by Brandon Mull
Kendra turned to Andromadus. “Did you see any sign of my grandma and grandpa?”
“Your grandparents are safe inside the last refuge of the keep,” Andromadus said. “I had means to spy on the events of the evening. Henrick and the other survivors of the castle staff are in there as well. The spells protecting the refuge leave me no chance of gaining admittance. But the undead should fare no better. Neither should the dragons.”
“How will they get out?” Kendra asked.
“In time, a rescue could be planned,” Andromadus said. “That is a matter for another day.”
“Thank you for saving us,” Marat said. “It was most unexpected.”
“If you came earlier, you might have saved Agad,” Knox said.
“I chose my moment deliberately,” Andromadus said. “I knew Celebrant would slay all of you. But knowing was different from hearing the sentence declared. I stood by for the end of Agad because he was an old and worthy opponent. Had Celebrant shown you mercy, Kendra, I would not have intervened.”
“Are you on our side now?” Kendra asked.
Andromadus bowed his head. “Against some of my better judgment, I consider myself your ally until the end of this war with the dragons.”
“The dragons may rue this day,” Thronis said. “It has been many a year since the birth of a wizard. The arrival of a spellcaster of your stature is no small event.”
“Time will reveal what impact I may have,” Andromadus said.
“How could you hold off so many dragons?” Knox asked.
“It helped that I had so recently converted into a wizard,” Andromadus said. “Archadius taught that my powers would spike for a time with my rebirth. He tried to coax me into this transformation long ago.”
“You learned this technique from the first wizard?” Kendra asked.
Andromadus gave a nod.
“You were truly ancient,” Thronis said. “The power of the wizard is generally proportionate to the age and power of the transformed dragon.”
“May that hold true,” Andromadus said, “for I am the oldest dragon to undergo this metamorphosis.”
“Could you have taken out any of the dragons at the keep?” Knox asked.
“Perhaps,” Andromadus said. “But I remain a pacifist. I do not intend to stop this war with violence.”
Kendra felt her hopes sink a little. It would be more comforting if Andromadus was fully on their side and ready to fight. She sympathized with his disdain for war, but she felt certain fighting would be required if humanity was to survive.
“The preserve has fallen,” Kendra said. “I am no longer the caretaker?”
“Correct,” Andromadus said.
“Your obligation is fulfilled,” Marat added. “The sanctuary has fallen. You did very well under grueling conditions.”
“Then I am free to search for my brother?” Kendra asked.
“You are free to pursue whatever you wish,” Marat said. “Though finding Seth may be easier said than done.”
“Tell me what happened to Seth,” Thronis said. “I found him both entertaining and useful when he fetched items from the Dragon Temple for me.”
Resisting her sadness, Kendra summarized how Seth had lost his memory and was taken, along with how he had been used to open the Blackwell. Thronis listened with interest until she concluded.
“To think the Wizenstone was within the boundaries of this sanctuary,” the giant mused.
“It is good that such unfathomable power has been sent away,” Andromadus said. “This war already has plenty of weapons.”
“The Wizenstone could have ended the war,” Marat said.
“Whoever won using the Wizenstone, the rest of us would lose,” Andromadus said. “The world would face a nearly invincible reign of terror.”
Kendra hoped that wouldn’t be the case if she had the Wizenstone, but she didn’t want to argue the point. It was the sort of claim a person could prove only by doing.
“How can we escape Wyrmroost?” Kendra asked. “What about teleporting us out of here?”
“Now that the preserve has fallen, I could send you a short distance beyond the boundaries,” Andromadus said. “At least for a time, before my power recedes to normal. But the dragons can also cross beyond the former boundaries of Wyrmroost. This mansion is the most fortified location within my reach. Anywhere else I send you could lead to a hasty demise.”
“So we’re trapped here?” Kendra asked.
“I’ll find a way out,” Andromadus said. “At present, I suggest you rest.”
The wizard raised his staff and vanished with a red flash.
“Am I correct to understand that we are welcome guests here despite your enormity?” Newel called with a hand beside his mouth.
“That is correct,” Thronis said. “And again, I have excellent hearing.”
“Have you known many satyrs?” Newel asked in a more regular tone.
“I hesitate to confess that your kind has stayed somewhat beneath my notice,” Thronis said. “I have heard of satyrs.”
“Great,” Doren murmured. “He wasn’t onto us. Keep drawing attention.”
Newel elbowed his friend. “Satyrs are famously hungry.”
Thronis nodded.
“I see now,” Doren muttered. “Clever stratagem.”
“I have food in abundance for such tiny guests,” Thronis said, striding out of the room.
Kendra turned to Tess. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t like dragons anymore,” Tess said. “The only nice one became a wizard.”
“There is another nice one,” Kendra said. “The rest are pretty dangerous. Worse now that we’re at war with them.”
“Can we go home?” Tess asked.
“We can’t yet,” Kendra said. “Soon, I hope.”
Kendra walked over to Patton. “How are you?”
He was panting a little and looked flushed. “I’ve been better. My body is failing. I managed to free the Luvians before the undead reached the stables. They should be running free. I took the flying mounts to the top of the highest tower. I hoped to swoop in and rescue you, but those dragons were everywhere. I was about to try when Andromadus showed up. Told me to lay low. He went and helped you, then came back for me, the griffins, and the winged horses.”
“Thanks for all you’ve done,” Kendra said.
“Wish I could do more,” the stingbulb replied.
Thronis returned. He laid a platter on the floor with various offerings, including some green grapes the size of bowling balls, a wedge of cheese that would have barely fit in a bathtub, slices of salami larger than manhole covers, some olives that rivaled the grapes, and several slices of bread that Tess could almost have used as a bed.
“Where did you find such big food?” Knox asked.
“Most of my food is magically augmented,” Thronis said. “Staying fed is one of the challenges of being a giant. I keep a greenhouse full of enhanced produce. You’ll find the grapes are perfect right now. Enjoy.”
“Where should we sleep?” Kendra asked.
“I imagine the girls would prefer separate accommodations?” Thronis asked.
“Sure,” Kendra said, deciding some privacy for her and Tess would be nice.
“I can lead you there now if you wish,” Thronis said.
“Thank you,” Kendra said. She looked at Tess. “You eat, and I’ll be right back.” Then Kendra jogged to follow the giant into a neighboring room.
Thronis laid out a comforter that looked big enough to cover a swimming pool, then folded it down to a smaller size and placed a sheet on top. “Will this work?”
“That will be great,” Kendra said. Folded, the comforter was much thicker than any mattress she had ever rested on.
Thronis strolled out of the room, and Kendra was grate
ful for the moment alone. She would go eat in a moment, but for now she found herself holding back tears.
Even without his memory, why would Seth have unleashed the undead from the Blackwell? Wyrmroost had fallen. Agad and probably some others of the castle staff had been killed.
“Are you all right?” asked Calvin from her pocket.
“I almost forgot about you,” Kendra said.
“I stayed quiet in case you didn’t want the giant to know about me,” he said.
“Probably smart,” Kendra replied.
“Now you know a little more about how I feel,” Calvin said. “Being tiny in such a huge world.”
“True,” Kendra said. “Thronis must look unbelievably big to you.”
“Dragons are enormous,” Calvin said. “But I’ve never seen a person more than a fraction of his size. Are you holding up all right?”
“I guess,” Kendra said. “Seth and I failed as caretakers.”
“You did great,” Calvin said.
“We barely lasted a week,” Kendra said. “And Seth played the key role in destroying Blackwell Keep.”
“He didn’t know what he was doing,” Calvin said.
“At least now I can look for him,” Kendra said. “And Bracken. I guess that is the bright side.”
“That’s the spirit,” Calvin said. “You’ll feel better after some food and rest.”
“I feel terrible about Agad,” Kendra said. “He was so brave. It seems like everything is falling apart.”
“Not everything,” Calvin said. “Just Wyrmroost. And maybe your family a little.”
“I’m not sure if we can fix this,” Kendra said. “For now I’m going to focus on finding Seth. It may not be possible, and I might not be able to win him back to our side, but I’ll give it all I have.”
“It starts with getting some sleep,” Calvin said.
Kendra sighed. “I better grab a little food and bring Tess to bed.”
“I’d like to try some of that cheese,” Calvin said.
“I’m glad you’re with me,” Kendra said.
“I’m sworn to Seth,” Calvin said. “I’m with you until we find him.”
“Let’s hope he stops freeing the undead.”
Seth was making a shadow puppet on the wall when the temperature began to plunge. By the light of the single lantern, the edges of the shadow were crisp as it morphed between an alligator and a dragon depending on how flat he kept his hands. Curling one finger above the others produced an eye, and little changes in the size or shape of that small window of light significantly altered the personality of his creation.
Within a few minutes after the lich had departed, Seth had grown fidgety in the bleak room. He did not want to void their agreement by exiting the chamber, so he sat in sensory-deprived silence staring at bare stone surfaces while wishing he could bring himself to lie down and doze on the hard marble slab. It was just too creepy and uncomfortable for a nap.
Seth did not realize how much colder the lich made the room until Ezabar returned, his grim skull visible behind the bluish skin of his face. Seth dropped his hands as the lich passed through the doorway, hoping the shadow puppetry hadn’t made him look like a little kid.
“Come,” Ezabar said.
Seth picked up his lantern and followed the lich, clenching his jaw in an effort to prevent his teeth from chattering. Outside the room, Seth noticed the wraith waiting at a distance and waved. The wraith raised a hand in reply.
“Does the prisoner have a name?” Seth asked.
“Any matters relating to the prisoner are yours to investigate,” Ezabar said.
They reached an empty cylindrical cage fashioned from thick bands of intertwined iron. The sole occupant was a bedraggled cat that looked scrawny enough to slip between the bars. The cat’s fur rose, back arching as it hissed.
“Is that a stray?” Seth asked. “Did the cat sneak in here?”
“Nothing is in my prison by accident,” Ezabar said.
“Why would you lock up a cat?”
The lich gave no reply.
“Unless it isn’t just a cat,” Seth said.
“This way,” Ezabar said.
The corridor expanded into a vast subterranean underscape. Dozens of iron cages stood among the rises and dips of the uneven floor. Many were square or rectangular, some cylindrical, a few almost spherical. The cages ranged from crude to ornate in design, and most looked empty. The few wretched figures Seth could see in cages looked human, but they were hunched on the floor with their backs to Ezabar, heads down, bodies still. Glancing at his lantern, Seth wondered how long it had been since any of the cowering inmates had seen light.
On the far side of a boulder, Ezabar gestured toward a broad cage with a circular base and a sloping, conical top. In the cage stood a young man with extremely fair skin and silver hair reaching his shoulders. His build was surprisingly lean and strong for a dungeon prisoner. Unlike the cringing figures Seth had seen, this prisoner regarded Ezabar defiantly. Then his gaze shifted to Seth.
“Seth?” the prisoner called in a familiar tone. “Could that really be you? Surely this is a ruse.”
“This visitor wishes to speak with you,” Ezabar said. “He is favored by the Underking, and you will show him the respect he deserves.”
The lich turned and walked away, his feet not quite touching the ground. As Ezabar moved away, Seth felt the chill in the air lessening, and some of the anxiety inside of him began to untangle.
The prisoner regarded Seth warily. Seth stepped closer to the bars of the cage, careful to stay out of reach.
“Who are you?” the prisoner asked.
“That is the question,” Seth said.
“The real Seth Sorenson would not be here,” the prisoner said. “He is fulfilling an assignment far away and has no connection to the Underking. Show me your true form.”
“What kind of assignment?” Seth asked.
“Are you an illusion?” the prisoner asked. “Or a replica, like a stingbulb? I can’t get a read on you.”
“I’m a real person,” Seth said. “I’m a kid with no memory of his childhood. I have questions about myself. I was told a prisoner here might know me.”
“You can’t be the person you look like,” the prisoner said. “How did you get here?”
“A wooden puppet put me in a barrel,” Seth said.
“Mendigo?” the prisoner asked. “How would one of the barrels have gotten here?”
“You know about barrels that work like teleporters?” Seth asked.
“Dual manifestations of the same barrel,” the prisoner said. “You can go into one and get pulled from the other.”
“Sounds right,” Seth said. “I have almost no memories before coming here. I was in a castle with a girl who called herself Kendra.”
“This is an act,” the prisoner said, backing away. “Are you telling me you forgot Kendra?”
“Should I remember more about her?” Seth asked. “She claimed to be my sister.”
The prisoner stepped forward, stretching one arm out through the bars. “If you’re serious, take my hand and grant me full permission to search your mind.”
“That doesn’t sound smart,” Seth said. “Why are you in here?”
“You should know me well,” the prisoner said.
“I can’t remember anything,” Seth said. “I don’t know who I can trust.”
“I’m in here because my cousin has a score to settle with me,” the prisoner said.
“Who is your cousin?” Seth asked.
“Ronodin, the dark unicorn,” the prisoner said.
“I know him,” Seth said. “He has been tutoring me.”
“This is sick,” the prisoner said.
“Are you a dark unicorn too?” Seth asked.
“Ronodin is
the only dark unicorn,” the prisoner said. “I am his cousin, Bracken, a true unicorn, and a friend to you and your sister.”
“You mean Kendra?” Seth asked.
“Yes, your only sister, Kendra,” Bracken said. He stretched out his hand again. “I’m a unicorn; you can trust me. We don’t lie. I’m not trying to trick you or harm you. Let me see your mind. Maybe I can help you remember.”
The possibility of this prisoner being able to help him was so enticing that it made Seth wary. “How do I know you’re really a unicorn?”
“Did you notice how the presence of the lich did not affect me?” Bracken asked.
“That might just mean you’re powerful,” Seth said. “Turn into a horse and show me.”
“I need my third horn for that,” Bracken said.
“Unicorns only have one horn,” Seth said.
“You really have forgotten a lot,” Bracken said. “We shed our first two horns, kind of like humans losing baby teeth. Kendra has my first horn. Ronodin overpowered me and took my second.”
“Where is your third?” Seth asked.
“It is part of a talisman called the Font of Immortality,” Bracken said. “Seth, you’re searching right now. You came to me because this place doesn’t feel right. Go with those instincts. Don’t trust a dark unicorn. I’m not sure anyone in the world is less trustworthy than Ronodin.”
“I have dark powers,” Seth said.
“Of course he would use your powers as evidence,” Bracken said. “You’re a shadow charmer. You speak arcane languages, you can hide in shadows, you once had an ally who was a demon. But you never chose spiritual darkness, Seth. You fought it. Let me see if I can help you.”
Seth looked at the offered hand. He had let Ronodin touch him. This guy seemed sincere. “I still don’t know if you’re really a unicorn.”
“You’re choosing the wrong time to be cautious,” Bracken said. “I don’t get visitors. You may not be allowed to stay long. Look around. Almost everyone in this realm wants to drain your life force. You may be able to communicate with the undead, but your best bet to find an actual friend here is among the prisoners.”