A New Beginning
Seth watched the brawny minotaur set Kendra on her feet beside the barrel. The bull-headed warrior wore an eye patch and had the silky, chestnut hair of an Irish setter. Seth never tired of seeing monsters; to his delight, most of the individuals who stood in a long line to greet them fit that description.
They were in a courtyard surrounded by grey stone walls. The blocky buildings of the modest castle had small windows and few doors. Under the gloom of an overcast sky, the fortifications looked ancient but sturdy.
The one-eyed minotaur lifted Mendigo from the barrel, and the puppet clattered over to stand near Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson. Bracken was pulled from the barrel last of all.
An Asian man shuffled forward; his long black goatee streaked with white. He had a shiny bald scalp and calm eyes that seemed to contemplate Seth without looking directly at him. His elaborate scarlet robes were generously embroidered with gold. A circular medallion hung from a golden chain around his neck, set with a single blue gemstone.
"Welcome, Kendra, Seth, and other guests," the man said in a soft, clear voice. "I am Marat, current caretaker of Wyrmroost in partnership with the Dragon King Celebrant." He gestured at Bracken. "I believe you are the unicorn?"
"That's right," Bracken said. "Your brother thought you might like me to meet your staff."
"Indeed," Marat said with a small smile and a slight bow.
"We weren't informed of this," complained a grim being who looked like a centaur, except with the body of a moose instead of a horse. Several scars defaced his brown skin, the most prominent beginning below one ear and curling halfway across his throat. Seth had heard of the alcetaur of Blackwell Keep but had never met him. Most of Seth's previous visit to the keep was spent as a stowaway hiding inside a magical knapsack.
"Informing the staff of a surprise inspection would defeat the purpose," Marat answered.
"What about my years of loyal service?" the alcetaur challenged, heat in his voice. "You would let an outsider judge my value?"
"Those who are loyal have nothing to fear," Marat said. "The crisis confronting us is no secret. We should be grateful for the opportunity to root out traitors."
"It's an insult," growled a minotaur with patchy grey fur and a broken horn. One leg had been replaced by a wooden peg with a silver hoof.
"Now I'm offended," Bracken said. "Most beings find my touch soothing. It cures infections. I bear none of you any malice."
"We don't know this stranger," griped a dwarf. "Why should we trust our fates to his decree?"
"Since when do unicorns lie?" Bracken asked. "Only the disloyal should fear."
"There are many strong, independent spirits on my staff," Marat said. "Most others wouldn't last at Wyrmroost. They perform difficult work in a hostile environment. They do not appreciate being doubted. I volunteer to go first."
"An empty gesture," the peg-legged minotaur said. "Unicorns can search the soul, but since when can they intrude on the thoughts of a dragon?"
"I can't read every mind," Bracken confessed. "But I can usually get a basic sense for intentions. I have no interest in guessing. If I don't get a clear read, I won't make accusations."
"Easy to profess when none of us can verify what you see," the alcetaur said.
"I'm not here to unveil your secrets," Bracken assured him. "Everyone has a history. Everyone makes mistakes. I've been around for a long time. Little would shock me. I'm here to protect your new arrivals. They have suffered the consequences of betrayals before. I'm also here to defend Blackwell Keep against sabotage."
"There are many on my staff whom I do not doubt," Marat said, his tone firm. "But I cannot claim to fully trust each individual stationed here. Can any of you? If I have room to doubt one, I must doubt all. I want this inspection. If you would rather resign, now is the time."
Nobody answered.
"I will submit first," Marat said, approaching Bracken with one hand extended. Bracken gripped the offered hand.
"You're Agad's brother?" Bracken asked.
Marat grinned, showing a few golden teeth. "Are we not twins?" The question earned a chuckle from the staff.
"Not exactly," Bracken said.
"We share the same father," Marat explained. "Different mothers."
Bracken stared into his eyes for a long moment, then released his hand. "How should I proceed?" Bracken asked. "Move down the line?"
"Be my guest," Marat said, gesturing toward one end of the line-up.
Bracken walked to the end and stared down at a dwarf. The man was short but broad and muscular. His head was bald on top but the rest of his hair was long, and he had a tidy beard. All eyes regarded the pair.
Bracken held out a hand. "Won't hurt a bit."
The dwarf wiped his nose on his sleeve, stamped a couple of times, glanced down the line at his fellow staffers, then took Bracken's hand.
"Good grip," Bracken said. "You're Obun."
"Better be, or else folks have been getting it wrong all my life," the dwarf said. "Seen enough yet?"
"Yes, thank you." Bracken released his hand and moved to another dwarf.
Seth started counting. The line contained five dwarfs, three minotaurs, a pair of goblins, a troll, a snakelike lady with four arms, the alcetaur, three old women, and Marat. Seventeen in total. Kind of a lot, unless he pictured them staffing the whole castle. Then the number seemed fairly small.
Seth watched with interest as Bracken progressed from person to person. Each handshake held the potential for violence. Seth knew from experience that Bracken was not bluffing. He really could see into minds.
Seth wished he had a sword. No, he wished he had the sword. Vasilis. He wondered how many times he would wish that in the days and weeks to come. At least they had Mendigo.
"Get ready," Seth whispered to the wooden figure. "If a fight starts, restrain anyone who attacks Bracken."
Seth held his breath when Bracken reached the minotaur with the peg leg, but Bracken took his hand, exchanged a few words, and moved on without incident. Seth grew tense again when Bracken clasped the hand of the alcetaur, but again there was no confrontation. Creature by creature, Bracken made his way to the end of the line without any wild outbursts.
After finishing his inspection, Bracken returned to stand before Marat. "You have two traitors," Bracken declared.
Angry murmuring broke out among the staff. Some glared suspiciously at one another. Others glowered at Bracken.
Seth felt startled by the pronouncement. After the last handshake he had relaxed with relief. Apparently, Bracken had a really good poker face.
Marat held up his hands and the muttering ceased. "Who are they?" Marat asked.
"I invite the guilty parties to step forward," Bracken said.
Nobody moved. Seth guessed the traitors might be hoping Bracken was bluffing. In their defence, it kind of sounded like a bluff.
"Shall I name them?" Bracken asked.
"If you are disloyal, bear in mind that you are currently outnumbered," Marat said. "Let's avoid a scuffle. It is bad enough that we are losing two members of our staff."
Several in the line began drawing weapons, including swords, knives, and axes.
"Put your arms away," Marat ordered. "Do not forget who I am." Things got very quiet. If a dragon couldn't command respect, who could? Marat nodded at Bracken. "Go ahead."
Bracken pointed at a minotaur with brown fur and a battle-ax slung over one shoulder. "Tonak passes information to the dragons monthly."
"Liar!" the minotaur roared. "Fraud!"
"Not always on the same night of the week," Bracken went on. "But he leaves after midnight and returns before dawn. He goes to the old watchtower and meets with a dragon called Baltizar. He is ready and willing to commit sabotage when called upon."
"Brothers!" Tonak called to his fellow minotaurs. "Will you let these insults stand? Our kind has never been trusted! To arms!" He raised his battle-ax.
The minotaur with the peg leg grabbed the upraised battle-ax, and the reddish minotaur slammed Tonak in the gut with a club. Tonak crumpled, and the peg-legged minotaur tore the weapon from his grasp.
The reddish minotaur seized Tonak by the horns. "We took a chance on you!"
"Lies," Tonak maintained. "All lies."
"I have found your room empty twice in the night," the peg-legged minotaur said. "My eye was already on you."
"I saw him return once in the still hours," the snakelike woman said. "I did not know his errand."
Seth noticed one of the old women scurrying away.
"What about her?" Seth called out.
"She is the other," Bracken said.
"Stop her," Seth whispered to Mendigo. "Don't hurt her."
The limberjack sprang into motion, streaking after the retreating woman. Her eyes widened when she saw the giant puppet racing in her direction. She dropped to the ground; head tucked beneath her hands. When Mendigo arrived, he crouched and placed a wooden hand on her shoulder.
"I will have your horns and hide, Tonak," the reddish minotaur roared. "What are my orders?"
"I will commend Tonak and Myrna to the care of Romnus in the dungeon," Marat said.
"Not Myrna," Obun the dwarf lamented. "She makes the best cinnamon rolls."
"Hear that, Tonak?" the peg-legged minotaur said with a chuckle. "You
're going to spend some time with me down in the dark."
"What harm has Myrna perpetrated?" Marat asked.
"None yet," Bracken said. "She is an assassin awaiting orders. An expert with poison."
"The cinnamon rolls!" Obun exclaimed.
"They weren't poisoned yet," another dwarf said.
"I've committed no crime," Myrna said. "I may have come here with a certain understanding. But I've learned to love and respect you all so much I could never have harmed you."
"Not true," Bracken said firmly.
"Whatever you suspect, I've still done nothing wrong," Myrna cried.
"Coming here as an assassin qualifies as treason," Marat said. He shook hands with Bracken. "Thank you for your assistance. Please excuse me for a moment."
Marat called over the snake lady and the alcetaur. Bracken motioned for Kendra and Seth to come near.
"That was amazing," Kendra said.
"We all have our uses," Bracken replied in a quiet voice. He placed one hand on Kendra's shoulder and the other on Seth's arm. Bracken's next words came directly into Seth's mind. By her intent expression, he assumed his sister could hear them as well.
Listen. I got a good sense of the staff. The snake lady, Simrin, doesn't trust humans. She is loyal to Marat, but watch out for her. She would love to see you fail. Henrick the alcetaur is gruff but extremely honourable. Stay near him. Romnus, the minotaur with the bad leg, is also trustworthy and experienced. The reddish minotaur, Brunwin, is capable and reliable but has a bad temper. The ridge troll is cunning and eager to take advantage of you. The goblin will not betray you, but would steal from you if he could get away with it. The hobgoblin is amusing, but not much use in a fight.
"Hobgoblin?" Seth whispered.
The green-skinned goblin with the froglike features, Bracken supplied. The dwarfs are generally loyal, but they won't go out of their way for you unless duty demands it. The older women are selfish, none too kindly, and given to gossip. I believe that Marat means well and is concerned for you, but dragons are notoriously difficult to read.
"Thanks," Kendra whispered.
I wish I could do more, Bracken said. I'll return as soon as I can. Heed your grandparents. Their presence and advice can save you a lot of trouble.
Seth looked over at his Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson conversing with a couple of dwarfs. Grandma made some joke and the dwarfs laughed. Seth had seldom felt more grateful for his grandparents. Much of the time, the house at Fablehaven seemed like a normal home with a regular yard. He sometimes forgot he was at a secret wildlife park for magical creatures. That would not happen here. Blackwell Keep was a lonely fortress at the edge of the wilderness. The staff running the place were not kind people who loved him. They seemed almost as foreign as the creatures in their care. Seth remained excited for the opportunity, but he already felt more intimidated.
"I'm glad they're here," Seth said.
Smart sentiment, Bracken communicated.
Marat returned. The two loyal minotaurs and the snake lady had escorted the two traitors into a building and disappeared. Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson drew near.
"Perhaps we could adjourn to my chambers for a private conversation," Marat suggested.
"Great," Seth said.
"I must go," Bracken said. "Make sure your staff understands that these four newcomers are under my personal protection and have found favour with the Fairy Queen."
"Your presence has already sent that message," Marat said. "They will be under my protection as well."
Bracken shook hands with Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson and Seth, and then embraced Kendra. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Kendra reddened. "Stay safe."
"You too," Bracken said. "See you soon. We'll talk using my horn. Just hold it and reach out with your mind."
"I'll take good care of it," Kendra promised.
"Take better care of yourself." Bracken climbed into the barrel. When Seth peeked inside, he was gone.
Marat brought them to a sitting room sparsely furnished with simple, elegant divans and chairs. Fine carpets softened the stone floor, and folding walls of painted paper showed tranquil scenes of fields, forests, and rivers.
Marat approached Seth as Grandma, Grandpa, and Kendra sat down. "Are you aware that you brought another entity from Fablehaven?" he asked.
For a moment Seth didn't know what he was talking about. "Oh, the nipsie," Seth said, reaching into his pocket.
"I was not informed of his involvement," Marat said politely. "I take it he is not a stowaway?"
"I wasn't aware either," Grandpa Sorenson said, looking at Seth, the reprimand coming across through his expression and tone.
Seth held up the nipsie on his palm. "This is Calvin, the Tiny Hero."
Dropping to one knee, Calvin bowed his head. "Mighty Marat, I hope my intrusion did not disturb you. I meant no insult. I have pledged my services to Seth Sorenson."
"Big for a nipsie," Grandpa said suspiciously.
"You have a keen eye," Calvin said, head still bowed. "My people used a spell to enlarge me when the elders selected me as their champion."
"Rise, little warrior," Marat said. "I have no objection to your presence if the Sorensons are in agreement."
Calvin stood up.
"I meant to tell you," Seth apologized. "It never came up. I sometimes forget he's with me."
Grandpa crossed to Seth and peered closely at Calvin. "He appears to be what he claims."
"Indeed," Marat said. "I sense no darkness in him."
"Bracken could have checked him out," Kendra said.
"I almost volunteered," Calvin said. "But I didn't want to interrupt. And it might be an advantage that my presence is unknown. You'll have a secret set of eyes and ears."
"That could prove useful," Grandma Sorenson muttered.
"Just you wait," Calvin said. "You'll be glad I came."
"The nipsies don't usually take interest in matters beyond their kingdoms," Grandpa said.
"I'm the exception," Calvin replied. "It's part of my role as champion."
"Why Seth?" Grandpa asked.
"He slew Graulas," Calvin said. "Our ancient enemy."
"Yes," Grandpa said. "I remember hard words from your elders about the demon. They wanted him executed."
"The nipsies chose to settle at Fablehaven because Graulas was there," Calvin said. "His demise was the cause of great celebration."
"Welcome, Calvin," Grandpa said, returning to his seat. "Seth, you should not have brought him without asking me. But I'm glad he's here."
"You will serve Seth as a scout?" Marat asked.
"Scout and bodyguard, yes," Calvin said.
"You have my permission to roam Blackwell Keep," Marat said. "The few hardy brownies here will not trouble you. I recommend you avoid the dungeons. Many unsavoury prisoners dwell there. Keep away from the Blackwell if you value your life. And if you stray beyond the walls of the keep, you will be on your own."
"Understood," Calvin said. "Thank you for your courtesy."
"Seth should also avoid the Blackwell," Marat emphasized.
Seth shuddered. During his previous visit to Blackwell Keep, he had snuck out of the knapsack in the night and found his way to the Blackwell. A chain lay coiled beside a circular pit of darkness. Despairing voices had called from the unseen depths, begging for him to lower the chain. Agad had found him there and warned him against visiting the place.
"Of course," Seth said.
"Did you hear him?" Kendra checked.
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"Yes, I'll stay away," Seth assured her. He meant it.
"As a shadow charmer you can hear the pleas from the undead contained there," Marat said. "The Blackwell is the greatest danger within the walls of this keep. It could be your downfall."
"Agad warned me too," Seth said. "I already decided to stay away from it."
"Calvin," Kendra said, "make sure he does."
The nipsie looked up at Seth. "Want me to help protect you from yourself in this matter?"
Seth glanced at the others in the room. "Sure." He put Calvin back in his pocket.
"Can he breathe in there?" Kendra asked.
"Just fine, thank you," Calvin called. "I find the pocket quite convenient."
"He has already heard sensitive conversations," Grandma pointed out. "He will hear more."
"You will keep our confidences?" Grandpa asked.
"They could tear my limbs off and I wouldn't tell them what you had for breakfast," came a voice from the pocket. "You can count on me."
"I believe he means well," Marat said.
"So do I," Grandpa agreed.
"It might prove advantageous to hide the nipsie's presence from the rest of the staff," Marat suggested. "The effectiveness of his tiny ears could improve if his presence remains unknown."
"Good point," Seth said.
"Can I offer you any refreshments?" Marat asked.
Everyone declined.
"Inform us about the situation here," Grandpa said.
"Celebrant has attacked the keep three times," Marat said. "He clearly senses a weakness. Since I became caretaker I have retained human form, but we believe that because the caretaker is supposed to be a true mortal, Celebrant may be trying to somehow exploit the discrepancy. So far the magical defences have held, but I have felt them strain under his assaults. That should not happen when all is in order. If Kendra and Seth remain amenable, I intend to set up a meeting with Celebrant tomorrow for the purpose of transferring the stewardship to them."
"So soon?" Grandma asked.
"I'd rather not give the Dragon King time to contemplate this move," Marat said. "It is possible he will block their instatement. But he will also have tempting reasons to allow it, including their youth and inexperience. Much depends on whether Celebrant is aware that their instatement could stabilize the defences of Blackwell Keep. Should he refuse them for the position, I will send you back to Fablehaven. If he agrees, you will remain here under my protection and the protection of those who serve us."
"What will you need us to do as caretakers?" Seth asked.
"Your grandparents and I will gradually train you," Marat said. "The first priority will be to keep you safe."
"I want to do the job right," Seth said.
"I admire your determination," Marat acknowledged.
"So do I," Grandpa added. "However, the first order of business will be to survive the interview."