Skeleton Key

by Piers Anthony

  Squid decided not to reveal her physical change. It is me, she agreed.

  You know my nature.

  Why this? I do.

  Squid, now that you have found us, bring the others here. Everything is fine. Bring Fibot here. So you can put on a show, with the dancing. Bring everyone. It will be the best time ever.

  Something was decidedly wrong, but Squid couldn’t quite identify it. You want to see the dances?

  Yes! To show the universe!

  What was she to do, when she knew something was wrong, but not what? She decided to play along. We do like to dance. We want to impress everyone with our skill.

  Yes! Bring them all, in Fibot. As fast as you can.

  That was the second request for the fire boat. Okay. We’ll do that pronto.

  Very good. We’ll all join in.

  Then Squid removed his hand, and turned to the others. “I have communicated with her. We need to go back and get Fibot and the siblings, and bring them here for a dance show. As fast as we can.”

  Laurelai looked at her hard, then quirked a smile. “Of course. Immediately.”

  The twins made no comment.

  They exited the castle, then jumped back the way they had come. “I’m glad to get out of there,” Hilda said. “It was eerie.”

  Now Laurelai glanced at Squid again, with that hard look. “What’s going on?”

  “Did you get to know Jess when you were on the boat?”

  “Not really. I saw her only in passing.”

  “You didn’t take her seriously.”

  “Actually I didn’t,” Laurelai agreed. “She’s pretty much of a joker.”

  “That’s her curse. Nobody takes her seriously.”

  The girl shrugged. “So?”

  “But she is a very serious person underneath.”

  “Where is this going?” Hilda asked. “We’ve just visited a frozen castle, and it’s scary as bleep. What do we care whether one person is serious or a joker?”

  “Jess told me to fetch the others, the siblings, soon, and bring them to the castle soon for a dance, along with Fibot.”

  “So she’s a joker,” Laurelai said. “She has to know we won’t do that.”

  “Yes. That’s the key. She reminded me that I know her nature. I think it was her way of telling me not to believe anything she said.”

  Laurelai whistled. “And she said to bring Fibot here.”

  “Translation,” Squid said. “There is great danger. Don’t bring Fibot or the siblings here.”

  Laurelai nodded. “If she’s captive by a Demon, and it seems she is, she may be obliged to do the Demon’s will, or suffer horrendous consequences. And the Demon wants Fibot here.”

  “She said what the Demon wanted her to say. But the Demon didn’t know I wouldn’t believe her. That’s how she warned me away.”

  “Now it’s starting to make sense,” Ion said. “Why Mom told us that not acting would mean worse danger than letting us go into danger alone.”

  “But the Demon must have known we were there,” Hilda said. “Why didn’t it simply grab us and put us in stasis too?”

  “Because he’s a collector,” Ion said. “And maybe a showman. He’s already collected Caprice Castle and its proprietors. Now he wants to fill it out with Fibot. They are two of the most valuable objects in Xanth: a castle that travels, and a boat that flies. What a show he could put on then! But he can’t just go out and get Fibot, because the boat is hiding, and maybe he doesn’t dare do it openly, because the Demon Xanth could catch him. He has to be sneaky. That’s why he grabbed Caprice when no one was looking. So he wants us to bring Fibot to him.”

  “And there’s the trap,” Laurelai said. “We were supposed to find Caprice. Now we’ve been recruited to find Fibot.”

  “Which we must not do,” Squid agreed.

  “But what will happen to the people in Caprice if we don’t bring Fibot?” Hilda asked.

  “They’ll fry,” Ion said bluntly. “It’s the hardware he wants; the people are just decorations.”

  There it was. How could they hope to rescue Jess and the others, without putting even more in peril?

  Squid was near tears, which wouldn’t do while she was a boy. “So what do we do now?”

  “You siblings,” Laurelai said. “Don’t you have a conference, some kind of way to get at the truth of something, or the right course?”

  “Yes! That might give us the answer.”

  “But to do that, you’ll have to return to Fibot,” Hilda said. “Do you want to do that, now?”

  “No,” Squid said. “Oh, I do, because that’s like a second home to me, and the other siblings are there, but I don’t want to risk it getting caught. I don’t know what to do!”

  “The next best course is to ask Mom,” Ion said. “We knew she knows something about it, and her Sorceress talent is the Idea, and maybe she can steer us straight.”

  “But she’s an adult,” Hilda said. “If this mission of yours is supposed to be limited to children, how can we bring her in?”

  “Why is it limited to children?” Ion asked.

  Laurelai froze, but Squid stepped in. The reason was to conceal the presence of Fornax, whom others would never suspect could be hosted in a male child. Never mind that that child was female at the moment: that would change. So the Demoness could catch the enemy in the act, and nail him. The siblings knew because they were family-close to her, and the near-siblings knew. But the twins, worthy as they might be, were outsiders in this respect. If that truth were spoken, the enemy might hear, and the ploy would be ruined. “We had a sibling conference, and it was decided that only children could accomplish this mission.” That was as much of the truth as she felt free to speak.

  “That doesn’t make much sense to me,” Ion said.

  “I guess you’d have to participate in a conference to understand.”

  “Then maybe we need to join this conference.”

  Which was a perfectly reasonable conclusion. “You’re not the same kind of siblings,” Squid said with regret.

  “But we do need to do something,” Laurelai said. “Let’s take a vote. All those in favor of going to Princess Ida raise their hands.”

  Ion raised her hand.

  “And those in favor of going to the sibling conference?”

  The other three raised their hands.

  “I’m changing my vote,” Ion said. “I like Mom, but she is an adult, and there must be a reason we’re keeping them mostly out. I want to know that reason.”

  “Four to none,” Laurelai said. “Siblings.”

  “But first let’s check in with Dad, so he won’t worry,” Hilda said.

  “When does he ever worry?” Ion demanded somewhat petulantly.

  “Oh, he does. He just doesn’t show it. He keeps a stiff upper lip, and all that. Mainly, he misses Mom.”

  “She has to put in duty at Castle Roogna. In case anyone needs to visit a world. Or has a really great idea.” Ion glanced at the others. “The idea has to come from someone else, who doesn’t know her talent. Then she can agree with it, and it becomes true. But there aren’t many folk who don’t know her talent now, so she’s not too busy.”

  “Yes,” Squid agreed. “Otherwise we could have this great idea about rescuing Caprice Castle with a finger snap, and she would make it true.”

  “Or my discovering a spontaneous cure for my paralysis,” Ion said wistfully.

  “Talents have to have limits,” Hilda said. “Otherwise there would be no challenge. Or so they say.”

  “We are in the Sometime vicinity,” Laurelai said. “It’s true that the two of you should at least check in before getting further involved in our danger.”

  “Now, we just need to get there as efficiently as we did Caprice Castle,” Hilda said.

  “I
need someone there to think of me,” Squid said. “But since they don’t know I’m coming, and don’t know me, that’s out.”

  “I wonder,” Laurelai said. “We don’t know how far your talent has been upgraded. Maybe you can send a thought to King Hilarion.”

  Squid laughed, then sobered, as before. Maybe she could do that, now. She wasn’t limited the way the twins were.

  “I’ll try,” she said, and concentrated. King Hilarion, you don’t know me, but I’m with your children Ion and Hilda. Can you think of us, please?

  There was a surprised pause, then a pulse. My children!

  And Squid got the direction. “That way,” he said, pointing.

  “It worked!” Laurelai said, delighted.

  Squid became the oarfish, and they took hold, and jumped to the next island. From there they reoriented and jumped to another, and then once more.

  And there were the pennants of a castle. “Adamant!”

  It wasn’t as grand as Castle Roogna or Caprice, because this was a small island kingdom, but it was good enough. Soon they were at its front gate, suitably garbed in Hilda’s knits.

  “Let us in!” Hilda called. “It’s us.”

  “I recognized the carpet,” the guard said, smiling. “Welcome home, your majesties.”

  “And these are our friends who traveled with us,” Hilda said. “Squid and Laurelai.”

  Then they were inside, and King Hilarion was there. Squid recognized him by his kingly crown. He swept his children into his embrace. “Glad to have you back, kids!” He didn’t even seem to notice their changed genders.

  “These are Squid and Laurelai,” Hilda said. “Our traveling companions. We’re going to visit them on their flying boat.”

  His eyes flicked across to them, and lingered half a moment on Laurelai, who was of course pretty at any age. “That’s fine. Have a good time. Now I’ve got a deal to forge.” He set them down and hurried away.

  “That’s it?” Laurelai asked, bemused.

  “He’s a busy man,” Hilda explained, a trifle defensively.

  “It’s a good thing you aren’t in your older phase,” Ion said. “He notices.”

  Squid realized that royal protocols were different from ordinary ones. The king probably had pretty maids to keep him company at night while the queen was away, and she probably knew and accepted this.

  They were treated to a sumptuous dinner, served by uniformed personnel, then ushered to an elaborate suite maintained by a bevy of maids. There were extra beds for the visitors, each with its own closet and bathroom, complete with all necessary toiletries. Two maids helped Ion clean up and change. It was a considerable contrast to roughing it on the trail. But the twins obviously preferred the trail.

  “Nobody blinked an eye at your gender change,” Squid remarked.

  “They’re used to it,” Ion said. “When we travel with Mom we wait for the island to phase in with Xanth. When we travel alone we use the trail. So we can turn up either way.”

  “Are there no other children here?” Laurelai asked.

  “They’re not allowed in the castle, lest they make a mess.”

  They let the subject drop. No wonder the twins were lonely! They had everything except company their own age.

  “I was lonely,” Squid said. “Until I wound up with the siblings. I’ve never been lonely since.”

  “We envy you,” Hilda said.

  “Suppose we ask the siblings to let you join us? Then you’d never be lonely again either, at least while you’re with us. Of course you wouldn’t be treated like royalty.”

  Both children gazed at her with utter longing. No more needed to be said.

  In the morning they set off on their journey back. It was routine, in its own fashion. Squid became the oarfish to jump them from island to island, and then they walked north to Portal Village, where they entertained the villagers again in return for their room and board at the Inn & Outt. They had taught the twins a couple of dances along the way; Ion couldn’t participate physically, but she could call out the moves for the villagers. Hilda danced occasionally with Laurelai, and plainly loved it.

  Next day they reached the portal and crossed back into their original genders. Now Ion was male and Hilda was female. They took it in stride, changing into appropriate clothing. But for Squid and Laurelai it was more difficult. Squid was glad to be female again, but Larry was plainly depressed. They all understood why, and left him alone.

  By evening they were near Castle Roogna. They did not enter it, for the sake of secrecy. They went directly to the rendezvous point, and Squid focused on Santo. Santo! It’s me, Squid. We’re back. Pick us up.

  She felt his startled recognition. He didn’t speak her name, but went to Win and Firenze. “Make a random veer past Castle Roogna. Say no names.”

  Squid felt their responses, being partly in the scene. They were coming here, and would arrive soon after dark. She signaled the others to wait silently.

  It seemed to take forever, but it was only about an hour. Then something obscured the stars nearby. Fibot was silently gliding down.

  The boat landed softly, and they hurried to intercept it. “Four of us!” Squid whispered to the silhouette of Win at the stern. The girl nodded.

  They scrambled over the gunwale, then Squid led the way to the hatch. Only when all four of them were on the lower deck did she speak, as they were now within the protective shield of the craft. “We’re here. Now we can talk.”

  “Wow,” Hilda said. “It’s bigger inside than outside.”

  “Yes. It’s a very special craft,” Larry agreed. “I was surprised when I first came here.”

  Santo appeared. “Welcome home, Squid.”

  Squid hugged him, then indicated the twins. “We have an amazing report and a lot to explain. But for now, this is Hilda, and on the carpet is her twin brother Ion, Princess Ida’s children. We need to get them settled in. Then we have to talk.”

  Santo accepted that. He was always quick on the uptake. “Welcome aboard, Ion and Hilda.”

  Myst and Piton appeared and were introduced. “I see you’re wearing one of my panties,” Hilda said. “No, it doesn’t show; I just know when my own magic is near.”

  “Your panties?”

  “She sews garments with magic talent embedded,” Squid explained. “She made your panty.”

  Myst was thrilled. “Oooo, I want to know more about you, Hilda!”

  “So do I,” Piton said. “You must be a princess and a Sorceress.”

  Squid kept silent, but feared he wanted to pinch her butt. Maybe she could warn him not to, or make sure Myst kept a close eye on him.

  “Well, yes,” Hilda said. “But I just want to be friends.”

  “Come with us and we’ll show you around,” Myst said. “We’ll be friends.”

  Hilda glanced at Squid. “It’s okay,” Squid said. “Myst’s a sibling. You can trust a sibling. She’s also your age. I’ll take care of Ion.”

  Hilda went with Piton and Myst. Then Squid spoke to Santo. “Can we get Win down here? I think Ion might like her if he got to know her.”

  In barely two-and-a-half moments they had put the craft on autopilot and Win and Data were below deck with them. “This is Ion,” Squid said. “He’s a prince and a Magician, but his talent of immunity to all elixirs prevents any healing elixir from curing his damaged legs, so he rides the carpet. He doesn’t want to be known by either of his titles, or by his infirmity, just as a nine-year-old boy. You could make it easy for him to move fast, Win, because of your wind, if you wanted to.”

  “Maybe I could help too,” Data said. “I could turn skeleton and hold him up so he could walk, using my bone legs.”

  “But you’re a girl,” Ion said.

  “You have something against girls?” she asked archly.

  “No,” he said
, blushing. “It’s that you’d have to be almost glued to me to do it, and I’m a boy. Girls don’t necessarily like that.”

  Data laughed. “I wrestle with my brother all the time. I’m a tomboy of a girl. I can handle it. And who knows, I might like getting close to you.”

  That made him blush again. Squid suspected she had done it on purpose, teasing him.

  “We’ll get along,” Win said. “Unless you don’t want two girls all over you.”

  “He’s okay with that,” Squid said, smiling. “He knows more about girls than you might think. Talk with him; you’ll find it interesting.”

  The three of them departed together. “Now our private dialogue, we three,” Squid said. “This is strong stuff, but maybe you’ll know how to handle it.”

  He nodded, and led them to his cabin. Santo, Squid, and Larry sat down, and the latter two talked about their recent experience.

  They let him have it: the twins’ talents, the gender reversal, and the discovery of Caprice Castle with the six adults in stasis. Squid’s partial dialogue with Jess.

  “So you see,” she concluded. “We think the Demon wants us to bring Fibot there in a rescue attempt, so he can capture the boat too and add it to his collection. We don’t want to do that. But if we don’t, the adults we love may be trashed. We don’t know what to do. We hope you do.”

  “The hope is that some Demon on our side, such as maybe possibly Xanth, will catch him and nullify him,” Santo said.

  “Why didn’t such a Demon, if there was one, do it when we were there in Caprice, with the captives?” Larry asked.

  “Because no one can identify a hiding Demon,” Santo said. “Not even another Demon. The rogue Demon could have been right there in the chamber with you, and you didn’t know it. Similarly there could have been a Demon with you, and the rogue didn’t know it.” He paused, giving them a moment to remember that there had indeed been a Demon with them: Fornax. They kept her secret by never speaking of it directly. “Had the rogue Demon acted to capture you, that other Demon could have caught him, solving the problem. But he didn’t act, so the other Demon, if one was there, couldn’t act either.”

  Larry nodded. “Now I understand.” Of course he had understood before: he was mainly establishing the rules of the game. “But if we return there with Fibot, and the rogue Demon acts, won’t that reveal him?”