Fablehaven2-Rise of the Evening Star Page 27

  and despite the dwindling twilight outside, no matter

  how far they walked from the entrance, it had stopped

  getting dimmer.

  I think you're right, Kendra said. I can still see pretty

  well. The light hasn't faded for a while.

  I wish those fairies had kissed me a little, Seth said.

  Just be glad one of us can see. Come on.

  The tunnel wound back and forth several times before

  Kendra came to a stop. I see a door up ahead.

  Does it block the way?

  Yes.

  Well, let's go knock.

  Kendra started forward.

  Just a second, Seth said. I lost my handkerchief. No

  peeking. Here it is. Okay, lead the way.

  A round wall filled the entire tunnel. In the wall was an

  oval-shaped door. When they got close, Kendra tried the

  knob. It was locked. So she knocked.

  An instant later the door opened swiftly, and she was

  looking at a thin man about her same height. He had a long

  nose, leaflike ears, and smooth skin, like a baby's. He looked

  Kendra and Seth up and down. Brownies only, he said,

  closing the door.

  What happened? Seth asked. Could you understand

  that?

  Brownies only, Kendra translated. A little guy opened

  the door, said that, and closed it. She slapped the door.

  Please, we need to get into the house, it's an emergency!

  The door opened a crack. The little man peered out

  with one eye. Now, why would you go and learn Rowian

  when everyone knows brownies don't talk to strangers?

  Rowian? Kendra asked.

  Don't play coy with me, young lady. I've met a few

  fairies and nymphs who knew the rudiments of the brownie

  tongue, but never a miniature human.

  I'm Kendra, she said. I love brownies. You cook

  wonderful food and you repaired my grandparents' house

  after it was ruined.

  We all do what we do, the brownie said humbly.

  My brother and I need desperately to get into the

  house, and this is the only way. Please let us pass.

  This way is meant only for brownies, he said. I may

  be the least of your troubles. There are magical barriers in

  place to prevent others from entering the house through our

  passage.

  Kendra glanced at Seth, who was watching the

  exchange dumbfoundedly. But we're allowed to enter the

  house, we're guests there.

  Curious way for guests to enter.

  My grandparents are the caretakers of Fablehaven.

  Somebody has sabotaged them, so we are trying to sneak in

  to help. We have to hurry. If this potion wears off, we'll clog

  up your tunnel.

  Can't have that, the brownie said thoughtfully. Very

  well, seeing as you're brownie-sized, and seeing as you belong

  to the house, and seeing as you explained yourself so

  patiently, I see no harm in letting you pass. On one

  condition. You both must wear blindfolds. You are about to

  enter a brownie community. Our secrets are our own.

  What's he saying? Seth asked.

  He says we have to wear blindfolds.

  Tell him to get on with it, Seth said.

  What's he saying? the brownie asked.

  He says he'll wear a blindfold.

  Fair enough, the brownie said. One moment. The

  brownie closed the door. Kendra and Seth waited. She tried

  the knob. It was locked.

  What's he doing? Seth asked.

  I don't know, Kendra said.

  Just as Kendra was beginning to wonder if she had been

  abandoned, the door opened. Two blindfolds, the brownie

  said. And two blankets, more your size. I can't abide that

  fine material dragging in the dirt.

  What's he saying? Seth said.

  He brought blindfolds, Kendra relayed.

  Ask if I have to wear one since I can't see in the first

  place, Seth said.

  Just wear it, Kendra said. And he wants us to switch

  our handkerchiefs for blankets.

  Kendra and Seth traded the handkerchiefs for the blankets,

  making the exchange in such a way that they remained

  strategically covered throughout. Then the brownie tied on

  the blindfolds. I'll be your guide, dear, a female voice said

  to Kendra. Put your hand on my shoulder.

  Tell your friend I'll be guiding him, the male brownie

  said.

  He's going to guide you, Seth.

  The brownies led them through the door and along the

  tunnel. Soon the ground became hard. It felt like polished

  stone. Even with the blindfold on, Kendra could tell that

  they had entered a lighted area. The brownies gave occasional

  instructions like step up or duck your head, which

  Kendra relayed to Seth. Occasionally she heard murmuring,

  as if their passage was stirring hushed comments from a

  crowd.

  After they had walked for some time, the glow faded,

  and the polished floor became dirt once more. The brownies

  came to a halt. The male brownie removed the blindfolds.

  They were standing at a door that looked very much

  like the previous one. Is it dark? Kendra asked.

  I can't see a thing, Seth said.

  Just follow this passage, the brownie instructed. It will

  lead straight to the dungeon. I suppose you know your way

  from there. I can't say whether the barriers will impede you.

  That risk is yours to take.

  Thank you, Kendra said.

  Here are your clothes, the female brownie said. She

  held up a lovely dress and a pair of moccasins, all made from

  the silk of the handkerchief. Kendra accepted the dress, and

  the female brownie handed Seth a shirt, jacket, pants, and

  slippers fashioned from the same material.

  Now, that is improvising, Kendra said. The clothes

  look wonderful.

  We all do what we do, the female brownie responded

  with a small curtsy.

  The brownies held up the blankets in such a way as to

  allow Kendra and Seth privacy as they put on their clothes.

  Kendra could not believe how comfortably the dress fit her.

  Just my size, Seth said, pulling on the slippers.

  Kendra turned the knob and opened the door. Thanks

  again, she said.

  The brownies nodded congenially. She and Seth stepped

  through the door, closed it behind them, and proceeded

  down the gloomy tunnel. These are the silkiest clothes

  ever, Seth said. I'm going to use them as pajamas.

  If you drink a shrinking potion every night, Kendra

  reminded him.

  Oh, yeah.

  Eventually the curved dirt walls of the tunnel gave way

  to stone, and the corridor became more square. The air

  began to smell less earthy and more dank. I think we're getting

  close, Kendra said.

  Good-I'm sick of the dark, Seth said.

  I'm not sure the dungeon will be any brighter, Kendra

  said.

  Maybe we'll find a way to reach a light switch, he said.

  We'll see.

  The corridor ended at an elaborately engraved brass

  door. I think this is it, Kendra said. She tried the handle,

  and the door swung open to reveal a room illuminated by

  trembling firelight. T
he source of the light was off to the left

  along the same wall as the tiny door, so they could not yet

  see it.

  I can see, Seth whispered excitedly.

  I think we must have made it past the barriers, Kendra

  said.

  Seth pushed by her and stepped out into the room. Like

  the walls, the floor was composed of stone blocks mortared

  together. Seth stared off to the left. Hey, it's the room where

  they make the ----

  A huge, veiny hand suddenly seized him. The glove he

  was carrying dropped to the ground as Seth was yanked out

  of sight.

  Seth! Kendra cried. A second hand shot through the

  doorway into the tunnel. She tried to dodge the grasping fingers

  and retreat, but the nimble hand grabbed her without

  difficulty.

  The hand pulled Kendra from the tunnel and lifted her

  high in the air. At her diminished height, the room looked

  vast. When she saw the large cauldron bubbling over a low

  fire, she realized it was simply the room where the goblins

  prepared the glop. In the wavering firelight, Kendra recognized

  her captor as Slaggo.

  Voorsh, I caught some strays to sweeten the glop,

  Slaggo grated in his guttural voice.

  Are you daft? Voorsh sneered. No snatching brownies.

  He sat on a table in the corner picking his teeth with a

  knife.

  I know that, you twit, Slaggo griped. They aren't

  brownies. Have a smell.

  Kendra was trying to pry apart the fingers that were

  clutching her. It was no use; they were thicker than her leg

  and covered in calluses as hard as stone. Slaggo held her up

  to Voorsh's snout, and he took a couple of sniffs, slit nostrils

  flaring.

  Smells like people, Voorsh said. Something familiar

  to the odor…

  We're Kendra and Seth, Kendra shouted in her

  squeaky voice. Our grandparents are the caretakers of

  Fablehaven.

  It speaks Goblush, Slaggo said.

  Thinks she's an imp, Voorsh chuckled.

  You have to help us, Kendra cried.

  Pipe down, Slaggo said. You're in no position to issue

  orders. I remember these two. Ruth brought them through

  here not long ago.

  Right you are, Voorsh agreed. And considering how

  things have changed…

  What do you mean how things have changed? Kendra

  yelled.

  He means seeing as your grandsires are now prisoners in

  their own dungeon, Slaggo said, it might be a fine prank

  to watch them gobble down their own flesh.

  You read my mind, Voorsh gurgled.

  What are they saying? Seth asked.

  They're talking about cooking us, Kendra said.

  Grandma and Grandpa are imprisoned here.

  If you cook us, you'll pay, Seth shouted. You'll be

  guilty of murder. Grandma and Grandpa won't be imprisoned

  forever!

  This one speaks like people, Slaggo grunted.

  It has a point, Voorsh sighed.

  You can't cook us, Kendra called. The treaty protects

  us.

  Trespassers in our dungeon forfeit all protection,

  Voorsh explained.

  But the runt may be right about Stan and Ruth, Slaggo

  said.

  Course, if Stan and Ruth don't know, they can't rightly

  punish us, Voorsh mused.

  Why don't you set my grandparents free? Kendra proposed.

  They're the rightful caretakers here. You'll be

  rewarded.

  Vanessa freed the big imps, Slaggo croaked. She is

  master of the situation.

  Besides, we couldn't spring Stan even if we wanted,

  Voorsh said. We have no keys to the cells.

  So we may as well have a little fun, Slaggo said, giving

  Kendra a squeeze that made her ribs creak.

  If you let us go, we may be able to help my grandparents,

  Kendra said. Vanessa has no real authority here.

  My grandparents will be back in charge sooner or later. And

  when they are, they will reward you greatly for helping us

  now.

  Desperate words from cornered prey, Slaggo said, striding

  toward the cauldron of roiling gray sludge.

  Hold, Slaggo, she may be right, Voorsh said.

  Slaggo hesitated at the cauldron. Hot, foul steam fumed

  up, washing over Kendra. She glanced over at Seth, who

  returned a worried look. Slaggo turned to face Voorsh. You

  think?

  Stan and Ruth have repaid loyalty in the past, Voorsh

  said. If we spare their spawn, there may be more reward in it

  than watching the runts boil.

  A goose? Slaggo asked hopefully.

  Or better. This would merit much gratitude, and Stan

  has always dealt with us justly.

  I'm sure they'd give you huge rewards, Kendra said.

  You'd say anything at present to save your neck,

  Slaggo growled. All the same, my ears agree with Voorsh.

  Stan will likely return to power, and he has a history of fair

  rewards. Slaggo set Kendra and Seth on the floor.

  Could you take us to their cell? Kendra asked.

  Seth looked at her like she was crazy.

  Wouldn't go over well if the new mistress caught us aiding

  enemies, Voorsh said.

  If you take us to the cell, you can be sure Stan willfully

  appreciate your involvement, Kendra said. You can always

  cut and run if somebody comes.

  Might not hurt, Slaggo muttered. Can you keep your

  traps shut as we go?

  Absolutely, Kendra said.

  Have you lost it? Seth hissed.

  This could save us lots of time, Kendra whispered

  back.

  You'll deny our involvement if you're caught, Voorsh

  said.

  Of course, Kendra said.

  Because we could make things very uncomfortable for

  you if you land us in hot water, Slaggo snarled.

  If we get caught, we'll keep you out of it, Kendra

  promised.

  Make sure the other one understands, Voorsh said.

  'My tongue gets tangled speaking your vile language.

  Kendra explained the situation to Seth, who asserted his

  compliance. Slaggo stooped and picked them up in one

  hand.

  Can you hold us a little looser? Kendra asked.

  Be glad I don't cripple you, Slaggo said, slightly relaxing

  his crushing grip.

  Ask him to grab the glove, Seth said.

  Could you also get that glove on the floor? Kendra

  asked. We'll want it when we're big again.

  I understood the other one fine, Slaggo said. I'll wager

  I grasp more languages than the two of you together. What

  good is a glove? He bent down and picked it up.

  Better than nothing, Kendra replied weakly.

  Slaggo shook his head. Be right back, he said to

  Voorsh. Don't forget to stir the glop.

  Don't get discovered, Voorsh said. Swallow them if it

  comes to it.

  Slaggo grabbed a torch and lit it in the fireplace. He

  exited the room and moved swiftly down the hall. When the

  hall ended, he rounded a corner and continued. They passed

  the Quiet Box that Grandma had shown them. Kendra was

  grateful for each cell they passed, because they were progressing

  towar
d the front of the dungeon. If she and her

  brother returned to their normal sizes before they made it up

  to the kitchen, they would be trapped underground. Which

  meant every second counted.

  Here we are, Slaggo said quietly, setting them down in

  front of a cell door. Now, keep your word and don't cause

  any trouble for us. He laid the invisibility glove on the

  ground beside them. And if things go well, give credit

  where it's due.

  As the goblin scurried away, taking the torch with him,

  Kendra and Seth wormed through the slot meant for food

  trays. Grandma, Grandpa! Kendra called.

  Is that Kendra? Grandpa Sorenson said. What are you

  doing here?

  Not just Kendra, Seth said. We shrunk ourselves.

  Seth? Grandma Sorenson gasped, her voice trembling

  with emotion. But how?

  Coulter woke up just before the revenant got us, Seth

  said. He gave me a magical cocoon that wrapped around

  me. Olloch swallowed me like a pill. I went in one end and

  out the other.

  Which would have satisfied the spell and bound him,

  Grandpa said. What a stroke of good fortune! I can't say

  how relieved I am. I have many more questions but little

  time to ask them. I take it you gained entry through the

  brownie doors?

  I got away with Tanu's potion bag, Kendra said. We

  made ourselves small. Do you know how long it lasts?

  I can't say, Grandpa said.

  Clever children! Grandma said. You had better hurry

  if you hope to enter the house. The spell will not last forever.

  We want to steal back the artifact key, Seth said.

  Do they have it? Kendra asked.

  I'm afraid they do, Grandpa said. I was talking with

  your grandmother, and she does not recall certain recent

  conversations. Before she was revealed, I believe Vanessa

  controlled your grandmother to gather information from me.

  That would explain how she wrote those names in the register.

  I remember Ruth asking me to confirm where the key to

  the vault was hidden, as well as to remind her of the combination

  to access the secret attic.

  I have no recollection of asking any such questions,

  Grandma said.

  With that knowledge, Vanessa should already have the

  key in her possession, Grandpa said.

  Do they know where the register is? Kendra asked.

  Can they let more people onto the preserve?

  I don't believe they know where the register is now hidden,

  Grandpa said. But they have released at least one of

  the big imps, a brute who occupied this very cell, the same