by Brandon Mull
“Thanks for the procession,” Garreth said to Kendra and Seth, his manner more casual. “Sorry for all the formalities. So many people were interested in seeing you, I’m not sure how else we could have managed it.”
“No problem,” Seth said, still beaming.
Garreth paused, gazing at Kendra. “I’m sorry—you must get this all the time, but you shine so brightly.”
Kendra felt warmth rushing to her face. “Thank you?”
He gave a reassuring smile. “It’s definitely a compliment. Should we go see the old man?”
Kendra found herself not responding and was unsure how to fix the problem. That smile needed to be registered as a lethal weapon.
“Lead the way,” Seth said.
“Your wooden friend is unusual,” Garreth commented as they entered a high, broad hall with pale blue walls and white accents embellished by flourishes of crafted silver.
“Mendigo,” Kendra said. “Kind of our bodyguard.”
“Can he talk?”
“No,” Kendra said. “But he’s perfectly obedient.”
“I want one,” Garreth said with lighthearted jealousy.
“We got ours from a witch,” Seth said. “Mendigo used to be our enemy.”
“I want to hear the story,” Garreth said. “I’ve never had a real enemy. I have some rivals among the Fair Folk, but no foes from outside our society. I was born under our neutrality. Gets pretty boring if you ask me, but I’m not in charge.”
Kendra wondered how it would feel to not have an enemy. She had developed so many over the last couple of years.
They passed into a cavernous room where a distinguished-looking man sat on a jeweled throne atop a dais. Though the hair at his temples had hints of white, he remained vigorous and dashing. His chiseled features were enough like Garreth’s that Kendra could see they were related, and he possessed an even darker complexion than his son.
But his smile was not nearly as inviting.
“Welcome, Kendra Sorenson,” the man on the throne said. “I was not informed that you are fairykind.”
Seth leaned nearer to Kendra. “Did you get any of that?”
“Yeah,” she whispered back. “You didn’t?”
“I only caught your name,” Seth said.
Kendra realized the man must be speaking a fairy language. Her fairykind status let her understand fairy languages as effortlessly as English.
“May I present Lord Dalgorel, protector of Terrabelle,” Garreth inserted, his tone formal once again.
“Yes, I am fairykind,” Kendra finally answered. “And my brother Seth is a shadow charmer.”
“So I noticed,” Lord Dalgorel said. “An unlikely pairing. Welcome, Seth.”
“You’re a shadow charmer?” Garreth asked Seth with interest. “I don’t have my father’s eye.”
“An adult is speaking,” Dalgorel said in a hard tone.
“Apologies,” Garreth said with a small bow.
“I understand him now,” Seth whispered quickly.
Kendra realized Dalgorel must have switched to English. She disliked his severity toward his son.
“Please excuse the absence of Lady Dalgorel,” the man said. “She is feeling unwell, and this audience comes at short notice. I am given to understand you have already been appointed co-caretakers with Celebrant.”
Kendra glanced around the room. Many men and women were assembled, all breathtakingly attractive, dressed like royalty. She felt intimidated to admit they had strayed from tradition.
“Celebrant demanded—” Henrick began.
“Hold your reply,” Dalgorel said, raising a hand. “I know what Marat claims. I want to hear from our new friends.”
Seth showed the medallion. “Yes. We’re already the caretakers.”
The room was very quiet.
Dalgorel polished one of his rings with a fingertip. “Were you aware that the Fair Folk normally approve the prospective caretaker before the appointment is made?”
Kendra knew part of their purpose here was to apologize for breaking protocol. Dalgorel might be having this conversation in front of others to make sure the apology was public. She and Seth wanted his support, and hopefully some information. Despite his arrogant attitude, she needed to get this right.
“We had never heard of the Fair Folk before coming here two days ago,” Kendra explained. “We only learned how your approval normally works while talking to Celebrant. He told us we had to accept the job and be appointed right then or never.”
“Marat tried to get him to wait so we could talk to you first,” Seth added.
“You feared the displeasure of Celebrant more than the prospect of offending the Fair Folk,” Dalgorel summarized.
“We still got plenty of his displeasure,” Kendra said. “He tore down the Perch where the caretakers talk to dragons.”
“So I understand,” Dalgorel said.
“The Dragon King made it clear we’re not friends,” Kendra said. “We skipped your approval because otherwise Celebrant would have stopped us from becoming the caretakers. It seemed necessary. We apologize.”
“Celebrant does not make idle threats,” Dalgorel said. “He would have blocked your instatement had you ignored him. The question remains whether a pair of mortal children have any business becoming the caretakers of Wyrmroost, especially during this uncertain period. Did it occur to you that Celebrant might not have wanted you to talk to me because I would have spoken against this terrible idea?”
“Wait a minute,” Seth said. “I’m not sure it was terrible.”
“Did Celebrant’s eagerness send no warning signals to Marat?” Dalgorel asked.
“Marat had other reasons for wanting us to become the caretakers,” Kendra said.
“Those reasons are best examined in private,” Dalgorel said. “I pity you poor children. I will not add to your woes with displeasure for proceeding without my blessing. You came here promptly to apologize. Apology accepted. But your problems remain. In the darkest hour this sanctuary has seen, Wyrmroost has never been in less capable hands.”
“It won’t be an easy job,” Kendra said, making an effort to stay humble. She noticed Seth glaring at her and hoped he would keep quiet. “We’d appreciate any advice or suggestions.”
“I am not heartless,” Dalgorel said. “You are young and most likely doomed to failure. Go with Garreth to the green parlor and I will come condole with you about your misfortunes in due time.”
“Thank you,” Kendra said.
Seth gave no answer but raised his eyebrows at Kendra.
Garreth led the way out of the room.
Hints
Seth sat trying to get his temper under control in a fancy room with furniture and walls done in shades of green. He knew this mission was diplomatic. And he knew Kendra wanted him to be polite. But it had been hard to stand there taking insults from Mr. Neutral.
“Are you all right, Seth?” Garreth asked.
Seth realized his expression was probably not very guarded. “Never better.”
“My father tends to speak his mind,” Garreth apologized.
Seth couldn’t hold back. “If he has so many brilliant ideas about how to run the sanctuary, maybe he should get involved.”
“Seth!” Kendra scolded.
Garreth held up a hand to stop her. “I hear him. The complaint makes sense, though you’re right to bring it up with me rather than with old Stony Face, especially when he is before an audience. Plenty of the Fair Folk are reluctant about our neutrality, including me.”
“Really?” Seth asked. “Then why not join the fight?”
“It’s complicated,” Garreth said. “The neutrality wasn’t imposed by my father. It’s a long-standing policy for all the Fair Folk.”
“Wouldn’t want to mess up a policy,” Seth grum
bled.
“The ancients set the rules,” Garreth said. “Our ancient leaders make the Fairy Queen seem young. The Fair Folk have a long history. Experience has shown that when we get involved in conflicts, the trouble gets worse for everyone.”
“So you sit out of every fight,” Seth said.
Garreth shrugged. “It isn’t easy. There are times I want to get involved. Injustices I want to right. Embattled innocents I want to rescue. But who am I to shatter our truce? We would respond against a direct attack. We keep our defenses ready. But thanks to our neutrality, the Fair Folk have not suffered a major attack in thousands of years.”
“What if the sanctuary falls?” Kendra asked. “You’ll do nothing?”
“The Fair Folk are not in charge of Wyrmroost,” Garreth said. “Terrabelle can stand even if the sanctuary fails. We will look to our own defenses.”
“Do you care if it falls?” Seth asked.
“Of course I care,” Garreth said. “We all care. We want stability. We don’t want mayhem. But we won’t break our neutrality.”
Seth couldn’t help noticing that Garreth sometimes used nicknames for his dad in private but was very polite in public. He doubted whether Garreth would share his dissatisfaction about the neutrality in public either. Were all the Fair Folk like this? Afraid to speak their minds? Afraid to stand up for what they believed?
The door opened and Dalgorel entered with a girl about Seth’s age. Seth tried not to pay too much attention to girls as a rule, but this one was stunning—light blue eyes, black hair that fell in twisty curls, and a beautiful face.
“We meet again,” Dalgorel said. “May I present my daughter, Eve. I understand you may have brought a small creature for her amusement.”
Seth reached into his pocket and pulled out Calvin. The nipsie gave a quick bow. “I’m more a tiny person than a creature,” Calvin explained. “No fins or fangs or exotic feathers. Hope I don’t disappoint.”
Eve hurried over to Seth, peering at the tiny man. “You’re so small! But you’re not a fairy.”
“I’m a nipsie,” Calvin proclaimed. “I’m quite big for my kind. Enhanced by a spell. Bit of a giant in nipsie circles, believe it or not.”
“I’ve never met a nipsie,” Eve said. Her eager eyes shifted to Seth. “Can I hold him?”
Seth passed Calvin to her.
“I’ve never met any of the Fair Folk,” Calvin said.
Eve held him close to her eyes and prodded his belly.
“Watch it,” Calvin said. “That tickles.”
“Can we keep him, Father?” Eve asked.
“You know the rules,” Dalgorel said. “No outsiders can join us here. Not even brownies.”
“He’s so small!” Eve complained. “Nobody will notice.”
“Enough,” Dalgorel said shortly. “Enjoy him as a visitor.”
“Can I take him to my room?” Eve asked.
“He’s not a doll,” Seth told her. “Don’t dress him up.”
Eve made a face. “Why would I do that? I’d rather find a little ax and see how he does against a mouse.”
“Sounds sporting,” Calvin said.
Dalgorel rubbed his forehead. “Enough nonsense. Eve, show the nipsie your room if you must, but treat your guest with the utmost respect and civility.”
“As you wish, Father,” Eve said with a little curtsy.
“Is that okay?” Seth asked the nipsie.
Calvin winked and saluted. “Happy to entertain.”
Seth realized Calvin was excited for a chance to snoop around. “See you later.”
Eve raced out the door.
“Thank you for accepting our apology,” Kendra said.
“Was there another option?” Dalgorel replied. “The damage is done. Celebrant has secured the ideal caretakers for his uprising. It only makes matters worse if I undermine your authority with my displeasure.”
“Why do you think we’ll be so bad?” Seth challenged.
Dalgorel gave a chuckle. “You’re mortal children. Dragon sanctuaries are typically supervised by wizards—mortals of great power who were formerly dragons. I do see that you have power. Nobody has been fairykind for a good while. And a shadow charmer can be useful. I sense you have defeated some powerful foes. Even a dragon, correct?”
“We killed Siletta together,” Kendra said.
“No small feat,” Dalgorel acknowledged.
“Kendra killed the Demon King,” Seth bragged on her behalf.
“So I have heard,” Dalgorel said. “You might not want to boast of that feat to every stranger you meet. Acts of aggression can invite retaliation.”
“Gorgrog was attacking us,” Kendra said.
“Because you put yourselves in his path,” Dalgorel said. “I have heard about the battle of Zzyzx. Seeds were planted that day for a major war between demons and dragons.”
“But we stopped the demons from taking over the world,” Seth said.
Dalgorel gave a small smile. “Is that so? Some might claim you merely postponed them. Others might point out the demons never had a chance to make their intentions clear. Still others could argue you destabilized the dragon sanctuaries and laid the foundation for a worldwide draconic rebellion. With your new positions as caretakers, you will have an excellent view of the consequences.”
“We stopped the demons,” Seth said. “We’ll contain the dragons.”
Dalgorel chuckled again. “I understood that the dragons redirected the demons. But I respect your resolve. Kendra mentioned that Marat had other reasons for wanting you as the caretakers. I am willing to hear them.”
Seth glanced at his sister. She looked uncertain. “The reasons are kind of secret,” she said.
“You are welcome to keep your secrets,” Dalgorel said. “But if you want my advice, I need to better understand what you two hope to accomplish as caretakers.”
“The Fair Folk are reliable at keeping secrets that would give anyone an unfair advantage,” Henrick informed them. “You should want any counsel Lord Dalgorel is willing to share.”
“The defenses at Blackwell Keep have weakened,” Kendra said. “Celebrant keeps attacking because he senses a vulnerability. Marat hoped that having mortal caretakers would repair the magical defenses.”
Dalgorel sighed sadly. “This is why Celebrant did not want you talking to me before your instatement. The vulnerability was not related to the caretaker being a dragon. Marat stayed in his human shape. So long as he remained in that form, the qualifications were satisfied.”
“Are you sure?” Seth asked.
Dalgorel scowled. “I have been here since Wyrmroost was founded. I know more about this sanctuary than most. My official position is neutral, but I do not want to see Wyrmroost fall. I don’t want dragons unleashed on the world. I would have warned you. The caretaker of Wyrmroost was Marat, one of the dragons with the strongest allegiance to the wizards of Dragonwatch. He was a formidable opponent for Celebrant. Now the caretakers are a pair of novices.”
“Do you want us to succeed?” Kendra asked.
“What a surprise that would be,” Dalgorel said. “But yes, for the good of the world I would prefer you maintain the integrity of this sanctuary. Balance brings order and peace. History has shown that few circumstances disturb balance more than dragons on the loose. Agad should have considered that before bringing dragons into the fight at Zzyzx.”
“Maybe he did consider it,” Seth said. “People who actually fix problems sometimes have to take risks.”
Dalgorel glared. “This conversation can end immediately if my suggestions are unwanted.”
“We want them,” Kendra said, elbowing Seth.
“Seth is new to the concept of our neutrality,” Garreth explained.
“Then it is one of many issues he does not comprehend,” Dalgorel said. “No
long-term good has ever come of the Fair Folk going to war. The fewer groups at war, the less strife in the world. We are a voice of reason encouraging other members of the magical community to seek diplomatic solutions. We host peace talks. We counsel against aggression. Our neutrality has brought greater peace than any harm we could have prevented through violence.”
“If you say so,” Seth mumbled reluctantly. He knew arguing about neutrality wasn’t the purpose of this visit. They needed information.
“Do you know how we can fix the defenses?” Kendra asked. “Do you understand what’s wrong?”
Dalgorel gave a gloomy smile. “I do.”
“Then can you tell us?” Seth asked.
“The information is too vital to come from the Fair Folk,” Dalgorel said.
Seth tossed his hands up. “Of course it is.”
“Is there anything you can tell us?” Kendra begged.
Dalgorel looked from Seth to Kendra. “Your brother is a terrible diplomat. But you have some promise. I understand that his youth, his ignorance, and his inexperience are speaking as much as anything, but even so, he is a caretaker of Wyrmroost, and due to his outbursts I am disinclined to help you.”
“I’m sorry,” Seth said, not meaning it but trying his best to sound sincere.
“Please, you must be able to give us a hint,” Kendra said.
Dalgorel stared at Kendra for a long moment. “Agad should not have let Celebrant take the scepter. He should have given him the medallion instead.”
“The medallion doesn’t work?” Seth exclaimed.
“The medallion functions,” Dalgorel said. “But it is vulnerable in a way the scepter was not.”
“Why?” Kendra asked.
“I have already explained too much,” Dalgorel said. “You are the caretakers now. You have access to the secrets of Wyrmroost if you learn where to look. And as mortals, you can gain information from a nearby source Agad and Marat may have been hesitant to approach.”
“The Dragon Slayer,” Henrick said, realization in his voice.
