Soft footsteps followed him. “Are you okay?” Diva asked.
“I don’t know.” Theo turned around. “Why didn’t you tell me about the medallion?”
“I wasn’t sure at first.” Diva leaned against the wall next to him. “I wanted to ask Bendis, but ... she’s gone. I trust Kosara. She has the words of wisdom. Besides, you changed the cobra into a nifty bow. You must be some kind of hero.”
“How? I can barely shoot an arrow.” Theo tapped his foot, shaking the bookcase. Several volumes fell to the floor.
Diva nodded toward Jabalaka, who scowled at them. “After Lamia caused all this destruction, I hoped the legend of a hero was true. Then you show up. Scrawny little human, wearing the medallion and waving an arrow at a Harpy.”
He lowered his voice, his stomach in knots. “You think I’m really a hero?”
“A legend is a legend, and heroes are often unlikely candidates.” Diva smiled. “Besides, the tale’s been around for ages, even longer than my sisters have been alive, and they’re way old.”
“You mean twenty or thirty?”
Diva shook her head. “No, more like hundreds of years old. And they’re young compared to others.”
Theo jerked back. “What about you? I thought you were around my age.”
“I am.” She flipped her hair out of her face.
“I-I don’t know if I can do this.” Theo put his face in his hands.
Diva removed them and lifted his chin. “Remember what Kosara said. You have friends to help you. You don’t have to do it alone. Let’s get some sleep. We’ll have a long day tomorrow traveling to the Forest of Souls to find Lesh and the first soul.”
Theo nodded and cleared away books from the floor. Boo lay next to him. A nagging feeling told him he was a fool. Legends and prophesies were often wrong. Diva didn’t need him. She never missed her target. Why couldn’t she shoot Lamia?
Chapter 8
A Strange House in the Woods
A foot nudged Theo awake. “Time to rise, sleepyhead,” Diva whispered.
“I can’t believe I slept. I had so much on my mind.” He yawned and scratched his cheek as he stood.
Theo had spent half the night tossing, thinking about the crazy things Jabalaka said, and the terrifying things he might have to do. How were they going to find the vulture Lesh and destroy a soul? And then two more souls after that—just to weaken Lamia?
He had to swallow his fear and try to be the hero he was supposed to be. It might be the only way to rescue Nia. She must be terrified, having spent three whole days in Lamia’s clutches. Was his sister even alive? He gritted his teeth. She had to be. He would save her.
Diva sighed as she gazed at all the books. “I’d love to stay, but we need to get going.”
Theo nodded. “Where’s Jabalaka? I want to say goodbye and thank him.”
“It’s better if you let him sleep. He was up all night boiling marsh water and straining the nasties out, so we—especially you—could rinse the muck off our clothes.”
Theo sniffed his stiff shirt. The slime from the marsh had caked onto his clothing and into his hair.
“He told me he might live in a marsh, but he doesn’t want the stink inside his house.” She pointed to a barrel full of clean water. “Wash your hair and rinse out your clothes, but you’ll have to wear them wet. We have a long way to go if we want to get to the Forest of Souls before nightfall.” She clutched her pouch, closing the strings tight. “Jabalaka left some food on the table. Grab it when you’re done and eat it on the way. I’ll wait outside with Boo.”
Theo washed and wrung out his clothes. Wet, but clean, he left Jabalaka a note thanking him before he stooped to leave the house.
Diva jumped up from the tree root she was sitting on and glanced at the door. “Is he still asleep?”
Theo nodded.
“Good. Let’s get going.” She marched toward a different path from the one where they had arrived. “This is the way Jabalaka said will get us to the Forest of Souls.”
Boo croaked, “Waak waak,” and hopped around Theo.
“Diva, wait.” Theo put Boo on his shoulder, where the magpie snuggled closer, croaking softly. “Didn’t you say Boo’s wing would heal fast? Why isn’t he flying?”
She came back and gently extended the magpie’s wing, feeling where the cobra had bit him. “It looks and feels mended. Maybe he just wants a free ride.” She strode down the path. “Hurry.”
Theo walked next to Diva without speaking, worrying about Nia and everything Jabalaka had said. If he could barely shoot an arrow, how was he going to defeat Lamia?
***
After leaving the Cold Marsh, they traveled along a narrow lane sloping toward another forest. Theo quickened his pace and stepped around black crystals littered along the way, remembering how golden ones had turned into snakes in the pool by the Znahar Tree. Who knew what black ones might contain? Tiny cobras?
The hazy sky darkened with clouds. A breeze cooled the air and filled it with melodious tinkling.
“Diva, someone’s playing music. And the trees are sparkling.” Theo ran to the edge of the forest. “Amazing!”
The branches held tiny bells instead of leaves. He touched a limb, and a multitude of copper bells sent out chimes.
Diva pulled him back. “This is the Forest of Whispering Bells. We should find a way around it. A witch lives nearby.”
“How long will that take?” Theo paced. “If we wait too long, Nia might die.”
“We’ll have to go back toward the Znahar Tree, then around a lake near the castle.” Diva closed her eyes for a moment. “And avoid some other dangerous places.”
“Is it quicker to go through the forest?”
She nodded.
“We have to try. Who’s this witch?”
“Baba Yaga.”
“Nooo!” Chills crawled over Theo’s back like thousands of spiders. He squeezed his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around his chest to keep them from trembling. “My mother told me stories about her and two lost children, and how she ... she ...”
“Ate them?” Diva supplied.
Theo bobbed his head and opened his eyes. “But, she also helps children sometimes, if you do her a favor. I ... I need all the help I can get if I’m going to save Nia.”
“I don’t know.” Diva scowled. “She’ll trick you. My sister spoke kindly of her, but—”
“Please, we have to try. All I have is a bow and arrow I’m terrible with.”
“This is a bad idea, Theo, but I’ll see if she’ll repay a debt she owed my sister.” Diva followed the lane into the forest, with Theo trailing behind.
Swaying branches continued their melody of bells as they passed, until the forest resounded with thousands of rings like a lullaby. The sound didn’t soothe Theo. He’d had nightmares in Selo after hearing stories about Baba Yaga.
The forest thinned and opened up to a grove, which was surrounded by a fence. Theo looked closer. “Gross!” Instead of wooden poles, the gate slats were human leg bones, held together by bony hands. Locking the gate was a mouth with sharp teeth. And worse of all ... Theo gasped. Human skulls with glowing eyes perched on top of the posts.
A harsh “Kra ... karakk ... kracck” drowned out the soothing tree songs.
Theo tore his eyes away from the bony fence. “What’s that awful noise? It sounds worse than Boo’s croaking.”
“It’s the witch’s house.”
“Huh?” Theo glanced at the empty grove. “I don’t see a ...”
An amethyst log cabin, supported by two chicken legs, bounced into view and jumped over the fence. “Kra ... karakk ... kracck.”
Theo gulped. “... house.”
The cabin ran in circles, a flying purple cat chasing it. The feline, with bat-like wings and a long scaly tail that ended in feathers, mewled menacingly. Its claws opened and closed as if intent on ripping the house to shreds.
“Raaawwwl.” The purple cat swooped close to Boo.
&nbs
p; “Waaak, waaaak!” Boo croaked as he zipped off Theo’s shoulder and hid under a bush near a fence.
A gusty wind blew, making the teeth on the skulls chatter. Amid all the commotion, a shrill voice shouted, “Kotka, you stupid cat, don’t scare our tasty ... I mean friendly guests.”
The witch soared overhead inside a wooden mortar, using a giant pestle to row it. She landed in front of Theo and Diva with a thud. A mass of gray hair fluttered helter-skelter beneath the plum scarf tied pirate-style over her head. She brushed the tangled mop aside, and a grin spread across her wrinkled face, which was covered with green and purple splotches.
“Welcome, children.” She jumped from the mortar and straightened as best as her hunched back allowed.
The cat sauntered to her side and rubbed against her ankles. After setting the pestle against the gate, Baba Yaga snatched her cat from the ground, then lifted her long, crooked nose into the air and sniffed around Theo. “Oddest child I ever did smell ... see, eh, Kotka?” she muttered. “Not sure this one would taste good ... er, behave in my house.”
Theo backed away.
The witch leaned against the bone-and-skull fence. “Well, what do you have to say for yourselves? Why’d you ring my doorbell?”
Theo shook his head, finally coming out of his daze. “Your doorbell? With your house running around, how could we possibly have pressed it?”
“Oh ho ho.” The witch hopped from foot to foot. “I meant the bells in the forest. I heard them chiming from miles away.”
Kotka squirmed and escaped the witch’s clutches, darting away to chase the house once again.
“My cat loves to torment my house.” She swung her ratty broom at the flying cat, but missed. “Kotka, go chase bats and mice and leave the house alone. How can I invite my guests in if you keep tormenting the poor thing?” She swished her broom in the dirt, wiping away debris. “You must be starved. I like children for lunch ... or breakfast ... or any meal.”
“Sorry.” Theo straightened his shoulders and inched closer to Diva. “I don’t want to be eaten.”
“Eaten?” The witch placed her hand over her heart. “No, no. Hee hee. That’s a nasty rumor everyone tells about poor Baba Yaga.”
Diva snorted.
Baba Yaga circled Theo, pressing her crooked nose against his cheek and sniffing once again. Her foul breath made him gag. “You’re too scrawny and pasty to eat. Who or what are you?”
“I’m Theo, and this is my friend, Diva.”
Baba Yaga grasped strands of Diva’s hair, then let them fall. “What a shame. Can’t eat you now, can I? Your sisters were my friends ... before Lamia imprisoned them.”
Diva stared into Baba Yaga’s eyes. “We’re here because you owe my sister a debt.”
“Her, not you.” The witch returned the stare, then shrugged. “Well, come inside and tell me what you want.”
She opened the gate and waved them through. A long, black tail feather stirred the tall grass.
Baba Yaga poked through the bushes with her bony fingers. “I’ve lost my old crow. This one could replace him.”
“No!” Theo pulled her away. “He’s my friend, and he’s not a crow. He’s a magpie.”
“Close enough.” The witch huffed and walked to the cabin. She put her foot on the bottom step, but the chicken feet jumped back and twirled around. “Stupid house, stop dancing!”
The cabin dug its claws into the soil, but with its back turned toward everyone. Baba Yaga spoke strange words like a chant, and the house turned. With each step it took, it screeched as if being tortured.
Theo cringed and covered his ears.
Finally, the door faced them. The windows looked like eyes glaring with malice, and the doorway appeared to move as if trying to speak.
Baba Yaga climbed the creaking wooden stairs and opened the door. “Time’s a wasting. You can’t leave until I let you, so come inside now.”
Theo followed her up the jittery stairs. What had the stories of Baba Yaga said to do if the witch invited you into her house? He had to convince her she didn’t intimidate him and that he knew how to negotiate with her. And also do whatever task she asked him to do. He turned his head to make sure Diva was behind him.
Hot, sticky air from a stone hearth stretching from one end of the cabin to the other blasted his face when he stepped inside. He scrunched up his nose at the putrid smell steaming from a bubbling kettle that dangled on an iron chain. Looking closer, he cringed. Large spider legs, stitched together by webs, encircled the bottom of the kettle. They jumped in the smoldering embers, causing the putrid liquid to spill and hiss as it seeped down the blackened sides.
Baba Yaga grasped Theo’s arm with her bony fingers and spun him to face her. “How can I help you?”
He wrenched his arm away. “I ...”
The witch sniffed the air. “I can smell your fear.”
“How can you smell anything with what you’re cooking?” Theo stepped away.
“What do you want? You’re not just out strolling with your fancy bow.” Baba Yaga reached to touch the bow’s golden snake. It hissed, its forked tongue flicking on the black wood.
“Magic.” Baba Yaga’s eyes gleamed. “Up to no good for sure. Always liked a troublemaker.”
Theo looked at Diva, and she shook her head. He thrust his hand into his pocket to keep it from shaking. The tips of his fingers touched Lamia’s golden scale.
“What do you have in there?” Baba Yaga pulled his hand out, revealing his treasure. She snatched it from him.
“Give it back!” Theo grabbed for it. “You can’t have that.”
Baba Yaga sniffed the scale. “That’s Lamia’s, so it’s worthless anyway.” The witch tossed it back and scratched her head. “Where’d you get it?”
His body trembled as he stuffed the scale into his pocket. He could be brave and let the witch know ... think she didn’t terrify him. “She ...” His voice squeaked. Gulping down his fear, he tried again, fixing his gaze on the witch. “She lost it when she kidnapped my sister.”
“The dragon steals lots of children to sacrifice.” Baba Yaga scowled. “She’s a cruel monster who likes to drink blood. The girl’s probably dead now anyway.”
“She can’t be!” Theo yelled, trying to convince himself more than the witch. “I have to rescue her. Jabalaka told us how to find Lamia’s— Ow!”
“Shhhh!” Diva withdrew the foot she’d kicked Theo with.
“Hmm. You want to get into the castle, do you?” The witch scratched her chin. “I’ll tell you what. I’m feeling more generous than hungry. I’ll give you something that’ll help you.” She hobbled toward a shelf with potions and herbs, poked around behind jars, and withdrew an object, which she packed into a small pouch. “Here.” She thrust the package at Theo.
He took the pouch and dumped out the object. A two-inch long pin with a red stone for its head lay on his palm. Nothing fancy.
“A pin? How will that help me save my sister?” Theo frowned. “I thought you’d give me something like a magical weapon.”
The witch huffed. “Not very appreciative. A gift’s a gift and should be acknowledged. Besides, you already have a magic bow.”
Theo hung his head. “Thank you.”
“You never know when you’ll be in a sticky situation.” Baba Yaga cackled, but stopped when Theo didn’t join her laughter. “Sticky? As in stick a pin...” Still nothing. “Hmph. Trust me. That pin can get you into ... or out of tight places. You’ll need it if you’re in the castle.”
Theo shrugged, replaced the pin in the pouch, and put it into his pocket along with the golden scale.
Baba Yaga crow-stepped closer to him, rubbing her hands together. “Now I want something in return.”
“Wait! You said it was a gift.” Theo reached into his pocket and tugged at the pouch to return it to the witch.
It didn’t budge.
“I told you she’d trick you, Theo,” Diva said, then turned to the witch. “What about the debt you
owe my sister?”
“When she needs a favor, she can ask. The boy still owes me.” Baba Yaga rubbed her hands together. “And I know exactly what I want. Living water so I can be young and beautiful forever. I don’t want to be called Baba Yaga.”
If Theo hadn’t been so scared, he would have laughed. Baba. Grandmother. She looked even more ancient than that.
The old witch jumped around and grinned, exposing green gums and teeth like iron. “Hee hee. Ho ho.” Baba Yaga scratched her dirty hair, removing a flea, which she crushed between her nails. She clomped toward a dusty shelf and grabbed a large metal jar, which she shoved toward Theo. “Fill this with the living water.”
Diva pushed away the container. “Not that size. Small pin. Small jar.”
The witch glared at her, but took the jar back and returned with a finger-sized, rose-tinted vial.
Uncertain whether to accept anything else from the witch, Theo looked at Diva. She nodded, and he took the container.
“Good, that’s settled.” Baba Yaga stepped near the bubbling broth, scooping putrid lumps into a bowl. “Won’t you join me for mushrooms and frog legs?”
Theo covered his mouth. “No, thank you. That smells nasty.”
“Fine, then you’re free to go.” Baba Yaga clapped her hands. “Kotka, my ornery ... darling cat, will escort you off my property.”
As if on cue, the purple cat bounced up the steps and wove around Baba Yaga’s ankles, mewling softly and fluttering her wings.
“Ah, my pretty.” Baba Yaga withdrew a squirming white mouse from a deep pocket. She dangled it by the tail above the cat’s nose. “Here’s a treat if you show our guests the way to escape ... leave.”
The cat sprang at the rodent, swallowing it whole, but spitting out the tail. She flapped her wings and flew to the door. With her head lifted high, she glanced backward, swished her tail, and disappeared outside.
Diva stomped down the steps. “Come on. Let’s get going.”
Theo hurried from the cabin.
Near the bone gate, a long, black feather quivered in the bushes. Theo kneeled and parted weeds that smelled as foul as the brew in Baba Yaga’s house.
The Unborn Hero of Dragon Village Page 9