Dragonwatch, vol. 4: Champion of the Titan Games

by Brandon Mull

  The woman stood. She had short brown hair, parted stylishly on one side, and wore a fashionable red dress with a dark blazer over it. “Welcome. Call me Sable. This is my associate, Basil.”

  Basil was a lean man with angular features, dressed in a dark suit. His black hair was slicked back, and he sported a little tuft of whiskers on the tip of his chin.

  “Wet room,” Seth said.

  “You may want to remove your shoes,” Sable said. “You can place them in the bin just inside the door. Virgil, I believe you told me to expect one companion in addition to Calvin.”

  Seth and Merek crouched and started removing their shoes.

  “He made a new friend,” Virgil said. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Calvin?” Sable asked. “Do you vouch for him?”

  “You bet I do,” Calvin said.

  “Any friend of Calvin’s,” Sable said.

  As Seth waded into the room, lukewarm water sloshed against his bare feet. He placed his shoes in the bin on top of black dress shoes and a pair of high heels. Merek added his boots as well.

  Seth and Virgil crossed to the table and sat down. Merek moved the chair from the head of the table so he could sit beside Seth.

  “This is one of the most secure places in all of Humburgh,” Sable said. “I am true to my employer, but that doesn’t mean I want him to hear every word I speak.”

  “Not even Humbuggle can hear us here?” Seth asked.

  “Nor can he enter the room without being detected,” Sable said. “The running water prevents him from appearing in disguise or entering invisibly.”

  “Is he often in disguise?” Seth asked.

  Sable laughed. “Oh, you’re charming! Dear boy, Humbuggle is always prowling about in disguise. Are you new to town?”

  “I’ve been here a couple of days,” Seth said.

  “On your first day you undoubtedly met him,” Sable said. “He pays pointed attention to newcomers. Most who visit Humburgh encounter him several times unawares.”

  Seth looked left and right. “He isn’t any of us.”

  “At least not right now,” Sable said.

  “Is she here?” Calvin asked.

  “Serena wanted to see you before showing herself,” Sable said.

  Seth set Calvin on the table. “Serena?” Calvin called. “It’s me. I’ve come a long way to find you.”

  “I told you to wait for me,” came a voice from the breast pocket of Sable’s jacket.

  “Serena?” Calvin exclaimed.

  A pretty little face peeked up from Sable’s pocket. She had honey-blonde hair and animated blue eyes. “Of course it’s me.”

  Calvin grinned from ear to ear, placed both hands over his chest, then flung his arms wide. “Finally!”

  “You promised to stay with the others until I finished the assignment,” Serena said. “What I’m doing takes time, and it’s extremely dangerous.”

  “Serena, I was waiting, and would have kept waiting, except I found the champion,” Calvin said.

  “You did?” Serena asked.

  “Seth,” Calvin said, presenting him with both arms.

  “He killed Graulas?” Serena asked doubtfully.

  “With Vasilis,” Calvin said. “And he promised to help break the curse. But he lost his memories. He’s still helping, though.”

  “I’ve met Virgil and Calvin,” Sable said. “We still lack some introductions.”

  “I’m Seth Sorenson. And this is Fenrick.”

  One of the candles in the candelabra went out, a thin ribbon of smoke curling up from the charred wick. Sable glanced at it. “Whoops. Who is he really?”

  “What did the candle tell you?” Seth asked.

  “They protect us all from lies,” Sable said, using one of the other candles to relight the candle that had gone out. “Giants are so skillful at truth magic.”

  “I’m Merek. But I went by Fenrick until recently.”

  Sable gasped, then narrowed her eyes. “Are you who I think you are?”

  “I have a famous father,” Merek said. “Tell me what you do for Humbuggle.”

  “I am the head housekeeper,” Sable said. “Basil is one of his drivers.”

  “What is your real name?” Merek asked.

  “I’m called Sable,” she replied.

  “I didn’t ask what people call you,” Merek said. “I asked for your name.”

  Sable scrunched her lips to the side and scowled. “I am Isadore.”

  “A sorceress,” Merek said.

  “I dabble,” Isadore said.

  “What was your name when you were a dragon?” Merek asked.

  “Ishaya,” Isadore said, some heat in the word.

  Merek gave a nod. “And what about you, Basil?”

  “My name is Basil,” he said.

  “In your human form,” Merek stated.

  Basil gave a nod. “You have killed many of our kind. I am Basirus.”

  “I take no pleasure in slaying dragons,” Merek said.

  Two of the candles snuffed out.

  Merek gave a guilty chuckle. “All right. It can be satisfying to dispatch the worst ones. But I don’t harm dragons unless it becomes necessary.”

  Isadore relit the two extinguished candles with her fingertip.

  “What about the satyr?” Serena asked.

  “I’m just a scholar of the Games,” Virgil said.

  “A satyr and a scholar?” Serena exclaimed. “And the candles stayed lit?”

  “This company is full of surprises,” Isadore said.

  “Do you want to slay me, butcher?” Basirus asked.

  “Should I?” Merek replied.

  “Let’s keep this friendly,” Isadore said. “We’re ruining the moment for our nipsie lovers.”

  “I’m doing fine,” Serena said.

  “Maybe a hug?” Calvin asked.

  “Why not?” Serena said. Isadore set her on the table, and she ran to Calvin, picked him up in her embrace, and spun him around. After she set Calvin down, Seth could see that they were exactly the same height.

  Calvin smiled uncontrollably. “You never let me pick you up.”

  “I was excited to see you!” Serena replied.

  “I can’t believe it’s you,” Calvin said.

  “I know what you mean,” Serena said. “I never imagined I would see you here.”

  “How have you been?” Calvin asked.

  “Working really hard,” Serena said. “And I can’t get distracted right now. So much is in motion. You brought me the champion. I’m indebted for that. But this is no place for nipsies.”

  “Serena,” Calvin said. “The elders made me a giant, too. I have the same assignment as you. The same responsibility.”

  “Calvin, this is deadlier work than you know,” Serena said. “I don’t want you in the kind of danger I’ve seen. I set out to do this for you and for all our people.”

  “I came for our people too,” Calvin said. “And for you. I’m Seth’s sworn vassal. Wherever he goes, I go.”

  Serena looked up at Seth. “And where are you going?”

  Seth found all eyes on him. “Well, I’m on a quest.”

  “We need to find the Unforgiving Blade,” Merek said. “It’s one of Humbuggle’s challenges.”

  Isadore glanced at the candles and found them all burning. “I’ve never heard of that challenge. To what end?”

  “I assume to cut something,” Merek said.

  The candles still burned.

  “Do you know where to find it?” Isadore asked.

  “No idea,” Merek said, glancing at Seth.

  “Could you help us?” Seth asked.

  “Possibly,” Isadore said.

  “Tell me a lie,” Seth said.

  “Excuse me?” Isadore asked.

  “I want to make sure the candles work for you as well,” Seth said.

  “I like Dragon Slayers,” Isadore said.

  All three candles went out.

  “Ouch,” Calvin
said. “That was cold.”

  Isadore reignited the flames with her fingertip.

  “I take it you’re on the Small Council?” Merek asked.

  “I was until recently,” Isadore said. “The Small Council came out in open support of the dragons in the war. That was too much for me.”

  Seth noted the candles still burning.

  “What have you learned about the curse?” Serena asked. “Besides finding the champion?”

  “Isn’t finding the champion the main part?” Calvin asked. “‘The curse arose from the demon’s blight; the lord who slays him will set it right. The slayer shall restore our pride, the Giant Hero at his side.’”

  “I’m the Giant Hero,” Serena said.

  “I’m one too now,” Calvin said. “We hadn’t heard from you in a long time. The elders were worried you might have perished.”

  “You can assure them I am well,” Serena said. “What exactly are you and the champion supposed to do?”

  “Set it right,” Calvin said.

  “Set what right?” Serena pressed.

  “Undo the curse,” Calvin said vaguely.

  “Who placed the curse?” Serena asked.

  “Graulas,” Calvin said.

  “Okay, but who was he working with?” Serena said. “Who handled the details?”

  “Do you know?” Calvin asked.

  “Humbuggle,” Serena said.

  Calvin’s jaw dropped. “No.”

  “Isn’t that why you’re here?” Serena cried.

  “Well, mostly,” Calvin said.

  Two of the candles went out.

  “You didn’t know,” Serena accused.

  Isadore relit the extinguished candles.

  “We’re learning as we go,” Calvin said. “You had a head start.”

  “None of you has much time left,” Merek said. “The dragon war is coming to Titan Valley. Celebrant is here.”

  Isadore’s eyes widened. “No.” She glanced at the candles, still burning. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” Seth said. “And Ronodin has taken over the Fairy Realm. The dark unicorn will almost surely help Celebrant take down this sanctuary.”

  Isadore glanced at Basirus. “This disturbs our plans.”

  “It’s a problem,” Basirus said.

  Isadore looked at Merek. “Why do you need the Unforgiving Blade?”

  “We can’t tell you,” Merek said.

  The candles kept burning.

  “You literally can’t?” Isadore asked. “You’re not allowed?”

  “We’re not allowed,” Seth said.

  Isadore gasped and covered her mouth. “The blade is important. You’re close to winning.”

  “We’re close,” Merek said.

  She glanced at the candles, still burning.

  “Very well,” Isadore said. “Let’s all share what we can.”

  Merek gripped the edge of the table, stroking the smooth finish with his thumbs. “Before we all start comparing notes, I need to know what your side of the table is after.”

  “What do you think?” Isadore asked. “We want the Wizenstone.” She looked at Basirus. “Same as everyone who works for Humbuggle.”

  “Everyone who comes to mind,” Basirus said.

  “And same as everyone who enters the Games,” Isadore added.

  “What would you do if you obtained the Wizenstone?” Merek asked.

  Her eyes flicked to the candles. “What would anyone do? Advance their own interests in one way or another.”

  “I would do the same as I have done for centuries,” Merek said. “I would try to protect the world.”

  All three candles stayed lit.

  “Does that include protecting dragons?” Basirus asked.

  “Mostly,” Merek said.

  One candle went out.

  “I would not seek to exterminate any kind of creature, whether demon or dragon or the undead,” Merek said.

  The two remaining candles kept burning. Isadore relit the other.

  “I want to lift the curse on the nipsies,” Calvin piped in.

  “Do you understand what the curse involves?” Serena asked.

  Calvin hesitated. “I’m learning.”

  “We’re talking about ancient history,” Isadore said. “Before I was hatched. Before preserves were established. Before the dragon war. Graulas was young. Humbuggle was young. The world was new.”

  “So much of knowing how to proceed involves doing the research,” Serena said. “Learning the history. Understanding the context.”

  “We’ve learned a way to win the Games,” Seth said.

  “And what would you do with the Wizenstone?” Isadore asked. “Do you believe you could wield it?”

  “Those I saw try to take it were instantly destroyed,” Seth said.

  Isadore seemed surprised when she checked the candles. “You have actually seen it?”

  “At Stormguard Castle,” Seth said. “Right after I lost my memories. I met Humbuggle there too.”

  “Let me guess,” Isadore said. “A contestant sent the Wizenstone away.”

  “Yes,” Seth said. “It was my sister.”

  “Humbuggle likes to create situations in which the lesser evil becomes banishing the stone,” Isadore said. “If no competitor can figure out how to claim or wield the Wizenstone, and if the Game is sufficiently unpleasant, and especially if there is the risk of an adversary gaining the stone, it can feel like a win simply to send the stone out of reach.”

  “Meaning Humbuggle tends to win even if you complete his Game,” Serena said. “He retains control of the Wizenstone and invents new competitions.”

  “I wonder what might have happened if Kendra had sent Humbuggle away instead of the stone,” Seth said.

  “Now you’re thinking down promising avenues,” Isadore said.

  “I hear the wisdom,” Merek said. “Instead of trying to claim and wield the stone directly, perhaps we should ponder how to replace Humbuggle as the custodian.”

  “Thoughts worth considering,” Isadore said.

  Basirus gestured at Merek. “We can’t allow this butcher to gain power over the stone.”

  “Is it best to leave the Wizenstone with Humbuggle?” Calvin asked. “At least he isn’t using it to destroy the world. With Humbuggle, it’s all about the Games. Could he be a safer custodian than most?”

  “Holding the Games might be what allows Humbuggle to retain control,” Serena said. “If he tried to fully claim the stone for his own, it could destroy him as it has destroyed others.”

  “If someone replaced Humbuggle, they might have to fill his post,” Merek said. “Preside over their own Games.”

  “Or carry out some comparable trickery to keep full ownership in question,” Isadore said.

  “This is all speculative,” Basirus said. “Nobody has these answers.”

  “Would a candle go out if you were wrong?” Seth asked.

  “The candles measure whether you believe you are telling the truth,” Isadore said. “Not whether your assumptions are correct.”

  “This discussion is only productive if you have real knowledge to share,” Merek said.

  “I feel the same way,” Isadore said. “This needs to be productive for us, or else why should we surrender hard-earned information?”

  “We can’t reveal some of what we know,” Seth said.

  Merek looked at Seth. “We may have to obtain what they learned from another source. They discovered it somewhere.”

  Isadore smirked. “Be my guest. It took long years of inquiry, none of it easy.”

  “I have a proposal,” Serena said. “What if, in return for information, Calvin and his friends pledge to take me with them?”

  Isadore gave a slow nod. “I would consent to that.” She glanced at Basirus.

  “So much is in motion,” Basirus said. “We must act soon or risk starting over.”

  Calvin looked up at Seth and Merek. “This is a good deal! We want Serena with us anyhow!�
�

  Merek grimaced. “She comes with strings attached to wizards and dragons.”

  “Just me,” Isadore said. “And one dragon. Basirus is my brother. We operate independently from other wizards and dragons.”

  The candles stayed lit.

  “Answer two questions, and we might have a deal,” Merek said. “Do you want the dragons to wipe out humanity?”

  “No,” Isadore said.

  Basirus shook his head.

  The candles continued to burn.

  “Do you want Celebrant to gain the Wizenstone?” Merek asked.

  “Absolutely not,” Basirus said.

  “By no means,” Isadore said.

  The candles burned steadily.

  Merek glanced at Seth. “I think I can live with that.”

  Seth gave a nod. “Serena can join us if your information is good.”

  “Long ago, Stratos and the sky giants floated high above the ground,” Isadore said. “They were the original overlords, rulers of the sky. By what power did their realm remain in the upper reaches?”

  “The sky giants were once mighty in sorcery,” Merek said. “Much more so than now.”

  “By what power?” Isadore repeated.

  “I’m stumped,” Merek confessed, looking to Seth.

  “I don’t even remember my favorite food,” Seth said.

  “The Ethergem,” Serena supplied.

  “A stone of astronomical power,” Isadore said.

  “More powerful than the Wizenstone?” Seth asked.

  “Definitely,” Isadore said. “Powerful enough to keep an entire civilization of giants afloat among clouds, with enough surplus energy for them to perform wonders with magic we can scarcely imagine.”

  “Do the giants still have it?” Seth asked.

  “Why do you suppose Stratos fell to the earth?” Isadore asked. “Why do the sky giants now walk among us on the ground? Why do they no longer grow as tall as in their most glorious era?”

  “Was the Ethergem lost?” Seth asked.

  “I will tell you presently,” Isadore said. “Another question. We currently have five great monarchs with five crowns. How many were there originally?”

  “Two,” Merek said.

  “Which two?” Isadore asked.

  “The Fairy Queen and the Underking,” Merek said. “Yin and yang. Light and dark. Birth and death. Creation and decay.”