Hints
Seth sat trying to get his temper under control in a fancy room with furniture and walls done in shades of green. He knew this mission was diplomatic. And he knew Kendra wanted him to be polite. But it had been hard to stand there taking insults from Mr. Neutral.
"Are you all right, Seth?" Garreth asked.
Seth realized his expression was probably not very guarded. "Never better."
"My father tends to speak his mind," Garreth apologized.
Seth couldn't hold back. "If he has so many brilliant ideas about how to run the sanctuary, maybe he should get involved."
"Seth!" Kendra scolded.
Garreth held up a hand to stop her. "I hear him. The complaint makes sense, though you're right to bring it up with me rather than with old Stony Face, especially when he is before an audience. Plenty of the Fair Folk are reluctant about our neutrality, including me."
"Really?" Seth asked. "Then why not join the fight?"
"It's complicated," Garreth said. "The neutrality wasn't imposed by my father. It's a long-standing policy for all the Fair Folk."
"Wouldn't want to mess up a policy," Seth grumbled.
"The ancients set the rules," Garreth said. "Our ancient leaders make the Fairy Queen seem young. The Fair Folk have a long history. Experience has shown that when we get involved in conflicts, the trouble gets worse for everyone."
"So you sit out of every fight," Seth said.
Garreth shrugged. "It isn't easy. There are times I want to get involved. Injustices I want to right. Embattled innocents I want to rescue. But who am I to shatter our truce? We would respond against a direct attack. We keep our defences ready. But thanks to our neutrality, the Fair Folk have not suffered a major attack in thousands of years."
"What if the sanctuary falls?" Kendra asked. "You'll do nothing?"
"The Fair Folk are not in charge of Wyrmroost," Garreth said. "Terrabelle can stand even if the sanctuary fails. We will look to our own defences."
"Do you care if it falls?" Seth asked.
"Of course I care," Garreth said. "We all care. We want stability. We don't want mayhem. But we won't break our neutrality."
Seth couldn't help noticing that Garreth sometimes used nicknames for his dad in private but was very polite in public. He doubted whether Garreth would share his dissatisfaction about the neutrality in public either. Were all the Fair Folk like this? Afraid to speak their minds? Afraid to stand up for what they believed?
The door opened and Dalgorel entered with a girl about Seth's age. Seth tried not to pay too much attention to girls as a rule, but this one was stunning—light blue eyes, black hair that fell in twisty curls, and a beautiful face.
"We meet again," Dalgorel said. "May I present my daughter, Eve. I understand you may have brought a small creature for her amusement."
Seth reached into his pocket and pulled out Calvin. The nipsie gave a quick bow. "I'm more a tiny person than a creature," Calvin explained. "No fins or fangs or exotic feathers. Hope I don't disappoint."
Eve hurried over to Seth, peering at the tiny man. "You're so small! But you're not a fairy."
"I'm a nipsie," Calvin proclaimed. "I'm quite big for my kind. Enhanced by a spell. Bit of a giant in nipsie circles, believe it or not."
"I've never met a nipsie," Eve said. Her eager eyes shifted to Seth. "Can I hold him?"
Seth passed Calvin to her.
"I've never met any of the Fair Folk," Calvin said.
Eve held him close to her eyes and prodded his belly.
"Watch it," Calvin said. "That tickles."
"Can we keep him, Father?" Eve asked.
"You know the rules," Dalgorel said. "No outsiders can join us here. Not even brownies."
"He's so small!" Eve complained. "Nobody will notice."
"Enough," Dalgorel said shortly. "Enjoy him as a visitor."
"Can I take him to my room?" Eve asked.
"He's not a doll," Seth told her. "Don't dress him up."
Eve made a face. "Why would I do that? I'd rather find a little ax and see how he does against a mouse."
"Sounds sporting," Calvin said.
Dalgorel rubbed his forehead. "Enough nonsense. Eve, show the nipsie your room if you must, but treat your guest with the utmost respect and civility."
"As you wish, Father," Eve said with a little curtsy.
"Is that okay?" Seth asked the nipsie.
Calvin winked and saluted. "Happy to entertain."
Seth realized Calvin was excited for a chance to snoop around. "See you later."
Eve raced out the door.
"Thank you for accepting our apology," Kendra said.
"Was there another option?" Dalgorel replied. "The damage is done. Celebrant has secured the ideal caretakers for his uprising. It only makes matters worse if I undermine your authority with my displeasure."
"Why do you think we'll be so bad?" Seth challenged.
Dalgorel gave a chuckle. "You're mortal children. Dragon sanctuaries are typically supervised by wizards—mortals of great power who were formerly dragons. I do see that you have power. Nobody has been fairykind for a good while. And a shadow charmer can be useful. I sense you have defeated some powerful foes. Even a dragon, correct?"
"We killed Siletta together," Kendra said.
"No small feat," Dalgorel acknowledged.
"Kendra killed the Demon King," Seth bragged on her behalf.
"So I have heard," Dalgorel said. "You might not want to boast of that feat to every stranger you meet. Acts of aggression can invite retaliation."
"Gorgrog was attacking us," Kendra said.
"Because you put yourselves in his path," Dalgorel said. "I have heard about the battle of Zzyzx. Seeds were planted that day for a major war between demons and dragons."
"But we stopped the demons from taking over the world," Seth said.
Dalgorel gave a small smile. "Is that so? Some might claim you merely postponed them. Others might point out the demons never had a chance to make their intentions clear. Still others could argue you destabilized the dragon sanctuaries and laid the foundation for a worldwide draconic rebellion. With your new positions as caretakers, you will have an excellent view of the consequences."
"We stopped the demons," Seth said. "We'll contain the dragons."
Dalgorel chuckled again. "I understood that the dragons redirected the demons. But I respect your resolve. Kendra mentioned that Marat had other reasons for wanting you as the caretakers. I am willing to hear them."
Seth glanced at his sister. She looked uncertain. "The reasons are kind of secret," she said.
"You are welcome to keep your secrets," Dalgorel said. "But if you want my advice, I need to better understand what you two hope to accomplish as caretakers."
"The Fair Folk are reliable at keeping secrets that would give anyone an unfair advantage," Henrick informed them. "You should want any counsel Lord Dalgorel is willing to share."
"The defences at Blackwell Keep have weakened," Kendra said. "Celebrant keeps attacking because he senses a vulnerability. Marat hoped that having mortal caretakers would repair the magical defences."
Dalgorel sighed sadly. "This is why Celebrant did not want you talking to me before your instatement. The vulnerability was not related to the caretaker being a dragon. Marat stayed in his human shape. So long as he remained in that form, the qualifications were satisfied."
"Are you sure?" Seth asked.
Dalgorel scowled. "I have been here since Wyrmroost was founded. I know more about this sanctuary than most. My official position is neutral, but I do not want to see Wyrmroost fall. I don't want dragons unleashed on the world. I would have warned you. The caretaker of Wyrmroost was Marat, one of the dragons with the strongest allegiance to the wizards of Dragonwatch. He was a formidable opponent for Celebrant. Now the caretakers are a pair of novices."
"Do you want us to succeed?" Kendra asked.
"What a surprise that would be," Dalgorel said. "But yes, for the good of the world I would prefer you maintain the integrity of this sanctuary. Balance brings order and peace. History has shown that few circumstances disturb balance more than dragons on the loose. Agad should have considered that before bringing dragons into the fight at Zzyzx."
"Maybe he did consider it," Seth said. "People who actually fix problems sometimes have to take risks."
Dalgorel glared. "This conversation can end immediately if my suggestions are unwanted."
"We want them," Kendra said, elbowing Seth.
"Seth is new to the concept of our neutrality," Garreth explained.
"Then it is one of many issues he does not comprehend," Dalgorel said. "No long-term good has ever come of the Fair Folk going to war. The fewer groups at war, the less strife in the world. We are a voice of reason encouraging other members of the magical community to seek diplomatic solutions. We host peace talks. We counsel against aggression. Our neutrality has brought greater peace than any harm we could have prevented through violence."
"If you say so," Seth mumbled reluctantly. He knew arguing about neutrality wasn't the purpose of this visit. They needed information.
"Do you know how we can fix the defences?" Kendra asked. "Do you understand what's wrong?"
Dalgorel gave a gloomy smile. "I do."
"Then can you tell us?" Seth asked.
"The information is too vital to come from the Fair Folk," Dalgorel said.
Seth tossed his hands up. "Of course it is."
"Is there anything you can tell us?" Kendra begged.
Dalgorel looked from Seth to Kendra. "Your brother is a terrible diplomat. But you have some promise. I understand that his youth, his ignorance, and his inexperience are speaking as much as anything, but even so, he is a caretaker of Wyrmroost, and due to his outbursts I am disinclined to help you."
"I'm sorry," Seth said, not meaning it but trying his best to sound sincere.
"Please, you must be able to give us a hint," Kendra said.
Dalgorel stared at Kendra for a long moment. "Agad should not have let Celebrant take the scepter. He should have given him the medallion instead."
"The medallion doesn't work?" Seth exclaimed.
"The medallion functions," Dalgorel said. "But it is vulnerable in a way the scepter was not."
"Why?" Kendra asked.
"I have already explained too much," Dalgorel said. "You are the caretakers now. You have access to the secrets of Wyrmroost if you learn where to look. And as mortals, you can gain information from a nearby source Agad and Marat may have been hesitant to approach."
"The Dragon Slayer," Henrick said, realization in his voice.
"Who?" Kendra asked.
"Each of the hidden dragon sanctuaries has a designated Dragon Slayer," Henrick said. "Ours is the Somber Knight."
"Is he at Blackwell Keep?" Seth asked. "I didn't see any knights."
"None have seen him for centuries," Henrick said. "If he is still alive, he resides in the catacombs beneath Terrabelle."
"He might be dead?" Seth asked.
"Possibly," Henrick said. "None have communicated with him in a great while. He has a gloomy reputation."
"Isn't this place supposed to be neutral?" Kendra asked.
"Terrabelle is neutral," Dalgorel said. "The Fair Folk did not place the Dragon Slayer here. His lair was created by the founders of Wyrmroost. We have no direct affiliation with the Somber Knight and cannot be held accountable for his presence or his actions. He is a cold-blooded killer known for his stark outlook and unpleasant disposition. His purpose is to wage war against direct physical threats to this sanctuary. But he does have knowledge."
"He's still there?" Kendra asked.
"He should be," Dalgorel said. "The legendary Dragon Slayers are virtually immune to the passage of time."
"We killed a dragon," Seth reminded everyone.
"Any who kill a dragon earn the title of dragon slayer," Henrick said. "It is not easily done. But only a handful have held the designated office of Dragon Slayer. It's an appointed calling, a lifelong responsibility. There are never more than seven in the whole world. The Somber Knight has been at Wyrmroost since the beginning. He might be able to answer the question Lord Dalgorel has raised."
"Why wouldn't Agad or Marat approach him?" Kendra asked.
"The designated Dragon Slayers exist to protect mortals from dragons," Henrick said. "Their enmity with dragons runs deep enough that they have never been too friendly with wizards, either—even the wizards of Dragonwatch who established Wyrmroost. Desperate times can forge unusual partnerships. This particular Dragon Slayer has an especially dark reputation. But the Somber Knight is here as a fail-safe in case of emergency. As caretakers, you have a right to introduce yourselves."
"Perhaps you can learn some of what you want to know," Garreth said.
"Is he safe?" Kendra asked.
"That is not the word I would use," Dalgorel said.
"But you and Seth are indeed the caretakers of Wyrmroost," Henrick said. "You have the medallion. And you are not wizards. You should be able to confer successfully with the Somber Knight."
"I'm sold," Seth said. "How do we find him?"
"The easiest access would be through a portal that connects to the dungeon of this castle," Dalgorel said.
"Can I escort them?" Garreth asked.
"I hold no objection," Dalgorel said.
"What about the nipsie?" Seth asked. "Calvin."
"It might be best to leave him with Eve," Dalgorel said. "The Somber Knight is not fond of visitors. He is fatalistic and slow to improvise. The two of you will place plenty of strain on his hospitality."
"Comforting," Kendra said.
"You may want to leave the limberjack behind as well," Henrick suggested.
"Will you join us?" Kendra asked Henrick.
"I had best not," the alcetaur said. "But I'll accompany you to the edge of his domain and await you there."
"Visit the Dragon Slayer," Dalgorel advised. "Deal carefully and keep your wits about you. Perhaps he can aid you in ways I cannot."
"More like will not," Seth mumbled.
Lord Dalgorel gazed at Kendra. "You're about to confront a powerful warrior with a notoriously difficult disposition. If you return without your brother, I may not be surprised."