by A W Hartoin
“Did Soren give a reason?” I asked.
“There are reasons. I’m not privy to them.”
Iris leaned closer, her eyes examining Tadao. “Are you a katana?”
“Not hardly. I am katani, a servant species.”
Gerald came out. “A servant species? Does that mean you want to be servants or you have to be?”
“It means we are servants. It is our gift.”
Iris wrinkled her nose. “Doesn’t sound like much of a gift.”
I elbowed her. “There are times when being a kindler is a gift I’d like to give back.”
Tadao smiled. “Your presence is requested.” He made a sweeping gesture and Iris started to go. He held her back. “I apologize. Only Matilda Whipplethorn’s presence is requested.”
“No way,” said Gerald. “She goes, we go.”
“Then I’m afraid you will all be staying here, but I would say that an answer has come in about the request you made of the spriggans.”
Iris bit her lip. “Then Gerald and I will stay here.”
Gerald shoved her shoulder. “We have to go. It’s about Miss Penrose.”
“The information is for Matilda alone,” said Tadao.
“Who says we can’t go?” asked Gerald.
“Soren Maple.”
“I can’t believe Soren doesn’t trust us,” said Iris, her eyes growing watery.
“I don’t believe it is a matter of trust,” said Tadao. “Shall we go?”
I hugged Iris and Gerald. “Just stay here and eat. I’ll tell you everything anyway. The sooner we get that root the better.”
Gerald glared at me and stomped back into the room.
Iris hugged me and whispered in my ear. “Try and get to the commander. He really wants you.”
I told her I would and then went with Tadao.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To the war room.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE WAR ROOM wasn’t nearly as impressive as I was expecting. First of all, it was small, dirty, and filled with dusty supplies, probably used in wars a century ago. Second, there were snacks on small tables in the four corners of the room. Two of the tables had beautiful cakes, cookies, and muffins. A third was clearly for the phalanx. A beetle head sat in the center, surrounded by platters piled high with fly legs. The last had covered dishes that must’ve contained fish from the smell they gave off.
There weren’t as many species as I expected, only the phalanx, katana, the red-horned trolls, and Soren’s dryads. Daiki was there with the katana. Now that I saw him in a big group I could see his age. The others showed their years around their eyes.
Soren was there, too, but I wasn’t as pleased to see him. He sat in a chair beside Esmee and they bent over a list, their heads close together. When I looked back at Daiki, he gave me a half smile. My palms tingled. I really needed to read that book.
Farue came to my side, but he didn’t speak. I used to think that phalanx were kind of expressionless, but Farue definitely had an expression and he wasn’t happy. He stood stiff and stared at Soren.
“Matilda,” said Soren. “Thank you for coming.”
I crossed my arms and Soren’s smile faltered. He recovered and asked us to be seated. I sat between Farue and Daiki. It was like being bookended by power. Both of them glowed with it and I began to wonder if the power I sensed from them was what others sensed in me.
Soren walked to the front of the group with his slow, high steps and then faced us. “We’ve had a message from the spriggans. They will meet with us under a flag of truce.”
Farue scoffed. “A truce means nothing to them. The commander lies wounded because of it. They’ll wave that flag and then attack.”
“I agree, but Matilda’s earring is much more valuable to them than the medicine she wants. Don’t forget that the spriggans are primarily traders.”
“Someone should remind them of that,” said Farue. “Seems like they forgot.”
“They have changed their ways, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know a good opportunity when they see it.”
An older katana said, “What do the spriggans propose?”
“Farue will meet the spriggan representative in the open between the teapot display and World War II memorabilia in one hour.”
“They’re not sending the horen?” asked Farue.
“No,” said Soren. “That was one of my conditions.”
“Who are the horen?” I asked.
“The golden fairies,” said Farue.
“Just because the spriggans agreed doesn’t mean they’ll abide by the terms,” said the red troll in a low melodic voice that made me look at him twice.
“Do they know who wants the root?” asked the older katana.
“They know it’s Matilda and why she wants it. I don’t know how they got the information. But I make the terms,” said Soren.
“Don’t they want her at the meeting?” asked Daiki.
“It’s the earring they want.”
“I doubt that,” said the red troll.
“Matilda, how much of this root do you require?” asked Soren.
“As much as you can get,” I said.
“Then give your earring to Farue and we’ll make the exchange.”
“That simple?” asked the red troll.
“Yes,” said Soren.
The troll grimaced. “I don’t believe it.”
I stood up. “Wait. I’m going to this meeting.”
“Farue will go in your stead,” said Soren.
“The spriggans won’t accept that,” said the red troll. “They don’t need the earring, but Matilda has to have this medicine. It’s their game. They have to know that.”
There were nods of agreement around the room.
Soren took a deep breath. “They want Matilda there. It’s true. But we can’t chance them capturing her. If it were just the spriggans, it would be a different matter, but there are the other species in their alliance to consider. Farue will go.”
“Farue doesn’t know kaki persimmon root,” I said. “They could take the earring and give him a bag of birch leaves. I’ve read the description. I’m going.”
“Esmee will accompany Farue. She’ll know the root when she sees it.”
“So Esmee can go meet the spriggans, but I can’t? That’s ridiculous.”
“Tadao, take Matilda back to the guest quarters and bring the earring back.”
Tadao started for me, but Farue blocked his path. “I obeyed you, Soren, when you said the commander’s fight wasn’t Matilda’s. I didn’t agree, but I did it. This is Matilda’s fight. That medicine is for her friend, and she has every right to get it.”
Soren shot a look at Tadao and he tried to go around Farue.
I ducked him and went to a corner table to snag a cupcake. “What exactly did the spriggans say?”
“It doesn’t matter, Matilda.” Soren looked so tired, I felt sorry for him.
“I have to have that root, so it does matter. And I’m not going to send Farue to do my job. They won’t give him the root if they require me.”
Soren sat down, and Esmee rushed to his side. She touched his hand and my palms itched. Daiki watched with a hint of a smile on his lips. I sneered at him. So I didn’t like Esmee, who could blame me? Miss ‘You are what you are.’ She was a snot.
“The spriggans request that you meet with them alone, Matilda,” said Soren. “Surely you can see why that is not possible?”
The older katana joined me at the table. “It is not only possible, but necessary. They have what Matilda needs, not the other way around. She’ll have to follow their rules. Unless you’d rather attack. We katana are ready.”
“As are the teufel,” said the red troll.
“And the phalanx,” said Farue.
“We will not attack while negotiations are ongoing,” said Soren.
“We negotiate and they take more territory,” said Daiki.
“You can keep talki
ng,” I said, picking up cupcakes for Gerald and Iris. “I’m going.”
Farue stalked over. “And I’m right with you.”
“And me,” said Daiki.
“Matilda, you promised me,” said Soren.
“I promised Miss Penrose I’d save her life first.” I left the room, clutching the cupcakes and holding back tears. Soren looked so disappointed. I blinked hard and then pictured Miss Penrose lying in bed struggling to breathe. I couldn’t let her die like that. If the spriggans wanted to see me, they’d see me. I didn’t care what they wanted as long as they gave me the root.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE GOLDEN FAIRY stood directly across from me next to a display of German World War II grenades. It was the one from the council chambers, but I didn’t see any injuries on him. He stared at me, flexing his fingers on top of a cane, so that I could see each of his claws.
“So those are horen?” I asked Daiki.
“Yes. They’re extremely dangerous.”
“They recently came from Europe. Lucky for us there’s only three,” said Farue.
“They don’t seem to like me very much,” I said.
“They don’t like kindlers in general. You’re one of the few fairies that can create and throw weapons. They don’t like the competition,” said Daiki.
“I saw them throwing golden spheres. What are they?”
“Their spirits. They can throw themselves over enemy lines and attack from the rear among other things.”
“Huge problem in battle.” Farue looked like he needed something to do with his hands. I wished I had a smoking stick for him.
“Farue, are you going to tell me what the commander wanted?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “I’ve already crossed enough lines.”
There was movement behind the horen and a troop of spriggans arrived. I recognized Horc’s uncle and the small spriggan that was harassing the phalanx when we first arrived in the mall. The spriggans smiled at me, haughty and sure of their position. All except the small one. He watched me with an intense interest that seemed familiar. I must’ve seen him the last time I was in the mall. Horc’s uncle raised a green flag with what looked like a pile of money drawn on it. A strip of white fabric was tied below the green flag.
Farue raised our flag, the solid black triangle of the phalanx, also with a strip of white below. I held my earring with two hands and waited for the spriggans to move. Horc’s uncle stepped out of the group. I should’ve known it would be him. He was just scummy enough to demand both my presence and a high price for some medicine.
He moved quickly in his odd hopping gait toward the area between the two display cases.
“Don’t agree to anything that scumbag asks for,” said Farue. “Just get the medicine and get out. The commander will take care of him and his golden friend later.”
I walked out with a stiff back and my nose in the air, keeping one eye on the horen. I met Horc’s uncle in the center and planted the earring firmly on the dingy linoleum.
“So nice to see you again,” said the spriggan.
“Not really. Do you have it?”
“I do.”
“Let’s get on with it,” I said, trying not to breathe his spriggan stink in too deeply.
“There’s no rush.” He hopped to the right. “Let me get a good look at you.”
“You’ve seen me. Where’s the root?”
“Your abilities have grown, have they not?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does. It matters a great deal to us. How much do you want the root?”
He produced a small green velvet bag from the pocket of his paper bag suit and gave it to me. I sniffed it and once I got past the spriggan stink that clung to the bag, I recognized the scent that was described in the book at home. The crushed powder looked right, too, orangey brown and fine.
“I’ll have that back now,” said the spriggan. “May I assume you are satisfied?”
“I am.” I lowered the earring, so he could examine the stone.
He produced a flat piece of glass and fitted it in his right eye like a monocle. He examined the emerald in every way possible. He sniffed, tasted, and looked over every part of it with his eyeglass.
“Not the best quality stone.” He popped the glass out and tossed it in the air.
“Do we have a deal or not?”
“Not quite.”
“I don’t have the matching earring if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He leaned closer, his tongue slithering out and nearly touching me on the chin. I zapped him with the tiniest spark on the tip and he sucked his tongue in with a yelp.
“We’re under a truce!”
“No licking!”
He stuck out his long tongue and eyed the little black spot on the tip. “That hurt.”
“Good. Now back to business. Do you want the earring or not?”
“I want the earring with a side deal. A little sweet in my tea.”
“Nobody said anything about a side deal.”
“I’m saying it now, here, face-to-face. I want you with us.”
“You mean, on your side? Fighting for you?” I couldn’t believe it. His brain must’ve gone as rotten as his breath.
“Exactly. I always said you were a bright girl.” His tongue flicked out and he sucked it back in with a wary glance at me.
“Do you have a brain injury? I’d never fight for you. It’s all I can do not to deep-fry you right here.”
He hopped around me, sniffing and flicking his tongue. “Think about it. We’re where the power lies. You like power. I saw it in you during that first meeting in your mantel. You’re a warrior. Why not fight on the winning side?”
“Even if you won, you’d still be losers.”
“Losers with power.” He smiled, so creepy I shuddered.
“You’re disgusting.”
He shrugged. “And vile and despicable and smelly. You seem to think you’re insulting me, but I know who I am. Can you say the same?”
“I know I’m not fighting for you.”
“Let’s look at this a different way. Give me what I want and your precious Miss Penrose lives. Don’t and she dies. How’s that for a conundrum?”
I came up on him fast, so fast that he stumbled backward and I towered over him with the earring raised and flames in both my hands. They wrapped around the metal, filling the air with shimmering heat. “Take the earring.”
“Or what?” He got to his feet and straightened his paper suit. “You’ll break the truce, fry me, and take what you want? That’s what I would do. I’d take it.”
“We’re here to trade.” I wanted to fry him so bad. He should’ve been more frightened than he was. If I’d been in his shoes, I’d have been scared to death. That’s how close I was.
“I’m here to get an advantage. I can do without that earring. Can you do without Miss Penrose?”
I stuck my face in close. My nose brushed his. “I’ll get that root one way or another.”
“So you’re not so far above me. Remember that when you’re feeling special. You’re just like a spriggan. If you can’t get what you want the right way, the wrong way will do just fine.”
I whirled around and marched back toward Farue and Daiki. Their faces were grim. I didn’t speak to them, but flew off before they could see the tears in my eyes. I didn’t have a destination in mind, but before I knew it I’d landed on a dusty partition. After a few seconds I realized why I’d mindlessly picked that spot. It was the section of the mall where the mantel had ended up when we’d been stolen from Whipplethorn. I’d tried to go home.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
FARUE WAS THE one who found me still sitting on the partition, red-eyed and clutching my earring. He popped off his shell and sat beside me.
“He asked you to join him, right?”
I nodded.
“I was afraid of that. This is what you call caught between a shoe and the floor.”
�
�I told him I’d get that root and he said I was just like him. I’d do anything to win.”
“Personally, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
“How can you say that? The spriggans are horrible. They’re the worst, the lowest.”
“We all have a little spriggan in us. Me included. I’ve had to get down in the dirt more than I care to remember and the commander has too. This is just your first time.”
But it wasn’t my first time. I’d gotten down in the dirt to get Easy back from the spriggans. I just hadn’t thought it out beforehand. I would’ve done anything to save Easy. I knew that for certain. The spriggan wasn’t wrong.
“I don’t know what to do.” I pressed my lips against the cold emerald. “I thought it would be so simple. I’d buy my way to a cure.”
“Sometimes every answer is a bad one. Decide what you can live with and do that.”
“So I might have to be bad to do something good.”
“It’s a strong possibly when you’re dealing with the spriggans.” Farue stood and popped his shell on. “Let’s get back. Your mantel isn’t here and wishing it was won’t change it.”
I smiled. “How’d you know I’d try to go home? I didn’t even know where I was going.”
“I didn’t. The commander did.”
“He’s conscious?”
“He’s in and out. Doing better.” Farue climbed over the edge of the partition. Phalanx could stick to anything. They could walk on the ceiling if they wanted to. It was a pretty useful trait, not as good as wings though.
I floated down to the floor and landed beside a group of phalanx in a diamond formation. They looked like black scales on a snake, they were so tightly bound together. I walked beside Farue with my earring over my shoulder and the phalanx followed us, still in formation, our bodyguards.
The antique mall was getting darker. Even though I couldn’t hear it, I sensed the increased activity in the shadows. Many of the species were nocturnal. The dryads were not. Soren would be asleep by the time we got back to the katana stronghold and it was a relief. I didn’t want to talk to him. He knew me as well as the commander. He’d probably take one look at me and see what I was planning. I’d get that root for Miss Penrose and didn’t care if I had to steal it. I didn’t care if I had to fight for it. Miss Penrose was good and kind and, most important, she was loyal to me. She didn’t turn her back on us when I revealed my fire. She stayed and she didn’t care what anyone thought. She was all we had left of the old days of friendship in Whipplethorn and I wouldn’t let her die for a principle.