elton said. “We have a visitor.”

  Peter ran out to the middle of the room. Sam galloped close behind. “We know what you’re doing, Elton,” Peter said. “We’ve come to stop you.”

  Elton looked at Peter’s brandished sword and laughed. “Oh really? The little Hero has come to save the day?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so. You’re too late.” The air behind him was shimmering into an oval. With a flick of his wrist, Elton dropped the doors of the crates, and the snarling beasts crashed out.

  “Gog! Magog!” he commanded, and two of the beasts looked at him. “The boy and the cat are yours.” The beasts paced warily, eyeing their prey. “Farewell, Peter Merriweather,” Elton said with a sneer. “I can’t say that I’ll miss you.” The strange oval behind him now looked like a smooth mirror. Elton stepped backward into it and disappeared. As soon as he was gone, the beasts attacked. Peter moved to the right, and Sam went left, his fur standing all on end and making him look twice his normal size. Peter gripped his sword tighter, hoping that all his Weaponry practice would pay off. He felt the adrenaline pulse through his veins.

  The larger of the two, Magog, sprang at Peter. Peter rolled instinctively, and the beast hit t
he wall directly behind him. Growling, Magog turned and paced the length of the room, her yellow eyes fixed on Peter.

  He braced himself. Perhaps if he was quick, he could stab the beast as it attacked. Before Magog leaped, however, a furry, spitting ball flung itself onto the beast. “Sam!” Peter yelled. “No!” Peter took two steps forward, then a crushing mass slammed into his left side, and his sword clattered down out of reach. Gog had found him. On the floor now, Peter fought blindly, pummeling the beast’s foul flesh with his fists. He felt Gog’s hold loosen. He stretched down for the dagger in his boot. He stabbed the beast with it, sinking the blade deep into its body, and the creature shuddered and collapsed onto Peter. He heaved the creature off his face, but his torso was still pinned. The rank smell of the beast filled his nostrils, and Peter shook his head to clear it. And then he saw Sam.

  Sam clawed and bit like a wild thing, and Magog yelped in fury and pain. Sam bit hard on the beast’s neck and began working his hind legs, digging deep into Magog’s chest. Peter gathered his strength once more and wrenched Gog’s dead body a little farther to one side. One leg was free.

  Magog flailed her great head from side to side, hitting Sam against the stone wall with each blow. Peter could hardly watch. He pulled frantically at his pinned leg. He had to help Sam. With one final shove, he freed himself from the huge carcass and crawled to his feet. Sam’s grip had grown weaker, and as Peter raced across the dais, Magog violently flung the little form across the room, where it lay still.

  “No!” Peter yelled, and threw himself at the beast. He grabbed his discarded sword, and struck out. The blade hit soft flesh, but Magog was strong. Her jaws snapped at Peter unfailingly, and as he tried to dart away, she sank her teeth into his shoulder.

  Peter yelled in pain as she bit down, clawing at his back with her forepaws. He flipped his sword in one smooth movement and stabbed blindly behind him. Magog’s teeth loosened. But Peter was on his knees. Black spots were in front of his eyes. The walls were turning a strange color, and then an incredible weight toppled onto his back, and everything went black.

  It was still dark when Una awoke. Indy’s boot was nudging into her side, and she sat up groggily. Her neck was stiff from slumping back against the tree. The fire had nearly gone out, and her fingers felt numb with cold. She had slept through her watch and, it looked like, Horace’s as well. That should make Horace happy.

  “Horace is gone,” Indy said in a monotone.

  Una looked across the campsite. The ground where Horace had slept was flat and empty. “Maybe he went for firewood?” she said.

  Indy kicked at a pile of dirt. “The little coward’s deserted. And, wouldn’t you know it, he took his supplies with him. I bet he’s off to find the enchanted ax on his own. Just like a Villain.”

  She stretched to work the knots out of her back. Then she remembered. Alethia’s book! She felt around on the ground frantically and, finding no success, hopped up to shake out her skirts.

  “Looking for this?” Indy said. The book sat in his hand. In the dying firelight it looked like any other book. Except for the dragon snaking up the side. “Where did you get it?”

  “Give it back.” Una grabbed for the book, but he held it up out of her reach. “Indy”—she stood up on her tiptoes, but he easily moved away—“you don’t understand. You’ve got to give it to me. It’s important.”

  “I know,” he said as he tucked the book into his cloak pocket. “Which is why you shouldn’t have brought it into a practical examination.”

  Chapter 30

  Peter felt like he was racing down a tunnel, faster and faster toward the light at the end. When he got there, he opened his eyes slowly, and pain washed over him as consciousness returned. His shoulder throbbed. He could smell blood, the metallic scent of it thick in his nostrils. Slowly, things came into focus. The stone ceiling arched above him.

  Peter wriggled out from under the beast’s carcass and sat up. Magog’s dead body sprawled next to him. The memory of the fight came crashing in. “Sam?” he whispered.

  There was no answer.

  Peter saw the little body, lying in a crumpled heap on the other side of Magog. He limped over and fell to his knees beside him. Sam’s eyes were glazed over, his mouth bared in a fighting snarl. “Oh, Sam,” he said, the tears falling now. “You fought well, my friend.”

  When his tears were spent, he bent forward. Elton will pay for this. He scooped Sam’s body up with both hands. That was when he saw the flick of a whisker. Peter leaned in close. He felt a puff of air. He looked at Sam’s chest—was it moving?

  Another puff. A tiny movement. Sam was alive.

  Una kicked dirt over the remains of the fire. With each vigorous kick she chided herself. It had been stupid to look at the book in the exam. Now, at the very least, the examiners would know she had a book. And if Elton was reading, he would recognize the description and know it was Alethia’s book. He’d probably be waiting for her the moment she stepped out into the Tale station.

  The spot where the fire had been was now buried in dirt, and the only light now came from Indy’s travel lantern.

  “Very thorough, milady,” Indy said as he finished packing up his things.

  Una stopped kicking. Maybe she could hide the book somewhere in the exam. Or disguise it somehow. She had to get it back.

  Indy strapped his sword into its scabbard. He was adjusting it over his shoulder when Una came up behind him. “Let me help you, milord.”

  Indy’s hands stopped. “Um, that’s really not necessary. Milady.”

  “I insist.” Una grabbed the leather strap and wiggled it a bit so it was more in the center of his back. Now, which pocket did he put it in?

  “Forget it. Milady.” Indy’s voice sounded flat. He turned around. “I’m keeping it.”

  Una clasped her hands together in front of her. “You don’t get it. If they find that bo—” She caught herself. She had to make him understand without revealing too much to the examiners. She ran over and grabbed a stick from the edge of the woods. In crooked letters she wrote destroy in the soil next to the lantern. “Like what happened at the potting shed.”

  Indy looked down at her. “How did you know—?”

  “It’s not important,” Una said. She underlined the word destroy. “But we’ve got to do something.”

  Indy crouched down and traced the letters in the dirt.

  This wasn’t helping. Maybe if she could get Indy to take the book out, she could steal it back. Una volunteered, “I never figured out how to open it.”

  Indy stood and readjusted his pack. “What do you mean?”

  Una tried to phrase things so that the examiners wouldn’t understand what she was talking about. “It’s locked. Didn’t you recognize the dragon?”

  Indy looked puzzled. “I saw it. So?”

  Una didn’t know how to tell him. She scratched Muse in the dirt with her finger.

  Indy stood up slowly. “You brought one into the exam? You idiot!” He began muttering under his breath in another language. He sounded mad.

  “Indy,” Una began.

  “Unbelievable! We have been seeking them for years. Risking life and limb to beg one of them to return. And some little girl”—Una huffed at this—“brings one of their books into the Talekeepers’ exam. We have got to get it out of here.” He started walking.

  “Wait. You want them to come back?” Una asked, struggling to keep up. “You don’t think they’re all dead?”

  Indy snorted. “Immortals don’t die.”

  Immortals! Una stopped short and blinked at Indy. He was halfway across the clearing before she found her voice. “Have you found any?”

  Indy didn’t look at her. “We haven’t.”

  “We?” She doubled her stride to catch up.

  He gave her a curt nod.

  Una wanted to shake the answers out of him. What else did he know? “What will you do with it now? We can’t open it, remember?”

  “You can’t o
pen it. I can. My family has passed on the tradition for generations.” Indy scowled back at her. He wasn’t even out of breath. “But there’s no way I’m going to do it in some stupid Talekeeper exam.”

  “Show me,” Una demanded. “Open it now.”

  “Now? Are you crazy?” Indy asked, but it wasn’t Una’s voice that answered him.

  “I think that would be very unwise,” Elton said as he moved into the lantern’s little circle of light. Una spun around to face him, and Indy stepped forward so that he and Una were standing shoulder to shoulder.

  Elton’s face was streaked with lines of dirt. He was snugly buttoned into an old-fashioned tweed suit, but the shirt had come untucked and all the fabric was rumpled. Behind him stood three horrible creatures. Their bodies were hidden in the shadows, but they began to growl as they skirted the clearing. Una reached out for Indy’s hand, and he grasped hers firmly.

  “Is something wrong with the examination?” Indy asked in a strained voice.

  “Something is wrong, yes,” Elton responded, turning to Una. Una squeezed Indy’s hand.

  “The book, child. Give it to me,” Elton said.

  The creatures behind him were shaking now, scenting the air hungrily. Una didn’t doubt that they were carnivorous. Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth.

  “Give it to me!” Elton screamed, and the beasts went into a howling frenzy. They circled around one more time. The moment seemed to stretch on forever. Then everything happened in a flash. Indy threw something flaming at Elton, which exploded in the air right in front of him.

  “Run!” he yelled, whirling Una back around and out of the clearing.

  “Elton is working for the Red Enchantress,” she said as they blindly sped up the path. “They’ve been hunting for Alethia’s book.” What did it matter now if the examiners knew what they were talking about? She tried to match Indy’s long strides. “And I think they mean to destroy it.”

  “We’ve got to get back to the Tale station,” Indy said, with an even voice that had no strain of the run in it. “The Talekeepers may try to make us hand over the book there, but at least they won’t destroy it. The professors won’t allow it. Edenberry will help us.”