Off the Road
Henrick stood in a private room with Seth and Kendra, muscular arms folded across his broad chest, scowling in thought. "I don't know," the alcetaur said. "I have orders to bring you kids directly back to Blackwell Keep."
"But you see why we might need to change the plan," Seth said. "If we have a chance to find the scepter, we have to go after it."
"Technically, we are the caretakers," Kendra reminded the alcetaur. "And technically, the orders you receive from others are advice. Seth and I give the real orders."
Henrick uncrossed his arms, then refolded them. He looked stumped.
They were in a small, fancy room Dalgorel had loaned them. The smaller the room, the less Henrick looked like he belonged. The moose portions of his body made him so big that he had to maneuver carefully to avoid toppling the furniture.
"I admit you are the caretakers," Henrick said after a pause. "But the job of your advisers and staff is to keep you alive. Sometimes that fundamental duty might even supersede your orders. The Somber Knight is sending you into precarious territory. To get to the grove, I'll have to lead you off the road and into the wild. Your safety will be in jeopardy."
"We know," Seth said, exasperated. "The Somber Knight explained every horrible possibility."
"And you still want to move forward?" Henrick asked, looking from Seth to Kendra. "You're united in this decision?"
"I think so," Kendra said. "I mean, if we go back to Blackwell Keep to discuss it with everyone, we just lose time. And what if Grandma and Grandpa try to stop us from going to Dromadus? It needs to happen. We have to find that scepter."
Henrick furrowed his brow. "If Dromadus would reveal the location to anyone, it would be the caretakers. Also, your youth might play on his sympathies. I'm not sure anyone else could approach him with a realistic chance of success. But you two have been placed in my care. My area of expertise is traveling this sanctuary, and in these tumultuous times I must strongly advise against leaving the roads or protected areas."
"But . . ." Seth prompted him.
Henrick sighed. "But this is an emergency. I can see the sense in your argument. The gamble may be justified. It would also be risky not to pursue the scepter. I respect you for wanting to protect the sanctuary. If you are united in this decision, I will respect your authority to make it. I will guide you to the sequoia grove and do my best to keep you alive."
"Yes," Seth said, pumping a fist. "That's all we wanted to hear."
Kendra produced the unicorn horn. "Is it all right if I talk to Bracken first? Since we can't reach anybody else, I want to get his opinion before moving forward."
"Come on!" Seth complained. "What good is that going to do? He can't be objective! You're his favourite! He won't want you in danger."
"He's seen me in danger before," Kendra said. "Coming here in the first place was dangerous. I just want his input."
"Bad idea," Seth said. "We know what needs to happen. We should go do it."
"Maybe I'd also just like to talk to him," Kendra said. "You know, in case something bad happens."
"Wow, you really want to jinx us, don't you?" Seth exclaimed. "Want me to reserve a couple of coffins just in case?"
"Can I have some privacy?" Kendra demanded.
"Tell him hi for me," Seth said. "I'll go find my Tiny Hero."
Seth left the room. Henrick followed him to the door, stepping carefully to pass between a chair and a sofa.
"Please apologize to Bracken for me," the alcetaur said. "I spoke against him when he visited, but he uncovered a pair of traitors for us. Tell him that I wish him well."
Henrick ducked through the door and closed it.
Kendra held the horn tightly.
Bracken, she projected with her mind. Can you hear me?
Sure, Kendra, came the reply. I wondered when you would reach out. I tried to contact you before I went to bed but I couldn't get an answer.
I've kept the horn with me, Kendra assured him. You must have tried when we were riding horses.
Are you exploring the sanctuary? Bracken asked with alarm. That might not be a great idea. The rebellion is heating up. It's happening at all seven sanctuaries. The unrest seems coordinated, and it keeps getting uglier. Truces are breaking. People are dying.
We need something to stabilize the defences at Wyrmroost, Kendra said. Nobody can hear us, right?
I'm shielding our thoughts, Bracken said.
Celebrant ripped off part of Blackwell Keep. The defences held, but they're vulnerable. We need a scepter. One of seven that create safe places at the sanctuary. Seth and I have a lead. It looks like we're the only good guys who can retrieve it. If Celebrant got to it first we'd be doomed. I think we need to go after it.
Is your grandfather in agreement?
We haven't had a chance to ask him. We're with the Fair Folk. As the new caretakers, we had to pay them a visit.
Not bad-looking, are they? Bracken commented knowingly.
Kendra felt her cheeks grow warm. Why was she suddenly feeling guilty? She hadn't done anything wrong. Could he sense her emotion
s from the other side of the world? Probably not. He was only supposed to sense what she deliberately sent to him. I guess so, she finally replied.
Can you check with your grandfather first?
Not without going back to Blackwell Keep. I think this needs to happen. Seth does too. Henrick confirmed that he'll take us if we both agree. He sends greetings, by the way.
Henrick is smart, Bracken expressed. So are you. Do what you think is right. But don't take a single unnecessary risk. Things are getting messy at the sanctuaries. I'm sorry you got drawn into this.
You got pulled into stuff too, Kendra replied. Are you all right?
I've been better. I'm in a cave for the night, high on a mountainside. I'm trying to track Ronodin. Soaring Cliffs is in a sorry state. Several dragons are rampaging. Only locations protected by magic are secure.
Celebrant seems ready to wage war.
Those defences might be your only hope, Bracken thought to her. If finding the scepter will make those defences hold, it is probably worth the trouble. But don't press your luck. Get the scepter and then get back to the keep. I have a feeling this is just the beginning.
Thanks for the advice, Kendra replied. Stay safe.
You too. My mother has connected the new fairy realm to the fairy shrine at Wyrmroost, so when I finish here I can come to you that way.
Good news!
Hope to see you soon. I want to help.
I know, Kendra assured him. I wish I could help you too.
Help me by surviving. Be smart. Don't underestimate yourself. Tell Seth not to overestimate himself. And say hello to Henrick. He has integrity. Trust the good people helping you. I'll come as soon as I can.
Good-bye, Bracken.
'Bye.
The communication ended. She had felt as if she were right next to Bracken, their thoughts flowing easily to one another, and suddenly she was alone in a room holding a pearly horn. Putting away the horn, Kendra went in search of Henrick and her brother.
With help from a servant, Seth found Eve in her room. She turned from where she sat at a small table, her expression guilty, a smear of yellow pudding at the corner of her lips.
"What are you up to?" Seth asked.
She wiped the pudding away with the back of her hand. "Hi, Seth. I was just introducing Calvin to my favourite dessert."
Seth approached the table and found Calvin stripped down to a pair of shorts, wading in a bowl of pudding. He smiled up at Seth and waved. "Look what I found!"
"I see you've been hard at work," Seth said.
"Oh, come on!" Calvin exclaimed. "Are you telling me you would pass up the chance to swim in a pond of delicious vanilla custard?"
"Probably not," Seth admitted.
"Taste it!" Calvin suggested. "I'm serious, it's in a class by itself."
Eve handed Seth a spoon. "You really should."
"Your feet are in it," Seth said.
"I washed up before entering," Calvin said. "I didn't want to taste my feet either. Scoop from over there." He pointed. "I haven't spent any time on that side of the bowl."
Seth tried a bite of custard. It was really good! Sweet and cool and creamy.
"If I could shrink down I would join you," Seth said. "Where is Tanu when I need him?"
"Tanu?" Eve asked.
"My friend," Seth said. "A potion master. He can make a shrinking potion."
Eve clapped. "Bring him sometime! That would be spectacular."
"Take one last taste," Seth told Calvin. "We have to go save the sanctuary."
"Aren't we returning to Blackwell Keep?" Calvin asked. He scrambled up the side of the bowl—no small feat at his size. Without pause he dangled from the rim and dropped to the table.
"Nope," Seth said. "We're going to go find a dragon called Dromadus."
"No you're not," Eve said jealously. "The oldest dragon at Wyrmroost? Are you serious?"
"He might have info that will help us," Seth explained, her amazement increasing his pride about the whole endeavor.
Eve stomped a foot. "That is unfair. I've lived at a dragon sanctuary my whole life and I've never even seen a dragon."
"Never?" Calvin asked as he got dressed.
"Don't they fly over sometimes?" Seth wondered.
"They steer away from this valley," Eve said. "And I'm not allowed to leave it."
"You have time," Seth said. "You're only, what, twelve?"
"So?" Eve said. "That's a long time. And there are hardly any other kids my age."
"How come?" Seth asked.
"Almost no babies are being born anymore," she said. "Nobody is sure why."
"If nobody is having babies, won't the Fair Folk eventually become extinct?" Seth wondered.
Eve laughed. "No. The Fair Folk age more slowly when we reach adulthood. Much more slowly. We'll be around for a long time. But I probably still won't get to see a dragon. Imagine being a kid stuck at a dragon sanctuary with a bunch of adults and never seeing a dragon!"
"That would be torture," Seth had to admit. If he were in her situation, he was pretty sure he would find a way to sneak a peek.
"And then some mortal kid comes along who gets to talk to a dragon his third day here!"
"On the second day I was attacked by the Dragon King," Seth said. "And I've seen dragons before. And a hydra. A bunch of demons, too."
Eve grabbed the front of his shirt. "I want your life! Take me with you."
Seth glanced at Calvin, who sheepishly shrugged.
"I can't," Seth apologized. "Your dad would be furious. What about your neutrality?"
Eve released his shirt. "The neutrality is stupid. Lots of us think so, but nobody admits it. Only Lomo had the guts to do something about it, and we locked him up."
"You agree with Lomo?" Seth asked.
"Of course," Eve said. "We're not part of the world. It's so boring here. I want to do something. See something. Smuggle me out. I'll be a big help!"
"Is she serious?" Seth asked Calvin.
"I think so," the nipsie said.
"Everyone will watch us leave," Seth said. "It won't work."
"Wait for me outside of town," Eve said. "I'll catch up. I'll bring a horse and everything."
Seth appreciated what she wanted. He saw her genuine eagerness. He could relate to how she felt. "I just can't, Eve. Your dad helped us. We want him on our side. Henrick would never allow it."
"You're the caretaker," Eve said. "Tell Henrick to obey. My dad can't do anything to you. He's neutral. He'll just send people to get me. Hopefully they won't catch up before I meet a dragon—and maybe see some other wonders. I'm still a kid. I won't get a big punishment. The dungeon for a while at worst, if Dad decides to make an example of me, but the dungeon is nice. If I apologize I may not even get that."
"Your dad could stop helping us," Seth said. "He's the reason we went to the Somber Knight and found out about Dromadus in the first place. You're right that I'm the caretaker. And I have to be a good one. Kendra and I need to visit Dromadus as part of our job. You'd just be coming for fun. What if I get you killed? I can't risk that."
Eve pouted. "You have reasons to go. Good for you. But don't pretend you aren't excited to meet Dromadus. I can tell."
"I'm excited," Seth admitted.
"I wish I was caretaker," Eve said. "I wish I had an excuse to have adventures."
"Careful what you wish for," Seth said. "This might get us killed."
"At least you will have lived," Eve replied sulkily.
"I wish I could bring you," Seth said. "Maybe someday."
"Really?" Eve asked.
"I hope so," Seth said. "As long as there is still a sanctuary to see."
Having bid farewell to Lord Dalgorel, Kendra, Seth, and Henrick cantered away from Terrabelle. Mendigo rode behind Kendra, and Calvin was safely stowed in Seth's pocket. They left the valley by a different road than they had used to enter. The sun had already fallen below the mountains, and the light was fading from the sky. Seth kept looking back at the city. Part of him wondered if Eve would appear on a horse.
"The Winding Way would eventually bring us to the Zowali Protectorate," Henrick said. "Perhaps someday you can visit the realm of the talking animals. But we'll leave the road well before arriving there."
"Will the darkness help cover us?" Kendra asked.
"From some creatures and some dragons," Henrick said. "Others will see us better than we can see them. We have to move fast. I have ranged far and wide on this preserve. I will use all my experience to protect us."
"Do we have any protections as caretakers?" Seth asked.
"Some inherent protections come with the office," Henrick said. "But you have also killed a dragon at this sanctuary. You entered her lair and initiated the conflict. That act forfeited much of your protection. You do have one other important advantage: Celebrant appears to want you as caretakers when he stages his rebellion. If you died, a new caretaker would be selected. He might hesitate to kill you."
"Marat told me Celebrant can't get the medallion by killing me," Seth said.
"Correct," Henrick said. "Upon your demise the medallion will teleport back to Blackwell Keep. Same if you command it to return. Celebrant knows this. That feature may not save your life, but it could give the Dragon King less reason to capture or kill you."
As they rode up to a pass out of the valley, Seth kept looking back.
"I don't think she's coming," Calvin said. The words surprised Seth because they came from near his ear. The nipsie had apparently climbed from his pocket to his shoulder.
"Are you going to fall?"
Seth asked.
"I know my limits," Calvin said. "This is easy."
"Do you think Eve really would have tried to meet us if I had agreed?" Seth asked.
"I don't think she was bluffing," Calvin said.
"She seemed adventurous," Seth said.
"Pretty girl," Calvin added offhandedly.
"Don't be gross," Seth said.
"You didn't notice?" Calvin asked.
"Maybe a little," Seth said. "But that isn't why I liked her."
"That may change in a year or two," Calvin said. "Trust me on this."
"Isn't she a little big for you?" Seth asked.
"I already found my true love," Calvin said. "Serena. Besides, Eve is too young. I'm tiny but fully grown."
"Serena is with the other nipsies?" Seth asked.
"No," Calvin said. "I wish. She left with a group trying to research the nipsie curse several years ago. Never came back."
"Several years ago?" Seth asked. "How old is she?"
"I'm older than I look," Calvin said. "Nipsies age like the Fair Folk—everything slows down in our late teens. Many magical beings age more slowly than mortals."
"I've noticed," Seth said. "Do you think Serena is all right?"
"I worry," Calvin said. "She has to be in trouble or she would have returned. In my heart I believe she is alive. We share a special connection. I would feel it if she perished."
"Do you know where she went?" Seth asked.
"All I know is she left Fablehaven," Calvin said.
"Can she do that without permission?" Seth asked.
"I did," Calvin said. "The wizards who designed these preserves didn't really plan on people smaller than fairies. We tend to escape notice."
"Do you want to find her?" Seth asked.
"I would like that very much," Calvin said. "I'm always paying attention. I hope that breaking the curse will help."
"I hope so too," Seth said.
They rode through the pass, leaving the valley behind. Stars appeared as the light expired. The night became colder as they rode on. A moon rose, silvering the edges of clouds and occasionally peeking through. The surrounding wilderness remained mostly obscured in shadow. No artificial light brightened the forests and slopes around them. Bulky shapes loomed in the dimness, recognizable only as trees or boulders from just the right angle or in close proximity. Seth wished he could see what creatures were hiding in the darkness. At least Kendra had really good night vision. Hopefully she would provide an early warning if trouble showed up.
The Winding Way stayed true to its name, curving around obstacles in the rough terrain and climbing or descending steep slopes in serpentine switchbacks. The horses alternated between a swift trot and a gentle, loping pace. Once, in the distance, Seth heard a low, tremendous roaring. Another time he heard an otherworldly screech, echoing down from high in the night sky.
At a point where trees lined both sides of the road, some of the branches interlocking overhead, Henrick came to a stop. "We can leave the road here," he said. "The trees will provide cover."
"Great," Seth said. He patted his horse's neck. "How are you holding up, Noble?"
The horse gave a single stamp.
"Luvians are tireless as long as you don't push too long at a full gallop," Henrick said. "One thing disturbs me: no dragons."
"Is that a problem?" Kendra asked.
"Dragons openly watched us much of the way here," Henrick said. "I assume it was mostly a form of intimidation. But I haven't sensed a dragon high or low since leaving Terrabelle. Either they are no longer watching us or else they want us to think they are no longer watching us."
"Uh-oh," Seth said.
"They were expecting us to go to Terrabelle," Henrick said. "Maybe they assumed we would return to Blackwell Keep and stopped watching. Or maybe they saw us depart along an unexpected route and started watching stealthily."
"Dragon ambush," Seth said.
"Or simple reconnaissance," Henrick replied. "Who knows? Our visit to Dalgorel was expected. But Celebrant would be very interested in our present movements. An ambush could be catastrophic. We have not yet left the road. We can still turn back and head directly to the keep."
"If we saw dragons, that would be a problem too," Kendra said. "We already made this choice. Let's go."
"Did you notice the dome on the ridge as we left Blackwell Keep?" Henrick asked.
"Yes," Seth said.
"I missed it," Kendra admitted.
"It's a safe hut," Henrick said. "The protections of Blackwell Keep extend to more than fifty such enclosures around Wyrmroost. They can even stand against dragons. They are marked on your map, Seth. I have been saved by a safe hut more than once. If you lose me somehow, get back on a road or find a safe hut and wait for rescue. The horses can guide you."
"We have safe huts at Fablehaven," Seth said. "I've used them."
"I'm glad you're familiar with the idea," Henrick said. "Noble, Glory, you remember the maps we looked at back at Terrabelle?"
Both horses gave a single stamp.
"You understand our destination?" Henrick checked.
The horses stamped again.
"And the locations of the nearest safe huts along the route?"
Again the horses stamped.
"Then with both caretakers in agreement, we should get moving," Henrick said. He led the way off the road into the trees. Kendra showed no hesitation. Seth had seldom felt prouder of his sister.