Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star Read online

  Do not tell your sister that I went easy on her. Tell her

  you beat me, if she asks. The Sphinx paused, looking Seth

  up and down. You have obviously been cursed.

  A demon statue bit me. You can tell?

  I knew beforehand, but the evidence of the curse is

  plain. Olloch the Glutton. How does it feel to be on his

  menu?

  Not so good. Can you fix me?

  The Sphinx opened the refrigerator. I offered your sister

  a drink.

  You have anything from Egypt?

  I have apple juice. I suppose Egyptians drink it sometimes.

  Okay. Seth roamed the room, looking at the strange

  knickknacks on the tables and shelves. A miniature Ferris

  wheel, a collapsible spyglass, a crystal music box, numerous

  figurines.

  The Sphinx popped open a can of apple juice and

  poured the contents into a frosty mug. Here you go.

  Seth accepted the mug and took a sip. I like the frozen

  cup.

  I am glad. Seth, I cannot remove the curse. It will

  remain until Olloch either devours you or is destroyed.

  So what do I do? Seth started guzzling his juice.

  You will have to rely on the barrier the walls of

  Fablehaven provide. The day will come when Olloch shows

  up at the gates. The insatiable drive that compels him

  toward you will only increase over time. Worse, the demon

  is in the hands of the Society, and I suspect they will ensure

  he makes his way to you sooner rather than later. When

  Olloch makes his appearance, we will find a way to deal with

  him. Until that day, Fablehaven will be your refuge.

  No more school? Seth asked hopefully.

  You must not leave Fablehaven again until the glutton

  has been subdued. Mark my words, he will appear before

  long. When he does, we will discover a weakness and learn a

  way toexploit it. You should have no problem returning to

  school by the fall.

  Having finished the juice, Seth wiped his lips with the

  back of his hand. No big rush.

  Our conversation is nearly finished, the Sphinx said,

  taking the mug from Seth. Take care of your sister.

  Turbulent times lie ahead. The gift the fairies have given her

  will make her a target. Your bravery can be a powerful asset

  if you can keep it unspoiled by recklessness. Do not forget

  that Fablehaven almost fell because of your folly. Learn from

  that mistake.

  I will, Seth said. I mean, I have. And I'll keep

  Kendra's fairykind thing a secret.

  The Sphinx extended a hand. Seth shook it. One last

  thing, Seth. Are you aware that Midsummer Eve is scarcely

  a week away?

  Yeah.

  Might I make a suggestion?

  Okay.

  Don't open any windows.

  An Uninvited Guest

  Grandpa leaned back in his wheelchair, tapping his lips

  with the safe end of a fountain pen. Kendra and Seth

  sat in the oversized armchairs, and Grandma was behind the

  desk. Kendra and Seth had not seen Grandpa the previous

  night-Grandma had taken them to a fondue restaurant

  after their meeting with the Sphinx, and so they had not

  returned until well after dark.

  Our story is that you were fairystruck, and that there

  were some residual effects from the incident, Grandpa said,

  ending the contemplative silence. It sounds perfectly plausible,

  and will make you less of a target than if word gets out

  you are fairykind. Obviously we never let on that the diagnosis

  came from the Sphinx-we do not mention him at all,

  to anyone.

  Coulter already knows we went to see him, Kendra

  confessed.

  What? Grandma leaned forward.

  He already told me, Grandpa said. Ruth, he was trying

  to teach the lesson that spies could be anywhere, eavesdropping

  on conversations, and in the process learned about

  the Sphinx. The secret will be safe with Coulter. But he

  need not hear further details. No discussing it outside of this

  study.

  So if anyone asks, Kendra was fairystruck, Seth said.

  If someone knows enough to ask, and deserves an

  answer, that is our story, Grandpa reiterated. Now I hope

  we can get back to business as usual. Tanu is off scouting

  some unexplored territory. Coulter has an outing specifically

  for Seth. And Kendra can assist Vanessa with research.

  Research? Kendra asked. Here in the house?

  Seth bit the side of his hand. He was choking back

  laughter, which only served to inflame Kendra's indignation.

  She's going through some journals, Grandpa said.

  Following up on some hints left by Patton Burgess.

  Why can't I go with Coulter? It's sexist! Can't you make

  him take me?

  Coulter is one of the most stubborn men I know,

  Grandpa said. I have serious doubts whether anyone could

  make him do anything. But I'm not sure today need be an

  issue for you, Kendra. I suspect you would rather skip this

  outing of your own accord. You see, a certain fog giant

  snared a valuable lead with us. In return, we promised him

  a live buffalo. So Coulter, Seth, and Hugo will be handing

  over a buffalo to the brute to be instantly devoured. It will

  be a gruesome sight.

  Awesome, Seth whispered reverently.

  Okay, well, I guess I don't mind skipping that, Kendra

  admitted. But I still don't like the idea of being left out of

  Coulter's excursions.

  Complaint noted, Grandpa said. Now, Seth, I don't

  want this Olloch the Glutton business keeping you up at

  night. The Sphinx is right, the walls of Fablehaven will be

  sufficient protection, and if he says he will help us take care

  of the glutton once the demon shows up, then I see no cause

  for worry.

  Sounds good to me, Seth said.

  Well, then, Grandpa said. Off you go.

  * * * *

  Seth kept glancing over his shoulder at the buffalo they

  were leading along the path. Huge shaggy head, short white

  horns, bulky body, plodding gait. He had never appreciated

  what large animals they were. Had Hugo not been leading

  the beast with a bridle, Seth would have scrambled up a tree.

  They had started out on paths Seth knew, but quickly

  turned down unfamiliar roads. Now they had reached lower,

  wetter terrain than Seth had ever seen at Fablehaven. The

  trees had more moss and vines, and the first shreds of unexpected

  mist eddied close to the ground.

  Seth clutched his emergency kit. Alongside the more

  conventional contents, Tanu had added a small potion that

  would boost his vigor if he became exhausted. This morning

  Coulter had added a lucky rabbit's foot and a medallion that

  was supposed to repel the undead.

  Is this rabbit's foot really lucky? Seth asked, fingering

  it.

  We'll see, Coulter responded, eyes scanning the trees.

  Are you superstitious?

  I like to cover my bases, he said softly. Keep your

  voice low. This is not a hospitable area of the preserve. Now

  might be a good time to put on that medallion.


  Seth fished the medallion out of his emergency kit and

  slipped the chain around his neck. Where did Hugo find a

  buffalo in the first place? he asked quietly.

  There's a complex of corrals and stables on the preserve,

  Coulter said. Not filled to capacity, but with plenty

  of animals for Fablehaven to remain self-sufficient. Hugo

  does most of the upkeep. He brought the buffalo from there

  this morning.

  Do you have any giraffes?

  The most exotic it gets are ostriches, llamas, and buffalo,

  Coulter said. Along with more traditional livestock.

  The mist was getting thicker. The air remained warm,

  but the cloying smell of decay was increasing. The terrain

  became soupier. Seth began spotting clusters of fuzzy mushrooms

  and rocks slick with slime.

  Coulter pointed to a path diverting off to one side.

  Normally in Fablehaven you are relatively safe if you stay

  on the path. But that is only true of the real paths. That

  path, for example, was created by a swamp hag to lead the

  unwary to their doom.

  Seth stared at the narrow trail meandering off into the

  mist, trying to memorize it so he would never make the mistake

  of following it. They did not go much farther before

  Coulter stopped.

  We are now at the edge of the great marsh of

  Fablehaven, he whispered. One of the most perilous, least

  explored areas of the preserve. A likely region for the

  inverted tower to be hidden. Come.

  Coulter stepped off the path onto muddy ground. Seth

  squelched after him, with Hugo and the ill-fated buffalo

  bringing up the rear. Up ahead, through the shroud of white

  mist, a geodesic dome came into view. The grid of triangles

  that comprised the dome appeared to be composed of glass

  and steel. In form, the structure was similar to the domes of

  interlocking metal bars Seth had seen on playgrounds.

  What's that? Seth asked.

  A safe hut, Coulter said. Glass domes strategically

  placed in some of the more threatening areas of the preserve.

  They provide the kind of refuge we enjoy back at the main

  house. Nothing can enter uninvited.

  They walked about ten yards past the hut. Hugo, picket

  the buffalo here, Coulter ordered. Then stand watch from

  behind the hut.

  Hugo produced a stake the size of a fence post and thrust

  it deep into the ground with a single powerful motion. The

  golem then fastened the buffalo to the stake. Coulter shook

  something from a pouch into his palm, then cupped his

  hand near the buffalo's muzzle. This will anesthetize him,'

  Coulter explained. Next he produced a knife and slashed the

  buffalo on the shoulder. The buffalo tossed its heavy head.

  A deep roar came echoing out of the mist. To the hut,

  Coulter murmured, wiping the knife clean before stowing it.

  He tossed the rag that he had used to wipe the knife near the

  buffalo.

  The symmetry of the glass dome was broken only by a

  small hatch in one side, also made of glass and framed in

  steel. Coulter opened the hatch and crawled in after Seth.

  The hut had no floor-just the bare earth. Hugo waited

  outside.

  We're safe in here? Seth asked.

  As long as we don't break the glass from the inside, no

  creature can get us, even a fog giant in a blood frenzy.

  Blood frenzy?

  You'll see, Coulter assured him. Fog giants go mad

  around blood. Worse than sharks. This tribute is the price

  we agreed to pay for information Burlox gave us about the

  marshland. After the tribute, he has promised us one more

  piece of information.

  Burlox is the giant?

  The most approachable of them, yes.

  What if the wrong giant takes the buffalo?

  Coulter shook his head. Fog giants are highly territorial.

  Another would not encroach on Burlox's domain. Their

  borders are clearly defined.

  Despite the condensation on the glass and the intervening

  mist, Seth had a good view of the buffalo. It was grazing.

  I feel bad for the buffalo, Seth said.

  Like most livestock, it was born to be slaughtered,

  Coulter said. If not by a fog giant, by your grandfather. The

  anesthetic will dull its senses. The fog giant will administer a

  quick death.

  Seth frowned, staring through the glass. What had

  sounded like fun back at the house was no longer very

  appealing, now that he recognized the buffalo as an actual

  living thing. I guess I eat hamburgers all the time, he

  finally said.

  This isn't much different, Coulter agreed. Somewhat

  more dramatic.

  What about the rules of the treaty? Seth asked. Won't

  you get in trouble for killing the buffalo?

  I won't be doing any killing; that will be the giant,

  Coulter explained. Besides, the rules are different for

  animals. The treaty was meant to keep sentient beings from

  committing murder and casting spells on each other. The

  same protection does not extend to animals of a lower order

  of intelligence. When the need arises, we can slaughter animals

  for food with no repercussions.

  Another roar sounded, much closer and more intense. A

  gargantuan shadow loomed beyond the buffalo. Here he

  comes, Coulter breathed.

  Seth's mouth went dry. As the fog giant emerged from

  the mist, Seth found himself scooting back to the far side of

  the small dome. Burlox was enormous. Seth was not much

  taller than his knee. Hugo was shorter than his hip. The buffalo

  suddenly looked like a house pet.

  The fog giant had the proportions of a heavyset man. He

  wore tattered, matted furs, and his body was smeared with

  oily muck. Beneath the filth, his skin was a sickly bluish

  gray. His long hair and beard were tangled in slime. In one

  hand he bore a crude, heavy club. The overall impression

  was that of a fierce, battle-weary Viking who had lost his

  way in a swamp.

  The giant stopped near the buffalo. He turned and

  looked toward the dome, giving a single nod and leering.

  Seth was acutely aware that a single swing of the huge club

  could bash the hut to smithereens. Burlox tossed the club

  aside and then pounced at the buffalo, tearing off the bridle

  and hoisting the flustered animal into the air.

  Seth looked away. It was too much. He heard a noisy

  combination of bones crunching and flesh tearing before

  clamping his hands over his ears. Part of him wanted to

  watch, but instead he kept his head down and his ears

  covered.

  You're missing it, Coulter eventually said, kneeling at

  his side.

  Seth peeked. The buffalo no longer looked much like a

  buffalo. Sections of the hide had been cast aside, and jutting

  bones were visible. Seth tried to pretend that the leg Burlox

  was mauling was a gigantic spare rib, and that the feasting

  giant was drenched in barbecue sauce.

  Not something you get to see every day, Coulter said.

  True, Seth conceded.
<
br />   Look at him, munching away-he can't eat it fast

  enough. He rarely gets meat of this quality. He ought to slow

  down and savor it. But the brute can't help himself.

  It's pretty disgusting.

  Just one beast consuming the meat of another, Coulter

  said. Although I'll admit I glanced away at the start myself.

  It was sadder than I expected.

  Look at him going after the marrow. He doesn't want to

  waste a thing.

  I can't imagine eating something raw like that, Seth

  said.

  He can't imagine cooking it, Coulter replied.

  They watched as the giant picked the bones clean and

  sucked them dry. Here it comes, Coulter said, rubbing his

  hands. You'd think he'd be satisfied, but no matter how

  much fresh meat you give them, it just whets their appetite.

  The fog giant began rooting around on the ground, apparently

  lapping up what he could from the mud. Soon his face

  was masked with sludge, and limp vegetation dangled from

  his lips. He began hammering his mighty fists against the

  soggy turf and throwing fragments of bone into the mist. He

  tossed back his head and let out a long, angry cry.

  He's going berserk, Seth said.

  The fog giant wheeled toward the dome, scowling. He

  picked up his club and charged, eyes ablaze. Seth felt totally

  exposed. With glass on all sides, held together by narrow

  strips of metal, it felt worse than no cover whatsoever. One

  swing of the club and the dome would explode toward him

  like a thousand daggers. He recoiled and raised his arms to

  shield his face from flying glass. Coulter sat calmly beside

  him, as if watching a movie.

  Racing at full speed, the giant lifted the club high above

  his head and brought it down with terrible force. Just before

  the club connected with the surface of the dome, it

  rebounded sharply, making an unnatural pinging sound, and

  sailed out of the giant's grasp. Burlox's forward momentum

  instantly reversed, and the giant pitched violently

  backwards.

  Shaken and seething, the fog giant arose and staggered

  away from the dome. As a hulking silhouette in the mist,

  Burlox began brutalizing a tree. He tore down huge limbs,

  and was soon pounding his fists against the sturdy trunk.

  Groaning and growling, he seized the trunk in a terrible

  embrace, twisting and wrenching and wrestling until the

  bole began to split. With a final mighty heave accompanied

  by a tremendous crack, he toppled the entire tree and knelt

  panting, hands on his knees.