Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star Page 26

  from the shrub. Imps are tough. We can't risk them spotting

  us.

  Kendra retreated with Seth back to where Mendigo

  stood waiting. The shadows were long as the sun dipped

  toward the horizon. How do we get past them? Kendra

  said.

  I don't know, Seth said. They're fast and strong. He

  put on the glove and vanished. I'll go in for a closer look.

  No, Seth. They're on the lookout. They'll spot you. You

  can't hold still and run away at the same time.

  So we give up?

  No. Take the glove off. She didn't like talking to his

  disembodied voice.

  Seth reappeared. I'm not sure we have many options.

  It's front door, back door, or a window.

  There's another way in, Kendra said. And we might

  be able to use it.

  What way?

  The brownie doors. They lead in through the dungeon.

  Seth frowned pensively. But how would we… wait a

  minute-the potions.

  We shrink ourselves.

  Kendra, that is the best idea you've ever had, Seth

  said.

  But there's a problem, she said, folding her arms. We

  don't know where the brownies enter. We know they pass

  through the dungeon and into the kitchen, but we don't

  know where to start.

  My turn, Seth said. Let's go ask the satyrs.

  You think they'll help us?

  Seth shrugged. I have something they want.

  Do you know how to find them?

  We can try the tennis court. If that fails, there's a place

  where I leave them messages.

  I wonder if the fairies would tell me, Kendra said.

  If you can get any to speak to you, Seth said. Come

  on, if we hurry we can get there before sundown. It isn't far.

  They really built a tennis court?

  A nice one. You'll see.

  Seth ordered Mendigo to pick them up, and then guided

  the limberjack around the perimeter of the yard to the path

  that would lead them to the tennis court. Mendigo jogged

  down the path, hooks jingling. As they neared the court,

  they could hear arguing.

  I'm telling you, it's too dark, we have to call the game,

  one voice said.

  And you say that makes it a draw? the other voice

  replied incredulously.

  That's the only fair conclusion.

  I'm up 6-2, 6-3, 5-1! And it's my serve!

  Doren, you have to win three full sets to take the

  match. Count your blessings-I was getting ready to make

  my move.

  The sun isn't even down!

  It's below the trees. I can't see the ball in these shadows.

  You played some solid games. I'll grant that you had a

  fair chance of winning had we continued. Sadly, nature has

  intervened.

  Mendigo left the path at Seth's prompting and started

  through the undergrowth toward the hidden court.

  Can't we start again tomorrow at the same score? the

  second voice tried.

  Unfortunately, tennis is a game of inertia. Restarting

  cold wouldn't be fair to either of us. Tell you what. We'll

  begin earlier tomorrow, so we can get a full match in.

  And I suppose if you're behind and can find a cloud

  somewhere in the sky, you'll say there's a chance of showers

  and call the game. I'm serving. You're welcome to return it,

  or you're welcome to stand there.

  Mendigo pushed through the bushes at the edge of the

  tennis court. Doren stood waiting to serve. The racket he

  had broken while swatting Olloch had been beautifully

  mended and restrung. Newel stood at the net.

  Hello, Newel said. Look, Doren, we have visitors.

  Kendra, Seth, and… Muriel's weirdo puppet.

  Would you kids mind if I serve one last game? Doren

  asked.

  Course they'd mind! Newel shouted. Terribly rude of

  you to ask!

  We're sort of in a hurry, Kendra said.

  We'll make it quick, Doren said with a wink.

  In this blackness, one game could be all it takes to

  cause a serious injury, Newel insisted desperately.

  It isn't very dark, Seth observed.

  Line judge says we should play on, Doren said.

  Newel shook his fist at Seth. Okay, one last game, winner

  take all.

  Sounds good to me, Doren said.

  That isn't fair, Kendra mumbled.

  No problem, Doren said. He hasn't broken my serve

  all day.

  Enough chitchat! Newel called grumpily.

  Doren tossed the ball up and blasted it over the net.

  Newel returned the blistering serve with a limp lob, allowing

  Doren to rush forward and hit a winner at a vicious

  angle. Doren's next two serves were aces. The fourth serve

  Newel returned briskly, but after a fierce volley, Doren took

  the point with a wicked slice that died before Newel could

  reach it.

  Game, set, match! Doren trumpeted.

  Growling, Newel ran over to the shed and started bashing

  his racket against the wall. The frame cracked and several

  strings popped.

  Booooo, Seth cried. Poor sportsmanship.

  Newel stopped and looked up. Has nothing to do with

  sportsmanship. Ever since the brownies mended his racket,

  his shots have more zip. I just want to level the playing

  field.

  I don't know, Newel, Doren said, tossing his racket and

  catching it. Takes quite a satyr to handle a racket of this

  caliber.

  Relish the moment, Newel said. Next time we'll be

  playing under the light of day, and we'll have comparable

  equipment!

  Funny you guys should mention brownies, Seth said.

  We need a favor.

  Does the favor involve demons trashing our shed?

  Newel asked.

  I took care of Olloch, Seth said. We need to know

  how the brownies get into the house.

  Through the little doors, Doren said.

  He means we need to know where their entrance is so

  we can get in through the little doors, Kendra clarified.

  No offense, but it might be a bit of a squeeze, Newel

  said.

  We have potions to shrink ourselves down, Seth said.

  Resourceful kids, Doren commented.

  Newel studied them shrewdly. Why would you want to

  get into the house that way? There may be barriers to prevent

  you. And who says the brownies will grant you access?

  They keep to themselves.

  We have to sneak inside, Kendra explained. Vanessa

  is a narcoblix. She drugged my grandparents and took over

  the house, and will probably try to destroy Fablehaven

  next!

  Wait a minute, Doren said. Vanessa? As in, smoking-hot

  Vanessa?

  As in betrayed-us-all Vanessa, Kendra said.

  I'm not sure how the brownies would feel about us giving

  away their secret entrance, Newel said, rolling his

  tongue against his cheek and winking at Doren.

  True, Doren said, nodding sagely. We'd be violating a

  sacred trust.

  I wish we could help, Newel said, folding his hands.

  But a promise is a promise.

  How many batteries do you want? Seth asked.

  Sixteen, Doren said.

  Deal, Seth s
aid.

  Newel elbowed Doren. Twenty-four, is what he meant.

  We've already got a deal for sixteen, Seth said. We

  could make it less.

  Fair enough, Newel said. He gave Seth a sly glance.

  I'm assuming you have said batteries on your person.

  In my room, Seth said.

  I see, Newel said, scowling dramatically. And suppose

  you get caught and never make it back? We're out sixteen

  batteries, and we've broken our sacred promise to the

  brownies. I could live with sixteen up front, but with deferred

  payment, we're going to have to up our fee by fifty percent.

  Okay, twenty-four, Seth said. I'll pay up as soon as I

  can.

  Newel grabbed Seth's hand and shook it vigorously.

  Congratulations. You just found yourself a secret entrance.

  So, seriously, Doren said. What's with the puppet?

  Dusk was deepening when the satyrs, Kendra, Seth, and

  Mendigo reached the driveway to the main house, not far

  from the front gates of Fablehaven. Kendra had seen a few

  twinkling fairies in the woods, but when she tried to get

  their attention, they darted away.

  Now I'd say it's getting dark, Doren said.

  Save it, Newel replied, kneeling beside a tree and

  pointing. Seth, go straight not more than twenty paces, and

  you'll find a tree with a reddish hue to the bark. At the base

  of the tree, between a fork in the roots, you'll see a good sized

  hole. That is the entrance you're looking for. Don't

  blame me if they don't roll out the red carpet.

  And don't tell them we told you how to find them,

  Doren said.

  But be a pal and leave this near the entrance, Newel

  said, handing Seth his freshly broken racket.

  Thanks, Kendra said. We'll take it from here.

  Unless you want to help us, Seth tried.

  Newel winced. Yeah, about that, see, we've got a

  thing-

  We promised some friends, Doren said.

  It's been scheduled for a while…

  We've already canceled twice…

  Next time, Newel promised.

  Take care, Doren said. Don't get eaten by a brownie.

  The satyrs gamboled away and passed out of sight.

  Why'd you even ask? Kendra said.

  Didn't think it could hurt, Seth replied. Come on.

  They rushed across the gravel driveway. The house was

  not in sight, so they felt relatively safe from Vanessa and her

  imps. Mendigo followed a few paces behind them.

  They continued in the direction the satyrs had indicated.

  That must be it, Seth said, touching a tree with rosy

  bark. There's the hole. Good thing we found it before it was

  totally dark. Seth leaned the broken tennis racket against

  the tree.

  The hole looked big enough to roll a bowling ball into.

  It fell away at a steep angle. Get the potions out, Kendra

  said.

  Seth rummaged in the pouch. He pulled out a pair of

  small vials. These should do the trick.

  You're sure they're the right ones? Kendra verified.

  They're the easiest to remember-the potion in the

  smallest bottles makes you small. He handed one of the

  vials to Kendra. She frowned at it, her brow furrowed. Now

  what? he asked.

  Do you think our clothes will shrink too? she asked.

  Seth paused. I hope so.

  What if they don't?

  Tanu said the potions leave him about ten inches tall.

  So we'd be what, around seven or eight inches? What could

  we wear?

  Tanu wraps handkerchiefs around some of his bottles,

  Kendra said.

  Seth scrabbled through the bag and removed two silk

  handkerchiefs. These should do.

  Hopefully whoever made the potions took clothes into

  account, Kendra said.

  Should we sprinkle some on our clothes to be safe?

  Seth said. We have four extra shrinking potions.

  Couldn't hurt, Kendra said.

  Seth dug out an extra vial of shrinking potion. At the

  same time? he asked.

  Drink yours first, Kendra said.

  Seth unstopped the vial and downed the contents.

  Tingly, he said. His eyes widened. Really tingly!

  His clothes suddenly looked very loose. He looked up at

  Kendra, craning his neck at his much taller sister. He sat

  down on the ground. His feet slipped easily out of his oversized

  shoes as his legs shortened. His head sank into his collar.

  The shrinking accelerated, and he seemed to disappear.

  Seth? Kendra asked.

  I'm in here, answered a chipmunk version of his voice.

  Could you give me a hankie?

  Kendra placed a handkerchief into the shirt. A moment

  later Seth emerged, the handkerchief wrapped around his

  waist like a towel and dragging behind him. He looked up.

  Now you really are my big sister, he shouted. Sprinkle

  some on my clothes.

  Removing the stopper from another vial, Kendra sprinkled

  the contents over Seth's clothes. They waited, but there

  was no reaction. Looks like we'll have to save the day wearing

  handkerchiefs, Kendra sighed.

  They're nice and silky, Seth called.

  You're a nut, Kendra said. She turned to Mendigo.

  Mendigo, collect our clothes and our things and watch for

  us to come out of the house. When we come out, you need

  to hurry and meet up with us.

  Mendigo started tugging at her shirt. Mendigo, wait to

  collect my clothes until after I shrink, and leave us with the

  handkerchiefs.

  Mendigo picked up Tanu's pouch and Seth's clothes.

  Hey, Seth cried, let me see if I can carry the glove.

  Kendra retrieved the glove from the pocket of Seth's

  pants, telling Mendigo to leave the glove with them. She

  handed it to Seth. He draped it over his shoulder and started

  walking. It looked cumbersome. Is it too big? Kendra

  asked.

  I can handle it, Seth said. When we turn big we'll be

  glad we have it. Speaking of which, drink your potion and

  let's get going. I don't want to turn big and get crushed in

  the brownie hole.

  Kendra unstopped a third vial and drank it. Seth was

  right, it made her tingle. It felt like her limbs were on pins

  and needles, as if they had fallen asleep and now feeling was

  returning most uncomfortably. As she shrank, the tingling

  sensation intensified. Whenever Seth knew her leg had been

  asleep, he always tried to poke the tingly limb. It drove her

  crazy. This was much worse, stinging tingles starting at her

  fingertips and toes and racing through her whole body.

  Before Kendra fully recognized what was happening, her

  shirt was all around her like a collapsed tent. She crawled to

  an opening through one of her sleeves. Close your eyes,

  Seth, she called, noticing how high and squeaky her voice

  sounded.

  They're closed, he said. I don't want nightmares.

  Kendra found the other handkerchief, turning it into a

  makeshift toga. Okay, you can look.

  You know, Seth said, if we turn big while we're in the

  dungeon we'll be trapped down there.

  Kendra walked over to one of the empty vi
als lying on

  the ground. Grunting and shoving, she tipped it upright.

  Relative to her new size, it was nearly as big as a garbage can.

  The glass is thick, Kendra said. I can barely move this

  empty one.

  Setting down the bulky glove, Seth tried to lift the

  bottle. He could barely hold it off the ground. Too bad we

  can't bring a spare, he said. We'll just have to hurry.

  Mendigo, remember, watch for us and meet up with us

  when we come out. Mendigo now looked enormous, like

  some eerie monument.

  Seth slung the glove over his shoulder. Come on.

  Kendra looked up. Through the gaps in the branches

  above her, she saw stars coming out. She followed her

  brother down into the yawning hole.

  Brownie Doors

  Although the dirt near the opening of the brownie hole

  was crumbly and loose, the ground soon became

  smooth and firm as the tunnel sloped downward. Near the

  entrance Kendra and Seth needed to crouch in some places,

  but before long the tunnel increased in diameter so they

  could comfortably walk upright. At first roots poked through

  the walls and ceiling, but as they descended deeper, roots

  became scarce, and the floor of the tunnel leveled out. The

  dirt felt cool against their bare feet.

  I can't see a thing, Seth said.

  Your eyes will adjust, Kendra said. It's dim but it isn't

  black.

  Seth turned around. I can see a little light looking back,

  a very little, but it is pitch black looking forward.

  You must be going blind, I can see way down the

  tunnel.

  Then you take the lead.

  Kendra led them deeper into the tunnel. She wasn't sure

  what Seth was talking about. Sure, it was dim, but there was

  enough light from the entrance even to reveal the texture of

  the different stones embedded in the tunnel walls.

  Can you still see? Seth asked.

  Haven't your eyes adjusted yet?

  Kendra, it is totally black. No light. I can't see you. I

  can't see my hand. And I can't see any light looking back.

  Kendra looked over her shoulder. The way back

  appeared equally as dim as the way ahead. You see

  nothing?

  My night vision is fine, Kendra, Seth said. I could see

  pretty well when I went to the grove, and there wasn't much

  light there. If you can still see, then you can see in the dark.

  Kendra thought about the overcast night at the pond

  when she had assumed light was filtering through the clouds.

  She remembered seeing into cells in the dungeon that Seth

  thought were black. And now here she was, deep under-ground,