by Sarah Noffke
“Rory, I get that you’re worried,” Sophia said in a careful voice.
“Behind anyone at all!” Lunis stated, finishing the joke.
Sophia shook her head, ignoring him. “But I really do have a good plan that I think will work. I have to go check into some things, but if it does work, then I don’t need the location or anything from you.”
“Getting there will be difficult,” Rory warned. “They protect their borders.”
“I know, but I’ll do it,” Sophia affirmed.
“They won’t want to listen to you,” Rory continued.
She nodded. “That’s fine. I don’t plan on doing the talking.”
He sighed. “How can I talk you out of this?”
“You simply can’t,” she stated with determination.
“Again, you’re like Liv,” he sighed.
“That, I will remind you, is a good thing,” she said proudly.
“Speaking of the worst person ever,” Lunis chimed in. “How do you win an argument with a short person?”
Both Rory and Sophia simply blinked at the dragon.
Finally, Lunis said, “You stoop to their level.”
“Anyway.” Sophia drew out the word. “I’ll get the agreement signed, return it to the giants, and you’ll get the approval to help me and this mysterious blessing from the chief. I don’t suppose you’ll clue me in on what that’s all about?”
Rory shook his head. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s important enough that you need it and will go through with all this,” Sophia guessed.
“It’s nothing,” the giant repeated.
Sophia pursed her lips. “Fine, keep your secrets. In the meantime, while I’m trotting around gnome territory, will you help me out and craft a morally entrenched riddle? Something that will reveal someone’s real motive and whether they’re trustworthy. A real brainbuster, if you will?”
Rory nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”
When they arrived at the cliffs, Sophia climbed onto Lunis’ back and waved to Rory, who looked more somber than usual, a heavy weight in his expression. Sophia wished he wouldn’t worry, but that was Rory’s nature. He cared more for others than for himself. He was selfless in so many ways. If she could help him with all this, then that was exactly what she wanted to do, she thought as Lunis took off, soaring through the blue skies, headed back for the Gullington.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Well, it’s official.” Hiker Wallace shook his head at Sophia. “You’ve lost your mind.”
Sophia threw up her hands, frustrated on so many levels, but realizing she should have expected this reaction. She glanced at Mama Jamba, sitting on the sofa in Hiker’s office and pretending to be listening. She didn’t appear ready to rush to Sophia’s side and help out.
Turning back, Sophia gave Hiker a pleading expression. “Please, sir, this helps everyone. The giants get access to their fishing territory. The House of Fourteen will operate better. Then the Dragon Elite will have fewer headaches doing the things we need to accomplish.”
“Since you’ve been off galivanting on this side quest for the House of Fourteen, have you forgotten that the Dragon Elite have fires to put out all over the world?”
Sophia sighed. “Of course not. The guys are off on adjudication missions. I have someone working on curing that water supply in Asia. You told me to find evidence that the Rogue Riders are behind the wars. I’m working on all that. Not only that, but I’m having a device built that will tell us what a dragon is before it hatches—whether it’s angel or demon. That way we’ll be able to balance out how many of each hatch at a time.”
“That is a worthy mission,” Hiker commended.
“And yes, in the meantime, while I’m waiting for my sources to get back to me, I’m working on this for the House of Fourteen,” Sophia stated. “Still, I contend that this helps us too. Having a House that functions the right way will make our jobs easier.”
“However, this map quest you’ve concocted to accomplish this for the House of Fourteen is very conniving,” Hiker imparted. Sophia wasn’t sure if he was proud or disapproving.
“Sometimes that’s the only way to beat the evil at their own game,” Mama Jamba chimed in. “Sophia isn’t doing anything wrong. She’s simply giving them an option. It’s the classic, tell someone they get all the riches they desire if they commit an act of murder and see what they do. People’s true colors come out when they put power and riches above life.” Mama Jamba glanced up from her travel magazine and winked at Sophia. “I approve, dear.”
Sophia blushed. “Thanks.”
“Good, good.” Hiker sounded tired. “You got the endorsement that counts. The point remains that to accomplish this for the House of Fourteen, you have to fix the giants’ problems.” He shook his head. “I don’t get how your plan is feasible.”
Sophia put her hands together as though she was begging. “It will work, sir. Really, it’s the only way. The gnomes don’t listen to anyone.”
“You think I don’t know that?” he argued and laughed. “I’ve lived with one for centuries, and he continues to do the opposite of what I want.”
Sophia nodded, knowing that Quiet often made Hiker’s life difficult. “So you get it. Gnomes loathe outsiders. This is my only chance of fixing things for the giants. We’re all about creating solutions as the Dragon Elite.”
He lowered his chin and regarded her with hooded eyes. “We fix mortal problems, nations’ issues. We don’t dabble in the affairs of giants and gnomes. You’re blurring the lines, and I don’t like it.”
“I get that, sir, but they really are all and the same. Yes, the House of Fourteen deals with the magical creatures and us with the mortals. However, if the giants and gnomes go to war, mortals could get involved—they can see them now, whereas in the last few centuries, those battles went unnoticed by them. If we have the power to fix relations, shouldn’t we?”
He growled at her, his beard vibrating. “That’s the thing, Sophia. I don’t think we have the power.”
“We do though, sir,” she argued. “All I need is an influential gnome to go with me. Someone who has power and that they’ll listen to.”
“That person happens to control and house all of the Gullington,” Hiker seethed. “You know, this entire plot of land where our dragons and we reside. What will happen if Quiet leaves here on your field trip?”
Sophia scrunched up her nose and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I hope nothing. That he could pop off as Ainsley used to for an hour.”
“Sometimes she passed out,” Hiker added.
“Well, but that was for different reasons,” Sophia stated.
“Quiet is the Gullington.” Hiker tried to quell his growing temper. “He’s what controls the Castle, the Expanse, the Pond, the Cave, the Nest, and the Pad. Remember when Trin poisoned him, and he was ill? If Quiet isn’t here, we lose our defenses. He’s never not been here. I don’t even know what happens to this place if he leaves.”
In unison, both Hiker and Sophia spun to face Mama Jamba.
The old woman continued to flip the magazine pages as though she wasn’t paying the least bit of attention to the conversation. Hiker cleared his throat.
Mother Nature jerked her head up suddenly. “What’s that? Were you all talking to me?”
He shook his head with annoyance, not at all buying her act. “Quiet. What happens to the Gullington if he leaves here for a short trip?”
“Oh, well, he is the Gullington,” Mama Jamba answered. “It would simply disappear.”
Hiker threw his hands up, looking at Sophia. “See there? It can’t be done. You have to find a different gnome.”
“I don’t know any other gnomes with his kind of influence,” Sophia argued, feeling defeated.
“Of course, the Gullington would return when Quiet did,” Mama Jamba said matter-of-factly.
Again, they both spun to face Mother Nature. Sophia squealed. “So it could work.”
“No, it couldn’t,” Hiker said in a biting tone.
“In theory, it could work,” Mama Jamba countered. “Quiet constructs everything that we see in the Gullington. He has to be here for it to be real, so it would disappear when he left, but as soon as he returned, it all would too.”
“Where would we go when Sophia and Quiet were on this trip?” Hiker argued, obviously not happy about this new development.
“Well, I dare say you might have to leave the Castle, son,” Mama Jamba teased. “We all might have to.”
“But the eggs,” Hiker complained. “The dragonettes that aren’t ready to fly. What happens to them?”
Mama Jamba waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, those. They simply go into Quiet’s vault.”
“His what?” Hiker questioned, blinking at her with confusion.
“The vault,” Mama Jamba repeated. “It’s the part of his consciousness that can store things if he’s absent. I really did think of everything.”
“Ohhhhh.” Sophia drew out the word. “Like the void in that show The Good Place?”
“Speak English,” Hiker spat.
Sophia rolled her eyes at the Viking. “You don’t. Why should I?”
“Yes, it’s like that,” Mama Jamba affirmed.
Sophia glanced at Hiker, who continued to give her a look of impatience. “In that show, there’s a computer program of sorts that creates the worlds. When things aren’t in use, she can store them in her void. That’s what it sounds like Quiet does.”
“Yes, except that Quiet is a gnome,” Mama Jamba corrected. “I created him. He’s no computer program.”
“It would work?” Hiker questioned.
“I suppose so,” Mama Jamba answered. “Really, this is all contingent on a much more stringent factor that I don’t control.”
Hiker’s nostrils flared. “Which is?”
“Whether Quiet will do it,” Mama Jamba replied. “He may not want to return to his homeland after all this time. He may not want to get involved. I can guarantee that he’ll be okay if he leaves, and the Gullington will be fine once he returns. But I refuse to force him to do this. That’s one hundred percent his call.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Hiker strode over to the bank of windows that looked out from his office and studied the Expanse and the Pond. “Where is that gnome? After all these centuries, I still have no way of calling him to me.”
Sophia giggled. “Sir…”
Hiker shook his head. “Not now, Sophia. I’m trying to see if Quiet is somewhere out on the Expanse. Maybe you can hunt around for him.”
“Sir,” Sophia repeated, pointing at the doorway.
He spun, exasperated. “What?” Hiker’s mouth fell open then snapped shut upon seeing the groundskeeper standing squarely in his doorway. “Right, you’re here. Of course, you’re here, you’re the Castle and have been listening. I guess you don’t even need us to tell you what Sophia wants.”
She shot the insensitive Viking a remonstrating look. “It doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t still ask, showing the respect that Quiet deserves.”
Hiker rolled his eyes.
“No wonder you can never find him when you want to, son.” Mama Jamba laughed.
“Or that Quiet hides all his stuff or shrinks his office,” Sophia added.
“Oh, you lot shove off, would you?” Hiker complained.
Sophia returned her attention to the gnome who was dutifully standing in the doorway. “Quiet, I’m guessing you know that I’d like your help negotiating with the gnomes to return the fishing territory to the giants. Or have the two share. Whatever agreement we can get. I understand that you’ll have to leave here to do that and vault all of this away.” She motioned around her, meaning the ancient Castle and rolling hills and mountains and cave and the large body of water. “I know this is a lot to ask. I normally wouldn’t, and you can say no, but I hope that by doing this, we can help a lot of magical races.”
Quiet bowed his head, knotted his red, blistered hands together, and mumbled something she couldn’t make out.
“Yes, I suppose it will take a lot out of you.” Mama Jamba nodded.
“Oh,” Sophia said with a sudden gasp. “I don’t want to cause you strain or anything. I thought—”
Quiet’s soft muttering cut her off. She leaned forward, aching to make out what he was saying.
“No, I agree that you should conserve energy by transporting there,” Mama Jamba told the gnome, nodding again.
Sophia looked at the old woman. “What? I don’t understand.”
She smiled back at her. “Quiet shouldn’t travel to the gnome’s homeland. That would be too much time away and very taxing on him, something he can avoid if he simply transports.”
“I agree,” Sophia stated.
“You can’t portal there since you’re not a gnome and not allowed to do this as a way of transporting to their lands,” Mama Jamba stated.
“Okay.” Sophia drew the word out. “So if I know where to go, Lunis and I can travel there.” She looked at Quiet. “Will you tell me where the gnome’s homeland is and meet me there?”
He nodded.
Sophia smiled. “Then you’ll help me negotiate with them to avoid war with the giants?”
Another nod.
She wanted to jump up and down. “Is there anything else? Something I can do to make things easier?”
Quiet mumbled something low.
Sophia glanced at Mama Jamba, hoping she’d interpret.
“He says to rest up because the gnomes won’t allow you on their land without a fight,” Mama Jamba imparted. “The map to their homeland will be on the desk in your room in twenty-four hours. He’ll meet you there three hours later.”
Sophia glanced between Mama Jamba and the gnome, unsure which one to thank first. “You two are the best. Thank you so much. I’ll be ready to go when it’s time to go.”
Mama Jamba glanced at Quiet, who whispered something.
She nodded. “I know, it’s super cute that she thanks us for helping her to help others. It’s one of the reasons she’s one of my favorites. But don’t tell her that.”
Sophia beamed, feeling so grateful.
“You just did.” Hiker sounded irritated.
Sophia glanced at him, triumph resounding in her chest. When she looked back at the doorway, Quiet was gone. “Okay, well, it sounds like we have a day to let everyone know to find an Airbnb or take a holiday in Quiet’s vault.”
Hiker shook his head. “I’ll be at the Elfin Council if anyone needs me. I guess you’ll be getting some rest for your big mission?”
Sophia shook her head. “At some point, but right now I’m going to work on the last part of this mission. Almost everything is in place, and I want to ensure it all goes off without a hitch.”
“I’m sure it will, my dear,” Mama Jamba said with a sweet smile.
“Well, you wouldn’t be so confident if you knew whose shoulder the third task resides on.” Sophia laughed and made for the door.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sophia was surprised to be greeted by a distinguished butler when she knocked at the new Sweetwater manor in Vancouver, Canada. Even the manor’s exterior look was so…non-King Rudolf-like, Sophia thought. It was elegant and understated with a manicured lawn and great attention to classic architecture.
The entire estate was so different in feel and design than the gaudy and flashy look of Las Vegas casinos. Instead of having to deal with a dumb fae bouncer, it appeared that King Rudolf had hired an English butler who bowed to Sophia before leading her through the handsomely decorated home to the study where Rudolf was working.
Sophia hoped to find him working on the projections for the next fiscal quarter for Heals Pills, as he promised. Or maybe even drawing up marketing plans for the water treatment business he was running with Lee. She hadn’t expected to find him lying on his stomach on the floor and holding a flashcard in front of Serena.
The mortal�
�s brow was scrunched up as she studied the picture of the black and white spotted cow.
“You’ve got this one, babe,” Rudolf encouraged his wife, smiling at Sophia in greeting when she entered before returning his attention to Serena. “Just three things. What are they?”
Serena scratched her head. “Okay, it’s a cow….” she said with uncertainty.
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, and…”
“It makes a moo-moo sound,” Serena answered.
He nodded again. “Last question. Do you lick it?”
Serena’s eyes widened with horror as though he’d asked a life or death question. She tilted her head to the side. “Ye—”
Rudolf’s grin faltered, cutting Serena off.
The mortal shook her head adamantly. “No, we don’t lick cows.”
Slapping the card down on a stack between them, Rudolf cheered. “That was perfect. Good job, my love.” He glanced up at Sophia. “Do you want to join us?”
“What are you doing?” Sophia asked and realized she’d regret it.
“Well,” Serena said, in a sudden posh voice as if she was test driving a British accent all of a sudden. “Since the triplets are attending college—”
“Preschool,” Sophia corrected.
“Same thing,” Serena cut in. “I have to help them with their homework, and it’s been tough since it’s been so long since I was in school. Then when I died, I lost, like, a few hundred brain cells.”
“That was probably all you had to start with,” Sophia muttered under her breath.
“So I have to relearn everything.” Serena shrugged. “Doll-face is helping me brush up on the hard stuff.”
The king of the fae held up a card with a serious expression on his face. “Okay, this is a tough one, but I know you got it.”
Serena nodded, determination on her face as she worked to build her confidence. “I’m ready.”
Rudolf flipped around a flashcard of a bright pink pig.
Sophia’s eyes widened in horror. She looked around, pretty certain this was a prank, and she was on camera.
