The Trilogy of Two

by Juman Malouf

  “Why are you pointing weapons at us?” demanded Alexandria. “I’m Protector of the Shifting Lakes.”

  “What about them?” The Alban gestured to the Changelings. “Those humans.”

  “Humans?” Wolf Boy grunted, knocking away a spear. “Don’t you know a Changeling when you see one?”

  Sonja slouched low behind Ansel. It seemed like all the creatures in the Seven Edens disliked humans.

  “We’ve told you who we are,” Alexandria said indignantly. “Now let us pass.”

  “A warning first. There are guards throughout the Golden Underground who will be watching you.” He gestured for the other Albans to put down their spears. He turned to Ansel and pointed at the boar. “You know you can’t bring that filthy creature inside. Edgar’s orders.”

  Ansel slid down from the boar, cursing under his breath. The twins jumped down after him. He pulled off the charm and pushed the boar backward. “Sorry, my friend,” he whispered, closing the door on him.

  “Drawbridge!” shouted the head guard. Wheels clanked and chains creaked as a wooden drawbridge lowered. It slammed into place with a thud. Alexandria walked alongside Ansel. Her boots clipped across the wooden planks.

  “That was quite a warm welcome,” said Alexandria.

  Ansel nodded gloomily. “A lot has changed since my father’s death.”

  The children followed close behind. Sonja looked over the edge into a deep chasm. She remembered Tatty telling them about the Albans. They were descendants of humans and, like the boars, were trapped underground thousands of years earlier by an earthquake. Through the years they had evolved to suit the sunless, rocky environment. They could see in the dark, hear a pin drop a hundred yards away, and smell even the faintest scent. So far, all Tatty’s fantastical tales were true.

  Sonja ducked her head beneath a low passageway and entered a vaulted grotto. There were murals of dancing women and men in gold armor painted across the rock. There were stone bridges and staircases leading in every direction. Everything everywhere glittered and sparkled.

  Sonja caught her breath. “All this gold—is it gold?” she asked. Tatty used to slather oil onto her skin before a performance. The golden caverns tattooed on her calves would shimmer the brightest.

  Ansel looked slightly bemused. “As far as I know.”

  Humming voices filled the air. Milky figures in gauze tunics emerged from nooks in high walls. White flowers decorated their chalky hair, and crystals hung from their slim necks. Their pink eyes turned to watch the visitors.

  Ansel led the party down a flight of stairs, across a bridge, and into a short tunnel.

  They entered an even bigger grotto. Light blazed from a domed ceiling encrusted with twinkling golden rocks. Alban homes were scattered throughout: a village of thick, pointy stone spires. An Alban woman waved from one of the windows as she braided her hair. A gang of Alban children ran by, chasing a spotted shrew.

  There was a lively market in full swing. Chattering Albans traded in muslin dresses; crystal necklaces; eggs, breads, and fruits; and garlands of sweet-smelling flowers. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the visitors. A pair of Alban girls pointed at the Changelings and giggled. A young boy ran up to Alexandria and hid under her coat.

  Sonja laughed as Alexandria herded the boy out from under her hem. It was the first time she had laughed in days. The Albans were friendly compared with the Changelings—or Alexandria, for that matter. She wanted to throw her arms around every one of them. Everything was beautiful and shimmering and clean. Even the air smelled sweet. Sonja felt as though she was in a dream, and for a few moments, she forgot her worries.

  They walked through an archway into a warm, humid grotto. Three old Alban men sat on a stone bench pushing worry beads through their thumbs and forefingers while staring across the lagoon. Black water lapped against the shore. Stepping-stones dotted the surface. Lights flickered in the far distance.

  “We’ll find Edgar there,” said Ansel, pointing to the lights. He stepped onto the first rock. “Watch out. It’s slippery.”

  Alexandria and the children cautiously followed the Alban down the stone trail across the black lagoon. Striped eels slithered by their feet.

  Sonja shuddered. “Do they bite?”

  Ansel shook his head. “They sing.”

  “Sing?” gasped Charlotte.

  The Alban’s eyes twinkled. “You must hear for yourselves. Use the oxygen bubbles to breathe.”

  Sonja snorted. “You’re never getting me in there.”

  An instant later, Sonja was thrown through the air. She smacked into the cold water. Wolf Boy pulled her deeper and deeper into the lagoon until they were surrounded by a throng of striped eels. He turned to her and grinned, then let go and disappeared into the swarm.

  Before she could react, she was distracted by a beautiful song. Well, not exactly a song—but certainly almost music. The tune escalated and descended and trembled. Sonja’s tears dissolved into the black water as soon as they left her eyes. She had not heard a note of music since the night Tatty was kidnapped. She realized how much she missed it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Underwater Again

  CHARLOTTE DOVE IN AFTER HER SISTER. THE WATER WAS crisp and clear and a little salty. She sucked in an oxygen bubble as it floated by. A breath of air filled her lungs. An eel brushed her hand. Its skin felt like velvet, and its big globular eyes stuck out on either side of its head. She swam after it. The eel joined a hundred other eels as they flicked their silky tails up and down their backs. Sonja floated among the swarm, swaying back and forth. Charlotte grabbed her hand. She had not seen her sister this happy since they were last onstage. Charlotte listened, hypnotized. The eels’ music was slowly bringing something in her back to life.

  Dear Jack Cross,

  I know why you’re so sad. I feel the same. I hope we’ll be able to play music together one day.

  Love, Charlotte

  Charlotte felt a poke in her side. She swished around. Moritz waved and paddled away. Sonja kicked the water violently. Wolf Boy was holding on to her ankles. He finally let go and swam off. Charlotte watched as Sonja shot to the surface, but instead of following her sister, she swam after the Changelings.

  They were nowhere in sight. Charlotte inhaled another oxygen bubble. She saw white bodies ahead, swimming playfully in the gentle current. They were Alban girls in little smocks. Painted shells were tied around their wrists and ankles. Their white hair zigzagged behind them.

  Charlotte felt the chain around her neck slip under her dress. She looked down. The locket was sinking fast into the blackness. She swam after it, paddling wildly. A pale figure whooshed under her and swiped the locket. It was a full-sized boy. He stopped in front of her. It was not Wolf Boy or Moritz.

  Charlotte stared at him curiously. He had cloudy blue eyes and strong shoulders. His hair was long and blond. He returned the chain to her neck and reclasped it; then before she knew what was happening, he pulled her face to his and kissed her on the mouth. Charlotte jerked back, stunned, and kicked frantically to the surface. She wiped her eyes.

  Ansel, Alexandria, and Sonja waved to her from the shore.

  “Come on, Charlotte!” beckoned Moritz as he and Wolf Boy swam past her.

  Charlotte emerged from the water, dripping, and walked dizzily among Alban girls lounging on the rocks. Garlands of white flowers draped over their chests, perfuming the air. An underwater boy had kissed her—her first kiss ever—and she did not even know who he was. She touched her lips. They tingled.

  The palace was carved into a rock wall. Precious stones, gold tiles, and statuettes removed from the old palace crisscrossed the facade like a patchwork. Doors and curtains had been refitted for their new home.

  “Hold it!” a voice shouted from above. Descending guards approached from every direction and surrounded them. T
he startled Alban girls fled to the corners, covering themselves.

  “What’s all this ruckus?” Ansel said, frowning. “They’ve come to speak to Edgar.”

  “He’s swimming,” barked a guard with a lantern jaw.

  Wolf Boy stepped in front of him. “You Albans are beginning to annoy me.”

  The guard reached for a knife on his belt. “I suggest you turn around and go out the way you came in.”

  Alexandria grabbed his arm. “I suggest you put away your toy so you don’t get hurt.”

  “She’s right, Igor,” a gentle voice said.

  Everyone turned to look as the full-sized boy walked out of the water followed by a harem of Alban girls. One of them helped him into a gold-trimmed gown. The soldiers moved aside to let him through. Charlotte blushed. It was the boy who had kissed her.

  “Edgar?” Alexandria hesitated. “You were only a child when I met you. I’m—”

  “Alexandria. I never forget a face.” The boy’s wet blond hair hung lank, and a large gold nugget dangled around his neck. He kissed Alexandria’s hand and looked up with a smile. “To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of this visit?”

  “The Key has been stolen,” replied Alexandria, discreetly wiping her hand. “The Protectors are meeting in the Land Where the Plants Reign. This was the only open Pathway. We were going to send an emissary, anyway, as none of our messages were answered after your father died. We need you and Ansel to accompany us to the Land Where the Plants Reign.” She eyed the gold pendant. “With the Golden Knot.”

  “The boar that murdered our father also destroyed the enchanted armor.” Edgar placed a hand on Ansel’s shoulder. “Ansel can’t go above ground anymore.”

  “My skin would burn to a crisp without it,” Ansel said miserably.

  “I, on the other hand, would be pleased to accompany your party.”

  Edgar turned to the boys. “Changelings, I presume?”

  Wolf Boy nodded. “I’m Wolf Boy, and this is Moritz.”

  “Oh, come now, aren’t we brothers?” Edgar embraced them heartily. He turned to the twins. “And you?”

  Charlotte mustered up her courage and stepped forward. “I’m Charlotte. That’s Sonja.”

  “There are two of you,” Edgar said, smiling. “How nice.” He reached out and touched the mole on Charlotte’s cheek. “I see how to tell you apart.”

  Charlotte had never seen a boy so beautiful. He was even a couple years older than she was. Charlotte realized she was staring and quickly said, “You don’t look like an Alban.”

  “I’m only half. My other half is Longwalker. Closer to humans.”

  “My mother told me about the Longwalkers.” Charlotte knew they were human travelers who had found their way into the underground centuries after the Albans. They were more like humans than any other race in the Seven Edens. “Where do they live?”

  “I’m afraid I’m the only one left.”

  Dear Jack Cross,

  I met someone else. I’m still going to help you get your Talent back. I hope you understand.

  Best regards, Charlotte

  A guard ran toward them yelling, “Two boars have broken in through the North Gate!”

  The Alban girls exploded into shrieks and screams. They scrambled up the palace steps in a frenzied mob and pounded on the doors with fifty little white hands.

  “There’s no need to panic!” Ansel yelled after them. “Stay calm, and the boars won’t harm you!”

  The doors swung open and the Alban girls disappeared inside the radiant halls.

  Charlotte did not understand what all the fuss was about. She had just seen Ansel tame a boar.

  A small army on yellow ponies galloped in from all directions and joined the other Alban guards. They fell into formation in two rows. Edgar buckled a leather belt around his waist. A dagger hung from either side.

  Ansel gripped Edgar’s arm. “Call off your men! I can tame the boars!”

  “We have females with us,” Edgar returned coolly. “We can’t take risks.”

  “Ansel’s right,” interjected Alexandria. “You, of all people, should know what happens when the boars are slaughtered. Your mother’s clan paid the price.”

  Edgar turned to her and snapped, “You know nothing of the Longwalkers.”

  Rumbling footsteps shook the grotto. Two boars blasted into view, storming toward them. Alexandria yanked the twins up the palace steps. The Changelings followed. Edgar pulled out his daggers and said evenly, “On my command.”

  The guards raised their spears. The jeweled tips glinted in the dim light.

  “Please, Edgar!” Ansel reached for a charm. “Let me tame them.”

  “Sorry, Ansel.” Edgar turned to the guards and yelled, “Attack!”

  The first row of Albans launched their spears. They whizzed through the air and jolted through the thick skins of the approaching boars. The animals squealed in pain but pressed on. Blood gushed thickly from their fur.

  Sonja cried out, “Stop!”

  Charlotte looked away, disgusted. She had heard a boar’s beating heart, felt its warm skin, and ridden on its back. How could they kill them?

  “We have to do something,” said Wolf Boy, starting toward the guards.

  Alexandria jerked him back. “This isn’t our fight. Remember what we’re here to do.”

  Another volley of spears sailed. The boars began to fall, one by one, crashing thunderously. The bloody poles stuck out of their backs like the spines of porcupines. Edgar marched to the writhing animals with his daggers in hand.

  Ansel jumped onto his brother’s back. “I won’t let you do it!”

  Edgar slammed Ansel onto the ground. “Don’t you care that our father was murdered by these beasts?”

  “It must have been a mistake—one bad egg,” pleaded Ansel. “Our father loved the boars.”

  Edgar plunged a knife deep into the first boar’s neck. It wheezed and whined. He bent over the second boar and stabbed it, too.

  Sonja sobbed on Charlotte’s shoulder. Charlotte looked up at Edgar. How could this beautiful boy be such a savage? There had to be a reason. There just had to be! She needed to know.

  “You had no right!” Ansel sobbed. His face was drenched with tears. “You’ll bring a massacre on the Albans!”

  “Calm down, brother,” Edgar said gently.

  “You’ll be the destruction of your father’s people!”

  Edgar’s eyes turned stormy. “If you can protect the Albans better than I can, why don’t you take over?” He shoved the daggers into his belt and leapt onto a pony. Charlotte’s heart sank as she watched Edgar disappear down the tunnel. She wanted to call out after him. She wanted to go with him.

  Ansel looked to Alexandria. He wiped away his tears. “Me and my brother. We don’t see eye to eye.”

  Alexandria helped him to his feet. “You should meet my family.”

  “I know where he went,” Ansel said. “I’ll take you there.”

  An Alban guard hammered planks of wood across an enormous, boar-sized hole in the middle of a gate. He held three nails in his mouth like a tailor’s pins but managed to murmur: “You just missed your brother. He was in a hurry. Didn’t stop to say hello.”

  “Boris, can you let us through?” asked Ansel. Alexandria and the children accompanied him, each riding a yellow pony.

  The guard pushed open the ruins of the gate. He shook his head. “The boars never used to bother us before. Now we can’t seem to keep them out.”

  The pitch-black darkness smelled like dung and dirt. A wind moaned and wailed as it swept through the tunnels searching for a way out. Alexandria released the lightning bugs from her pocket. The earthy walls were teeming with worms and maggots. The Changelings each scooped a handful of dirt, sifted out the insects, and popped them into their mouths, one after
the other. The bugs crackled as the Changelings chewed and spat.

  “Disgusting,” Sonja said under her breath.

  Charlotte looked away. She was too busy thinking about Edgar to trouble herself with the Changelings.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Charlotte heard her sister say.

  Charlotte shrugged. “I’m just thinking.”

  Sonja sighed. “Jack Cross.”

  “For your information, I was thinking about something totally different.” In fact, she was a little worried about herself. What type of person fell out of love and into love just like that?

  The ponies trotted in single-file through a labyrinth of tunnels until they reached a cave lit by a colony of glowworms. Charlotte was dazzled by the tiny wiggling lights. It was beautiful in the underground. It made perfect sense that Edgar came from here.

  “I wouldn’t eat those,” warned Ansel as Moritz reached for a glowworm.

  “Why? Are they poisonous?”

  “Well, not exactly, but they pack quite a punch.”

  “Maybe I’ll just try a little bite.” Moritz hesitated, uncertain. Then he plucked the shortest one he could find off the wall and popped it into his mouth. Sparks crackled against his teeth. “Aargh!” he shrieked, and spat out the little electric creature.

  Wolf Boy laughed as Moritz stuck out his burned tongue.

  Sonja rolled her eyes and muttered, “Changelings never learn.”

  The cave opened up into a vast cavern twinkling with diamonds. There were patches of barren rock where the gems had been chiseled away. White bats flapped paper-thin wings and circled and swooped above them, hunting vermin.

  Charlotte saw a castle in the distance surrounded by a moat of murky water. Headless statues perched on turrets, and threadbare flags hung like rags from their poles.

  “The Longwalkers’ castle,” announced Ansel. “Jagged Rock.”

  They followed a stone road to the front door. The drawbridge was open, and it rattled as they rode across it. Rubbish floated in the moat below: bowls and jugs and a leather boot. Skeletons littered the courtyard in piles, huddled and cowering. A few still grasped spears in their bony hands. The wind blew through the archways. A broken door swung open and closed.