Master of the Phantom Isle

by Brandon Mull

  “No, much worse,” Quintus said. “The domain of the neverdead.”

  The description made Kendra shiver. “One problem at a time. Can you help us find Remulon?”

  “This demon is our neighbor,” Quintus said. “I cannot jeopardize the uneasy truce we’ve established, especially now, with most of the sanctuary’s protections down. We will not engage directly with the demon. But if you insist on seeking him, we will show you the way.” Quintus raised his voice. “Who among our hunters will volunteer?”

  “I will lead them,” Faro said, swimming forward, spear in hand.

  “You could have no finer guide,” Quintus said. “Faro, show them to the lair of Remulon and then promptly return. How they fare with the demon is their concern.”

  “You know this demon,” Kendra said. “What’s our best approach?”

  “Try not to let it come to a fight,” Quintus said. “I wish I could convince you to avoid the demon entirely.”

  “Does he have any known weaknesses?” Kendra asked.

  “He is frustratingly clever,” Quintus said. “He is fierce in combat. His lair is well protected. But he does have a passion for collecting novelties.”

  “So we might be able to work out a trade?” Kendra asked.

  “It is possible,” Quintus said. “Though I fear his primary interest will be in acquiring you. Thank you for your service to our village. You will be remembered as a friend of the merfolk.”

  “Thank you,” Kendra said, relieved that at least they had a guide to the demon. She withdrew from the glowing assembly hall with her group.

  Faro swam up to her. “Shall we depart?”

  “Sure,” Kendra said.

  He inclined his head. “It is my honor to escort you.”

  “Before we go,” Kendra said, “do you know any mermaids named Gracie and Lila?”

  “Those two are always into mischief,” Faro said.

  “They know my cousin,” Kendra said.

  He nodded. “That pair visits the surface more than most. Would you like me to look for them?”

  “If you don’t mind,” Kendra said, hoping their relationship with Tess might win her some special treatment or information.

  Faro swam away, and Knox approached her.

  “We can be grateful for one thing,” Knox said.

  “What?” Kendra asked.

  “We’re not supposed to eat. I saw their food.”

  “Gross?”

  “Squirmy,” Knox said, pulling a disgusted face and shuddering.

  “We get to negotiate with a demon instead,” Kendra said.

  “Think they would loan us some golems?” Knox asked.

  “I wish,” Kendra said. “They don’t want trouble with the demon. Sending their golems to help us would probably be an act of war or something. We have a golem at Fablehaven—Hugo. It would be a relief if he were here.”

  “How did you bring those golems back to life?” Knox asked.

  “They were out of magical energy,” Kendra said. “Ever since I became fairykind, I have been like a magical battery recharger.”

  “How did that fairykind thing happen?” Knox asked.

  “The power came from the Fairy Queen during an emergency at Fablehaven,” Kendra said. “It’s a long story.”

  “Can you use that power against the demon?” Knox asked.

  “Not unless I have something to charge,” Kendra said. “Otherwise the ability is fairly useless.”

  Faro returned with a pair of youthful mermaids, one with blonde hair, the other a brunette. “Lila is the blonde?” Kendra asked. “And Gracie?”

  “Yes,” Lila said. “You’re Kendra.”

  “I think you met my sister,” Knox said. “Tess.”

  “We did,” Gracie said. “Up at the surface. Cute little thing.”

  “She’s my cousin, and she wanted me to tell you hello,” Kendra said.

  “Give her our regards,” Lila said. “We tried to coax her into the water, but she wouldn’t come.”

  “Why invite her into the water?” Knox asked.

  The mermaids giggled. “To bring her down deep with us,” Lila said.

  “You were going to drown her?” Knox exclaimed.

  “Sure,” Gracie said.

  “Didn’t you like her?” Knox asked.

  “Of course,” Lila said. “We talked and sang songs.”

  “Then why drown her?” Knox asked.

  Gracie blinked as if surprised by the obvious question. “The sea claims all the unwary.”

  “We weren’t going out of our way,” Lila said. “No nets or traps.”

  “She was careful,” Gracie said. “Stayed well out of reach.”

  “She wouldn’t come examine the shell I tried to show her,” Lila said.

  “As a favor to me, please let her be,” Kendra said. “She’s part of our family.”

  Gracie shrugged. “If she’s careless, and we don’t claim her, it’ll be something else.”

  Lila elbowed Gracie. “We’re grateful to have the golems back,” Lila said. “We won’t tempt your little cousin anymore.”

  “Shall we go?” Faro asked.

  “Sure,” Kendra said. “Nice to meet you two.”

  “Likewise,” Lila said, swimming off with Gracie.

  Knox looked up at Faro. “Why did you come help us against the undead? Seems like merfolk would rather see us drown.”

  “You were not merely careless humans tempting fate,” Faro said. “You were breathing water, as we do. It has been long years since we have seen humans walking the depths. There was some debate, but many of us wanted to meet you more than we wanted to let the floorscrubbers destroy you. I brought you gifts.” He handed a slender spear to Kendra and another to Knox. “To replace what you lost.”

  “Thanks,” Kendra said. The spear was a little longer than the harpoon she had used, and it felt lighter but no less sturdy.

  “Is it far to Remulon?” Warren asked.

  “Farther to walk than to swim,” Faro said. “We should arrive just after midday. He’s closer to the surface than our village is, but we’ll have to start by going deeper to get there. Come.”

  As Faro led them out of Alluvia Minor, they received a warm farewell, with many of the merfolk waving and calling out good-byes. Kendra waved back, but she had a hard time feeling close to creatures who were willing to drown children. Hopefully they were not all as indifferent to human life as Gracie and Lila. At least the merfolk had helped them with their quest, and for that she was grateful.

  Holding his spear in one hand and a lantern in the other, Faro led them across the sandy valley beyond the village, now clear of functioning sea zombies. The golems worked piling crushed corpses up against the valley wall and covering them with sand.

  Faro led them up to the outward edge of the valley, where they could see that the village and the valley were like a balcony on the mountainside, with the slope dropping off farther below. “There are faster ways to go if you could swim,” Faro said. “This path will have to do.”

  The trail wound down until the only light came from their crystals and the lantern Faro held. As Kendra saw the light of her crystal flash upon new rocks and shells along the path, she felt like an intruder in these depths. Had light ever touched this landscape? Did it even belong here?

  “Will our lights make us targets?” Kendra asked.

  “Most of the hunting down this deep is not done by sight,” Faro said.

  “Do you come down here a lot?” Knox wondered.

  “There is not much reason to go this deep,” Faro said. “We mostly forage higher than the village.”

  “Is that how you merfolk live?” Knox asked. “Foraging?”

  “The sea provides what we need,” Faro said. “We gather with gratitude.”

>   “Have you ever been on land?” Knox asked.

  “Few merfolk venture into the dryness,” Faro said. “We leave the airy regions to your kind.”

  After some time, the way started to trend up more than down. At one point, Faro had them pause and cover their lights. Several bioluminescent jellyfish drifted in a group, clear and bulbous with glassy tentacles, bodies laced with squiggly patterns that glowed a light blue. When Faro had them uncover their lights, the jellyfish seemed to vanish.

  As they climbed, Kendra felt relief to see a haze of light above. She began to notice more fish. Her legs grew tired from the upward incline. The light from the surface gradually increased until their crystals were needed less. Marine life reappeared in greater abundance, including plants and sponges. They reached a large iron bell, incongruously resting on the seafloor, corroded and lumpy with barnacles.

  “We’re getting close,” Faro said quietly. “This bell marks the outskirts of the area claimed by Remulon, though he seldom leaves his cavernous lair. Does the water feel warmer to you?”

  “Under the effect of the elixir we don’t feel the water,” Hako said. “But the temperature seems warmer.”

  “Thermal vents from the volcano heat certain pockets in this region,” Faro said. “Stay near me.”

  They advanced, passing an ancient cannon and three human statues that looked more suited for a museum than the bottom of the sea. Ahead, a sheer cliff loomed lofty, partially masked by a dense kelp bed. As they neared the base of the cliff, the way forward was barred by a high reef of black coral, overshadowed by towers of kelp.

  “This razor coral forms a protective barrier around Remulon’s lair,” Faro whispered. “Take great care—the edges are so keen you could lose fingers without even feeling the cut. The electric kelp above it can shock you with more power than a lightning strike.”

  “That seaweed could fry us?” Knox asked.

  “Venture within range and it will electrocute you,” Faro said. “We have reached your destination. This is where I depart.”

  Kendra stared from the barrier to their guide. Was he really leaving now that they needed him most? “Is there any way through?” she asked.

  Faro jabbed at a low gap in the razor coral with his spear. “From what I understand, you can get through here. But do not brush against the coral. Keep your wits about you. Farewell. I hope you find what you seek.”

  As Faro swam away, Kendra could not help feeling a little jealous. The hike to this point had been pleasant. Faro had the luxury of leaving before the scary part began.

  “Whoever goes first will have to take it especially slow,” Hako said. “We don’t know how the way might narrow or widen. Let’s hope Faro was correct that it goes all the way through. Careful movements. Don’t raise your head. Don’t poke out your elbows. Stay aware of how much space you have on all sides. Watch out for unexpected protrusions. The good news is, the coral will remain stationary. Any damage we sustain will be our own fault.”

  “I’ll go first,” Warren said.

  “Do we have a plan for dealing with the demon?” Vanessa asked.

  “What can we do besides improvise?” Warren asked. “Try to bargain.”

  “And fight if we must,” Hako said.

  “Entering the lair of a demon is unwise,” Vanessa said. “These creatures live to take advantage of others, to outsmart opponents. If not for our extreme need, I would not recommend going through with this. Don’t let your guard down. Be wary of any agreement Remulon wants to make.”

  “Wish me luck,” Warren said.

  “Try to keep your fingers,” Vanessa replied.

  Warren got down on his stomach and started scooting into the gap beneath the razor coral. Hako crouched behind him.

  “Should we announce ourselves?” Vanessa asked. “It might be more polite.”

  Warren stopped crawling. “If we catch him asleep, that could work to our advantage.”

  “He probably knows we’re here,” Vanessa said. “Anyone careful enough to have barriers like these will have systems in place to detect intruders. He might be listening to every word we say.”

  “Coming in!” Warren called. “Friends paying a neighborly call!”

  “Charming,” Vanessa said.

  Warren wormed out of view, then Hako followed. Tanu gave a miserable sigh. “I’m not built for this,” he muttered before scooting after Hako in an army crawl, keeping his body as close to the ground as possible.

  Kendra winced as she watched Tanu slither forward. He had a lot less margin for error than the others. She got down and squirmed in behind Tanu, figuring that if he could fit, she should have no problem. The close tunnel through the coral twisted and turned unpredictably. Dark spikes and blades jutted above her and to either side. Kendra took care to keep her head down and to stay centered in the gap. It was easy to forget she was underwater and to imagine herself crawling through a thorny briar. She kept envisioning her skin getting mangled by a casual brush against dozens of tiny blades. The grisly imagery helped her proceed with caution.

  At last Tanu rose to his feet ahead of her, and Kendra reached the end of the spiny tunnel. She crawled out and gratefully accepted a hand up from Warren. She turned to congratulate Tanu for making it through and noticed some blood misting into the water from his shoulder, but froze when she realized he and Hako were facing the mountainside as if transfixed.

  A huge cavern hollowed out the base of the cliff, and in the opening awaited an octopus the size of a cement truck. The huge cephalopod was black with white suckers lining his tentacles, his intense red eyes fixed on them.

  Knox exited the razor coral, trailed by Vanessa. She inspected Tanu’s shoulder and looked relieved. Once they all stood together, Hako stepped forward.

  “We come seeking Remulon,” Hako said.

  You have found him, gamekeeper. The penetrating words came directly into Kendra’s mind, the telepathic voice methodical and resonant. Step aside. My interest is in she who slayed our king.

  Hako backed away and Kendra stepped forward, summoning her courage as she had when speaking to Celebrant. Showing fear would only hurt their chances. Tentacles flowed in rubbery tangles as the octopus shifted, oblong head pulsing. Kendra did not think it looked like a creature that should speak.

  “I guess you mean me,” she said.

  My, how you shine, Remulon spoke to her mind. You come to me without Vasilis or any comparable armaments. Am I to understand you do not mean to destroy me?

  “I’ve come hoping for help,” Kendra said.

  You bear the mark of Jubaya, Remulon communicated. I have a measure of respect for her, but she was no ally of mine.

  Kendra had not been thinking about the mark. In the fairy realm, the demon Jubaya had marked her by taking her hand, and then instructed her to seek help from the demons against the dragons. “We need your assistance,” Kendra said.

  The mark has never been used, Remulon conveyed. It was especially meant for three others. Now you seek help? And from me? How did you fare at Wyrmroost?

  “The preserve has fallen,” Kendra said.

  I am aware. And you did not solicit aid from Talizar? He might have rescued you.

  Kendra remembered that Jubaya had mentioned three other demons who might help her. Talizar was one, but she had never tried to find any of them. She had never intended to seek help from the demons. Now seemed like a poor time to bring that up. “It was a surprise attack,” Kendra said.

  You bring a peculiar test, Remulon mused. You have achieved much. You found favor with the Fairy Queen. You are a dragon slayer. You vanquished Gorgrog the Vile. And yet you come to me apparently defenseless, announced by the mark of Jubaya, groveling for assistance. What aid do you desire?

  “We need to find the Phantom Isle,” Kendra said.

  His laughter filled her mind. I wondered if you m
eant to approach another monarch. But the Underking? Truly? In his domain? How long do you expect to survive?

  “We have business there,” Kendra said. “Friends to help, and the Sunset Pearl to recover. Don’t you demons want to see the dragons fail? Without the pearl, Crescent Lagoon will not hold the dragons in much longer. They will be free to go conquer the world.”

  I know your methods are different from mine, Remulon expressed. Perhaps you see different ways to leverage power than I do. But I feel compelled to wonder . . . has your success been luck? What am I missing? It’s true that you shine, but you and any who enter the Under Realm with you will perish. The darkness is overpowering. You would face hordes of revenants, legions of liches, and the Underking himself. To gaze upon him is to join the ranks of his undead.

  Kendra ached to think of Seth and Bracken trapped in such a place. “Let me worry about how we will do what we need to do. We need to know where to find the isle. Will you help us?”

  I could, Remulon assured her. In my garden I have a nova song.

  “I was told you have a compass,” Kendra said.

  Less a compass, more a homing pigeon, Remulon explained. You are fairykind. Are you not familiar with the storied nova song?

  Kendra looked back at Tanu. “Can you hear him?”

  “I heard what he told Hako,” Tanu said. “I feel telepathy coming from him, but I can’t catch the meaning.”

  “Have you heard of a nova song?” Kendra asked.

  “It’s a legendary fairy,” Tanu said. “Maddox would trade all he has for one.”

  A nova song is an amphibious fairy capable of extraordinary brightness, Remulon conveyed. They live to light the darkest spaces they can access.

  “Your nova song can find the Phantom Isle?” Kendra asked.

  It is telling to realize the nova song could dive to the emptiest cave in the deepest trench at the bottom of the sea. Instead she would seek out the Phantom Isle. The darkness there resists and even extinguishes light. It is thicker, richer than any natural darkness. A real challenge for her. And part of the reason nova songs are so rare.

  “You hold a nova song captive?” Kendra asked. “Why isn’t she an imp?”