Xavier shifted uncomfortably. He put a hand on his knee, wincing, as if it hurt. “Not really.”
“What if we sneak into Skot’os and capture the Olethron?” said Evan. “Then we could use them to take out some of those skypods at least.”
“You’re going to capture the Olethron?” said Xavier. “How? Do you even know where they are?”
“They’ve got to be somewhere,” said Evan, folding his arms.
“That would never work,” said Levi. “And even if it did, you might destroy the whole mountain, and then no one would ever get their swords ever again.”
“I agree. Anyway, we’ve got to free the frozen Warriors first,” said Brianna. “How are we going to do that? There are so many of them. And so few of us.”
“There may be more of you than you think,” said Mr. J. Ar.
“Maybe there’s a way to get up the mountain before Thayne is able to counterattack,” said Manuel. “Like if we had powered skis that could go uphill.”
“That sounds fun!” said Evan.
“You can’t bring anything into Ahoratos, remember?” said Xavier, shaking his head. “Or take anything out that Ruwach doesn’t give you. And I doubt there are any ski shops in Ahoratos.”
“Well, of course, we would have to build them there,” said Manuel.
“Out of what?” Xavier grumbled. “Let’s face it. There’s no way we can take back that mountain.”
Everyone was quiet, shocked by Xavier’s discouraging tone.
“Let’s table this discussion until after we have some cinnamon rolls,” said Mr. J. Ar. He coughed again. “Brianna, take these into the kitchen. You kids go with her; I’ll be along in a minute.”
The kids got up and followed Brianna into the kitchen. It took Xavier longer to get up, so he was lagging behind.
“Hang with me here a moment, Xavier.” Xavier sat back down again, staring at his leg so he didn’t have to look Mr. J. Ar in the face.
“I know what you’re feeling,” said Mr. J. Ar after a moment. “But you’ve got a job to do, Xavier. You can’t be sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.”
“That’s all I can do,” Xavier blurted. “I failed. And now I can’t play basketball. I can’t even walk.”
“I will say it again. You have a job to do. You are a Prince Warrior whether you are walking or hobbling or sitting or not even able to get up out of the bed. You are always a Warrior. Ponéros never stops, so neither do we. Why did Coach Cavanaugh put you in as point guard?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes you do. Because you are a natural leader. You know how to get the most of others’ abilities, right?”
“I thought so. Once.”
“Well, that doesn’t change just because you can’t play.”
Xavier thought about this. “I can’t play point guard from the bench.”
“Why not?”
“Because. I just can’t.”
“Listen to me, son. Right now you have to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do. Do you get me?” Xavier nodded, mute. “I know you think you messed up, and maybe you did. But that doesn’t mean the Source can’t use you anymore. If that were true, there would be no Prince Warriors in the world. Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.”
“Okay,” said Xavier. “But I still don’t know how to win this battle.”
“The battle is already won,” said Mr. J. Ar in a soft voice.
“That’s what Ru says.”
“You need to believe it.”
Xavier looked dubious. “I’ll work on that.”
“Good. Now help me up. I need to get me one of those cinnamon rolls before they’re all gone.”
CHAPTER 21
The Root
Ivy’s mom gave Brianna a ride home from Levi’s house since she only lived around the corner. Brianna wanted to ask Ivy more about the mission and the two Finnish boys; she wanted to know what had actually happened and why she and Finn had been sent alone in the first place. But Ivy seemed too absorbed with her phone.
She couldn’t help but feel that Ivy had changed since they’d started eighth grade. Brianna couldn’t remember the last time the two of them had hung out together like they used to. She had heard rumors about what Ivy had done to that kid in the lunchroom, but whenever she tried to talk to Ivy about it, she would change the subject.
“Hey,” Brianna said once they’d turned onto her street. “Want to hang out? Watch TV or something?” Brianna had hoped that Ivy would invite her over to her house. It was hard having friends at Brianna’s house, because it was small and overcrowded. Ivy’s house was much bigger.
“Oh, sorry . . . I can’t. I’m meeting some girls at the movies.”
“Oh.” Brianna felt her stomach drop a little. “What girls?”
“You know Emily and Jill? They’re in my Spanish class. They asked if I wanted to come, so I said sure.”
“Oh.”
“Do you want to come too? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”
Despite her friendly invitation, Brianna didn’t think she would want to be an add-on to that group. They weren’t her friends, after all. “No thanks. I’ve got . . . chores to do anyway. And Grandpa Tony said he would give me a sword lesson later on. Do you want to come over for that—after the movies?”
“Maybe. That would be great. We’ll see how it goes.”
Ivy’s mom pulled up to Brianna’s curb.
“Thanks, Mrs. Foster,” said Brianna, getting out.
“Anytime, Brianna.” Ivy’s mom gave her a warm smile. Brianna sensed she actually knew what she was feeling.
“Bye, Ivy.”
“See ya.” Ivy never looked up from her phone.
Brianna walked up the icy sidewalk into the house. She could hear her grandmother busy in the kitchen. She was making more cinnamon rolls; Brianna could tell by the heavenly smell. Nana Lily made the best cinnamon rolls in the world. And now that she had recovered from her stroke, she made them practically every weekend.
Brianna avoided the kitchen and went straight to her room, which was empty for once. Nikki and Crystal were apparently out. Brianna sat on her bed, took the root out from under her mattress, and stared at it.
Roots were buried underground, where no one could see them. Maybe that was her gift. To be invisible. She felt like she was becoming invisible to her best friends. Ivy had new friends now. And Levi hardly spoke to her; he was so preoccupied with his dad’s illness. She wanted to be a friend to him, but whenever she tried to talk to him about how he was feeling, he just put her off.
Brianna couldn’t bear the thought of spending the whole of this dark, cold Saturday alone in her room. Even her sisters weren’t there to fight with.
Maybe I will go to that movie after all.
She jumped up from the bed, tossing the root on the mattress. She changed into her best outfit and spent half an hour in the bathroom doing her hair. Then she went down to the kitchen, where Nana Lily was pulling a pan of cinnamon rolls out of the oven with one hand while holding her cane with the other.
“You’re just in time, girl,” she said, setting the pan on the stove. “Can you help me frost?” She pointed to another tray of rolls that were cooling.
“What? Oh, sure,” Brianna said. She grabbed the bowl of frosting and quickly slathered each of the rolls.
“Hey there, take it easy on those rolls. You’re drowning them!” said Nana with a laugh.
“Oh, sorry. Hey, Nana, would it be okay if I went to the movies this afternoon?”
“Movies?” Nana Lily arched an eyebrow at her. “Who with?”
“Oh, just some friends from school. And Ivy too.”
“Well, I don’t know. I suppose it would be all right, if your grandfather takes you. But he’s having some trouble with the car, so you better g
o out to the garage and ask him.”
“Oh, thanks, Nana! And . . . could I have some money too?”
“Well, there may be a ten-dollar bill in my purse. You can check and see.”
“You’re the best, Nana!” Brianna gave her grandmother a quick kiss and ran to the closet where her grandmother kept her purse. She grabbed the money and dashed out to the garage.
“Grandpa?”
“Hey there, Breeny.” Grandpa Tony had the hood of the car propped open and was bent over, staring at the engine compartment.
“Can you give me a ride to the movies?” Brianna rubbed her arms, shivering in the cold.
“Not today I’m afraid. I think I might need a new battery. This cold is really doing a number on this old bucket of bolts.”
Brianna bit her lower lip, disappointed. “Do you know where Crystal is?” Maybe her sister could give her a ride.
“I think she’s working today. She gave Nikki a ride to the library this morning.”
“Oh.” Brianna plopped down on the garage step, deflated. She took out her phone and flipped through some more contacts, searching for someone to hang out with. Finally, she texted Levi again.
Hey, want to come over? No sisters here right now!
Levi responded:
Sorry. Can’t. Dad needs me.
She typed:
Anything I can do to help?
The reply:
No thanks.
She put the phone back in her pocket, got up from the step, and opened the door.
“Hey, Breeny,” said her grandfather. She turned to look at him. “How about that sword-fighting lesson?”
“Oh yeah, sure.”
“Okay, let me just finish this up here. In the meantime, why don’t you go check your chore list? I’m sure there’s a thing or two you haven’t done yet. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Brianna went back into the house and up to her room. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, imagining Ivy with all her new friends, laughing and joking and having a good time without her.
She forgot all about her chore list.
When Grandpa was ready for the sword-fighting lesson later, Brianna texted Ivy to see if she was coming. But she didn’t answer.
Ivy finally texted her back an hour later, when the lesson was almost over.
Sorry I can’t. Say hi to Grandpa Tony for me!
Brianna didn’t bother to respond.
CHAPTER 22
The Bulb
Manuel’s dad dropped him off at the Cedar Creek Rec Center. He hadn’t been there in a while, but Mary Stanton, who had taken over as director in Mr. J. Ar’s absence, had asked Manuel if he could come in and do a science project with the younger kids. It was Saturday afternoon, and he didn’t really have anything better to do anyway.
Manuel had decided to teach the kids about meat-eating plants. He had his own plant specimens in a special insulated container so they wouldn’t freeze on the way. His Venus flytrap, his pitcher plant, and a new one he’d gotten for Christmas that was called a butterwort. He thought the kids would think that name was pretty funny.
He almost tripped over a broom that came charging at him. He stumbled and recovered, saving his container of plants just in time.
“Sorry, dude, didn’t see you.”
Manuel looked up to see Landon—the boy who once wrapped him in toilet paper in front of the entire rec center—at the end of the broom. Landon kept his head down and continued his sweeping. Manuel stared after him, shocked to see the big bully, of all people, doing chores at the Rec.
“Manuel! Thanks for coming!”
Still a little confused, Manuel turned to see Mary Stanton rushing over to greet him.
“Oh, hi, Miss Stanton.” Manuel took another glance at Landon. “Why is he sweeping?”
“Oh, I’m not sure. Finn just said he was going to be coming in and helping out. I was surprised too.”
“Oh. Well, anyway, where would you like me to set up my presentation?”
Mary brought him over to a smaller room off the main area, where she had already set up a table for Manuel to use.
“Will this work okay?”
“Sure.” Manuel smiled at her. Mary Stanton still kept her long blonde hair in a ponytail, but otherwise she wasn’t much like the old Mary from two years ago, who had spent most of her time drinking lattes, texting her friends, and studying for her college exams. Back then she hadn’t had much use or interest in the kids. Now she seemed interested in everything. She read a lot, and whenever Manuel or the other kids were there, she would pepper them with questions about Ahoratos.
It had taken her a while to get over what had happened the day Ponéros, posing as a kid named Viktor, had come to the Cedar Creek Rec Center to steal the Prince Warriors’ books and armor. Her life had changed that day. She’d seen ordinary people turn into Glommers. She’d seen the kids she used to supervise at the Rec become Prince Warriors and battle an evil monster. She’d seen Ruwach in his true glory vanquishing their enemy. She still didn’t know what to make of it all, but she’d seen too much to still be the same Mary Stanton she’d been before.
“How’s Mr. J. Ar?” she asked as Manuel set up his display of plants. “We really miss him here.”
“Just saw him this morning,” said Manuel. “He seems to be doing better.”
“That’s a relief. Do you think he’ll ever come back to the Rec?”
“I hope so.”
Once Manuel’s display was ready, Mary gathered up a group of kids to sit on rugs in front of the table. They squirmed around a lot, as little kids do, not paying much attention to Manuel, too busy sticking their fingers in each other’s ears. Manuel stood before them and cleared his throat.
“Hey, guys. Did you know there are some plants that kill bugs and eat them?” he said to start things off. The kids turned to him, suddenly interested. Manuel nodded. “It’s true. These plants are meat eaters. We refer to them as carnivorous. Here are some different ways they do it.” Manuel held up the pitcher plant, which looked like its leaves were all rolled up. “The pitcher plant creates a basin that fills up with rainwater, which mixes with a special stew of poisonous toxins the plant secretes. When an unsuspecting bug comes along for a drink of water”—Manuel held up a plastic fly and waved it in the air with his other hand, making the kids laugh—“it lands on the edge of the leaf and dips into the water”—Manuel demonstrated—“then falls in, and wham! It can’t get out. Then it slowly dissolves and gets digested.”
The kids made noises of disgust and delight. Manuel picked up another plant.
“This one is called a butterwort.” Just as he predicted, the kids laughed at the name. “It looks like a harmless tropical flower. But its leaves secrete a shiny liquid that looks like water, so when a bug lands on the leaf for a drink, it sticks. Like flypaper. And then the butterwort secretes another toxin that digests the stuck bug. Basically, dissolves it while it’s still alive.” Manuel pretended to be a bug being digested by the plant. The kids laughed and clapped.
As a grand finale, Manuel demonstrated his Venus flytrap. He placed a flake of fish food in the spiky jaw of the plant; the kids gasped in amazement as the jaw snapped shut. Afterward, Manuel allowed them to come up for a closer look and to “feed” the plants themselves. As he watched the kids and the plants, Manuel suddenly thought of the flower bulb Ruwach had given him. The water lily.
He began to wonder if that bulb might be useful in the battle that was still to come.
“That was awesome, Manuel,” Mary said when he was done. “You sure had their attention.”
“Thanks,” said Manuel. He starting packing up his plants. “Nothing like carnivorous plants to make kids take an interest in botany.”
“So true . . . I was just wondering, have you been back there lately?”
> “Where?”
“You know. Ahoratos.”
Manuel glanced up at Mary, pushing up his glasses. “Well, yes.”
“Really? Can you tell me about it?”
“Well, there was this battle, and it didn’t go so well, and Ponéros—you remember Viktor?—he took the Mountain of Rhema, and so we need to get it back.”
Mary’s eyes got big. “He took a whole mountain?”
“Yes. It’s not the best news. We think he’s probably making plans to take more territory too. To take over all of Ahoratos.”
“That’s terrible. What are you going to do?”
“We don’t know yet.” Manuel put on his coat. “I think my dad is here.” He started to leave. Mary stopped him.
“Hey Manuel—do you think it would be possible for me to, you know, go there sometime?”
Manuel turned back and looked at her. His mouth fell open. “You want to go to Ahoratos?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“Because. Well. I’m not sure. After what happened . . . I was so scared, I didn’t think I wanted anything to do with that place. But I can’t get it out of my mind. What I saw.” She paused. “How do you get there?”
“Well, you have to be called. I think. That’s what happened to me anyway.”
“You were called?”
“Yeah. The Crest just appeared. It was like an invitation that I could either accept or reject. It was a choice.”
“I see.” Mary’s eyebrows knitted together. “Well, the next time you’re there, could you, like, tell that friend of yours that I’m interested?”
Manuel thought about this. “Are you sure you’d really want to do that? Because if you are, I’m pretty sure the call will come.”
Mary broke into a smile. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Manuel turned around to leave again, but something made him stop. A voice. Not a loud voice. A whisper. So small he was surprised he had heard it at all. It told him to do something surprising.
He reached into his backpack and pulled out the Prince Warrior book, the book given to him by his mother before she died. He always carried it with him, just in case. He turned back to Mary. “Read this. I’ll let you keep it for a little while. It will help you . . . understand.”
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