by Brandon Mull
“I remember,” Patton said. “You look as enchanting as ever.”
“Oh, stop,” she said, color coming into her cheeks as she brushed a hand across one shimmery hip. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
Seth rolled his eyes. The fairy looked like she was about to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards.
“Sun is getting low,” Patton said.
“You’ll be safe here,” Risenmay said. “I would give you shelter for the night, but I understand you hope to make it to Stormguard Castle an hour after the festival night begins.”
“That’s right,” Patton said.
“What’s with the island out there?” Seth asked. “It had music.”
Risenmay laughed lightly. “I suppose that is terrible of me. It’s the last little trick on the way to my abode. A ferocious predator dwells in that pond. More visitors have succumbed to that trap than any others, the poor dears. For some reason, they decide the end of the road is when they should stop following instructions.”
“They get eaten?” Seth asked.
“Well, injected with toxins and left to ferment underwater in a gelatinous cocoon,” Risenmay said. “But yes, eventually devoured, bones and all.”
“How will we get to the castle?” Knox asked.
“Don’t be too hasty,” Risenmay said. “To time this correctly, you want to wait several minutes before departure. And you must all make a solemn promise.”
“What promise?” Seth asked.
“To keep my abilities a secret,” Risenmay said.
“It’s a generous offer for the aid we will receive,” Patton said.
Risenmay extended her hand. “Lay your hands on mine.”
“All of us?” Patton asked.
“Yes, well, all of you with hands,” Risenmay said.
Seth approached with Patton and the others, including Kendra, and they huddled around Risenmay, arms extended, hands piled on hers.
“Two-four-six-eight, who do we appreciate?” Knox chanted. “Feels like a cheer after a game.”
Seth snickered. It kind of did feel like that.
“The little one too,” Risenmay prompted.
“I sometimes get forgotten at times like these,” Calvin said. Seth helped the nipsie from his pocket and put him on the top hand, which belonged to Lomo. Calvin knelt and placed his hand down.
“Repeat after me,” Risenmay said. “I solemnly swear to keep what happens here a secret.”
They repeated.
“And I grant Risenmay permission to bind my tongue and hold me to this oath.”
They repeated again.
Smiling, Risenmay withdrew her hand. “Marvelous. Now the animals, rabbit included.”
Risenmay repeated the exercise surrounded by the animals, each of them touching her with hoof or muzzle. The animals who could talk spoke the words.
“Thank you for being so compliant,” Risenmay said. “I felt agreement even from the silent ones. I hope Kendra will be able to recover her true love, and perhaps the high and mighty Bracken will finally succumb to Cupid’s arrows.”
“Is this about Bracken?” Seth asked.
“Eventually,” Kendra said. “We can’t save him if we lose the war.”
“True,” Seth said. He wanted to help Bracken too, but he was unsure why it was suddenly the top concern. His focus was on surviving the night and foiling the dragons.
“What are you going to do?” Knox asked.
“I have many abilities,” Risenmay said. “Perhaps my signature talent is the power to bestow wings.”
“You’re going to give us wings?” Seth asked.
“I prefer not to bestow them upon humanoids,” Risenmay said. “I don’t want common beings mistaken for fairies. But your mounts are another matter.”
“This must be where Mickette got her wings,” Charlemagne said.
“What?” Kendra asked.
“Mickette was a mare who showed up with wings one day,” Captain said. “Like a Pegasus. She refused to explain the origin.”
“She died at a ripe old age,” Charlemagne said. “A legend among the Luvians.”
Patton was trying to say something.
Risenmay waved a hand at him. “Go ahead, in this company.”
“Mickette was my horse,” Patton said. “For a time, at least. I brought her here and helped her get wings.”
“And you brought us for the same purpose,” Seth said.
“Each with a mount,” Patton said.
“I’m going to have a flying rabbit!” Calvin exclaimed. “Thistleton, do you want wings?”
“Yeah,” Thistleton said. “My family won’t believe it.”
“Does this hold true for all of you?” Risenmay asked. “Will you accept my gift of wings? I must have confirmation to proceed.”
“With these wings we’ll be able to fly?” Charlemagne asked. “Like Mickette? Like a Pegasus?”
“The wings would be rather absurd if they didn’t enable you to fly,” Risenmay said. “These wings will not only let you fly—you’ll be able to maneuver really well.”
“And we’ll always have the wings?” Babak asked.
“Always,” Risenmay said. “Though you will not pass them to offspring. And you, sir, would be the first camel I have ever enhanced.”
“I might be the first flying camel in history,” Babak said. “I know of no others.”
“I need confirmation first,” Risenmay said.
The five horses, the camel, and the rabbit all assented.
“You’re just going to make them sprout wings?” Knox asked incredulously.
“You be the judge,” Risenmay said. She spread her arms, and suddenly she gleamed with an intense white light that reflected off the calcite and refracted in the crystals. Vivid rainbows quivered in the intense glare. Risenmay chanted unintelligible words that filled Seth with buoyant excitement.
When she lowered her arms, the radiance dimmed, and Seth was left blinking in an attempt to regulate his eyesight. As his vision adjusted, Seth saw the horses, the camel, and the rabbit all investigating their new wings, experimentally stretching one, or flexing the other, or tentatively flapping both. The rabbit leaped into the air and started darting around the cavern like a bat.
“Looking good, Thistleton,” Calvin said.
“I suggest the larger creatures resist the urge to fly until they get outside,” Risenmay said. “Looks like the enchantment was successful for all.”
Seth crossed to Noble. “You look great,” he said.
His horse stamped and tossed his head.
Kendra stroked Glory as the horse nuzzled her. “Won’t it be really dangerous riding to Stormguard Castle on a festival night?” Kendra asked.
“Risenmay?” Patton asked.
“I can help there, too,” Risenmay said, extending her arms again. A golden light infused the cavern, less intense than the previous glare. When the light faded, a golden glow lingered about the animals, particularly illuminating their wings. “I gave you my blessing. It will ward you from harm for a time, especially from the undead, and it will serve as a powerful distracter spell. As Kendra may have noticed on her way here, diverse attractor and distracter spells are a strength of mine.”
Patton clapped his hands and raised both fists in the air. “That was what we needed. Thank you, Risenmay! We’re all in your debt.”
The beautiful fairy smiled and gave a gracious nod. “You owe me nothing, except to keep the nature of my abilities a secret. Do rain and sunlight ask repayment for the nourishment they provide? Do flowers require recompense from those gazing at their blooms? I help living things to blossom. I am a giver of gifts.”
“Unless people die trying to make it here,” Seth mumbled.
Risenmay glanced at him archly. “That nourishes the flowers too.�
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“What’s the timing?” Tanu asked.
“We want to get there an hour after the sun went down,” Patton said. “Not sooner. Preferably not much later.”
“Depart in a few more minutes,” Risenmay said. “As the camel flies.”
Babak fluttered his wings and hovered a foot or two above the ground for a moment. “Sorry,” the camel said. “I know—not inside. It’s hard to resist.”
“What is the plan when we get there?” Lomo asked.
“I will not be admitted to the castle,” Patton said. “Calvin might be denied as well, unless his small size allows admittance. Entering the castle will strip away all magic while you are inside. Potions won’t work and magical items will lose their power. Kendra will no longer be fairykind and Seth will not be a shadow charmer. Lomo will lose whatever abilities are part of his nature.”
“Not permanently?” Kendra asked.
“Only while inside the castle,” Patton said.
“What do you know of conditions inside the castle?” Tanu asked.
Patton gave a weak smile. “Very little. I backed out before fully entering. I crossed the drawbridge to the gate and found a message embossed in a plaque on the wall: ‘Conquer or Withdraw.’ It was a festival night, but my instincts warned me the castle would be worse. I withdrew.”
“Why did you go in the first place?” Lomo wondered.
“Nobody had achieved access to Stormguard Castle,” Patton said. “I knew boundaries come down on festival nights, so I gave it a try. Lost two friends that night. Had a hard time making it back to the roadhouse, but I survived.”
“So we don’t know much,” Knox said.
“We know Celebrant will be heading for the castle as well,” Seth said. “Or sending other dragons.”
“And once they step onto the drawbridge, they will be vulnerable,” Patton said. “Mortal.”
“I don’t mind losing my potions if the dragons lose their powers,” Tanu said. “That trade benefits us.”
“It does,” Patton said. “The problem will be for any of you to survive the cursed castle. The prize is great. Finding the Wizenstone would win the war for whoever claims it. But the obstacles will be significant as well.”
“We don’t know what to expect from the curse?” Knox asked.
“No idea,” Patton said. “Except that none have ever left Stormguard Castle since the curse began, and none who explored in depth ever returned.”
“Except you,” Seth clarified.
“Well, I stood on the welcome mat and then ran away,” Patton said. “I had no compelling reason to risk everything by going inside. Circumstances have changed. You have an excellent reason.”
“I recommend leaving now,” Risenmay said.
“I wish I could join you inside,” Patton said. “Instead, I’ll wrangle the mounts, help them get to the nearest roadhouse after dropping you off.”
“Let me fly ahead,” Calvin offered. “Thistleton is small. We can scout, see if the dragons are there.”
“That could be wise,” Patton said with a nod. “Thanks, Calvin.”
“Work for you, Seth?” Calvin asked.
“Sure,” Seth replied. “Don’t get caught.”
“I’ll keep him safe,” Thistleton said. “Climb aboard.”
The rabbit landed beside Seth, who took Calvin from his pocket and placed him on the furry back. Calvin drew a tiny sword and waved it in the air. Thistleton took flight and shot out of the cavern.
“The switchbacks on the way out are tight,” Patton said. “But we should mount up anyhow. We want to get airborne as soon as we exit. It will be safer in the sky.”
“Fly swift and true,” Risenmay said. “Nowhere is safe at Wyrmroost tonight.”
“Least of all the destination,” Patton said. “We may not get to speak again before you enter the castle. Keep your wits about you.”
“We’ll do our best,” Kendra said, relieved to be following what felt right again after having had to fight her true instincts in the Bewilderness.
When Knox climbed onto Babak, Seth longed for a camera as never before. They all had cool flying horses, and Knox had the winged camel. He wanted to preserve the image for future generations.
Seth mounted Noble and patted the horse. “Ready to fly?”
“He can’t wait,” Captain answered. “None of us can.”
“Follow us,” Patton said, urging Captain forward.
Seth ducked down as he wound his way out of the cavern atop Noble. When they exited the little cave, Noble sprang into the sky, following Captain, and the ground fell away. Seth observed figures roaming the woods but failed to get a clear view of them. Glancing back, he saw Kendra and the others rising behind him.
Not all light had bled from the horizon yet. The late evening was alive with sounds—drums pounded, beasts roared, victims screamed. Strange music infiltrated the night: unnameable instruments grinding out upsetting chords, foreign words chanted atonally. Chilling groans bespoke misery and longing. Disquieting screeches and bellows originated from unguessable sources.
As Seth scanned the landscape, off to the left he saw an entire tree burst into flame. To the right, a blaze of lightning blasted a natural column of stone. Shadowy giants roamed the wilds below, and winged behemoths created fearsome silhouettes in the sky.
Ephemeral shapes drew toward Seth, forcing Noble to climb and fall and swerve to avoid contact. The ghostly forms had large, grasping hands, wispy as smoke, but the air grew colder when they were near, and Seth could faintly discern their prolonged yearnings of hunger and thirst.
“Stay with me,” Patton called, still gaining altitude.
Behind him, Seth saw the others still climbing into the fearful night. Certain sounds grew distant as they flew higher, but some of the most mournful moanings became more distinct.
Most of the ghostly forms moved slowly, drifting more than flying, but one dark shape drew even with Seth; as Noble tried to veer away, the entity stayed near them. More clearly delineated than the other spectral beings, it looked like a gargoyle made from concentrated darkness.
A dangerous night to fly, shadow charmer.
The icy words entered Seth’s mind as distinctly as if he had heard them.
“Leave me alone,” Seth said, deliberately not staring at the speaker, but keeping him in his peripheral vision.
I could tear you from the sky, the voice said. I could gorge myself on your warmth, quench your fragile spark.
“I’d rather you didn’t,” Seth said.
You have much to learn, and little time, the chilling voice said. Let me teach you.
“I’m on a mission tonight,” Seth said.
You could defeat the dragons, the voice said. Leave their shattered husks in your wake. You could explore a night like this without fear. You could save those you love. You could thrive. Let me teach you.
“No deals,” Seth said, unsure if rejection would make the tenebrous gargoyle attack. “I do things my way.”
You soar toward the castle, the voice said. Your doom awaits. Without my help you will fall.
“I’m sorry,” Seth said. “I don’t want help from flying shadow people.”
What I now offer cannot be bought, the voice said. In your hour of need you may regret denying my proposal.
“I’ve regretted lots of things,” Seth said. “Especially making deals with darkness.”
Very well, the voice said. The dark figure swerved away, almost immediately becoming indistinguishable from the rest of the night.
Seth was left with an unsettled feeling.
As if the howls and shrieks and groans and geysers of distant dragon fire weren’t scary enough. Now he got to wonder what exactly had approached him.
Stormguard Castle came into view in the distance because it was illuminated. At firs
t Seth thought it might have electricity. A series of swooping dives brought them nearer to the castle. As they approached, Seth recognized magical light globes providing the luminance.
Patton pulled up into a slow glide, and Seth realized Calvin was reporting, astride his rabbit. Seth leaned in their direction, and Noble glided closer. Kendra, Tanu, Lomo, and Knox tightened into formation around Patton as well.
“Three people just entered the castle,” said Calvin. “Two wore light armor—the third had a full suit of it. A woman and two men. The guy in the full suit had a dragon on his shield. Might have been Celebrant, but I’m not sure. I assume they were dragons in human form. I got as close as I could, but neither Thistleton nor I could get above the drawbridge. The knight in full armor noticed me and came to take a swipe at me. As I flew away, they entered the castle.”
“This was just a minute ago?” Patton asked.
“If that,” Calvin said.
“All right,” Patton said, glancing over at Seth and the others. “Ready to follow some dragons into Stormguard Castle?”
“I finally get to spend real time with dragons, and they look like people?” Knox complained.
“You just rode a flying camel through a sky full of ghosts,” Seth said. “Be grateful.”
Patton urged Captain forward. The others followed.
Silver and Gold
Kendra felt relieved to have her feet back on the ground, even if she was standing near the drawbridge of a cursed castle. Being chased through the sky by shadowy phantoms with a horror soundtrack in the background had negated the fun of riding a flying horse.
“Thank you, Glory,” Kendra said, petting her mount. “Stay safe.”
“Good luck,” Patton said. “I’ll get our trusty steeds to a roadhouse and come for you after sunrise.”
“Let me try to enter one more time,” Calvin said, dismounting Thistleton and sprinting toward the castle. Once he reached the drawbridge, he collided with an unseen barrier and stumbled backward.
“Don’t try to force it, Calvin,” Patton said. “It could kill you.”
“Wraiths,” Lomo warned.
Kendra turned and found six dark forms striding toward them, having emerged from the nearest grove of trees. Lomo drew his sword and placed himself between the wraiths and the group.
