by L. R. W. Lee
“No, Alden silenced that chant. I just boosted his confidence.”
Before they could continue, Regent Cronkar and Viceroy Aleron of the cavalry interrupted.
“Prince Andrew, it’s great to see you again,” the regent puffed.
“You gave my soldiers a lesson last night they won’t soon forget,” the viceroy added.
Andy cleared his throat. “I’m sorry.”
“Nonsense! You played fair and square, and they need to accept their defeat with grace,” Regent Cronkar encouraged.
Regent Bellum, the commander of Oomaldee’s army, appeared next followed immediately by Viceroy Stoneshield, his deputy. Majors Caden and Magnor brought up the tail—literally, for both army officers now waddled and had abnormally long arms. Andy turned away, rubbing his brow.
Everyone sat and Andy secured the door as the King called the meeting to order. Mom sat to his right and Mermin to his left at the head of the table.
Should I mention what I saw in the dungeons? Andy pondered as the meeting began.
“A week ago, zolt pillaged half of the shops in Oops,” the King began. “They destroyed storefronts and looted all available goods. Had it not been for our brave forces, I fear the whole business district would have been wiped out.”
Regent Bellum and Viceroy Stoneshield nodded.
“Food supplies grow scarce with the fishing industry shut down and the fields unplowed. Concerns of the fishermen and farmers that they might be turned are not unfounded. I’ve talked to our allies, including King Nithi of the dwarfs and Gelon of the gnomes, and asked for their help before the situation grows dire. I received no response to my letters to Cromlech or Carta, so I have to assume the worst. Because the dwarfs depend on our farming and fishing industries, Nithi has offered aid and is even assembling an entourage to request help from Miramon, their trading partner to the northwest of Lake Nimue.
“Production continues on devices that create a protective barrier around homes, which Mermin developed to resist the enemy. If I may add, they proved extremely effective in field tests by Queen Emmalee and Prince Andrew, and continue to ward off the enemy in the homes that have them.”
“Unfortunately, we continue to expewience pwoduction pwoblems,” Mermin chimed in. “We haven’t been able to go a day without something bweaking on the line, although I am urgently seeking a solution. And while we’re talking about it, I should also add that we are working on pwoduction of personal units. Fishermen and farmers will weceive them first.”
“Thank you for all your efforts, Mermin. I know you haven’t been getting a lot of sleep lately,” the King acknowledged.
“On another topic, we seem to have an information leak. I am not accusing anyone at this table of sharing what we discuss, but I would remind each of you that what is spoken in this room needs to stay here. We need to be able to trust one another.”
“Has something happened?” Regent Bellum bellowed.
“Do you recall the matter we discussed at our last meeting, of securing the Ooozy Bog and exploiting it to our strategic advantage?”
Heads bobbed around the table.
“Abaddon’s forces launched an attack on Oops from Ooozy Bog just days after that discussion.”
“Might they have penetrated the bog before we talked about it?” Major Cahill queried.
The King shook his head, then added, “If you recall, I brought up the issue after my most recent trip to the library of Oomaldee. As we traveled past the bog, it had occurred to me that an area we think of as a wasteland could well be used to our advantage. It’s nestled between all three communities—Ooggy, Oohhh, and Oops—and could hide some of our defensive weapons.
“As I explained, there are some patches of quicksand, but if we mark those, the bog would prove an effective launching point for our airborne defensive weapons. I sent a small party to survey the bog and see if my thinking was sound or not. They arrived back and, after being sworn to secrecy, reported to me the morning of our last meeting. I’ve questioned them, and they tell me there were no signs of Abaddon or his zolt. I trust these men to have kept quiet.”
A minute of silence passed before Regent Cronkar stood and spoke. “Your Majesty, you have my word as your subject and as a gentleman that I have never uttered a word about these proceedings outside these walls.”
The King nodded. “Thank you, Kayton. I appreciate your assurances.”
Andy watched as one by one each officer around the table stood and uttered solemn vows that they also had not spoken of these matters.
Andy’s thoughts went to the secret listening spot Alden, Hannah, and Yara had found, but having no concerns that they would have squealed, his mind moved on. Mom and Mermin remained silent, watching each man as he spoke.
A certain shriveled fruit came to Andy’s mind. Razen wouldn’t know anything about these information leaks now would he? Andy fumed but refrained from voicing his accusation. Accusing the steward without proof, no matter how real the man’s activities appeared in Andy’s dreams, would produce nothing helpful, certainly not the punishment Andy sought for the operations manager.
The meeting moved on as the King gave an update on their progress with large weapon systems, after which Regent Cronkar reported on the cavalry’s readiness. As Regent Bellum stood to speak, Andy’s mind wandered.
MiniMe?
“Yes.”
Awhile ago you said that when someone is turned, their inneru is paralyzed.
“That’s right.”
You also said once that happens, dark magic can be used to channel the person’s thoughts and broadcast them over the whisper stream.
“Yes.”
The paralyzed inneru can’t control what its human shares, let alone help them modify inappropriate behavior.
“That’s right. Andy, where are you going with this?”
I need you to do something for me.
“What’s that?”
Help me talk to the innerus of Majors Cahill, Caden, and Magnor.
“Absolutely not! That’s completely against protocol.”
Do you understand the gravity of this situation? Someone is leaking information critical to defending Oomaldee. If we don’t stop it, we are sure to lose. Then how many innerus will die?
MiniMe remained silent for several seconds before replying, “All right, but only this once. I hope I don’t get in trouble.”
“Major Cahill?” MiniMe called.
Static first sounded in Andy’s brain, the same as when Daisy had permitted him a listen to the whisper stream. Then the major’s voice filled Andy’s hearing: “I can’t believe someone would snitch on our private discussions. And to Abaddon, no less. What were they thinking?”
Andy glanced over at Major Cahill. He sat quietly in his seat.
Is that his inneru?
“It’s what Major Cahill is thinking. Like I told you, his inneru is frozen.”
And all his thoughts are being sent to the whisper stream?
“If dark magic is involved, probably.”
Well, since Abaddon used dark magic to turn him, my bet is his thoughts are being shared on the whisper stream. Tune in to Caden and Magnor’s innerus.
“Andy…” MiniMe whined.
Just do it, okay? This is important.
A probe of the two officers turned up differing thoughts but identical results.
“Satisfied?” MiniMe harrumphed.
Link up with Viceroy Stoneshield’s inneru. I have to know what a healthy inneru sounds like.
“Andy, please don’t ask me to.”
Andy cleared his throat.
“Oh, all right. Viceroy Stoneshield?”
Static filled the space and then the viceroy’s deep voice replied, “What do you think you’re doing?”
MiniMe cut off the inquiry and the officer turned his head toward Andy, who diverted his gaze to Mom.
“I told you it was against protocol! I hope he doesn’t report me.”
Andy’s mind whirled:
Is Abaddon somehow listening to the thoughts of everyone he’s turned on the whisper stream? How would that even be possible?
Several minutes later, Andy questioned MiniMe once more. If their innerus are frozen, why aren’t these officers acting out like the guys last night?
“If I had to speculate, I’d say because they are loyal to the King, and at their core they refuse to be ruled by evil.”
But how would they be able to control themselves without functioning innerus?
“Force of will, diligence, and a firm grasp of their dignity.”
Andy gave a start. Father’s motto: the keys to success in life are responsibility, diligence, and dignity.
“Exactly. These men have trained and learned to discipline themselves. If I were you, I would trust them with my life, no question.”
Andy glanced at the three men with newfound respect. Still, they must no longer attend these meetings. How to explain that to Father?
The Regent concluded his remarks and the King adjourned the proceedings with a final word of caution.
Andy joined Father, Mom, and Mermin after the others left.
“I watched their bodies as they confessed their loyalty,” Mom voiced her analysis. “To a one, I did not detect any deceit. They are all loyal.”
“I agwee,” added Mermin. “I did not see signs that any cast lies.”
“Um,” Andy interrupted, “I think I know where the leak is coming from.”
Andy explained his findings then fielded innumerable questions from the three. He had MiniMe summon each of their innerus to demonstrate how a healthy inneru behaves, then contrasted it with how the majors’ innerus failed to act. At length, they came to understand Andy’s observations and fell into quiet contemplation.
“You may be right, Andy. If Abaddon can listen in to the whisper stream...” Father pondered. “If he can, this changes everything.”
“But we can’t let it,” objected Mom to puzzled looks. “If we change how we interact with folks who have been turned, Abaddon will know that we know.”
“A vewy good point,” Mermin chimed in, rubbing his beard.
Should I tell them what I found in the dungeon? Andy wondered, but finally decided against it in light of his revelation and their reactions. One thing at a time.
“It’s nearly time for dinner,” Mom realized. “I need to freshen up. I’ll see you all in the dining hall.”
Andy headed downstairs with Father and Mermin, but as they entered the hall, Hans caught up and asked to discuss a matter with Father and the wizard.
Yara, Alden, and Hannah, who had helped set tables, joined Andy. “I guess you heard everything.”
“Actually, no,” Yara intoned. “Razen lurked about our listening post so we couldn’t.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Oz Meets Oomaldee
The dining hall teemed with activity as every hungry servant gathered and exchanged the news of the day. Cadfael and Lucee, along with Ro, Charis, and Larissa, found Andy and the others.
“Mighty fine play last night,” Lucee complimented. The girls smiled pleasantly while Ro fidgeted, waiting as patiently as his small body could stand.
Andy laughed. “He’s grown so much! But he looks like he’s still full of energy. He’s what, five now?”
“Indeed he is, and becoming quite the little man,” Cadfael beamed.
Razen waddled over and mounted a short platform, then used a megaphone to announce in his nasally squawk, “If you’ll all take your places, dinner is served.”
“You can sit with me,” Andy hoped aloud to Yara.
The princess smiled. “Oh, I promised Hannah I’d join them tonight. I’m sorry.”
“No, that’s okay.” Andy tried in vain to hide his disappointment.
“I’ll see you after dinner.” Yara winked then went to join Hannah’s family down the table.
Father took his seat at the head with Mermin to his left across from Mom. Andy situated himself to her right.
As the food passed, Andy snuck glances down the table. Yara laughed and gestured in conversation. Mom caught him looking and smiled.
I’ve got to stop. I’m not going to let this ruin my dinner.
“That’s the spirit!” MiniMe cheered.
Easy for you to say…
Andy took a deep breath then plunged his fork into a mountain of mashed potatoes. Without warning, three gold objects appeared in front of him, making them all jump. Mom reached over and picked up the closest one, a doll measuring the height of an average Ken doll. It was dressed in a tattered gold tunic and the pants had contrasting fabric patches on both knees. The wide brim of a ratty yellow hat hid the toy’s face, but its irregular straw hands and feet stuck out of the sleeves and pant legs, clear as day.
“It’s a scarecrow,” Mom surmised.
“And here’s the lion and tin woodsman,” Andy chimed in, scrutinizing the gold-colored menagerie before them.
“Judging by the color, it must be the next clue,” the King deduced, then smiled at Mom. “I figured it would come soon since you and Andy are back. One step closer to lifting this blasted curse since my sister isn’t yet ready.”
“Are we going to the land of Oz?” Andy joked.
Father tilted his head and furrowed his brow.
“The land of Oz is an imaginary place in the Wizard of Oz, Mom’s second-favorite holiday movie,” Andy explained.
Mermin raised an eyebrow.
“Andy, they don’t know what movies are,” Mom intoned.
“Oh! Right.”
Mom offered, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is like one of our traveling plays. That’s partly why I fell in love with it. It’s a children’s story about a girl named Dorothy. She and her dog Toto get swept away from home by a tornado. They end up coming to rest in the land of Oz and Dorothy sets out on a quest to find her way back home. She is told she needs to go to the Emerald City where the kindly wizard can help her. On her way, she meets a scarecrow who needs a brain, a tin woodsman who seeks a heart, and a lion who desires courage.”
Grins sprouted on Father and Mermin’s faces, and Mom raised her hands, motioning for them to let her continue. Father nodded.
“I connected with it, seeing how Dorothy’s story is so similar to mine.”
“And what happens to the girl and her companions?” Father questioned.
“The scarecrow gets a brain, the tin woodsman gets a heart, and the lion becomes courageous,” Andy interjected.
“And why do you suppose these toys were sent as the next clue?”
Mom exchanged the scarecrow for the gold lion, with its abundant mane and gold pads on its paws. She stroked its fur. “I don’t know.”
Andy pulled the golden woodsman close and studied it. Unlike in the story, no rust appeared on its body and its joints moved easily. Miniature handles protruded from the center of its chest. Andy opened the cavity, revealing a piece of folded parchment. As he unfolded it, two pieces of paper fell out. He read the first aloud:
“The start of the story let me remind,
Each one had need and sought to find,
The scarecrow a brain, the tinman a heart,
But the lion, what did he seek for his part?
Level thinking is yours, when removed from your fear.
Compassion and love fill you plenty, be clear.
But the tempest of doubt doth toss you about,
When you set your eyes on the terror without.
Shift now your gaze to the power you hold.
Look not to your sword for deliverance, but be bold.
Resolve in your mind, trust in your heart,
And find courage within, already a part.
Ne’er alone in the fight, with your fellows unite,
To bring low the enemy, his might to smite.”
Andy shifted in his seat.
“Don’t look to Methuselah to deliver you?” Father queried. “What’s happened?”
Not having Methuselah’s help unnerved Andy, even
though he knew that fixing Carta and Oomaldee’s centers of power would probably defeat the enemy. That, combined with the fact he did not have the foggiest idea where to begin the task, breached a dam of panic that Andy had been holding back all year. His fears gushed out in a flood.
“Remember I told you last year I overheard a conversation between your father and Imogenia? She made the comment that Methuselah could no longer defeat Abaddon.”
“Yes, I remember,” Father nodded.
“I still don’t understand why that is, but what I do know…” Andy’s pitch rose as he revealed the horror of what he had witnessed in the dungeon the day before, how his blade bounced off the energy stone and could not damage let alone destroy it.
Father, Mom, and Mermin exchanged glances throughout his telling, but as Andy concluded, Father declared, “Can you show us where it is in the dungeon? We’ve got to deactivate it.”
“That’s just it. I don’t think it can be,” Andy objected. “It felt like pure evil. And if Methuselah couldn’t…”
Mom patted Andy’s arm.
“If I may,” Mermin interrupted. “The note encouwaged you to seek couwage fwom within, couwage you alweady possess. Wead it again.”
“Shift now your gaze to the power you hold.
Look not to your sword for deliverance, but be bold.
Resolve in your mind, trust in your heart,
And find courage within, already a part.
Ne’er alone in the fight, with your fellows unite,
To bring low the enemy, his might to smite.”
Father intoned, “Sounds like the sender believes you can defeat Abaddon whether you have Methuselah’s help or not. Andy, do you remember what I told you about fear?”
“If I know I’m afraid, I have the choice to either let it rule me or I can face it. I may still be scared, but I can fight it.”
“Yes. Always remember you have a choice.”
Andy nodded. “That’s not easy.”
