ToMichelle,whobeganthisentirejourney

withagift

CONTENTS

TitlePageDedicationEpigraphUNUS:TheQuagDUO:TheKingdomofCataphileTRES:ABeastlyMealQUATTUOR:BarsofBones

QUINQUE:BloodfromaStoneSEX:TheFlightoftheKingSEPTEM:LucSpeaksOCTO:ThePlightofGrubbsNOVEM:TheKing’sSecretDECEM:NothingfromSomethingUNDECIM:GoneDUODECIM:SeamusTREDECIM:TheCottageof

AstreaPrineQUATTUORDECIM:ARoomwithaViewQUINDECIM:AQuestionofDoorsSEDECIM:TheKeeperSEPTENDECIM:ReunitedDUODEVIGINTI:TrappedUNDEVIGINTI:LookingBackVIGINTI:Words

VIGINTIUNUS:TheSignVIGINTIDUO:TheOtherElementalVIGINTITRES:TheEducationofMeVIGINTIQUATTUOR:ASorceressofSortsVIGINTIQUINQUE:AWarningVIGINTISEX:LessonsfromHel

VIGINTISEPTEM:FortheAgesVIGINTIOCTO:BetrayalVIGINTINOVEM:AdieuTRIGINTA:ASurpriseTRIGINTAUNUS:OrcoTRIGINTADUO:TheFirstCircleTRIGINTATRES:CaptainingtheFurinasTRIGINTAQUATTUOR:A

PactTRIGINTAQUINQUE:PositiveParchmentTRIGINTASEX:HyperboresTRIGINTASEPTEM:TheMightyFinnTRIGINTAOCTO:EnemiesbesideMeTRIGINTANOVEM:AnUnexpectedVisitorQUADRAGINTA:ASecond

SorceressQUADRAGINTAUNUS:OneGoodDeedQUADRAGINTADUO:ErisQUADRAGINTATRES:RubezQUADRAGINTAQUATTUOR:DeathBecomesHerQUADRAGINTAQUINQUE:TheLostSouls

QUADRAGINTASEX:VanishedQUADRAGINTASEPTEM:ATrustingHeartQUADRAGINTAOCTO:TheLastQUADRAGINTANOVEM:TheFourRemainingQUINQUAGINTA:TakingFlightAWugmort’sGuideto

WormwoodandBeyondAcknowledgmentsAbouttheAuthorCopyright

“Thepastisbutthepastofabeginning.”

—H.G.Wells

“Weedsareflowerstoo,onceyougettoknowthem.”

—A.A.Milne

“ToescapefromtheQuagmeansimprisonmentforever.”

—MadameAstreaPrine

ITSEEMEDBOTHfittingandevenabsurdlypoeticthat,hitchedtogetherlikelinksinachain,thethreeofuswoulddietogether.Buthaving

jumpedoffamile-highcliffwhilebeingpursuedbymurderousbeastsdidn’tleaveusmuchchoiceinthematter.Wehadliterallyleaptforourlives.Andnowwehadtolandproperlyorourfinalrestingplacewouldbedownthere.Fardownthere.Wefellalongway,far

longerthanIwouldhave

liked.Iglancedatmybestfriend,Delph,asweplunged.Hewaslookingatme,notinstarkfearbut,admittedly,withabitofanxiety.Mycanine,HarryTwo,ontheotherhand,wasgrinning,readyforouradventuretobegin.Thereasonwehadjumped

wasaroundmywaist.My

chain,Destin,allowedmetofly.ButIhadneverjumpedoffamile-highcliffandwewereplungingfasterthanIeverhadbefore.Itriedmybesttomanage

thelandingsmoothly,thoughwethuddedintothedirtwithampleforce.Wealljustlaytheremomentarilystunned.ButIsoonrealizedthatwhile

wewerebatteredandbruised,wewerealive.IunhookedHarryTwofrom

hisharness,whichhadallowedhimtorestsuspendedagainstmychest.IwatchedasDelphslowlyroseandstretchedhisarmsandlegstentatively.ThenIlookedupward,allthewaytothespotwehadsorecently

vacated.Ifwehadn’t,wewouldassuredlybedead.Thebeaststhathadbeen

huntingusnowstareddownovertheprecipice.Itwasaherdofgarmsandaroughlyequalnumberofamarocs.Evenwithoutbeingabletoseethemproperlyfromthisdistance,Iknewthescalygarms,withtheirownblood

perpetuallydrippingdowntheirarmoredchests,werebreathingrage-filledflamesatus.I’msuretheamarocs,giantwolflikecreaturesthatapparentlylivedfornootherreasonthantokill,lookedsimplyhomicidal.Yetnoneofthemappeared

willingtotakethemile-longdivethatwejusthad.Itwas

worthallthecoinsIwouldeverhavethatthesecreaturescouldnotflyasIcould.IlookeddownandpattedthechainaroundmywaistwiththelettersD-E-S-T-I-Nimprintedonsomeofitslinks.Ithadsavedmylifeonnumerousoccasionsalready,althoughIhadnotpossesseditforthatlong.

Icouldhardlybelieveit.IwasintheQuag.Me,VegaJane.IhadlivedmyentirefifteensessionsinthevillageofWormwood.ItwasallI’deverknown.Ihadbeentoldthat,otherthanthedeadlyQuag,itwasalltherewasinexistence.ButIbelievedthattobealie.TherewassomethingbeyondtheQuag,

andImeanttofindoutwhat.Iwasnotdoingthisfora

lark.IstronglysuspectedthatmyparentsandgrandfatherwereontheothersideoftheQuag.Whilemybrother,John,stilllivedinWormwood,hewasnottheyounginnocentladheusedtobe.ThesinisterandmurderousMorrigonehad

seentothat.Thus,mymissioninlife

wastogetthethreeofussafelythroughtheQuagasquicklyaspossible.Itmightbeanextremelyambitiousgoal,butitwasminenonetheless.Ibreathedmorenormally

andagainlookedoveratDelph.

“Wotcha,VegaJane,”hesaid.“Wotchayourself,Delph,”I

replied,failing,despiteourneardeaths,tokeepthesmileoffmyfaceathavingsuccessfullyenteredtheQuag.“Youreckonthoseruddy

beastscangetdownhere?”hesaid.

“IreckonIdon’twanttowaitaroundtofindout,doI?”Ishotback.Ihoistedmytuckovermy

shoulderandDelphdidthesamewithhis.IkeptHarryTwo’sharnessonincasewehadtotaketotheairquickly.ThemapoftheQuagthat

myfriendQuentinHermshadleftmewasverydetailed,but

thereweresometroublesomelapsestoit,nowIcouldsee.Forone,itdidnotmentionthecliffthatwehadjustjumpedfrom.And,correspondingly,Iwasnotpreparedforthevalleywenowfoundourselvesin.AndyetIhadseenQuentinentertheQuagonelight.That’sreallywhatstartedthiswhole

journeyforme.Hemusthaveknownwhatliesinhere.Themapgavemegeneral

directionsbutdidnotprovideapreciseroutetotakethroughthisplace.Iapparentlywouldhavetofigurethatoutonmyown.Ialsopossessedabook,whichI’dnickedfromQuentin’scottage,thatexplainedthe

sortsofcreaturesdwellinghere.Delphsaid,“Themaphasus

headinggenerallythatway.”Hepointed.“Towardthatmountain,wayinthedistanceoverthere.”Ihesitatedandthensaid

haltingly,“I…Idon’twanttostartthatsortoftrekatnight.Weneedtofindasafe

placetillfirstlight.”HelookedatmelikeIwas

completelymental.“Safeplace?InthebloodyQuag?Doyahearyourself,VegaJane?TheQuaghasmanythings,nodoubt,butsafeplacesain’toneof’em,Ireckon.”Ilookedaheadattheflat,

openexpanse.Therewere

treesandbushesandlong,sweepingfieldsofgrassslowlybendinginthebreezethatblewoffthecliff.Itlookedpeacefulandsereneandnotdangerousatall.Whichtoldmethattherewereprobablydozensoffoulthingslurkinginwaitthatcouldandwouldkillus,giventheslightestof

opportunities.Ilookeddownatmyfeet.

Whichwaytostep?IglancedatHarryTwo,whowasgazingupatmecuriously,apparentlywaitingformetomakeupmymind.Itstruckme,rather

uncomfortably,thatIwastobetheleaderhere.Blimey!WasIuptoit?Iwasn’tsure

thatIwas.Far,farinthedistancewasa

placethemapcalledtheMycanmoor.Itwasdescribedasadull,deadsortofplacethatwentonforaverylongway,andwhich,unfortunately,therewasnosurepatharound.Themapwasremarkablysilentastotheexactperilsthatlay

directlyinfrontofus.ButthebookI’dnickedfilledinsomeofthesedetails.Islippeditfromthepocket

ofmycloakandlitabitofcandlestubtoreadthepagesmoreclearlyinthedarkness.Delphlookednervously

overmyshoulder.“’Tisnaeagoodideatobelightingusupthatway,VegaJane.”

“Youknow,Delph,youcanjustcallmeVega.It’snotlikewe’refloodedwithfolksherenamedVega.AsfarasIcantell,infact,I’mtheonlyone.”Hetookalongbreathand

slowlyletitout,hiseyesbigascupsaucers.“O’course,rightyouare,VegaJane.”Isighedandstareddownat

thepage.Ibasicallyhadto

matchupthemapwithdescriptionsoftheplacesintheQuagwherethecreaturesdescribedthereindwelled.ItwouldhavebeenmucheasierhadQuentinHermsconvenientlyplacedallthisinformationinoneplace,buthehadn’t.Ifeltmyspiritsplummet

whenIfullyrealizedhowill

preparedIwas.AndhereDelphandHarryTwoweredependingonmetohaveaplan!HarryTwostartedgrowling.

Ilookeddownathim.Hishackleswereup,hisfangsbared,andIquicklygazedaroundtoseewhatwascausingthisreactioninmycanine.Buttherewasnothing

inthedarkness,atleastthatIcouldsee.IlookedatDelph.Hesaid,

“What’sgotinto’im?”AndthenInoticedit.My

caninewasbreathingheavilythroughhissnout.Hewasn’tseeingthedanger—hewassmellingit.Andinmyexperience,foul

smellsusuallyledtofoul

beasts.Itookawhiffoftheair,

wrinkledupmyfaceandglancedsharplyatDelph.“Doyousmellthat?”Hetookinachestfulofthe

airandthenexhaledit.“No.”Ithoughtrapidly.Iknew

thatscent,oratleastsomethingclosetoit.Andthenthecloudsinmy

mindslowlycleared.Poison.“Whatisit?”heasked

nervously.“I’mnotexactlysure,”I

replied,andIwasn’t.ButIhadsmelledthatsortofconcoctionbefore,backatStacks,thefactorywhereIwasemployedasaFinisher.Ipointedtotheleft.“Let’s

trythatway.”“Shouldn’twemaybefly?”

saidDelph.“Gettherefaster,won’twe?Letus…letusmaybeseewhat’scoming,before…beforeitgetsus,”hefinishedbreathlessly.Wewouldgettherefaster

flying.Butsomethinginthebackofmyheadsaidtoleaveourfeetfirmlyontheground.

Atleastfornow.Iwasonewhotendedto

followherinstincts.Theyhadservedmemorerightthanwrongovermysessions.Andthat’swhenIhappened

tolookup,andsawit.Orrather,them.Aflockofbirdswasracing

inperfectformationacrosstheNoc-litsky.This

surprisedmebecauseIdidnotthinkthatbirdsflewatnight,butperhapsthingsweredifferentintheQuag.AsIwatchedthebirdssoaralong,somethingverystrangehappened.Fromoutofnowhereappearedacloudofbluishsmoke.Thebirdsturnedsharplyto

avoidit,butafewcouldnot

maketheturnintime.Andwhenthesebirdspassedthroughthesmokeandcameouttheotherside,theywerenolongerflying.Theywerefalling.Becausetheyweredead.Istoodthere,paralyzed.

ThenIfeltsomethinggripmyarm.ItwasDelph.

“Run,VegaJane,”heyelled.“Run!”Asweran,Ilookedback

onceandwishedIhadn’t.ItwasacreatureIhadneverseenforrealbefore,butstill,Iknewwhatitwasbecauseadrawingofitwasinthebook.IglancedatDelphandknew

thathetoohadlookedbehindhimandseenwhatIhad.

Takingtotheairwoulddousnogood.Unlikethegarmsandamarocs,whatwasbackthereandcomingonfastwassomethingthatcouldfly.Itlookedlikeourjourney

throughtheQuagwasabouttoendbeforeithadeventrulybegun.

ITWASAfiendishinficiobehindus.Aninficiowasalarge

creaturewithtwomassivelegs,asetofpowerful

webbedwingsandalongscalytorsooutofwhichgrewaserpentlikeneckcappedbyasmallhead,whichwasfrontedbyblazingvenomouseyes,andamouthwithrazor-sharpfangs.Ifthatwasn’tenoughtoterrifysufficiently,theinficioalsoexpelledagasthatwouldkillanywhobreathedit,likethosepoor

birds.Ihadbeenrightinnot

takingtotheair.Wewouldalreadybedead.Delphlookedbackaswe

sprintedalong.“It’scomin’lower.Comin’

tokillus!”heyelled.“Run!”Ineededtodosomething.

Anything.Whywasmybrainsomuddled?Ihadjuststood

thereastheinficiowascomingtokillus.ItwasDelphwhohadtoldmetorun.“VegaJane!”screamed

Delphagain.Withoutreallythinking,I

reachedintomycloakpocket,pulledonmyglove,andthenmyfingersclosedaroundtheElemental.Initspresentstate,

itlookedcompletelyunimposing,onlythreeincheslongandmadeofwhatlookedtobewood.ButwhenIwilledittofullsize,theElementalgrewintoaspeartallerthanIwas,andabrilliantgold.IhadbeengiventheElemental—alongwiththeglovethatIwasrequiredtowearwhile

holdingtheElemental—onagreatbattlefieldfromlongago,byadyingfemalewarrior.ShetoldmeitwouldbemyfriendwheneverIneededone.Well,Ineededonenow.Ineededtodosomething.Irefusedtosimply…die.AsIlookedback,theinficio

wasclosingfast,itsclawed

feetnearlyontheground.Isawitsmightychestfillwithairandthenitexpelledabreath,whichbecameagreatcloudofbluesmokethatatitscenterhelddeath.Stillrunning,Iturnedand

preparedtohurltheElemental,guidingitwithmythoughts.WhenIletitfly,theElementalzippedpastthe

outeredgeofthesmoke,andthewakecausedbyitsspeeddisruptedthecloudofpoison,pushingitbacktowardthecreaturethathadreleasedit.Theinficioinstantlysoaredupward.Apparently,thoughthebeastwasthesourceofthedeadlyfumes,inhalingthesmokecouldharmittoo.TheElementalflewbackto

me.JustasIgraspedit,thegroundunderourfeetgavewayandweplummeteddownwardaboutfiftyfeet.Whateverwehitwassofterthanourlandingoffthecliff.Still,IfeltmyselfgaspandIheardDelphdothesame.HarryTwoyippedonce,butthatwasall.Irolledontomybackand

sawthedarkskydisappearingbehindthecoveroflargebranchesandrollsofmattedgrass.Theseelementswerebeinghoistedintoplacebywhatlookedtobeaseriesofpulleysandropes.Butthatcouldhardlykeeptheinficioatbay.Iexpectedittoburstthroughthisflimsycoveranddestroyus.

Buttheinficiodidnotcome.Instead,aheavynetfelloverusandwebecametangledinropessothoroughlythatIcouldbarelymove.IlookedtothesideandsawthatDelphandHarryTwowereinthesamepredicament.Aswelaytherestruggling,Iheardsomethingapproaching.Delphobviouslydidtoo,

becausehegrewquiet.IwilledtheElementaltoshrinkandplaceditinmypocketandthentookoffthegloveandplaceditinmyotherpocket.IreachedoutasfarasI

couldandtookDelphbythehand.Inalowtremulousvoice,I

said,“Bereadyforanything,

Delph.”Henodded.Ourgazeslockedforalong

moment.Ithinkwerealizedthatthismightbeitforus—twosimpleWugsfromWormwoodattemptingtocrosstheinsanelytreacherousQuag.Itseemedsoabsurdrightnow.Weneverstoodabloodychance.

“I’msosorry,D-Delph,”Isaid,myvoicebreakingasIfinished.Surprisingly,hesmiledand

rubbedmyhandgently,whichsentshiversupmyspine.Hesaid,“’Tisallright,VegaJane.Atleast,well,atleastwe’retogether,eh?”Inoddedandfeltasmile

creeptomyface.“Yes,”I

said.Ilookedbeyondhis

shoulderandsawlittorchessetintoholdersontherockwalls.Thisgavetheplaceashadowy,vaporousillumination.Itonlyaddedtomysenseoffearandforeboding.Whatwouldbecomingforusnow?IlookedpastDelphand

stiffened.Thereweredozensofpairs

ofeyeslookingbackatmefrombarelytenfeetaway.Asmyvisionadjustedtothefeeblelight,Icouldseethattheyweresmallishcreatureswithfierce,grimyfacesandstrong,toughenedbodies.Buttheirbackswerebentandtheirfingersdirtyand

gnarled,perhapsfromheavytoil.AstheygrewevencloserI

receivedanothershock.Theyhadmatsofgrassgrowingontheirexposedarmsandnecksandontheirfaces.IheardDelphquietly

mutter,“RuddyHel?”Thecolumnoflittle

creaturestransformedintoa

circleandtheysurroundedus.Iheardoneofthemcalloutinaseriesofgrunts.Whenthenetstartedtolift,Irealizedthathehadbeengivingtheinstructiontodoso.Theweightoftheropes

lessenedandweallthreestruggledtorise.Quickasaflash,the

creatureswhippedout

weaponsandheldthemattheready:smallswords,lances,pickaxesandlong,lethal-lookingknives.Andaboutadozenofthecreaturesheldsmallbowswithsharpenedarrowstuckedontostringsreadytofire.Wecouldnowseeour

captorsquiteclearly.Notonlywasgrassgrowingon

theirbodiesandfaces,buttheirhairwasgrassaswell.Outnumberedaswewere,I

thoughtafriendlyifdirectapproachbest.Isaid,“Hello.I’mVega.AndthisisDelphandHarryTwo.Whoareyou?”Theyallstaredblanklyback

atme.Theirfacesweresmallandwrinkly,buttheireyes

bulgedandwerequitepainfullyred.Icouldseenowthattheyweredressedinahodgepodgeofdirtyclothing:trousersheldupbystoutrope,oldshirts,frayedkerchiefs,stainedvests,oldcoatsandpeakedhats.Somehadonnickedmetalbreastplates.Othershadmetalcoveringsheldonwith

leatherstrapsovertheirthighs.Oneblokesportedacapmadeofrustyiron.Wedrewbackbecausethe

littlecreaturesweremovingforward,tighteningbyconsiderabledegreesthecircletheyhadformedaroundus.Theywerejabberingandgrunting,andapairofthempokeduswiththeirlittle

blades.“Oi!”Icriedout.“Youcan

keepthoseruddythingstoyourselves.”Thecreaturesdreweven

closer.Itookasuddenstep

forward.Thisobviouslysurprisedthem,andasagrouptheyjumpedback.Theonewhohadspokenbefore

gruntedagaintohisfellows.Hewastallerthantheothersandseemedtopossessanairofauthority.Iturnedmyattentiontohimandsaid,“Canyouspeakmylanguage?CanyouspeakWugish?”AndIreceivedanother

shock.OnesogreatIthoughtmyhearthadstopped.

Slowlywalkingtowarduswas,well,helookedlikeus,meaninglikeaWugmortfromWormwood.Hehadalltheapplicablepartsandhehadnograssgrowingonthoseparts.“Corblimey,”muttered

Delph,whoobviouslyhadalsoseenhim.Themalestoppedright

outsidethecircleofcreatures,whohadrespectfullypartedtoallowhimtopass.Isaid,“AreyouaWug?”Themalestoppedbarely

fivefeetfromme.HewastallandhadonagreencloakandIcouldseepointedshoespokingoutfromunderthehem.Hewaselderly;hishairwaswhite,aswashisbeard.

Hisfacewaslinedandremarkablypale;infact,itcompetedwithhishairforwhichwaswhiter.Thenitoccurredtomethatifheliveddownhere,theburnofthesunwouldnevertouchhim.“Notanymore,”he

answeredinahigh-pitchedvoice.“Ileftlongago.”Helookedatthecreaturethathad

gruntedbefore,andstartedspeakingtohiminafast,gutturalspeechthatwasimpossibletofollow.Again,mymindwasseized

withdirethoughts.WasthisblokeinhabitedbytheOutliers?OrwasheanOutlierhimself?BackinWormwoodwehadbeentoldofthesefiendishOutlier

creaturesthatsupposedlylivedintheQuag.WehadbeenwarnedtheywantedtoinvadeWormwoodandkillusall.AndithadterrifiedallWugmortsbecausewehadheardthesecreaturescouldlookjustlikeusandcouldeveninhabitthemindsofWugmortsandmakethemdotheirbidding.

Themalepointedtohisrightandsaid,“Thisway,ifyouplease.”Myheartinmythroat,we

headedinthatdirectionandthecreaturesfollowed.Wepassedfromthelarge,

tallcavetoasmalltunnel,whichwasneverthelesswelllightedwithtorchesonthewall.

Whenweenteredahigh,broadroomofstone,themalestoppedsoabruptlyIalmostwalkedintohim.HemotionedDelphandmepasthimandintothecavernousroom.HarryTwoobedientlyfollowed.WhenIlookedaround,the

breathseizedinmylungs.Therewerelittlenichesin

allthewallsthatroseupashighasIcouldsee.Andineachofthosenicheswasa—Skull.Itwasasifhundredsof

sightlesseyeswerestaringatus.IlookedoveratDelphand

foundhimgazingupwardtoo.PoorHarryTwostartedtowhine.Theentirespace

reekedofdeath.Themaleturnedtolookat

me.“Doyouknowwhattheyare?”Inodded,mystomach

churning.Hadhebroughtusherebecauseourboneswouldsoonbejoiningthese?“Wugskulls,”Isaidfearfully.“Lookmoreclosely,”he

saidwithasweepofhishand.

Istaredmorefixedlyattheskullclosesttomeandthenatnumerousothers.Ilookedbackatthemale.“Thesearen’tWugs.”Hesaid,“Theyarecreatures

oftheQuagwhoseektoharmus.”Icreptclosertoanother

skullonalowerniche.Itwasundoubtedlyafrek.I

recognizedthejawboneandthelongfangs.Nexttoitwasanamaroc.IhadseenaskullofoneofthoseatDelph’splaceinWormwood.Ilookedbackatthemale.

“Didyoukillthemall?”Hechortled.“Not

personally,no.”“How,then?”Iasked.Themalelookedmeupand

down.“Whoexactlyareyou?”“MynameisVega.Thisis

Delph.ThecanineisHarryTwo.We’refromWormwood.”Hesaidnothingtothis.“Haveyoubeenherelong?”Iasked.“Longerthanyourtallyof

sessions.”“Youhaveretainedyour

Wugspeechnicely,”Iobserved.“Indeed,”hesaid,staringat

me.“Whatdoyoucallthis

place?”Iasked.Helookedaround.“The

KingdomofCataphileofcourse.”Delphsaid,“What’sac-cat-

cata-whatsis?Andwho’sthe

bloodyking?”“Acataphileisacollector

andkeeperofbones.Andasyoucansee,wefitthatcriterionratherfine.Asfortheking,hereIam.Atyourservice.”Hegaveasweepingbowto

us.“You’retheking?”Iasked

incredulously.

“KingThorne,”heansweredwithadignifiedair.Isaid,“Howdoyougo

frombeingaWugmorttobeingakinghere?”Hespreadhishands.“Well,

Ilargelyfellinahole,asdidyou.”Hetookonadreamyexpression.“Thereismuchtobesaidforfallinginahole.Itopensupaworldof

possibilities.”Hepaused.“’Tisahumble,darkenedkingdom,but’tismyown.Andthusmakesitrightandjustandplenty,and,mostnotably,myhome.”DelphandIexchanged

nervousglances.Iwasbeginningtothinkthisblokewasmorethanabitbarmy.“Andwhatarethey?”Isaid

inasmallvoice,withaglanceatthecreatureswithgrassgrowingonthem.“Theyareekos.Thatisthe

Wugtranslationanyway.Theyarethehighestformoflifedownhere.Exceptformeofcourse.”“Iknowthereareother

creaturesdwellingonthesurfaceoftheQuag.Butyou

meanthereareotherformsoflifedownhere?”“Oh,yes.TheQuaghasan

abundanceoflifeofallkinds.Butcome.Wewillgiveyourefreshmentandaplacetosleep.”Heturned.Istoodthereopenmouthed.Refreshmentsandaplacetosleep?TheKingdomofCataphile?Ihadimagined

theQuagtobemanythings,butnotthis.Itwasturningouttobe,well,quitecivilized.Butthenagain,Iwasstillverymuchonmyguard.“Weoughttobegoing,

VegaJane,”mutteredDelph.Thekingwhirledaround

andlookedatmewithafaceasthoughIhadjusttoldhimIwasagarmindisguise.

“Jane?Thatisyourfullname?VegaJane?”Inodded.“Yes.”“Andareyourelatedto

VirgilJane?”“Hewasmygrandfather.

Didyouknowhim?”“Yesindeed.Ishewell?”“No.HesufferedanEvent.”

Inowknewthistobeuntrue,butIhadnoreasontoshare

thatwithhim.“AnEvent?Well,well.And

Virgiltoo,ofallWugs.”Heturnedtooneofthelittle

ekosandgruntedafewtimes.Severalofthemracedoff.Heturnedbacktous.“Asforleavingthisnight,I’mafraidthatisimpossible.TheQuagisadangerousplaceevenatlight.Atnightyouwillnot

survive.Now,areyouhungry?”Hedidn’twaitforananswer

butheadedoffatagoodclip,passingthroughanotheropeninginthestone.Wehurriedlyfollowed,with

theremainingekosrightatourheels.IdrewclosetoDelphand

begantowhisper.“Idon’t

likethisbloke.HelookslikeaWug,buthowcanhebe?”“Right,”Delphhissedback.

“WewouldaheardifaWugleftfortheQuag.LikewithHerms.”“HemightbeanOutlier.”Heshotmeaglance.

“Thoughttherewasnosuchthing.”“Whoknowsforcertain,

Delph?Iwaspreparedforfreks,garmsandamarocs,notaWugwhohashisownbloodykingdomofekoswithgrassgrowingonthem.NoneofthiswasinthebookoftheQuagthatIfoundatQuentinHerms’scottage.”“Aye,whichmeanswehave

noideawhat’scoming,VegaJane,oncewegetawayfrom

here.”Ifwegetawayfromhere,I

thoughtmiserably.

THEPLACEWEweretakenwasalarge,low-ceilingedcaveroughlyfortyfeetlongandtwentywide.Lightcamefromfiredsmokycandlesthat

werelineduponatablestruckfromsolidrock,withrough-hewnwoodenchairsallaround.Thornepointedtotheseats

andsaid,“Please,becomfortable.Themealwillbealongpresently.”Hetookaseatattheheadof

thetable.TherewasalargeTcarvedinthebackofhisseat.

Fortheking,Iimagined.DelphandIsharedacontemptuouslook.Whataginked-upgit.Isaid,“Thegrassthatgrows

ontheekos?”Thornesmiledapprovingly.

“Oh,younoticedthat,didyou?”Well,Icouldhardlymissit,

Ithought.“Sowhatisits

purpose?”“Ithelpsthemdowhatthey

do,”herepliedinacasualtone.Anoiseinthedoorway

madeusturnintimetoseefourekoscarryinginalargeplatter.Astheydrewcloserintothespreadofcandlelight,Icouldseewhatwasonit:greatclumpsandclawsof

somebeastwithfeatherandfurstillattached.Mystomachgavealurch.Butaroundthe“meat”werepotatoesandasparagusandbeansandpeppersandpurpleonions.AndIwasfairlycertainthatwasarutabagastaringoutatmefromunderwhatlookedtobeafurrythigh.“Blimey,”breathedDelph

withadisgustedlook.Metalplateswerethrustin

frontofus,withrudeforksandknivesmetal-forgedaswell.Oneekos,thetallonefrombefore,servedThornepersonally.ThenIreckoneditwasuptoustodothesameforourselves.Iavoidedtheclumpsand

clawsandfilledmyplatewith

thevegetablesandcoveredthemwithwhatIrecognizedasparsleyandbasilleaves.Delphdidlikewise,thoughIdidseehimtearoffachunkofmeatthatlookedratherwellsmoked.Agobletofwaterwasplacednexttomyplatebythehandofanekos,soIgotamuchbetterlookatthegrassgrowingonit.In

fact,someofitbrushedagainstmyhand.Itfelthardandprickly.Idranksomeofthewater,

andDelphdidalso.IletabitofmyrutabagafalltothefloorforHarryTwo.Delphfollowedwithasliceofhismeat.“Afinecanine,”said

Thorneasheworkedonwhat

lookedtobeawing,casuallypluckingofffeathersashedidso.“Thankyou.Soyouhave

waterresourceshere?”Itwasnotanidlequestion.WeneededwatertosurviveourjourneythroughtheQuag.“Anundergroundstream.

Quitetasty.”Delphspatapieceof

hardenedskinfromhismouthandmutteredsomethingabout,“Andwhycan’tthebloodyfoodbethesame?”Thornepointedtothehalf-

eatenjointofmeatinDelph’slargehand.“Whatyouhaveisabitofattercop.Don’tactuallycareforitmyself.ButthebuggersareplentifuluponthesurfaceoftheQuag

andquiteeasytotrap.”“Attercop?”saidDelph

quizzically.“Neverheardofit.”“Well,youmightknowitby

anotherterm:spider?”Withanenormouscough,

Delphexpelledhismouthfulofmeatandithitthewallopposite.IlookedatThorne,fearing

hisreactiontothis.Foralongmoment,Thorne

simplystaredatDelph,andthenhelookedattheslopofspidermeatslidingdownthewallofhiseatingroom.Whenheglancedback,heburstintoafitoflaughter,whichwesoonbothjoined.Afterwehadquieted,

Thornerubbedhiseyes.

“Delightful,”hesaid.“Nevercaredmuchforspidermyself,asIsaid.Chewy,youknow.Andthenofcourse,thereisthequestionofthevenom.Sticktotherutabagas.Theyneverleadyouastray,thenoblerutabaga.Nothingdodgyaboutdearoldrutabagas.”Wecontinuedtoeatour

meal,nowchattingpleasantly.Isaid,“Youmentioned

therewereotherthingslivingdownhere?”“Well,therearetheekosof

course.Quitecivilized.”Hestrokedhisbeardwithhisindexfinger.“Thentherearethegnomes.”“Thegnomes?”Isaid.Ihad

neverheardtheterm.“Yes,yes.Well,sometimes

Icallthemtheunders,youknow,because,well,theydigundertherockforthingsthatwerequire.Quitethesharpclawstheyhave.”“Andthat’sallthecreatures

livingdownhere?”Isaidinapromptingtone.Hescowled.“Well,there

arethebloodygrubbs.”“Grubbs?Whatdotheydo

foryou?”“Doforus?”Hebent

forwardandhisexpressionbecamesostill,itwaslikehehadbeentransformedtorock.“Theyattackus,”hesaidquietly.“Attackyou?”“Yes,”hesaid,hiseyes

narrowedtoslits.“Theywanttokillme.”“Butwhy?”Iasked.Heturnedbacktohismeal

withoutanswering.DelphandIexchangedapuzzledglance.Thisblokewasdefinitelymental.Ifeltthehairsonmyneckstarttotingle.“Andwhatdothegrubbs

looklike?”Delphasked

nervously.Thorneturnedaveryserious

eyetohim.“Theylooklikethelastthingyouwouldeverwanttoseecomingatyoufromoutofthedark,milad.Bloodyger-rubbs,”headdedinadisgustedvoice.“Wherearethey?”Isaid

breathlessly.“Downheresomewhere?”

“I’lltellyouwheretheyare.Theyarewhereyouleastexpectthemtobe.”Hestruckthestonetabletasharpblowwithhispalm,whichcausedDelphandmetojumpnearlyoutofourchairs.Delphaccidentallyspilledsomeofhiswater.HarryTwoimmediatelystartedlappingitup.

“NowyoumustgivemenewsofgoodoldWormwood,”saidThorneashewasheddownamouthfuloffoodwiththecontentsofhisgoblet.Iwasn’tconvincedhewasdrinkingsimplywater,forhefilledhisgobletfromtimetotimefromasilverflaskrestingathiselbow.“Forinstance,whoisChiefof

Councilnow?”heasked.“Thansius.”“Goodforhim.Welldone,

Thansius.”“Soyouknewhim?”I

asked.“Yes.Hewasagoodfriend

ofVirgil’stoo.”Hetookasipfromhisgoblet.“AndMorrigone’s,”I

added.

ThishadaremarkableeffectontheWug.Thecolordrainedfromhisfaceandhechokedonhisdraft.Regaininghisbreath,hesaid,“Morrigone,eh?”“Ifitwasalongtimeago

thatyouleft,shemighthavestillbeenveryyoung.Orperhapsnotevenbornyet.”“Yes,Idobelievethatshe

wasbornactually.”Watchinghimcuriously,I

said,“MorrigoneisonCouncilnow.”Hechortled,buttherewas

nomirthinhiseyes.“Whatelse?”heasked.Delphsaid,“Well,webeen

buildingthis—”Icutin.“IworkedatStacks,

asaFinisher,asIsaid.Delph

wasattheMill.”Delphshotmeaninquiring

glance,butIignoredhim.ThetruthwasIdidn’twantThornetoknowabouttheWall.IfThornewasanOutlierorhismindhadbeentakenoverbythem,thelastthingIwantedwasforhimtolearnabouttheenormouswallwewereconstructing

aroundWormwoodtokeepthoseveryOutliersout!Idecidedtogettothemost

importantissueIwantedtoaskhimabout.“IneverheardofanyotherWugheadingintotheQuag.Itisforbidden.”“Manythingswere

forbidden,”repliedThorneinamoresobertone.“Andyet

youappearonmydoorstep.WhatcausebringsyouintothemysteriousQuag?”“Curiosity,”Isaid

immediately.“Wewantedtoseewhatwasinhere.”“Andbeyond,”added

Delph.Mykickwastooslowtoforestallhim.“Thereisnothingbeyond

theQuag,”saidThorne

sharply,eyeinguswarily.“Soyou’vebeentotheother

sideoftheQuag?”Iaskedinnocently.“No,I’veneverbeenpast

here.”“Thenhowdoyouknow

there—”Heroseabruptly.“Ibelieve

thatweallareextremelytired.Nowyoursleeping

quartersareready.”Hegruntedandthesamelargeekosappeared.“Lucherewillshowyou

where.Offyougoandpleasantsleeptoyouboth.”Hehurriedaway.Lucgruntedonce.Harry

Twogaveabarkinreply.Apparentlysatisfiedthatweunderstood,Lucturnedand

walkedthroughthepassageway.Wehurriedafterthecreaturewithgrassforskinandgruntsforwords.Delphwhispered,“Areyou

sure’boutallthis?”“I’msureofnothing,Delph.

Absolutelynothing.”Ihadneverspokentruer

words.

WEWERELEDtoachamberthatwascoldandfilledwithshadowsthatseemedtoflickerandmoveabout.Therewasonetorch

onthewallandalitcandleonawoodenboxnexttoahardpalletonwhichlayablanketandapillow.IlookedatDelph,who

stoodinthedoorway.“Isitjusttheone,then,for

thebothofus?”hesaid,eyeingmenervously.WhenIshothimaglance,I

hadtohideasmilebecause

hisfaceturnedscarletandthebigWugquicklyglancedaway.Males.However,Lucwasalready

pullingonhisarmandpointingfartherdownthepassageandgruntingquitemadly.“Guessnot,”Isaidwitha

tinywave.“Supposetheseare

justmydigs.”IthoughtIsawDelphletout

asighofrelief,whichIwasn’tquitehappyaboutforsomereason.Hesaid,“Look,anything

comesup,justgiveaholler.I’llbeherefasterthan…well,prettybloodyfast,Icantellyouthat,”saidDelph,somewhatanticlimactically.

“Brilliant,youdothesame,”Isaid,feelinguneasyevenasIsaidthewords.Delphdisappearedwith

Luc,andHarryTwocameoverandsettleddownnexttothewoodenpallet.Idroppedmytuckinthecorner,satontherudebedandtookoffmycloak.Underneathwasmychain,whichIwouldnotbe

takingoff.InthepocketofmycloakwastheAdderStone,whichhealedprettymuchanything.AlongwiththeStonewastheglove.MyshrunkenElementalwasinmyotherpocket.Ipulledfrommycloakthe

ringThansiushadsentmebeforeIescapedintotheQuag.Ithadbelongedtomy

grandfather.IthadbeenfoundatQuentinHerms’scottage.IwastoldmygrandfatherhadsufferedanEvent,whichbasicallymeantthatonevanishedinto,well,nothing.Butthathadbeenalie.IhadlearnedthatmygrandfatherhadleftWormwoodofhisownaccord.

Ontheringwasthesymbolofthethreehooks.Ihadnoideawhatitmeant.IthoughtImightfindoutintheQuag.IthoughtImightlearnalotintheQuag.Iftheplacedidn’tkillmefirst.Ilaybackonthebedand

heldtheringuptotheflickeringcandle.Thehooksglistenedandglowedinthe

soft,bluishlight.Mygrandfatherhadtheverysamesymbolonthebackofhishand.IhadalsoseenthisexactsameringonthefingerofthedyingfemalewarriorwhohadgivenmetheElemental.Iputtheringon.Itwastoo

largeforanyofmyfingersexceptmythumb,whereit

rodesnugly.AsIlookedatitonme,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkthatIhadjustmadesomesortofunconsciousdecisioncommittingmetosomething.Ifeltmyeyesclose,therise

andfallofmycheststartedtoslowandIcollapsedintoadeepsleep.ButrightbeforeIcompletelydriftedoff,Icould

hearHarryTwo’scontentedsnoresashelaybesidemeonthefloor.Mydreamswerenot

pleasantones.Ineverycreviceofmymind,Iseemedtoencounterdanger.TimepassedandIslepton.WhenIfinallyawoke,Istartedtorise,butsomethingheldmeback.Iopenedmyeyes.And

gasped.Iwasinacage!Isatupandlookedaround.

Delphwaslyingnexttome,stillasleep.WhathadbeenkeepingmefromrisingwasHarryTwo.Hispawwasstillprotectivelyonmyshoulder.Thebarsofthecagewerestarkwhite.AsIdrewclosertothem,Icouldseewhy.

Theyweremadeofbones.IinstantlydrewbackwhenI

heardalaugh,afamiliarone.Ilookedtotherightand

theresatThorneonahugechaircarvedfromstillmorebones.Andallaroundthecagewereekosbearingweapons.Hepointedatthecagebars.

“Asyoucansee,wedomake

useofourlittle,uh,trophieshereintheKingdomofCataphile.”Withathrillofhorror,Isaw

fouritemsrestingonaslabofrocknexttohisseat.Destin,mychain,theAdderStone,mygrandfather’sringandthegloveIhadtousewhenholdingtheElemental.Itouchedmycloakandfeltthe

smalloutlineoftheshrunkenElementalstillinmypocket.Theymustnothavenoticeditorelsethoughtitofnoimportance.Ispokeloudly.“Whyarewe

inhere?Andwhydidyoutakemythings?”ThisrousedDelph,who

slowlysatupandthenleapttohisfeet.

“Whatthe—”hebegan,butIshushedhimandthenturnedbacktoThorne.“Whyareyoudoingthisto

fellowWugmorts?”Thornepointedinturnto

theAdderStone,thechain,theringandtheglove.“Whatarethesethings,

VegaJane?Iwoulddearlyliketoknow.”

“Why?”“Well,howelsecanImake

useofthem?”“You’renottomakeuseof

them.They’remine,”Isaidheatedly.IfeltwoozyintheheadandIsuddenlyknewwhy.“Youputsomethinginourwatertomakeusfallasleep,”Isaidaccusingly.Hepickedupthering.“I

haveseenthisbefore.Onyourgrandfather’sfinger.”Igrabbedthebarsofbones

andshookthem.“Letusoutofhere!Now!”“Youareinnopositionto

makedemands,mysillylittlefemale.”“I’mnotsillyandI’m

definitelynotlittle,”Ishotback.

“Tome,you’renearlyinvisible,soinsignificantareyou.”“Well,thenIguessyou

don’tneedmetotellyouwhattheyare,ifI’msobloodyinsignificant.”Hestoodupandstrolled

overtothecage,stoppingafootaway,andsmiledmaliciously.

“Youmustthinkthingsthroughalittlebetter.”HepointedatLuc,whoheld

abowwithanarrowperchedonthestring.HegruntedandLuccame

forward.Thornesaid,“Ijustordered

Luctokillthecanine.”“No!”Iscreamedand

immediatelythrustmyself

betweenLucandHarryTwoasLucbegantotakeaim.“Moveoutoftheway,

Vega,it’sonlyablastedcanine,”saidThorne.“He’smycanineandI’m

notmoving.SoyoucanjustgotoHel!”Hegruntedagainandfour

moreekoscameforwardwiththeirbowsandsurrounded

thecage.TheyalltookaimatHarryTwo.Icouldn’tbeinfourdifferentplacesatonce,soIendedupcoveringhimentirelywithmybody.“VegaJane!”shouted

Delph,andheputhisbigbodyoverbothofus.Thornedrewclosertothe

bones,adangeroussmileplayingoverhislips.“There

isamile-longdropfromacliffwhenenteringtheQuagtogettomykingdom.Howdidyoumanageit?”Myglancebetrayedme.I

lookedpasthim,totheobjectshe’dtaken.“Isee,”hesaid.“Now,

whichone?”WhenIdidn’tanswer,hepointedatLucwhilekeepinghisgaze

directlyuponme.“Onegruntfromme,Vega,andDelphisnomore.Iwilladdhisbonestoyourcage.Withhissize,they’llfillallthebloodygaps.Now,whichone?”“VegaJane,don’t,”shouted

Delph.Thinkingquickly,and

alreadyhavingsizedupThorneasvainandarrogant,I

said,“I’msureyoursecretsarefarmoreamazingthanmypitifulones.”Thorneappraisedmefor

aboutasliver.“Youknow,Ithinkyou’vehitonsomethingthere.Iactuallythinkitappropriatetoshowyouhowmymindworks.Thenyouwillunderstandthatitisfutiletoresistme.”

Hegruntedinrapidsuccessionandtheekossprangintoaction.Thebonecagewasopened,

andwithpokesandprodsfromswordsandspears,wewereherdedoutofit.Delphgrewclosetomeand

whispered,“He’samad’un,VegaJane.”“Iknowheis.”

“Wegottogetoutofhere.”Inoddedagain,butI

couldn’tthinkofasinglewayforustoaccomplishit.Thorneledusdownanother

passagewayuntilwecametoafarlargercavethantheonewehadleft.Iheardthesoundofsomethingpoundingintorocklongbeforewereachedit.Aswecameintothespace,

Icouldbarelybelievemyeyes.Itwasamountainofrock

underground.Andswarmingoveritwerelittlecreaturesinworkclothesandsportingredwoolencapsandhighleatherbootsthatcoveredmostoftheirshortlegs.“Theaforementioned

gnomes,”saidThorne,

pleasantlyenough.Thegnomesstoppedwhat

theyweredoingandturnedasthoughhookedtogether,tostaredownatusfromtheirmountain.“Comecloser,”saidThorne

enticingly.“I’msureourlittlefriendswouldsimplylovetomeetyou.”Well,neitherDelphnorI

wantedtomovecloserandmeetanything,buttheprodsinthebackfromtheekosforcedtheissue.Whenthegnomescame

morefullyintoview,Iflinched.Itwasn’tjustthattheirfacesweredeathlypaleandprunishandevil-looking.Itwastheirhands.Or,rather,wheretheirhandsshould

havebeen.Instead,theyhadlongclaws

thatlookedasstrongasmetal.Theywerecurvedanddeadlysharp,althoughtheywerecoveredindirtfromtheirworkontherock.Theirlipscurledbacklike

attackcanines,revealingyellowish-blackteeththatwererottedandmisshapen.I

putahanddowninfrontofHarryTwobecauseIwasafraidhemightgoafterthem.Andasstrongandbraveashewas,hewouldhavenochanceagainstahundredgnomeswithsabersforhands.Thornegruntedrapidlyand

thegnomesfellbackasthearmedekosadvancedon

them.So,Ithought,thegnomeswereobviouslykeptincheckbyforce.IglancedatDelphand

couldtellhewasthinkingthesamething.Thornesaid,“Doyouknow

whatthey’reminingoffthatrock?”Ilookedathim.“No.”Heclappedhishands

togetherandoneofthegnomesranoffbutwasbackinajiffy,heftingalargebucketmadeofwoodandencircledwithmetalbands.Thornetookitfromhimas

thegnomerespectfullysweptoffhiscapandbowed.Icouldseethathishairwasbushyandfilthy.Andfromthesmellswaftingoffthe

thing,Icouldtellthatbathingdidnotoccupyasliverofthecreature’stime.Thorneheldupthebucket

sothatIcouldseeinside.Itwasfilledwithblackishpowder.“Stilldon’tknowwhatit

is?”askedthekinginanamusedtone.Delphanswered,“Looks

likemortapowder.”Thorneseemedimpressed.

“Well,well,brainsandbrawn.Butyou’renotexactlyright.It’snotyetmortapowder,butitwillbe.”Hepointedtothehighrockthegnomeswereworking.“Thatstonehastwoofthethreeelementsnecessarytomakethepowder.Thethirdis

charcoal,whichmustcomefromtreesontheQuag’ssurface.Ibroughttherequisiteformulawithmehere,andtheekos,onceItrainedthemupabit,aredelightfullyefficientindoingtheappropriatemixing,compressionandothertasksnecessary.Indeed,theyarequitegoodatbuildingmany

things.”Hethrustthebucketbackintothegnome’sclawsandwavedhimoffwithacasualflickofhishand.Thecreatureinstantly

obeyed,butasIkeptmygazeonhim,Icouldseehimlookbackwithasullenexpressionasheclackedhisclawsominouslyagainstthebucket’sside.

Thorneclappedhishands,andthegnomesreturnedtotheirwork.Imarveledathowrapidlytheytorethroughtherockanddirtwiththeirclaws.Theywerelikeantsflittingthroughgrainsofsand.Thorneledthewaydown

anotherpassage.Wearrivedatalarge,stoutwoodendoorwithablackenediron

keyhole.Thorneproducedakeyandopenedit.WefiledinsideandasIsawwhatwasthere,Igasped.Itwasalargeroom,and

fromfloortoceiling,itwasfilledwithmortas.Tall,shortandevensomein-betweenmodelsIhadneverseenbefore.Theywereallshinyandlookedinperfectworking

order.“Youwouldneedfurnaces

andDactylstomakethese,”Inoted.“Wehaveboth,”replied

Thorne.“Plusagreatmanyotherskilledekos.Theyhaveproventhemselvesquiteadaptabletomyteachings.”Thornewalkedovertoa

cornerandpattedathick-

barreledcontraptionthatwasbracketedbytwowoodenwheels.“Wecallthisacannon,”hesaid.Hepointedtoanothersectionofwall,wheremanycrateswerestacked.“Andpowderandammunitionfortheweapons.”Delphwasstaringupwardat

theshelvesandstacksof

shinymortas.Hesaid,“Whatd’yaneed

allthesefor?”ButsomehowIalready

knewtheanswer.“War,”Isaid.“You’re

planningongoingtowar.”Thornesmiled,evenas

Delphexclaimed,“Corblimey!”Iadded,“Andyou’renot

goingtowaragainstbeastsintheQuag.”Thorneshookhisheadand

smiledevenmorebroadly.“Whatwouldbethepoint?”Ifinishedmyhorrible

thought.“You’regoingtowaragainstWormwood.”

WAR?AGAINSTWORMWOOD?”exclaimedDelph.HestaredoveratThornelikehewantedtoriphimapart.“Areyounutters?”

Thornegavehimawitheringlook.“IcanassureyouthatIaminfullpossessionofmyfaculties,mybrawnybloke.”Thorne’sstatementhadhit

meashardasacollisionwithagarm.Ifeltsicktomystomach.ThroughmymindflashedthehorrorsthatwouldresultfromwhatThornewas

planning.MyvillageofWormwood,alltheplacesIknewsowell,Stacks,theCare,Steeples,Councilbuilding,Loons,andmyoldfamilyhome,alllayinruin.Andstarkerstill,IsawpilesofWugmortsdeadfrommortawounds.EvenmightyThansiusandmagicalMorrigone.

Chiefly,though,Isawmybrother,John,lyingdead,hiseyesfrozen,hisfeaturesstill,hismagnificentmindgoneforalltime.Withcolddreadbutasteely

resolveIturnedtoThorne.“Thereisoneproblem,”I

saidfirmly.Thornestudiedme,hiseyes

crinklingandanarrogant

smileplayingoverhislips.“Oh,youthinkso?”heasked.“Dotell.”“It’saheavyproblem,”I

saidcryptically,thoughIcouldtellheknewexactlywhatImeant.“Oh,yes,indeeditis,”

repliedThorne.“You’velaidthemalletdirectlyonthenailhead,Vega.Icanseethat

you’veinheritedthebrainsofyourgrandfather.You’rethinkingofthemile-longrisewewillneedtoreachthetopofthatcliff,eh?”Delphsaidemphatically,

“Youcan’tclimbit.Notwithallthosemortas,cannonandekos.”“Quiteimpossible,”agreed

Thorne.

“Andyacan’tgotowarwithoutyourbloodyarmy,”Delphsaid,atriumphantlookonhisfeatures.“Well,Iwon’thaveto,will

I?”saidThornepatronizingly.“Letmeshowyou.”Theroomwenowentered

throughamassiveportal,whichThorneunlocked,wasfarlargerthananywehad

seensofar.Mygazequicklyflittedtowhatdominatedeventhisenormousspace.“WhatintheHelisthat

thing?”gaspedDelph.Therewasahugestructure,

rectangularinshapeandmadeofwood,thatlookedrigorouslyconstructed.ItremindedmeofthewatervesselsfisherWugsused

backinWormwood,onlyfarlarger.Itcouldeasilycarryhundredsofekos.Connectedtoitssideswerelong,stoutropes.Butsuspendedoverit,highintheair,wassomethingthatdwarfedeventhemammothwoodencarrier.Itwasblackandroughlytheshapeofacircle,thoughitwasthinneratthebaseand

wideratthetop.Thestoutropesfromthewoodenstructurewereconnectedtoaframethatwasinturnattachedtothisthing.Itwasflattenedandsuspendedbyotherropesfromthehighceiling.“That,myfineWug,”said

Thorne,“istheculminationofmanysessionsofwork.”He

wavedhishandatit.“Itis,infact,anaeroship.”Delphlookedathim

blankly.“Anaeroship?”“Itflies.”Hepointedup.

“Aero.Upthere.”“How?”demandedDelph

heatedly.Icouldfeelwavesofanger

risingoffhim.IgrippedDelph’sarmtightlyand

lookedathim,tryingtocalmhimbeforehedidsomethingwemightallregret.Thornemotionedtothe

flattened,suspendedobject.“ThatiswhatItermabladder.Onceitisfilledwithheatedair,thebladderwilllifttheunderneathcarriagequiteeasily.AndIhavefashionedcertaincontrolsthatwill

allowmetoguideitspath.Bymycalculations,itwillliftmyarmyandallitsequipmentinaveryfewexcursions.Then,wewillmakeourwaytoWormwood.OurtriumphantmarchtoWormwood,rather.”“Buthowareyougoingto

getthiscontraptionoutofhere?”

Hepointedupwardagain.“Muchastheholeyoufellin?Well,wehaveduguptothetopthere,thoughit’swellcoverednow.Theholewehavefashionedisfarlargeenoughformyaeroshiptobelaunchedthrough.”“Whydoyouwanttoattack

Wormwood?”Iaskedfiercely.“You’reaWug.”

“Well,thetruthisIdidn’tchoosetoleaveWormwood.Iwasforcedtoleave.”“Really?”Isnapped.“And

you,suchaniceblokeandall.”“Enough,”hebarked,his

madeyesnarrowing.“I’vetoldandshownyouallthatIplanto.Irequireanswersfromyou.AndIwillhave

themnow!”Hegruntedseveraltimes

andLucbroughtoverDestin,theAdderStoneandtheglove.“It’syourturntospeak.”Thornegruntedoncemoreandweweresurroundedbybow-and-arrow-wieldingekos.HalftookaimatDelph,theotherhalfatHarryTwo.Icouldn’t

defendthembothatthesametime.Ihadnochoice.Delphgazedatme.Icould

tellheknewwhatIwasgoingtodo.Heshookhishead,butIignoredhim.IfIlostDelph,therewouldbenopointgoingonanyway.“Thechainallowsoneto

fly.Thestonecanhealwounds.”

Helookedsuitablyintrigued,ifabitskepticalofmywords.“Indeed?Andtheglove?”“IhadthepairbutIlostone

whenwewererunningfrombeastsintheQuag.Ithasnopowers,”Iadded,whichwasperfectlytrue.“Well,let’stryoneout,

shallwe?”hesaid.

Hegruntedafewmoretimes,eachonelouderandmoreauthoritativethanitspredecessor.Severalekosshotforwardandpickedmeupcleanofftheground.“Stop!”shoutedDelph,but

heandHarryTwowereinstantlysurroundedbyawallofarmedekos.Ishouted,“It’llbeokay,

Delph.”IknewwhatIwasgoingtodo.Theekoscarriedmeback

intotheroomwherethemountainofrockandtheminergnomeswerelocated.Thornefollowedus,asdidDelphandHarryTwo,attheswordendsofthetrailingekos.Thornetossedthechainto

me.“Nowproveyourstatement,”hesaid.Iwrappedthechainaround

meevenastheekosclamberedupthemountainofrock,carryingmeallthewaytothetop.Theywerestrongandtheirgrassesscratchedandirritatedmyskin.Wereachedaledgeattheverytopoftherock.Theekosset

medown.Iheardgruntsfrombelow.Thornewasobviouslygivinghisfinalinstructions.Thegitneedn’thavebothered.Iwasn’tgoingtowaittobeforcedofftheledge.Whenapairofekosreached

outtome,Ipushedthemawaysohardtheyfellbackagainsttherockwall.

“Buggeroff!”Icriedout.IlookeddownatThorne

withasmuchdefianceasIcouldpossiblymuster,whichwasn’thard.AndthenIjumped.Isoaredstraightdownward.

IlookedatnooneotherthanThorne.Iwantedhimtoseetherevulsiononmyface.Helookedstunned,which

ordinarilywouldhavemademesmile.ButmyangerwassuchthatallIcoulddowasstaredaggersathimasIfell.Atthelastinstant,Iliftedmyheadandshouldersandpointedmyarmsupward.Isoaredoverthemandthenliftedup,up,up,untilIlandedbackneatlyontheledge.

Theekosalldrewawayfromme.Ilookedtriumphantlyat

Thorne.Hesmackedhishands

severaltimesbywayofapplauseandthenbeckonedmetojoinhimbelow.Ijumpedoncemoreandlandednimblyrightnexttohim.Helookedatmeslyly.

“Fromwheredidyoucomebysucharemarkablethingasthat?”“YouknowStacks?”He

nodded.“Ithasroomsthataresecret.Ifounditthere.”Helookedlostinthought

foramoment.“AndStackswasnotalwayswhatitisnow.”“That’sright.DidJulius

Domitartellyouthat?”“Alas,DomitarandIdidnot

seeeyetoeyeonmuch.”“Well,myrespectforhim

justincreasedahundredfold.”“Youwoulddowelltohold

yourtongue,Vega,”hesaid,soundingdangerous.HepointedtoDelph.“Sayyouaresorryfordisrespectingme.”

“I’msorry.”However,mystubbornfeatures,Iknow,betrayedthisasalie.“Thereisapricetobepaid

forlyingtoKingThorne.”Hegruntedtothegroupof

ekosandbeforeIcouldreact,ithappened.Oneoftheekosshotan

arrowintoDelph’sthigh.Hescreamedandtoppledtothe

rockyground,holdingontotheshaftthathadsuddenlysproutedfromhislimb.“Delph,”Iscreamed.Irushedtohim.Bloodwas

pouringoutofhimfartoofast.Irippedoffpartofmysleeveandusedittotryandstanchthebleeding.Butitkeptpouringout.Delph’sfaceturnedchalkwhiteand

hestoppedscreaming.Hesankflattothefloor.HarryTwostoodinfrontof

usboth,hisfangsbaredasthoughdaringanyoftheekostocomecloser.“Oh,Vega?”IturnedtolookatThorne.

HewascasuallyholdinguptheAdderStone.“Mightyouwanttotrythis?

Yourpurportedhealingrock?”NowIknewwhyhehad

Delphshot.AsawaytoprovethatwhatIhadsaidabouttheAdderStonewastrue.Aswellastopunishmeformydisrespect.Iheldupmyhand.“Tossit

here,quickly.”“Sorry,Idon’tthinkthat

wasquitewhatIwaslookingfor,”hesaidsmoothly,hismannerunhurried.Swallowingbothmypride

andanger,Isaidinapleadingvoice,“Please,KingThorne,mightIhavetheStonetohelpmyfriend?Please,OKing?”“Now,that’sbetter.See

whatabitofrespectandpolitenesscanmanage?”

HethrewtheStonetome.IcaughtitandinstantlywaveditoverDelph’sleg,thinkinggoodthoughts.Notonlydidthewoundheal,thearrowslidfreefromhisthighanddroppedtotherockwithoutasmidgeofhisbloodonit.Delph’sbreathingreturned

tonormal,thoughhewasstilldeathlypale.Heslowlyrose

fromthefloor.“’Tisokay,VegaJane,”he

said,butthefearwasevidentinhiseyes.“ThanksfordoingtheStoneoverme.”InabreathlessvoiceIsaid,

“Don’tthankme,Delph.Itwasmyfaultyougotshot.”WhenIturned,Thornewas

rightnexttome.“Whatdidyouhavetodoto

causesuchacure?”heasked.“Don’ttellhim,VegaJane,”

shoutedDelph.Ilookedoverathim.Again,Ihadnochoice.AdozenarrowswouldbeflyingatDelphifIdidn’t.“YouwavetheStoneover

thewoundandthinkgoodthoughts.”“Doesitworkonallliving

things?”heaskedeagerly.Iknewwhyheaskedthis.

HewouldwantittohealtheekosincaseanywereinjuredduringhisattackonWormwood.“I’veuseditonmycanine.”“Canitbringbackthe

dead?”“No,”Isaidemphatically.

“Norcanitregrowlimbsthat

havebeenlost.Itriedthatonceanditdidn’twork.”“Pity,”hesaid,snatching

theStonefromme.“Butstill,ithasitsuses,I’llgrantyouthat.Youwillofcourseteachmehowtoflywiththechain.”Iwasabouttoscreamout,ThebloodyHelIwill,youkingofthegits,butI

refrained.Imightjusttakeanarrowtothehead.“Itwilltaketime,”Isaidevenly.“It’snoteasytotrainsomeoneuptofly.”“Well,it’snotlikeyou’re

goinganywhere.Everagain.”Despitetheclearmenace

behindhiswords,Ibreathedabiteasier,thoughIdidn’tletmyfeaturesexpressthis.At

leastwewouldbeallowedtolive,untilwecouldfigureoutawaytoescapethisplace.Thornemadesuretopocket

theStoneandthering.Hedidnot,however,take

theglove.Whenhewasn’tlooking,Islippeditintomycloak.Fromoutofthecornerofmyeye,IcaughtagnomestaringatmeasIdidthis.It

wasthesamebandy-leggedcreaturethathadfetchedthebucketforThorne.Atfirst,Ithoughthewasgoingtotellonme,buthejustlookedatmestonilybeforeturningawaytojabberwithoneofhismates.Imarchedalongbehind

ThornewithDelphandHarryTwoatourheelsandthe

brigadeofarmedekosbringinguptherear.Delphwhispered,“Why’d

youtellhimaboutthebleedingStone?AndshowhimwhatDestincando?”“Delph,hewouldhave

killedyouifIhadn’t.”“So?”IwassostunnedIstopped

walking.Aprodintheback

fromanekosmademestartupagain,butIlookedatDelphinastonishment.“Youwantedtodie?”“Iwantyoutosurvive,to

getthroughthishereplace.”“I’mnotgettingthroughit

withoutyou,”Irepliedheatedly.“I’mnotthatimportant,

VegaJane.Notreally.You’re

theonewhatneedstolive.LikethefemalewhatgaveyoutheElementalsaid.”“Notimportant?”Ihissed

back.“You’reallI’vegot,Delph.Ican’tgothroughtheQuagwithoutyou.Iwon’t.”Hisfacegrewredandhe

lookedaway.IknewDelphsowellthatIunderstoodhewassearchingfortheright

wordstosaybacktome.“Well,neitherwillI,”he

said.“Bothornothing,eh?”“Yes.”Hedrewclosertome.

“ThenwhatI’ddoisgethimuphigh-likewithDestinandwhentheblokeleastexpectsit,droptheprat.”Inoddedslowly.Thisplan

wascertainlytempting.Butif

wekilledtheking,whatmighthisminionsdotous?Thorneledusbacktothe

roomwherewehaddined.Littorchesstilllinedthewall.Hesatatthetable,drewaknife,slicedopenhisfingerandthenwavedtheStoneoveritand,Isupposed,thoughtgoodthoughts.Thewoundinstantlyhealed.

Hesmiled.“Wewillbegintheflightlessonsnextlight,”hesaid.“Youwillbetakenbacktothecageuntilthen.”Thornewasintelligent,

crafty,vainandmercurial.Adifficultcombinationtocorral,butIneededtotry.“Surelyyouhavesufficientguardstowatchoveruswithoutresortingtothat,”I

said.“You’llbeinvadingWormwoodsoonenoughwithyourmightylegions.Comparedtothat,Idoubtthatthethreeofuswillposemuchofachallenge.Wearetotallyinyourpower.”Thornerubbedhisbeard

whileIstoodtherewatchinghim.IcouldhearDelphbreathingheavilynexttome,

nodoubtwonderingifanotherarrowwouldsoonbefindingitswayintohisbodybecauseofmoreinsolentremarksfromme.However,myplanworked

andwesoonfoundourselvesbackintheroomwhereIhadslept.Theekosleftthethreeofus

there,butInotedthatapair

ofthemwasstationedrightoutsidetheopeningtotheroom.Isatonthewoodenpallet

withDelphnexttome.HarryTwosidleduptome.AsIpettedhim,Delphsaidinalowvoice,“It’snotenoughforustoescapethisplace,VegaJane.Inhisblastedaeroship,Thornecanflyright

overtheWall.”“We’llneverletthat

happen,Delph.Never!”“Soyougotaplan?”he

askedeagerly.“Um,it’sformingrightnow

inmymind,”Isaidlamely.Ilaydownonthepallet.“Ijustneedtosleeponitisall.”“Sleep!”exclaimedDelph

incredulously.“Areyadaft?

Howcanyouthinkofsleepwithallthisgoin’onandall?I’llnotsleepawink.Naeawink!”headdedemphatically.“Brilliant,thenyoucan

keepwatch.”Iclosedmyeyes,andHarry

Twosettleddownnexttome.AsIexpected,shortly

thereafter,IheardDelph’s

softsnores.Hewasstretchedoutonthehardfloornexttothepallet,soundasleep.Hisfeatureswerepeaceful.Idoubtedthatwouldlast,butIwasgladhecouldhavethatfeelingfornow.Ipulledtheblanketoffthepalletandcoveredhimwithit.Itookanotherlookat

Delph’sfeaturesand,despite

ourdesperatecircumstances,Ifeltmyselfgoabitwilly.Hewasverytall,aboutsixandahalffeet,withhugeshoulders,longdarkhair,awideforeheadthatcrinkledwhenhewasembarrassed,whichwasoften,andeyesthatweredeepandbrooding.Hewassobrave.And,well,justsuchagoodWug.Hehad

neverletmedown.Never!Andthenmyheartfeltlike

ithadbeensplitinhalf.Delphwasexpectingmetohaveaplan,toleadhimandHarryTwooutofhere.AndalsotosaveWormwoodfromthemadking.YetIhadnothing.Iwasnotaleader.Iwasaloner.Ihadalwaysbeenaloner,more

comfortableupmytreebackinWormwoodwithonlymythoughtsascompanions.Butnow…?IfeltcrippledbytheabsolutecertaintythatIwasgoingtoletbothDelphandHarryTwodown.Ilaybackonthepallet

knowingfullwellthatsleepwouldnotbecomingforme.Ihadnoplan.Andwithouta

plan,wehadnochancetosurvive.

WEWEREROUSTEDfromourbedsbyroughhandsthatpulledusawake.Itwasagroupofekos,led

byLuc.

“Allright,allright,”mutteredDelphashestood,toweringoverthem.Istretchedandfeltkinksin

myarmsandshoulderspop.Ihadbeendreamingsomething,butIcouldn’trememberwhat.Theypushedusoutofthechamberanddownapoorlylitpassageway.Icouldhearthe

soundsofdiggingandIfiguredthatThorne’sminionslaboredalllightandnight.Hestruckmeasthatsortofking.Wefiledintoadark

chamberwithadirty,pebble-strewnfloor.Here,wewereforcedatswordpointtositonourbumsandwait.Withinafewslivers,Thorne

walkedin.Hewasdressedin

trousers,bootsandalong,looseshirt.“Canwegetsomethingto

eat?”Iasked.“Afterwe’veflown,”said

Thorne.“Itisearlyyet;yourhungerwillhold.”Ibristledatthis,figuring

thathisbellywasnodoubtalwayskeptfull.“Doyouhavethechain?”I

asked,bitingbackmyanger.Ididn’twantDelphstruckwithanotherarrow.HeliftedhisshirtandIsaw

itstrappedaroundhiswaist.Seeingmychainonhimmademyfaceflush.Hesmiledatmyobviousdiscomfort.“Tothewinnergoallthespoils,Vega.”“Right,”Isaidbriskly.

“Well,let’scrackon.”Wewerejoinedbyadozen

ekos.Theyallcarriedshort-barreledmortasandpouchesofpowderandammo.Wemadeourwayupasetofstepsinthesamechamberthatwehadfallenintothepreviousnight.Withthecrankingofgears,

andekosstrainingonropes

below,theceilingcanopyrose,revealingthebluesky.AsweclamberedontothesurfaceoftheQuag,thedozenekosracedpastusandformedaperimeter,theirweaponsreadyandtheirgazesscanningbothskyandland.Theylookedliketheyhaddonethisbefore.Thentheyremovedtheirpeaked

capsandputthemintheirpockets.Next,theysankdowninto

thelonggrasses.Exceptfortheireyes,theywerecompletelyinvisible.NowIunderstoodthegrassontheirarmsandheads.Theyhadadaptedtotheirenvironment.IshotaglanceatDelphand

sawthathehadnotedthis

too.“Blimey,”hesaid.“Figger

medadwouldhavelikedtoseenthat.”Inoddedandglancedat

Thorne.Hewasscanningtheskies,andthenhisgazeswepttheareawewerein.Hegruntedatanarmedekos,whocameforwardandrelinquishedhisweaponto

Thorne.Thorneexpertlyexaminedthemorta,raisedittohisshoulder,swiveledaround,aimedintotheairandfired.Amomentlaterabirdfellfromthesky,mortallywounded.Thornehandedthemorta

backtotheekosandgavemeaderisivelook.“Unlikeyou,Vega,IcameintotheQuag

armedandready.However,whenIfellinthehole,IthoughtIwasfinished.ButwhenIfiredoffthefirstmortaroundattheekos,theyscatteredlikedormice.Afterthat,theycamebacktomeontheirkneesandit’sbeenthatwayeversince.Thatwastheeasypart,actually.Thehardpartwasteachingthe

blighterstodothings,makethings.IplantoreturntoWormwoodintriumph.That’stheonlythingthat’skeptmegoingallthistime.Nowlet’sgetonwithmylesson,Vega.Howdoyouwanttoproceed?”“Ihavetogowithyou,”I

said.“Howisthatpossible?”

Iindicatedthestrapsstillhangingfrommychest.“Whycan’tyoujusttellme

whattodo?”hecountered.“Fine,”Isaid.“Youjump

straightuporgetarunningstartandleapintotheair.Youpointyourhandswhereyouwanttogo.Shouldersandheaduptogainheight.Reversethattogodown.

Rightbeforeyoutouchtheground,slipyourfeetdownwardsoyoucanlandonthem.Butifyoubotchanyofthatwhileyou’reuptherebyyourself,we’llneedsomethingtopickupthepiecesofyouwith.”Thorne,ifitwaspossible,

paledevenmorethanhealreadywas.

“Let’stryityourwayfirst,”hesaidwithasmuchdignityashecouldmuster.Iheldoutmyhand.“Letme

havethechain,then.”“Why?”heasked.“IfI’mcontrollingthe

flying,Ineedtohavethechain.”Heliftedhisshirt,removed

it,handeditoverandthen

stoodwithhisbacktomewhileIstrappedhimintotheharness.Heglancedbackatme.

“Justremember,Vega,thatyourfriendandyourcaninewillbesurroundedbymyekos.Ifanythinghappenstome,theydie.”Iturnedawaysohewould

notseetheutterhatredonmy

face.“Iunderstand.”Destin,Icouldtell,had

beenicecoldwhilearoundThorne’swaist.Nowthelinkswarmedtomytouch.Thatgavemecomfort.“Becausewe’retied

together,we’regoingtohavetojumpstraightup.Justmimicmymovements.Right,then,onthecountofthree.

One…two…three!”Onthelastnumber,Ikicked

offhard,andsodidhe,albeitalittlelate.Weroseawkwardlyintotheairandthenquicklygainedbothspeedandheight.Islowlyliftedmyfeetinto

theair,drawinghiswithmine.Weleveledoutandsoaredalong.Thewind

pushedharshlyintomyeyesandtheystartedtowater.FrommycloakpocketIpulledoutthegogglesthatIhadusedatStacks.Thornehadnottakenthesefrommebecausetherewasnothingspecialaboutthem.Butwiththegoggleson,Icouldseeclearlyandnotbetroubledbythewindinmyeyes.

Thorne’slonghairblewintomyface,butItuckeditundertheharness’sleatherstrapsanditstayedthere.Thornesaid,“Thisis

absolutelyincredible.”ThoughIdespisedhim,I

nearlylaughedatthewonderinhisvoiceandwords.ItwasexactlyhowIhadfeltwhenIfirsttooktotheair.

IledhimthroughthesamedrillsthatIhadwithDelph.Westayedupforawhile,doingascentsanddescents,changingdirection,soaringaroundtreesandoversmallhills.WhileThornegazedaroundspellbound,IwastakingineverydetailandcomparingittothemapoftheQuagIhadinmyhead

andtowhatIhadseenfromthecliffwhenwefirstenteredtheQuag.AndwithwhatIwasseeing,

IthoughtImightbesick.Thedark,fog-shrouded

riverIhadspottedtothewestfromthecliffhadmovedtothenorth.Theforestedmountaintothenorththathadlookedbluehadshiftedtothe

east.Andtherockyslopewasnolongereventhere.IsaidtoThorne,“Whatis

thatmountaininthedistance?”“Ihavenoidea,having

neverbeenthere.”“Isupposeit’salwaysbeen

there,though,”Isaid.“Imean,wheneveryou’vecomeupandlookedatit,the

thing’sbeenrightwhereit’salwaysbeen?”HeturnedhisheadandI

couldseeafaintsmile.“Ifyou’rereferringtohowthingsintheQuaghaveatendencytomovethemselves,thenyes,Ihavenoticedthat.”Iexclaimed,“Howcana

mountainorrivermove?It’simpossible,isn’tit?”

“YouwillfindthatnothingintheQuagisimpossible,”hesneered.Itseemedbarmytobelieve

suchathingwastrue,butthefactswereliterallystaringmeintheface.Iwasrippedfrommy

musingsbyscreams.Ilookeddown.Averyyoungekoswasbeingchasedbytwo

freks.Theotherekoswerefiringtheirmortas,buttheekosanditspursuerswerewelloutoftheweapons’range.“Idiotcreature,”snapped

Thorne,whowaslookingdownnow.“Ah,well,let’sdosomemoremaneuvering,Ve—”However,Ihadalready

goneintoasteepdive.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’re

doing?”screamedThorne.Thelittleekoscouldnever

outrunthefreks.Theyweregainingwitheveryleapoftheirlonglimbs.Inlessthanasliver,hewouldbedonefor.IaimedsothatIwould

approachfromtherear.IslippedDestinfromaround

mywaistasThornecontinuedtostruggle.“Up,up!”hescreamedin

myear.“No!”DownbelowIcouldsee

full-grownekosracingalong,theirmortasaimed.Andtherewasanotherekos—afemale,byherappearance—thatwasrunningfasterthananyof

them,thoughshehadnomorta.Iconcludedthatwasthelittleekos’smother.ShewasgruntingsoloudIknewitwasherwayofscreamingforheryoung.WhetherbeastorWug,amotherwouldsacrificeanythingforheryoung.Iswoopedinbehindthe

freksandusedDestintoswat

themonthesidesofthehead.Theywereinstantlybowledoverbytheblows.Iputonaburstofspeed,droppedthehandinwhichIheldDestinandsoaredoverthelittleekos.“Grabit,”Icalleddownto

him.Helookedup,thefearsopainfultoseeinhissmallface.

“Grabit!”Iscreamed,indicatingthechain.Iheardgrowlsbehindus.

Thefrekshadrecovered.Ilookedback.Theyweregaining.Ilookedahead.Ahugestandoftreeswasjustahead.Ihadtopullup.“Go!Go!”screamed

Thorne,tryingtosnatchatthechainthatIkeptjustoutof

reach.“Leavethedamncreature.Leaveit!”“Takeit,”Iyelledatthe

littleekos,ignoringThorne.Then,somethingoccurredtome.Igrunted.Ididn’tknowexactlywhatIwasgrunting,butIfigureditwasbetterthanjabberingatthepoor,terrifiedthinginWugish.Hereachedouthislittle

handandhisfingersclosedaroundDestin.Iinstantlypulledupandwedidasharpbankandheadedintheotherdirection,missingthetreesandleavingthefreksfarbelow.Whenthefreksturnedto

followus,theyweremethead-onbyamassofmorta-firingekos.Iheardshotafter

shotandthenlistenedtothesoundsoftwolargedemonicbeaststhuddingtothedirtfortheverylasttime.Goodriddancetothebloody

things.WewereflyingbackwhenI

heardascream.Ilookeddown.Thelittleekoshadlosthisgriponthechain.Hewasplummetingtohisdeath.I

wentintoadive,butIknewIwastoofarawaytocatchhimintime.Thelittleekoswasgoingtodie.Myheartsank.Likeablur,Delphcame

racingintoview.Heleapt,soaringseveralfeetintotheair,hislongarmsstretchedtotheirlimit.“Yes!”Iscreamedinjoy.Delphcaughtthelittleekos

beforehehittheground.Heroseandcarriedhimovertohismother.Themothertookheryoung

inherarms,firsthuggingandkissingandthenscoldinghiminseveregrunts.Thenshewentbacktohuggingandkissinghimagain.“Youimbecile!”roared

Thorneatmeaswetouched

down.“Youcouldhavegottenmekilled.Andforwhat?Abloodyekos?Ishouldhaveyou—”Hestoppedbecausetheekos

hadsurroundedus.ThenLuc,accompaniedbythemother,approachedandkneltdown.Eachtookoneofmyhandsandkissedit.Thentheydidthesametoa

mightilyembarrassedDelph.Themotherekosdragged

heryoungoneoverandgruntedathimuntilhedidthesame.WhenIlookeddownintohistiny,unwrinkledface,Inotedthathiseyeswereasredasthefarolderekos.Ismiled,showingeachofmyteeth.Andthenmysmiledeepenedwhenthe

littlecreatureputhisarmsaroundmeandsqueezedtightly.Delphwassotallthatthe

littleekosjustgrippedhislegswhenhenextwenttohughim.Thorne,who,Iobserved,

hadbeenstudyingallofthisquiteclosely,saidkindly,“Allrightnow,it’sallover.

Everythingisfine.Thelittle…ladissafe.”Hemadesomequickgruntsandthenpointedatme,andthenathimself.Itseemedtomethatafew

oftheekoslookedatussomewhatdoubtfullyafterthis.WhenIaskedThornewhathehadsaid,heassuredmethathehadgivenusfull

creditfortherescue.Delphwhispered,“Andif

youbelievethat,I’llsellyouabloodyjabbitforapet.”“Enoughflyingforthis

light,Vega,”saidThorne.“IhavenodoubtIwillgetthehangofitsoonenough.AndthenIwillhavenomoreneedofyourassistance,justyourchain.Or,rather,mychain.”

HesnatchedDestinawayfrommeandthenpushedandproddedusalonguntilwedescendedoncemoreintothedarknessbeneaththeQuag.Wewereledbacktomy

chamber,andguardswerepostedoutside.However,afewsliverslater,themotherekoscameincarryingalargewoodentray.Lucwasbehind

her.Sheputthetraydownonastoneslabandsmiledatus.Onthetraywasapitcherof

waterandwhatlookedlikemilk.Somegoblets,breads,somemeatandafewhard-boiledeggsandafattomato,allsliced.Andtwoloavesofbreadthatoozedwarmth.Andtherewasabowlofnutsandsomehunksofdifferent

cheeses,whichfilledthechamberwiththeirdeliciouslypungentsmell.Ismiledandtriedtogruntin

return,whichmadeherlaugh.Shereachedhergrassyarmsaroundmeandgavemeahug.Ihuggedherback.Luccameoverandembracedmetoo.Thenthecouple,tearsintheirreddenedeyes,departed.

“Blimey,”saidDelphashesatdownandstarteddiggingintothemeal.“Ithinkwemadesomefriendsthislight.”Ikneltnexttohimand

pouredusoutgobletsofmilk.Itwascoldandtastedfresh.Weweresohungrythatwedidn’tspeak—wejustchewed,drankandswallowed.IhadgivenHarry

Twohisshare,whichhewashappilydevouringonthestonefloor.Ifinishedmymealandsatthereidlyrubbingmycanine’sears.Delphfinallypushedaway

fromthetrayafterfinishingalongdrinkofmilk,andlookedatme.“Sowhatbeinyourhead,VegaJane?”Itookadeepbreathand

thenjustletitout.“WhatbeinmyheadisthatwehavetogetoutofherebeforeoldKingThornerunsoutofuseforus.ButfirstweneedtofindoutmoreofhisplantoattackWormwood.AndIstillwanttoknowhowhegotdownthatcliff.”“Whyisthatsoimportantto

you?”heasked.

“BecauseIdon’tlikeunansweredquestions.Thorneisevil.Yousawhowhewasgoingtoletthatlittleekosdie.”Delphnodded.“Iguess

royaltydon’tcareaboutordinaryblokes.”“Well,Lucandthefemale

cared.”“Aye,”Delphsaid.“’Tisa

bitcomfortin’,though,ain’tit?”Igavehimaperplexedlook.

“Whatis?”Iasked.“Well,creatureswhatgot

grassgrowingon’emandtalkingruntsgotfeelingslikeus.Care’bouteachother.AllI’msaying.Comfortin’.”Therewasalotgoingonin

Delph’shead.Andthat,for

me,wascomforting.Ieyedthedoorway,whereI

couldnowseeLuctakingapeekatus.Anideastruckme.“Ithinkthisnightwouldbe

agreatopportunityforustodoalittleexploring.”“Exploring!”exclaimed

Delph.“Andhowdoyou’spectustodothat?”“Likeyousaid,wemade

somefriendshere.”

THEMOTHEREKOSandLucenteredourchamberlatertoretrievethemealtray.Isaid,“Iknowyoucan’t

understandme,butthank

you.”“Itiswewhoneedtothank

you,Vega,”saidLucasthefemaleekosnodded.“YoucanspeakWugish?”I

askedLucinastonishment.“KingThornetaughtmeas

awaytopreventhimfromlosingthespeechhimself.AndItaughtmydaughterhere,Cere.”

Cereadded,“WedonotspeakWugtotheothers.KingThorneforbidsit.”“Anditwasyoursonthat

wasnearlykilledbythefreks?”Iasked.Shenodded,andtears

clusteredinhereyes.“ButforyouandDelph,Vega,littleKoriwouldbenomore.”Sheplacedagrassyhandgently

againstmycheek.“DespitewhatKingThornesaid,weknewthattobetrue.”Delphsaid,“Sowhatload-a

rubbishdidthemighty‘king’saythen,eh?”Lucanswered,“ThatitwashisideatosaveKori.”“Hetriedtostopmefrom

savinghim.He’sanevilWug.”

“Yetweallfearhimtoomuchtoeverousthim,”saidLuc.Delphscoffed.“There’re

lotsofyoublokes.Andonlyone-ahim.”“Butheistheking,”said

Cereinatremblingvoice.“Andhesleepsbehindadoormadeofiron.Andhehasrecruitedspiesamonguswho

reporttohim.Anysignsofrebellionarequashed.”“Surelytheekoswouldrally

aroundyou,Luc,”Isaid.Heloweredhishead.“No,

Vega.Thatwouldnothappen.”“Whynot?”Hewouldnotlookatmeas

hesaidthewords.“Thorneworksushard,nodoubt.But

hehastaughtusskillsandhekeepsussafe.”“Youcoulddoallthat

withouthim,”Ipointedout.“Yetmanyekosworship

him,”addedCere.“Idon’tknowwhy,really,becauseheisacruelone,buttheywouldfollowhimanywhere.”IlookedatDelphandthen

backatLuc.“Thatseems

veryodd,”Isaid.“Imean,he’snotexactlylovable,ishe?”“Well,itismostlybecause

hehasbrokenourwill,ourspirit,”Lucexplained.“Suchathingisgreaterthananyweapon.”Ithoughtaboutthisbut

couldthinkofnoreadyreply.Idecidedtochangethe

subject.Isaid,“Wemustescapefromhere.Butbeforewego,IwouldliketofindanswerstoquestionsIhave.Willyouhelpus?”LuclookedatCere,who

staredupanxiouslyathim.Finally,henodded.“YousavedlittleKori,sowewillcomebackthisnight.Andthenyouwillhaveyour

answers,Vega.”

LATETHATNIGHT,wecouldhearfootstepsapproaching.Andasliverlater,alongtheouterstonepassageway,wecouldbothseetheshadowscreatedbyalightcomingourway.ThenLucappearedintheopeningtoourchamberholdinga

flickeringcandleinonehand.Cerewasbehindhim,lookingpaleandfrightened.Hesaidsoftly,“Tread

lightly.Thereareeyesintheleastlikelyplaces.”Theguardsthathadbeen

stationedoutsideourchamberwerenolongerthere.IfiguredthatwasLuc’sdoing.Thethreeofusfollowedhim

backdownthepassageway.IhadtoldHarryTwonottobarkorotherwisemakeunduenoise.IcouldhaveswornhenoddedhisheadatmeasIfinishedspeaking.Weflitteddownthecold

passage.Ididhaveonecomfortingthought.Ihadonmycloak.Andinmycloakweremygloveandthe

Elemental.Wereachedaspotwhere

threecorridorsintersectedandLucledusdowntheoneonthefarleft.Wereachedawoodendoor,whichLucunlockedwithafatbronzekeythatheunclippedfromablackenedironringonhiswideleatherbelt.Hepushedthedooropenandusheredus

inbeforeclosingtheportalbehindus.Thechamberwasdark,butitbrightenedconsiderablywhenLucusedhiscandletolightthetorchessuspendedonthewall.Igaped.AndsodidDelph.Andwedidsoforgood

reason.Thechamberwasvast,with

highceilings.Andstrewnthroughoutwerebroad,scarredandstainedwoodenworktablesoverflowingwithwhatlookedtobeintricatetasksinprogress.Therewereoldworm-eatenplankshelves,literallyburstingwithstrangeobjects,andpilesofparchment,scrollsandleather-backedtomes.Andan

olddeskpackedwithdrawersandcubbiesthatwere,inturn,bulgingwithscrollsandparchment.Andtherewasawoodenswivelchairtuckedintothekneehole.Andonaseriesoflowtableswerebottles,scalesandotherdelicateinstrumentsthatIhadseenandusedatStackstodomyjobasaFinisher.

“Hecouldn’thavebroughtallthiswithhimfromWormwood,”Isaid.Lucsaid,“Hedidsomeof

theparchment,ink,scrollsandafewoftheinstrumentsandtoolsyousee.Therestcamelater.Andthefurniturewebuiltaccordingtohisdesignafterheshowedushow.Thornetaughtusagreat

deal.Allheaskedinreturnwasourfreedom.”Lucfinishedinaresignedtone.Asmygazespannedthe

place,itcametorestonsomethingsuspendedfromalongmetalchainaffixedtotheceilinginonefarcorner.Itwasaskeleton.Andnexttotheskeletonandattachedtothewallwastheouterlayer

ofthething—theskin.AndnowIbelievedIknewhowThornehadmadeitfromthecliffdowntohere.“That’sanadar,”mumbled

Delph.“Wasanadar,”Icorrected.

“That’showThornemanagedthecliff.Heflewdownlikewedid.”“It’sabig’un,”noted

Delph.“Bigger’nI’veeverseen.”IturnedtoLuc.“Thisishis

…what,workshop?”“Well,hecallsitalaboratory,”saidLuc.“Hespendsmostofhistimeinhere,workingaway,talkingtohimself,sometimescacklinglikehe’sgonebarmy.”

“Ithinkhehasgonebarmy.”Iwalkedaroundthe

chamberandeyedsomedrawingsthathadbeenfastenedtothewalls.TheseweremapsofWormwood,downtothesmallestdetails.IntheprecisionofthewordsandpicturesIsensedcunningandgenius,butalsoa

sicknessofthemind.ItgavemechillsjusttolookupontheparchmentandtoenvisionthemadWugbentoverhisterribleobsessionforthedestructionofhisformerhome.Thesemapshadbeendrawn

foraveryclearreason.Theyweregoingtobeusedasthebasisofattack.Inoted

Thorne’sscribblesandmarginnotesallovertheparchmentpages.Therewasanareanotedasthelandingplace.HewouldprobablysendouthisaeroshipatnightandmakehislandingsatthatspotwhileWormwoodslept.Thenwhenhisarmywasfullyonsitehewouldattackandtakethemallbysurprise.

TherewerearrowspointingatStacksandSteeplesandtheCouncilbuilding,withreferenceslike“firsttarget”and“useforprisoners,”andwithashiverIreadthewordDestroywrittenoverboththeCareandhospital.Iwonderedwhy,butthenitoccurredtomethatinawar,thesidethatcouldnottakecareofits

citizensortreattheirwoundswouldlikelynotbevictorious.IlookedatDelph,whohad

beenpeeringovermyshoulder.Helookedsickenedbyallofit.“Anutter,VegaJane,a

nutterwhowantstokill.Wegottostop’im.”IlookedatLuc.“Canwego

totheaeroshipnow?”Wemadeourwayquickly

throughanumberofpassagewaysuntilIwashopelesslylost.ButwhenIlookedbackatDelph,henodded.“Iknowwhereweare,”he

whispered.“It’sjustupthereontheleft.”Sureenough,LucandCere

stoppedandturnedtotheleftandpassedthroughanotheropeninginthewall.Theaeroshiptoweredoveruslikeanenormousbeastwaitingtostrikeandthendevour.Therewasnooneelsehere.Wedrewnearertothehuge

woodencarriagethatwouldholdbothtroopsandtheirweapons.ItwasthenthatI

notedtheseriesofholesinthesides.“Whatarethosefor?”I

asked.Inanswer,Lucpointed

againstonewall.“Howheplanstosteerit.Look.”DelphandIsawthelong

oarswithlarge,flatrectangularendsneatlystackedthere.

Lucshowedushowtheyworkedandthentookusthroughtherestoftheaeroship,pointingoutthecontraptionthatfilledthehugebladderwithheatedair,andthesteeringmechanism.Andhowventsinthebladderreleasedairandallowedtheaeroshiptodescend.Inoddedinunderstanding.

“Andwhat’sthecauseofyourreddenedeyes?”Iasked.“Mixingthemortapowder,”

hesaid.“Powderdustgetsin’em.”“ButKorihasredeyestoo.

Surelyhedoesn’tmake—”“Thornedon’tcarehowold

oryoungoneis,Vega,”saidLuc.“Weallhavetowork.”Mybloodboilingatthis

revelation,wewentbackoutinthepassage.Isaidexpectantly,“Thegrubbs?”Henoddedwearily.“Aye,

thegrubbs.”AndIobserved,ashesaid

this,thatheplacedonelargehandonthehiltoftheshort-barreledmortathatrodeonhisbelt.HeturnedtoCereandsaid,“Youbestheadon

back.Koriwillbemissingyou.”Ceregavehimaworried

look.“Luc,thinkwhatyou’redoing.IfThornefindsout!”“Youjustgoon,Cere.Go

onnow,”headdedsternly.Withabalefulglanceback

atus,shequicklydisappeareddownthetunnel.“Let’sbeoff,then,”Luc

saidfirmly,butIcouldseethefearinhiseyes.Notbecauseofthegrubbs,Ididn’tthink,butbecauseoftheking.IglancedatDelph.Icould

tellhewasthinkingexactlywhatIwas.Luccouldbekilledfor

helpingus.ButIdidn’tknowanyotherwaytodothis.And

Ididhaveaplan.Well,partofoneanyway.Delphwasexpectingmeto

lead.Hel,Iwasexpectingmetolead.IjusthopedIwasn’tleadingustoourdoom.

ICOULDBOTHFEELandhearmyheartpoundingaswewalkeddownthatlong,darkpassageway.Wehadgonefarenough,perhapsahalfmile,

thatIcouldjusttellwewereenteringareasthatwerefarremovedfromthelifeoftheKingdomofCataphiledenizens.Lucwaswalkinginslow,measuredstrides,hisgazeswivelingfromsidetoside.WhenIlookedatDelph,hewasglancingoverhisshoulder.“Luc,”hesaid,turningback

around.“Dogrubbsattackanything?”“No.Notwithoutareason.”IlookedatDelph.“Solet’s

notgivethemareason.”Luc’sstepsslowedaswe

nearedwhatlookedtobeablankwall.IthoughtperhapsLuchadtakenawrongturndownhere,whenIheardit.Isupposethat’swhenweall

heardit.Andthenfeltit.Rumblings,andtheground

underusstartingtoshake.Dirtandstonedustfromoverheadcascadeddown.Westartedtocoughandgag.IhadturnedtorunbackthewaywehadcomewhenIfeltahandonmyarm,holdingmeinplace.Lucsaid,“It’sallright.Just

theirwayisall.They’veheardusapproach.”Thenextmoment,thewall

infrontofuscollapsed,revealingahole.Intheholewasaface,whichtookuptheentireopening.Apairofdullyelloweyeswasstaringatme.Whenthemouthopened,Icouldseeenormousjaggedteethfarmorelethal-looking

thananyknifeI’deverseen.Luclookedatthecreature

andsaidsomewordsthatIhadnowayofunderstanding.Theyappearedtobeacrossbetweengruntsandhisses.Thenheturnedtolookatus.“TheyknowThorne’snotwithus.Noneedtoworrynow.”Ilookeddownatthemorta.

“Thenwhydoyouhavethatout?”Iasked.“Well,grubbsmight’ve

struckfirstandthenfoundoutThornewasn’there.Paystobecautiouswhendealingwithanythingasbigandunpredictableasagrubb.Thatonethereweighsaboutaton.”Icreptforwardandrested

mygazeonthegrubb.Itgazedbackatme.“Whyisthegrubbstaringat

melikethat?”“Well,youlooklike

Thorne.AWug,Imean.”“CanyoutellitthatwhileI

amaWug,I’mnotaWuglikeThorne?”“Alreadydid,Vega.It’s

whyithasn’ttriedtokill

you.”MystomachlurchedandI

foundmyselfbackingupapaceortwo.“Itsnameis,well,nouse

sayingit,youwon’tbeabletopronounceit,muchlessrememberit.We’lljustcallitGrubb.”“Hello,Gr-Grubb,sir,”said

apanickyDelph.

“Matteroffact,’tisafemale,Delph,”saidLuc.“Youcantellbytheeyes.Yellowforthefemalesandblueforthemales.Don’tknowwhy,justthewayitis.”Lucmarchedforwardand

pattedthegrubbonits,or,rather,herhead.ThegrubbletoutasoundthatIhadheardbefore.Butthenithad

beenafelinepurring.“Peacefulcreatures,”said

Luc.“Keepthemselvestothemselves.Theytunneldownhere.Caneatthroughrockfaster’ngnomeswiththeirclawscan.”“Theyeatrock?”gasped

Delph.IwatchedasHarryTwo

sidledovertothegrubband

sniffedit.MycaninewasperilouslyclosetothoseenormousteethandIwasabouttocallhimback,whenHarryTwolickedthething.BeforeIcouldmove,along,

slitherytongueappearedbetweenthejaggedteethandthegrubblickedHarryTwoback.Imovedforwardandcautiouslyputoutahand,

stoppingandlookingquestioninglyatLuc.“G’on,then,”hesaid

encouragingly.“Grubbknowsyou’reokay.”Ipattedthegrubb’shead

andthenDelphjoinedmeindoingso.ItwasfarsofterandnotnearlyasslimyasIthoughtitwouldbe.Itwasliketouchingacattaildown

bythepondbackinWormwood.Icouldseethatitwasabouttwicethesizeofacreta,whichwasverylargeindeed.Itmusteatalotofrock.Aswewerepettingthe

grubb,Delph’sandmyfingerstouched.Ilookedupathimandhedownatme.Wesmiledatthesametime.

“LikebeingdownatthepondinWormwood,”hesaid.“Youremember?”“Iwasjustthinkingofthe

cattailsweusedtorub,”Isaid,blushingabit.ThegrubblickedDelph’s

hand.“She’stakenarightshineto

you,Delph,”saidLuc.“What?”gaspeda

thoroughlywonkedDelph.“No,Idon’tthink…why,whatbusinessisitofyoursifVegaJa—”IfeltsobadlyforDelphthat

Iinterruptedhimandsaid,“Ithinkhemeansthegrubb,Delph.”Icouldfeelmycheeksafire.Delphstaredopenmouthed

atmeforwhatseemedten

slivers.Hisfaceheldsomanydifferentexpressions,onetrackinganother,thatitwasallIcoulddonottolaugh,thoughIwasasembarrassedashe.“Oh,right,o’coursehe

does,”hesaidinavoicehewastryingsohardtomakefirmthatitwobbledbadly.“Um,whydotheyhate

Thorneso?”Delphasked,keepinghisgazeawayfromme.“Well,theyhavegood

reason.”Lucpointedtothecreature’sskinandthenrubbedit.“Itshideisstrong.Butitcanalsodosomethingelse.”“What?”Iasked.“Itcanexpand.Bigasyou

wantitto.It’swhyThornekills’em.”“Hekillsthem?”I

exclaimed.“Slaughters’em,morelike

it.Leasthedid.”“Whyistheskinso

importanttoThorne?”Delphasked.“Forthebladder,”answered

Luc.

“Thebladder,ontheaeroship?”Isaid.ThenIrealizedwhathemeant.“Heusesthegrubb’sskintomakethebladder?”Iadded,horrified.Lucnodded.“Has’em

stitchedtogether.Andthegrubb’sblood?Ithardensgoodandstoutwhenyoumixitwithafewotheringredients.Wheretheneedle

holesareinthebladderwhentheystitchthehidestogether?Thorneusesthebloodconcoctiontoseal’emsonoairleaksout.”Iturnedtolookatthegrubb.

WhileIknewitprobablycouldnotunderstandus,Isensedadeepmiseryinitseyes.Hereyes.Whydidtherehavetobe

WugslikeThorne?Whoseonlyinterestwasfurtheringtheirowngoalsandnotcaringawhitabouttheeffectonothers?IwhisperedthisthoughttoDelph.Henoddedandsaidquietly,

“’Tisagoodlessonforusall,VegaJane.”Lucsaid,“Buthehasn’t

caughtagrubbinalongtime

now.”“Why?”Lucsaidhisnextwordsina

lowvoice.“’CauseIcomeandwarn’emandtheygohide.”Heshookhisheadsadly.“Theymightnotbemuchtolookat,Iknow.Butunderneaththathide,they’veaheartasbigasanyyou’relikelytoeversee.”

Ilookedbackatthegrubbandcouldseethatheryelloweyeswerefilledwithmoisture.WhenIshotaglanceatLuc,hehadanticipatedmyquestion.“Agrubbcansensethings

likewenevercan.Theycanfeelwhatwe’refeeling.Idon’tknowifwegiveoffascentorwhat,buttheyknow.

Theyjustknow.Sheunderstandsthatwe’resad.Andsoshe’ssadtoo.Andwiththatsadness,italsotellsherthatwe’re,well,thatwe’regoodcreatures,notbad.”Ihadneverbeenreferredto

asacreaturebefore.Butthenagain,aWugwasjustonethingamongmanyother

livingthings,Ireckoned.Iturnedtolookatthegrubb

andgentlyrubbedherface.Isaid,“Ithinkyou’revery

beautiful.”AndIsmiled.Thepurringsoundfilledthe

passagewayagain.Ismiledevenmorebroadly,

andthoughIcouldn’tbesure,itseemedthatshewassmilingbackatme.

“Nowshesenseshappiness,”explainedLuc.Isaid,“Thornesaidthey’ve

triedtokillhim,manytimes.How?”“Theycantunnelthrough

anything.Neverknowwheretheymightpopout.Onlythinggives’emawayisthesoundoftheirtunneling.”“SoI’msureThorne,being

ascunningasheis,takesprecautions?”“Patrolsdownthe

passagewaysandhasthingsonthewallthatmeasurethesmallestofvibrations.Giveshimearlywarningwhenandwheretheymightbecoming.Andhissleepingchamberislinedwithiron.Grubbscanworktheirwaythroughiron,

butittakesawhile.PlentyoftimeforThornetogetaway,butevenso,earlyon,theycameclosetogettinghim.”Helookedatthegrubb,and

hisfacebecameembarrassed.“RightmorecouragethanIgot.”“Butyouwarnedthem

againstThorne,”Delphpointedout.“Thattakes

courage.”“Notthesame,isit?”said

Luc.“No,notthesame.”“It’sCereandKori,isn’t

it?”Isaid.ThisstatementmadeLucglanceatme.Icontinued.“He’dhurtthem,right?Ifyouturnedagainsthim?Shewasworriedthatyouwereshowingustheseplaces.She’safraidThorne

willfindout.”Lucslowlynodded.“Hehas

ekosfiercelyloyaltohim.They’dkilltheirownfleshandblood.Ithinkhe’sdonesomethingtotheirminds,butIhavenoproofofthat.”Agreatmanythoughtswere

swirlingthroughmyhead.IturnedtoLuc,mydeterminationresolute.“How

longdidittakeThornetobuildtheaeroship?”“Tenormoresessions,close

asIremember.Lotofwork.”“Tensessions,”Irepeated,

andthensmiled.Thatwasagoodthing,Ithought.“Andifhecan’tcatchanymoregrubbs,hecan’tbuildanotherbladderoraeroship.”Delphwhisperedinmyear,

“Whatareyouplanningtodo,VegaJane?”“Escapethisplaceandmake

surehecan’tattackWormwood,”Isaidflatly,asthoughitwereobvious.Anditwastome.IhadexpectedDelphto

simplynodinagreement.Onlyhedidn’t.“’Tain’tthatsimple,Vega.”

“What?”Isaid,startled.“Whatabouttheekosand

gnomes?”Herubbedthefaceofthegrubb.“Andtheseherecreatures?”“Idon’tunderstandyou,

Delph.”“YouheardLuc.Thornehas

spies.Thoseloyaltohim.Ifweescapeandruinhisplans,youthinkhewon’ttakeitout

onthem?OnLuc,andCereandlittleKori?”Icouldn’tlookatDelph

becauseIknewhewasright.Myheartwasbeingtorninhalfwiththisdilemma.“We…wecan’tsaveeveryone,Delph.It’simpossible.”“Well,wecantry,”he

repliedmatter-of-factly.Istartedtosnapsomething

backathim,butthenIrealizedthathewasentirelyintheright.Ifeltbothrelievedbythisbutalsolikeamountainhadsettleduponmyshoulders.WehadcomeinherewiththegoalofsurvivingtheQuag.Nowwewouldbecommittingtosavingabunchofothersaswell.ButDelphwasright.

Wehadtoatleasttry.Isaidslowly,“Wecantry,

Delph.ButI’mgoingtoneedhelp.Ican’tdothisalone.”“That’swhyyagotme,

VegaJane.”

FORTHENEXTfivelights,IcarriedThorneintheharnessandtaughthimtheintricaciesofflying.Andeachnight,wewerevisitedbyLuc,

sometimesaccompaniedbyCere.TheyhadcontinuedtoprovideuswithinformationaboutThorne.DelphandIweredoingour

besttocomeupwithaplan.Wehadpartsofitingoodshape,buthowcouldweensurethatonceweleft,Thornewouldbekingnolonger?

AndIdidhaveoneunansweredquestionthatwasdrivingmemad.WhydidThornewanttogo

towarwithhisownkind?WhatwouldmakeaWughateotherWugssomuch?ItalkedtoDelphaboutthisonenight.“Well,”hesaid.“Seemsto

methattoanswerthat

question,weneedtoknowwhytheblokecameintotheQuaginthefirstplace.Prettydesperatethingtodo.Andhetoldusthathewasforcedtoleave.”“That’sright.AlthoughI

thinkhehadtoflee.IfhehaddonesomethingbadtheywouldhaveputhiminValhall,notmadehimgointo

theQuag.”“Whateverhedidmusta

beenprettybad,then,tomakehimchoosetheQuag.TheywereprobablygoingtolopoffhisheadifhestayedinWormwood.”Ishiveredabit.Thathad

almosthappenedtome.“Somaybeonetiesintothe

other?”Isaid.“He’sgetting

backatthemformakinghimleave?”“WayIseeit,yeah.”Anideacametome.I

quicklytoldDelphaboutit.Hesaidthoughtfully,“It

maywork,butweneedtoknowmore.”“Weknowwhotoask,

then,”Ireplied.Thenextnight,Iqueried

LucifheknewwhyThornehadcomeintotheQuag.Lucsaid,“Well,whenhe’s

beenfarintothebottlesofmeadsomenights,I’veheardhimsaythings.Spoutingoffnamesandsuch.”“Whatnames?”Iasked

anxiously.Lucrubbedhischeek,

staringoff.“Me—Letme

thinknow.Mer.No,Mur–Murgatroyd.Yes,thatwasit.Murgatroyd.”Thenamemeantnothingto

me.IlookedatDelph,whoshookhishead.“Anythingelse?”“Hewouldgoonabout

Wugsnotseeinghimforthegreatleaderhewas.Oh,hedidmentionanothername,

’ceptyoualreadyknowit.”“What?”Iasked.“Virgil.”“Theywerefriends,I

guess.”“Inhismeadcups,hedidn’t

soundnonetoofriendlytowardhim.”Ipuzzledoverthisforabit.

“Luc,isthereanywayIcangetintoThorne’ssleeping

chamber?”“Don’tseehow.Keepsit

lockedwhenhe’soutofitandlockedwhenhe’sinit.Why?”Delphsaid,“Wethinkthe

reasonhecameintotheQuagmightbeinthere.”“Aye,ifhewantedtokeep

itsecret,thatwouldbetheplace,fornoonegoesinthere

buthim.”“Canyouatleastshowus

wherehesleeps,Luc?”Iasked.Wepassedthroughquitea

fewcorridorsuntilIwashopelesslylost,butIknewDelphprobablywasn’t.Ilookedbackathimtoconfirmthathecouldfindthisplaceagainifneedbe.Hegavea

quicknod.Lucstoppedatthe

beginningofapassageandpointeddownthecorridorofstone.ItwaswelllightedandthusIcouldeasilyseethemassivedoorattheend,setdirectlyintotherockwall.Therewerenoguardspostedoutsidethedoor,yetitlookedimpenetrable.

Onthereturnjourney,IspoketoLucinalowvoice.Atfirsthewasnotreceptivetomyideas,butIcouldsensethatthecourageandspiritThornehadtakenfromhimwasslowlyreturningtotheheadekos.Assoonaswegotbackto

ourlittlechamber,Lucleftus.

“WehavetogetintoThorne’ssleepingchamber,”Isaid.AsIsaidit,Ifeltthecollywobblesinmystomach,likeamillionmothswereflyingaroundinthere.Delphnodded.“Thorne’s

becomequiteadabhandatflying.Whichmeanshewon’tneedusmuchlonger,willhe?Thenwe’llbebones

onawall.”“Lucwillhelp,butIneeda

waytogetintohisroomwhileThorneisn’tthere.”“Thenwhatyouneedisto

gethimouttahisroom.”Ifrowned.“Brilliant,Delph.

IwishIwouldhavethoughtofthat.Welldone,”Iaddedsarcastically.“No,Imeanyouneeda

distraction.”“Whatsort?”Iasked

curiously.“He’safraidofgrubbs,

right?”“Well,yeah,theywantto

killhim.So?”“Sowestartwiththatand

buildourplan.”“Yougotsomegrubbs

that’lldoyourbidding?”I

askedskeptically.Mycloakwashangingona

pegonthewall.Hereachedinoneofitspockets,putonmyglove,pulledouttheElementalandwilledittofullsize.“TheElemental?”Isaid,

completelypuzzled.Henodded.“WiththisIget

topretendI’msomethingthat

I’mnot.”IsmiledasIfinally

understoodwhathemeant.“Agrubb,”Isaid.

THIRTYSLIVERSLATER,DelphandIpeeredaroundthecornerofthepassagewayleadingtoThorne’schamber.DelphwasholdingtheElemental.

“Lucisallreadytogo,”Isaid.Delphnodded,exhaleda

longbreathandsaid,“Youbestbegettingon,then.”Ihurrieddownthe

passagewayandsecretedmyselfinanichethatwouldkeepmehiddenfromview.Ileanedout,lookedbackdownthepassageatDelphand

nodded.ThenIsqueezedmyselfbackintotheniche.IsawtheElementalblast

pastme,itsturbulentwakesnuffingoutthetorchesonthewallasitsailedby.Thenitstruckthedooraterrificblow,knockingitdown.Momentslater,intheneardarknessnow,IsawitzoombacktowardDelph.

TherewerescreamsandshoutsandIknewLuchaddonehistaskaswell.Ekosupanddownpassageswerecryingoutthatthegrubbswereattacking.Thenextsliver,Iheardhim.ItwasThorneshouting

orders,andIshrunkbackasfarasIcouldinthenichewhenheracedpastmeinthe

nowdarkenedpassage,ashort-barreledmortainonehandandaflickeringcandleintheother.Hewasinhissleepingclothes,hishairwildandflyingaroundhisface.HehadDestinaroundhiswaist.Assoonashewaswellpast

me,Iturnedandrantowardhischamber.Ididn’tknow

howlongIwouldhave,butIdoubteditwouldbelong.Theilluminationfromthe

candleIhadbroughtandjustnowlightedshowedthatthechamberhadfewfurnishings.Abed,anightstand,andanoldwardrobesetagainstonewall.Therewasnothingonthebedexceptapileofsheetsandblankets;apillowwas

lyingonthefloor.Ilookedatthenarrow

crevicebetweenthefloorandthebed—nothing.ThenIheftedthemattress.Yes!Wedgedinamongtheropes

thatsupportedthemattresswasabook.Isnatcheditfreeandputthe

mattressbackinplace.I

lookeddownatthebook.LogofExperiments?Iopenedittothefirstpage.

TherewasneathandwritingthatIknewtobeThorne’s,havingseensamplesofitinhislaboratory.Ireaddownsomeofitquickly,butIcouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit.Ilookeddownatthemattress.Ithadbeenalabor

liftingitandIwasprettystrong.Thebookofexperimentswasfull;therewasn’tanemptypageleftinit.IdoubtedthatThornewouldtakeitoutoftenjusttolookatit.Andthusheprobablywouldn’tnoticeitmissing.Iknewitwasarisk,yetthismightbetheonlychanceIhad.Ithrustitinto

mycloakandcontinuedon.Ifoundnothinginthe

nightstand.Thatleftthewardrobe.Ipulledopenthewardrobedoorsandrifledquicklythroughtheclothinghangingthere.Next,myfingersfranticallytuggedatdrawers,butIfoundnothinginthem.Andthenmyhandclosed

aroundthebox.Itwasinanopencubbyat

thebottomofthewardrobe.Itwaswoodenwithcarvingsthatmadenosensetome.Iopenedtheboxandgasped.Insidewasmygrandfather’sring,alongwiththeAdderStone.Myfirstthoughtwastotakethem,butThornewouldsurelymissthem.

Unlikethebookunderthemattress,theseobjectswerenewtohimandfarmoreeasilyaccessed.Ontheotherhand,Imightnotgetanotherchancetoretrievethem.Itwasanagonizingchoice.Finally,Idecidedtoleavethemthere,andcontinuedtorummagethroughthebox.Myfingersclosedarounda

pictureofthreeWugs.Onewasevidentlya

youngerThorne.Hewasstandingnexttoagrownfemale.PerhapsthiswastheMurgatroydthatLucsaidhehadheardThornemention.Andnexttoherwasaveryyoungfemalewholookedbothfamiliarandforeigntome.Therewasthehintof

somethingIrecognizedintheeyesandaroundthejawline,buttherestofherdidn’tjoganythinginmymind.IturnedwhenIheard

footstepsandthenamortawasfiredoff.Withthelabyrinthofpassagesdownhere,theechoesplayedfunnytricksonone’shearing.Icouldn’treallytellhowclose

Thornemightbe.AnotherloudexplosioncausedmetojumpandIdroppedthepicture.Iwaited,holdingmybreath,toseeifanotherexplosionwouldcome.Whenitdidn’t,Ipickedupthepicture,andthistimetheothersidewasfacingme.Ilookedatthehandwritingscrawledontheback.Iheld

thecandleclosersoIcouldreaditclearly.Thorne,Murgatroydand—Mybreathcaughtinmy

throat.Morrigone.ThornewasMorrigone’sfather.AndMurgatroydwashermother.Thelikenessamongthemtallied.WhenIlookedatthepictureoncemore,Iinstantlyrecognized

theyoungerMorrigoneandwonderedwhyIhadn’tthefirsttime.Morrigonehadtoldmeher

fathersufferedanEventwhenshewassixsessionsold.HehadbeendownneartheedgeoftheQuag,shesaid,huntingforacertaintypeofmushroom.Yethehadn’tsufferedanEvent.Hehad

donesomethingbadthathadcausedhimtoescapepunishmentbyenteringtheQuag.Whathadhappenedto

Murgatroyd?Morrigonehadnevermentionedher.Iquicklyremembered,

though,thatJuliusDomitarhadmentionedher,onlynotbyname.Hehadsaidthatit

wasMorrigone’sjobtotakecareofWormwoodandallWugsinit.HesaidthatsuchtaskswereoftenpasseddowninfamiliesandthatMorrigone’smotherhaddoneitbeforeher.SoMurgatroydhadbeen

Wormwood’sprotectorpriortoMorrigoneassumingtherole.Thenwhathadhappened

toMurgatroyd?Ineededtoknow.Theshoutsandrunningfeet

weregrowingcloserandIknewmytimeherewaslimited.Onlytherewasonemorethingintheboxthatneededmyattention.Ipulledoutthesheetof

parchment.ItwasaletteraddressedtoThorne.The

handwritingwaspreciseandclear.WhileIcouldtellthepaperwasveryold,theinkwasstillasclearastheskyonabrilliantlybright,cloudlesslight.Ireadthecontentsofthe

letterquickly,slowingasInearedtheend.WhenIsawthesignatureatthebottom,Ithoughtmyheartwouldstop.

Somanythingsstartedtomakesensetome.ThenIheardThorne’svoiceandshotaglanceovermyshoulder.Hewasverynearlyatthedoor.WhichmeantIwastrapped.

ILOOKEDFRANTICALLYAROUND.Therewasnospaceunderthebed.Thenightstandwastoosmalltoconcealme.Therewasonlyoneoption.I

putoutmycandle,jumpedupintothewardrobeandshutthedoors.IwastryingtoshrinkmyselfbehindtheclothingwhenIheardThorneenterhischamber.Atfirst,Idarednotmove.

Theboxwasstillinmyhand.AsIbentovertosetitdown,thecontentsinsideshifted,makingaslightsound.Iheld

mybreath,hopingbeyondhopethathehadnotheardit.AsliverwentbyandIfinallyletoutthebreath.Ifiguredithadbeentheringslidingaroundthatmadethenoise.Islowlyopenedtheboxandfeltfortheringinthedarkness.MyfingersclosedarounditandIslippediton.ThenIsetdowntheboxand

waited.IheardThornemutteringto

himself.Heseemedtobespendingsomesliversaroundthefallendoor.Thatmadesense,Ithought.HowcouldsoparanoidaWugsafelygobacktosleepexposed,particularlyaftersuchanattack?ThenIheardgruntsandmoregrunts.Agroupof

ekosapparentlyhadjoinedtheirking.Iheardagreatdealofhuffingandpuffingandthensomethinghardhittingsomethingelsehard.Thegruntscontinuedforaboutasliverandthenthereweremultiplefootstepsgoingaway.Thensilence.AsIstoodthereinthe

wardrobe,Ithoughtabout

whattodo.Finally,Ireachedananswer.Myplanwouldbetowaituntilhefellsoundlyasleepandthenmakemywayoutofthechamberthroughwherehisdoorhadoncebeen.Hismutteringscontinued

andIgrewmoreandmorecuriousastowhattheblokewasdoing.IfoundthatifI

leanedforward,Icouldseethroughaslightgapbetweenthetwowardrobedoors.ThechamberwaslightednowbecauseThornehadevidentlylitthewalltorcheswhenhe’dreturned.Myhopesofescape

plummeted.Thornehadhadtheekoslift

thedoorandplaceitinits

opening.Whileitwasnolongeraperfectfit,therewasnocrevicebigenoughformetofitthrough.IwouldhavetostayhereallnightandwaitforThornetoleavenextlight,orriskknockingthedooroverassoonashewasasleep.Then,suddenly,Ihadafar

greaterproblem.Thornewasheadingright

forthewardrobe.Isawwithathrillofhorror

thathisnightshirtwasfilthy.Hewasgoingtoputonafreshnightshirttoreplacethedirtyone.IshrunkbackasfarasI

could,thoughIknewitcouldn’tpossiblybeenough.InmyanxietyInervouslytwistedmygrandfather’sring

aroundandaroundonmythumb.ThedoorswereflungopenandIcaughtabreathandclosedmyeyes,waitingfortheblowtofall.Nothinghappened.Iopened

myeyes.Thornewasstaringrightatme,ourfacesbarelyafootapart.Buthemadenoreaction.Itwasasifhecouldn’tseemeatall.He

pulledoutacleannightshirtandclosedthewardrobedoor.Asliverlater,Iheardhimsettleintohisbed.Istoodtheretryingnottobreathe,butalsotryingtosortoutwhathadjusthappened.IfThornecouldseetotakea

freshnightshirtandthenclimbintobed,howcouldhepossiblynotseeme?Irana

handdownmyleg.Iwassolidenough.ThenIrubbedmyfingeragainstthering.Intwistingitaroundandaround,Ihadreversedit.Thepartofitwiththestrangethree-hookeddesignwasfacingdownward,andthering’sbandwasexposedonthetopsideofmythumb.Ihadworntheringbefore

andnothingspecialhadhappened.ButIhadneverreversedtheringbefore,Ithought.IntwistingtheringaroundasI’ddone,hadIbeen,well,renderedincapableofbeingseen?Itseemedanimpossiblethought,butwhatotherexplanationwasthere?SocouldIsneakoutof

here?Iwouldstillhavetomovethedoortogetthroughit.Thornewouldcertainlyknowsomeoneorsomethingwasthere.OrIcouldstayhereandwaitforfirstlight.Idecidedtochanceit.Iglancedthroughthecrack

oncemoreandsawThorneinbed.Hehadkeptonecandleburning,butthechamberwas

onlypartiallylightedbyit.IwaitedtwentymoresliversuntilIstartedtohearhisbreathingdeepen.Whenasoftsnoreescapedhislips,Icountedtotenandthenquietlyopenedthewardrobedoor.Itgavealittlecreak,whichsoundedtomelikethescreamofagarmonthehunt.Ifroze,awaitingThorne

possiblyspringingupandwonderinghowhiswardrobehadmanagedtoopenitsowndoor.Buthedidn’tstir.IclosedthedoorbehindmeafterslidingtheboxwiththemysticcarvingbackwhereI’dfoundit.Ilookedupatthemassive

chamberdoor.Itriedtowedgemyheadthroughan

openingbetweenitandthewall,butIcouldn’tfit.Theekoshadleaneditbackagainstthewallsothattherewereonlycrevicesoneitherside.TherewasaholedeadcenterinthedoorwheretheElementalhadhitit,onlyitwasn’tlargeenoughformetoclimbthrough.Andanyway,itwastoofaroffthefloorfor

metoreach.Iplacedmyfingersinside

oneofthecrevices,setmyfeetandpulled.Thedoordidn’tbudge.ItwouldhavebeeneasywithDestinaroundmywaistbecauseoftheexceptionalstrengthitconveyedtome.ButmychainwasaroundThorne’swaistandIseriouslydoubted

Icouldstripitoffhimwithouttheblokenoticing.IalmostcriedoutwhenIheardthewhisperyvoicefromtheothersideofthehugedoor.“Wotcha,VegaJane?”ItwasDelph.Icreptforwardandputmy

mouthrightnexttothecrevice.“He’sinhereasleep,butI

can’tgetout.”“Standback,”hesaid.“Whatareyougoingto

do?”Ibreathedthroughthecrevice.“SameasIdidbefore.”TheElementalstruckthe

doordead-onlessthanasliverlater,andittoppledinward.IwasthroughtheopeningsofastthatIcould

seetheElementalsmackbackintoDelph’soutstretchedglove.Thenhedisappeareddownthehall,runningforhislife.IwasalsorunningformylifedownthepassagebecausemortaroundswereexplodingoutofthechamberIhadjustescaped.IturnedforamomentandsawThorneintheopendoorway.Hehad

ashort-barreledmortaineitherhandandwasblastingaway.AndthoughImightbeinvisible,Iwasstillfleshandblood.Oneroundzingedpastmyear.Anothersplatteredoffthewall,andapieceofstoneshatteredoff,hitmyarmandcutit.Ikeptrunninganddidn’tstopuntilIwasbackinoursleepingchamber.Delph

wasalreadythere,bentover,hisbigchestheavinginandout.Thefull-sizeElementalwas

onthefloor.DelphhadforgottentoshrinkitandThornemightbehereanysliver.Isnatchedthegloveoffhishand,heftedthegoldenlanceandwilledittoitstinysize.

Delphnearlyjumpedtotheceiling.ItwasthenIrealizedthathecouldnotseeme.HehadjustseentheElementalandtheglovesuspendedinair.Ispuntheringarounduntil

itwasbacktoitsnormalposition.Hestaredatmelikehe’d

seenanadarflyingaroundthe

room.“How—how—how—?”

PoorDelphcouldn’tfinish.Hewasshakingtoobadly.“Itwasthering.”Iheldit

up.“Howcanabloodyring

makeyou…makeyounotthere?”Itwistedtheringand

vanished.IknewIhad

vanishedbecauseDelphwaslookingaroundtoseewhereI’dgone.Iputitbackoncemoreandreappeared.“Idon’tknowhowitdoesit,Delph.I’mjustgladitdidsothisnight.OtherwiseI’dbedead.”ThismademerememberwhatI’ddiscovered.“Delph,Ihavesomuchto

tellyou.”Itoldhimaboutthepicture

first.Hescratchedhischinand

said,“SoyouthinkThorneisMorrigone’sfather?”“I’msureofit.And

Murgatroydishermother.Washermother.She’sdead.”“Well,howdoyouknow

that?”heasked.

“BecauseofthesecondthingIfound.Itwasaletter.FromVirgiltoThorne.”“Whatletter?”“VirgilaccusedThorneofmurderingMurgatroydwithpoisonedmushrooms.HesaidhewasgoingtoseeThorneexecutedforhiscrime.AndhementionedMorrigoneintheletter.HesaidthatThorne

hadrobbedherofhermother.That’swhyThornehadtofleeWormwood.”“BloodyHel,”exclaimed

Delph.“Thatblokejustlikestokill,don’the?”Isatdownonthepalletnext

tohim.“MurgatroydwaslikeMorrigone.ItwasherjobtotakecareofWugsandWormwood.Ibetthatmade

Thornejealous.Ibethealsoknewwhatelseshecoulddo.ThesamethingsMorrigonecandonow.”“Yameanmagic-sorcery

stuff?”“IwonderifMorrigone

evenknowswhatreallyhappenedtohermother?”“Makesmefeelkind-asorry

forher,”saidDelph.

IhadneverthoughtIwouldfeelsorryforMorrigone.ButifThornehadmurderedMorrigone’smother?Whataweighttocarryinone’sheart.IwassurprisedthatThorne

hadnotturneduptocheckonusbynow.Butperhapshewaschasingdowngrubbsinsomefar-offpartofhiskingdom.Atleastitwould

giveussometimetothink.Thornewasundeniablya

monster.Andhehadtobestopped.Now.Buthow?ThenIremembered.ThebookIhadtakenfromunderThorne’smattress.Maybetherewassomethinginthere.Ipulledthebookoutand

showedittoDelph.“Blimey,”hesaid.

“Experiments?”Westartedreadingthebook

together.Itwasfillednotonlywithwordsbutwithdrawings.WebothturnedpaleandthenIfeltsicktomystomach.Theyweredrawingsofcut-

upekos,gnomesandgrubbs.Thedrawingsofyoungekos,theirbodiesalldisfigured,

mademesick.Ihadtolookaway.“He’s…been

experimentingonthem,”Delphsaid.“Someone’scoming,”Isaid

inahushedvoice.Ilookeddownatthering.Theblastedring.IfIwasfoundwithit?Andthebook!Igazedaround,searching

forahidingplace.Buttherewasreallynowhere.Thensomethingnudgedmyhand.ItwasHarryTwo.Ilookedatmycanineandhelookedbackatme.Itooktheringoffandheopenedhismouth.Iplacedtheringinsideandheclosedhissnout.IslidthebookofexperimentsunderhimandHarryTwolayright

down,hisbigbodycoveringitcompletely.Iblewoutthecandle,andthechamberwasplungedintodarkness.DelphandIquicklylaydownandpretendedtobeasleep.Afewmomentslater,

Thornestalkedin,followedbyanumberofekos.Theywerecarryingtorchesandmortas.Lucwasoneofthem.

Isatup,stretchedandletoutayawn.“Whatisit?”Iasked

sleepily.“What’sallthefussnow?”Thornecametostandover

me.Helookedfirstatme,thenatDelph.HisgazesweptoverbutdidnotlingeronHarryTwo,wholaythereonthefloorwithhissnout

betweenhisfrontpaws.“What’sallthefussnow?”

saidThorne.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”headdedsuspiciously.“Well,therewasthis

commotionbefore.Screams.Mortashots.Thenitquieteddown.Andthenitstartedupagain.Butthenitquieteddownagain.Untilyoublokes

showedup.”Thornekeptpeeringatme.

“Haveyoubeenhereallthistime?”Inoddedandsaid,“Where

elsewouldwebe?”ThornelookedatLuc,who

said,“’Tistrue,myking.Theyneverlefthere.’Twasthegrubbscomeback,nodoubt.”

“Hmm,Iwonder,”saidThorne.Therewasalookinhiseyesandadangeroussoundinhistonethatmademyskinturncold.“Iwantthemsearched,”he

said,pointingatmeandDelph.“Whatarewelookingfor,

myking?”saidLuc.Thorneroared,“I’llknowit

whenIseeit,Luc.Justdoit.”NowIknewhehad

discoveredtheringmissing.Ididn’tknowaboutthebook.Perhapshehadn’tlookedunderhismattress.IputonmyblankestexpressionandprayedtoSteeplesthatDelphwasabletodothesame.Itookachanceatglancingoverathimanddiscovered

thatDelphhadslumpedbackdownandlookedlikehewasasleep.Iwassoproudofhim!Weweresearchedand

nothingwasfound.Ofcoursetheyneverthoughttolookinmycanine’smouthfortheringorunderhimforthebook.Thornewasnotpleased,Icouldtell.And

neitherwasI,atleastnotentirely.NowIknewThornewouldbelievethereweretraitorsamonghisnumber.AndthelastthingIwantedwastobringperiltoLucandhisfamily.AsThornestalkedoff,Lucgavemeatremulousglancethatonlyheightenedmyfearforhim.Ireachedoutmyhandand

HarryTwoobedientlyopenedhismouthandallowedmetoretrievethering.Iwipeditoffandputiton,carefultokeepthethree-hooksideupsoIwouldn’tvanish.ThenItookthebookbackandlookeddownatit.“Anawful,terribleWug,”

saidDelphsolemnly.“Iknow.Butwiththisbook,

Ithinkwehaveachancetomakesurehe’sanex-king,Delph.”“Howd’yamean?”“Thisisproofoftheevil

thingshe’sbeendoingtotheekosandgnomes.”Hisfeatureswidenedin

understanding.“Right,wecangiveittoLucandhecan…hecanuseittofireupthe

ekoslike.There’snowaythey’dremainloyaltoThorneafterlearninghe’sbeenkillingtheirownkindlikethat.”“Butfirstwehavetomake

surethatThornecanneverattackWormwood.”“Thishastoendsoon,Vega

Jane,”saidDelph.“Heknowswe’reuptosomething.We’ll

nevergetanotherchance.”“Itwillendsoon,Delph.It

willendnextlightinfact.”Delphlookedatthering.“There’salotmoretoyour

grandfatherthanwethought,”hesaid.“Ithinkthere’salotmoretoeverythingthanwethought,”Isaidback.AndIdidnotmeanthisina

goodway.

THENEXTLIGHTfoundusoutsideforanothergoatflyingThornearound.AsIreadiedforourflight,

helookedatmyarm.

“Cutyourself,didyou?”hesaidpointedly.Ishotaglanceatwherehe

waspointing.Therewasbloodonmysleevefromwherethestonefragmentblastedoffbythemortashothadhitme.“Icaughtitonajagof

rock.”Hegavemeadismissive

lookandstaredupatthesky,whichwasquicklyturningdarkandforeboding.“Lookslikeastormiscoming.Shallwegeton?”WhenIstartedtostrap

Thorneintotheharness,heshookhishead.“Positionsreversedthis

time,mydear.Ishallcarryyou.”

SinceIhadnochoiceIallowedhimtoharnessmeupandthenwekickedoffandsailedupward.Therideupwasbumpyas

thewindspummeledus.Wequicklybecamesoakedastherainbeganpeltingdown.Iwasgladofmygoggles.Askylightspearshotsidewaysaboveusandthe

accompanyingthunder-thrustwasnearlydeafening.IfeltThornetenseaboveme.Itseemedtheblokewasscaredofabitofrainandnoise.“Everythingokay,Omighty

king?”Iaskedsnidely.Hedidn’tanswer.Instead,I

felthimwrigglingaboveme.Icouldn’ttellatfirstwhathewasdoing.Butthenit

becamequiteclearastheharnessstartedfallingawayfromhim.Hehadunbuckleditfromaroundhistorso.Andsincehewastheonlythingkeepingmeup,thatpresentedabitofaproblemforme.AproblemIsolvedbyreachingbackandgrabbingDestinwithonehand.Unbalanced,we

immediatelywentintoadive.“Letgo,”heroared,kicking

atme.“Notbloodylikely,”Iyelled

back.Weswooped,barrel-rolled,

somersaultedandplungedacrossthestormyskies.HekeptkickingatmeandI

keptparryingtheblows.ThenIgrewtiredofthatand

drewbackmyfistandwallopedhimacrosstheface.Bloodfromhisnosespurtedsofiercelythatitsplatteredoverbothofus.Helookeddownatmein

shock.“Youbrokemydamnnose.”“Here’sanotherjustforthe

Helofit.”Ipunchedhimagain,giving

himablackeye,andthenIaddedakickinhisbellyforgoodmeasure.Iwasafemale,’tistrue,butIwastougherthanjustaboutanymaleofmyacquaintance,includingthisgit!Hegrippedmyhandwith

bothofhisandtriedtopeelmyfingersfromthechain.Hemanagedtoprythreeaway.

SoIturnedtofacehimandwrappedmylegsaroundhistorso.Withmylegssupportingme,bothmyhandswerefree.AndIusedthemtosoundeffect.IstruckThorneoverevery

partofhisbodyIcouldreach.Allthehatred,loathing,disgustandjustsheerfuryIhadpentupforthisblokewas

finallyunleashed.Iwashurtinghimforeveryvilethinghe’ddonetous.Foreveryekosandgnomehe’dcutup.Foreverygrubbhe’dkilled.FormurderingMurgatroyd.Andsimplyforbeingthebiggest,mostevilpratI’deverhadthemisfortunetomeet.Afteradozenhits,Ithought

Ihadverynearlyknockedhimout.ButtherewasmorefightintheoldWugthanIgavehimcreditfor.Ididn’tseetheblowcomingintime.HisfistslammedagainstmyfacesohardIthoughtIfeltallmyteethloosen.Thornewasoldbuthewasbig.Anotherblowtomyfacecausedbloodtoflyfrommy

noseandmyfacetopuffup.Ifeltwoozyandsick.ButIwasnotabouttoletthisgitbeatme.Thinkinghehadanadvantage,hethrewanotherblow,butIblockeditwithmyarm,thepainrattlingupanddownthelimb.Then,keepingonelegwrappedaroundhimsoIwouldn’tplungetotheground,Idrew

myotherlegbackandkneedhiminaspotnomaleeverwantedtobehit.Hegroanedandwentlimp.“Ohno!”Icriedout.ThoughIhadwonthefight

withThorne,ourcombinedequilibriumhadnowbeenupsetbyhisnearlybeingunconscious.Wefellintoasteepdive.Ibentmyhead

backandlookeddown.TheonlythingIcouldseewasamassoftreecanopiescomingatussickeninglyfast.Thornemusthaveseenthis

androusedhimself.“You’regoingtokillusboth,”hescreamedbetweenthegapinhisteethIhadcausedbyknockingafrontoneout.“Well,youweretryingto

killme,”Ishoutedrightback.IspunusaroundsothatI

wasontop.IgrippedDestinwithbothhands,likethereinsonaslep,andarchedmyneckandshoulders.Footbyfootwestartedtopointup.Aswefinallysoaredupward,mybootsbrushedthetopsofthetreecanopy.Thenaskylightspearand

accompanyingthunder-thruststrucksoclosethatitjarredmeloosefromThorne.Heseizedonthisopportunitybygrabbingmebythehairwithbothhandsandrippingmeawayfromhim.Thenheletgo,whichwasperfectlyfinewithmebecauseunbeknownsttohimIhadslippedDestinfromaround

hiswaistwhilehewasmaulingme.IsecuredDestinaroundmy

waistandlookedupjustintimetoseeThornefallinglikeaboulder.Themightykingwas

screaminglikeafrightenedbabyWug.“Helpme,Vega!”he

screamed.

Partofmedidn’twanttodoathing.Lethimfallandgoodriddancetothejumped-upgit.Butanotherpartofmecouldn’tlettheblokedie,atleastnotlikethat.Isupposethat’swhat

separatedthelikesofhimfromthelikesofme.Andthefactwas,afastdeathwasnotjusticeenoughforhim.Not

byalongshot.Ipointedmyheadand

shouldersdownwardandshotthatwayasifIwaspropelledfromoneofThorne’scannons.Igrabbedhimbythehair,toseehowhelikedit.Whenwelanded,wehitsoftlyenoughtobarelycauseastumble.Thenextmoment,ashort-

barreledmortawasleveledagainstmyhead.IhadbeatenThornetoa

bloodypulp.Hisfacewasswollen,nearlyunrecognizable.AndI’mprettysureIhadcrackedaribortwoinadditiontomyfacialinjuries.“Ijustsavedyourlife,”I

snapped.

“AndI’mabouttotakeyours,”hesaid,acompletelyderangedlookonhisbloodyface.Thenextinstant,hewas

lyingfacedownandhismortahadflownaway.IlookeddownatHarryTwo,whowasperchedonThorne’sback.HarryTwothenbitThorneinhisleftbuttock.Theking

screamedbeforeIcoshedhimontheheadwithmybootedfoot,knockinghimout.“Comeon,HarryTwo,”I

saidurgently.“Quick.”Isnatcheduptheharness,

whichhadhitthegroundnearus,anddonnedit.HarryTwojumpedintomyarmsandIquicklybuckledhimin.Ijumpedstraightupandwe

soaredintothestormyskylikeafiredarrow.Ipointedusinthedirection

whereIknewDelphwas.AskylightspearshotnearusandIrolledoverandthenzippeddownward.“VegaJane!”Delphwasthererunningfor

hislife.Iknewthistobetruebecauseagroupofekoswas

rightbehind,firingtheirmortasathim.IpointedusstraightathimandHarryTwoandIrocketedtowardtheground.Atthelastpossiblemoment,Ileveledout,reacheddownandgrippedDelph’soutstretchedhand.Wesoaredupwardandthendidalongbackwardarcbeforewebothbentour

shouldersforward,propellingustospeedsIhadneverreachedbefore.Wewouldneedeverybitofitbecausewehadonlysliverstoexecuteourplan.Westreakeddowntheshaft

throughwhichwehadbothpreviouslyfallenandlandedatthebottom.TheonlyekostherewasLuc.Thiswasn’tby

happenstance.Delphhadarrangeditearlierwiththeheadekos,whohadsimplyorderedtheotherekosaway.IfreedHarryTwofromtheharnessandgrippedLuc’sarm.“Theaeroship,”Isaid.Aftergrabbingourtucks

fromthesleepingchamber,wefollowedhimdowna

passageway.ThenIabruptlystopped.“Waitamo’,”Isaid.Iput

onmyglove,willedtheElementaltofullsizeandtookaim.DelphpulledLucbackand

said,“Coveryourears.”IlettheElementalflyandit

soaredstraightaheadandsmashedintothetowering

wallofskulls.Therewasaterrificexplosionandthebonymassescollapseddownward,creatingamessofcrushedbonesontherockfloor.Whenthedustsettled,therewasn’tasinglepairofeyesocketsstaringbackatusfromthathideouscollection.“Buggeroff,Omighty

King,”Ishoutedtonoonein

particular.Wearrivedattheaero

ship’schamberafewsliverslater.Lucunlockedtheenormousdoor.“I’llgettheoars,”said

Delph.Butasoundmadeusall

turn.ItwasCereandlittleKoriat

thedoorway.

“Thorneisreturning,”Ceresaidbreathlessly.“AndIhaveneverseenhimthisangry.”Shepaused,herfacequivering.“AndfromwordsIhaveheard,Luc,heknowswehavebetrayedhim.Wewillnotlivepastthislight.”“Yes,youwill,”Isaid

firmly.Ipulledthebookfrommytuck.“Thisistheproof

youneed,Luc.Ifthisdoesn’tturnyourkindagainstyourpratking,nothingwill.”Luctookthebook,opened

it,flippedthroughafewpages,andhisfeaturespaled.Hisexpressionthenturnedtooneofdisgust.Andfromthattoanger.ItwasasifIcouldseeLuc’scouragefillingbackupinsidehim.Heclosedthe

bookandlookedupatme.“IknewthatThornewas

mad,butIneversuspected…thisevil.”Delphsaid,“Butyoumusta

knownekosandgnomesweregoingmissing?”“Aye,butThorneblamedit

allonthegrubbs.Icanseenowitwashiswaytoturnourracesagainsteachother.”

“He’sacruelmonster,Luc,”Isaid.“Idon’tknowwhatelsewe’llfaceintheQuag,butIdoubtwe’llconfrontanythingmoreevilthanThorne.”Ipaused.“Sowhatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”Iaskedbluntly,tappingthebook.“Do?”saidLuc.“Do?”Luc

seemedtobeswellingright

beforeoureyes,growingintosomething,orperhapsbackintotheblokehehadoncebeen.“Wearegoingtotakeour

livesback.Andfreeusfromabloodykingwhonevershouldhavebeenallowedtoleadabladeofgrass.”Weexchangedtearfulhugs.Aswedrewapart,Lucsaid,

“Thankyou,Vega.Youhavegivenusthechancetofightandtakebackwhatisours.Nowgo.Andgoodlucktoyouinyourjourney.”Luclockedthedoorbehind

him.Wecouldhearshoutsandrunningfeetinthedistance.WhileDelphgrabbedthe

oars,Iranovertotheaero

ship,jumpedinsidethecarriageandstartedfumblingwiththecontraptionthatforcedairintothebladder.“Canyoufigureouthowthisworks?”IcalledouttoDelph.“Iknowhowitworks”

cameavoice.Iwhirledaroundtoseethe

gnomewhohadlookedatmefunnythatonelight.Hecame

forwardfromwherehehadbeenhiddeninacreviceofrock.“Whoareyou?”Iasked.“Sieve,”heanswered.“Andhowcomeyoucan

speakWugish?”Iasked.“Easyenough.Ilistento

Lucandtheking,”herepliedsmoothly.“Noonemuchnoticesusgnomes.Soyou

hearthings,youdo.”“Canyoufillitwithair?”Hehoppedintothecarriage

anddidsomethingwiththecontraptionsuchthataflameeruptedinitsbelly.TherewasawhooshingsoundandInotedthebladderwasrapidlybeginningtofillastheheatedairwaspropelledintoit.IturnedtoSieve.“How

long?”“Notlong,”hesaid.“As

youcansee.”Theropesholdingthe

carriageinplacewerealreadystrainingagainsttheliftgeneratedbythestrengtheningbuoyancy.Delphstareduptowardthe

ceilingandhisfeaturescollapsed.“Andhowdowe

openthatsowecanactuallygetthisthingout?”Ilookedwherehewas

looking.ItwasonlythenthatInoticedtherewasnoopening.“Damn,”Iscreamed.Our

planwasapparentlyfullofholes.ButSievepointedtoadark

cornerwhereametallever

waswedgedbetweentwolargegears.“That’show.It’llopentheroof.Plentyofroomtogetout.”NowIlookedathim

suspiciously.Ididn’tcareforblokeswhowerethatagreeable.GivemestubbornnessoroutrightdeceitanylightandIwillreadilyacceptit.Butcasual

kindnesswillbedevilmeallnightlong.“Whyareyouhelpingus?”I

demanded.Hesmiledandsaidwitha

slighthiss,“Idon’tmuchlikethecompanyofkings.”Hehelduponeofhisclawlikehands.“Iliketogetinthedirt.Whywegnomesgetalongwiththegrubbs,I

’spect.AndIsawyougivethatbooktoLuc.Iheardwhathesaid.Nomorebloodyking.”Heclackedhisclawsseveraltimesmoreinapparentdelightatthethought.Delphpulledonthelever,

andaholeopenedupdirectlyabovetheaeroship,whichwasnearlyreadytogo.

Iglancedatthelockeddoorasfootstepshurriedtowardit.“Delph,quick!He’llhavea

key.”Werushedovertosome

heavycratesbuiltfromthickwoodstackednexttothedoorandwedgedthemagainstit.Wehurriedtothecarriage

andclimbedin,throwingourtucksintoo.Delphhad

alreadyslidtheoarsthroughtheholesinthesidesoftheaeroship.Therewasaknifeinaleathersheathinsidethecarriage.IpulleditoutandlookedatDelph.“Tocuttheropesholdingusdown.”Henoddedandlooked

upwardatthenowfullbladder.Theropesweremightilycreakingand

strainingtokeeptheshiptetheredtotheground.Therecameanalmighty

crashagainstthethickdoorbutitheldfastwiththeaddedweightofthecratesbehindit.“Cutthelines,”criedSieve.

“Doitnoworyouwillsurelyperish.”Istartedhackingtheropes

asfastasIcould,butthey

werestout.Anothergreatcrashcame

andthedoorsplitabit,yetstillheld.IheardThorneroar,“Fetch

thecannon!”Delphgrabbedtheknife

frommeandstartingsawingattheropeslikeaWugpossessed.Ilookedupandsawthestillstormysky

throughtheopening.Delphhadthreemoreropestoslash.HarryTwoclamberedupontotheedgeofthecarriageandbegantognawatoneofthem.Ilookedaroundtheinterior

ofthecarriageforthesteeringmechanismandtheoarsthatwouldallowustonavigate.Imentallywentthroughour

plananddiscoveredaboutfourthousandthingsthatcouldgowrong.WhenIheardthecannon

beingrolleddownthepassageway,IcalledouttoSieve,“Howareyougoingtogetoutofhere?”Hehelduphisclawsand

smiled,oncemoreshowinghisstained,pointyteeth.

“S’longasIhavethese,Ihaveawayout.”Thenheturnedandattacked

therockwallbehindhim.HarryTwohadcutthrough

hisrope.Delphwasjustaboutdonewithhis,whichleftonlyone.Igrippeditinmyhandsand

pulledwithallthestrengththatDestinprovidedme.The

metalpegthattheropewasattachedtohadbeendrivendeepintotherock.Butwithonemightytug,itcamefree.Ifelloverbackwardandhitmyheadonthefirecontraption.Iroseupatthesametimethecarriagedid.Itwasasurprisinglyfastascent.Butnotfastenough.Theroarofthecannoncame

aninstantlater,followedbythedoorandthecratesbeingblownasideasthoughtheyweighednothing.Delphscreamed.HarryTwobarked.Iducked.Thecannonballshot

betweenthecarriageandthebottomofthebladder.WhenIrosebackup,I

couldn’tbelieveourgoodfortune.Ithadmisseduscompletely

andwewereverynearlythroughtheopeningthatwouldleadustotheoutside.ButwhenIlookedatDelph,IknewI’dbeenwrong.Thecannonballhadhittherockwall,andachunkofstonehadflownoffandslashed

Delph’sarm.Hehaddroppedtothecarriage’sbottom,clutchinghislimb.Thebloodwaspouringdownhisfront.Ikneltbesidehimandheld

outtheAdderStone.“Where’dyougetthat?”he

criedout,hisfacetwistedinpain.“NickeditfromThorne’s

robewhenwewere

cartwheelingacrossthesky.”IwaveditoverDelph’s

woundandthoughtgoodthoughtsandthebloodceasedandtheslashhealed.ThenIusedittofixmywoundsfromfightingThorne.Iheardshoutsandlookedovertheedgeoftheaeroship.Thornewasdowntherewith

hisfistupraisedandhis

featuresawashinfury.Icouldonlysmile,though,asIlookedathisbatteredfaceandbrokennose.ThenIsawmovementtothe

rightofThorne.ItwasSieve.Hehadstuckhisheadoutofahole,apparentlytoseewhatwasgoingon.BeforeIcoulduttera

warning,Thorne,who

seemedtohaveeyesinthebackofhishead,hadturnedandfiredhismorta.TheprojectilecaughtSievefullintheface.Heslumpeddowninthehole,dead.“Youbloodymurderer!”I

screamedatThorne.“Iwillkillyoutoo!”he

roaredback.Thenwewerethroughthe

holeandoutintotheopenexpanseoftheQuag,wherewewerequicklyslammedbythewind.Itwaspushingusbacktowardthecliff.ThatwasnotwhatIwanted.“Delph,”Icalledout.“The

oars.”Hedroppeddownontothe

bench,grippedanoarineachhandandpulled.

“Theotherway!”Ishoutedovertheblastsofthestorm.“Right,”hesaid,andhe

reversedhissittingpositionandtuggedontheoars.Isnatchedthewheelanddid

mybesttoguideuswhereweneededtogo.Everysliver,Ilookeddown

atthegroundtoseewhatwasgoingon.ThenIfinallysaw

whatIknewIwould.Thorneandhisarmyofekos.Theywereaboutfiftyfeetbehindus.“Okay,Delph,youcanstop

rowing.”“Aretheycatchingup?”“Yes.”Hedroppedtheoarsand

joinedmeatthesideoftheaeroship.

Ilookedaheadofus.TheQuaghadchangedyetagain.Themountains,theriverandtheridgesallhadexchangedplaces.Icouldfeelacurrentofenergyintheair.Andforsomereason,Ididn’tthinkitwasfromthestorm.Ilookedbehindus.A

columnofekoswasaimingtheirlong-barreledmortas

directlyattheaeroship.Thornewasrightbehindthem,gazingupatuswithgreatdelight.IturnedtoDelphandnodded.Hegrippedthecord

danglingnearthewheelandpulledit,releasingtheairfromthebladder.Webegantolower.IhoistedHarryTwointothe

harness.“Delph,takemyhand.It’stime.”Hegrabbedourtuckswith

onehandandgrippedmyhandwithhisother.Iledhimovertothefarsideofthecarriage,awayfromThorneandtheekos.Weheldhands,eachofus

lookingattheother.“Ifthisdon’twork,”said

Delph.“Itwillwork,”Isaidfirmly.“Right,butifitdon’t,well.”

Heleaneddownandkissedmeonthecheek.Themortasfiredand

projectilestoreintothebladder,riddlingitwithholes.“Now!”Iscreamed.I

kickedthecontraption

holdingthefire,knockingitover.Thewoodencarriagequicklybecameablaze.Weclambereduponthe

edgeofthecarriageandleapt.Anotherroundofmortas

firedoff,blastingintothecarriage.Ilookedbehindusandsaw

thattheaeroshipwasstartingtofall.

Rightbeforewewereabouttohittheground,Istraightenedoutandwezoomedalongjustaboveit.Ilookedbackagainandsawtheaeroshiphitthegroundwithatremendouscrash,andastheremnantsofthebladderfellontopofthecarriage,therewasamightyexplosion.Theflashoflightandgeyser

ofsmoketoweredaboveus.Well,Ithought,thatwasthe

endofThorne’schancetoattackWormwood.EvenifhesomehowmanagedtoescapeLucandtheotherekos,hewouldneverbeabletobuildanotheraeroship.Whenthesmokecleared

away,Delphcalledout,“VegaJane,look!”

IturnedandsawasightIwillneverforget.Hundredsofarmedekos

wereracingtowardThorneandhismuchsmallerband.AndleadingthemwasLuc.Andheldaloftinhishandwas…thebook—theproofofThorne’scrimesagainsttheekos,unmistakablywrittenoutinthemiserable

bloke’sownhand.IturnedtoDelph,asmilea

milewideonmyface.Hegazedback.“Ithinkthis

istheendofoldKingThorne.”“Bloodywelloverdue,”I

saidfirmly.Iturnedbackaroundand

flewalongasfastasIcould.Aboutthreemilesfartheron,

IwasexhaustedfromtotingDelphandHarryTwoandourbagsofsupplies.Iaimedmyheadandshouldersdownandwelandedasliverlater.IunhookedHarryTwofrom

theharnessandweallsanktothegroundandjustlaythere.Iwasastonishedthatwewereactuallyalive.AsIlookedoveratDelph,Icouldtellhe

wasthinkingtheexactsamething.Hesaid,“Well,wedoneit,

didn’twe?Allthethingscouldagonewrongwithourplanandwedoneit.”Helookeddown.“’CeptforSievegettin’killed.”“Iknow,Delph.Wenever

wouldhavemadeitoutexceptforhim.Buthedied

fightingagainstThorne.Hewasverybrave.”“Supposeyou’reright,Vega

Jane.”HarryTwogaveasharp

barkandwebothjumped.Butmycaninewasgrinning.Itwaslikehewasagreeingwithme.Itouchedmycheek.“You

kissedmerightthere,before

wejumped.”Heglanceddown,hiseyes

half-shut.“I…I…”Ireachedoverandkissed

himonhischeekintheexactsameplacehe’dkissedme.“Thankyou,Delph.”Heopenedhiseyesfully

andgazedatme.“Forwhat?”“Justforbeingyou.Which

isprettybloodywonderful.”

Andthenithappened.Fromnowhereadarkclouddescendeduponus.Icouldseenothing.IheardHarryTwobark.Iheardsomeonegasp.Andthenthecloudwasgone.AndsowasDelph.

IJUMPEDTOMYfeetandscreamed.“Delph?DELPH!”Ilookedfranticallyaround.

Hewasnowhere.He…hewasgone.Thecloud!I

lookedtothesky.Therewasnothingupthereexceptthestorm.Irushedaroundinalldirections.Ilookedbehindtreesandrocks,andracedoverlittleknollswithHarryTworightbehindme.IkeptcallingoutforDelphuntilmylungswereexhausted.Icollapsedtothedirt,mymindracingsofastIcouldn’tthink

clearly.Then,asthesliverspassedandtherewasstillnoDelph,Istartedtoweep,andthencryandthensob.IsobbedsohardIvomited.Ilaythereinthedirt,Harry

Twocurledprotectivelyaroundme.Ijustkeptmumblingover

andover,“Delph,Delph,Delph.Pleasecomeback.

Pleasecomeback.Please.”ButDelphdidnotcome

back.Hewasgone.Islowlyrosefromthe

groundandpickedupmytuck.That’swhenIrealizedthatDelph’stuckwasgone.Howcouldthatcloud?Howcould…?ThevileThornehadtoldme

thatnothingwasimpossible

intheQuag.Thorne!Couldhehave…?ButifithadbeenThorne,hesurelywouldhavetakenmetoo.AsHarryTwoandIwalked

slowlyalong,Ilookeddownatmyfeet.Ifocusedonplacingonefootinfrontoftheother.Iwastryingtoblockouteverythingelse.Mostofall,Iwastryingto

notthinkaboutDelphnotbeingnexttome.Istillcouldn’tquitefathomhowithadhappened.Ievenstoppedandclosedmyeyesonce,andthenopenedthem,hopingthatmynightmarewouldbeoverandthereDelphwouldbe.Hewouldlookatmewith

hissilly,endearinggrinand

say,“Wotcha,VegaJane?”Buthewasn’tandsohe

didn’t.Iwasjustafifteen-sessions-

oldfemalefromWormwoodwhofeltlikebawlinghereyesoutbecauseherbestfriendwasgone.OnlyIcouldn’t.Ihadno

tearslefttoshed.Ilookedahead.TheQuag

stretchedendlessly.Ilookedaboveandmyjaw

dropped.Thestormwasstillragingandskylightspearsandthunder-thrustshadgrownsoubiquitousastobequiteunremarkable.Buttherewassomethingelseinthatsky.Itwasahugeflyingcreature

nearlythesizeoftheinficio.I

didn’tknowifitwasallyorfoe.Then,asitswoopedlower,Igotabetterlookatit.Itwasafirebird.Itsplumagewasamessofbrilliantcolorsthatshonelikeabeaconeveninthedarknessofthestorm.Itsbeakandhugeclawswerehideouslysharp.Quentin’sbookhadsaidthatafirebirdcouldbeeitherenemyorally.

Icouldn’taffordtofindoutwhichrightnow.“Run!”IcriedouttoHarry

Two.Therewasonlyonepossible

escape.Isawtheopeningintherockupthefirstridge.Isprintedtowardit,lookingovermyshoulderforthegiganticbird.Buttheskiesweresodarknowandtherain

fallingsohardthatIcouldn’tseemuchofanything.Wereachedthecave

openingandIstopped.Rushingheadlongintoadark,confinedspaceintheQuagmightbethelastthingIeverdid.Itookamomenttolightmylanternandreachedinmypocketformyglove,grippedtheElementalandwilleditto

fullsize.Iliftedthetuckoverone

shoulder.Withthelanterninmyotherhand,HarryTwoandIcautiouslyslippedintothemouthofthecave.WehadgoneabouttwentypaceswhenIheardasound.Itwasnotthegrowlofabeast,norcouldmynosedetectafoulodorofanykind.Itwasmore

likesomeonemumbling.“Hello!”Icalledout.

“Who’sthere?”Nextmomentthe

mumblingsstopped.Ididnottakethisasagoodsign.MyhandtightenedontheElemental.Icreptforwardwithmycaninenexttome.Thecavewasdeepandthefartherwewentintoit,the

higherandwideritbecame,untilIcouldeasilystandstraightup.“Hello?”Isaidagain.Somethingracedacrossthe

passageinfrontofusandplungedintodarknessontheotherside.Idroppedthelanternand

aimedtheElemental.“ComeoutrightnoworelseI’ll…

I’llhurtyou,”Isaid,myvoicecrackingembarrassingly.Inchbyinchthethingcame

backintoview.Ipickedupmylantern,holdingithighandlightingthepassagemorefully.Thecreaturewassmallanditworeahoodedcloak.“Whoareyou?”Isaid

breathlessly.

“TheycallsmeSeamus,”itrepliedinWugish.“Whatbeyou,dearie,dearie?”HecuriouslyeyedtheElementalcockedinmyhand.“I’mVegaJane.”Iadded,

“Couldyoutellmewhatyouare?”Heloweredthehood.“Me’s

ahob,meis.”Iknewthisassoonashe

droppedthehood.I’dreadabouthobsinQuentin’sbookontheQuag.Andtherehadalsobeenapicture.Thehobwasabouthalfmyheight,thickinfigurewithasmallbutwidejaw,astoutnose,andbrowneyessetcloseabovethenose,peakedearslikemycanine,onlylongerandfullerandpinkeronthe

inside.Thefingersthathadloweredthehoodwerelong,curvedandspindlywithsharp-lookingnails.Thebarefeetrevealedatthehemofthetoo-shortcloakwerelargeandhairy.Hiscloakwasraggedanddirty,andhisface,handsandfeetnotmuchcleaner.“I’maWugmort,”Isaid.

HeinchedcloserandoncemoreeyedtheElemental.IhadforgottenIwasstillaimingitathim.Iloweredit.“Why’syouwanttohurt

things,dearie,dearie?”“Idon’t,unlesstheywantto

hurtme.”“Hobsdon’thurtnobodys.”Quentin’sbookhadsaid

hobswouldhelpyou.Allyou

hadtodowasgivethemlittlepresentsfromtimetotime,thoughIhadnoinklingwhatanappropriategiftmightbe.“I’veheardthatofhobs,”Isaid.“Doyouliveinthiscave?”“TillImoveson.”“It’sstormyoutside,”Isaid.“Stormsandstormsleta

hobroamsandroams,”he

saidnonsensically.“DoyouliveintheQuag?”“What,thishereplace,you

mean?”“Yes.”Hegavemeacrookedgrin,

revealingmisshapenteeth.“WhereelsewouldIlive,dearie,dearie?”“Youcanjustcallme

Vega.”

“IcouldifIwouldifIcould.”Myheadstartedtothrob.“Yousaysyou’sa

Wugmort?What’sthat,dearie,dearie?”“Wugforshort.It’swhatwe

callsomeonefromWormwood.It’savillage.TheQuagsurroundsit.”Henodded,thoughIwasn’t

sureheevenknewwhatIwastalkingabout.“Look,”Isaid,“Ihavea

friend,Delph.Weweresittingtogetherawaysfromherewhenadarkcloudcamedownandcoveredus.Whenitlifted,hewasgone.Canyouhelpmefindhim?Ihavetofindhim.Ihaveto.”Insteadofanswering,the

hobturnedhisbackonmeandventuredfartherintothecave.IhurriedlygrabbedmytuckandlanternandHarryTwoandIfollowedhimdeeperintothebowelsoftheplace.Wecametoalittlechamber

thatwasoutfittedwithacoupleofcrates,arolled-upblanket,abucketandtwo

lightedcandlesperchedonrocks.Ilookedaroundandsetmy

tuckandlanterndownandthensatonacrate.Itwascoldinhereandwindsfromthestormweremanagingtoreachuseventhisfar,causingthecandlestoflicker.Ishiveredanddrewmycloakcloseraroundme.Thenext

momentIfeltterribleguilt.PoorDelphmightbeoutinthestormwithnothingoverhishead.“Youcold,dearie,dearie?”

askedSeamus.Inodded.Hesatdownonacrate,

drewhishandinhiscloakpocket,andwhathepulledoutofitmademefall

backwardoffmyseatandcausedHarryTwotostartbarking.Seamusignoredthis

commotionandplacedthesmallballofbluefireheheldinhishandonthedirt,sprinkledabitofsomethinghehadpulledfromhisotherpocketonthetinytendrilsofflames,andtheyimmediately

grewtooverafootinheight.Iregainedmyseatandsaid,

“Howdidyoudothat?”Helookedupatmewithan

innocentexpression.“Dowhat?”“Pullfirefromyour

pocket?”“Ipullsit,Idoes.Does

yousey?”“No,Idoesnotsey,”Isaid

beforecatchingmyself.“ImeanIdonot.Ican’t.Wheredidyoulearntodoit?”“Allhobscanspullfires

fromtheirpockets.Wejustcans,dearie,dearie.Wejustcans.”Hefinishedthisstatementoffwithacackle.Idrewclosertotheflames

andfeltimmediateanddeepwarmtheventhoughitwas

notalargefire.Flashingthroughmymindwasaremembrancefrommanysessionsago.Mymotherandfatherand

mybrotherweresittinginfrontofthefirebackatourmodestdigsinWormwood.Wehadeatenourusualsmallmeal.Weneverhadmuchintermsofthings.ButI

remembersittingonthefloorinfrontofthatfireandlookingaroundateachofthem,myfatherwithhisreadysmile,mymotherwithherkindways,andmybrotherstaringataspiderinthecorneroftheceilingandsilentlycountingitslegs,andthinkingIwastheluckiestWugthereeverwas.

ThememoryfadedandIrefocused.“Canyouhelpmefindmyfriend?”Isaidagain.Ipulledsometinsoffoodandajugofwaterfrommytuck.“Wouldyoulikesomeofmyfoodandwater?”Iasked.Ihadnoideaifthiswouldconstituteapropergift,butIhadtotry.“Whatyougots,dearie,

dearie?”“Smokedmeat,cheeses,

breads,friedpickles,vegetablesandsomeapplesandpears,amongotherthings.”Helookeddisappointed.“Is

thatalls?”Ilookeddownatmyfoods

andwonderedhowtherewasnothinghefancied.I

rummagedaroundinmytuckand,indoingso,broughtoutatinofchocolatesthatIhadpurchasedfromHermanHelvet’sshopbackinWormwood.Quickasaflash,Seamusseizedthetinandsniffedit.“ThisbewhatSeamus

wants,dearie,dearie.”“Thewholetin?”Isaid,

stunned.Heansweredbyusingone

ofhisfingernailstoslicerightthroughthemetaltop.Hepluckedoutthechocolateontopandbitintoit.Hesmiled,showingoffhispileofcrooked,darkenedteeth.Hedevouredthatchocolateandthenfinishedoffanother.“Onesy-twoseyforSeamus,

savestherestiesforlater,Iwill.”Heputthetindownand

heldhishandsovertheflames.Istaredwarilyatthosequitesharpfingernailsthathadsoeasilycutthroughmytintop.Hiseyesbecamemore

hoodedstillasheleanedbackagainstthewallandhuddled

inhiscloak.Ilistenedtothestormragingoutsideanddrewclosertotheflames.CouldDelphfindshelter?Wouldsomethingfindhimfirst?Ishivered.“Canyouhelpme?!”Isaid.

“Please!”Hesaidnothingbut

continuedtostareatmewithhalf-liddedeyes.Thoughthe

lookwasabitcreepy,Idecidedtocarryon.“Seamus,”Isaid,“I’ve

givenyousweets.”Whenhestilldidn’tsayanything,IdrewoutmyQuagbookandopenedittothepageonhobs.Iread,“Ahobisaforceforgood.Itwillbefriendthoseinneed.Allonehastodoisbekindtothehobandprovideit

agiftanditwillservethegiverfaithfully.”Istoppedreadingandheld

upthebooksohecouldseethedrawing.“Wheredidyougetssucha

thingy?”askedSeamusashestaredcuriouslyatthepicture.“Fromsomeonewho’sbeen

intheQuagandknowsofblokeslikeyou,”Ishotback.

Hisgazedartedtothetinofchocolatesthatsatnexttothecrate.Ashishandreachedoutforit,HarryTwoshotforwardtoperchinfrontofit,hisfangsbared.Seamusquicklywithdrew

hishandandsaidsullenly,“Noneedstobelikethat.Seamusisagoodhob,heis.Likethewordsiessay.”

“Soyoucanhelpme,right?”Ieyedthetinofchocolates.“I’mreallyworriedaboutmyfriend.”Seamusclucked.“You

shouldbe,dearie,dearie.”Andthenheaddedwithoutatraceofhisclaptrap,singsongspeech,“For’tisadangerousplace,thisis.”Westaredateachotherover

thesmokyflamesoftheballoffire.ItwassuddenlysosilentinthecavethatIthoughtthestormmusthaveceased.“Hedisappearedina

cloud,”Isaidagain.“Whatmightyouknowaboutthat?”Seamusputafingerupto

hismouthasthoughsignalinghewasdeepinthought.I

watchedhimthroughthesmokeoftheconjuredflames.“There’saplace,”hesaid.

“There’saplaceroundshere.”“Whatplace?”Isnapped,

myfearofwhatmightbehappeningtoDelphgrowingwitheachbreathItook.“Acottage.”Igapedathim.“Whatisa

cottagedoingintheQuag?”Onthishefellsilentand

closedhiseyescompletely.“Seamus,whatisacottage

doingintheQuag?Doessomeonelivethere?”“Maybesomeonesdoesand

maybesomeonesdoesn’t.”“Areyouagoodhobor

not?”Isaidheatedly.“Iisagoodhob.”

“Soanswermyquestion.Please.”Heopenedhiseyesand

lookedatmegrumpily.“’Tisafemalethatlives

there,”hesaid,againwithnoneoftheclaptrap.“Dearie,dearie?”Isaid,my

eyebrowshiked.Hesatupandlookedatme.

Imeanhelookedatmefor

whatseemedliketrulythefirsttime.“Who’sthefemaleinthe

cottage?”Iasked.“Whyyoubehere?”His

tonewassuddenlybothaggressiveandaccusing.“Iaskedfirst.Andyou’rea

hobwhohasyettoshowmekindness,despitethetinofchocolates.”

Hepointedattheflames.“Youwerecoldandnowyou’renot!”“Andyou’vehadtwoofmy

chocolates.”Ipickedupthecanandtossedittohim.Hecaughtitneatly.“Andnearlyafulltintospare.”Heconsideredthis,his

featuresturningsulky.“Don’tknowhername,”he

saidfinally.“Isshekind?”Iasked.“Kindenough,”he

commentedinapoutingtone.“Howdoesshesurvivein

theQuagwithsomanydangerouscreatures?”“Theyleaveheralone,don’t

they?”“Why?”“Theyjustdo,”hesaidwith

finality.“Andcanshehelpmefind

Delph?”Heshrugged.“Ifshecan’t,

nooneherecan.”“Canyoushowmetheway

there?”“What!Inthisbloody

storm?”hesaidinaprotestingvoice.“Icanfly,”Iadded.

Hiseyeswidened.“Fly?Whatrubbish!”IstrappedHarryTwointo

theharness.“I’llshowyou.Comeon.

Wehaven’taslivertolose.”Heroseandfollowedmeto

thecaveentrance.TherainwasstillbucketingdownandSeamusgazedoutruefully,butIdidn’tcare.Ijustneeded

tofindDelph.Thoughitwasn’tnight,itwasdarkbecauseofalltheblackclouds.Clouds.LiketheonethathadtakenDelph.IsaidtoSeamus,“That

flameyouconjured,canweuseittosee?”Heseemedsurprisedbymy

requestbutnodded,reachedinhispocketandpulledout

anotherlittleblueballoffire.“Climbonmyshoulders,”I

said.Hedrewback.“I’mtoo

heavy.”Ihoistedhimup

effortlessly.“Now,whenweflyyoucan

holdontothestrapsoftheharness,okay?”“Upthereiswherewe’re

going?”hesaidfearfully.Inoddedandsaid,“But

don’tworry,I’veneverhadacrashthatkilledme.”Isteppedoutintotherain,

slidmygoggleson,kickedoff,andwewentinsearchoftheoneWugIcouldnotlivewithout.

THESTORMHADgrowninintensity.Evenwithmygoggles,Iwasflyinghalf-blind.YetSeamuswasholdingtheballofbluefire

outinfrontofus,andtherainandwindhadnoeffectonit.“Thatway,”roaredSeamus

overthefuryofthestormthatcausedmetorolluncontrollablyeveryfewslivers.HepointedtohisleftandIveeredthatway.“Howmuchfarther?”I

yelled.FromhisearlierwordsIimaginedthecottagetobe

farcloser.“Well,it’smoved,ain’tit?”

saidSeamus.“That’sbloodywonderful!”

Ishrieked.“Downthere!”hesuddenly

shouted.Ilookedthroughmyfogged

andsmearedgogglesandbeheldasightthatevenintheQuagseemedextraordinary.

Itwasn’tacottage.Itwasadomeofemeraldgreen.Anditdidn’tseemsolid.Itwas…well,itlookedtobesimplyaglow,likeapulseofahugeheart.Butitwasunmistakableanditshoneclearthroughtheuttermadnessofthestormydarkness.Ishotdownwardandsawa

landingpathnexttoasmallstandofashtrees.Iswungmylegsdownandtouchedfeetfirst.IcouldhearSeamusmutter,“Neveragainwillmefeetleavetheground,sohelpme,hobsey.”IfreedHarryTwofromthe

harnessasSeamusgingerlyclimbeddownfromhisperchonmyshoulders.Wethree

stoodtherestaringatthegreenglow.Ilookedatthehob.“Sohowdoesonegetin?”“Tricky,tricky,dearie,

dearie.”Iwhirledonhim.“Ifyou

startthatload-atoshwithmeagain,you’regoingtoseeadickyfit,Seamusthehob,thatyouwillneverbloody

forget!”Hisfacefellandhesaid

tersely,“Allright,allright,don’twadyourknickers.Followme.”Westrodesinglefiletowardtheglow.WestoppedwithinafootofitandeveninthedarkIcouldperceivetheoutlineofastructurewithin.“Thecottage?”Isaid,

glancingdownatSeamus.Henoddedandsaidwitha

heavybreath,“Thecottage.”“Whatnow?”Iasked.IwatchedasSeamustooka

tentativestepforward,butthenhestoppedandturnedtolookbackatme.“Well?”Isaidexpectantly.

“Budgealong.”“Givemeamo’,”hesaid.

“Whyareyouinsuchableedin’hurryanyways?”“Oh,Idunno,maybe

becausewe’restandinginthemiddleofaragingstormINTHEBLOODYQUAG!”“Okay,okay,Iseesyour

point.”Hetookseveraldeepbreaths.“Oh,fortheloveofAlvis

Alcumus!”Iwalkedstraight

intothegreenglow.“Oi!Wait!”heshouted.HarryTwoinstantly

followedandwepassedcleanthrough.IturnedandlookedbackatSeamus,whowasjumpingupanddownandgesticulatingmadly.Ireachedbackthroughthegreenishglow,grippedhishandandpulledhimthroughsohe

stoodnexttousinsidetheemeralddome.Iletgoofhishandand

stareddownathim.Hiseyeswerescrunchedclosedandhewasshiveringlikehe’dbeenpitchedintoicywater.“Uh,Seamus?”Ibegan.Hemadeafranticmotion

formetoshush.Then,littlebylittle,heopenedhisgreat,

bulbouseyesandstaredaround.Whenherealizedwherehewas,heexclaimedinascoldingtone,“Nowlookwhatyougoneanddone.”“Youbroughtushere.”“ButIdidn’ttellyoutojust

bargerightin.Why,whenIthinkwhatcoulda—”“WhatexactlywasI

supposedtodo?”I

interruptedsharply.“Why,youbarmygit,wait

whileIgotthingssortedout,that’sbloodywhat.”“Well,they’resortedout.

We’reinside.Now,where’sthecottage?”Ihadbeenlookingaround,

buttheoutlineofthestructureIhadseenfromoutsidethegreenglowwasnolonger

evidentfrominsideit.Hepointedtohisleft.“Let’s

tryoverthere.”“Tryoverthere?”Isaid

blankly.“Ithoughtyou’dbeenherebefore.”“Well,Ihave.ImeanIbeen

tothegreenglow,o’course.”“Wait,areyoutellingme

you’veneverbeeninsidethegreenglow?”

“G’onwithya,whatcheek.Why,Iaskyou.”“Iamaskingyou.How

manytimeshaveyoubeeninsidethegreenglow?”Helookedupwardand

seemedtobecountingoffsomethinginhishead.Heheldupasolitaryfinger.“Well,countin’thistime,itcomesto,um,one.”

“One!”Iroared.Heleaptbackatmyshout.

“Well,didyougivemeachance?No.Youjustchargedonin.Couldakilledusall.”“SowhenIwalkedthrough

thegreenglow,Icouldhavebeenkilled?”“Andonyourheaditwould

havebeentoo.”“Oh,buggeroff!”Icried

out,andwentinsearchofacottagethatmayormaynotcontaina“nice”femalewhomightormightnoteatustheslivershelaideyesonus.“You’rearightshonkygit,

Seamus,”Icalledbackovermyshoulder.“Trog!”heyelledback.“Pillock,”Iscreamedin

returnbeforehurryingalong.

ThenIstopped.Ihadjustrealizedsomething.Itwasnotraininginhere.Ilookedup.Therewasnostorm.Nowind.IfeltlikeIwaswalkingalongaheatedpath.Itmademefeel…comforted.Wekeptwalkingandclearedaknoll.Whenweraceddownitsotherside,Isawit.Thecottage.Ithadathatch

roof,mortaredstonesforwallsandanovalsolid-wooddoorwithalightshiningthroughthesmallsquareopeningatthetopofit.Therewasashort,crazy-angledflagstonepaththatledtothedoor.Gatheringmycourage,I

steppedupontotheblockofoldblackenedstonethat

formedaroughporchandlookedcautiouslythroughthewindowinthedoor.ThenIsuddenlyleaptbackoffthestoneandstoodthereshivering.Thedoorhadopened,apparentlyallbyitself.WhenIthoughtthingscould

notgetstranger,Iheardanimperiousvoice.

“Youmayenter,”itsaid.Ilookedaroundforthesourceofthevoice,butsawnothing.Still,thevoicehadn’tsoundedparticularlythreatening.Ilookedbehindmeoncemoreandtherewasagoggle-eyedSeamusstandingbarelytenfeetaway.Theblokelookedreadytovomit.Iprobablylookedthe

same.“Itsaidtoenter,”Itoldhim

nervously.“W-well,theny-youb-best

dowhatits-says,eh?”“Areyoucoming?”I

demanded.Hepuffedouthischestand

saidinastridentvoice,“IthinkI’llkeepwatchouthere,dearie,dearie.Don’twant

nothingsneakin’uponyou,doesoldSeamus.”Hegaveacrisplittlesalute.“Prat,”Imutteredundermy

breath,andthenIletoutalong,resignedsigh.OfallthehobsIcouldruninto,Ihadtorunintothisone.Isteppedforwardintothe

cottage,HarryTworightnexttome.Assoonaswehad

doneso,thedoorswungclosedandIheardalockclickintoplace.Igrabbedatthedoorhandleandtriedtoopenit.ButeventhoughIhadDestinaroundmywaistandmystrengthwasgreatlyenhanced,thedoorwouldn’tbudge.Iturnedbackaround.

“Hello?”Isaid,firstinalow

voicethatcouldbarelybeheardevenbyme.ThenIsaidmoreloudly,“Hello!”Nothing.Ilookedaround.The

furnitureIsaw—atable,achairandacupboard—wasallsmallandlowtothefloor,whichwaswoodenandlookedaboutathousandsessionsold.Therewasa

largeclockonthewallwhosehandsneverstoppedmoving.Theywhirledaroundandaroundthefaceoftheclock.Idrewcloserandsawthatthehandswereactuallytwoblacksnakesinexplicablyhardened.Then,whenIsawthatthefaceoftheclockwasactuallytheflattenedcountenanceofagarm,I

leaptbackandnearlyupsetthetable,onwhichwasaplate,acupandutensilsallmadefromtin.Maybethefemaleherewas

actuallyevil.MaybeSeamushadtrickedme.IpromisedmyselfifIgotoutofthiscottagealive,Iwouldstranglehim.Gatheringmynerves,Isaid

sharply,“Oi,isanyoneaboutinthisruddyplace?”Inearlyjumpedtothe

ceilingwhenit,orshe—Iwasn’texactlysurewhat—appeareddirectlyinfrontofme.HarryTwobarkedonceand

thenwentsilent.Igrabbedmychesttotryandpushmyheartbackintoitsproper

place.“HolySteeples,”Ipanted,bentover,allmybreathsuddenlygone.“Wheretheblazesdidyoucomefrom?”Iwheezed.She—nowIwassureit

wasashe—lookedbackatme.Shewassmall,barelytallerthanSeamus,whichputheratrightaboutmybellybutton.Shewasyoung,

maybetwentysessions,andherblackhairhunglimplyaroundhershoulders.Herfacewasovalandhernose,eyesandmouthallsmallandfinelydrawn.Herexpressionwasoneofmildcuriositymixedwithindifference,whichstruckmeasquiteodd.Imean,howmanyWugsdidshehaveturnupinherdigs

withacanineintow?Sheworeanemerald-coloredshawloveralongblackcloak.Shekeptstaringatmewith

thatsamecuriousyetambivalentexpression.“I’mVega,”Isaid.“Thisis

mycanine,HarryTwo.”Shelookedfirstatme,then

atHarryTwo,andthenher

gazereturnedtome.“IamAstreaPrine,”she

said,inthesamevoicethathadtoldmetoenter.“Seamusthehobtoldme

aboutyouandyourcottage.Ineedyoutohelpmefindmyfriend,Delph.”“Delph?”shesaid

questioningly.“HisfullnameisDaniel

DelphiabuteveryonecallshimDelph.He’soutinthisstorm.Therewasthisdarkcloudanditcoveredusandhewasgoneand…”“Whydidyouventure

here?”shesaidsharply.“Idon’thavetimeto

explain.DelphisoutinthestormandI’mworriedabouthim.Idon’twantanythingto

happentohim.”Shesuddenlyturnedandleft

theroom,thistimeusingherfeet.Wehurriedlyfollowedher

intothenextroom,whichwasfarlargerthanthefirstand,indeed,appearedmuchbiggerthantheentirecottagehadlookedfromtheoutside.Intheverycenteroftheroom

wasaroundtable.Astreastrodeovertoitwith

quick,shortstepsandthenstopped.Wefollowed.Onthetableweretwoidenticallysizedpewtercups.Andineachcupsproutedanemeraldflame.“What’sthatfor?”Iasked

curiously.Shepointedtothecupon

theleft.“TheQuag,”shesaid,andthenshetookfromherpocketwhatlookedlikesandandthrewitontheflames.Theyinstantlyshotmuchhigher.Thenshetippedthecupoverandtheflamingliquidspreadacrossthetabletop.“Lookout!”Iexclaimed,

reachingouttosmotherthe

firewithmycloak.Amomentlater,itwasas

thoughIhadrunintoaninvisiblewall.Iwasfrozen,myoutstretchedhandsinchesfromthemoltenliquid.“Thereisnoneed,Vega,”

shesaid,pointingtothetabletop.Theflameshadvanished

andthewaterhadspreadto

engulfthetabletop,withtheexceptionoftheothercup,whichthewaterdidnottouch.“ThisisaSeer-See,”she

said.“Apropheticaleye.”Confused,Ilookeddownat

thetabletopandmybreathseizedinmylungs.Itwasasthoughapicture,amovingpicture,hadformed

onthetable.IscanneditfranticallyforDelph.“Amarocs,”Isaidsharply.

Therewasaherdoftheminfullgallop.TheyjumpedandleaptandgallopedandswervedaroundobstacleswithagraceIcouldbarelyimagine.Theywouldbebeautifultolookatiftheyweren’tsomurderous.

“Canyouseewhatthey’reafter?”IwasterrifiedthatthesomethingwasDelph.Shewavedherhandonce

moreandtheimageleaptaheadoftheamarocs.Itwasaherdofdeer.Buttheywereallaswhiteassnow.Theywerefast,buttheamarocsseemedtobegaining.“Theamarocsareswifter

thanthedeer,”Isaidworriedly.Shenodded.“Butasyou

cansee,’tisnomatter.”IglancedbackattheSeer-

Seeandgasped.Thedeerwerenolongerthere.Intheirplacewerelittlebitsoflightthatflewintotheairandthendisappeared,leavingtheamarocsrushingaroundinall

directionsandroaringinfury.“Whathappenedtothe

deer?”Isaid.“Theywerenotdeer.”“Thenwhatwerethey?”“Fairieshavingabitoffun

attheexpenseoftheamarocs.Andmore’sthebetter,Isay.Bloodytroglodytes.”“CanyouseeDelphonthis

thing?”Isaidimpatiently,my

insidesfrozenwiththoughtsofwhatmighthavehappenedtohim.Shewavedherhandover

thetabletoponcemore.IcaughtabreathwhenIsaw

him,butthenletitoutslowlyandwithrelief.Delphwasfastasleepinthe

hugecrookofatoweringtreewhosecanopywassothick

thatnotonedropofraincouldpenetrateit.Icouldseethathehadusedabitofropetosecurehisperch.Thatwayhecouldnotturninhissleepandtumbledown.“Ishesafe?”Iasked

worriedly.Inanswer,shereachedin

hercloakpocketanddrewsomethingout.Sheliftedup

herhandandletthethingsshe’ddrawnoutfallontothetabletop.Theylookedlikegrainsofrice.Theyhitthewaterwithoutmakingasplash.ButIcouldseetheripplescausedbythetinycollisionofriceandwater.TheseripplescarriedoverDelphandformedacirclearoundhim.Andthenthey

hardened,becomingstillandfixedinthewater.Itwaslikehewasnowinacage.“Heisfreefromharmnow.”

Sheturnedoncemore.“Pleasecomewithme,VegaJane.”AsIfollowedher,it

occurredtomethatIhadnevertoldhermylastnamewasJane.

ASTREAUSEDAlargeironkeyshapedlikeanarrowheadtoopenadoorandledmeintoaroomthatwasclearlyalibrary,foreveryinchofwall

wastakenupbybooksinlarge,ornatelycarvedcasesthatroseallthewaytotheceilingagoodfifteenfeetaboveus.Inthecenteroftheroomwerelumpychairsandscuffedtablesscatteredhitherandthither.AsIgazedaround,there

wasadistinctclick.Asectionofthebookcaseshadopened,

revealingapatchofdarknessbeyond.Weenteredthespace,whichwascompletelyblackuntilwehadmovedintoit.Thentheroomwasawashinlightthatcasttheobjectsintheroomintoexaggeratedrelief.Therewerecomfortable-

lookingoverstuffedarmchairsandsmalltablesuponwhich

restedcontraptionsunrecognizabletome.Therewasalargewoodendeskcutfromtimbersoagedthatitlookedpetrified.Behindthedeskwasaleatherchairwithahighwoodenbackwithgleamingnail-headsvisible.Onthedeskwerepapersandparchmentsandscrolls,stacksofbooksandglass

inkwellsandarackofold-fashionedquillsthatIhadonceseenmygrandfatherusetowritealetter.Therewasasmallfireplace

surroundedbybrick,withathincopper-edgedchimneypieceuponwhichsataclockthat,thankfullyformynerves,hadnoserpentsonitsface.Infrontofthe

emptyfireplaceweretwoequallydecrepit-lookingchairswiththestuffingfallingoutandtinyfootstoolsinfront,whereone’sfeetcoulddrawclosertothewarmthiftherehadbeenafireburning.Thenextinstant,HarryTwo

andIleaptbackasthefireplace,whichhadbeen

emptynotonlyoffirebutalsooflogs,sprangtolifeandroaringflamesleaptforth.Theroom,chillywhenwehadentered,quicklybecamewarmandcomfortingand,despitemyexcitement,Ifeltmyeyesdroopabit.IsuddenlyrealizedthatIwasbeyondexhausted.Myeyessnappedwideopen

whenIglancedatthefloor.Itwaswooden,theboardsworndownoverthesessionsfromthetreadofinnumerablefootsteps.ButIwasnotfocusedontheplanks.Iwaslookingatthesquareoftatteredruguponit.Moretothepoint,mygaze

heldontheimagesontherug.“Whatarethosecreatures?”

Iaskedbreathlessly.HarryTwowenttostandon

therug,andIwatchedashereachedoutatentativepawandtouchedoneofthefigureswovenintoitssurface.Astreapointedtotheoneon

theleft.“That’saunicorn.Itshornofcoursecancureallknownpoisons.”Ihadnoideawhataunicorn

evenwas.“Andtheother?”Iasked,lookingatit.Thoughundoubtedlyaged,thecolorsoftherug’simageswereextraordinarilybright,morevibrantthananythingI’devercreatedatStacks.“Afirebird,”shesaid

casually.“Sonamedbecauseofitsexceptionallybrilliantplumage.Thefeathersofthe

actualbirdcanbeusedtolightthewayandalsoforwarmthagainstthecold.”“Waitamo’,I’veseenone,”

Isaid.“Itchasedmeintoacave.”“Indeed?’Tisnotusually

dangerous.”“AreyousureDelphis

safe?”Iblurtedout.“Heissafe.Youcaremuch

foryourfriend?”“Icareeverythingforhim.”“Itisadangerousthingto

placesomuchofone’sselfinanother.”Iignoredthisand,

summoningupcourage,Isaid,“HowdidyouknowmysurnamewasJane?”Insteadofanswering,she

seizedmyhandwith

surprisingstrengthandexclaimed,“Thatmark?Howdidyoucomebyit?”Ilookeddownattheinked

threehooks,whichIhaddrawnthere.Ijerkedmyhandfreefrom

hergrip.IhadjustenduredimprisonmentfromThorne.Iwasnotgoingtomakethesamemistakewithher.Until

Iknewshewasafriend,shewouldbeconsideredapotentialenemy.“It’sthesamemarkason

thisring.”Itookitfrommycloakpocketandshowedittoher.“Itbelongedtomygrandfather,”Iaddedwarily.“Sohehadthisring?You’re

absolutelycertain?”“Yes.”Iwasn’tabouttotell

herthatitcouldmakemeinvisible.Shestudiedtheringfora

fewmoremomentsbeforepointingatmyhand.“That’sonlyink.”“Iknow,becauseIinkedit,”

Irepliedpromptly.“Mygrandfatherhadthesamemarkonthebackofhishand,thoughitwasn’tsimply

inked.”Shewavedherhandover

mineandthemarkvanished.Istareddownatmyclean

skinandthenbackupather.“Doyouknowwhatit

means?”Iasked.“No.”Iknewshewastellingan

untruth,whichmademeeverwarierofher.

BeforeIcouldaskanotherquestion,shewalkedovertoalargeblankwallandHarryTwoandIscurriedafterher.Sheraisedherhandandan

astonishinglybrightlightblastedfromitandhitthewalladirectblow.IimmediatelysquatteddownandshieldedmyeyesfromwhatIthoughtwouldbea

terrificblastemanatingfromthecollisionofwallandlight.Buttherewasnoexplosion.Iopenedmyeyesandstood.Andgasped.Theentirewallhadcometo

life.Ifthelittletableintheotherroomwasimpressiveinwhatithadshownme,thisspectaclewaslikeamountainversusaknollbycomparison.

Everyinchofthegreatwall,whichmusthavemeasuredfullyfiftyfeetinlength,wasnowablazewithimages,movingimages.Astreaturnedtomeandsaid

simply,“TheQuag.Inallitsglory.Andinallitsdepravity,whichrunsdeeply.Verydeeplyindeed.”WhenIhadfirstseenthe

extentoftheQuagfromthetopoftheplateauwhereDelph,HarryTwoandIwerechasedbythegarmsandamarocs,Ihadbeengobsmackedbyitsbreadthanddark,sinisterbeauty.IhadthoughtIwasseeingtotheveryhorizonoftheQuag,butIapparentlyhadbeenwrongaboutthat.

AsIwatched,spellbound,Icouldseeherdsofunknowncreaturesboundingacrossopenplainsandupruggedridges.Flyingcreatures,someIknew,mostofwhichIdidn’t,soaredacrossaskythatwasasblackasalumpofcoal.TreestrembledandcreaturescreptandIcouldhearsounds,somegentlethat

tickledmyears,andothersfiercelyforebodingthatgnarledmynervesandchilledmycourage.IsawthemajesticpeakoftheBlueMountain.AndtherewasthedarkriverthatsnakedacrossthefaceoftheQuagtoplacesunknownandprobablyhostile.Withathrillthatreachedallthewaytomy

toes,IthoughtIsawasmallboatwithsomethingorsomeoneinsideit,slowlymakingitswayacrossthewater’swide,blackenedwidth.Thatimagevanishedandwasreplacedwithafrekdevouringwhatlookedtobeagoat.Andthenacreaturesteppedfromthetreesintotheclearingandcameinto

fullview.Itwastallandpowerfully

built,andthoughitstoodontwolegslikeIdid,ithadfangsandclawsandlong,straighthairoveritsbody.IglancedquicklyatAstrea.

“Whatisthatghastlything?”“’Tisalycan,”shesaid.“Idon’tknowwhatthatis.”“Itsbitemakesyoubecome

like…it.”Wewatchedasthelycan,

withatremendousleapthatcoveredyardsofdirt,attackedthefrek.Therewasafuriousbattle,fortheyseemedfairlyequallymatched.Yetfinallythelycanwonoutanditsfangsbitdeeplyintothefrek’sneck.Thelatterhowledinpainand

furyandthen,bloodyandbeaten,itbrokefreeandfledintothetrees.Thelycanstoodthere,

drippingbloodfromwoundsinflictedbythefrek,andthenitreacheditsclawedhandstothedarkenedskyandroaredintriumph.ItwasaterrifyingspectacletowitnessandyetIfoundIcouldnotlookaway.

“Thefrek’sbitedrivesonemad,”Isaidinahollowtone.“Thelycanisalreadymad,

Vega.Afrek’sbitewillnotmakeaspotofdifferencetoitstorturedmind.”Alongsliverofsilence

passed.“WhatisbeyondtheQuag?”Iasked.“Whydidyouenterthe

Quag?”sheaskedmeonce

again.“Idon’tseewhythat

matters,”Isaidstubbornly.Shelookedbackatme

impassively.“ThedifferencebetweenwhatIthinkmattersandwhatyouthinkdoescouldlikelyfillabookcase.”“Doyouknowwhat’s

beyondtheQuag?”Ipersisted.

Iglancedatherintimetoseeherfaceseizeuplikeshewasinpain.ButbeforeIcouldsayanything,shereplied,“Itislate.AndI’mverytired.”“Well,I’mnottired,”Isaid

inastridenttone.“Iwillshowyouyourdigs

andthenyoucanstayuporsleep,asyoulike.”

“AndIcangowhereIwant?Imeaninsidethecottage?”“Youcangointoanyroom

thatwillletyou.Mindyou,notallofthemwill.”Ilookedatherlikeshe’d

gonecompletelymental.“Theroommightn’tletme?”“Roomshaveopinions,”she

said.“Andfeelingstoo.”

“Feelings!”Iexclaimed.“FeelingsIsaidandfeelings

Imeant,”shereiteratedforcefully,andthenturnedandstrodeaway.Ihurriedafterher,

wonderingwhatmadnessawaitedmeinthisplace.

MYDIGSTURNEDouttobealargeovalroomwithnotastickoffurnitureinit.IturnedtoAstreaandsaid,“It’sallright.Ihaveno

problemsleepingonthefloor.”“Now,whywouldyoudo

that,Iwonder?”sheasked.Igazedaroundtheroomto

makesureIhadnotsomehowmissedahulkingbedsteadlurkinginacorner.“Well,I’dneedabedto—”HarryTwoandIjumped

backtoavoidbeingcrushed

byamammothfour-posterthatseemedtodropfromtheceiling.“BloodyHel,”Icriedout,

mychestheavingandmylimbsquivering.HarryTwostartedbarkingmadlyuntilIhelduponehandandheinstantlyquieted.“Onemustbecarefulwhat

oneasksfor,atleastinmy

cottage,”saidAstreacasually,asshefluffedupthepillows.Sheturnedtome.“Oratleastmovequicklyonone’sfeet,asyoudid,mydear,”sheaddedbenignly.“B-butwheredidthatbed

comefrom?”“Itcomesfromwherever

suchthingsexistbeforethey’reneeded.Anditsaves

noendofcleaningtimetohavethethingsgoawaywhilethey’reunnecessary.”“So,”Isaid,“yousimply

askforsomethinganditappears?”“Itoldyou,didInot,that

roomshaveviewsandopinions?Doesitnotlogicallyfollowthattheycanhearwhatyousay?”

“Well,astoutwardrobewouldnotbeunwelcomeformythings.”Iwasreadythistime.Ihad

alreadyjumpedoutofthewaywhenanoakwardrobewithtwobigdoorsandadrawerunderneathlandedwithathudagainstawallacrossfromthebed.AsIstaredatit,thedoorsopened,

andinsidewerenicecubbiesandmetalhooksforhangingclothes.Astreagavemean

appraisinglook.“Iseeyou’regettingthegistofthings.”“ShouldIwishforatable

andchairs?”Isaid,readytojump.However,theysimply

appearedinthecornerofthe

roomwithalightedcandleinthecenter,burningbrightly.Ilookedatherinquiringly.“There’snorulethatall

thingsmustdropfromtheceiling,”shesaid.“Now,areyouhungry?Idaresaythingscanbescroungedupinthekitchen.Itdoesanexcellenttrifle,infact,ifyoufancysuch.”

Ishookmyhead,thoughintruth,asusual,Icouldhaveusedsomethinginmybelly.“I’mfullup.YoucantoddleofftobedwhileIputmyfewthingsaway.”Shelookedatmecuriously

butalsointently.Abittoointently,Ithought.“Well…ifyou’re…sure?”

shesaidinadrawn-outway.

“Quitesure,”Ireplied,perhapsabittooquickly.“Andwe’llgoforDelphatfirstlight?”Shesaid,“Yes.”AftersheleftmydigsI

turnedoutmytuck.Thecavernouswardrobeswallowedmymeagerpossessionswithplentyofroomleftover.

Ijumpeduponthebed,whichIfoundquitecomfy.HarryTwohoppedupnexttomeandIscratchedhisears.Herewardedmewithasoftwhimperofpleasure.Ilookedatthedoor,whichhadclosedwhenAstreadeparted.Ijumpeddown,strodeovertoitandtriedtotugitopen.Itwouldn’tbudge.

IlookedindisbeliefatHarryTwo.“She’slockedusin.Well,

howdoyoulikethat?”Iwasmiffedbeyondbelief.Isteppedawayfromthe

doorandsizeditup.ThenIbackeduptogetarunningstart.IglancedatHarryTwo.“Don’tworry,Iwantoutofhereandwewillbeinamo’.”

Istartedtochargeforwardandthenstoppeddead.Thedoorhadswungsilently

open.Iwantoutofhere.That’s

whatI’dsaid.Andthedoorhadjustopened.Icautiouslypeeredaround

thecornerintothedarkenedcorridor.TherewasnosignofAstrea.Isteppedoutofthe

room,HarryTworightwithme.Ilookeddownathim.IguesshecouldtellIwasanxiousbecausehegavemyhipanudgewithhissnoutasthoughtosayLet’sbudgealong,shallwe?Ilookedtotheright.Ihad

beendownthatway.Thus,Iturnedleft.Adoorstoodontheright

sideofthepassage.Itriedthehandle,butitwaslocked.Isteppedback,drewupmycourageandsaidinthemostpolitevoiceIcouldmuster,“MightIcomein,please?”Thedoorswungopen,

revealingnothingbutdarkness.IlookedatHarryTwo,who

staredbackupatme.Nowhe

lookedanxious.“Okay,right,”Isaid

confidently,thoughIwasfeelingnotajotofitactually.Isteppedthroughthedoorway.HarryTwofollowed.Assoonaswedid,thedoorshutbehindus,andtheroombrightened.Therewasonlyoneobject

intheroom.Itwasan

enormousclockthatrestedononehugewall.Attachedtoitunderneathweretwinchainswithlargemetalballsaffixedtothem.Thechainsdisappearedthroughholescutinthefloor.Icreptforwardandstaredattheclockface.ItwasunlikeanyIhadseenbefore.Wugtimepiecesweredividedintothedifferent

sectionsoflightandnight.Therewerenumbersandwordsonthisone.Idrewevencloser.“Century,”Ireadoff.That

wordwasundereachnumberetchedontheclockfaceatregularintervals.Therewasonlyonehandontheclock.Itwasnowpointedateightcenturies.Ihadnoideawhat

anyofthismeant.Istareddownattheholesinthefloor,intowhichthechainsdisappeared.Ihadnoideawheretheywent.Well,Icouldlearnnothingmorehere,itseemed.Thenextdoorwereached

wasabouttenfeetdownthehall.Isteppedinfrontofitand

said,“Mightwecomein,please?”“GOAWAY!”Thescream

wasnearlyear-shattering.IjumpedbacksofarIhit

theoppositewallandslumpeddown,dazed.“BloodyHel,”Imuttered.Istaggeredupandwe

hurriedalongtothenextdoor.

Itopenedatmyrequest,thoughIdidcovermyearsinanticipationofanegativeresponse.WewalkedinsideandIlookedaroundastheroomwasilluminatedbyasourceoflightthatremainedinvisibletome.Therewasasmallcradlein

onecorner.Irushedovertoit,butitwasempty.Itwas

alsocoveredwithcobwebs.Sowastheentireroom,whichwasfilledwithold,moldyfurniture.WhileIstoodthere,Iwasslowlyfilledwithdeepdespair,asthoughonlysadnessreignedinmyheart.ThenmydespairgrewfathomsdeeperandIfelttearscreeptomyeyes.IlookeddownatHarryTwo

andIcouldtellhewashavingsimilaremotions.Hehadlainonthefloorandcoveredhissnoutwithhispaws.WhenIcouldstanditno

more,Irushedfromtheroom,withHarryTwocloselyfollowing.Whenthedoorclosedbehindus,theawfulfeelingsinstantlyvanished.Idrewasmallknifefrommy

cloakpocketandcutatinynotchinthewooddirectlyabovethedoorhandle.Irushedbackandmarkedinthesamewaythedoorthathadscreamedatme.NowIwouldknowwhichtoleavealone.Thenextroomshoutedat

metoGOAWAY!Imarkeditaswell.

Thedoorafterthatdidn’tbudgeatfirstandIthoughttheroomwasgoingtoscreamatme.Butnosoundcame.Exceptfinallyatinyclickasthedoorswungopen.Icreptinsideandlooked

aroundasthedarknesswasdispelledbyawashoflight,againfromanunknownsource.Oneverysinglewall

werehundredsofpaintings.ImovedforwardsoIcouldseethemmoreclearly.Groupsoffemaleshadon

longgownswithlow-cutnecklinesrevealingfarmoreofthemselvesthanIwasusedtoseeing.Theirhairwasbeautifullystyledandlayeredandpiledontopoftheirheads.Themalesworedark

cloakswithembroideredstitchingandwhatlookedtobegoldleafontheirshoulders.Someheldshortsticksofwoodandothershadswordsinholdersongildedbeltsencirclingtheirwaists.OnemaleclutchedalongleatherleadattachedtoacaninethatlookedlikeafarlargerversionofHarryTwo.

Thethinglookedproudandnoblestaringoffintothedistanceasitsatobedientlybesideitsmaster.IlookeddownatHarryTwoandfoundhimstaringathiscounterpartcastinoilsoncanvas.Heseemedawestruck.Mygazekeptroaminguntil

itfinallystoppedandheldon

onefemale.Shewastallerthantheothers,herflamingredhairpooledluxuriouslyaroundherbroad,muscledshoulders.Iinstantlyrecognizedher.ShewastheoneImetonmytripthroughthefieryportalsintothepast,whichIhaddiscoveredatStacks.Igazedbackupatthepainting.Thisfemalehad

savedmylifeandgivenmetheElementalbeforedyingonthebattlefield.CuriousthoughIwasabouther,mygazeagainbeganroamingtotheotherpaintings,whichheldlandscapesofbroad,lovelycountryside,townswithtoweringstonebuildingsandsmoothlylaidcobblestonestreets.Slepsand

carriageswerepicturedonthecobblestonesandtherewasanairofprosperityand,well,peace.AsImovedaroundthe

room,though,theairofhopeandprosperityfaded.Thepaintingsturnedfardarkerandthelovelygowns,piled-uphairandstatelycarriagesonfinecobblestoneswereno

more.Replacingthemwerescenesofbloodybattlefields,smolderingruinsandabjectcarnage.Alongwiththischangeinsubjects,thebrightcolorsoftheearlierpaintingshaddisappearedintotheshadowyanddepressinghuesofblacksandgrays,displacedonlybythegarishthrustofbloodyred,assomeonelay

dying.Flamesleaptfromthestonetowers,andeveryonelookedfrightenedandconfused.Inonesmallpainting,therewasayoungfemalealoneonastreet,herfaceupliftedtothedarkskyandhermouthopenapparentlyinascreamastearsfelldownherdirtycheeks.Thesenseoflosswas

awful.Weleftthisroomand

reachedthenextone.Thedooropenedatmyasking.Darknessagain.Iexpectedthelightstocomeon,buttheydidn’t.Ididhearsomething.Somethingbreathing.Thebreathswereuneven,

harsh,andsoundedpainful.I

feltmyownchesttightenasIlistenedtothem.Ilookedwildlyaroundforthesourceofthenoise.Therewasalargefour-

posterbedsetinthedeepestcreviceoftheroom.AsIdrewcloser,theroomlightenedabit,allowingmetoseemoreclearly.MyjawdroppedwhenIsaw

him.HewastheoldestmaleI

hadeverlaideyeson,evenolderthanancientDisFidusbackinWormwood.Hehadnotahaironhishead.Hisbeardwassnowwhiteandcurleddownhischestandthenpastitbyagoodtwofeet.Hiseyesweresunken,hollowandbrushedliberally

withred.Hisnosewaslongandhorriblymisshapen.Hischeekswereflat.Whenheroseupabitonhispillow,Icouldseehishands.Theywerewrinkledclawswithlargebrownspotsacrossthem.Hesaidinagasping

whisper,“Who…are…you?”

“I’m…I’m…”IfranticallyrealizedI’dforgottenmyownname.Think,think,yougit!“Vega.I’mVegaJ-Jane,”Isaidinarush.“J-James?”saidthe

creature,nowtryingtoprophimselfuphigher.Ihurriedtoaidhim.WhenI

grippedhisshoulderthroughthenightshirt,Icouldfeelit

wasnotmuchmorethanbone.Hisbreathwasfoulandhisskinwaslikethechilliestofwater.Ieasilyliftedhimbecauseheweighedalmostnothing.Isteppedback.“Jane,”Isaidmoreloudly.“VegaJane.”Helookedupatmeoutof

thosecavernouseyesockets.“Howcameyoutobehere?”

hesaidcroakily,thoughheseemedtobebreathingabiteasier.“AhobnamedSeamustold

meoftheplace.SoIcame.”“Butwhy?”“BecauseIheardthatAstrea

Prinewouldhelpme.”Hegaveashudderingbreath

andsaid,“Helpyouwithwhat,mydear?”

Isprangbackasahandpassedbyme.Astrealaidheryouthful

palmontheagedcreature’schestandheinstantlycalmed,hisbreathingbecomingregular.Hethankedherwithasmile.Astreaturnedtomeand

said,“Iseethatyou’vemetmyson,Vega.”

ISTAREDFROMASTREAto—herson?“Youmeanhe’syounger

thanyouare?”Iexclaimed.“But—”

Shecutmeoff.“Comewithme.”“Ithoughtyouweretired?”

Iasked.Sheturnedbacktoherson.

“There,there,Archie.Tryandgetsomesleepnow,luv,okay?”Shekissedhimonhis

witheredforehead.HarryTwoandIfollowed

heroutanddownthepassageway.Wereturnedtotheplacewiththeolddeskandfireplacethatonereachedthroughthesecretdoorwayinthelibrary.Shesatdownbehindthedeskandmotionedformetositacrossfromher.“IfArchieisyourson,why

ishesooldandyou’resoyoung?”

Inanswershepulledoutasmallglassflask.“Becauseofthis.”“Isitmedicineofsome

sort?”“Itisanelixirsopotentthat

itkeepsoneyoungforaslongasonetakesit.Itisdevilishlytrickytomake.Itrequiresthebloodofagarmandthevenomofajabbit,among

otherspecialingredients.”“Howdoyougetbloodand

venomfromthosevilecreatures?”“Ikeeponeofeachincages

hereatmycottage.”Icriedout,“Agarmanda

jabbitinyourcottage!”“Ifyoutriedtoenterthe

roomswheretheyarekept,theywouldhavetoldyouto

‘Goaway!’”Ishiveredafterdiscovering

howcloseIhadbeentoanotherwretchedjabbit.“Archieisdyingbecausehe

chosenottotaketheyouthelixir.”“Why?”“Henolongerseesapoint

toit.”“Thenhe’lldie?”Iasked.

“Andsoon,”shesaidcoldly.Well,Ithought,shewas

ratherheartless.“Howoldareyou?”“Didyoufindtheroomwith

theclockonthewallandthechainsgoingthroughthefloorholes?”“Yes.”“Whatdiditread?”“Eightcenturies,whatever

thatis.”“Acenturyisahundred

sessions.”“Ahundredsessions!But

whatisthatclockkeepingtrackof?”“Mytimehere.”Myjawdropped.“You

meanyou’reeighthundredsessionsold?”Icouldbarelyprocesswhatshewassaying.

Itwasallunbelievable.“Abitolderactually.Icame

herewhenIwasalreadyfullygrown.”“Ialsosawaroomwith

manypaintings.”“Youwerenodoubttold

abouttheBattleoftheBeastsbackinWormwood?”“AllWugsweretoldabout

it.Thebeastsattacked

WormwoodlongagobutwerebeatenbackandthereafterremainedintheQuag.”Shesaidemphatically,

“Well,thatwasalie.Therewasneversuchathing.”“ButI’veseenthepaintings

attheCouncilbuilding—”Sheshookherhead

impatiently.“Therewasawar

thattookplaceoveragreatmanysessions.However,itwasnotwiththebeasts.”Shepaused.Iwasnowsqueezingboth

mylegssohardtheyfeltquitenumb.“Whowasitwith,then?”Shegazedatmeso

strangelyIfeltmyselfinvoluntarilyshaking.

“Itdoesnotmatter.Notnow.”“Itmatterstome,”I

retorted.“Itwasabattlebetweentwo

oppositeforces.Onewonandonelost.ThatisallIwillsayonthematter.”“Youtellmenothing,”I

saidforcefully.“Iwilltellyouthis,Vega.

WecreatedthevillageofWormwood.AndthenwemanagedthebuildingoftheQuag.Andthedecisionwasmadetowipeawayourhistoryandreplaceitwithanother.WecalledourselvesWugmorts.”Shepaused.“Doyouknowwhywechosethatname?”Ishookmyhead.

“Thereisaplantthatisuniversallyconsideredbitter.ItiscalledtheMugwort.WealtereditslightlytoWugmort.Thesurvivorscarriedthatfeelingofguilt,ofbitterness,everytimetheyutteredtheword.”Isatforward,mymind

fillingwithquestionsandpossibleconnections.“Imeta

creaturenamedEon.ThroughhimIwentbackintime.Notjustmypast.Butfurtherback.Iwasonagreatbattlefield.Afemalewarrior,whileshelaydying,gavemesomethingshecalledtheElemental,thatIcouldtouchusingthegloveshealsogaveme.Sheknewmyname.ShesaidIhadtosurvive.Andshe

wasinoneofthepaintingsbackinthatroom.”Astrealookedgobsmacked

bythisinformation.“You…youmether?Asshelaydying?”“Yes.Whowasshe?”Astreadidn’tlooknearlyso

formidablenow.Hereyesheldafarawaylook,andIcouldseetearsclutchingat

theircorners.Shesaidslowlyinatremblingvoice,“HernamewasAliceAdronis,oneofourgreatestsorceressesandmydearestfriend.TheElementalwashercreation.”Shepausedandswallowed.Astreaseemedtobetryingveryhardnottoburstintotears.“Shecouldonlyliveasavictorordieasawarrior,

couldAlice.”“Butwhywouldsheknow

myname?WhywouldshesayIhadtosurvive?”“Ihavenoidea,Vega.I…I

…”Shelookedaway.“Whathappenedafterthat?”Astreatookamomentto

composeherself.“Asthefirstcenturywentby,themagicalpowerswithwhichwewere

imbuedfadeddrastically.Itwasatthatpointthatthedecisionwasmadetoletthemdiecompletely.”“Howdoyouletmagic

die?”Isaidslowly.Ididn’tknowwhy,butIfeltagreatsenseoflossatthis.“Bynotusingit.Bynot

believinginitanymore.Belief,havingfaithin

something,isaverypowerfulthing,Vega.Perhapsthemostpowerfulthingofall.Andasthesessionswentbyandwestarteddyingoff,ourdescendantsknewlittleofwhatwewere.Andfinally,virtuallynoWuginWormwoodknewanythingofusa’tall,butacceptedastheirhistorytheliesthathadbeen

createdforthem.”Itookadeepbreath,put

asidemymiseryandtoldAstreaabouttheAdderStoneandDestinthechainandhowIhadcomebythematStacks.Shenoddedandsaid,

“Stackswasthecastleofourleader,BastionCadmus.”“Youtookhiscastlewith

you?”Iasked,wondering

howthiswaspossible.But,Isupposed,anythingwaspossiblewithblokeswhocoulddomagic.“Wehadtocreateanother

placetolive.Everybitwasprecioustous.”“AndtheStone?And

Destin?”“Objectspossessedby

Bastion.”

“AndtheQuag?Andwhatweweretoldaboutit?Youhaven’texplainedthat.”“Ihavenoneedtoexplain

it,”shesaid,hertonesharpagain.Ibitbackmyangerand

gropedaroundforsomethingelsetoaskher.“Butwhyareyouhere?”I

asked.

“Iam,quitesimply,theKeeperoftheQuag.”“Soyouhadyourfamily

herewithyouatthecottage?”“Yes.Mymate,Thomas,

andIcametoliveherewithoursonsanddaughters.”ShepausedandforthefirsttimeIcouldseeherfeaturessoften,justatinybit.“Thomasneverdidtaketheelixir.Hewasthe

firstofustogo.AfterArchiepasses,itwilljustbeme.”“Whydoyoudoit?Stay

here?”Hereyesflashed.“It’smy

duty,Vega.IgaveanoathasKeeperandImeantokeepit.”Sherose,camearoundthe

deskandstoodnexttome.Itriedtoimagineherasmore

thaneightcenturiesold,olderthanpoordyingArchie,butIcouldn’t.“Howmuchdidyouknow

aboutyourgrandfather?”sheasked.“Hewasverynice.But

stubborntoo.”“Heisfarmorethanthat.

HeisanExcalibur.”“Awhat?”

“Thosewhoarebornwiththeirmagicalpowersintactandaninnateandprofoundknowledgeandunderstandingofourrealhistoryembeddedintheirminds.Theyareterriblyrare,buthewasoneofthem.”“Mygrandfatherleft

Wormwood.”“Iknowhedid.”

“Andyoucouldn’tstophim?”“Excalibursdonotcarrya

signontheirforeheadsproclaimingthemassuch.Itwasonlyafterheleftthatwetrulybecameawareofwhathewasandcoulddo.”“Soyousawthis,what,

throughyourSeer-See?”“Yes.”

Ifeltmyangerrising.“ThenIsupposeyousawMorrigoneblastmewithabluelight,andDelphwitharedlightthatturnedhismindtomushandlefthimjargoledfortenlongsessions!”MyvoiceandfuryroseasIspoke.“Yousawallthat,didyou?”“Idid,”sherepliedcalmly,

whichmademeevenmore

furious.“Shearguedwithmy

grandfather.Shewantedhimtostay.”“Doubtlessshedid.But

againstatrueExcalibur,shewasbutnothing.”Istood.“Anddidyousee

myparentsdisappearinaballofflames?Didyouseemecryingmyheartout?Didyou

seethat,AstreabloodyPrine?!”Hergazeneverwavered.“I

did,Vega.Ididindeed.”“Well,goodforyou.Ihope

youenjoyedit,becauseIsureasHeldidn’t!”Iwashalfwaytothedoor

whenshecalledout.“Doyouknowwherethey

went,Vega?”

Islowlyturnedandlookedatherquestioningly.“No,Idon’t.”Shescrutinizedmeclosely

beforesaying,“Let’sapplyabitoflogic,shallwe?Ifthey’renotinWormwoodandthey’renotintheQuag?”“They’rebeyondtheQuag,”

Isaid.“Yes.”

“SowhycanmygrandfatherleaveWormwoodwithouteversteppingonefootintotheQuaglikeIhaveto?”“LeavingWormwoodand

bypassingtheQuagwouldhavebeeneasyenoughforsomeonelikehim.”“Andmyparents?Isuppose

theymadethedecisiontoleaveme?”

“No,Virgilsummonedthem.”“Summonedthem?Why?”“Didhenevertalktoyou

aboutit?”shesaidfiercely.“Tellmethetruth!”“No,never,”Isaid,taken

abackbyherharshtone.WassheasnuttersasThorne?“Youdonotknowofhis

plans?Tellmeifyoudo.Tell

me!”Itookastepback,forher

facehadtwistedintoafuriousmass.Ithoughtforamomentthatshewasgoingtoattackme.“Ihaveneverheardfrom

mygrandfathersinceheleft,”Isaidcalmly.“Andhenevertoldmeanythingaboutanyplans.Allheevertoldme

was…thathelovedme.”Thiswasalieofcourse.My

grandfatherhadactuallytoldmesomethingaboutWormwood.HehadsaidthatthemostbitterlyawfulplaceofallisonethatWugmortsdon’tknowisaswrongaswrongcanpossiblybe.Ihadnoideawhathewastalkingaboutthen.ButnowI

believedthatIdid.Herexpressionbecame

normaloncemoreandshesatbehindherdeskandsteepledherhandsinfrontofher.“Ithinkthatisenoughforonenight.Atnextlight,wewillfetchyourfriend.Andthenallwillberightagain.”Shesmiledatmeinaway

thatmademyskincrawl.

Iwalkedslowlybacktomyroom,wonderingwhoIreallywasandconcludingthatIwasnothing.IfAstreawasright,mygrandfatherhadbeenabletoleaveWormwoodbecausehewasmagical,thisExcaliburthinginfact.Andhehadsummonedmyparentstojoinhim,whichshowedthathecouldbringothersto

himifhesodesired.Buthehadn’tsummonedme.Hehadleftmebehind,inWormwood.Heapparentlyconsideredmeofnoimportancewhatsoever.SonomatterwhetherI

madeitthroughtheQuagordiedhere,Iwasnothing.Sometimesthetruthhelps.Sometimesithurts.

Andsometimesitdestroysyou.

DESPITENOTWANTINGto,Isleptlikeastone.Iwasfinallyawokenbysomethingtuggingatmysleeve.Atfirst,Ididn’tfocusonwhatitwas.

Then,withastart,Iboltedstraightup.HarryTwoletoutayipandleaptoffthebed.Iwaseyetoeyewith…

Seamus.Hisbulbouseyeballsseemedhorrificallyhuge.“BloodyHel!Whatareyou

doinghere?”Igasped,holdingmychest.“Cametofetchyoutoeat.

MadamePrineaskedmeto.”

Icomposedmyself.“Youweretakencareoflastnight?”“Fedlikeaking,meadto

drinkandasoftbed.”“I’llbealong.Ineedtoget

dressed.”HeshuffledoffandIslowly

pulledonmyclothes.Thenitstruckme.Vega,

yougit!

IrushedoutofmyroomwithHarryTwoatmyheels.Ifoundthekitchenbyfollowingthesmelloffood.SeamusandAstreawerealreadythere.Hewasstandingnexttoalargeround,woodentable,whileshewasstandinginfrontofanenormousandancientblackenedstovewhere

severalfatpotssatbubblingandtwoskilletsweresizzling.“Ihopeyou’rehungry,”

Astreasaidtome.“Iam.AndI’msureDelph

mustbefamished.”Sheshotmeaglance.“I

supposeyouwouldliketobreakbreadtogether?”“Iwould,yes,please.I

really,reallywould.”

“Well,thenlet’sbeoff,”shesaiddecisively.Shemovedsoquicklythat

HarryTwoandIbarelyhadtimetoreact.Acloakappearedoutofthinairandsettledneatlyaroundhershouldersassheheadeddownthehall.Wehurriedafterher,withSeamusbringinguptherear.

Thefrontdooropenedofitsownaccordandweallpassedthroughit.ThegreendomeremainedoverthecottagealthoughthroughitIcouldseethattheskywasnowclearandbright.Shepassedthroughtheemeraldwallandwescurriedafterher.Shetookoutofhercloak

pocketsomethingthatlooked

likeashinystickandpointeditatthesky.Herlipsmoved,thoughIcouldn’thearthewordscomingoutofhermouth.Afewmomentslater,soaringacrosstheclearskywasDelph,stillasleepandstillinsidethewebthatAstreahadconfiguredlastnight.Hesettledgentlyuponthegroundinfrontofus,

curledupandsnoring.Astreagaveafinalwaveofthestick,andtheweb,whichIcouldseeasanumberoflinesofvividlights,disappeared.Aswewatched,Delphstartedtowakeup,stretched,yawned,openedhiseyesand…“HolySteeples!”he

screamedashejumpednearlythreefeetintheairbefore

landingupright,hisbodycontortedintothesophisticatedfightingstanceIhadseenhimemployintheDuelum.“Delph!”Icriedoutand

launchedmyselfathim,squeezinghimtightly.ButDelph,whilehehugged

meback,wasstillstaringwarilyatAstreaandhewas

stillfairlyinhisfightingstancedespiteourhugs.“It’sokay,Delph,”Isaid.

“ThisisAstreaPrine.”Delphwasobviously

mightilyconfusedbywhatwashappening.Well,Iknewwhatwouldtakehismindoffthat.Isaid,“Areyouhungry?We’reabouttotakeamealinAstrea’scottage.”

AsIknewhewould,Delphfocusedveryquickly.“Well,thatsoundsallright,

then,eh?”hesaid,straighteningupanddroppinghisfightingstance.IledDelphtowardthe

emeraldlight,whichhedrewbackfromuntilIwalkedthroughitandbeckonedhimtofollow.Asweapproached

thecottage,Astreagazedupatmytallfriend.“Soyou’reDanielDelphia,areyou?”“Iam,”hesaid,shootingme

aquizzicallook.“FriendscallmeDelph.”“Andyou’retravelingwith

thisone?”shesaid,hookingathumbatme.“Iam,”Delphsaidagain.Astreaturnedandheaded

intothecottagewithoutanotherword.Whenshehadgoneintothe

cottagewithSeamus,Iscreamed,oncemorejumpedintoDelph’sarmsandsqueezedhimsotightlyIthoughteitherhemightburstormyarmswouldfalloff.IgushedasIfelttearsrise

tomyeyes,“You’reallright,

Delph.I…Iwassoscared.Thatbloodycloud.Youjustdisappeared.”Hehuggedmebackand

thenslowlysetmedownontheground.“Idon’tknowwhat

happened,Vega,totellthetruth.IwastalkingtoyouonesliverandthenthenextthingIknow,I’minthemiddleof

sometreeswithnoideahowIgotthere.Itwasweird-like.Whathappenedtoyou?”“Afteryouvanished,Imeta

hobnamedSeamus.HetookmetoAstrea’scottage.”“Andhow’dIgetback

here?”“I’llexplaineverything,but

it’sgoingtotakeawhile.Sobepatient.”

“Well,letmeeatfirstandthenI’llbemorepatient.”Weheldhandsalltheway

tothecottage.Partofmedidn’twanttoeverletgoofDelph.Iwouldratherdiethanlosehimagain.Ihadlostmyparentsandmybrother.IcouldnotloseDelph.Ijustcouldn’t.WithhimIknewIcould

faceanything.Together.Iledhimintothekitchen,

whereSeamuswasalreadyseatedinachairbythestove,onwhichthepotsandskilletswerestillbubblingandsizzling,respectively.“Sowho’sthelittlebloke?”

Delphaskedashesatdown.“Seamus,thehobI

mentioned.”“Hob?”“Remember,inQuentin’s

book.Ahob!”“Oh,right.Helpfulblokes.”“Well,actually,heisn’t

reallyallthathelpful,”Iwhispered.Astreahadsweptoffher

cloakandhungitonawallpegandnowwasoncemore

overseeingthestove.Shecalledout,“Vega,pleasesetthetable.”Thispuzzledmefora

momentbeforeIfiguredwhatIneededtodo.“Plates,cups,goblets,forks,knivesandnapkins.Please,”Itackedonattheend.Delphnearlyfelloutofhis

chairwhenallthesethings

cameplummetingfromtheceilingtolandsoftlyonthetablealllinedupproper-like.“Whatthe—”hebegan.“Andbowls,”addedAstrea.

“Andspoons.”Thebowlsandspoons

alightednexttotheplates,makingDelphjumpagain.Iputacalminghandonhis

arm.“Patience,remember?”

InotedthatonthefloorapanofwaterhadappearedinfrontofHarryTwo,alongwithabowloffood.Helookedatmeasthoughwaitingforpermissiontobegin.Ismiledandnoddedathimandhestartedtogobbleandslurp.“’Tisready,”announced

Astrea.

Shesweptahandacrossthepotsandskilletsandthenpointedatthetable.Whatwasonthestovewasthustransferredtoourplatesandbowls.Welookeddownandsawfriedeggsandbaconandhamandbrowntoastandsausagesandkippers,andporridgeinourbowlsaswell.Jams,butterandhoneypots

alsoappearedinfrontofus.Ourgobletswerefilledwithmilk.Ourcupsnearlybrimmedoverwithhottea.IlookedatAstrea

inquiringly.“Aren’tyoueatingtoo?”“I’venotmuchofan

appetite.Youtwoeat.We’lltalklater.”Shewalkedoutoftheroom.

Seamusfollowed.Asweate,ItoldDelph

everythingthathadhappenedtome.AsIdidso,hisjawdroppedsolowitwasalmostrestinginhispileofsmokedkippers.“Areyoutellingmethatall

thathappenedinthecourseofonebleedin’night?”Ifinishedabitofbacon.

“Well,thatdoesn’tcountthetimeIwasasleep.”“BloodyHel,”hesaid,

crammingtwofriedeggsandakipperintohismouth.Hedrankdownhismilk,andhisfeaturesturnedsomber.“Whatisit,Delph?Doyou

wantsomemorefood?I’msure—”“It’snotthat,thoughIcould

goforafewmoreeggsandmaybeahalfdozenbitsofbaconandanotherkipperortwoandIwouldn’tturndownafewmorefriedbiscuitsandanothercuppatea,Icantellyouthat.”Heagainnearlyleaptoutof

hischairwhenthisexactamountoffoodanddrinkappearedonhisplateandin

hiscup.Whenhe’drightedhimselfandbeguntoeatoncemore,Isaid,“Sowhat’sonyourmind?”“It’sallrubbish,ain’tit?All

we’veknown.Bloodylies!”Hewasright.Theywere

lies.Buttherewastruthoutthere.Andwewouldfindit.

AFTERWEFINISHED

eating,Astrealedusintotheroomlocatedoffthelibrary.Shesatbehindherolddesk,staringatusanddrumming

herfingertipsonthewood.“IwanttobesurethatI

understandyourtrueandsincereintent,”shesaid.DelphandIglancedateach

other.Ispokeup.“IthoughtI

madethatclearenough.WemeantogetthroughtheQuag.Thethreeofus,includingHarryTwoof

course,”Iadded,scratchinghisear.ShelookedatDelph.“And

you?”“LikeVegaJanesaid.We

wantthetruth.Donewithallthelies,ain’twe?”Astreanoddedanddrewout

thesticklikethingshehadusedtobringDelphhere.Icouldnowseethatitwasn’t

clear.Itwasactuallymadeofcrystal.“Whatisthat?”Iasked.“Mywand.Itisanecessary

elementtoperformmagic.”Isaidslowly,“Ididmagic

sortofbackinWormwood,butIhadnowand.”“Youmeanwiththe

Elementalorthechain,”shesaid.

“No,ImadeawindowthatMorrigonedestroyedputitselfbacktogether.”“Indeed?”saidAstrea,

lookingquiteinterestedbythis.“WhywouldIbeabletodo

that?”Iasked.“Ifpowerrunsdownthe

line,ittouchesallinthatline.”

“Myparentscouldn’tperformmagic,”Isaidemphatically.“Andhowdoyouknow

theycouldn’t?”sheasked.“Well,theyneverdid.”“Thatisnotthesamething

asbeingunableto.”“Ifmyparentswere

powerful,whywouldtheyhavebeenintheCare?”

“MaybethefactthattheywerepowerfulcausedthemtoendupintheCare.”Mybrowsknittedtogether

asIthoughtoverthisstrangepossibility.“Areyousayingtheirpowermadethemsick?”“No,I’msayingthattheir

powermadethemdangeroustoothers.”Asthemeaningofher

wordssunkin,Iroseonquiveringlegs,myfaceflushed,mychestswellingwithfierceemotions.“Areyou…?”Ifaltered.Imadeanotherattempt.“Doyoumeantosay…?”Again,Icouldnotfinish.Delphreachedoverandputasupportivehandonmyshoulder.

Astreasaid,“ThattheywerecursedtopreventthemfromescapingWormwood?Yes,thatisexactlywhatImean.”Myeyesflashed.

“Morrigone!She’stheonlyonethatcouldhavedoneit.”“Iagree,”shesaidso

casuallythatmysuspicionssoared.“Andyouknewaboutit!”I

yelled.“OfcourseIknewaboutit,”

sherepliedsocalmlythatIwantedtohither.“OurgoalwastostopanyonefromleavingWormwood.”“SoyouhadMorrigone

cursemyparentsinto…into…whattheybecame?”“Isawwhatshedid.”“Youcouldhavestoppedit,

then,”Ipointedoutheatedly.“ButIdidnotwantyour

parentstousetheirpowertoescape.”NowIpounced.Itwas

stupid,butIcouldn’thelpmyself.“Sothen,whyareyouhelpingustoescapetheQuag?”Idemanded.“WhosaidthatIwas?”she

repliedinstantly.

Suddenly,Ireadallinherlook.HowIhadsomisjudgedherIdidn’tknow.DelphgavevoicetowhatI

wasthinking.Heleaptup,grabbedmy

armandyelled,“Run,VegaJane.”BeforeIcouldevenrise

frommychair,shepointedherwandatDelphandsaid,

“Elevata.”Delphsoaredupintotheair,

stoppingrightbeforehehittheceiling.Shegaveherwandabitofawiggleandhespunupsidedown.Istood,myeyeswideand

myheartracing.“Stopthat!”Iscreamed.“Don’thurthim.I’mthereasonwe’rehere.LeaveDelphalone.Please!”

Astreaflickedthewanddownward,utteredoneword,“Descente,”andDelphturnedrightsideupandfellheavilyintothechair.Astrealaidherwandupon

thedeskandstaredatbothofusexpectantly.“ImaynotbewhatIonce

was,butletmeassureyou,mypowersarestillfar

beyondyourcomprehension.”Shepaused,andIknewwhatshesaidnextwouldhavemonumentalimpactonus.Iwasnotmistaken.Shesaid,“Youshallremain

hereinmycustody.”“Forhowlong?”Isnapped,

thoughIwellknewtheanswer.“Fortherestofyourlives,”

shesaidcalmly.“Itgivesmenogreatpleasuretodothis.Youareobviouslybrave,andyourmotivesaregenuineanddeeplyfelt,I’msure.”“But?”Iexclaimed.“ButasKeeperoftheQuag,

Ihaveajobtodo,andImeantodoit.Now,youwillhavetherunofthecottageandthelandinsidethedome.”

“Andifwetrytogetpastthedome?”Delphasked.Despitehimaskingthe

question,Astrea’sgazeheldonme.Hereyesseemedtoswelltomatchthesizeoftheroom.“Notpleasant,”shesaid.“A’tall.”Ireallycouldn’tbelieve

whatwashappening.WehadescapedThorneandhis

bloodykingdomonlytobeimprisonedoncemorebythiscow!AndwhileThornewasdangerous,hewasn’tmagical.Astrea,tomymind,wasahundredtimesmoreformidablethanthegitThorne.Astrearose,andwithout

anotherword,shelefttheroom.

Islumpedbackinmychair.Delph,however,remainedrigidinhis.“Sheisasorelytried

female,”heobserved.“She’ssorelytried?What

aboutus?We’regoingtobehereuntilwe’rebloodywelldead.”“Lotofsorrowinher,Vega.

Easytosee.”

“Ithinkshe’sevil!”“She’snotlikeThorne.He

wouldajustkilledusandputourbonesonhiswall.Notkeepusfedwitharoofoverourheads.”IsupposedDelphwasright

aboutthis,thoughourboneswouldenduphereeventually,Ithoughtmiserably.“Well,Astreasaidwehadtherunof

thecottageandthelandinsidethedome.”“Sowhatdowedowith

that?”askedDelph.“Wearenotstayinghere,

Delph.Thornecouldn’tstopusandneitherwillAstreaPrine.Weareescapingthisplace.”“Okay,buthowdowedo

that?”

“IsaywestartwithArchie.”

DELPHANDHARRYTwofollowedmedownthehall.Iopenedthedoortotheroomandwalkedin.Wegatheredatthesideofthebedand

lookeddown.Isaidsolemnly,“Thisis

ArchiePrine,Astrea’sson.”Delphgazedattheshrunken

manintotalbewilderment.WhileIhadexplainedtoDelphabouttheelixir,itwasaltogethersomethingelsetoseeitforyourself.Ipulledupachairandsat

downnexttothebed.

“Hello,Archie,”Isaidsoftly,hopingtorousehimgentlyfromhissleep.Hestirredandhiseyes

slowlyopened.Heblinked,butthoughhe’dseenmebefore,norecognitioncametohisfeatures.“I’mVega.Andtheseare

myfriends,DelphandHarryTwo.”Archiekepthisgaze

onme.Ibentlower.“We’vecometostaywithyouandAstrea.”“Y-you…h-have?”he

croaked.Inodded.“Shetoldme

aboutyou.Andher.Andthisplace.”“Sh-she…did?”Inoddedagain.“Shesaid

you’dgrowntiredoftaking

theelixir.”“S-sacrifice.”Heshookhis

headandwhenhetriedtositup,DelphandIhelpedhim.Nowhewaslookingatusfromafarmorecomfortableposition.Inoddedknowingly.

“Sacrifice,”Isaid.“AndtheBattleoftheBeasts.AndBastionCadmus.”Iwas

sayingthesethingsinthehopesthatsomethingwouldjogArchie’smemory.“Load-at-tosh,”hesaid.

“Beasts?P-piffle.”“That’sright.Astreasaidso

too.Shesaidtherewasawar,though.Shesaidonesidelostandtheotherwon.”Archiegaspedandpointed

tothebedsidetable,wheresat

acupofwater.Delphgrabbedthecupandhandedittome.IhelpedArchiedrinkfromit,wipingawaysomedropsthatdribbledintohisbeard.Hesatbackandclearedhis

throat.“Ma-Mal-Maladons.”“Maladons?”Isaid,

shootingDelphaglance.“Soyoufoughtthem?”

Henoddedandatearsliddownhischeek.“F-fought.Andl-lost.W-we…lost.”Delphexclaimed,“You

meanyourlotgotbeaten?”Archieslowlynodded.

“Fledhere.H-hiding.M-miceinah-hole.”Inamomentofanger,heturnedandspatonthefloorbeforeresettlingagainsthispillow.“C-

cowards.”DelphandIexchanged

disturbedglances.Isaid,“AndyouknewBastionCadmus?”“Ourl-leader.K-killed.”Heswallowedfunnyand

thenstartedtocough.Igavehimsomemorewater.“D-dadwantedtokeepf-

fighting.B-butM-Mum…”

Heshookhishead.“B-bloodyK-Keeper.What’sth-thep-point.BloodyKeeper.S-sacrifice.What’sthep-p-point?”Helookedupatmewithpleadingeyes.“E-eh?”hesaid.“Eh?”Ididn’tknowhowto

answerhim.Heclosedhiseyesandamomentlaterweheardhisgentlesnores.

Weroseandquietlylefttheroom.Whenwegottomyroom,

Delph,hiseyesasbigassaucers,said,“Blimey!BloodyMaladons.Warandkillin’.”“Andhiding,”Iadded.

“Likemiceinahole.”“What?”“Don’tyougetit,Delph?

TheycreatedWormwoodasahidingplace.BecausetheseMaladonblokesweretryingtohuntthemdown.AndtheyconjuredtheQuagaroundittokeepthemout.”“Andtokeepusin,”Delph

added.“LiketheWallroundWormwood.”Welookedateachother.

I’msurewhatIsawin

Delph’sfeaturesmirroredmyown—completeandutterdespair.Isaid,“Astreawantedto

knowaboutVirgil.Whathewasplanning,whetherIhadtalkedtohim.”“Howcouldyouwhenhe’s

beengonesinceyouwereaweething?”“He’sapowerfulsorcerer.

AnExcalibur,infact.Whichmeanshe’salwaysknowneverything,includingthingsAstreahaswithheldfromus.”“Blimey,Iguessthat

explainsalot.Sowhatdowedo?”askedDelph.“Keeplearningthings.It’s

allwecando,fornow.”“Butifwe’renevertoleave

here,whatdoesitmatter?”

“Thetruthalwaysmatters,Delph.”

THATNIGHTDURINGasumptuousmealthatDelphandIlingeredover,IdrewupthecouragetoaskAstreaaquestion.“Canyoushowus

Wormwood?InyourSeer-See?”

“Why?”sheaskedsuspiciouslyasshetookasipofhertea.IglancedatDelph,who

immediatelyattendedtohiscustard.Hemight’vebeenthinkingaboutAstreastickinghimtotheceiling.“Well,sincewe’regoingto

behereforeverandeverything,itwouldbenice

toseeourhome.”Iaddedquickly,“Idon’tsupposeyou’dletusgobackthere.We’dpromisenevertoentertheQuagagain.”Iwaslyingofcourse.I

wouldneverstayinWormwood,notnow.Shesethercupdown.“Let

yougobacktoWormwood?Knowingwhatyoudonow?

DoIlookbarmytoyou?”Sheglanceddownatherwand,whichlaybesideherplate.“Although,Icouldwipeawayyourmindsofcourse.Thenyoucouldreturn.Wouldyoulikemetodothat?”Sheraisedherwand.“Er,no,”Isaidquickly.“Il-likemym-mindwhere

itis,”addedDelph.

Well,Ithought,shehadcertainlycalledmybluff.“Butcanweatleastseeour

village?”Ipleaded.Shecontemplatedthisfora

fewmomentsandthenrose.Asliverlater,wewerein

theroomwiththetwocupsonthetable.Astreadidwhatshehaddonebefore,onlythistimewiththeothercup.Ihad

toholdDelphbackwhentheflamingliquidshotacrossthetable.“Wormwood,”saidAstrea

simply,withawaveofherhand.Andthereittrulywas.Thecobblestones,theold

buildings.TherewereWugsIknewwalkingalong.HestiaLoon,hershoppingbagin

hand.HermanHelvetathiswindow.Witharushofexcitement,IsawmightyThansiusmarchingpurposefullyalong.HepassedbyanotherWugI

knew,JuliusDomitar,whoranStacks.Hewastotteringalongseeminglyfullinhiscups.HeraisedahandingreetingtoThansius.Then

anotherWugcameintoview.“Medad,”criedoutDelph.Sureenough,therewasDuf

Delphiamakinghiswayonhistwotimbertoes.Awhistpupwasstridingnexttohim,tetheredtoaleathercordthatDufgripped.Ibrightenedandlookedat

Delph.“Helooksgood.Happy.”

Butmysmilefaded,forDelphdidn’tlookhappy,onlyhomesick.Ireachedoverandtookhishandandsqueezedit.Helookeddownatmeandattemptedasmile,butIknewhisheartwasn’tinit.Itwasalot—tobekeptfromyourfamily,anddidn’tIknowthat.Iglancedbackatthe

tabletopwhenIheardtheclatteringsoundofhoovesoncobbles.Thebluecarriage!Idrewcloser,wantingdesperatelytoseewhowasinit.AsIwatched,thedriver,ThomasBogle,reinedtheslepstoastop.Thecarriagedooropened

andoutsteppedMorrigone.“Corblimey,”exclaimed

Delph,whowaslookingovermyshoulder.“Shedon’tlooklikeherself,doesshe?”Morrigonehadalwaysbeen

tallandqueenly,perfectinbothmindandbody.Beforeourdifferenceshadbeenmadecleartome,Ihadalwaysadmiredher.Ihadwantedtoemulateher.ButthisMorrigonewasfar

different.Shedidn’tseemastall.Her

hair,normallybloodredwitheverystrandinharmonywithitsneighbor,wasnowdisheveledandthinning,thelustergone.Herfacelookedsessionsolder,withlinesandsagsprominent.Hertall,well-shapedbodyhadasunkenappearance—fragile

whereshehadalwaysbeenrobust.IglancedatAstrea.Shehad

apuzzledlookonherface.Thiswasstartlingtomebecauseit’sthefirsttimeIhadeverglimpseduncertaintyinherfeatures.“What’swrongwith

Morrigone?”Iasked.Sheshookherheadslightly.

“She…shelooksabittiredisall.”Ilookedbackattheimage

andsawhimstepoutofthecarriage.Itwasmybrother,John.

AndthoughDelphandIhadnotbeengonefromWormwoodverylong,Johnalsolookeddifferent.Hisstepwasbrisk,his

mannerauthoritativeandsupremelyconfident.And,dareIeventhinkit,cruel?Butthenagain,hehadbeencrueltotheWugsworkingontheWall.Isaid,“Mybrotherbecame

verydifferentunderMorrigone’stutelage.”“Differenthow?”sheasked.

ButwhenIlookedather,I

couldtellshealreadyknewtheanswer.“Hewassweetand

innocent.Andthenhewasn’t,”Isaidbluntly.“Whatdidshedotohim?”Shedidn’tanswerright

away.“’Tiscomplicated.”“’Tismybrother,”Ishot

back.“Theanswershouldbesimple.”

IlookedbackatJohn,mythoughtswhirlingsofastIthoughtImightsimplypassout.Instead,fierceemotionsbuildinglargeinmychestandhead,Iwalkedout.ThenIstartedtorun.Isprintedthroughthecottageandoutthefrontdoor.Ispeddownthecrazy-angledpath,acrossthelawn,and,withDestin

aroundmywaist,Itooktotheairandflewstraightattheemeralddome.Idon’trememberanything

afterthat.

WHENEVERI’DBEENknockedoutbefore,Delphwasalwaysthere.Thistimehewasn’t.Instead,Astreastareddown

atme.Iblinkedandslowlylooked

around.Iwasinmyroomonthebed.Astreadidn’tlookunduly

worried.“Isupposeyouhadtotryit.”Isatupandrubbedmy

head.“Whathappened?”“Youhitthedomeandthe

domedidnotgive.Youdid.”

Isaidnothingtothis,bothmyprideandarisingangermakingmemute.Iwantedtoaskheragain

aboutJohn.AndMorrigone,whyshelookedsodifferent.ButIhadastrongfeelingthatmyquestionswouldgounanswered.BeforeIcouldsayanything,shebrokethesilence.

“IunderstandthatyoutalkedtoArchie?”“Yousaidwecouldgo

wherewewanted,”Isaidtestily.“Andwhatdidhetellyou?”Ignoringherquery,Isaid,“I

feelsorryforhim.”“Why?He’slivedagood,

longlife.”“He’slivedalonglife.I’m

notsurehowgoodit’sbeen.”ShelookedlikeI’dslapped

her,whichbolsteredmyspiritsgreatly.“I’msureIdon’tknowwhat

youmean,”shesaidicily.“Archiespokeofsacrifice.

Whosesacrifice?His?Becausehedidn’treallyhaveachoice,didhe?Orhisfather?Youmadethe

decisionforallofthem.Justlikeyou’redoingwithus.”“Youknownothing

whateveraboutit,Vega.You’rethrowingoutwordsthatmakeabsolutelynosensebecauseyouareignorantofthefacts.”“Well,they’dmakesenseto

Archie,I’msure.Imeanhe’stheonewholivedallthis

timeandneverreallylivedatall.That’sprobablywhyhe’ssobitter.Andwhocanblamehim,really?”Iwantedtomakeherhurt.I

wantedtomakeherfeel…somethingforwhatshewasdoingtous.Forhertakingourlivesawaytoo.“IthoughtIunderstoodyou,

Vega.NowIknowthatI

don’ta’tall.”“It’squitesimple,really.

You’vetakenmylifeawayandI’mnothappyaboutit.I’msureyou’dfeelthesame.”“Forthegreatergood,it—”“Pleasedon’ttryandjustify

it.AndIwon’tbelieveyouanyway.It’slikethelieabouttheBattleoftheBeasts.What

didArchiecallthat?Oh,right,piffle.Sothat’swhatyourgreatergoodis.Piffle.I’msureAliceAdroniswouldhaveseenitthesameway.Shediedasawarrior.Notasamouseinahidey-hole.Sothat’swhatyouare,Astrea,despiteallyourgrandpower.Afrightenedmouseinadirtylittlehole.”

InevertookmygazeoffherasIsaidallthis.AndIsaiditinthemaddeninglycalmtoneshehademployedwithmethewholetimeI’dbeenhere.“YouareastupidWug,”she

snapped.“Alicedidn’tthinkso.She

gavemetheElemental.ShetoldmethatIhadtosurvive.Ifyoucallmestupid,then

you’recallingyourbestfriendstupidaswell.”Astreagotupandleft

withoutspeakinganotherword.Delphimmediatelyburst

intotheroomwithHarryTwointow.“Youokay?”hesaid

anxiouslywhileHarryTwoleaptupontothebedand

lickedmyhand.“I’mokay.Whatactually

happened?”“Foundyouknockedouton

theground,didn’twe?”“Itriedtogetthroughthe

dome.Iknewitwasstupid.ButI…I…”“Justwantedtogetoutof

thisplace,”Delphfinishedforme.

Isighedandlaybackagainstmypillow.IgrippedDelph’shand.

“Wewillgetoutofhere.Wewill.Iswearit.”Hemetmyeye,butIcould

tellhedidn’tcompletelysharemyoptimism.“Coursewewill,”hesaid,

tackingasmileontotheendofhiswords.

Isatupandhuggedhimandfelthiswarmbreathonmycheek.Hehuggedmeback.Itwasjustusagainst,well,everything.Butforsomereason,Ifeltlikewehadachance,afightingchance.I’dneveraskedforanythingmorethanthat.Igotoffthebedandshook

thecollywobblesfrommy

head.“Yousawwhatwas

happening?”Iasked.“What,youmeanin

Wormwood?Morrigone?John?”Inodded.“Astreawas

shockedbyhowMorrigonelooked.Somethingisgoingon.Butshedoesn’tknowwhat.Andit’sscaringher.”

“Well,ifit’sscaringthelikesofher,weoughttobeterrified,Ireckon.”Icouldalwayscounton

Delphforspot-onobservations.Butterrifiedornot,Ididn’tcomeintotheQuagtofinishmylifeasaprisoner.Everypartofmybodywasburningwithonedesire.

Tobefree.

THENEXTLIGHT,wecorneredSeamusoutsideofthekitchen.ThelittlehobhadkepthisdistancefromuseversinceAstreadeclaredustobenolongerfree.“Socanyouleaveifyou

want,Seamus?”Iasked,asDelphandHarryTwo

hoveredinthebackground.Helookedatmenervously,

hishugeeyestwitching.“Idon’tknowseywhat

yousiesistalki—”“Seamus!”Isaidwarningly.HarryTwogavealow,

throatygrowlthatIcouldtellwasmakingthehobveryanxious.“IcangoifIwantto,”he

saidwarily.“Butyoucan’t.”Istudiedhimclosely.

“Seamus,whydoIthinkthatmeetingyouinthecavewasnotacoincidence?”Icouldtellrightawayfrom

thelookonhisfacethatIwasright.Heblusteredanddeniedandblusteredsomemore,butIpersistedandwouldnotlethimleave.

“Well,itmight’venotbeen,”hefinallyconceded.“BecauseAstreasentyou?”Helookedaround

cautiouslybeforegivingabriefnodofhislargehead.“Andtheflyingcreaturethat

mademerunintothecave?”“Well,shemighthavesent

thattoo.”“Andthecloudthattook

Delphaway?”Iaddedbitterly.“Sheconjuredthattoo,didn’tshe?Didn’tshe!”Seamusslowlynodded,

thoughIhadneverseenhimlooksofrightened.Delphsaid,“Butwhy?”Iglancedathimbefore

lookingbackatSeamus.“BecauseAstreasawusintheSeer-See.Shewasafraidwe

mightmakeitacrosstheQuag.ShemanipulatedthingssoSeamusandIwouldmeet.Andonethingledtoanotherandthenhereweare—prisonersforever.”Seamusgavearesigned

sigh.“Sheisverypowerful,isMadamePrine.”Ileanedinclosertothehob.

“Well,youknowwhat?”

“What?”hesaid,hiseyesashugeassupperplates.Isnarled,“I’mpowerful

too.”

LATER,ILEDDelphtothelibrary.Mythoughtwasthatinsomeofthebooks,wemightfindthingsthatwouldbetterexplainwhatArchiehadalreadytoldus.Ifthere

wasaterriblewarbetweenourkindandtheMaladons,someonehadtohavechronicleditsomewhere.ItoldDelphtostartatone

endandIwouldbeginattheother.However,itwasnottobe.Ireachedforabookand

tugged.Itwouldnotcomeout.Itriedwithbothhands.

Thesameresult.IlookedoveratDelph,whohadonebigfootplacedagainstthefrontoftheshelfashepulledwithallhismightononethickvolume.“Blimey!”hefinallycried

out,soundingwindedandlettinggoofthebook.“It’sAstrea’sdoing,”Isaid,

myfuryrising.“Shedoesn’t

wantusfindingoutanythingelsefromthebooks.Whichofcoursemeansthatthesebooksdoexplainthings.”Igazedlonginglyatthe

thicktomes.Justinchesfrommyhandandtheywereofnousetome.Theirpagesmightaswellhavebeenblank.WewenttoArchie’sroom.

WhenItriedtoopenthedoor,

itscreamedatme,“GOAWAY!”“HolySteeples,”said

Delph,whohadjumpednearlytotheceiling,thoughIdidn’tbecauseIwasusedtothis“greeting,”thoughnotatArchie’sdoor.“Well,”Isaid.“Itseems

thatAstreaiscertainlylimitingourrunofthe

cottage.Whichisactuallyagoodthing.”“Whydoyousaythat?”

askedastunnedDelph.“She’safraidwemightfind

somethinguseful.Whichmeansthere’ssomethingusefulhere.”ButasmuchthoughtasI

hadgiventothis,thewaywewouldgetoutwasoneIhad

neverevenconsidered.

IDIDN’TMEANTOintrudeuponher.ButIsimplywalkedinandtherewasAstrealookingatherSeer-See.Intheimagewas

Morrigone,stilllookingbedraggled.Shewaswavingherhandsaroundasshehaddonewhenperformingmagic.Ididn’tknowwhatshewasdoinguntilAstreawavedherwandovertheimageanditrippledasthoughsomeonehadtossedahandfulofpebblesinabucketofwater.Morrigonenoddedand

loweredherhands.NowIunderstood.Theywerecommunicating.

AndthenIknewthatMorrigonemusthavetoldAstreaallaboutmeandtobeonthelookout.ThatIcoulddoabitofmagic,thatIhadlearnedsomeofthetruthaboutWormwoodandthatIhadescapedfromMorrigone

andWormwood.MyangeratAstreaincreasedathousandfold.Shehadledmerightintohertrap.ThenextthingIknew,

Astreahadturnedandwaslookingupatme,herwanduncomfortablypointedinmygeneraldirection.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

sheaskedsharply.

“YousaidIcouldgowhereIwantedinhere,”Isaidinnocently.“SodidyouhaveanicelittlechatwithdearMorrigone?”Isaidacidly.Withaflickofherwandthe

imagesweregoneandthewoodwasnowsimplywoodoncemore.AstreaandIlockedgazes.“Youreallyshouldkeep

yournoseoutofthingsthatdonotconcernyou,”shesaidinatonethatmanagedtosendchillsupmyspine.However,Istiffenedmy

resolveandsnapped,“Well,itismybusinessiftheconsequenceswillaffectme.AndWormwood.Itmightnotbeyourhome,butitismine.Didyouknowthatbloody

KingThorneintendedtoinvadeanddestroyWormwood?Doyouevencare?”“Iwouldnothaveallowed

—”“Bollocks!”Ishoutedout.

“Youdon’tcare!”“Iwouldremindyou—”ButIwasnottobedenied

mysay.“Youmaybesafe

underyouremeralddome;noteveryonehasthatopportunity,MightyKeeperoftheQuag.”“Youaresafehere,”she

retorted.“Notbymychoosing,”I

shotback.Ihadanticipatedherresponse.“AndIdidnotentertheQuagtobesafe.Onlyafoolwoulddothat.

AndI’mnofool.”Thedoorwasthrownopen

andDelphandHarryTwoappeared.BehindthemIcouldseeSeamus’shugeeyespeeringatme.Theycamefullyintothe

roomandDelphshutthedoor.“Everythingokay?”hesaid

nervously.

“No,everythingisnotokay,”Ibarked,keepingmyeyesonAstrea.“You’reactingvery

foolishly,Vega,”shesaiddarkly.“Oh,soit’sfoolishinyour

eyestocarewhathappenstoothers?Isupposeyoudidn’tcarewhenAliceAdronisdiedinbattle,then?Idid.Icared.

Iwasthere.Iguessyouwerealreadyinyourhidey-holeherebythen,wereyou?”“Bettertohidethandie!”

sheretorted.“Bettertofightanddiethan

liveasacoward!”Iscreamedinhersmugface.“Fight!”Shechortled.“You

wouldn’tlastasliver.”“Icanfight!”

“Youarenothing!Evenyourgrandfatherunderstoodthat.It’swhyhedidn’tbotherwiththelikesofyou.Heleftyoubehind.Whereyoubelong!”Ipointedafingerrightin

herface.“Iammorethanyouwilleverbe,youinsufferablecow!”HerwandmovedsofastI

barelyfollowedthemotion.ShesaidsomethingIcouldn’tquitecatchandthenIwascatapultedacrosstheroom,slammedagainstthewallandfelltothefloor,bleedingfrominnumerableslashesandcutsallovermybody.“VegaJane,”screamed

Delphasheracedoverandkneltnexttome.Helooked

upfuriouslyatAstrea.“Whatdidyoudotoher?What!”HarryTwobarkedand

growledandlookedlikehewasabouttoattackher.Delphheldmyheadup.

“Vega,theAdderStone,whereisit?Inyourpockets?”IwasinsomuchpainthatI

couldn’ttellhimthattheStonewasbackinmyroom.I

couldseemybloodpoolingonthefloor.Ifeltsickandlight-headed.DelphscreamedatAstrea.

“Helpher!”“MadamePrine,”said

Seamusinapleadingvoice.Throughmyhalf-closed

eyesIcouldseethehorror-strickenlookonAstrea’sface.Tohercreditshe

seemedunabletocomprehendwhatshehaddonetome.“Helpher!”yelledDelph.

“Please.”Butthensomething

happenedinsideofmethatIcouldn’tfathom.ItcamefromaplaceapparentlysodeepinsidemethatIhadneverbeforevisitedit.Ihadnoidea

itwaseventhere.Thepainwasgone.Myheadcleared.EverythingIhadbeenfeeling,alltheangerandloathing,seemedasnothingtowhatwasnowswellinginsideofme.ItwasasthoughIwasnolongermyself.Iwassomeoneelse.IeasilythrewDelphaside,

roseonsteadylegs,waved

myarmsandscreamed,“Youwillnotbeatme!”Wavesoflightcameoutof

myhandsandexplodedacrosstheroom.EverythingseemedtohavesloweddownsuchthatIcouldseeexactlywhatwashappeningalthoughitwasoccurringattremendousvelocity.Astreawasliftedoffthe

floorandthrownacrosstheentirewidthoftheroom.Shecrashedintothewallandsliddownbatteredandbruised,herwandfallingfromherfingers.Thevortexoflightwaves

emanatingfrommyhandsengulfedDelph,HarryTwoandSeamus.Theywereblownofftheirfeet,sailed

acrosstheroomandlandedhardagainstthewall,crumplingtothefloor.Everystickoffurnitureintheroom,includingtheSeer-See,wasblastedintosmithereens.Woodandglassswirledaroundtheroomlikeconfetti.Andthen,asquicklyasit

happened,itwasover.Istoodinthemiddleofthe

room,mywoundshealed,myhandsnowatmysides.IgazedaroundatthedevastationIhadinvoluntarilywrought.“Delph,HarryTwo!”I

screamed.Iwasattheirsidein

moments.IgrippedDelph’sarmandHarryTwo’sfrontpaw.“Tellmeyou’reokay.

Tellme,please.OhmyholySteeples,whathaveIdone?”Tearspoureddownmyface

untilfirstDelphandthenHarryTwostirred.Mycaninelickedmyface,

andDelphgrippedmyarm,hissmilecrooked,butleavingmevastlyrelieved.Ihelpedthemup.“Corblimey!”exclaimed

Delph.“WheredidTHATcomefrom?”Tearsstillslidingdownmy

cheeks,Isaid,“Idon’tknow.Ijustdon’tknow,Delph.”IturnedtoseeAstreastill

lyingonthefloor,butconscious.ShewasstaringupatmewithemotionssocomplexflittingacrossherfaceIhadnowayof

interpretingthem.Sheslowlyrose,asdid

Seamusacrosstheroom.Astreatookafewhalting

stepsforward,hergazeneveronceleavingmyface.Iwalkedovertohersothat

westoodtoe-to-toe.Iwasdeterminedtolether

speakfirst.“Howdidyoudothat?”she

demanded.“Icanfight,”Isaidquietly.

“AllIneedisthechance.”HerfacesaggedandIsaw

hereyesblinkrapidly.Herfreehandwenttohertremblingmouth.AndbeforeIcouldgetoutanotherword,shehadrushedfromtheroom.Weheardherclatteringdownthehall.

Iracedafterher,butshewasalreadyoutofsight.Shewasn’tinherroom.She

wasn’tinanyroomofthecottagetowhichIhadaccess.Ifinallyfoundheroutside.

Shewasoverbythedome,sittingonalargerock,herwandheldlooselyinherhand.Islowlywalkeduptoher

andsatonthegroundnexttoher.Shehadheardmeapproach

butdidn’tlookatme.Isaid,“IhopeIdidn’thurt

you.Ididn’tintendto.”“Youveryclearlydid,”she

repliedcalmly.“ButthenIcertainlyhurtyoufirst.”“Itjustcameuponme,”I

saidslowly.“Istilldon’t

understandit.”Ourgazesfixedoneach

other.“Don’tyou,Vega?Well,Iunderstanditquiteclearly.”Afewsliverspassedbefore

shespokeagain.“Idocare,Vega.Icarevery

much.Ihavespentthelasteighthundredsessionsofmylifecaringaboutothers.”

“Iknow,”Isaidquietly.“DoyouknowwhyI’mso

smalleventhoughItaketheelixir?”Ishookmyhead.“Ijust

assumedthatyouwerealwaysshort.”“IwasnearlyastallasAlice

once.”“Whathappened?”Isaidin

aperplexedtone.

“Eightcenturiesofresponsibilityhaveliterallyweighedmedown,Vega.Andtakingtheelixir,whileitgivesonelife,robsyouofotherthings,importantthings.”“Likewhat?”“Perhapscompassion.

Perhapsunderstandingofothers’pointsofview.

PerhapsthingsthatIneedmorethaneverrightnow.”IsaidnothingbecauseI

sensedthatshejustneededtogetthisout.“AndIalsoknowthatone

canreasonablydisputemymethods,evenmygoal,asyoudid.”“ButIdiditinthewrong

way.Ishouldn’thaveused

thewordsIdid.”“Youwereactuallyquite

eloquent,Vega.Perhapsmorethanyouknow.Andmywordstoyouwereequallyharsh.”Shegazedupatthesky

again.ThenextwordsIsaid,

though,gotherfullandraptattention.

“TheMaladons?”Sheturnedtolookatme.

“Archietoldyou?”Inodded.“Yes,thebloodyMaladons.”Shesaidthewordasthough

itwerethemostdisgustingoneeverconceived.“Theyarepowerful,Itake

it.”

“Yes,somuchsothattheydestroyedusandeverythingwebelievedin.Utterlyandcompletely.”“Maybenotsocompletely,”

Ireplied.Shegazedatme.AndI

thoughtIsawjustahintofasmile.“Whatcanbedone?”I

asked.

Sheconsideredthisqueryforabit.“Yousaidyouwanttofight?”“Yes.”Shelookedbackatthe

cottage.“Whatyoudidinthere,Vega?”“Idon’tknowhowIdidit.”“Doesn’tmatter.Youdidit;

that’swhatcounts.”“Well,mygrandfatherisan

Excalibur.Andyousaidthatpowerfollowstheline.”“Itisactuallymorethan

that.Muchmore.”Sheturnedontherocktofacemeandhertonebecamequitedeliberate.“AnExcaliburisbornwitheverythingheorshewilleverhaveinthewayofpower.Thatmadeyourgrandfatherverymighty

indeed.Butthereisagreaterpowereventhanthat.”“What?”Isaidbreathlessly.“Forthosewhoarenotso

powerfulwhenyoungbutgrowintomoreformidablepowerastheybecomeolder.Withsuchpowersodeeplyrootedinthemthattheycansometimesperformlargefeatsofmagicwithouta

wand.Withoutactuallyutteringaspell.Youhavenoideahowremarkablethatis.Ithinkthatyouareoneofthose.AndtheyareevenrarerthantheExcaliburs.Theyaresorare,infact,thatwedonotevenhaveanameforthem.PerhapsIwillcommencecallingsuchaphenomenon…Vega.”

Withthat,AstreafellsilentandIcouldthinkofnothingelsetosay.Ithoughtwewouldsimplysittogetherunderabeautifullyclearsky,apparentlycontemplatingtheabsoluteworstoffutures.IwasabouttobegobsmackedasIneverhadbeeninmylife.“Ifyouwanttocrossthe

Quagandtakeupthefightoncemore,youwillneedtobetrainedup,”shesaid.“Wewillcommenceatnextlight.”BeforeIcouldsayanything,

sheroseandwalkedbacktothecottage,leavingmesittingthere,alone.

ICOULDNOTSLEEPthatnight.Itossedandturnedandsquirmedanddreamed.Finally,inacoldsweat,Irose,dressedandwent

outsideandsatonthestoneslabbythedoorwithHarryTwoandstaredupattheemeralddomeandbeyondthattotheskyovertheQuag.Thiscominglight,Astreasaid,wewouldstartourtraining.Ihadnoideawhatthatwouldentailanditwasabitunnerving.Well,morethanabitactually.

AsIsatwithHarryTwo,thedooropenedandtherewasDelphinhislongnightshirt.Hedidn’tlooklikehehadslepteither.Inhisbarefeet,hesatdownnexttome.“Likeoldtimes,”hesaid.

“Whenwewereupyourtree.”Thoughthatwasn’tveryfar

inthepast,itseemedsolong

agothatIcouldbarelyrememberit.“Yeah,”Isaidabsently,still

staringatthedome.“YousaidAstreawantsus

togoacrossthisplacenow.”“Shewantsustofight.”“TheseMaladonblokes?”“Right.”“Butwedon’tknownuthin’

’bout’em.”

“Iguessthatwillbepartofthetraining,Delph.”Helookeddown,hisbrow

creasedwithconcernandhisexpressiononeoffrustration.“ButIain’tmagical,VegaJane.Whatyoudid,blastingeverythinglikethat,Ican’tdothat.YouknowIcan’t.”Itookhishand.“WhatI

know,DanielDelphia,isthat

youandIareinthistogether.Wewereseparatedonce.Andwewillneverbeseparatedagain.Ican’tdothiswithoutyou.Youknowthat,don’tyou?Youmust.”“Thatfemalefromthepast

saiditwasyouwhatgottosurvive,right?Well,I’spectsheknewwhatshewassaying.So,ifitcomestoit,

I’lldowhateverittakestomakesureyoudo.AndImeanwhateverittakes!”Ifeltswellsofcolddread

fillingme.IlookedatHarryTwo.Hereachedoutapawandplaceditsquarelyonmyshoulder.Thelookonhisfacewassomehowperfectlycleartome.Iwilldieforyoutoo.

Thatlookseizedmewithterror.IglancedoveratDelphandthenbackatHarryTwo.Iftheydiedforme?No,whatiftheydiedbecauseofme?

WEFELLASLEEPonthestoneandwererousedonlywhenAstreaappearedatthedoorandcalledtous.Weput

onourclothes,ateourbreakfastandassembledinthelibrary.“Whatwillthetraining

consistof?”Iasked.“Learningmagic.”“Butthatmeansawand.”“Indeeditdoes.”“Wheredidyougetyours?”“Itwasgiventomebymy

father.”

“Wheredidhegetit?”“Hetookabitofhimself

andformedmywandbytheproperincantationandpasseditdowntome.Itishowsuchthingsaredoneinourworld.Itgivesaconnectivityamongfamiliesthatislargelyunbreakable.InthiswayIhavethefullforceandpowerofallmyancestors.”

“Hetookabitofhimself?”Irepeated.“Blimey!Whatbitwould

thatbe?”saidDelph,voicingwhatIwasthinking.Astreasaid,“Hisblood.

Thatisoftenused.Youcanseethehardeneddropsofitembeddedinthebasehere.”ShelookedatDelph.“Have

youeverdoneanything

magical,Delph?”Delphgapedatherfora

longmoment.“I’mnotmagical,”hefinallysaid,asthoughitshouldhavebeenobvious.“Andyoubasethis

conclusionuponwhatprecisely?”“ThatIain’tneverdone

ruddymagic,that’swhat.”

“NeitherhadVegaJane,untiltheopportunitypresenteditself,”sheretorted.Delphsaid,“Well,I’ve

neverdonemagic,thoughI’vebeeninsituationswhereIwishIcould’vedone.So’sthatmeansI’mjustabiglug.”“You’renotabiglug,

Delph.I’dbedeadbackat

Thorne’sbutforyou.YouthinkofthingsInevercould.Andyou’restrongandsoverybrave.”“Shallwecommence?”

interjectedAstrea.Atthatmomentthedoor

openedandInearlyfelloutofmychair.Ayoungmale,notmuch

olderthanus,stoodthere.He

wasdressedoddlyinalongnightshirtwithhisbarecalvesandfeetvisible.Hisfacewasunlinedbycareorworryandhisdarkhairwaslongandswepthelter-skelteroverhishead.Hiseyesweresodazzlingbluetheyseemedlikeicechipsreflectedagainstacloudlesssky.IsawDelphlookingathim,

aspuzzledasIwas.“Archie!”Iturnedtolookbackat

Astrea,whohadcalledoutthename.Shehadrisenfromherchairandwasstaringgoggle-eyedatthefellow.Archie?Ithought.But

Archiewasinbed,ancientanddying.Thenithitme.“Youtooktheyouthelixir,”

Iblurtedout.Archiesmiledandstrode

forward.Hewasfartallerthanhismother,butnotsotallasIwas.AndofcoursehewasmuchshorterthanDelph.“Correct,Ipartookofthe

elixirofyouth,”heconceded.Hisspeechwasoddly

formalandhistonethatofa

mucholdermale.Whichmadesensesinceabitagohehadbeenveryancientindeed.Hestretchedlikeacatand

thenshivered.“Feelsabsolutelysplendid.Farbetterthanlyinginbed,gaspingforair.”“Whatintheworldmade

youdoit?”ThisquerycamefromAstrea,whowasstill

staringatherson.Inanswer,Archiepointedat

me.“Shewasmymotivation.”“Me?”Isaid,bewildered.Henodded.“Mumsatwith

melastnight.Don’tthinksheexpectedmetolastmuchlonger.Andshetoldmethatshewastrainingyoutotakeupthefightoncemore.I

wantedtohelpyou!”“Thanks,Archie,”Isaid,

givinghimanappreciativesmile.ThenIturnedtofaceAstrea.“Butwehaveaproblem.”“Suchas?”“Ihavenowand.Without

oneIcan’tdomagic.”Archiesaid,“Sheclearly

hasapracticalmind,Mum.”

ItwasdisconcertinghavingArchiecallherthat,whenshelookednotthatmucholderthanhewas.Sheglanceddownatmy

pocket.“WhatabouttheElemental?”“Whataboutit?”“Takeitout.”Ipulledmygloveoutand

startedtoputiton.

Butshestoppedme.“There’snoneedforthat,Vega.”“ButAliceAdronistoldme

—”“I’msureshedid,butshe

wasalsoingreatdistresswhenyoumet,andIdoubtthatshewasthinkingclearly.Sojusttrustme.ForIhavegiventhismuchthoughtand

believeIamcorrect.Justtakeitoutwithyourbarehand.”Yetdespiteherwords,I

notedthatshewaskeepingherwandattheready.Icautiouslyslippedmy

handintomypocket.MyfingersinchedclosertowheretheshrunkenElementallay.Mybreathinggotheavierandmyheartstartedtobeat

faster.Alicehadworntheglove.Shehadtoldme…Ifeltmyfingersaninch

fromthewoodoftheElemental.IlookedfirstatDelph.Hewasstaringdeadatmypocket.IglancedatAstrea.Shewaslookingnotatthepocketofmycloakbutdirectlyatme.“Believe,Vega,”shesaid

quietly.“Believeinwhat?”Iasked,

bewildered.“Inyourself.”Icaughtmybreath,

swallowedahugelumpinmythroatanddecidedthattakingthisslowwasonlymakingitworse;itwasbettertojustgetitoverwith.Ithrustmyhandforwardandmyfingers

closedaroundtheElemental.Ihadclosedmyeyesatthe

momentofcollisionoffleshandwood.NowIopenedthembecausenothinghadhappened.Idrewthestickoutandlookedatitclutchedinmyhand.Itlookedtinyandimpotent.IglancedatAstrea.Shewasstaringatthething

asifitwasafrozenserpent.

“What?”Isaid.“Ihaven’tseenthe

Elementalforovereighthundredsessions,”shesaid,hervoicebothawedandsad.“IsawAlicehurlthatatsomanyofourenemies.”Sheglancedupatme.“Wouldyou,please?”Iinstinctivelyunderstood

her.IwilledtheElementalto

itsfull,goldensize.IhelditupasthoughIwasabouttohurlit.Astreatookastepback,her

eyesfillingwithtearsasshestaredattheElemental.Thenwhensheglancedatme,shedidadoubletake.“Whatisit?”Isaid,

glancingdownatmyself.“Nothing,”shewhispered.“

’Tisnothing.Youjustremindedmeof…nevermind.Youcanshrinkitnow.”Ididsoandsaid,“Now

what?”“Tellittolengthentonine

inchesprecisely.”Iwassurprisedbythisbut

conjuredthethoughtandwatchedinsatisfactionasthe

woodgrewtowhatseemedthepropersize.Astreadrewcloserand

examinedmyhandinrelationtotheElemental.“Good,good.Yes,thatwillcertainlydo.”“Doforwhat?”Shesteppedback.“Nowthatwillbeyourwand.”Myfacescrewedup.“My

wand?Youjustsaidthatawandhadtobepassedfromafamilymember.Andthatithadtohavesomethingofthatpersoninsideit.”“Andthoseconditionshave

beenmethere,”shereplied.“How?”Iexclaimed.“Igot

thisfromAliceAdronisonabattlefieldhundredsofsessionsbeforeIwaseven

born.She…”“Shewhat?”interjected

Astrea.“Shecouldn’tberelatedtoyou?Shecouldn’thaveputsomethingintheElementalofherself?”Shepaused.“Wrongonbothcounts.”“That’simpossible!”Ishot

back.“Lookatit.Lookatit

closely.”IstaredattheElemental.

Therewasnothingtosee.Butthen,thentherewassomething.Ibentmyfacenearer.Itwasadarkredline,likeathreadweavingthroughthewood.Astreasaid,“It’sastrandof

herhair,Vega.Alice’sbeautifulauburnhair.”

Ilookeduptoseeherwatchingme.“Itcan’tbe.”“Asimpletestwillsuffice.”

Shepointedatthewallofbooks.“Theincantationis‘Rejoinda,book.’Rolltherandmakeaslow,deliberatebacksweepwithyourwandtowardyou.Andletyourmindfocusonlyonthebook.Likethis.”

Shepointedherwandatthefirstbookcase,utteredthephrase“Rejoinda,book”anddrewherwandslowlytowardherself.Abookshotofftheshelf

andzoomedrightintoherhand.Shesetitdownandturned

tome.“Nowyoudoit.”Ilookeddownatthe

Elemental.“Ican’t.”“Yes,youcan.Placeyour

thumboverthetopofthewoodandyourindexfingerbelow.Letaboutsixinchesofthewandextendoutfromyourhand.Andnottootightagrip.Itwon’tslip.”“Whynot?”“Becauseithasbecomea

partofyounow.”

Istareddownatthething,expectingtofeelhorrified.ButIactuallyfeltwarm…andsafe.IglancedatDelph.Hewas

staringatme.“Youcandoit,VegaJane.Youknowyoucan.You’vedonethings.THINGS!Youcanbloodywellfetchabook.”Iturnedbacktolookat

Astrea.“Justbelieve,Vega.Asyou

didwhenyoupluckedtheElementalfromyourpocketwithoutneedofthatglove.”Well,shehadmethere.Ihaddonethat.Itookadeepbreath,readied

myself,lookingatmyhand,thebooks,thewand.Wand!MaybeIcoulddothis.

Ifocusedononebookinparticular.Iletmymindseeonlyit.Isaidinafirmvoice,“Rejoinda,book.”Igotthewordright,rolling

therjustasAstreahad,butinmyexcitementIsnappedmyhandand,withit,thewandtowardme.Theentirebookcaseflew

fromthewallandshotright

atus,bookscascadingfromit.IscreamedanddovetothefloortogetherwithDelphandArchie.“Embattlemento,”criedout

Astrea.Ilookedupintimetosee

thebookcasehaltinmidairasthoughithadhitsomethingsolid.Thenitshotbackward,settlingneatlyagainstthe

wall.Allthefallenbookspickedthemselvesupandzippedbackontotheiroriginalplacesontheshelves.Islowlyrosealongwith

DelphandArchie.IgazedshamefacedlyatfirstthebookcaseandthenAstrea,andthengazedruefullydownattheElementalstillclutchedinmyhand.

WhenIglancedup,Delphwasstaringatmewithsuchastonishmentthatitwasquiteunsettling.“IguessI’mnotverygood

atmagic,”Isaidmiserably.“Onthecontrary,”said

Astrea,“youhavesurpassedmyexpectations.Ibelievethatyoucanbeafirst-ratesorceress.”

Thismademefeeleuphoric.Andthatfeelinglasteduntilwhatshesaidnext.Astreaheldupfivefingers.

“ThesearethenumbersoflayerstotheQuag,Vega.Eachlayer,orcircle,aswerefertothem,isaworlduntoitself,separatefromitsneighbor.Eachholdsuniqueanddeadlychallenges.Each

changesallthetime,growingandevolving,feedingoffthemagicthatcreatedandinspiredit.”Shepausedandthenadded,“Andpleaseunderstandonethingquiteclearly.Despiteyourmagicalprowess,eachcirclecouldwellbeyourgraveyard.”Andwiththisfinalchilling

pronouncement,sheturned

andleftus.

THENEXTLIGHTafterwehadourmeal,Astrealedme,Delph,HarryTwoandArchietoalargeroom,ofwhichthecottageseemedtohavean

amplenumber.AlongonewallwasahugeblackboardliketheonewehadusedatLearningbackinWormwood.Astreaclosedthedoorbehindusandthentookoutherwandandpointeditattheboard.Inaninstant,writingstartedsprawlingacrossit.“Yourfirstlessons,”

announcedAstrea.

Shegaveherwandanotherflickandasmallballappearedinherhand.“Now,Vega,rememberthe

incantationfromthelastlight?”“Rejoinda,”Isaideagerly,

desperatetoprovemyselfinhereyes.Shenodded.“Iwantyouto

takethisballfromme,using

thatspell.”SheheldupherhandbeforeIcoulddoanything.“Butfirst,weneedtogooversomebasicssothatwhathappenedbeforewillnotrepeatitself.”Shepointedwithherwandtoasectionoftheblackboard.“Readthat,”sheinstructed.“Outloud.”Ilookedatthesectionand

commencedtoread.

“Properspellworkinvolvesperforminganumberofthingsatthesametime,butalwaysemployingtheprincipleofMBS,orMind,BodyandSpirit.Thatistosayfocusingthemind,preparingthebodyandengagingthespiritsothatallthreeelementscometogetherattheappropriatetime.

Merelysayingtheincantationdoesnothingiftheseelementsarenotproperlycombined.”IturnedtoAstrea.“SohowdoIdothat?”“Keepreading,”shereplied.Abitputoff,Ireturnedmy

gazetotheboard.“CombiningMBSwiththeproperincantationandtheappropriatewandmovement

willresultinthedesiredresult.Nothinglessthanthatwillwork.”Ifinishedreadingand

turnedbacktoher.Well,okay,Igotthat.Shehelduptheball.“You

jerkedyourhandbefore.Youneedtobeslowanddeliberateinthemovement.Butfarmoreimportantly,you

needtoemployMBSappropriatelyforanyofthistoworkproperly.”“WhichiswhyIaskedyou

howtodothisMBSthing,”Isaidirritably.“Becomingupsetwithme

willnotresultinyourmasteringincanting,”shesaidpolitely.“Socalmyourself,focusyourmindonthisball

andnothingelse.Whenyouhavedonethat,youwillnextsummonyourphysicalsidesuchthatallyourbodilyenergyiscongregatedinyourwandhand.Lastly,yourspiritshouldbeincompleteharmonywithyourmindandbody.”“BloodyHel,”exclaimed

Delph.“That’snotaskinga

lot,isit?”Astreaturnedtohim.“Itis

askingalot.Butwhenyou’reattemptingtodosomethingtrulyextraordinary,isn’titfairtoaskalotinreturn?”Delphblanchedandlooked

athisboots.Sheturnedbacktome.Isaid,“HowwillIknow

whenI’veachievedthe

properbalance?”Shehelduptheball.“When

thisrestsinyourhandofcourse.”Isquaredmyfeetand

shoulders.Ilookedattheballanddidmybesttopushoutallotherthoughts.Ilookedatmywandhand,tryingtoforcemyphysicalsidetomoveitselfcompletelythere.

Ihadnoideainwhatpartofmybodythespiritresided,butinmyheadItoldittogetcomfywithmymindandbody.Iheldmywandlooselyandthen,rememberingmymistakefrombefore,Igaveitaslow,deliberatebacksweepandsaid,“Rejoinda,ball,”rollingmyrperfectly,oratleastIthoughtso.

Absolutelynothinghappened.TheballcontinuedtoresidefirmlyinAstrea’shand.Istaredopenmouthedather,butshedidn’tseemsurprisedatall.“Itwasonlyyourfirst

attempt.”“ButIdiditbefore,”Isaid

inmoreofawhinethanIintended.

Archiesaid,“Well,actually,younearlycrushedusallwiththatbookcase,luv.Mumgotthebook.”Igavehimasurlylook

beforesaying,“CanItryagain?”Astreanoddedandsaid,

“Youwilltrymanytimes,Idaresay.”Thirty-sevenattemptslater,

thelittleballflewtomeandfitsnuglyintomyquiveringhand.Iwasn’texpectingitbecauseIhadprettymuchconcludedbytheeighteenthattemptthatIwasnevergoingtobeapropersorceressandmaybeDelphandIshouldreturntoWormwoodandbegforourjobsback.Itdidn’tsinkinthatIhad

succeededuntilDelphclappedmeonthebacksohardIverynearlytoppledover.“Youdidit,VegaJane.You

didit.”Hepickedmeupoffthe

floorandcrushedmeinhisembrace.Whenhemadenosignoffreeingme,Astreasaid,“Um,Delph,itwouldbe

goodifwecanmoveon,whichwillrequireyouofcourseTOLETHERGO.”Blushingmadly,Delph

droppedmeonthefloor.Astrea’sfocusedexpression

hadnotchanged.“Let’sdoitagain,shallwe?”Myenthusiasmfaded

becausefromherseriouslook,Iunderstoodexactly

whatshemeant.Beingabletoretrievealittleballonmythirty-seventhattemptwashardlygoingtogetusthroughtheQuag.ButIcouldn’thelpbutsmileinwardly.Ihadperformedwandmagicafterall.MaybeIcouldbethissorceressthingy!Ipursedmylips,focused

myMBS,andsaidthe

incantationasIslowlyanddeliberatelymovedmywand.Theballcametome

fourteentimesinarow.Itwasonlythen,whenseeingitinthepalmofmyhandwasn’tnearlyasexcitingasithadbeenthefirstfewtimes,thatAstreasaid,“Let’smoveon,then.”ShemotionedtoArchie.“I’llneedyourhelp

todemonstratethisone,dear.”Archienoddedandslipped

fromhiscloakpocketalong,thinreedlikepieceofwhatlookedtobeblackenedwood.Hesawmeeyeingitandsaid,“MydadgavethistomewhenIwasfaryoungerthanyou.”“Withabitofhiminit?”I

said.Archienodded.“Atooth.If

youlookclose,youcanseejustahintofitnearthehandle.Familyhistoryhasmymumknockingmydad’stoothoutoveraweeargument,andhedecidedtosavethetoothforpassingawanddown.”“Itwasn’tlikethat,Archie,”

saidAstreafirmly,twosplotchesofcoloronhercheeks.“Yourfatherhadatoothacheandwantedsomerelief.Thatisall.”Astreaclearedherthroatandmovedtothecenteroftheroombeforepointingwithherwandoncemoreattheblackboard.“DoyourecalltheincantationIusedwhen

thebookcasecameflying?”Surprisingly,Delphspoke

up.“Embattlemento,”hesaidquicklybeforegazingaroundandlookingstunnedthatthecorrectanswerhadcomeoutofhismouth.“Precisely,”saidAstrea,

eyeinghimclosely.“Itisadefensiveblockingspellusedtoprotectoneselffromharm.

Wewilldemonstrate.”ShemotionedtoArchie.

“Onthecountofthree.”“Whichcurse,Mum?”he

asked.“Oh,whateveryoulike,

Archie,dear.Surpriseme.”Blimey!Itwaslikethey

werediscussingwhatteatheywantedtodrink.Theysimultaneouslyraised

theirwands.Shesaid,“One,two,three.”Archiesaid,“Injurio,”and

whippedhiswandather.Whatlookedtobeaskylightspearburstfromitstip.Atthesameinstant,Astrea

slashedherwandinfrontofherfromrighttoleftandsaid,“Embattlemento.”Theblastoflighthitan

invisiblebarrierconjuredinfrontofherandricochetedoff,rippingaholeintheceiling.Delph,HarryTwoandIhad

droppedflattothefloor.Welookeduptoseethegapingholeinthewood.Astreapointedherwand

upwardandcalmlysaid,“Eraisio.”

Theholevanished.Weroseontremblinglegs

andstaredatthepair.“I’mnotsureI’mreadyfor

thatone,”Isaid.“Whichiswhywewill

beginwiththis.”Shetooktheballfromhercloakpocket.“Iwillthrowthisatyou.Youconjureyourbarrierwiththeincantation.Thesweepofthe

wandisfromlefttoright,themovementsharpandclean.Makeyourselfbelievethattheballwillinjureyou.”“Okay,butyourmovement

wasrighttoleft,”Icorrected.Hereyestwinkled.“I’m

gladyouwerepayingattention.”Ireadiedmyselfwhile

Delph,HarryTwoandArchie

tookcollectivestepsback.Eventhoughitwasjustaball,Iguesstheywererecallingthebookcasefiasco.“Onthecountofthree,”said

Astrea.“One,two,three.”Sheheavedtheballrightat

myheadwithgreatforce.Iswepttheairwithmy

wandandsaid,“Embattlemento.”

TheballbouncedoffmyconjuredwallsohardthatAstreahadtoduckasithurtledbackather.Whenshestraightened,shelookedatmeinsomeamazement.“Thatwasquitegood,Vega.

Quitegoodindeed.”Icouldn’thidemysmile.

ButIcouldhidethefactthatIhadpicturedinmyminda

jabbitcomingatmeinsteadoftheball.YetIhaddoneit.Onmy

firsttry.Iwantedtoscreamwithjoy.Untilthenextfourtimes,whentheballhitmefullintheface.Weworkedatitforalongwhileuntileverythirdtimemyconjuredwallheld.“Thatisgoodenoughfor

now.Let’smoveontosomethingabitmoreserious.”Shepointedherwandatacorneroftheroom,gaveitaflickandsaid,“GolemMasquerado.”Thereappearedalarge

male.Iwasshockedatfirst,butthenIcouldseethathewasmadeofclay.IhadusedthatmaterialbackatStacks.

“Whydoweneedthat?”Iasked.“Iwouldmuchpreferyou

practiceonsomethingnon-living,”saidAstrea.Mysmilefadedas,without

warningorpreamble,shemadeadownwardslashingmotionwithherwandandhissed,“Jagada!”Theclaymalewassuddenly

coveredincuts.Haditbeenarealperson,hewouldhavebeenbleedingfrominnumerablewounds.Istaredfromtheslashed

claymaletoAstrea.Thisiswhatshehaddoneto

mebefore.Sheknewit.AndsheknewthatIknewit.“Notpleasant,”shesaid

grimly.

“Youwantmetodothat?”Iasked,myvoicetremulous.“Doyouwanttodoit?”she

shotback.Ilookedattheclayfigure

andimaginedittobeDelphorHarryTwoinstead.IlookedbackatAstrea.

“Notnow.”Shelookedatmeforalong

moment.“Thenlet’smove

outside.”Aswetroopeddownthe

hall,Archiecameupbehindmeandwhisperedinmyear.“It’sokay,Vega.Mostofuscouldn’thavedonethatourfirsttime.Infact,somecouldneverachieveit.”“Whyisthat?”Iwhispered

back.“Youhavetoreallywantto

hurtsomeone.”“Well,yourmumseemsto

havenoproblemwithit.”“Shewasinawar,Vega.

She’skilledbefore.Andshe’shadeighthundredsessionstobrood.Itgetstoyou,doesn’tit?”Weexitedthecottageand

passedthroughthegreendome.

Archiestretchedhisarmsandlookedtothesky.“BeenagessinceI’vebeenoutofthecottage.Justbreatheinthatair.”“Howlongagodidyoustop

takingtheelixir?”Iasked.“Thelightyoushowedup

onourdoorstep.”Iwasstunned.“Youmean

youagethatquickly?”

“Youageprettymuchrightawaywhentheeffectsofthepotionwearoff.Itjusttakesabitoftimebeforeyouactuallydie.”Hesaidthissocasuallythat

Icouldonlystare.“Well,I’mgladyoudecided

nottodie.”Hesmiled.“Metoo,Vega.

Metoo.”

Astrearaisedherwand,gaveitthreeparallelflicksandsaid,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Threefeetawayfromus

appearedanamarocboundingthroughthefields,evidentlyinpursuitofprey.ItwassoclosethatIcouldseetheredeyes,hugechest,bared,yellowedfangsandthecold

breathburstingfromitsnostrils.Delphscreamedandjumped

back.Iyelledandpulledmywand,abouttowillittofullElementalstatussoIcouldhurlitatthebeast.ButAstreaheldupherhand.

“Theamarocismanymilesdistant.Thisspellallowsyoutoseethingsfarawayasif

theywereveryclose.AusefuldeviceintheQuag,don’tyouthink?”AsIstaredattheamarocI

said,“Veryusefulindeed.”Shewavedherhandonce

moreandtheimagevanished.Shepointedtowardwhereaforestwaslocated.“Nowyoutry.”Iraisedmywand,gaveit

therequisitethreeflicksandsaid,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Itwasasthoughwewerein

theforest.Icouldseeeverything.Everything!AsIwatched,adeercame

soaringintoview.IhadlovedtowatchthemfromatopmytreeastheyranthroughthewoodsbackinWormwood.IgrinnedatDelphbutfaltered

whenhisreciprocalsmileturnedtoalookofhorror.Iwhippedbackaroundand

staredatthedeeroncemore.Fromoutofnowherea

ghastly,quasi-transparentcreaturehadappeared.Withastonishingspeedandunerringaccuracy,ithadplungedrightatthebeautifuldeer,catchingitinitsethereal

grasp.ThedeerlookedasstunnedasIfelt.Hereitwasrunningblithelyalong…Then…thenitwastornto

shreds.Andthethingconsumedit.Itriedtoturnaway,butsomethinggrabbedmebytheshoulderandheldmeinplace.Ilookedaroundtosee

Astreathere,holdingme,

makingmewatch.Iturnedbackaround.And

themostastonishingthinghappened.Themonsterthathadkilledthepoordeerhadbecome…thedeer,albeitaghostly,filmywhiteversionofit.Astreawavedherwand,

said,“Finit,”andtheentireimagedisappeared.She

turnedtomeandsaid,“Thatwasawendigo.Amalevolentspiritthatcanpossesswhateveritdevours.CreaturessuchasthisliebetweenyouandyourdestinationattheendoftheQuag.”Myvoiceshaky,Isaid,

“Andyouhelpedcreateallthesehorriblethings.”

Shelookedtakenabackbymycomment,which,Ihadtoadmit,hadbeensomewhataccusatory.“Notallofthem,no.Butbyconjuringwhatwedid,welaidthefoundationforthesecreaturestospawnevengreaterhorrorsthantheoriginals.Theeffectsofmagiccanoftenbeunpredictable,Vega.You

mustcometounderstandthat.”“Anddoyouthinkitwasall

worthit?”Iaskedinafirmervoice.“Theanswertothatisstill

tobewritten,”sherepliedjustasfirmly.

THETIMERACEDbyasmyeducationcontinued.Mytrueeducation.Bysayingthephrase“Pass-pusay”andtappingmywand

againstmyrightleg,Ihaddisappearedfromtheroomwewereinandtransportedmyselftothehallwayoutside.Idon’tknowhowIdiditorwhyIhadtraveledtothatparticularspot,butAstreawasveryencouragedthatIhadaccomplishedthisononlymyfourthattempt.Ihadevenworkedoutsome

reversecurseswithadegreeofsuccess.ButIhadalsoverynearlydrownedpoorDelphbymiscastingtheconfoundedspellEngulfiado.Inowlayexhaustedonmy

bed.Itdidn’tseemthatsayingwordsandwavingalittlestickaroundcouldbetiring,butitactuallyinvolvedfarmorethanthat.Thismind,

bodyandspiritrequirementwasmuchharderthanlaboringatStacks.Someoneknockedonmy

doorandIwearilyraisedmyhead.“Yes?”“It’sDelph,VegaJane.Can

Icomein?”“Givemeamo’.I’mnot

decent.”Ijumpedup,threwonmycloakandthenopened

thedoor.“Youlook…very,um,decent,”hesaidshyly.“Thanks,Delph.Buthow

canyoutell?Youreyesareclosed.”Heopenedthemjustabitas

thoughtotestwhetherIwastrulydecent.Thenheopenedthemfully.“Now,whatwasityou

wanted?”Hetookthechairnexttomy

bedwhileIperchedonthecornerofthemattress.Hewascurlinganduncurlinghislargehands,somethingIknewhedidwhenhewasbothnervousandupset.“Justsayit,Delph.”Henodded.“Thethingis,

VegaJane,thethingis…”

Hestopped,stoodandstartedtopace.HarryTwoandIswiveledourheadsbackandforthashedidso,followinghislonggaitashecrisscrossedtheroom.Hewhirledaround,lookedatmeandsaid,“I…can’t…do…thismagic.SowhatbloodygoodamItoyou?”“Whatgoodareyoutome?

You’rejoking,right?”Hemadeahugemuscle

withhisarm,butitwasn’tintendedasashowofstrength,afactmadeclearbyhisnextwords.Pointingatit,hesaid,“ThisisallIhave.I’mstronginWormwood,prettymuchnonestronger.ButhereI’mabloodyweakling,VegaJane.Ican’t

helpyou.AndifIcan’thelpyou,I’llenduphurtingyou.”Hesuddenlyslumpedtothe

floorandjustsattherelookingspent.Asthoughhecouldsense

Delph’spainandanxiety,HarryTwousedhissnouttoliftDelph’shandandperhapshisspirits.AsDelphstrokedHarryTwo,Isaid,“Okay,

Delph,let’ssayyoucan’tdomagicandIcan.”“’Causeit’sthetruth!”he

saidfiercely.“ButI’mjustlearninghow

todothis.Yousawthat.”“WhatIsaw,VegaJane,

wasasorceressorwhateveryouwanttocallyourself,gettingbetterandbetter.You’llsoonhavethestroke

ofthismagicstuff.”“Anddoyoureallythinkall

youhavetoofferaremuscles?”Helookedsurprisedbythis

comment.“Eh?Whatelse,then?AllIgot.”“Soitwasn’tyouwhocame

upwiththestrategyformetowintheDuelum?”“Whocaresaboutthedamn

Duelum?Ain’tyoubeenlistening?Ican’tdomagic.”Irushedoverandseizedhis

shoulder.“NeitheroneofuscameintotheQuagthinkingwecoulddomagic.Butwestillcamehere.Andyouknowwhywedid.”IgrewsilentbecauseI

wantedtohearhimsayit.Iwantedtoknow,forcertain,

thathewanteditasmuchasIdid.Hesaid,“Tofindthetruth.”Inoddedandletgoofhim.

“That’sright.MaybeI’llbeagoodsorceressandmaybeIwon’t.Maybeyou’llneverbeabletodomagic,Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowmuchaboutanythinginthisplacebecauseit’ssounknowable!

Butthatwon’tstopusfromfindinganswers,Delph.Andifwedietrying,well,I’dratherthatthanlivealifethat’snotevenmyown.”Delphslowlynoddedand

said,“Okay,VegaJane.Okay.”“Soarewegood?”Iasked,

peeringathimclosely.“We’regood,”hesaidwith

asmile.

MORETIMEPASSEDandmylessonscontinuedunabated.ImutteredsomanyincantationsthatitseemedIcouldrecallnone.Imadeintricatemoveswithmywand.Iemployedmymind,bodyandspirittogetherinwaysIcouldn’thaveeven

fathomedbefore.AnditwasalldoneunderthestricttutelageofAstreaPrine.Sheseemedtoenjoytheroleofteacherfarmorethanjailer.Ihadmyshareofvictories

andanearlyequalnumberoftotaldisasters.Oneterrifyingmomenthad

comewhenIdirectedacurseattheclaymale.

“Jagada,”Icalledout,whippingmywandatthetarget,butmyenthusiasmhadledtoamomentuminmyarmthatbadlythrewoffmyaim.MycursehitpoorArchieandhestartedtobleedfromgashesallupanddownhislegs.Iscreamed,HarryTwo

yippedandDelphracedover

tohimtohelp.ButAstreacalmlysaid,

“Eraisio,”andwavedherwandatArchie.Theslashesimmediatelyhealed,thoughhistrouserswerestillripped.Iapologizedprofusely,but

Archietookitinstride.“There’snotbeenanyofus

thathasn’tmademistakes,Vega,”hesaidencouragingly.

“Andyou’redoingjustfine.”However,Iwassoshaken

thatIcoulddonomorethatlight.Later,Icriedmyselftosleep,theimageofbloodyArchierefusingtoleavemythoughts.Thenextlight,Icrushedthe

claymanbyinvokingthespellImpacto.IverywarilyperformedtheImpairiocurse

onArchieandstruckhimblind,butthereversecurseworkedjustfinetoo,restoringhissightinstantly.“Mind,bodyandspirit,”

Astreakeptstressingtome.“I’mgettingthehangofit,”

Isaidconfidently.“Thebasicsatleast.”Ilookedather,knowing

thatsomethingelsewas

dwellingonthetipofhertongue.“But?”Isaid.“Butyou’vehadtodonone

ofthiswhileanopponentiscastingspellsbackatyou,tryingtohurtorevenkillyou.Thatchangeseverything,Vega.”“ButhowcanIpractice

that?”“Youwillpracticethat,

whenyouareready.”“Youmeantrulyfighting?”“Yes!Youwillhavetodo

sotogetthroughtheQuag.”ThatnightIlingeredinfront

ofthefirewithAstreaandHarryTwowhileDelphandArchiewentofftobed.“ThefirstnightIwashereI

sawtheroomcoveredindustandcobwebs.Itwassetup

likeanursery.”Sheslowlynodded.“Itwas

anursery,Vega.Formychildren.”“It…itmusthavebeen

difficultforthem,”Ibegan.Shegaveahollowlaugh.

“Asyousoastutelypointedout,Itooktheirlivesfromthem.”Iremainedsilent.I

shouldn’thavesaidthattoher.I’msureshehadmeantthebest.Butsometimesdecisionscomeatagreatcost.Forothers.“Theyneverhadthechance

tomeetanyone.Neverhadthechancetofallinlove,marryandhaveafamily.Seetheirchildrengrowupandhavetheirownchildren.”She

letoutalongbreaththatIcouldsensewaschock-fullofremorse.Sheglancedatmebeforelookingaway.“Myyoungest,Ariana,wasthefirsttodie.Shewassofulloflifewhenshewasachild.Thenshegrewintoabitteroldbiddy,andwhocouldblameher?Thiscottage,herbrothersandsisters.Andme.

Thatwasallshehad.Thenonebyone,theotherswent.Tiredofnotliving.AdecisionIhadmadeforthem.”Shelapsedintosilence,a

quietIwashesitanttobreak.ButthefactwasIhadanotherquestiontoaskher,anditwouldhaveagreatimpactonmepersonally.

“Yousaidyouhadkilled?”Ibegan.Shewasstaringintothe

depthsofthefire.Shelookedsoyoungthatitwasdifficultformetoacceptthatshewasovereightcenturiesold.“Todefendmyself.Iwas

quitegoodatit.Asyouwillhavetobe.”Idrewcloser.“WhenI

threwtheElementalatthemalesattackingmeonthatbattlefield,Ididn’tknowitwasgoingtokillthem.”“Andyouwonderifyou

haveitinyoutoconsciouslydoso?”“IcriedwhenIhurtpoor

Archie.”“Itisnotanaturalthingto

killanother.Atleastitisnot

forus.”“Doyouthinkthat’swhy,

well,whytheybeatyou?TheMaladons?”“Doyouknowhowthey

camebytheirname?DidArchietellyouthat?”“No.”“Inourancientlanguageit

means‘terribledeath,’Vega.”“Terribledeath.Soyou

namedthemthat?Becauseofwhattheydidtoyou?”Sheshookherhead.“No.

Theynamedthemselves.Toinflictterribledeathonothersisthehighestcallingtheyhave.”“That’s…awful,”Isaid,

nearlyunabletoprocesshowanyonecouldbethatevil.“TheMaladonshavealways

beenremarkablygoodatkilling.Althoughtowardtheend,manyonoursidebecamequiteadeptatitaswell.AliceAdroniskilledscoresofthemandseemedtocarenotajot.”“Idon’tthinkthat’strue.”Sheturnedtofaceme.“And

howcouldyoupossiblyknowthat?”

“Isawheronthatbattlefield.Shewashonorable.Noble.I’msurethekillingdidbotherher.Asitwouldme.”“Andyourpoint?”asked

Astreacuriously.“Well,ifwedidn’tcare,we

wouldbenobetterthantheMaladons.Andthenwhatwouldbethepointof

defeatingthem?”Thiscommentseemedto

surpriseher.“Youfiguredthatoutwithoutanyhelpwhatsoeverfromme.”“I’vehadtofigureouta

greatmanythingsonmyown,”Isaidquiteseriously.“Butthatstilldoesn’tanswerthequestionofwhetherIcankillifIneedto.Idon’teven

knowwhatthespellistodoit.Isthereaparticularone?”“Rigamorte,”shesaid

immediately,herfeaturesdeadlyserious.“Itisthemostpowerfulofallcurses.Whilewehaveotherspellsthatcaneventuallyleadtodeath,thatistheoneguaranteedtoproduceit.”“Itevensoundshurtful.”

“Pointyourwandatmeandsayit.”“What?”Iexclaimedin

astonishment.“Pointyourwandatmeand

saytheincantation.”“ButIcan’tdo—”“Now,”shescreamed,“orI

willdoittoyou.Now,Vega!”Terrified,Iraisedmywand

andcriedout,“Rigamorte!”Mywandgavewhat

amountedtoalittlesneezeandthatwasall.“IguessIneedwork,”Isaid

lamely.“Butyouwouldhaveblockeditorcountereditif—”“Thereisnoshield.Only

inevitabledeath.”Iwashorrified.“Thenifit

hadworked?”“Itcouldnotpossiblyhave

worked,Vega.Youwerescared.ItwaswhyIscreamedatyou.Onecannotperformthecursewhilescared.Itisnottheemotionrequired.”“Whatis,then?”“Somethingmorethan

loathing.Orevenhatred.Anemotionsostrongthatit

blocksouteveryotherfeelingyouhave.Itmustbelikemoltenlavainyourbloodvessels.Youmustwanttokillaboveallotherthings.Toendthelifeofanotherlivingthing,Vega.Otherwise,you’resimplywastingyourbreath.Itishorribletokillsomeone.Sototakethelifeofanother,youmustbecome

horrible.”Iclearedmythroatandsaid

slowly,“Idon’tknowifIcouldeverfeelthatwayaboutanyone.ImeantherewereblokesinWormwoodthatIdidn’tmuchcarefor.ButIcouldn’tkillthem.ImeanIjustwouldn’t.”“Wouldyouratheritbeyou

dead,oryourenemy?”she

retorted.“ForIcantellyouquiteplainlythataMaladonconfrontingyouwillnothesitatetokill.”Isatbackandthoughtthis

through.TogetthroughtheQuaganddowhatIneededtodo,wouldIhavetobecomeakiller?ItseemedthatIwould.

IROSEEARLYNEXTlightanddressedquickly.Icouldhearnoonestirringyet.EvenHarryTwowasstillasleepatthefootofmybed.Iwalked

downthehallandstoppedinfrontofoneofthedoorsthathadrefusedmeentrymyfirstnighthere.Itookoutmywand,gaveitthreeparallelflicksandsaid,“Crystiladomagnifica.”IjumpedbacksofarthatI

actuallyslammedintotheoppositewall.Fullinmyface,burninga

holeinmybrainreally,wasajabbitcurledupinacagemadeofbrilliantlight.Theterriblecreaturewasfastasleep,itshundredsofeyesclosed.Butsleepingornot,Iwantedtorunawayshrieking.Instead,Itappedmywand

againstmyleg,hissed“Pass-pusay”andthoughtofmydestination.Anywherebut

here,actually.MomentslaterIwasoutside

thecottageandalsofreeofthegreendome.Ilookedaroundatthepeace

andquietofanearlymorning’slight.IgotarunningstartandtooktotheairwithDestinfirmlyaroundmywaist.Ikeptmygazeswivelingbackandforthboth

aboveandbelow,mywandattheready.Asuddengustofwindhit

meandIwentintoadive.Icaughtmyselfinplentyoftime,atleastahundredfeetupintheair.Rightingmyself,Ilookedaheadandpaled.Theclearskyhadturnedtoatoweringdarkenedmass.Jaggedskylightspearswere

beingcastoutoftheblackclouds.Accompanyingthunder-thrustspiercedmyears.Ihadnochoicebuttofleetotheground.Ilandedhardandstumbled

abitbeforeregainingmybalance.Ilookedupward.Theskywasoncemorecrystalclear.WhattheHel?

Ibentmykneesandshotupward.Iwasimmediatelyengulfedinhorrendouswindandtorrentialrain.Iwasflippedandshovedallacrossthesky,therainhittingmesoharditfeltlikewhacksfromapieceofwood.Thewaterblastedinmyeyesanddownmythroat,makingmegag.Ishotdownwardand

sprawledontheground,soakedtothebone.Irolledoverandlookedup

oncemore.Theskywasallblueagain.Itwistedmyhair,wringing

thewateroutofit,anddidthesamewithmyclothes.WhenIlookedtomyright,IwassoastonishedItouchedmyarmtomakesureIwasstillwhere

IthoughtIwas.Becauseitwasmeapproachingme!Barelytenfeetfromme,itstoppedandstared.Now,I’vehadexperiencewithamaniack,adespicablecreature-thingthatcantaketheformofsomeoneandthenclutchontoyouandmakeyoureliveyourworstfearswhileitslowlycrushesyouto

death.ButIhadneverbeenconfrontedby,well,me.OfcourseIknewitwasn’t

me.Ithadtobesomecreaturethatwasintendingtodomeharm.Well,Iwaspreparedforthat.Iwouldjustdosomethingtoscareitoff.Iraisedmywand,pointeditatthecreature,gavemywandaflick,keptmyeyesonthe

thing’srightarmandsaid,“Injurio.”Thepainwassoimmediate

andsointensethatIgasped,bentoverandgrabbedmyrightarm.Thathadreallyhurt.Imusthavedonethespellwrong.Ipointedmywandatmy

armandsaid,“Eraisio.”Thepainstopped.

Ilookedatthecreature.Ithaddrawncloser.Itwasmyexactdouble.Andnowmyfearwasmounting.Thoughithaddonenothingthreatening,everyinstinctIhadwastellingmetobeveryafraid.Focusingmymind,body

andspirit,Ipointedmywandatitsleg,gaveaslashingmovementwithmywandand

said,“Jagada.”Fourripsinmyleg

appearedandIhowledinagony,droppedtothedirtandclutchedmywoundedlimb.Tearsinmyeyesatthepain,Ilookeduptoseethecreaturenowstandingbarelyafootfromme.Thething’smouthopened

andIsawinsidehideousrows

ofblackened,sharpenedteeth.Thenatongueflickedoutandlickedmyface.Butitwasn’tapleasanttouch.Icouldinstinctivelytellitwastastingme.Blindwithpainandfuryandnotwantingtobeeaten,Iraisedmywand,gatheredmyhatredforthething,focusedmymind,bodyandspiritandscreamed,“Rig

—”Ineverfinishedbecausemy

voicewasgone,whichmeantIcouldn’tcompletethespell.Thisthingmusthavedoneit.Andwithoutmyvoice,howcouldIstopitfromeatingme?Thethingopeneditsmouth

wider.AllIcouldseewasthisimpossiblylargeblack

holebigenoughtoactuallyswallowmewhole.“Impairio,”avoicesaid.Ablindinglywhitelighthit

thethingfullintheface.Itinstantlychangedintoablackenedhuskthatwasallteethandgnarledlimbswithasinglemassiveeye.Thenthesamevoicesaid

sharply,“Rigamorte.”

Acoal-blackbeamshotoutandhitthecreaturedirectlyinthechest.Itburstintoahugeballofsmokeandthenwasgone.IturnedtoseeAstrea

standingthere,herwandstillupraised.Shelookeddownatme,pointedherwandatmylegandsaidquietly,“Eraisio.”

Mycutsinstantlyhealed.Istoodonshakylegs.Shepointedherwandatmy

faceandsaid,“Unmutado.”“Whatwasthatthing?”I

asked,myvoicenowreturned.Shelookedatwherethe

creaturehadbeen.Thegrassunderneathwasburned.“Adopplegang.Acreature

thatcanbecomewhateveritsees.Inthiscaseitbecameyou.”“ButwhenItriedtocasta

spellonit,thespellhitmeinstead.”“That’stheprimarystrength

ofthedopplegang.Itspreywillstrikeoutatthething,neverrealizingthatitis,infact,attackingitself.The

dopplegangwillwaitpatientlyforitspreytokillorincapacitateitself,andthenitwilleattheunfortunateone.”“SowhenItriedtousetheRigamortecurse?”“Istoppedyou.Becauseyou

wouldhavekilledyourself.”“Buthowdidyoustopme?”“Mutado.Aspellthattakes

yourvoiceaway.Ijust

performedthereversecurse,whichiswhyyoucanspeakoncemore.”“Andyoustruckthe

dopplegangblindbecauseifitcan’tsee,itcan’tbecomesomethingelse?Meaningitrevertsbacktoitstrueself?”“Andwiththatdefense

gone,Iwasabletokillit.”Sheaddedsternly,“You’re

quitefortunatethatIfoundyourroomemptyandcamelookingforyou.”“Iwasflyingaroundwhena

stormstruck.”“Ofcourseitdid.”“BecausetheQuagdoesn’t

wantmetoflyoverit?”Herangrylookfaded.

“Excellent,Vega.Youaretreatingtheplaceasaliving,

breathing,evolvingorganism,aswellyoushould.”Shelookedatthespotwherethedoppleganghadbeen.“Youactuallylearnedavaluablelessonthislight,Vega.Youmustbepreparedforanything.Icanteachyoumuch,butIcan’tteachyouallthatyouwillfaceintheQuag.”Shepointedahead

withherwand.“ThefirstoftheFiveCirclesliesjustoutthere.Destin’sflyingabilitywillbelimitedfromnowon.”“Butnotimpossible?”“No.Butyoushoulduseit

onlyinextremecircumstances.Andeventhenthedangeryou’refleeingmaybeasnothingtotheperilyoucreatebyattemptingtofly.”

Shelookedpointedlyatme.“Butspeakingfrankly,pleasedonotthinkthatallthreeofyouwillmakeitthroughalive.Theoddsagainstthataresoenormousastoapproachthemiraculous.AndwhileIdoobviouslybelieveinmagic,Idonotandneverhavebelievedinmiracles.”Sheturnedandwalkedoff.

ButIstoodthere,asthoughrootedinthedirtofthisawfulplace.I’mnotsurethedopplegangcouldhavehurtmeanymorethanAstreajusthad.

ISATINMYseatandstaredupattheblackboard.Delphsattotheleftofme,whileHarryTwowasatmyfeet.Hewasn’tdozing.My

amazingcaninewaspayingattention!Archiesatintheveryback.AttheheadoftheroomandstandinginfrontoftheblackboardwasAstrea,clothedinalongcloak.Shetappedherwandatthe

blackboard,andwritingappearedonit.“TheQuag,asItoldyoubefore,isdividedintoFiveCircles.”

Delphhadhisinkstickpoisedoverhisparchment.ItappearedtomethathewasevenmorefocusedonthislessonthanIwas.Andthenitstruckmewhy.Hecouldn’tdomagic.Buthecouldknowthecirclesaswellasanyone.Thatmightproveimportantlateron.“TheFirstCircle,”began

Astrea,“isnamedtheMycanmoor.”Iflinched.TheMycanmoor

hadbeenmentionedonQuentin’smap.“TheMycanmoorisamaze

ofstartlingcomplexityandpopulatedwithcreaturesthatmightwellprovelethalinanyencounter.”“Whatisthemazemade

of?”IaskedafterIwroteallthisdown.“Itcanbemanyandvarious.

Thick,livinghedgesandforestsoftrees.Wallsofstonesohighyoucan’tseethetopsofthem.Vinesofpoisonousplants.Battlementsofbones.Andtheseelementscanchangeonawhim.”“Bones?”Iinterjected.

“Whatof?”“Bonesonlyhaveone

source,”shesaid.“Thedead.”“Yes,butdeadwhat?”I

persisted.“NoWugs,ifthat’swhat

youmean.Othercreaturesthatwerekilledinthere.TheprincipalthreatsintheMycanmoorarethechontooandthewendigo.Alsothe

manticoreisnothingtobetrifledwith.”“Sowhat’sthesecretof

gettingthroughthemazes?”Delphasked.Inresponse,Astreatapped

theboardandonitappearedamessofpathwaysthatseemedtohavenoend.Shepointedherwandatitandsaid,“Confuso,recuso.”The

mazelengthenedoutandbecameasstraightasapoplartree.Iturnedtoherin

amazement.“That’sit,justtheonespell?”“It’snotsimpleifyoudon’t

knowwhatitis.Infact,ifyoudon’t,you’llwanderthemazeforever,foritiswhatisdeemedaperfectmaze.”

Ilookedcuriouslyather.“Whatdoesthatmean,aperfectmaze?”“Onewithnodetached

walls,andnoisolationsections,whichrefertoapasselofpassagestotallyencircledbywalls.Thesearecompletelyunreachablebecausethereisnotrailtothosesectionsfromany

startingspotinthemaze.Thereisexactlyonesolutiontoaperfectmazeandonlyone.Andthereisonlyonepathinthemazefromonespottoanotherspot.Makingitutterlyperfect,hencethename.”Shetappedtheboardonce

more.Instantly,anothermazeappearedthere.AsIlookedat

thething,Icouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit.However,asthoughina

trance,Delphroseandwentovertotheboard.HeranhiseyeupanddownthedrawingandthenpickedupaninkstickthatlayonAstrea’sdeskandstartedtodrawaline.Aroundandaroundhewent,upanddown,sidetoside,

downthispath,downanother,lefthere,rightthere,andthewholetime,Delphwasstaringattheboard,hisfocuscomplete.Finally,hislineofinkranitselfrightoutofthemaze.HeturnedtoseebothAstrea

andmewatchinghiminamazement.“What?”hesaid,eyeingus

warily.“Howdidyoudothat?”

Astreaexclaimed.“Dowhat?”“Getoutofthemaze,”I

blurtedout.“Ruddybrilliantitwas,Delph.”Helookedatwhathehad

doneasthoughhewasseeingitforthefirsttime.“I…Ijustwentthewaythatwould

getmeoutofthebloodything.”Thenitoccurredtomethat

Delphhadalwaysbeenlikethat.HehadfoundthemostefficientpathsthroughtheforestsinWormwoodbetterthananyone.HehadcomeupwithastrategyformetoprevailintheDuelum.Hehadcomeupwithadiversion

sothatIcouldescapefromThorne’sroom.Hehadamindthatgrewlargethoughtsfromsmallthings.“Well,”saidAstrea.“Ithink

thatyoumightdoverywellintheMycanmoorevenwithoutthespellIjustgaveVega.”Iwasgladshehadsaidthat,

forIcouldseeDelph’sspirits

liftimmeasurably.“Nowwemustmoveonto

thebeaststhatwillconfrontyouintheMycanmoor.Youmustbepreparedforthem.”ShelookedatDelph.“Bothofyou.”Shewavedherwand.

Appearingontheblackboardwassomethingthatmademejumpup,mywandatthe

ready,andHarryTwotobarkandthenattack.Astreawavedherwand

oncemoreandmycaninewaswhiskedgentlybacktowherehehadbeensitting.Shelookedatmeandsaid,“Thisisachontoo.”Iwasstaringatahead

withoutabodyattachedtoit.Thefacewasfoulwithjagged

fangs,flamesforhairandeyesthatwereutterlydemonic.“Whatdoesitdo?”Iasked

fearfully.“Andwhereistherestofit?”“Thatisallthereis,”she

replied.“Thechontoowasspawnedoverthecenturiesbydifferentcreaturesandspeciesintermingling,aswe

callithere.Itissaidthatthechontoowillwildlyattackanythinginthehopesofusingitsprey’sbodypartstoreplacetheonesitdoesnothave.Asthisisnotpossible,itwillalwaysfail.Butitsbloodlustneverwavers.”Delphsaid,“Soifitcan’t

usethebody,whatdoesitdowithit?”

Astrearepliedcalmly,“Iteatsitofcourse.”“O’course,”parrotedDelph,

hisfacegrowingabitpale.“Thechontoocanfly,as

youmightnote,sinceithasnolegswithwhichtowalk.Itcanappearinquitearushandcandososilently.Onemustbeprepared.”“Andwhatdowedowhenit

doesappear?”Iasked.“Youmuststopit,Vega,”

shesaidemphatically.“Youmeankillit?”“Thisparticularincantation

iseffective.”Sheliftedherwandandthensnappeditdownwardlikeitwasawhip,rightattheimageofthechontoo.Shecriedout,“Enamelisfixidus.”Apurple

lightshotoutofthewandandcollidedwiththeimageofthechontoo.Thecreaturehadbeen

baringitsfangs.Nowitsjawsclampedtogetheranditsmouthnolongeropened.“Whatexactlydidthespell

do?”Iasked.“Cementeditsjaws

together.Andifitcan’teat,it

willdie.”Iswallowednervouslyand

lookeddown.IknewAstreawasstaringatme,butIwasn’tpreparedtomeethereye.Notyet.Shewavedherwandandthe

chontoodisappearedandanothercreaturetookitsplaceontheboard.Astreasaid,“Themanticore.”

Iwaslookingatathingwiththeheadofalion,thetailofaserpentandwhatlookedtobeagoatinbetween.Thejumbleofanimalswaspositivelyterrifying.“Itisswiftoffoot,with

immensestrength,anditsflamingbreathisunquenchable,”shesaid.IglancedatDelph,whowas

staringatthemanticorelikeithadsomehowpossessedhissoul.“Andhowdoesonedefeat

it?”Iasked.“AnynumberofspellsI

taughtyouwilldonicely.Butit’strickybecauseamanticorecanreadminds.Soitknowswhatyouareabouttodoandwilltake

appropriateevasiveaction.”“Well,”saidDelph.“That’s

abitofaproblem.”“Sohowdowebeatthe

manticore?”Iaskedagain.“Therearetwoofyou,so

Delphwillhavetodistractit.Letitreadhismind,Vega,whileyouperformtheappropriatespelltoridyourselvesofthething.”

IlookedatDelphoncemore.Ithoughthewouldbeshakinghisheadandlookingmortified.Buthewasnoddingandsaid,“Now,that’sarightgoodplan.”“It’sarightbadplanifthe

manticoreendsupkillingyoubeforeIcantakecareofit,”Isaidforcefully.“It’sdangerous,Delph.”

HelookedatmelikeIwasanutter.“Dangerous!We’venearlydied,what,sixtimesalreadysincewe’vebeenhere?Dangerous?Har!”Somethingnudgedmy

hand.IlookeddowntoseeHarryTwopushingitwithhissnout.Ithoughthejustwantedtobepetted,buttherewasalookinmycanine’s

eyesthatspokesomethingelse.Itwasasthoughhewas

saying,Therearethreeofus,Vega,notjusttwo.“Movingon,”saidAstrea.

Shewavedherwandagainandthemanticorevanishedandwasreplacedwithanevenmoreodiouscreature,whichIhadalreadyseenonce

before.IthoughtAstreashivered

justabittooasshesaid,“Thewendigo.”Havingalreadyseenthis

spectralcreaturedevouradeerfromthesafetyofAstrea’sSeer-See,Iknewthatitateflesh.Astreasaid,“Thiscreature

doesn’tsimplykill.Itcan

possessyoubyeatingyourmind.”“Iteatsyourmind?”said

Delph,lookinghorrified.Shesaid,“Yousawwhatit

didtothatunfortunatedeer.”Inodded,mymindholding

theimageofawendigorunningawayinmybody.Astreasaid,“Now,it’s

crafty.Youmustalwaysbe

onthelookoutforthewarningsignsthatawendigoisnearby.”Ipoisedmyinkstickover

myparchment,readytowritedownthesewarningsigns.Whenshesaidnothing,Ilookedup.“Whatarethey?”Iasked.“Thesesigns?”“Avaguefeelingofterror,”

shesaid.

“Well,now,that’srighthelpful,”scoffedDelph.“ImeanIdoubtwe’dbefeelingthatwayotherwise,eh?”Shecontinued,“Andasense

thatthefactsstoredinyourheadaredriftingawayandbeingreplacedwithstrange,oftenhorriblememoriesthatarenotyourown.”“Howcanitdothat?”I

asked.“Youarebeingimprinted

withtheresidualmemoriesofthepreythatthewendigohaskilledinthepastandwhichlingerinitsownmind.”Itallsoundedhorrible

enough.“Thenwhatdowedo?”Iasked.“Thereisoneandonlyone

incantationthatwilldefeat

thewendigo.”SheheldherwandinfrontofherandthenmadeaslashingmotionthatresembledtheletterX.Shesaidinaveryfirm,veryclearvoice,“Omniall.”“Whatdoesthatdo?”I

asked.“Itremovesthemindutterly

andirreversibly.”“Itremovesthemind?Then

whathappenstothewendigo?”Iasked.“Itdiesofcourse.Thatis

justhowitmustbehere.”AndIsupposedshewas

exactlyright.

WESATBEFOREtheblackboardforlongperiodsoftime.Ialsopracticedmyspellsandincantations,andperformedreversecurses

whenAstreatriedtoattackme.Icouldtellthatshealwaysheldbacksome.Butasthetimepassed,Icouldalsodiscernthatshedidn’thavetoholdbackquiteasmuch.WhatIhadfound,tomypleasantsurprise,wasthatincombatIhadcertaininstinctsthatservedmewell.Icouldadaptaftersizingup

myopponent’sstrengthsandweaknesses.Iwasquickonmyfeet,bothliterallyandinmymind.IhaddonethesamethingintheDuelumbackinWormwoodonmywaytobecomingchampion.Shealsomademework

throughmazessheconjuredinsidethecottage.Ihadgreatdifficultyindoingso,and

oftenresortedtotheConfuso,recusospell.ButDelphwasneveratalossandwasabletogetusoutofeverysinglemazethatAstreacreated.YetIwasn’toverlyworried.SolongasIhadthespell,nomazecoulddefeatus.Overteainthelibrary,

Archietoldusthathehadoncethoughtofventuring

acrosstheQuag.“Why?”mumbledDelph,

hismouthfullofbiscuit.“Well,mate,”beganArchie,

“whenyou’velivedinthesamecottagewiththesamepersonforhundredsofsessions,itgetstoyou.Youwanttotrysomethingdifferent,don’tyou?Abreathoffreshair.”

“I’mnotsureI’dcalltheQuagabreathoffreshair,”Isaid.“Well,anyway,itdidn’t

happen.”“Whynot?”Iasked.“Mymumfoundoutabout

myplanandputastoptoit.”“How?Youcandomagic

too,”saidDelph.Archie’sexpressionbecame

forlorn.“Yes,butI’mnotasgoodassheis.She’dwineveryduel,handsdown.”“Butshewantstohelpus

getacrosstheQuag,”Inoted.“Bloodyironic,askme,”

saidArchie.

AFTEROURLESSONSwerefinishedeachlight,Delphworkedonmapstracing

routesandlearningeverythinghepossiblycouldtohelpus.AndIpracticedmyspellsandincantationsoverandover.Atnight,DelphandIwouldstudy,talkingbackandforthaswesatinthebook-ladenlibrary.MynotebookwasfullwithwhatAstreahadtaughtus,andthemarginswereheavily

clutteredwithadditionalthoughts.I’msurethatDelph’slookedthesame.Mostnightswefellasleepinourchairs,ourparchmentuponourchests,andHarryTwosnoringonthefloornexttous.Weweretoldthatthe

SecondCirclewasknownastheWitheringHeath.Itwas

notanysortofheathwithwhichIwasfamiliar.Instead,itwasavastforestwithtreessodenselysetsidebysidethatAstreasaiditwassometimesdifficulttobreathe.Thiscirclehadsuchcreaturesasthedeadlyandquitemadlycans,whichIhadglimpsedthroughtheSeer-See,andthehyperbores,

whichwereblueandcouldfly,andmightbeanallyoranenemy.AstreaalsoimpresseduponusthattheSecondCirclewasfullofdepressionandthatifweallowedit,thatfeelingwouldcometodominate.TheThirdCirclewasthe

EridaWilderness,whichwasactuallytheoppositeofwhat

Ithoughtawildernessshouldbe.Astreahadsaid,“It’savastflatexpansethatstretchesseeminglyforever.AndjabbitsandcucosinhabittheThirdCircle.”Iwellknewwhatjabbits

were.ButIhadneverheardofcucos.“Theywillprovidelightin

thegloom,whenyoumight

verywellneedit,”shesaid.“And,asIpreviouslymentioned,thereistheunicorn,whosehornwilldefeatallpoisons.”DelphandIhadlookedat

eachother.Isaid,“Howdoyougetthehorn?”“Therearetwoways.One,

yousimplykilltheunicornandtakeit.”

Ididn’tmuchlikethatway.“Andtheother?”“Youconvincethebeastto

freelygiveit.”“How?”“That,youwillhaveto

figureoutforyourselfwhenthetimeisright.”“Buthowdowefigureit

out?”Iasked.Shehadgivenmea

disdainfullook.“Noteverythingcanbelearnedsafelyinaclassroom,Vega.Educationisnotsoneatandtidy.”Sheliftedherhandandpointedtothewall.“Outthereiswhereyouwilllearnyourmostvaluablelessons.Ifyousurvivethem,thatis.”Shepausedandsaid,“Thereisanothercreaturewhich

dwellsthere,calledEris.Hehasonedutyinlife,tocausetroubleandstrife.Hewilldoyoumischiefifyoulethim.”“Howdowedefeathim?”

Delphasked.“Youmustlearntotrust

yourinstincts.Thatistheonlyway.”Ihadlookedatmyinkstick

asthoughhopingitwould

writedownafarbetteranswerofitsownaccord,butitdidn’t.Lately,lessonswerenotgoingaswellastheymight.Iwaslookingforpreciseanswersandshewasgivingus“instincts.”TheFourthCircle,we

learned,wasdominatedbytheObolusRiver.Ihadsatupstraightwhenshementioned

this.Irememberedseeingthelong,squigglywaterwayandwhatlookedtobeasmallboatuponit.“Rubezistheboat’spilot.

Hewillcarryyouacrosstheriver,foraprice.”“Whatistheprice?”Iasked.“Thepilotistheonewho

setsit.Youwillhavetoaskhim.”

“AndwhatexactlyisRubez?Amale?”“Notexactly,”she

answered.AndIthoughtshemighthaveshivered.“TheriverholdsperilsofwhichIamnotfamiliar,buttheyareperilsnonetheless.”“Howdoweavoidthem?”I

asked.“Stayoutofthewater”was

herreadyreply.

NEXTLIGHT,WEwalkedintotheclassroomtofindArchietherebutnotAstrea.“Whereisshe?”Iasked,

settingmyboundparchmentonmydesk.Archiesaid,“She’llbe

along.Justfinishingupsomethingsforthislesson,I

reckon.”“TheFifthCircle,”said

Delph.“That’swhatwehaveleft.Thelastone.”Thedoortotheroom

openedandAstreasteppedthrough.AtfirstIcouldn’tthinkwhatwaswrong.Butthenitstruckme.Shelookedolder.Herdarkhairhadsomewhiteinitaroundtheroots.

Herfacewasalittleheavier,abitsaggy.“Areyouallright?”Iasked.Shenoddedcurtlybefore

stridinguptotheblackboard.Shetookoutherwandand

tappeditagainsttheboardasDelphandIquicklytookourseats.HarryTwoalsosatupandcametoattention.“TheFifthCircle,”shesaid

inaweakvoice.Iwaitedforhertoconjure

somethingontheboard,butinstead,Astreasatdownatherdeskandclaspedherhandsinfrontofher.Shesaid,“ItiscalledtheBlueRange.Mytermforitanyway.Itismountainous.Ithasdeeplycarvedvalleys.”Shestoppedspeakingandher

gazetookonaglassyexpression,asthoughshewerelookingsofarintothedistancethathereyeshadfailedher.“Astrea?”Iprompted.Withajoltshecamebackto

us.Shecoughedandthenstareddirectlyatme.“TheBlueRangeisthelastobstaclebeforetheend.”

Again,shestopped.Isaidinanencouraging

manner,“Andit’smountainouswithdeeplycarvedvalleys?And…?Whatelse?”Sheshookherheadslightly

asthoughattemptingtodislodgeaverydisturbingmemory.“ThatisallIcantellyou.Idonotknowwhat

dwellsthere.”“Butyousaidthatyou

createdtheQuag?”“Icreatedpartsofit.The

BlueRangewasnotoneofthoseparts.”“Well,whocreatedit,

then?”“AfellownamedJasper.

HisfullnamewasJasperJane.”

Myheadsnappedupsofastithurtmyneck.“JasperJANE?”Shenoddedslowly.“Your

ancestormanytimesremoved.HecraftedtheBlueRange.Hewasanimmenselytalentedsorcererwithaflairforthedarksphere.”“Thedarksphere?”Isaid,

slightlyrepulsedbysaying

thewords.“Itiswhatwecallthat

havenofourmagicalmindsthatholdssinisterthoughtsandimpulses.Ourkindhasthem.Butwecancontrolthem,whereastheypredominatewiththeMaladons.Jasperwasacurioushybridofourtworaces.”

“Youthinkhemighthavebeenevil?”Isaid,horrifiedbythethought.Sheshookherhead

emphatically.“Oh,no,hefoughtvaliantlyonourside,andhisknowledgeofdarksorcerymadehimaparticularlyefficientcombatant.Hecreatedthelastand,Iwouldhavetosay,

mostdifficultcircle.”“Andhenevertoldyou

anythingthatwasinit?”Iaskedinabreathlesstone.Shebroodedoverthis,then

said,“Hetoldmeonething,rightbeforehedied.”“What?”Isaid,inanear

gasp.“Hetoldmeitwasmeantto

bethelandofthelostsouls.

Andthatwasallhewouldsayonthesubject.Acuriousmale.Hewasaloner;hekepthimselftohimself.”“Whatdoesthatmean?”I

asked,thinkingthatIwasalonertoo,really.ButIcouldn’tbepartevil,couldI?“Isupposeitmeansthat

onceyouenterit,youwillbelostthereforalltime.And

whenyourphysicalbodyperishesandfallstodust,yourimprisonmentwillnotbeover.Itwillreallyjustbecommencingforyoursoul,Vega,foryoursoulcanliveforever.”Ifeltcrushedbythis.“Does

thatmeanthatallofthisisfornaught?”Ilookedovermyshoulder

atArchie.Hesatwithhisgazedowncast.IlookedbackatAstreaandgotquiteashock.Sheseemedtohaveagedahundredsessions.Theyouthelixir!Shehadstoppedtakingit!“IwishIcouldhelpyou

more,”shesaid.“Butitiswhatitis.”Thensheroseonunsteady

legsandleftus.Whenthedoorclosed,I

glancedbackatArchie.“Whyisshedoingthis?”Heshruggedandsaid

unhelpfully,“Shedoesn’treallyconfideinme,Vega.ShethinksI’mtooyoungtounderstand.”Hegavearuefullaughandthenfellsilent.IlookedatDelph.“She’s

stoppedtakingtheelixir.She’sgoingtodiesoon.”Hetookthisinandsaid,

“Wecan’tletherdothat,VegaJane.”Istood.“Wewon’t,Delph.

Comeon.”

WEFOLLOWEDASTREA’Sslowtreadsdownthehallandwatchedheropenthedoorandgoinside.Afewmomentslater,Iwas

knockingonthatsamedoor.“Pleasegoaway,”shesaid

frominsidetheroom.“We’dliketotalktoyou,”I

answered.“Ihavetalkedenough.

Pleasegoaway.”“We’llstayhereforaslong

asittakes.”Thedoorslowlyswung

open.

IhadneverbeeninAstrea’sroom.AsIglancedaround,Iwasstruckathowbarrenandemptyitlooked.Ihadexpectedahavenofcomfortandclutter.Astreawasinthebedwith

thecoverspulleduphightoherrapidlysofteningchin.Isatinthericketychairnext

tothebedwhileDelphstood

nexttome.Shedidn’tlookatus.Shesimplystaredattheceiling.“Well?Whatisit?”she

said.Theancientnessofhervoice

waspainful.Aspowerfulastheelixirwas,itseffectsworeoffrapidly.Iglanceddownather.“We

needyou.”

“IhaveinstructedyouasbestIcan.Nowitisuptoyou.”“Butwe’renotready.”I

glancedatDelph.Heshookhisheadinagreement.Sheglancedatme.Itwasn’t

aharshlook.Sheletoutalongbreath.“Doyouknowwhywebuildwalls?Eitherrealonesoronessimplyin

ourminds?”Imulledthisover.“Tokeep

folksinorout,”Isaidatlast.“Webuildwallsbecausewe

areafraid.Wedonotlikechange.Wedonotlikeitwhenotherswhodonotlookorthinklikeuscomealongandtryandchangethings.Thuswerunfromit.Or,evenworse,attackit.”

IthoughtbacktomytimeinWormwood.Ihadseenthatverything.“Itwasawful,really,what

wedidtoallofyou,”shesaid,tearswellingupinhereyes.“You…youtookawayour

…history,”Imumbled.Sheliftedherselfuponthe

pillows.“Wetookawayyour

identities.Itwasasbad,actually,asanythingtheMaladonscouldhavedonetoyou.Iseethatnow.”“Theywouldhavekilledall

ofyou.”“Wealsotookyourlives,

andthenmerelyrequiredthatyoukeeponliving.”“Butyou’relettingmecross

theQuag.You’regivingmea

chancetomakethingsright.”Sheliftedahandand

touchedmycheek.“Ididthatforonereasononly,Vega.”Shedrewinalong,painfulbreath.“BecauseYouWillNotBeBeaten.”Herhandfellaway.Tearsfilledmyeyes.“But

westillneedyou,Astrea.Ineedyou.”

Sheclosedhereyesandshookherhead.“Theyouthelixirhasbeenexhausted.Archietookthelastofit.AndIwassobusyteachingyouthatIwaitedtoolongtogetmore.Iamnotuptodealingwiththeneededingredients.”Isawthatbefuddled

expressiononherfeaturesoncemore.Shegrippedher

head.“It’snot…pleasant,”shesaid.“Agingthisquickly.”“Ifyoutellmehowtoget

theingredients,Iwillmaketheelixir.”Herfacetookonthe

expressionofawfulsadness.Shelookedovermyshoulder.Iturnedtoseewhowasthere.ItwasArchie.Hestoodthere

seeminglyfrozen.WhenIturnedbackaround,

hereyeswereclosedandshewasapparentlyasleep.ButfromunderhereyelidsIsawatearemergeandtrickledownhernowheavilywrinkledcheek.Igentlyshookherbytheshoulder,butshedidn’twake.Ishookherharder.Igrippedherface

andspokeveryclosetoherear,tryingtorouseher.Butitdidn’twork.IracedovertoArchie.“Can

youmaketheelixir?”“No.Shenevertaughtme.

Andtruthis,I’macompletemuddlewithpotions.”Iranoutintothehallwith

Delphhardonmyheels.ButIhadnoideawhereIwas

going.Ijustwantedtobedoing…something.Delphhookedmebythearm.“Wait,VegaJane,”hesaid.“Whataretheingredients?”Ihesitatedandthendecided

itwouldbebestjusttotellhim.“Twoimportantonesarethe

venomfromajabbitandthebloodofagarm.Butwedon’t

havetohuntthem.They’reintworoomsofthecottage.”Alongsliverofsilence

passeduntilitwasendedbyDelph’sshouting,“There’sabloodyjabbitANDagarminheresomewhere?”“Iknowwhichrooms,”I

addedinwhatIhopedwasacalm,helpfultone.Thisonlymadehimlookas

ifhewouldbesicktohisstomach.“You…youKNOW!”“Icangetthebloodand

venom.YouneedtosearchthroughAstrea’sdesktofindtherestofwhatwe’llneedandhowtomakeit.”Itookoutmywandandran

downthehall.Afewmomentslater,Iwasinthe

kitchen.IsortedthroughthecupboarduntilIfoundasmallmetalbowlandaglassbottle.Ipocketedthem,turnedandranbackout.DownthehallIstoppedat

thedoorwiththelittlemarkonit.Thejabbit,Iknew,wasbehindthisportal,trappedinhiscageoflight.Iraisedmywand,madethe

threeparallelstrokeswithitandsaid,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Instantly,theimageofthe

jabbitappeareddirectlyinfrontofme.Iknewitwascoming,butitstilltookallofmywillpowernottoscream.Okay,Ithought.Thething

isinthere.Butwait,howwasIgoingtogetinthedoor?It

wouldshout“GOAWAY!”ThenIforcedmyselfto

calmdown.Astreahadtaughtmethatone.Itappedthedoor’slockwithmywandandsaid,“Ingressio.”Thedoorimmediately

swunginward.Isteppedforwardintothe

room,mywandattheready.Thejabbitwasacrossthe

space,curledup,itsmultipleheadslowered,alltheawfuleyesclosed.Itwasasleep.AllarounditIcouldseethelightsofitscageswirling.Thejabbitwasatrulyenormousserpent,thickasatreetrunk,withtwohundredandfiftyvenomousheadsrunningthelengthofitsbody.Itwasthemost

fiercesomebeastinallofWormwood.AndyettherewereevenmoreterrifyingonesoutthereintheQuag.Ihadaplan.Ididn’tknowif

itwouldwork,butIwasgoingtotry.Iraisedmywand,pointingitatthebodyofthegiantserpent.Iflickedmywandandsaid,

“Paralycto.”

ThespellIcasthitthewalloflightandrebounded.Iduckedjustintimeanditflewovermeandhittheoppositewallwithacrash.WhenIrose,Iknewthatmy

spellcouldnotgetpastthelightedcage.Thiswasaproblem.WhenIheardmultiplehisses,IknewIhadanotherproblem.

Iturnedtolook.Thejabbitwasawakenowandfivehundredeyeswereuponme,eachofthemfilledwithmalice.Iswallowed,anditseemedmostofmycouragedrainedwithit.NowIwouldhavetoundothecage,thencastthespell.Butthatwouldfreethejabbit,atleastmomentarily.AndIknew

betterthanmosthowquicklytheystruck.However,unlessIdidthis,Astreawasgoingtodie.Idecidedtoactfastbecause

thelongerIwaited,themoretimethejabbithadtofullyawaken.AsIlookedattheserpent,somethingremarkablehappened.Igrewcalm.Idon’tknowwhy,butI

feltaconfidenceIhadnoreasontohave.Ipointedmywandatthebarsoflightand,focusingmyMBS,said,“Eraisio.”Thelightbarsinstantly

vanished.Icouldtelltheserpentwas

notyetfullyawarethatitwasfree.Seizingthisopportunity,I

pointedmywandoncemoreandsaid,“Paralycto.”Itwastrulyremarkableto

seesuchagiganticcreaturebecomeinstantlyfrozen.Ithadreareduprightbeforethespellstruck,butnowitshundredsofeyeswereglazedoveranditsfangswereconvenientlybared.Still,Iwalkedtowarditwith

greatcaution,hopingwitheachstepthatmyspellwouldhold.Ipulledthemetalbowlfrommycloakpocketanddrewclosetothenearestsetoffangs.Iheldthebowlunderoneof

theopenmouths,pointedmywandatthefangsandpreparedtocastaspellthatAstreahadtaughtmefor

drawingliquidfromvariousobjectslikestonesandtrees,sincewewouldneedasourceofwater.“Springatoerupticus.”Ayellowishliquidpoured

fromthefangsandcollectedinthebowl.Itwasamazinghowmuchvenomcouldcomeoutofasinglepairoffangs.Oncethebowlwasfairly

full,Ipointedmywandatthefangsandmutteredthereversespelltostoptheflowofvenom.Isteppedbackagainstthe

farwall,setthebowldownandpreparedmyself.Twospellsback-to-back.MBS,MBS.Focus,Vega,focus.Iwhippedmywanddown

thelengthoftheserpentandsaid,“Unparalycto.”Thejabbitimmediately

camebacktolife.Itfixeditsgazesonme.Icouldseeexactlywhatitwasplanningtodo.“Incarcerata.”Thejabbitstruckatthat

instant.Andslammedrightintothewhitelightbarsthat

hadreemergedaroundit.Theyheldfastandthecreatureretreatedintovast,windycoils,itsfuryevidentinitshideouseyesandtheangrytwitchesofitstree-trunkbody.Ismiled.Andthenturnedto

pickupthebowl.Inevergotthere.Thejabbitstruckwiththe

bloodcurdlingshriekthatIhadalwaysbeentoldwasthelastthingyouwouldeverhear.“Pass-pusay,”Iscreamed,

slappingmywandagainstmyleg.Iwasinstantlyontheother

sideoftheroomandthejabbithadslammedintothewallwithitstwohundredand

fiftyheads.Theroofofthecottageshookwiththeimpact,andalongcrackappearedalongthewall.HowtheHelhaditescaped

mycageoflights?Itturnedandwithamassive

whipofitstail,itwaschargingstraightatme.MythoughtsturnedbackforaninstanttoStacks,whereapair

ofjabbitshadbeenhuntingmedown.IhadescapedbehindalittlewoodendoorwithascreamingWugforaknob.Therewasnosuchescapenow.Nodoor,noscreamingWug.Thejabbitstruckagain.“Embattlemento.”Theserpenthittheconjured

wallwithsuchforcethatthe

entireroomshook.Ifellback,butIquicklyregroupedasthejabbitreboundedoffmyspellandwasflungbackwardagainstthefarwalloftheroom.Itwasslowtoshakeoffthe

impact.Icouldhardlybelievemy

eyes.Ihadhurtajabbit.Beforeitcouldattackonce

more,Ishouted,“Incarcerata.”Thewhitebandsshotfrom

mywandandencircledthecreature.Iprayedthatitwouldhold

thistime.Isteppedcarefullyaroundthejabbitasitsfivehundredeyesfollowedmyeverymove.Islowlybentdown,keepingmygazeon

thething,andpickedupthebowlofvenom.ThenIwasoutthedoorina

flashandclosedandsecureditbehindmewithalockingspell.Breathless,Ihurrieddownthehall,whereInearlycollidedwithDelphcomingtheotherway.Hewascarryinganoldjournal.“Foundit,”hesaid.“The

instructionsfortheelixir.”“Brilliant!”Iheldupthe

bowl.“AndIgotthevenom.”“BloodyHel,”hegushed,

takingthebowlgingerly.“Andnowforthegarm.”I

rusheddownthehalltotheotherdoorthathadtoldme,“GOAWAY!”Icriedout,“Crystiladomagnifica.”

Iblinked.“Crystiladomagnifica,”Isaidagain.Theroomwasempty.There

wasnogarminawhite-lightcage.Iheardthegrowlbehind

me.Ididn’tevenhavetimetoturn.Iscreamed.Thegarm

roared.Isawaflashofsomething

andIwasknockedheelsoverarse.AsIslidalongthefloor,I

lookedbehindme.Thegarmwasonitshind

legs,justabouttoexpelachestofflamesthatwouldburnmetocinder.AndtherewasHarryTwo.

Hemusthaveknockedmedown.

Heleaptdirectlyatthebeastandthentheimpossiblehappened.Mycanineclampedhisstrongjawsaroundthegarm’ssnout,forcingitshut.Thegarmscreamedinfury,thoughthesoundcameoutmuffledbecauseitcouldnotopenitsmouth.Itflungitselfaround,

slammingHarryTwointothewall.ButstillHarryTwohungon,evenwithhislegsdanglinguselesslyandbloodpouringfromthesideofhishead.ThegarmreachedupwithitsforelegstoripHarryTwotopieces.Ihadanothervision.Ofmy

firstcanine,Harry.Hehadalsosavedmefromagarm

andsacrificedhislifeindoingso.Ihadnointentionoflettingthathappenagain.Therewasapowerful

feelingsurgingthrougheverybitofme.Itwasn’thatred.Orloathing.Itwasfarmorethanthat.Idon’tbelievethereisevenawordtoadequatelyencompassit.IsaiditbeforeIevenrealizedsayingit.It

cameoutofmymouthwithsuchforcethatitseemedthewordsalonecoulddowhatIwanteddone.Ipointedmywanddirectly

atthegarm’schest.“Rigamorte!”Theblacklighthitthegarm

withsuchpowerthatthemany-tonnedbeastwasliftedrightoffitsclawedfeet.

HarryTwoletgoinmidairandfellawayfromthehideousthingasthegarmwasflungalongthehall,hitthewallandslumpeddownwithanenormous,cottage-rattlingthud.Itwasquitedeadasitrolledover,itstonguehangingout,itsbloodycheststill.IsprinteddownthehallandkneltnexttoHarryTwo,

wholaysprawledonthefloor,hisdamagedlegsuseless,hisheadbleedingbadly.IpulledtheAdderStone

frommypocketandwaveditovermypreciouscanine.Asecondlaterhewaslickingmyface,healedandhislegsfunctioning.IhuggedhimsotightlyIcouldfeelhisheart

poundingagainstmine.“Iloveyou,HarryTwo.I

loveyousomuch.Thankyouforsavingme.”Ilookedoveratthegarm.

Itsblood,whichperpetuallyrandownitschest,wouldmakemytaskeasy.Ipluckedtheglassbottlefrommypocketandfroze.Archiestoodthere,hiswand

pointedatmychest.NowIknewwhathad

happenedwiththejabbitandthegarm,thoughIcouldbarelybelieveit.Hiseyesturnedtoslits.He

startedtosay,“Riga—”Butahugefistcamedown

onthetopofhisheadandArchiefelltothefloor,unconscious,hiswandfalling

fromhishand.BehindhimstoodDelph.Helookedatmeandflexed

hismuscle.“Sometimesyoudon’tneedmagic,VegaJane.Har!”

DELPH!”IGASPED.Hebentdownandpocketed

Archie’swand,whichhadrolledacrossthefloor.“Blokecan’tdomuch

withoutthat,”hesaid.“Hewasgoingtokillme,”I

said.“Ireckonhewas.”He

lookedatthedeadgarm.“Yourdoing,I’spect.”“IusedtheRigamortecurse,

thesameoneArchiewasgoingtouseonme.”Istareddownatthe

unconsciousArchieand

shookmyheadindisbelief.Ashestartedtostir,Ipulled

mywand,aimeditathimandsaid,“Ensnario.”Thickropesappearedoutof

theairandwrappedthemselvesaroundArchie.Whenhecamefullyaround

andrealizedwhathadhappened,helookedupatmeandunleashedatorrentof

foullanguage.“Mutado,”Isnapped,and

myspellhithimfullinthemouth,silencinghim.ThenIpickedupmyflask,whileDelpheasilyliftedArchieoffthefloorandslunghimoverhisshoulder.“Webestgetonwiththepotionmaking,”hesaid.“ButweneedsomethingcalledBreathofaDominici.”

“BreathofaDominici?What’saDominiciandhowdowegetitsbreath?”“Haven’tthefoggiest,”said

DelphaswewalkeddownthehalltogetherwithHarryTwoatourheels.ArchiehadstruggledatfirstbutnowjustlayslumpedoverDelph’smassiveshoulder.Whenwereachedthe

kitchen,DelphsetArchieonthefloor.HarryTwosatnexttohim,guardingthebloke.Delphtookmeovertoa

tablewherehehadlineduparowofbottlesandotherobjects.Therewasapieceofparchmenttackedtothewall.Isettheflaskofgarmblooddownnexttothebowlofjabbitvenom.

“It’sallhere,”saidDelph.“’Ceptthebreaththing.”Hetappedtheparchment.“Tookthisouttathatjournal.Tellsyouhowtomakeit.Stepsyougottodo.Figgeredyou’dbegoodatthat,likeatStacks.Iheatedupsomewater,’causewe’llneedtomixsomeofithot.”Ilookedoverthe

parchment.“Okay,theBreathofaDominicigoesinlast.Whydon’tIstartputtingitalltogetherandyoucantryandfigureoutthisbreaththing?”DelphsetoffwhileIturned

tomakingtheelixirofyouth.ItookmytimebecauseIwasafraidofmakingamistake.Therewasalotofheatingupofingredientsatjusttheright

temperatureandthenlettingthemcooldownforexacttimes.IhadbroughtinanoldtimekeeperfromAstrea’sdeskanduseditasmytimer.Themixingandgrinding

andcuttingandstirringwereexhausting.WhenIpouredinthejabbitvenom,ahugeballofsmokeshotupfromthepotIwasusingtoholdthe

potion.Luckily,Igotoutofthewayintime.Whenthesmokehittheceiling,aholeopenedupthere,whichIquicklyrepairedwithmywand.Nowthemixturehadto

stewforabit.ThenIwouldaddthebloodofthegarm,ahandfulofsomethingcalledtendrilsoftawny,which

lookedlikefrozenworms,andasmalljarofliquidlabeledPETRIROOTPUSCLES.Iwouldratherdiethandrink

thismess.Eternalyouthcouldn’tbeworthit.Twentysliversafterthat

wouldcometheBreathofaDominici.IfDelphmanagedtofinditsomehow.Iturnedandlookedat

Archie,whowasstaringacrosstheroomatme.Ipulledupachairandsat

acrossfromhim.“IfIletyouspeak,willyou

promisenottoscreamfoulthingsatme?”Helookedsurlybutslowlynodded.Ididthereversespellbutkeptmywandready.“Iknowyousetthejabbit

andgarmonme.Andthenyouweregoingtokillme.Why?”“Isn’titobvious?”“Nottome,it’snot.”“Well,thenyou’reclearly

notverybright.You’llprobablyperishintheFirstCircle.”“MaybeIwill.Butatleast

I’mgoingtotry.”

“Exactly,”heroared.“Foreighthundredbloodysessions,mydearmumhasbeensayingthatnoonecancrossthisplace.Noone!Wesacrificedourlivesforthat.WhenIlearnedwhatyouweregoingtodoandthattheoldbatwasgoingtohelpyoudoit,Ithoughtshemustbemad.Itooktheelixirandthen

threwtherestaway.”“Butwhycouldn’tshemake

more?”Iasked.“BecauseIcasta

befuddlementhexonher.”“Soyouwantedhertodie.”Hescreamed,“Iwantedto

makesurethatyoudidnotcrosstheQuag!”Hegrewsilentanddrewseveraldeepbreaths.“Andovereight

hundredsessionsislongenoughtolive,don’tyouthink?”headdedquietly.Aminutelater,Delphcame

charginginwithSeamusinhiswake.“Doyouhaveit?The

BreathofaDominici?”“Idon’tbutSeamushere

does.”Ilookedatthehob.

“Seamus?Howcanyouhaveit?”“Ms.Prinesentmeoutfor

it,beforeshebecame,well,old.”Hereachedinhispocketandpulledoutalong-stemmedflowerthathadabloodredbloomaslargeasmyfist.“That’sit?Aflower?”Hewrinkledhisnoseatmy

abruptcomment.“Well,itmightbejustaflower,buttheonlyplaceitgrowsisinanestofvipersthatdon’tmuchliketopartwithit.”“Sohowdidyoumanageit,

then?”Iasked.“Thevipersdon’tmuchlike

fireeither,dothey?”Hisfacecrinkledintoasmile.“So’salittleblueballofitjust

happenedtofallintotheirmidstsandthenitjusthappenedtobecomeabigblueballofflamesthattheywantednopartof.”“Brilliant,Seamus,

absolutelybrilliant.Welldone.”Lookinghappywithmy

praise,hehandedovertheflower.Iputmynosecloseto

it,tookawhiffandnearlygagged.Itsmelledlikeslepdung.“HolySteeples,”Isaid,

rubbingmynose.“Aye,youdon’twantto

stickyournoseinthatthing,”Delphsaid.“Seamussaysitreeks.”“Thanks,Delph,”Ireplied

crossly.“Nexttime,why

don’tyoutellmesomethinglikethatbeforeIdoit?”Icutuptheflowerpetals

accordingtotheparchment,waitedfivesliversandthenthrewitintothesteamingpot.Theresultingsmellwasbeyondhorrid.“BloodyHel,”exclaimed

Delph,liftinghisshirttocoverhisface.Seamushad

runfromtheroom.HarryTwoputhispawsoverhissnout.ButIhadtostirthethinginprecisemotions,soIstoodthere,twofingerspinchingmynose,myeyesrunningwiththestinkofit.Afewsliverslater,itwasdone.Ipouredaflaskofit,corkeditandthenwebolteddownthehallandintoAstrea’s

room.Shewassosmallandfrail-lookingnowthatIfearedshewasalreadydead.“Astrea,I’vegotit,the

youthelixir.”Shemadenoresponse.Wetiptoedovertothebed

andlookeddownather.Shehadfadedincrediblyfast.Herhairwasstarkwhite,herskintranslucentandcoveredwith

largespots,andherfeatureselongatedandcraggy.“Howdowedothis?”I

askedDelph.“WhenIwaslittleandme

dadwantedtogetsomemedicineinme,hejustopenedmymouth,pinchedmenoseandpoureditin.”Andthat’swhatweended

updoing.Igotthecontentsof

theflaskdownAstrea’sthroat,andthensteppedback.Atfirst,therewasnothingandmyspiritsplummetedtomyboots.Thenshegaveanalmightygag,satstraightupinthebed,andhereyesopened.And,asthoughthesessionswerebeingpeeledawayliketheskinofanonion,alltheelementsofold

agegaveway.Herhairdarkened,herskingrewfirm,thefeaturesshortenedandtightened,thebodyfilledout.ItwaslikeIwaswatchingherentirelifeinreverse.Finally,shesatthere

lookingasshehadbefore.Shedrewalongbreath.

“Thankyou,”shesaid.AndinhervoiceIcouldtellthat

sheknewexactlywhathadhappened.“Whereismyson?”she

askedwearily.“Wehavehimtiedup.He

usedabefuddlementhexonyou.Andhetriedtokillme.”Shenoddedslowlyandrose

fromherbed.“It’sentirelymyfault,”shesaid.“Howdidyoumanagethepotion?”

“SeamusgottheBreathofaDominici.Therestoftheingredientswerehere.”“Butsurelythegarmand

jabbit?”shebegan.Delphanswered.“Vega

Janegotthoseallright.Theywerenomatchforher,evenwhenArchieletthemlooseonher.”“Archieletthemloose?”she

exclaimed.Butthenherexpressioncalmed.“Ofcourse.Hewouldhavebeenjealous.Andconfused.Andangry.”Isaid,“Ihadtokillthe

garm.ItwasgoingtokillHarryTwo.SoIkilledit.AndIhadnoproblemdoingso,”Iaddedfirmly.Astrealookedatme

pointedly.“Isee,Vega.Isee.”AndIcouldtellthatshe

reallydidsee.Shepattedmyarm.“Inbad

times,wisdomissooftenborn,Vega.NowIneedtogoandseeArchie.”

THEDOOROPENEDabitlaterandAstreaappeared.

WhenIsawanunboundArchiebehindher,Ileaptoffthebedandpulledmywand.“Thereisnoneed,Vega,”

shesaid,hervoicestrongandfirm.IlookedatArchie.His

featuresweredocile,ambivalenteven.“Whathappenedtohim?”I

asked.

Shedrewclosetome.“TheSubserviospell.Heisquiteharmlessnow.ButIdidspeakwithhimbeforeIdidtheincantation.Itriedtomakehimseemysideofthings.ButI’mnotsurewe’rethereyet.”“AbouttheFifthCircle,”I

began.“SinceArchieplacedabefuddlementhexonyou,

youdidn’ttellusallyouknewofit.”“Oh,butIdidtellyou

everythingIknowofit.NotevenmySeer-SeewillallowmetoglimpsetheFifthCircle.““Blimey,”mutteredDelph.“Nowitistimeforyouto

beonyourway,”shesaid.“Onourway…where?”I

askedwarily.“TocrosstheFiveCircles

ofcourse,”shesaid.“What,now?Rightnow?”

exclaimedDelph.“Butyouneedtoknowthat

escapingfromherewillcomewithaprice.”Ishookmyhead.“Aprice?”“Toputitsimply,escaping

theQuagmeans

imprisonmentforever.”IshotDelphaglancejustat

thesamemomenthelookedatme.IturnedbacktoAstreain

timetoseeherwaveherwand.“Goodluck,”shesaid.Ifeltmyeyesrollbackin

myhead.Andtheneverythingwent

black.

WOTCHA,VEGAJANE?”Iopenedmyeyesand

glancedup.Delphwaslookingstraightdownatme.“Youokay,VegaJane?”he

saidanxiously.Iautomaticallynodded,

thoughIdidn’tknowifIwasactuallyokayornot.Isatupslowly,tryingtogathermywits.HarryTwoputoutapawandgentlytouchedmyarmasiftomakesureIreallywasallright.Ilookedaround.“Whereare

we?”

“Dunnoforsure,butIfigurerightclosetotheMycanmoor.”“Howcanyoutell?”I

asked.“Overthere,”hesaid,

pointingtotheright.Isquintedandinthe

darknessIcouldmakeoutahighwall.“Themaze,”Isaid,glancing

athim.“WhatIfigger.Yeah.”Mytemperflared.“Why

wouldshedothis,Delph?Justsendusherewithnowarninga’tall?”“Dunno,VegaJane.

Supposeshehadherreasons.”Cataclysmicthoughts

suddenlyhitme.Ourthings?

Mywand!TheAdderStone.Destin.IlookedwildlyaroundandletoutabreathofreliefwhenIsawourtuckssittingsidebyside.Iopenedthemandsawneatbundlesoffoodandjugsofwater.Ilookeddown.Theleatherharnesswasstrappedtomytorso.Onmythumbwasmygrandfather’sring.Iliftedmy

cloak.Destinwasaroundmywaist.IfeltinthecloakpocketandmyhandclosedaroundfirsttheStoneandthenmywand.Itookoutthelatterandgrippeditloosely.Icouldfeelitinstantlybecomeapartofme.Ihaddoneitsomanytimesnowthatitfeltnaturalandright.“Doyouthinkwehavetobe

inthemazeforthecounterspelltowork?”Iasked.Whyhadn’tIthoughttoask

Astreathat?ThereweresuddenlyhundredsofqueriestowhichIwassureIneededanswerstosurvive.“Mighthelptofindthe

entrancebeforewedo,”Delphreplied.

Weshoulderedourtucksandstartedforward.Ipointedmywandupahead

andsaid,“Illumina.”Abeadoflightshotoutof

mywandandhurtledtowardthedarkshapesthatwetooktobethewallofthemaze,whereitlitupeverythinginfrontofus.Aninstantlater,DelphandI

couldhearhoovessmackingthegroundandwingsflappingandsharpcriesofunknowncreatures.Iheldmywandattheready,unsureifIwasabouttoencounteranarmyofhideousbeasts.Ihadn’tpracticedsuchaneventualitywithAstrea,andIdoubtedmyabilitytofightoffamassattack.

Thankfully,thesoundsandchatterdieddownandwerereplacedbyquiet.IlookedoveratDelph.

“Actually,IthinkIlikedthenoisebetter,”hesaid.Iagreedwithhim.Itmight

havebeenonlytheweakercreaturesthathadfledthelight.Theonesthatcouldkillusmightbejustahead,

waiting.Wemovedforward,my

gazedartinginalldirections.Itookamentaltallyofmyemotionsforthesignsofthewendigo—vagueterrorcoupledwithsomethingelse’smemories.Butmythoughts,terrifyingthoughtheywere,allseemedtobemyown.

“VegaJane,howaboutyouuseyourwandtoseewhat’supahead,eh?”“Goodidea.”Ipointedmy

wand,madethepropermotionandsaid,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Nowdirectlyinfrontofus

wasanenormouswall.Abattlement,Astreahadcalledit.Anditwasmadeentirely

ofbones.ItmadethewallbackatThorne’slookpunybycomparison.“Ithinkwefoundthemaze.”“Andthere’stheentrance,I

reckon,”hesaid,pointingtoadark,ovalshape.Wemarchedon,drawing

closerandclosertothisimage.Beforewegottothewall,

weencounteredalargewrought-irongatethatsuddenlyappearedinfrontofus.WrittenoutinscrollwerethewordsWolvercoteCemetery.“Shedidn’tmentiona

cemetery,didshe?”Isaid.Heshookhishead.Delphpeeredthroughthe

gate.“It’sagraveyardin

thereallright,”heexclaimed.Hepushedonthegate,butitwouldnotopen.Itappedthelockwithmy

wandandsaid,“Ingressio.”Thehugegateswungback.Wepassedthroughwith

HarryTwobringinguptherear.Wecametothefirstrowof

graves.

“Lookatthenamesonthem,Delph,”IsaidasIeyedthem.Mullins,Dinkins.And

KRONE?JurikKrone’sancestors

wereburiedhere?Theyletanyoneinhere,didn’tthey?Delphsaid,“Look,there’sa

PicusandaMulroney.And…and…”

HisvoicetrailedoffandIcouldseewhy.Thenameonthelichen-

stainedgravestonewasBarnabasDelphia.Hereadtheepitaphout

loud.“BarnabasDelphia,lovingfatheranddevotedhusbandtoLecretia.”“Didyoueverhearofthem

fromyourfather?”Iasked.

Delphshookhishead.“Never.Notonce.Ican’thardlybelieveI’mseeingit.”IleftDelphstandingthere

andmoveddowntherowofgraves.WhenIsawthenameonthesimplegravestone,Icaughtabreathandmovedcloser.ALICEADRONIS,WARRIOR

TOTHELASTBREATH

Ilookeddownatthesunkenmoundofdirtandthenbackattheleaninggravestone.Iheldmywanduphighandgazedatit.AlicehadgivenmetheElementalonagreatbattlefieldfar,farinthepast.Shehaddonesowithherdyingbreath,tellingmethatIhadtosurvive.Isuddenlyjerkedbecause

thewandhadstartedtomoveinmyhand.AsIwatched,shocked,itbentforwardsothatitspointwasdirectedatAlice’sgrave.Ididn’tunderstandfora

moment,butthenIdid.Thethingwasbowingto

her,itsformermistress.Ifeltthetearsclusterinmy

eyes.ButIalso,forthefirst

time,feltapowerfulconnectionbetweenAliceandmyself.AstreahadsaidthatAliceandIcouldberelated,andthatwaswhytheElementalworkedasawandforme.AsIlookeddownatthatsunkenmoundofdirt,itoccurredtomethatIhadagreatdealtoliveupto.AlicehadevidentlythoughtthatI

neededtosurviveforanimportantreason.IhopedIwasuptothechallengethattheQuagwascertainlygoingtopresent.ThegraveIsawnextwas

thatofmyancestorJasperJane,thecreatoroftheFifthCircle.Hisgravestonesimplyheldhisnamewithnoaccompanyingdescription.A

sorcerersteepedindarkmagic,Astreahadsaid.IshiveredwhenIthoughtaboutwhathemighthaveputinthefinalcircle.Thenexttwogravesalso

capturedmyattention.BastionCadmus.His

epitaphreadTHEONEWHO

LEADSUS.TheothergravestonereadTHE

STRENGTHOFLOVE,THE

FALLACYOFYOUTH.Icouldmakeneitherheadnortailofthat.ThenameonthegravestonewasUmaCadmus.Ididn’tknowifitwasBastion’smateorperhapshisdaughter.“VegaJane!”IturnedandsawDelph

fartherdownanotherrowof

graves.Hewasfranticallymotioningformetocome.HarryTwoandIracedovertowherehestood.“Lookitthat,VegaJane,”he

said.Hewaspointingata

numberofgraves.Ireaddownthelistof

names.Iexclaimed,“They’reallPrines.ThisisAstrea’s

family.”“Tooright.Soifsheknew

aboutthisplace,whydidn’tshetellus,eh?”“Sowhatelsehasn’tshe

toldus?”Iasked.Mybellyfeltlikeitwasfullofice.Iwasgoingtosay

somethingelse,butInevergotthechance.Somethinghadreachedup

throughtheground,grabbedmyanklesandpulledmedownward,throughthedirtandbelowtowherethedeadlay.

JUSTASIhadinfallingintoThorne’slabyrinth,Ienduredthesensationofplummetingalongway.However,thistimeIrememberedIhadonDestin

andthuswasabletolessentheimpactwhenIhitbottom.Iwasupinaninstant,my

wandatthereadyinthepitch-darkness.“Illumina,”Icriedout.Theplacewasinstantlylit

andIsawDelphandHarryTwoslowlygettingtotheirfeet.“Areyouokay,Delph?”

Hebrushedoffhisclothesandnodded,thoughhisfacewasashen.IlookeddownatHarryTwo.Hishackleswereupandhisfangswerebared.Ilookedwildlyaround,certainthatmycaninehadsenseddangercoming.Wewereinalow,darkened

tunnelwithstonewallsthatwereawashwithageand

slime.Ilookedinonedirectionandsawablankwall.Attheotherendofthetunnelwasanopening.IlookedatDelphtofindhimstaringatthesamespot.Iglancedupexpectingto

seedirtaboveus,buttherewasonlystone.“Whatgrabbedus?”Isaid

breathlessly.Ilookeddownat

myankles.“That’sbloodonmytrousers,”Iexclaimed.“Butit’snotmine.”“Samewithme,”said

Delph,indicatinghislegs.IlookedatHarryTwoand

sawredstreaksonhisforelegs.Ioncemoregazedatthe

stoneceiling.“Thegravesareupthere,”Isaid.

“What’sbelowagrave?”askedDelph,miserably.“Nothin’good,Iwager.”“Ifsomethingyankedus

downhere,itmuststillbearound.”“Andtheonlywayout

lookstobethroughthere.”Hepointedahead.Isquaredmyshouldersand

triedtomakemyselffeel

confidentandbravethoughIfeltneither.IheldmywandinfrontofmeandmarchedtowardtheopeningwithDelphandHarryTwoalongsideme.Wereacheditand,decidingthatwaitingwouldjustmakeitharder,Iwalkedrightthroughit.Atfirst,therewasnothing.

Thentherewassomething.

Setintothewallswerelittlebeadsoflightthatblinkedonandoff.Foramoment,Ithoughttheywerepiecesofglassormetal.ButwhenIwanderedclosertothewall,Ileaptbackinhorror.Theywereeyes.Blinking

eyes!IlookedoveratDelph.He

wasobviouslystunnedas

well.AsIlookedagain,Icould

tellthereweren’tjusteyesonthewall.Thereweremouths.Theywereopeningandclosingalongwiththeeyes,butnowordswerecomingout.Itwasasiftheyweresilentlyscreaming.Iturnedandran.Rightintohim.

HewasalittletallerthanIwasandsoleanthathelookedlikebonewithabitofskinlyingoverit.Yethewasashardasatree,andItoppledoverfromthecollision.Mywandfelltotherockfloor.Hewasdressedinalong

coatofblack,trousersandaslimyshirt.Hisfacewasas

paleasgoat’smilk.Hisbeardwasblackerthanhiscoatandlaytightlytohisfacewherehischeekbonesprotrudedlikehardnuts.Astripofblackfuzzarchedoverhismouth,whichwassetinagrimline.Healsohadonblackbootsuptotheknees.Ilookedmadlyaroundfor

DelphandHarryTwo.Tomy

horror,theybothwerepinnedflatagainstthewall.Delph’smouthwasopen,butnowordswerecomingout.Iscrambledtomyfeetandstartedtoruntowardthem.“No,”thecreaturesaidina

raspyvoice.Itwaslikemyfeetwere

sunkintotherock.Ilookedbackathimover

myshoulder.Inhishandwasawoodencudgelintricatelycarvedwithevil-lookingfiguresIdidnotrecognize.Hesmackedoneendofthecudgelontherockfloor,andmyfeetwerereleased.Iturnedtofacehim.Heleisurelycircled,looking

meover.Hisnosewasunlikeany

noseIhadeverseen.Ithadthreeopeningsinsteadoftheusualtwo.Andithadtwohumpsintheboneasthoughithadbeenbrokenmorethanonce.Anditwassolongitverynearlyovertookthemouthonthewaytothechin,whichwasassharplyangledasacuttingknife.Andtheeyesabovetheelongated

noseweresolidblack.Notjustthelittleorbsinthemiddle.WhereIhadwhite,hisentireeyewasblack.Iglanceddownatthehand

curledaroundthecudgel.Itwasn’treallyahand.Itwasaclaw,nailslongerthanmyfingers.Andtheywerecoveredinblood.Thatansweredthequestionof

wherethebloodonourclotheshadcomefrom.Thisblokehadpulledusdownhere.Hepointedoneclawatme.

Destinseizeduparoundme,liftingmeofftheground,andIhungthereinmidair.MyspinewasnearlycrackingasIwasforcedbackward,myheadgrowingperilouslyclose

tomyheels.Hecroaked,“Thechainof

Destin’tisindeed.”Andthenhestampedthe

floorwithhiscudgeloncemoreandIfellhardtotherock.Ilaytherebreathless.IglancedoveratDelph.Hismouthwasstillopen,buthiseyeswerelookingnotatmebutataspotonthefloor.I

lookedthere.Youidiot.Yourwand!Isnaggedit,pointedit

directlyatthecreatureandcriedout,“Impacto!”Heinstantlyswepthis

cudgelacrosstheairandmyspellhitaninvisiblebarrier.Thecollisioncauseddustandrocktofallfromtheceilingofthetunnel.

Althoughhe’dblockedmyincantation,thecreaturewasnowregardingmeinanewlight,itseemedtome.“Youareasorceress,”he

hissed.Irosetomyfeet.“IknowI

am.WhattheHelareyou?”Hesaidnothing,but

continuedtowatchme.“Releasemyfriends.Now!”

Iraisedmywandthreateningly.“Iwillseeyouagain,certe,”

hesaid.“Whatdoesthatmean,certe?”Iasked.Inanswerhepointedtothe

wallswheretheeyesblinkedandthemouthsopened.HeopenedhisownmouthinagruesomesmileandIsawhis

teeth.Theywereblacklikehiseyes.Hehissed,“Allcometomeintheend.Certe.”Hestampedthecudgel

againsttherockfloorathirdtime,andIbracedmyselfforanotherattack.Buthesimplypointedagaintothewallwheretheeyesandmouthswere.AndnowIcouldhear

them!Theyseemedtobepleadingwithmetosavethem.TheircriesroseandroseuntilIhadtoputmyhandsovermyears.HeshoutedoutsomewordI

hadneverheardandtherewasinstantsilence.Whenheturnedbacktome,

heopenedhismouthwideandoutcamehistongue.

Onlyitwasnotreallyatongue,notlikemine,inanycase.Itwaslongandblackandhadthreearrowpointsattheendofit.“IamOrco,”hesaid.

“Thesearemyoffspring.AndIwillseeyouagain,thetimingofwhichremainswithyou,fornow.Butnotalwaysso.Somethingwill

intervene.”Hesmiledmaliciously.“Italwaysdoes.”Withhisfreehandhe

reachedinsidehiscoal-blackcoatandpulledoutanenormoustimekeeperonarustedchain.HehelditupsoIcouldsee.Acrosstheglassofthetimekeeper,faceswereswirlinglikeshootingstarstraversingtheheavens.They

cameandwentwithastonishingspeed,toofasttocount,almosttoofasttoseeatall.Orcointoned,“Life.And

thendeath.Certe.”Everythingwentblack

again.Ifeltpropelledupward.Atlast,Ihitsomethinghardandlaystill.WhenIopenedmyeyes,

therewasHarryTwo.Isatupandhuggedhim.

ThenIslowlyroseandstaggeredovertowhereDelphlayontopofthegraveofhisancestorBarnabasDelphia.“Delph!Delph!”Igrippedhisshoulderand

pulledhimup.Hecamearoundandlookedatme.

“D-did…didthatjustreallyh-happen?”heaskedinadisbelievingvoice.Inodded,mybreaths

cominginbunches.“It…itwashorrible,Vega

Jane.Themfaces.Pleading-like.”“Theyweredead,Delph,”I

saidquietly.“Butwhatdidthatthing

wantwithus?”“Astreasaidthatescape

fromthisplacemeansimprisonmentforever.Iwonderifshemeantdownthere,onthatwall?”“Sowe’llendupthere?No

matterwhatwedo?”Icouldn’tbelievethat

AstreawouldhavetrainedmeupjustsoIwouldendup

stuckonawallbythatevilcreature.Istraightenedandlooked

outaheadofus.“TheFirstCircle,”Isaid.Itwasouronlychance.

ITDIDNOTtakeuslongtoreachit.Thebattlementofbones,I

instantlytermedit,harkeningbacktothedescriptionAstrea

hadused.ItwassotallthatIcouldnot

honestlyseetothetopofthewalls.Itjustappearedoutofthegloomlikeamalignantgiantblockingourpath.Everylastinchofitwasbuiltfrombonesofallsorts,takenfromthingsonceliving.“Ithink…Ithinksomeof

’emarelikeus,VegaJane.

Thebones,Imean.”Inoddedbutsaidnothing.It

wastoohorribletoeventhinkabout.DelphsawitbeforeIdid.I

don’tknowifIexpectedsomegrandentrance,butthedoorwaywasbarelybiggerthantheoneIhadatmyoldhomeinWormwood.Itwasbatteredplankswith

blackenedhingesandarusted,twistedironhandleforalatch.Weapproacheditstealthily

becausethatjustseemedthenaturalthingtodohere.Whenwereachedit,westoppedandlookedateachother.Delphreachedoutand

openedthelatch.

Thedoorswunginward,revealing,ifitwaspossible,evengreaterdarknesswithin.TakingthesametackIhadunderneaththegraves,Isteppedquicklythrough.DelphandHarryTwoimmediatelyfollowed.Assoonaswewereinside,thedoorslammedshut.AndIdoubtedthatanyspellIcast

wouldreopenit.Fromthispointwecouldonlygoforward,notback.WewereinsidetheFirst

Circle.Wewereinsidetheperfectmaze.Ilookedaheadofusand

suddenlytheplacewasawashinlight.Thewallsinherewereexactlyliketheonesoutthere:bones.Fromevery

nookandcranny,skullswithemptyeyesocketsstaredbackatus.Thecorridorturnedsharply

totherightabouttenfeetdown.Wewalkedaheadabit,turnedthatwayandwereimmediatelyconfrontedbyeightdifferentpassagesbleedingofftheonewewereon.

IheldupmywandandwasabouttosaytheConfuso,recusospelltostraightenoutthemaze.Inevergotthechance.Thebattlementofbones

changedsuddenly.Theskullsbecamelongvinesthatshotoutandensnaredme,rippingmywandfrommyhand.Itriedtocallout,butavine

wrappedaroundmymouth.IlookedoverinterrortoseeDelphbeingliftedintotheairlikeasmallchild,thevinespinninghisarmsandlegstogether.ThenIsawsomethingflash

pastme.ItwasHarryTwo!My

caninewasdodgingandleapingoverthevinesthat

clutchedathim.Whenavinegrabbedhishindleg,heturnedandbititinhalfwithonechompofhisstrongjawsandrazor-sharpteeth.Tryastheymight,thevinescouldnotcapturemycanine.Iwonderedforamomentwherehewasgoing,untilIsawhimreturningwiththethingclampedbetweenhis

teeth.Mywand!Heracedtowardmeand

leaptbetweentwovines,whichshotouttointercepthim.Myhandswereboundby

vines,butmyfingerswerestillfree.HarryTworeachedmyoutstretchedrighthandandmyfingersclosedaround

mywand.Butmymouthwasstill

coveredbyavineandanotherhadencircledmyneckandwassqueezingthelifeliterallyoutofme.Mymindfeltdarkanddizzyasmycheststartedtoheavewiththeeffortofstayinginflated.Icouldnotcastaspell

withoutsayingit.Ididn’t

knowwhattodo.Iclosedmyeyesandfeltthewandbegintoslipbetweenmyfingers.IopenedmyeyeswhenI

heardhim.Delphwaslookingupatme

evenasalargevineencircledhisbodyandstartedtotighten.“Yourwand,”hecriedout.

“TheElemental!”

TheElemental.IwilledtheElementalto

fullsizeandthoughmyarmwasstillboundtightlysoIcouldnotthrowithard,itdidn’tmatter.IhadknownforsometimethatIcontrolledtheElementalwithmymind,notthestrengthofmyarm.Doit,saveus.

TheElementalblastedofffrommyhandandhurtleddownthepassage.Asitdidso,thepowerofitsmightywaketoreapartthevinesholdingus,throwinghugechunksofthemagainstothervines,whichinturnweresmashedbytheweightoftheseprojectiles.Freedfromthegripofthe

ravagedvines,DelphandIplummetedtowardtheground.Iwasready,though,becauseIdoubtedwewouldgetasecondchance.TheElementalhadturnedandwasracingbacktome,andIcaughtitbeforeIhittheground.Iwilledittoitsnormalsize,madeaslashingmotionwithmywandatthe

towersofvinesandshouted,“Withero.”Thevinesinstantlyturned

brown,shrankandcollapsed.ButIwasn’tdoneyet.“Confuso,recuso.”Themazestraightenedout.“Run,Delph.Comeon,

HarryTwo.”Werushedpastthedead

vinesbecauseIhadnoideaif

newoneswouldtaketheirplace.Weranandranuntil,althoughwewerenotoutofthemaze,wehadtostop,bendoverandsuckinlongbreathstoreplenishourlungs.WhenIlookedup,Iwasgladwehadstopped.ButthatwastheonlythingIwasgladabout.Themanticorewasbarely

twentyfeetfromus,barringourway.Theconjuredimagebackat

Astrea’sdidnotdothecreaturejustice.ItwastwiceastallasDelph

andthreetimesasbroad.Itmusthaveweighedaton.Itslion’sheadhadafullmaneoftawnyfur;itsserpent’stailswishedacrosstheground.

Thegoat’sbodyinthemiddledidnotseemsubstantialenoughtomergethesetwofiercecreatures.Mesmerizedbyallthis,I

neversawitcoming.“Lookout,VegaJane!”Somethinghitmeand

knockedmedown.Theblastofflamespassed

overusaninstantlater.

Ihadforgottenthatthebloodybeastcoulddothat.Ilookedovertoseethatit

wasDelphwhohadpushedmedown.Andsavedmylife.Isatup,pointedmywandat

itandpreparedtosendittoHel.Onlyitwasn’tthere.Blast,that’sright.Itcanreadminds.

HarryTwobarked.Iwhirled.Themanticorewasbehind

us,barelyfivefeetaway.Itroaredandflamesshotat

us,butIhadactedatthesamemoment,notgivingthethingtimetoreadmymind,whichwasracinglikearunawayhorse.“Embattlemento.”

Theballofflameshitmyshieldspell,ricochetedoffandhitthewallofthemaze.Askullhitmeinthehead

andIrealizedthattheboneshadcomeback.Otherbonestoppleddownaroundus.Iraisedmywandand

pointedupward.“Embattlemento.”Theskullshittheshieldand

bouncedoff.ButIhadtakenmyeyesoff

themanticore.Wherewasit?Thereitwas,tomyleft,

closertoDelph.Iraisedmywandtoblastit,

butthenitwasgoneagain.Thebloodythingcouldmovefasterthanmyeyecouldfollow.Itreappearedonmyright.

“Hey,”shoutedDelph.Hewaswavinghisarmsatthemanticore.Hepickedupaskullandhurleditatthebeast.Itshotoutalungfulofflamesandtheskulldisintegrated.“Impacto!”Iscreamed,my

wandpointedstraightatthemanticore.Thethingwasblastedoff

theground,soaredbackwardandslammedintothewallofbonesbehindit.Itsliddownthewallandlaystill.Anddead.“Youdidit,VegaJane,”

gaspedDelph.Hewaskneelingontheground,holdinghisarm.Thewallsoneithersideof

usshookandthenstartedto

tumbledown.“HarryTwo,”Iscreamed

andstrucktheharness.HeleaptandIattachedhimtoit.IgrabbedDelphandtooktotheair.Wesoaredalong,dodgingandspinningpastbones,skullsandotherdebris.Chunksandpiecesstillhitus,butIkeptmygazeresolutelyontheendofthe

maze.Andthenatowerofbones

collapsedinfrontofusandthesmallsquareofblackthatIknewrepresentedtheendofthemazedisappeared.Ipointedmywandand

shouted,“Engulfiado.”Theboneswereblastedout

ofthewaybyatidalwaveofwaterandwesoaredthrough.

Ilandedtoofastandweallsprawledontheground.IunhookedHarryTwofromhisharnessandstood.“Delph,youokay?”Isaid

urgently.Whenhedidn’tanswer,I

lookedathim.“Delph?”Heturnedhisfacetomine.

Itwasasheetofpain.“Delph,whatisit?”

Irantohim,thenstoppeddeadwhenhehelduphisarm.“G-guessitgotm-me.”Themanticorehadgotten

him.Hisleftarmwasburnednearlyblack;theskinwasbubbledandcracked.Iimmediatelypulledthe

AdderStonefrommypocket,waveditoverhisarmand

thoughtgoodthoughts.“Thanks,VegaJane,”he

said.“Pain’sallgone.”Hestretchedhislimb.Well,thepainmighthave

beengone,butthearmwasstillblackened.Theskinwasstillpoppedandcrackedlikemeatkepttoolongovertheflames.WhenDelphfollowedmygazeandsawthestateof

hisarm,hisfaceturnedpale.“Delph,”Isaid.“I’msorry.

IguesstheStonecan’tfully…”Icouldnotfinish.“’Tisokay,VegaJane,”he

saidsoftly.“Nomorepain.That’swhat’simportant,eh.Likeyoudoneformedad.Evenifitdon’tlook…ifitdon’tlooksogoodnomore.”Ifelttearscreeptomyeyes,

buthislooktoldmetheywereunwarranted.Hegrippedmyarm.“We’re

alive,VegaJane.We’reALIVE.”Heopenedhistuckand

slippedonanothershirt.Ilookedaroundasthewalls

oftreessproutedoneithersideofus,soaringupsohightheyseemedtotouchthesky.

Inafewmoments,weweretotallyengulfedinanothermaze.“Ohno!”Isaid,myspirits

plummeting.Idrewmywandandpreparedtosaythespellthatwouldstraightenthemaze,whenIstartedtofeelfunny.No,funnywasthewrongword.Iwasfeelingterrified.Butwhatwas

makingmeterrifiedwerethingsthatIknewhadnothappenedtome.Iwasabeastandthensomethingwastearingmeapart.IwasabirdandIwasbeingdevoured.IwastransformedintoahideouslycanandthenIwasdisemboweled.Witharush,mymind

cleared.

Awendigo!Ilookedbehindusandthere

itwas,soaringstraightatus.IgrabbedDelph’shandat

thesametimehescoopedupHarryTwo.“Go,VegaJane.Go!”Weshotupwarduntilwe

hadnearlyclearedthemaze’streetops.ThenIpointedusforward.Ilookedback.The

wendigowasrightbehindus.Theskylightspearandtheresultingthunder-thrusthitsoclosetousthatitnearlyknockedusoutofthesky.AndIknewwhy.IwasflyingovertheQuag.

Thestormshadarisentostopme,asAstreahadsaidtheywould.“Delph!”Iscreamed.“I

can’tflyuphere.Thestormswillstopme.We’llhavetogobackintothemaze.”Delphhadbeengazing

downfromhishighperch.“Beforeyoudrop,lightupthemazedownthere,”hecalledoverthepunishingnoiseofthestorm.Ihadbeenglancingbehind

ustoseethewendigo

gaining,butIdidwhatDelphasked.“Illumina.”Themazewassuddenly

brilliantlylighted.IsawDelphrunhisgazeoverallofit.Anotherskylightspearhitatreedirectlybehindus.Theforceofthecollisionsentshockwavesoutthattumbledusacrosstheair.

IlostmygriponDelph’shand,andheandHarryTwofellawayfromme.Atthesameinstant,my

mindwasfilledoncemorewiththeterrorofanother.WhenIglancedback,thewendigowaswithintwentyfeetofme.Thestormseemedtohavenoimpactontheghastlything.

Iforcedmymindtoclearandshotdownwardintothedarkness,scanningeverywhereforthefallingpair.“Illumina!”Isawthemandblasted

towardthem,thecrownofmyheadpointednearlystraighttotheground.Ihadnevergonethisfastbefore

andstillitdidn’tseemitwouldbefastenough.Iwasconvincedwewereallgoingtodieandthebloodywendigowouldfeastonus.Iputonaburstofspeedat

thisthought,reachedoutmyhandandsnaggedDelphbythebackofhisshirt.HarryTwowasstillinhisarms.Istartedtoheadbackup,but

Delphcriedout,“Keepinthemaze,VegaJane.Keepinthemaze.”Ilookedathimandthen

backatthewendigo,whichwasstillrightonourtail.Icouldfeelmymindseizing

upwithterror,noneofitmine,butthatdidn’tmakeitanylesshorrible.ImusthavesloweddownbecauseIheard

HarryTwoletoutanenormousgrowlthatmadeeveryhaironmyneckstickstraightup.“No!”Iscreamed,asHarry

TwoleaptfromDelph’sarmsanddirectlyatthewendigo,whichwassoclosenowthatIcouldseeitsghoulish,transparentshapenearlynexttome.

IsnaggedHarryTwowithmyhandandredoubledmyspeed,leavingthewendigobehind,atleastfornow.WhenIlookeddownatHarryTwo,Igasped.Partofhisleftearwasmissing.WhileDelphheldontomyleg,Iputmycanineinhisharness,snatchedtheAdderStonefrommypocketandwavedit

overthespotwhereHarryTwo’searhadbeen.Thestonecouldnotregrowpartsofthebody,butitceasedthebleeding.Andmycanineseemedallrightotherwise.“Left,left!”screamed

Delph.Ihungaleftsosharpthat

ourbootssmackedagainstthetrees.

“Right,thenanotherright,”directedDelph.Ididashesaid.Imarveled

thathehadapparentlymemorizedthemazefromlookingatitforonlyafewmoments.Hekeptbarkingout

directionsandIfollowedthem.ButthewendigowasstillbehindusandIintended

todosomethingaboutthatrightnow.“Hangon,Delph,”Isaid,

liftinguphishanduntilhewasabletoclutchpartoftheharnessthatwaskeepingHarryTwoaffixedtomychest.Ipointedmywandbehind

meandcriedout,“Embattlemento.”

ThenIwentintoadive.Thewendigomanagedtoavoidthespellshieldbyveeringtotheleft,butithadallowedmeseparation.IflippedoversothatIwasflyingonmyback,madethemarkoftheXintheairwithmywandandshouted,“Omniall.”Thelighthitthewendigo

directlyonitstransparent

chestandthenitliterallywentberserk.Itimmediatelyspunoutofcontrolandslammedintoawallofthemaze.Iwatcheditplummetandcrashintoanothersectionofthewall.Itkeptdoingthisoverandover,itsmindandthussenseofdirectiongone,untilitfelltothegroundinacrumpledheap,dead.

Iturnedbackaroundandsoaredoff.Twentysliverslater,

followingDelph’sdirections,weshotfreeofthemazeandintotheopenair.IquicklylandedanddetachedHarryTwofromhisharness.Iimmediatelyhuggedmycanineandgingerlytouchedthespotwherepartofhisleft

earhadoncebeen.ItpainedmeasmuchasDelph’sarm.ButwhenIlookedoverat

Delph,hewasgrinningbroadly.AndwhenIfocusedonHarryTwo’sfeatures,Icouldseethemirthinhismismatchedeyes.“Wedidit,VegaJane,”

exultedDelph.“WemadeitthroughtheFirstCircle.”

Suddenly,mywandwassnatchedfromme.“Butit’llbethelastthing

youdo,”saidadeepvoice.“Ormename’snotLacklandCyphers.”

THELARGEBLOKEwhohadtakenmywandwasholdinganoldrustedbutstilldeadlysword.Hiscompanion,afemale,helda

crossbowloadedwithanarrowpointedatus.LacklandCyphershada

shortblackbeardandlonghairthesamecolor,buthiseyeswereabewitchingshadeofgreen.Hewasdressedinoldclothesandapairofdirty,calf-highboots.Hisfeatureswerehandsome,butalsohaggard.Helookedtobe

abouttwentysessionsold.Thefemalewasaround

Delph’sage.Likeme,shewastallandthin,withwiryforearmsrevealedbecausehershirtsleeveswereshortandragged.Herfacewaslovelybutdirty.Shehadonmuddycanvastrousersandlumpy,tornbootsthatwereneartheendoftheiruseful

life.Herhairwasthecolorofcornandwildlypitchedintheswirlingwind.Sheheldherwoodencrossbowwithapracticedhand.“Whoareyou?”Iasked,

eyeingmywandinLackland’shand.“Now,Ishouldbeaskingyouthat,”heblustered.“I’mVegaJane.Thisis

Delphandmycanine,HarryTwo.”Lacklandnoddedinturnat

theothertwoandthenlookedbackatme.“Nowtellmewhoyouare,”

Isaid.“Itoldyoumename,

LacklandCyphers.”Hepointedtothefemaleandsaid,“Andthisismefellow

Furina,PetraSonnet.”Delphsaid,“What’sa

Furina?”“Ijusttoldyou,”said

Lacklandsharply.“Us.Wheredoyoucomefrom?Anotherpartofthisplace,nodoubt?Eh?”“YoumeantheQuag?”I

said,mostlytogethisreactiontotheterm.

“Whereelse?”Heheldupmywand.“Whatisthisthing?”“Whatdoesitlooklike?It’s

astick.”“Liar!”snarledPetra.Iglancedathercuriously.

Sheseemedawfullysureofherself.Butmaybeshewasalwayssodisagreeable.Lacklandbarked,“Anddoes

thisstickallowyoutofly,then?Eh?Becausewesawyouupthere.”“No,itdoesn’t.”“What,then?”“Ijustcan.Can’tyou?”Petrasaid,“Lack,we

shouldn’tbeoutintheopenthislong.Let’sjusttakewhatwecanandgeton.”“Didyouseethewendigo?”

Iasked.Bothofthemstiffened.

Lacklandsaid,“Abloodywendigo?”“Itwasafterus.Wehadto

killit.”“You…youkilleda

wendigo?”saidPetra.Herhandstrembled.“Itwaseitherkillitorletit

killus,”Isaid.Ilooked

around.“ThisistheWitheringHeath,theSecondCircle.”“Heathsandcircles?

Gibberish,”saidLackland.“Maybetoyou,butnotto

us,”barkedDelph.“Whereareyouheaded,

then?”heasked.“Outofhere,”Delphsaid

back.

Lacklandlookedathimcross-eyed.“Eryoudaft?There’snosuchthing.”“Thereissuchathingand

weintendtofindit,”Ichimedin.WhenIglancedatDelph,he

wasstaringfixedlyattheprettyPetra.Ifeltmyfaceinstantly

flush.

Petralookedatourtucksontheground.“Whatdoyouhaveinthere?Food?”Shetookasteptowardthem.Inaflash,HarryTwoleapt

infrontofourtucksandstartedgrowling,hislongfangsbared.“Callthatthingoff,”

orderedLackland.“Why,soyoucannickour

stuff?”Ishotback.“We’reFurinas;that’swhat

wedo,steal,”saidLackland.“Why?”Delphasked.Lacklandlookedhimupand

down.“Whydowesteal?Well,it’sabitofabloodynightmaresurvivingroundhere,mate,incaseyouhadn’tnoticed.”“Howdidyougethere?”I

asked.“Borntoit,”saidPetra.“Don’ttell’emnothin’,”

snappedLackland.“Why?Areyouashamedor

something,Lack?”sheretorted.BeforeLacklandcould

reply,Delphsaidinacalmvoice,“WewereborninWormwood,whichis

surroundedbythisplace.It’salittlevillage.Verypoor.IworkedattheMillliftingstuff.VegaJaneworkedatStacksmakingthings.”Petrascoffed,“Poor,eh?

Youlookfedandcleanedpropertome.”Shewasn’tlookingatDelphwhenshesaidthis.Shewasgazingdirectlyatme!

Istaredrightbackandsaidicily,“That’sbecausewespenttimewithAstreaPrineathercottagebackthere.”Iaddedinamoreneutraltone,“Doyouknowher?”Theybothshooktheir

heads,andIbelievedthem.“Arethereotherslikeyou?”

Delphasked.Lackland’sgazefell,but

Petrasaidsternly,“Usedtobe.We’reallthat’sleft.”Isaid,“Butyou’renotthat

old.Whereareyourparents?”“Dead,”barkedLackland.

“Deadandgone.”“Itwasbeasts,”saidPetra.

“Awhileback.Welivedinavillagetoo,aproperone,notthatfarfromhere.Furinashavelivedherefor,well,

forever,Iguess.Usedtobealotmoreofus.Alotmore.Butovertime,thebeastsroundherejust…just…”“I’msorry,Petra,”said

Delphearnestly.ThisdrewasurprisedglancefromPetra.Ithinkshemighthaveevenblushed!Forsomereason,myhandcurledtoafist.Petracontinued.“Thelast

timetheyattackedus,theykilledeveryone.Exceptus.We’vebeenonourownsincethen.”“Petra,”snappedLackland.

“WhatdidIsayabouttellingherstuff?”“She’snotabeast,Lack!

Doesshelooklikealycantoyou?Useyoureyes.They’relikeus.”Shegavemea

witheringlook.“Well,inlooksmaybe.Can’tspeaktohowtoughsheis.”Ifeltmyfaceburnbefore

glancingaway.Ilookedintheneardistanceandsawconfrontingusavastforestofdense,toweringtrees.TheWitheringHeath,asAstreahadcalledit.Aplacefullofdepression.Wehadbarely

survivedtheFirstCircleandDelphandHarryTwohadbeeninjured.Weneededaplacetorestandfeelsafeforawhile,iftherewassuchaplacetobehadinhere.“Weneedtofindshelter,”I

said,turningbacktothem.“You’renotgivingorders,”

saidLackland.“Andwhosayswewantyoucoming

withusanyway?Isaywetakewhatyougotinthembagsandthenyoucanbeonyourway.How’sthatforaplan,eh?”Rightatthatmoment,the

groundshookunderourfeet.“BloodyHel!”criedout

PetraandDelphtogether.Wecouldseethethicktrees

shake.Andthenthetreeson

thefringeburstapart.Andthereitstood.Iwhirledaroundandlooked

atLackland.“Youhavecolossalshere?”Hisfacewaspale,butIsaw

determinationinhisgreeneyes.“Wegotlotsofthingshere.

Butthey’reslow,so’swecangetawayfrom’em.Wejust

have—”“Acolossal?”exclaimed

Delph.I’dforgottenhehadneverseenone.Ihadconfrontedoneof

thesegiantsonthebattlefieldinthepast.Ithadalmostcrushedmethen.Ihopednevertofaceanother.ButthiscolossalwasonlyabouthalfthesizeoftheonesIhadseen

before,aboutthirtyfeettallandbroadasacottage.Which,tomymind,wasplentyhugeenough!“Lack!”screamedPetra.

“Behindus.”Weallturnedtoseeanother

colossalwithintwentyyardsofus.Howacreaturethatenormouswasabletogetthatclosewithoutusknowingwas

unthinkable.“Givememywand!”I

screamed.“What?”saidLackland,

clearlystunnedbythesecondcolossal.“Thestick.Giveittome.”“Why,whatcanyoudowith

—”“Oh,fortheloveof

Steeples.”Isnatchedmy

wandfromhishand,turnedtoDelphandsaid,“Getthemoutofhere.”Ipointedtomyright.“Towardthetreeline.”Delphgrabbedourtucks

andshovedthematLackland.“Taketheseandgettothetreeline,”heshouted.HesnatchedthecrossbowandsatchelofarrowsfromPetrabeforeshecouldstophim.

“WhattheHelareyoudoing?”shescreamed.“Delph,”Icriedout.“I’mnotleavingyou,Vega

Jane,”hesaidinavoicethatbrookednoopposition.“But,”splutteredLackland,

beforeDelphgrabbedhimbythecollarandnearlythrewhiminthedirectionI’dindicated.“Youheardher,

nowgo!”PetragazedstubbornlyatDelph.“Please,”headded.“Pleasego.”Shepaledandherstubborn

expressionvanished.IsawherputahandonDelph’sshoulder.“Goodluck,”shesaid.ThensheranafterLackland.Myteethgnashingatwhat

shehaddone,Ihadalmostforgottenwewerefacingtwocolossals.Iheardabarkandlookeddown.HarryTwowasrightnexttome.Iknewmycaninewouldstayandfightwithme.Anddiemostlikely.Ilookedaheadandbehind

me.Thecolossalshadnotbeenwaitingwhilewedithered.Theyhadbeen

moving,anddespitewhatLacklandhadsaid,theymovedprettyfastsimplybecausetheirlegsweresolong.Delphcalledout,“Vega

Jane,youtaketotheair.I’llstayonthegroundwithHarryTwo.”“Whatareyougoingto

do?”Iaskedbreathlessly.

Heheldupthecrossbow.“LikeThorne.Anotherdistraction.”Ikickedoffandsoaredinto

theair.IlookeddownandsawthatLacklandandPetrahadreachedthetreelineaboutahundredyardsdistant.Theywerenowcrouchedtherewatchingmeflyingthroughtheairwiththe

greatestofuneasebecauseIhadnotonebuttwocolossalstoface.MymindwentbacktothegreatbattlefieldwhereIhadseenthesehorrorscrushlargemenandsteedsintheirhands.ButIhadalsoseencolossalsdefeated.Allittookwasstrength,skilland,Iimagined,agooddoseofluck.

IflewashighasIcould,wellabovethetallesttreesbecauseIknewwhatwouldhappenwhenIdid.Themightystormblewin

becauseIhadtakentotheair.Skylightspearshitandthunder-thrustsdeafenedme.Andthentherainstarted.Allofthiswasgoodbecausethecolossalswerehighupinthe

airtoo.Andtherainandstormwasblindingthem,Iwassure,asitwasme.Butnotforlong.Mygoggleswereinmytuck,butIdidn’tneedthem.Iheldmywandinfrontof

myfaceandsaid,“Pristino.”Instantlymyfieldofvision

cleared.Ilookeddown.The

colossalswerewithintenfeetofeachother,lookingallaroundfortheirprey.Thenoneofthemcriedout

inpain.Delphhadjustshotitinthe

legwithanarrow.Thenextinstant,HarryTwo

wasdancingaroundthelegsofbothcolossals.Thesecondcolossalsawhimandstarted

tospinaround,tryingtocatchmyfarmorenimblecanine,andbumpingintotheothercolossalashedidso.Myplancametogetherina

moment.Ipointedmyheadandshouldersdownwardandracedtowardtheground.ThenIleveledout,swoopedtomyleft,turnedandzippedforward.Linedupdirectlyin

mysightswasthebackofoneofthecolossals.Well,heregoes,Vega.Tenfeetfromthetwo

giants,Ipointedmywand,madeawhippingmotionandexclaimed,“Impacto!”Alightshotoutfromthetip

ofmywandandhitthefirstcolossaldirectlyintheback.Hegruntedfromthe

punishingblowandfellforward.And,justasIhoped,hesmackedrightintothesecondcolossal,knockingthethingoffitsfeet.Whenbothofthemhittheground,itwasasiftheheavenshadopened,releasingathunder-thrust.WhenIlookeddown,Isaw

thecolossalontopslowlyrise.Underneathhimthe

othercolossalwaslyingquitedead,crushedbythesheerweightofhiscompanion.Andthensomethinghitme

aglancingblowintheshoulder,nearlyknockingmeoutoftheair.IfeltsickenedwhenIsawwhattheobjectwas.Itwastheheadofthedead

colossal,whichhisbrethren

hadrippedoffhisbodyandflungatme.Coveredinthething’sblood,Isoaredupwardastheremainingcolossalreachedagreathandupandtriedtosnatchmeoutoftheair.Ifeltabitofmycloakbeingtugged,andthenapieceofitwasrippedoff.Thecolossalhowledagain.

Delphhadmanagedtoshoot

thethingintheeye.Quiteafeat,consideringhowtallthecreaturewas.Hishandoverhisbloodyface,hestartedtochaseafterDelphandHarryTwo,whoweresprintingfortheirlives.Thecolossalreacheddown

toabeltarounditswaistandpulledoutthelargestaxIhadeverseen.

ItthrewtheaxandtheviciousweaponwhirledatDelphwithblindingspeed.Itwasstunningtoseesomethingthatlargemovethatfast.Mesmerizedforamoment,Iregainedmysenses,pointedmywandandshouted,“Embattlemento.”Theaxstruckmyshield

spellandtherewasamighty

explosion.Theshieldheldandtheshatteredaxfelltothegroundinpieces.Thecolossalseemed

stunnedbythisdevelopmentandIaimedtotakeadvantageofhismomentaryconfusion.“Jagada!”Icriedout,and

madethepropermotionwithmywand.Thelighthittheenormous

creatureandsmallwoundssproutedoverhisgiganticchest.Butitseemedonlytoirritateratherthanincapacitatehim.Ilookeddownatmywand.Whatspellwouldworkagainstthisthing?Onespellhadknockeditdown.Theotherspellhadcutit.Butneitherhadstoppedit.Ididn’twanttotrythe

Rigamortespell.Ifitdidn’twork,IknewIcouldn’tbeatthething.“Lookout,VegaJane,”

Delphcriedout.Iglancedathimandthen

lookedatthecolossal.Hehadpickedupaboulderlikeitwasapebbleandhurleditdirectlyatme.IwassosurprisedbythisthatIbarely

duckedintime.Asitwas,Icouldfeelmyhairbeingwhippedbackbythewakeoftheprojectile.Thenhepickedupahandful

oflargerocksandchuckedthematme.Ihadtododge,diveandcast

spellsinordertosurvivethisattack.MyImpactospellexplodedahurledstonethat

wassoclosetomethatapartofitbrokeoffandhitmeinthethigh,cuttingitdeeply.Withmywoundandbeing

exhaustedfromdodgingdeath,IknewIhadtofinishthisasfastaspossible.Whilethecolossallookedaroundforsomethingelsetothrowatme,Iglancedatatoweringtreeaboutthirtyfeetaway.

Gaugingallnecessarydetailsinmyhead,Ipointedmywandatthebaseofthetreeandscreamedoverthestorm,“Withero!”Alightfrommywandhit

thetreerightwhereitmetthegroundandthebaseandrootsweakenedandthencrumpledundertheweight.Itteeteredforafewmomentsandthen

fellforward,allhundred-oddfeetofit.Iflewfarawayfromitsreach.Bythetimethecolossalrealizedwhatwashappening,itwastoolate.Themassivetrunkhithim

directlyontheheadwithsuchforcethatitdrovehimtenfeetintothegroundbeforetheenormoustreecollapsed

ontopofhim.Itwassuchabloodyawful

sightthatIcouldonlylookforasecondtomakesurethethingwasdeadbeforeIflewtowardDelphandHarryTwoandlanded.ItooktheAdderStoneout,

waveditovermybloodythighandthoughtgoodthoughts.Icouldfeelthe

woundhealingup,andthepainvanished.“Areyouokay,Delph?”I

asked.“Yeah,rightniceflying.”

Hegrinned.“Niceshooting.”Ipatted

HarryTwo.“Goodjob,HarryTwo.”Aswehurriedtoward

LacklandandPetra,Itriedto

usemycloaktowipethebloodandgoreoffmyfaceandshoulderswheretheslaincolossal’sheadhadsplatteredme.ThenIstoppeddead.Lacklandwasonhisknees

andwas,well,bowingtome.Hegazedupatmewitha

lookofawe.Hesaidbreathlessly,“Willyoutake

uswithyou,VegaJane?Please?”Petrawasn’tbowing.She

lookeddisgustedbythisshowofadoration.WhenDelphhandedback

herbowandquiver,shegavehimaradiantsmile,rubbedhisarmandsaid,“Thatwasamazing,Delph.Truly.”Sheslowlyletherhanddropand

thenlookedbackatmewithadefiantexpression.Itookadeepbreathand

thenletitgo.IthinkIwouldhavetakentenmorecolossalsoverher.

WEFOLLOWEDTHEM

backtotheircamp,whichwasaboutamileaway.Wehadtowendourwaythroughaforestthatbecamesodense

thatwecouldbarelysqueezebetweenthetrees.Atleast,Ithought,therewasnowayacolossalcouldattackusinhere.Theyweresimplytoobig!Unlikethewoodsaround

Wormwood,thesetreeswerenotalltallandstraight.Manyofthemweretwistedandwarpedandshroudedin

drearycolors.Therewasnotabrightgreenleaftobeseenonanyofthem.Andtheirbarkreekedofsmellsthatwerenotfreshorsweet.Indeed,Icoulddetectonlyfearanddeathintheairsomehow.Everysoundmadecouldbepredatorscoming.Everystepwetookmightbeourlast.Theendofourlives

seemedtolurkbeyondeveryshadowofeverygrotesquetree.Everybranchseemedtobendtowardus,wantingtostrike.Iwouldhavelikedtoclose

myeyesorlookaway,butIknewIcouldn’t.Ihadtoremainvigilant.AsIlookedatmycompanions,Icouldseetheyweredoingtheexact

samething.PetraandLacklandlookedespeciallysubduedandnervous.Well,Iwouldbetooifmyentirevillagehadbeenwipedout.Theircampwasnothing

much.Therewasastripoftatteredoilclothstretchedoversomelowtreebranches,andbedsmadelargelyfromleavesinsidealittlewooden

lean-to.ItmadeLoonsbackinWormwoodseempositivelyluxurious.Theirfoodandother

importantpossessionsPetrahadpointedoutwerekeptinaburlapbagtiedtoatreebranch.Idoubtedtheyweresafeupthere,butthenagain,wherewassafeinthisplace?Wesataroundasmallfire

thatLacklandbuiltandwarmedourbonesfromthechillyair.WhenIsawhowlittletheyhad,Iopenedmytuckandsharedsomeofourfoodandwater.AfterwehadbeenfedsowellatAstrea’s,itpainedmetoseehowtheygobbledthefewmorselsIoffered.Notthatlongago,IknewIwouldhavedonethe

verysamething.Lacklandfinishedthepieces

ofbreadandhardcheeseIhadgivenhimanddrewcloser.“Blimey,howdidyoudoallthat…stuffbackthere?”Itookmywandoutofmy

pocket.“Sorcery.Magic.Iwastaughtit.”IglancedoveratPetra.

Fromthecornerofmyeyes,IhadseenherflinchwhenIdrewoutmywand.Nowshewasstaringatit,hereyeswidened,Ithink,infear.“Don’tworry,Iwon’tuseit

onyou,Petra,”Isaiddisarmingly.ItackedasmileontothistoshowIwasjoking.Mostly.Ihadimaginedshewould

lookfrightened,butshedidn’t.Shejuststaredbackatmeforasliverwithcontempt.Icouldfeelmytemper

startingtogetthebestofme.Perhapssensingthisonmy

features,Delphsaidquickly,“ButVegaJanewasmagicaltobeginwith.It’snotlikeyoucanjustwaveastickaroundandfighthugeblokes

likethembackthere.”“Areyoumagical,Delph?”

askedPetra,takingamomenttosmoothoutherhairandrubaspotofdirtoffherarm.Shetouchedhisshoulderwithherhandandletitstaythereforaweebittoolong,atleastinmymind.Ifeltmyhandcurltoafist.Itwasastrugglenottotakeaswingather.

“Notadropofmagicinme,”saidDelphwithacrookedgrin.“I’mjustbig.”“Andsmart,”Iadded

quickly,becauseIsawthatPetrawasabouttosaysomethingsimperingtohim,Iwassure.“ItwasDelphthatgotusoutofthemaze.Heremembereditallwhenthewendigowaschasingus.And

hewastheonewhodistractedthecolossalssoIcouldfinishthemoff.”PetralookedatDelphwith

admiration.“That’srightbonnyofyou,Delph.Big,andsmarttoo.Andnothalf-bad-lookin’neither.”Sheagaintouchedhimonthearm.Whenshenotedtheblackenedskinnearhiswrist,

sheexclaimed,“Whathappenedtoyou?”Heshruggedandsaid,

“Manticoregotme.VegaJanegotriddathepain,butmearm’sabittheworseforit.”“Youbeatamanticoretoo?”

Petrasaid,herlookfullofawe.Lacklandletoutaloudburp

andsaid,“Well,all’swegotisaswordandabow.Righteasiertobeatbeastswiththatstickthing.”IwasstaringatDelph,who

wasblushingasPetrarubbedhisarm.Iquicklyroseandthrewanotherstickonthefire.WhenIsatbackdown,IsomehowendedupbetweenDelphandPetra.Shehadto

quicklymoveherhandoutoftheway.“Sowhodoyounickstuff

from?”Iasked.“Blokeslikeyou?”“Likewesaid,ain’tno

blokeslikeusleft,”repliedLackland.“LeastwaysnotthatIknowof.”“Sowho,then?Notthe

beastsinheresurely?”

“No,notthebeasts.”“Well,ifit’snotblokesor

beasts,what’sleft?”askedDelph.“Hyperboresmostly,”said

Petra,withanotherglanceatmywand.Ifinallyputitaway.“Iguessonecouldcallthembeasts,butthey’reclosertousthantheotherruddythingsinhere.”

Inoddedthoughtfully.Hyperbores.Astreahadtoldusaboutthem.Blue-skinnedandtheycouldfly.Andthattheycouldbeanenemyoranally.“Whataretheylike?”I

asked.“Dotheytryandattackyouwhenyounickfromthem?”“No,”saidPetra.“Ithink

theyletusstealfromthembecausetheyknowwehavenothing.”Lacklandscowledather.

“Asifanythinginthisplacewould‘let’someonestealfrom’em.Westoleitfairandsquare.”Ididn’tthinkanyonecouldstealsomething“fairandsquare.”ButIdidn’tsaythis.

“Well,we’veneverbeencaughtorhurtdoingit,”pointedoutPetra.“’Causewe’regood,ain’t

we?”saidLacklandwithasatisfiedlook.“Wheredothehyperbores

live?”Iasked.“Oh,theyhavenestshere

andthere,”saidLackland.“Nests?”Delphexclaimed.

“What,likebirds?”“Yep,wayupinthetrees.

Prettybigneststoo.Lotsof’emlivetogether.Saferthatway,I’spect.”Isaid,“Howdoyounick

fromthem,then,ifthey’rewayupthere?”“Petracanclimbsomething

fierce,”saidLacklandproudly.“Andshedropsthe

thingstowardtheground,whereIcatch’em.”“Whatsortsofthings?”“Vegetables,meats,spare

clothwemakeintopropertrousersandshirts.Andwater.Theykeepitinjugsmadefromtreebark.Catchingthemcanbeabitdifficult.Brokemynoseandtwofingerssofar.”

“Notabadpricetopaytokeepfromstarving,”pointedoutPetra.Lacklandturnedtome.

“Youcangetusoutofhere,yousaid?”“Ididn’tsaythat,”Ishot

back.“IsaidDelph,HarryTwoandmearegettingoutofhere.”“Butwhat’sbeyondhere?”

askedLackland.“Idon’tknow,”Isaid

truthfully.“Thenwhydoyouwantto

gothere?”Petrasaid.“’Causeit’snodoubtbetter

thanthisplace,”repliedLackland,thescowlreturningtohisfeatures.“Imean,whatplacecouldbeworsethanhere,eh?”

Isaidundermybreath,“Well,we’llfindout.”InaloudervoiceIsaid,“Whatdoyouknowofwhereyoucamefrom?We’recalledWugs,orWugmorts.Youlookjustlikeus.IwonderifyoucouldhavebeenfromWormwoodtooatsomepoint.”Delphlookedatme

questioningly.Ishrugged.I

hadjustthoughtofthis.Ididn’tseehowWugsfromWormwoodcouldhaveendedupthisfarintheQuagandstartedanothersettlementofsorts.ButIdidn’tknowitwasn’tpossibleeither.Lacklandlookedunsure.“I

meanwe’rejusthere.Alwaysjustbeenhere.AlwaysbeenFurinas.Leastit’sallwe’ve

known.”Petraaddedspitefully,

“Neverenoughtoeat.Andalwayssomethingreadytokillyou!”Lacklandagreed.“Aye,me

dadtoldmealltheremainingFurinasfinallybandedtogetherforsafety.Ourlastsettlementwasovertothewest.Aboutfivemilesfrom

here.Therewereonlyabouttwenty-oddofusleft,whenthebloodybeastscamethatnight.”Helookeddownandthrewatwigonthefire.“Blastedthings.”“Andyourparentsnever

toldyouanythingaboutwhereyoucamefrom?”Iasked.“Well,there’sthe

parchment,o’course,”saidLackland.Isaidquickly,“What

parchment?”Petrasaidsternly,“Now

who’stellingstuff?!”Lacklandsaid,“Eh,you’re

theonesaidtheylookedlikeus.Andtheysavedourskins.Soshow’emtheparchment.It’sinthebaghangingonthat

theretree,”headded,pointing.“Iknowwhereitis,Lack!”

Petraroseandscamperedupthetreewithimpressivenimbleness.IsnatchedaglanceatDelphandsawhimwatchingherwithsimilaradmiration.Andmaybeaweebitmorethanthat.Ifeltascowlcreeptomymouth.At

thatinstant,Delphglancedoveratme,sawmyexpressionanddroppedhisgazetothedirt.Petrabroughtthebagback

downandcarrieditovertous.Shesatcross-leggednexttoDelph—ofcourse—andopenedit.Shedrewoutabunchofwitheredpagesofboundparchmentandpassed

themacrosstome.Ilookedthroughthem.The

writingwasbeautiful,butthelanguagewasnotsomethingIhadeverseen.“Whatdoesitsay?”Iasked.BothLacklandandPetra

shooktheirheads.“We’veneverknown,”shesaid.“Nordidourparents.”“Sowhycarryitaround?”

askedDelph.Grinningsheepishly,

Lacklandsaid,“Whenyouain’tgotmuch,hardtopartwithanything.”Hepaused,thenadded,lookingatme,“Now,weknowthingsthatcanhelpyou.Andwe’llpullourweight.Toughasanythingwebothare.Youwon’tregretthis,neverone

bit.”Helookedpleadinglyatme.Delphglancedatme.I

nodded.HeturnedbacktoLacklandandPetraandsaid,“’Tisdone,then.”Heheldouthishandandweshookallaround.Isaid,“Youhaveto

understandthatitwillbedangerous.”

“Well,”saidLackland.“Whatachangethat’llbe,eh?”Wealllaughed.Anditfeltgood.UntilIrealizedthatwe

mightwellneverlaughagain.

ITWASNIGHT.Ihadtakenthefirstwatch.Mywandbesideme,Ikeptmygazegoingbackandforth.AsthetimepassedIsawsomeone

stir.Delphrosefromhisbedofleavesandstrodeovertome,carryingaloadedcrossbowthatwasPetra’sweaponofchoicebutwhichDelphhadusedtodevastatingeffectagainstthecolossals.IpassedDestinovertohimandwatchedasheslungthechainaroundhiswaist.IalsohandedhimtheAdderStone.

Iwouldalwaysholdontomywandofcourse.“Nothin’?”Delphaskedas

hetookupthevigil.Ishookmyhead.Heploppedhimselfdown

andsaid,“Getsomesleep,VegaJane.”“Who’stakingthethird

watch?”“Petra.Sheandmeworked

itout.”“I’msureyoudid.”My

harshtonesurprisedmeanditseemedtostartleDelph.“Youokay?”hesaid.Ididn’tlookathim.“I’m

fine,Delph.”“No,Ithinkthere’smoreto

it,”heinsisted.Iscowledathimuntilhesaid,“Sit,VegaJane,andtalktome.”

Iplunkeddownnexttohim.“Okay.Petraandyouseemtohavebecomegoodfriendsreally,reallyfast.”“Ifeelsorryforherand

Lack.They’vehaditrough.Losteverything.”“Yes,butshekeeps…well,

rubbingyourarmandlookingatyou.”Iknewthissoundedpositivelystupid,butthey

weretheonlywordsIcouldthinkof.Tohiscredit,Delphdidn’t

laughormakemefeellikeIwasbeingsilly.“Isawyoustaringatme

whenIwaslookingatheronce,”saidDelph.“Buttherewasapointtoit,see.”“Whatpoint?”“ItwaswhenLackasked

wherewewereheaded.”Ilookedathimcuriously.

“Right.Andyousaidwewereheadingoutofhere,meaningtheQuag.Andhecalledyoudaft.”“Right.Butsee,Ilookedat

Petrawhenhewassayingthat,andshedidn’tlooklikeshethoughtitwasdaft,gettin’outtahere,Imean.”

“Whatdidshelooklike?”“Likeshewantedtoleave

thisplace.”Isnorted.“Well,who

wouldn’t?”“No,’twasmore’nthat.It

waslikesheknewitwaspossible.Itwaslikesheknewtherewasanotherplacetogoto,see?”Thisstruckmelikeahard

slap.“Youcouldreadallthatinherface?”“Itwasprettyobvious,Vega

Jane.Imaynottalkmuch,butIdon’tmissmuchneither.”Hiswordsembarrassedme.

ItseemedIoftentookDelphforgrantedwhenIshouldconsidermyselftheluckiestWugtherewas,tohavehim

withme.“Thenitseemsthere’smore

toPetrathanwethought,”Icommented.“ButIstillfeelsorryfor

her,”hesaid.Isighed.Males.They

couldn’tseeeverything,couldthey?“Thanks,Delph.I’mglad

wehadthistalk.”

“Rightyouare.”Istrodeovertotheothers

andlaydownonmycotofleaves,mytuckasmypillow.HarryTwowasnexttome.Iclosedmyeyes.However,IquicklyfoundthatIcouldnotfallasleep.HowcouldPetraknowthere

wasaplacetogoto?Iopenedmyeyes,reached

inmycloakpocketandpulledoutthewrinkledparchmentpages.Ipointedmywandandmuttered,“Illumina.”Butmerelightwasnotgoingtomakethestrangeinkingsunderstandable.InfrustrationIsmackedtheparchmentwithmywandandsaid,“Makesense.”Nextmoment,Ialmost

droppedthething.Thewordsonthefirstpagestartedswirlingaroundandaround,likewatergoingdownadrain.Butthewordsdidn’tdisappear.Andyettheydidn’tre-formintowordsthatIcouldunderstandeither.Instead,theycametogetherandoutoftheirmidstafacematerializedonthe

parchment.Itwastheaged,wrinkled,heavilybeardedcountenanceofamaleIhadneverseenbefore.Heseemedtolookdirectlyatme.“Whoholdsthe

parchment?”heasked.Well,blimey,Ithought.

Withmyvoicequavering,Isaid,“Ido.”“Yourname?”

“VegaJane.”Heseemedtoconsidermy

responseforafewmoments.Itooktheopportunitytoglancearound.LacklandandPetracontinuedsleeping.Delphwasfaraway,sittingontherock,hisbacktome.HarryTwopantedquietlynexttome,staringattheface.“Idonotknowyou,”said

themale.“Well,Idon’tknowyou

either.”“Howcameyoutohavethe

parchment?”“LacklandCyphersand

PetraSonnet.They’reFurinas.Theyhadit.Oryou,rather.”Henodded,butsaid

nothing.

“Theparchmentwasallgibberishbefore.Theycouldneverreadit.”“Thenyoumustpossessa

wand.”“Ido.”“Asorceress,orawitchif

youprefer.Fromwheredoyoucome?”“Wormwood.ButIwas

trainedupasasorceressafter

Ileftthere.”“Forwhatpurposewould

youbetrainedup?”Thisblokewastoonosy.

“Whysomanyquestions,eh?”“Ihavebeenpartof

parchmentforaverylongtimewithnoonewithwhomtoconverse.Youwouldbeinquisitivetoointhat

position.”Thatseemedreasonable

enough.“Well,whoareyou?Andhowcameyoutobeintheparchmentinthefirstplace?”“Youwouldnotknowme,

asIdonotknowyou.”“PerhapsIknowsomeof

yourdescendantsifyouaresoveryold.”

“ImeantIamnotareal,livingthing.”Myeyeswidened.“Then

whatareyou?”“Iamaremnant.”“Aremnant?Whatisthat?”“Acollectionofmemories

fromanassortmentoffolks.Arecord,ifyouwill,oftheirremembrances.”“Soyouhaverecordedin

youtheinformationfromtheFurinas?”“Notthem,no.Idonot

knowhowtheseFurinascametopossessme.”“Whoelse,then?”“Igofarback.Totheones

whocreatedthisplace.”Itookadeepbreath.This

blokecouldbeofhelp.Inalotofways.

“Okay.Butwhygibberishonparchment?”“Thatwasforprotection,in

casetheparchmentfellintothewronghands.”“Isee.Smart,considering

theMaladonscandomagictoo.”Nowtheblokesettledhis

gazeonmeandIknewhecouldseemeaswellasI

couldseehim.“Andhowdoyouknowaboutthem?”Isaid,“AstreaPrine.Do

youknowAstrea?”“Icanknownoone.Iama

remnant.ButIhaveheardthename.Sheisapowerfulsorceress.TheKeeperoftheQuaginfact.”Ilookedaroundagain,but

LacklandandPetrastillslept

andDelphstillkeptwatch.IglanceddownatHarryTwoandfoundhisgazeremaineddirectlyontheimage.“Yousayyoucannotspeak

unlesssomeonehasawand.ButwhatifthewandholderwasaMaladon?”“Icantell.”“How?”“Forme,thewandofa

Maladonproducesonlydarkness.Yourswas,bycomparison,abright,shininglight.”“We’retravelingacrossthe

Quag.Canyouhelpusdoso?”Heshookhishead.“Itis

impossible.”Isaiddefiantly,“We

reachedAstrea’scottage.We

clearedtheperfectmazebackintheFirstCircleanddefeatedbothamanticoreandawendigointheprocess.Andnowwe’reintheSecondCircle,whereIhavekilledtwocolossals.”Thisseemedtogivehim

pause.“Impressive,”hesaidatlast.“Socanyouhelpme?”

“I’mnotsurehow.”“Yousaidyouhave

remembrancesfromthosewhocreatedtheQuag.”“’Tistrue.”“TheSecondCircle,”Isaid.

“It’sfullofbeaststhatwanttodousin.Butaretherecreaturesthatcanaidus?”Hesaidimmediately,

“Hyperboreslivehere.You’ll

wanttobefriendthem.”“How?”“Hyperboreswillrespondto

thesamethingsthatmakefriendseverywhere.Respectandkindness.Now,Iamtired.Ihaven’tspokenthismuchin,well,never.”“ButIcancallyouback,

right?”“Ifyoudesire.Justtapyour

wandasyoudidbefore.”“Andyouhavenoname?”“YoumaycallmeSilenus,

Vega.”AndbeforeIcoulduttera

response,hewasgoneandthegibberishhadreturnedtothepaper.IgotupandracedovertoDelphandtoldhimeverythingthathadjusthappened.

HisjawdroppedfartherandfartherasIrecountedthestory.“Silenus,abloody

remnant?”hesaidwhenIhadfinished.“Yes.Sowhatdoyou

think?”“Ithinkweneedtofind

thesehyperbores.”HeglancedatwherePetraand

Lacklandlaysleeping.“Andmaybetheycanhelpus,eh?Theyknowabouthyperbores.Theynickfrom’em.”Despitethetruthofhis

words,myspiritssankabitforanobviousreason.BloodyPetra.

IAWOKETOAsightthatmademeclosemyeyesandgroan.Delphhadhisshirtoffand

Petrawasrubbinghis

blackenedarmwithsomestuffshehadmixedinasmallpailandwasapplyingwithawetcloth.Theywerechattingamiablyandshelaughedatsomethinghesaid.IglancedoveratLackland

tofindhisgazefixedonthepair.HelookedlikeIimaginedIdid.Ididn’tknowifhehadanyparticular

feelingsforPetra,buttheyhadbeentogetherforawhile.Ormaybehewasonlyhavingadifficulttimeadjustingtoourpresence.Iscrambledtomyfeetand

walkedovertothem.“Delph,aren’tyoucold

withoutyourshirt?”Iexpectedhimtolook

embarrassedandquicklydon

hisclothes.Buthedidn’t.Helookedupatmeandsaid,“Pet’sbeencleaningupmearm.Whateverthatstuffis,itfeelsrightgood,Vega.”Ifeltmyselfdoadouble

take.NeverinallhislifehadDelphcalledmesimplyVega.ItwasalwaysVegaJane.Butnotthislight.Andtherewassomething

else.“Pet?”Isaid.Shegavemealookthathad

acoysmiletackedontoit.ItwasallIcoulddonottopullmywandandturnherintoa,well,Idon’tknowwhat,butitwouldbeprettydisgusting.“That’swhatmyfriendscall

me,”shesaid.“Petraisabitformal.”Shelookedaround.“AndIdon’tthinkformalis

whatweare.NotmeandDelphhere.”Shelookedatherpail.“Icouldusesomemorewater.Wouldyouliketofetchsome,VegaJane?”Okay,twocouldplaythis

game.ItoldPetratoholdherpail

nexttoanearbytree.Ipointedmywandataspotabovethepailandsaid,

“Springatoerupticus.”Waterflowedintothe

bucket.“That’samazing,”said

Petra.Igavemywandabitmore

ofaflickandmymind,body,spiritabitmoreofakickandthewatercameoutlikeagusher,blastinghersohardshewasknockedoffherfeet

anddoused.“Whoops,”Isaid.“I’mso

sorry.”Butshewaslaughing.“’Tis

fine,Vega.Haven’thadaproperbathinforever.”DespitehowIloathedher,I

hadtolaugh.ItsoundedlikesomethingIwouldsaymyself.IglancedatDelphbefore

tellingher,“Youneedtotakeustothehyperbores.”Thisstatementcaused

Lacklandtojointhediscussion.“Thehyperbores?Why?”“We’llneedtheirhelpto

makeitthroughtheSecondCircle.”“Buthowcantheyhelpus?”

Petraasked.

“Iwon’tknowuntilwemeetwiththem.Yousaidtheyliveinnests?”“Aye,wayupinthetrees,”

saidLackland.Isaid,“AndIcanfly.Now

let’sgetonwithit,shallwe?”

WEMADEOURwaythroughthedensenessofthetrees.Petragrippedhercrossbow.

Lacklandwasarmedwithhisrough-hewnsword.DelphwieldedanaxthatPetrahadprovidedhim.AndIhadmywand.Lacklandheldupahand

andweallstopped.Wedrewtogetherinalittle

clusterbehindsomebenttrees.InawhisperLacklandsaid,“Thenestisupthatway

aboutfiftyyards.Andthey’reupthere.”“Howcanyoubesure?”I

hissedback.Inanswerhecuppedhis

handbehindhisear.“Havealisten.”Icuppedmyeartooand

strainedtohear.Whatreachedmewasalowbuzzingsound.Ilookedat

Lackland.Henoddedandattemptedasmile,whichfadedquickly.“Howtheytalk,”hesaid.“Likebees.”Igrippedhisarm.“Howdo

theydefendthemselves?”Petrasaidinalowvoice,

“Amarocswereaftersomeofthemcollectingwaterdownbyastream.Cameon’emfast,notimetoflyaway.Me

andLackwerewatchingfromastandoftreesalittlewaysaway.Theamarocswerejustabouttoreachtheirprey,whenoutofnowherecameadozenfullygrownhyperbores.Theywereonthebloodyamarocsbeforetheyknewwhathit’em.”“Whatdidtheydoto

them?”Iasked.

Petrasaid,“Theybeatthemalltodeathwiththeirwingsandthenrippedthemapartwiththeirclaws.Thentheycarriedthecarcassestotheirnests.”“Why?”Iasked.“Toeatthem,”shesaid

simply.“They…theyeatmeat?”I

askedbreathlessly.Petra

nodded.“Butthey’veneverattackedyou?”Lacklandsaid,“Well,we

wereneverstupidenoughtotryandattackthem.”“Butyoutakethingsfrom

them,”Ipointedout.Petrasaidquietly,“Butjust

oddsandbits.Nothingtheywouldtrulymiss.AndlikeIsaidbefore,Ithinktheyfeel

sorryforus.”“Doyouthinktheyknow

whatthebeastsdidtoyourfamilies?”Iasked.Lacklandshrugged,but

Petranodded.“Ithinkyou’vehitthenailonthehead,Vega.Ithinktheydoknow.”Thispositivecommentfrom

hersurprisedme.ButwhenIlookedather,shehadalready

turnedaway.Iwouldmuchratherhavesimplyloathedher.Ifshewasgoingtoturnouttobeallcomplex,thatwasgoingtomakemeevenmoreruddyupset!DelphlookedatPetra.“Do

youthinkthehyperborescareaboutyouandLackland?”“Whydoesthatmatter?”

LacklandaskedasIglanced

atDelphinsurprise.“’Tisimportant.Doyou?”Shesaidslowly,“Once

whenIwasupthere,oneofthemcamebacktothenest.Ihadjustgottenholdofsomeprovisionswhenitflewin.Itwasmaleandhewasverylarge.Hecouldhavewrungmyneckeasilyenoughifhewanted.”

“Pet,younevertoldmethat,”Lacklandsaidsharply.“Thethingis,hejustlooked

atme.Itseemedthattherewassadnessinhiseyes.HesawthethingsI’dnickedandthenreacheddownandhandedmeafewmoreoddsandends.”ShegazedearnestlyatDelph.“So,yes,I’dsaytheydocare.”

Delphturnedtome.“Thenwemighthaveachance.”Inoddedandsaid,“Okay,

butweneedaplan.”“Oh,aplan,eh?”said

Lacklandsarcastically,eyeingmeseverely.“Youjustthinking-athatnow?Whataleaderyouturnedouttobe,youuselesstwit!”Ibitmylipandwithitmy

tongue.IwassohotheadedsometimesandDelphwascalm.IfIwasgoingtobetheirleader,Iwantedtobemorelike—WHAM!Delphhadslammed

Lacklandagainstatree.HeputhisfacetowithinaninchofLackland’sandsnarled,“Wasitmyimaginationor

didyounotbegVegaJaneto‘lead’yououtofthishereplace?Andjustsoyouknow,she’s‘led’meandHarryTwoallthewaythroughtothisveryspot.Andcaseyouforgot,VegaJanesavedyourarsefromthosecolossals.Soifyouevertalkthatwaytoheragain,Iwillripyourbloodyheadoff.”

IstoodthereandstaredatDelph,myheartflutteringweirdly,andmymindalljargoled.DelphletLacklanddropto

thedirt,buthequicklyscrambledup,lookingbothangryandembarrassed.Hescoopeduphisswordwherehehaddroppedit,andforamoment,Ithoughthemight

becontemplatingsomethingverystupid.Isteppedforwardandsaid,“Ifyou’renotwithmeandDelph,thenjustsaysoandwecangoourseparateways.Nohardfeelings.”IglancedatPetratolether

knowshewasdefinitelyincludedinthisultimatumaswell.ShetookastepclosertoDelphasheranswer.

Figured.IturnedbacktoLackland.

“Andyou?”Rageandcalmseemedto

competeacrosshisfeatures.Finally,thelatterwonout.Heloweredhisweapon.“Sowhat’stheplan?”Delphanswered,“Tobegin

with,Pethastoclimbatree.”Helookedatme.“Andyou,

VegaJane,havetofly.”

TWENTYSLIVERSAFTERDelphexplainedhisplan,Petrahadclimbedsixtyfeetupthemassivetreewherethehyperboreshadoneoftheirnests.Thenshestoppedandlookeddownatme.Ilookedupather.Wewaitedforacountoffive.Icouldseein

hereyesawarinessthatIwouldhavefelttooifIwasinherposition.Shescreamed.Anotherforty

feetaboveherIsawthreebluefeatheryheadspokeoutfromthebranches.IgavePetrathesignal.She

drewaquickbreath,closedhereyesandletherselffall.Ipushedoffthegroundand

shotupward.Upabove,Icouldseetwo

hyperboresflingthemselvesfromtheirperchandsoardownward.Theirwingsweresurprisinglycompactanddidnotspreadverywidefromtheirlean,muscledbluetorsos.Theywerefast.ButIhadtheadvantagethat

Petrawasfallingtowardme.IsawPetraopenhereyes.

Shelookeddeadatmeassheplummeted.Isawfearinhereyes,which

wastobeexpectedwhenonewasfallingalongwayto,potentially,one’sdeath.Butwassheafraidforanotherreason?Namely,thatIwasgoingtoletherdie?And

whatwasIfeeling?Well,Iwasn’tfeelingsomuchasIwasseeingherandDelphtogether.Iheldonthisimageforamomenttoolong.“Vega!”Ihadletherpassrightby

me.Iturnedinmidairandshotdownward.TheimageofherandDelphhadbeenreplacedbyoneofherlying

crumpledanddeadontheground,dueentirelytome.Iwasnotabouttoletthathappen.Ipassedher,swoopedback

underneathandcaughthersmoothlyinmyarms.Ilookedatherandshe

lookedbackatme.Fearrecededandgratitudereturnedtoherfeatures.

Formypart,Ifeltincredibleguilt.“I’m…I’msorryabout

that,Petra.”Shestudiedmyfeatures,

andinherlookIthoughtIcouldseethatsheknewexactlywhathadhappened.“’Tisokay,Vega.ImighthavedonethesameifI’dbeenyou.”Wasitmyimagination

ordidIseesomethinginhereyesthattoldmeshewouldnothavechasedafterandcaughtme?AsIcarriedherinmyarms

totheground,thepairofhyperborescaughtuptousandlanded.IputPetradownandlookedatthem.Theywerebothmales.

Theirskinwastheblueof

waterwhenthesunlighthitsitjustso.Theirheadswerelightlyfeathered.Theirwings,whennotinuse,retractednimblybehindtheirshoulders.Theyworetightleggingsandnoshirts.Theirtorsoswereheavilymuscled.Oneofthemlookedatme.

“Youcanfly?How?”heasked.Iwasbothstunnedand

immeasurablyrelievedthathecouldspeakWugish.Ipointedtomychain.“This

ishow.MynameisVegaJane.ThisisPetraSonnet.”IpointedoveratDelph,LacklandandHarryTwoastheyemergedfromthetrees,andintroducedthemtoo.“IamTroy.Thisis

Ishmael,”saidthelargerof

thetwo.TroylookedatPetra.“Were

youcomingforfood?”Shenodded.“AndthenI

fell.”Troylookedatme.“And

yousavedher.”“She’smyfriend,”I

answered.“Friendshavetohelpeachother,especiallyhere.”

Troysaid,“Youspeakwiselyforsomeonesoyoung.”Ishmaelsaid,“Wehavenot

seenyoubefore.Fromwheredoyoucome?”“Avillage.Wormwood.”Troysaid,“Wedonotknow

thisplace.”“Mostdon’t.Weleft

Wormwoodandenteredthe

Quag.”“Why?”askedIshmael.“Inordertotravelthrough

it.”Ipaused.“Andbeyondit.”“Beyondit,”repeatedTroy.

“Andwhatdoyouthinkliesbeyondit?”“Iwanttofindout.Canyou

helpmedothat?”Thehyperboresexchangeda

glance.ThenTroypointedup.“Comewithus.”Withoutanotherword,they

spreadtheirwings,kickedoffandsoaredstraightupward.IlookedatDelph,myheart

hammeringinmychest.Ihadnoideaifthehyperboresweregoingtoeatmeornot.“IfI’mnotbackinsixtyslivers,justheadonwithout

me.I’llfindyou.”“Ifyou’renotbackinsixty

slivers,I’llfindyou,”hesaid.Ipushedoffwithmylegs

androsequicklytojointhetwohyperboresaloft.AsliverlaterwealightedontheedgeofthelargestnestIhadeverseen.Itwasnotmadeofbitsandpiecesoftwigsasnormalbird’snestswere.Itwas

madeoflogschinkedwithhardenedclayandpackedleaves.Ilookedaroundandsawdozensofsmallencampmentswheregroupsofhyperbores,young,oldandinbetween,wereworking,playing,talking.Theyallstoppedwhattheyweredoingandstaredatme.Troypointedtothefarend

ofthenest,whereIcouldseealargecanvastenthadbeenerected.“YouwilltalktoMicha.He

isthechieftainofourrace.”Whenwereachedthetent,

Troycalledout,“Micha,wehaveonewhoseeksyourcounsel.”“Enter,”saidapowerful

voice.

Troypulledbackthetentflapandmotionedmein.“Aren’tyoucoming?”I

said.Troyshookhishead.

“Michawillseeyoualone.”Thetentflapdropped,andI

turnedtofindmyselfinasurprisinglylargespace.Therewasasleepingmatonthefloor.Inonecornerwasa

bigwoodentablewithchairsaroundit.Ahugetreetrunkroseupinthemiddleofthespace,andthickropestiedtoitsupportedthetent.PerchedonathickbranchstickingoutfromthetreetrunkwasMicha.Hisfeatheryheadwasaswhiteashisskinwasblue.Hepeeredimperiouslydownatme.

Hesaid,“Yourname?”“VegaJane,”Isaid,as

firmlyasIcould.Withaleapandashortflap

ofhiswingsMichadescendedsmoothlytothefloorandstooderect.Historsowasstillpowerfullydeveloped,butthemuscles,Icouldtell,hadpassedtheirprime.Still,hewasan

imposingfigure.Hemotionedformetositat

thetable.Ididandhejoinedme.Hepassedmeabowloffruitandthenpouredoutwaterintowoodencups.IcontrastedthiswithKingThorne,whohadservantsdoallthisforhim,andmyimpressionofMichabecameinstantlymorepositive.

Ibitintoanappleanddranksomeofthewater.“Whatcounseldoyou

seek?”promptedMicha.“Passagethroughthe

SecondCircle.”Michabecameinstantly

rigidandtherewasaguardedlookinhisfeatures.“Youspeakofcircles?”“BecauseAstreaPrine

taughtmeofthem.IwanttopassthroughthemsothatIcanleavethisplace.”“Indeed?”Hepickedupan

orangefromthebowlandusedhisclawstotearitopenbeforeputtingachunkofit,skinandall,intohismouth.Hechewedslowly.“SoMadamePrinewishes

this?”

Ipulledoutmywand.“Yes.Soyouknowher?”Michaheldhisgazeonmy

wand.“Ofcourse.SheistheKeeperoftheQuag.”“Wewillacceptalltherisk.

Weonly…weonlyseektobebetterinformed.”“Itisalwaysagoodthing,

tobebetterinformed.”Hepaused,seemingtochoosehis

wordscarefully.“Therearemanychallengesinthisplace.”“WhichiswhyI’mhere.”I

heldupmywand.“Astreahastrainedmeup,yetIwouldneverturndowneitherhelpfulinformationoranyelementorothertoolthatmightproveadvantageoustous.”

Heconsideredmywordscarefully.“OnehearsofthingsthatresideintheQuag.AndIdonotmeansimplybeasts.”“Whatsortsofthings?”“Thingshiddenhereand

therethatmightproveusefultoonesuchasyou.”Thispiquedmycuriosity.

Astreahadnevermentioned

anythinglikethat.PerhapsthiswaswhySilenushaddirectedmehere.“Doyouknowofanyspecificthingslikethat?”Henoddedslowly.“Thereis

amagicalelementknownastheFinn.”“Whatdoesitdo?”“Itcandoagreatmany

things.Usefulthings,”he

added.“DidAstreacreateit?”“No.Notallthingsinhere

werecreatedbythosewhomadetheQuag.”Myspiritsplummeted.“Are

yousayingthataMaladoncreatedtheFinn?”“SoyouknowofMaladons,

doyou?”“As,obviously,doyou.”

Michasaid,“ItcouldbethattheMaladonscreatedtheFinn.Iamnotsureaboutthat.ButIamsurethatitisheavilyguarded.”“Bywhat?”“Acovenofalectos.

Creatureswithvileserpentsforhair,andblooddrippingfromtheireyes.Theyhavethepowertodriveonetokill

themselvesthroughthehypnoticswayoftheserpentsupontheirheads.”OhmyholySteeples.

“Whereisthiscoven?”“Twomilesfromhereina

caveuponaknoll.Iwilltakeyou,ifyousodesire.”Heeyedmecuriously,obviouslyawaitingmyanswer.Iwasfeelingconfusedand

terrifiedthattherewereMaladonsintheQuag.Thismademesuspicious.Ofeveryone.Voicingthisthought,Isaid,“Whyareyouhelpingus,Micha?”Idemanded.“Youdon’tknowme.”“ButIdoknowMadame

Prine.AndIadmirecourage,particularlyinonesoyoung.

Tobefrank,Idoubtyouwillsurvive.ButIadmireyourcouragenonetheless.”Whydidthatnotmakeme

feelanybetter?

ICOULDNOTUSEDestinwithoutanotherstormcommencing,soMichawascarryingme.Otherhyperbores,includingTroy

andIshmael,hadaholdofalltheothers.WhenIlookedoveratLacklandandsawhispanickedexpression,Ihadtosmile.Petra,ontheotherhand,seemedperfectlycomfortable.Westartedtodescendand

whenIlookeddown,Isawwhy.Therewastheknoll.From

hereIcouldnotseetheentrancetothecave,butthatwasprobablybecauseitwasalsogrowingdarkeventhoughitwasn’tnightyet.ThebloodyQuag!WelandedgentlyandMichasetmedown.Theotherslandednextto

us.Whenwewereallgatheredaround,Micha

warned,“Remembernevertolookthesnakesintheeyes.Thatwayyouwillnotbefooledintokillingyourself.”Heputahandonmyshoulder.“Goodluck.”“Thankyou,”Isaid.Heunfoldedhiswings,and

thehyperboressoaredupward.“Okay,”Isaid,andturned

totheothers.“I’llgointothecavewhileyoustayouthereandkeepwatch.IfIgetintoanytrouble—”“Areyoumental?”

interruptedDelph.“Ididn’tletyouhaveagoatthecolossalsonyourown.DoyoureallythinkI’mgonnaletyougointherealonetofacethesealectothingsby

yourself?”“There’sfourofus,”added

Lacklandforcefully.“Betterweallfight.”HarryTwoimmediatelylet

outabark.Lacklandlookeddownat

himandsaidwithanamusedexpression,“Allright,five,then.”“I’vegotawand,”Ipointed

out.“AndI’vegotmesword,”

counteredLackland.“Andmemycrossbow,”

addedPetra.Delphheftedtheaxand

said,“Andinadarkcave,youneedsomeonegoodwithdirectionsandthat’sme.”Istartedtoprotest,but

lookingattheirfaces,Iknew

itwoulddonogood.Iwouldhavetoknockthemallunconscioustokeepthemoutoftheblastedcave.Andthenanotheremotionhitme:gratitude.Theywerewillingtorisktheirlivestohelpmedothis.Ishouldappreciatethat,andIbloodywelldid.“Okay,butwhenwerun

intothesealectos,don’t

forgetwhatMichasaid.”Weheadedtothecave.“Illumina.”Theinsideof

thecaveinstantlybecamelightedandIwentfirst,lookinginalldirectionsforevilcreatureswithvipersforhairandbloodforeyes.“Stayclose,”Isaidovermy

shoulder.“Andstayready.”“WhatdoesthisFinnthing

looklike?”Delphwhispered.Still,itsoundedlikehehadshoutedashiswordsechoedthroughtheconfinedspace.“Idon’tknow.Michadidn’t

say.ButIassumeitwillbeprettyobviouswhatthesealectosareguardingwhenweget—”Icouldn’tfinishbecausewe

weretumblingdownward;the

oncelevelfloorhadnowbecomesharplyangled.Ihitsomethinghardandstopped.Thentheotherscrashedintome.Welaythereforafewmomentsinamassofarms,legsandtorsos.Andthenweheardit.Ileapt

up,mywandinhand.Theothersscrambledto

recovertheirweapons.

“Illumina,”Isaidagain.WhenIsawwhatwasthere,mylungsseized.Adozenfiguressurrounded

us.Theywereallcladinblackrags.ButIdidn’treallyfocusonthatbecauseoftheswayingserpentsastridetheirheads.And,asMichahadsaid,thecreatures’eyesweredrippingblood.

Overtheirshouldersinasmallnicheintherockwall,illuminatedbyalightsourcenotreadilyapparent,wasatinywoodenpegwithaloopoftwinewoundaroundit.Thetwinewasknottedinplaces.WasthattheFinn?I

wondered.Thethingwehadriskedourlivescomingdown

herefor?Apegandstring!FortheloveofSteeples.HadMichadeliberatelyledusonafool’serrandtoourdoom?“VegaJane!”criedout

Delph.Icamearoundintimetosee

analectolaunchatme.Attheverylastmoment,IrememberedMicha’swordsofcaution.

Don’tlookattheserpents.Lookatthealecto’seyes.“Impacto!”Icried,making

themotionwithmywand.Thealectothathadnearly

reachedmewasthrownbackwardagainstthewall,whereitslumpedtotheground,itsserpentsdanglinglimply.IturnedintimetoseeDelph

swinghisaxandbeheadanotheralectothathadattackedhim.Petrafiredanarrowintothe

chestofanother.Itfelldeadatherfeet.Lacklandswunghissword

withsurprisingskill,takingouttwomorealectoswithdeftthrustsintotheirtorsos.“Delph,no!”

ItwasPetrascreaming.Iwhippedaround,even

thoughIhadtwoalectosbearingdownonme,tofindDelph—hiseyesfullontheswayingserpentsperchedonanotheralecto’shead—raisehisaxwiththeclearintentofplungingitagainsthimself.“Lassado!”Iexclaimed.A

ropeshotfromtheendofmy

wand,spunaroundtheaxhandle,andIgaveatremendouspull.IrippedtheaxfromDelph’shandandguideditsmackagainsttheneckofthealectothathaddupedhim.Theheadofserpentsfell

neatlytotheground.ThenIfelttheimpactwith

myshoulder,turnedandsaw

theserpentprepareforanotherstrikeagainstme.Anarrowhitthealecto

squareinthefaceanddroppeditdead.IflashedPetraagrateful

lookandthencheckedwheretheserpenthadbittenintome.Ithadstrucktheleatherharness,butfortunatelyitsfangshadnotpenetratedmy

skin.Ispunaroundandleaptover

threealectoswhowereatthatmomentchargingme.AsIsomersaultedoverthem,Iaimedmywandattheirbacksandsaidthreetimes,“Severus.”Theirtorsosseparatedfrom

theirlegsandtheyallfelldead.

Ilookedaroundforsomethingelsetoattackbutfoundthattheothershadfinishedofftheremainingalectos.Irantothenicheand

cautiouslylookedattheFinn.Itglowedbrightlyunderthelight.Delphjoinedmeandsaid,“Youfiggerthat’sit?”“Hastobe.”

Ireachedupandgrippedthething,halfexpectingsomethingbadtohappentome.Butnothingdid.IgrinnedatDelph.“Wedid

it.”“Vega!”screamedPetra.Iturnedaround.Asection

ofwallhadopenedup.Andchargingthroughitwereatleastahundredalectos.

Delphyelled,“We’regoners!”Igaped.Ihadnoideawhat

todo.IlookedattheFinn.MyhandwastremblingsobadlythatInearlydroppedit.Petraracedoverand

snatchedtheFinnfromme.Sheundidoneoftheknots.Thenextmoment,Iwashit

byaforceofwindso

powerfulthatitliftedmeoffmyfeetandknockedthesensescleanoutofme.Iclosedmyeyesandsawnothingbutaswirlofdarkness.IthoughtImustbedead.

Becausethismustbewhatdeathlookslike.Nothing.

VEGAJANE?VEGAJane?”Iheardmynameandslowly

openedmyeyes.Ihadexpectedtoseethe

darknessofthecaveorthe

blackofdeath,butIsawneither.InsteadIsawlight.IlookedupatDelph,who

hoveredovermewithsuchalookoffearthatmyheartwentouttohim.Igrippedhishand.“I’mokay,Delph.”Isatupandlookedaround.Petrawastendingto

Lackland,whohadagashon

hishead.ThenIsawwitharushof

fearthatHarryTwowascoveredinblood.“HarryTwo!”Icriedout

andtriedtojumpup.“’Tisokay,VegaJane,”

saidDelph,pushingmebackdown.“It’snotokay.He’scovered

inblood.”

“UsedtheStoneonhim.He’sfine.Hischestgotcaughtonsomerockwhenwegotblownfromthatplace.Buthe’sallhealedup.”HelookedoveratPetraandLackland.“TriedtousetheStoneonhim,butPetwouldn’tletme.Don’ttrustit,Iguess.”Irosegingerly.“Howdid

wegetoutofthatplace?”Inanswer,Delphheldup

theFinnandhandedittome.Icouldseethatthetwinewasoncemoretightlyloopedaroundthepeg,butthefirstknotwasstillundone.“I’spectithassomethingto

dowiththis.”IlookeddownattheFinn

andthoughtback.“Thewind

thatblewusoutofthereandsavedourlives.Itcamefromthis?”ThenIrememberedsomethingelse.IstaredoveratPetra.“Youundidtheknotand

thatcausedthewind.Howdidyouknowtodothat?”Shelookedateachofus

nervously.“Idon’tknow.Iwasjustfumblingwithit.To

makeitdosomething.Iwasjustlucky.”IglancedatDelph.Hewas

nodding.“Rightgladyoudid,orelsewe’dbedead.”Lacklandtoowasnodding

andgrinning.“Petkeepsherheadwhenthingsgetrough,Iknowthat.”ButIwasn’tsmiling.I

didn’tbelieveher.Evenif

DelphandLacklandhadn’tseenit,Ihad.Petrawasn’t“fumbling”withtheFinn.Sheknewexactlywhatshewasdoing.Buthow?Iwasstillstaringatherwhensheglancedatme.Shecouldeasilyreadthesuspicioninmyeyes.AndIdidn’tcareifshedid.BecauseIwassuspicious.

“Yeah…lucky,”Isaidslowly,beforeputtingtheFinnawayinmycloakpocket.Delphsaid,“Buthowwilla

bigwindhelpusgetthroughtheSecondCircle?”“Noidea,”Isaidquite

truthfully.IlookedatPetra.“Anythoughtsonthat,Pet?”“No,”shesaid,staringright

backatme.“Closeenoughcall,”said

Lackland,rubbingathisinjurywhilePetrawastryingtoswipehishandaway.ItooktheStonefromDelph,

rose,walkedovertothem,wavedtheStoneovertheinjury,thoughtgoodthoughtsandthewoundvanished.“BloodyHel,”exclaimed

PetraasLacklandranastonishedfingersoverthenowrepairedskin.HelookedattheStoneand

said,“Whatisthatthing?”“Inthisplace,it’sourbest

friend.”IputtheStoneawayand

said,“Weneedtopushonbeforeitgetsmuchdarker.Thenwecancampforthe

nightandgetanearlystart.”Lacklandeyedthedense

treesthatlayahead.“Whatdoyouthinkisinthere?”“Ruddythingsthatcankill

us,”saidDelph.“That’swhat.”Wegrabbedourtucksand

trudgedon.Iwouldhavelikedtofly,butwhilethehyperboresapparentlycould

dosowithnostormstotroublethem,Iknewwhatwouldhappenifwetooktotheair.Wewendedourway

throughthetreesandforestpathssodarkthatIwascompelledagainandagaintoilluminateourwaywithmywand.Finally,whenourlegscouldcarryusnofarther,we

settledinforthenightinatinyclearing.PetraandDelphgathered

somewood,whichIthenlitwithmywand.Lacklandusedanironskillethehadbroughttocookupsomeofourprovisions.Ifilledthegobletsthat

Astreahadgivenusandthenpouredsomewaterintoa

bowlforHarryTwo.Wehadescapeddeathfrom

thealectosbysuchaslimmargin,yetIwasalsoheartenedbecausewehadallfoughtwelltogether.ButthenadepressionsetinandallIcouldseeweredismaloutcomes,allofuslyingdeadwhileaherdofuglycreatureshoveredoverus,eagerly

awaitingthecomingfeast.AndwhatiftheseawfulbeastseverinvadedWormwood?MybrotherandeveryotherWugwoulddie.Ishiveredatthethoughtandtriedmybesttothinkofotherthings.Later,aftereveryonehad

settleddown—Delphhaddrawnthefirstwatch—I

slippedovertoLacklandandsatcross-leggednexttohimwherehelayonabedofleaves.“Youfoughtwell,”Isaid.“Butthatwand-ayours.’Tis

quiteaweapon,itis.”“Haveyoueverbeenthisfar

before?”Heshookhishead.“Never

neededto,neverwantedto,

tillyoulotcamealong.”Hegrinned,thoughthelookdiedonhislipsashegazedoveratthefadingfire.“Scarythingtoleavewhatyouknow.”Heglancedatme.“Butlookatmetellingyouthat.Youlefteverythingbehindtocometothisplace.”“Tocomethroughthis

place,”Iamended.

“Aye,”heagreed.Webothgrewsilent,

listeningtothesoftpopsandcracklesofthedyingfire.“Doyouthinkwe’llreally

makeit?”askedLacklandinaresignedtone.AnditwasthenIfullyrealizedthathewasnotthatmucholderthanIwas.Ishrugged.“Idon’tknow,

Lack.”Henoddedandidlyrubbed

athisbeard.“Whatdoyouthinkisbeyondhere?”“Ijusthopewhateveritis,

it’sbetterthanthisplace.”Hechuckled.“Well,it

wouldhavetobe,wouldn’tit?”Iwasn’tnearlyassureashe

wasaboutthat.

IbidhimgoodnightandwentovertositnexttoPetra.Shegazedupatmefromher

bedofleaves.IwantedtobroachthesubjectoftheFinnagain,butsheprobablysensedwhatIwasgoingtodoandwasquicker.“Yousaytherearethree

morecirclesafterthisone?”sheasked.

“Yes.”Sheletoutabreathand

lookedtowardwherewehadcome.“Havingsecondthoughts?”

Isaid.“Itwasonlyamatteroftime

beforemeandLackwerekilledbackthere.Soifwediehere,whatdoesitmatter?”Shepausedandsaid,“Soare

youandDelph…justfriends?”WereDelphandImorethan

friends?Insomewayswewerelikebrotherandsister.Inotherways?Well,wehadkissed.“Whatdoesitmatterto

you?”“Ilikehim.”“Ilikehimtoo.”

“SoIguessthatanswersmyquestion,”shesaid,eyeingmesteadily.Iroseandlookeddownat

her.“Iguessitdoes.”Ifeltcoldchillsinmybelly.Towardthemoff,Itookthe

Finnout.“Ineverwouldhavethoughttoundotheknots,andyetI’matrainedsorceress.”

Iletthatstatementhangtherelikeastormcloudbetweenus.“Well,maybeyouneedto

betrainedupbetter.”Ialmostsmiledather

sarcasticremark.Almost.BecauseagainPetra’swordsremindedmeofsomethingIwouldhavesaid.Ileftherandlaybackon

mybedofleaveswithmytuckundermyhead.Ididn’tdriftofftosleep.Mymindwouldn’tallowit.Ipluckedtheparchmentfrommypocket,madesurenoonewaswatchingandthentappeditwithmywand.Aninstantlatertheimageof

Silenusfacedmeoncemore.Isaidquietly,“We

befriendedthehyperboresandmanagedtogettheFinnfromthealectos.”Helookedatmewithraised

eyebrowsandanexpressionofsurprise.“TheFinn.Didyou

indeed?”“Weknowifyouundoone

oftheknots,itmakesabigwind.Whatelsedoesthe

Finndo?”“Itwilldefendyouagainst

thegreatestthreatyouwillfaceintheSecondCircle.”Okay,Ithought,thatwasalittlevague.“Doyouhaveitwithyou?”

heasked.Ipulleditoutandhelditup

forhimtosee.“Verygood,”saidSilenus.

“Now,therearethreeknots.”Ilookedatthetwine.“I

know.Undoingoneknotcreatedamightywind.”“TheFinnisaparticular

magicalelementwithaspecificpower.Asyoudiscovered,undoingoneoftheknotscreatesapowerfulwind.Undoingthesecondknotproducesgaleforce

winds.”Well,Ithought,ifitweremuchstrongerthanthefirstwind,thatwassomethingindeed.“Andthethirdknot?”I

asked.“Awindofunimaginable

strength,equaltomanytimesthatofthemostpowerfulstormyouhaveever

encountered.”Ilookeddownatthepeg

andtwine.Blimey.Allthatfromsomethingsosmallandsimple?Andifundoingthefirstknothadbeenwhathadblownusoutofthecave,Icouldn’timagineeverundoingthethirdone.“Soitwillsaveusfromthe

gravestdangerhere.What

mightthatbe?”“Alas,youasksomethingto

whichIdonotknowthespecificanswer.ButIdoknowthattheFinnwillbeveryhelpfultoyou.”IlookedoveratLackland

andPetra.“Wheredotheycome

from?”Iasked.“TheFurinaswecameuponinhere?”

Silenustooksometimeconsideringmyquestion.“WhenWormwoodwas

created,sowastheQuag,surroundingitcertainlyandcompletely,makingescapeimpossible.”“Nearlyimpossible,”I

corrected.“Butgoon.”“Therewasatransitionfrom

thegreatbattlefieldstothe

villageofWormwoodwhilstthesurroundingterritoryrepresentingtheQuagwasbeingconjured.Onecouldnothaveexpectedatotallyseamlessmigration.”“Meaningwhat,exactly?”I

said.“Someweretrappedinhere

andnevermadeittoWormwood.”

“Trappedinhere?”“Yes.Andnodoubtsome

werekilled.Butsomesurvived.Andtheyboredescendants.Andsomeofthosesurvivedandsomedidn’t.Soreallytheveryfittest,orperhapstheluckiest,arestillwithus.”Iwashorrified.“Howcould

theybeleftbehind?”

“Itwasatimeofgreatchaosandconfusion,VegaJane.”Idecidedtoaskhim

somethingthathadbeenbotheringme.“CouldtherebedescendantsofMaladonsinhere?”TheimageofPetraheldsteadyinmymind.“Icannotsayforcertain.If

thereare,theymaynotevenknowit.”

“Tosh!Howcouldtheynotknowit?”“Well,youdidn’tknowyou

wereasorceress,didyou?”Okay,hehadmethere.Islowlyputtheparchment

awayinmycloak,rolledoverandstaredatPetra.Icouldtellshewasn’tasleep.Shewasstaringupward,apparentlylostinthought.

Ilaybackandclosedmyeyes.ButIknewIcouldnotsleep.Iunderstoodquiteclearlythattherewerecreaturesinherethatwouldkillmesimplybecausetheywerewildbeasts.ButifPetrawasaMaladon?

Whatifshewasleadingusintosomesortoftrap?Itseemedmymost

dangerousenemycouldberightherebesideme.

WEWALKEDALONG

meanderingforestpathsforthreefulllightsandnightswithoutencounteringasinglethreat.Thisshouldhavemade

mefeelbetter.Butitdidn’t.Infact,IwasfeelingmoreandmoredepressedbecauseIwascertainthataroundthenextbend,wewouldbeattackedbysomethingwecouldnotdefeat.Eachtimewestoppedtoeat,

torestorforwater,Icouldtelltheotherswerethinkingtheverysamething.After

nearlydyingatthehandsofthedreadfulalectos,itwasnosurprisethatwewereallonedge.Anothertwolightsand

nightspassedandwesawnotasinglelivingcreature,eitherfriendorfoe.Iwouldhavetakenarightgoodfightovertheseaofendlesstrees,placingonefootinfrontof

theotherandfeelingmyspiritscontinuetoebbaway.Theforestherewassodensethatallwesawweretwistedtrunksandtanglesofbranchesanddarkleaveswithnotonebirdonthem.Theywedgedinonusthefartheralongwewent,towhereIhadtousetheIlluminaspellassoonaswesetoff.Therewas

somethingverydisconcertingaboutbeingindarknessallthetime.Andcombinedwithhowtensewewerealready,theeffectwasoneofsuffocatingmelancholy.Itgottothepointwherewe

draggedourselvesupatfirstlight,ateabitoffood,packedupandsetoffwithoutawordtooneanother.Aswetrudged

along,glancesweresullenandthefewremarkswereshortandabrasive.Ourbodylanguagewasthatofdefeat.Lacklandalmostnever

talked;hejustglaredateveryone.Petradidn’tglare,butI

couldtellshewasnothappy.EvenDelphwasnot

himself.Heoncesnappedat

HarryTwojustbecausemycanineaccidentallybumpedintohimandcausedhimtospillabitofwater.Onlymycanineseemedtobeabletorisetotheoccasion.Hetrottedalong,hissmilewidebuthissenses,Iknew,onhighalert.Hewastheonlythingduringthattimethatcouldliftmyspirits.Butstill,

itwasn’tenough.Wehadstoppedforour

nightmealandwereclusteredaroundthecampfire,whenLacklandfinallyerupted.“Thisisbloodystupid,thisis,”hesnapped.“Whatis?”Idemanded

hotly.“Wehavenoideawherethe

Helwe’regoing.Wecouldbe

goingincircles,forallyouknow.Orcanyoutelloneruddytreefromanother?”“Well,Idon’tseeyou

jumpinguptoleadus,”snappedDelph.Petrabarked,“He’sjust

sayingwhatwe’reallthinking.”Shepointedafingeratmeandadded,“Doyouknowwherewe’re

going?Really?”IeyedherandwhenIdid,I

feltadegreeofmalicerisetomychestthatalmostmademyskinburn.Istoodandheldoutmywand.“Thismakesmetheleader,”Isaid.“Ifyouwanttostrikeoutonyourown,thengoahead.You’lllastasliver,ifthat.”Lacklandjumpedup.“We

can’tdothat.Youtookusfromwhatweknew.”NowDelphleaptupand

togetherwefacedoffagainstLacklandandPetra.Delphshouted,“You

beggedtocomewithus.”“’CauseIthoughtyou

knewwhatyouweredoing,”roaredLackland.Hehelduphissword.

Delphheftedhisax.Petrapointedhercrossbow.Iraisedmywand.Butthen

somethingpoppedupinmyhead.SomethingthatAstreahadsaid,thatIhadnotreallyfocusedon.ButnowIdid.BecausenowIunderstoodwhatshemeant.TheSecondCircleisfullofdepression,andifweallowit,

thosefeelingswillcometodominate.IlookedatDelph.“It’sthe

depressionoftheSecondCirclethatAstreatoldusabout.It’sintheair.It’severywhere.It’sdrivingusmad!”Delphhalfloweredhisax.

“Blimey.”Atthatmoment,hissenses

evidentlystrickencleanfromhim,Lacklandsuddenlyshouted,“Pet,shootthecanine.I’lltakecare-athemtwo.”Iraisedmywandand

shouted,“Embattlemento.”Hisswordandherarrowhit

myshieldspellwithsuchforcethatthereverseconcussiveblowknocked

LacklandandPetraofftheirfeet.Inextsaid,“Ensnario.”Thinropesoflightshotout

ofmywand,envelopingthemboth,andwithacastlikethatofafishingpole,Iflickedmywandtosnatchthemupanddepositthembytheclumpoftrees.Icriedout,“Impacto.”Oneendoftheropedrove

itselfdeeplyintotheground.“VegaJane,”shouted

Delph.“Ifit’sintheair,youcanusethe—”“Iknow,Delph,Iknow

whatIhavetodo.”Igrabbedhisarm.“Holdontome.Come,HarryTwo!”Ipattedmyharness.MycaninejumpedupandI

buckledhimin.Ipointedmy

wandatthegroundandsaid,“Ensnario.”Thickrootsemergedfrom

thegroundandwrappedthemselvesaroundourlegs.IpulledtheFinnfrommy

pocketandlookedatDelph.“Silenussaidthiswouldbefarworsethanwhatweexperiencedinthatcave.”Delphswallowedalumpin

histhroatandthenputonehugehandonmeandoneonHarryTwo.“Ready?”Isaid.Henodded.“Ready.”Isaidasilentprayerand

untiedthesecondknot.Itwasakintoamighty,

ragingriverthathadbeenturnedintoair.Prettymucheverytreeintheforestwas

pushednearlysidewaysbytheforce.IhadtoclosemyeyesandthencovermymouthandnosebecausethewindwassostrongIcouldbarelybreathe.Ihadneverfeltsuchforce

asthis.Evenwiththebindingsaroundourlegs,Ifeltmyselfliftingoffthedirt.Myfingerswerebeingpulled

offmywand.AndifIlostthatinthisgale,weweredonefor.InunleashingthesecondknotoftheFinnhadIruinedanychancewemighthavetosurvive?DelphscreamedashestartedtolosehisgriponmeandHarryTwo.Mycaninewasbeingpulledawayfromme.Icouldhearmymagicalsnares

tearingonebyone.IglancedoveratPetraand

Lackland.Theywerecompletelyoffthegroundwithonlyonemagicaltetherholdingthemfromoblivion,foranythingthatwassweptlooseinthismaelstromwouldbesmashedagainstthetrees.Ihadjustkilledusall.Iwatchedasthelaststrand

ofmagicalropebroke.Icouldn’tsayanotherspellbecausetheforceofthewindpreventedmefromevenmovingmymouth.Weweredonefor.Thethreeofusshotupintotheair.IlookedtomyleftandsawPetraandLacklandpropelledupwardlikethey’dbeenshotfromamorta.

Andthenthewindstopped,andweplummetedbackdown,landinghardonthedirt,butotherwisealive.Icautiouslyroseandpeered

around.PetraandLacklandwereslowlyrising.Sometreeshadbeenuprootedandlaytoppledinthedirt.Otherswerestillbentover,perhapspermanentlyso.Most,

though,hadreturnedtotheiroriginalpositions,whichwasatestamenttotheirstrength.Itouchedmyheadand,

despitemyachesandpainsfromthelongfalltothedirt,Ibrokeintoasmile.Theterribledepressionthathadengulfedmewasgone.Itwaslikea—“Likearefreshingwind

droveitallaway?”Ispunaroundtoseewho

hadspoken.ItwasSeamus.Hewas

perchedonafallentree.Hewasnolongerdressedshabbily.Heworeblacktrousers,awhiteshirt,avestlacedwithgoldenthreads,shinyshoesandawell-brushedtophat.

“WhotheHelisthat?”LacklandandPetraexclaimedtogether.“Seamusthehob,”Delph

answered.“Weknowthebloke.”Thetruthstruckme.Isaid,

“Astrea’sbeenfollowingusintheSeer-See,hasn’tshe?”“Well,ofcourseshehas,”

saidSeamus,asthoughthat

wasthemostobviousfacteveruttered.Hehoppedoffthefallentreeandwalkedtowardus.“Youmadegooduseofthe

Finn.”SeamusscratchedHarryTwobehindtheears.“Caninesareimmunetothedepression,youknow.”“Astreasentyouhere?”“Yes,butnottointerfere.If

youperished,IwasinstructedtogiveyouproperburialsintheWolvercoteCemetery.”“Well,thatwasruddynice

ofher,”Isaidsarcastically.Idrewadeepbreath.“HowisArchie?”“Henolongerremembers

anythingaboutyou.”Ilookedathimcuriously,

takinginthenewclothes.

“Youseemdifferent.”Hiseyestwinkled.“Hobs

areactuallyquiteaformallot.Butwearealsoquitegoodatplayingotherroleswhencircumstancesrequireit.”Hebentoverandaddedinacroakyvoice,“Seamusisagoodhobheis,dearie,dearie.”Thismademesmileinspiteofmyself.

“Doesthismeanwe’reattheendoftheSecondCircle?”askedDelphanxiously.“Ithinkyoucanpresume

that,yes,”saidSeamus,eyeingLacklandcuriously.“TheThirdCirclecommencesjustbeyondthatriseinthedirt.”Headdedinanadmonitorytone,“Butthe

ThirdCircle,asyouwellknow,hasitsownuniquechallenges.”Hesmootheddownhisclothesandtippedhistophat.“Andnowitistimeformetodepart.Idoubtyouwillseemeagain.Iwishyouluck.”“Wait,Ihavemore

questions,”Ibegan.Butrightbeforeoureyes,

Seamusvanished.

WEPICKEDUPourtucks,andwithourspiritsgreatlyimproved,wemadegoodpace.WesoonclearedthetreesatthespotSeamushad

indicated.Thenweallstopped.We

hadto,justtotakeitallin.“Blimey,”exclaimed

Lackland.Blimeyindeed,Ithought.Ifweweretiredoftrees,we

hadcometotherightplace,becausetherewasn’tasingleoneaheadofus.Itwasasflatandopenasanypieceofland

Ihadeverseeninmylife.Inthedistancewasahugeblockofwhatlookedtobegranite,mileswideandamilehigh.Butexceptforthat,thelandjuststretchedonpastthehorizon,flat.Andbright.Theforesthadletinno

light.Thisplaceseemedincapable

ofleavinganyout.Ithadbeencoolthough

forebodingamongthetrees.Hereitwashotandglaring,

theairseeminglysearedwiththeheatfromabove.Wehadbeenusedtothedarknessforsolongthatallofusputahandtooureyestoshieldthemfromtheharshlight.Ilookedattheothers.“I

guesswebestgetamoveon.”Iwentfirst,withHarryTwo

atmyside,LacklandandPetrafollowingandDelphbringinguptherear.WehadgonebarelyamilewhenItookoffmycloakandthenmyovershirt.Theothersdidthesameastheheatcontinuedtobuild.ThenIrolledupmytrouserlegs.My

bootsfeltlikeblazingrocksaroundmyfeet.Onwetrudged,mileafter

mile,asitbecamehotterandhotter.Westoppedforwater,butassoonaswefinishedourfillandstartedtowalkagain,wesweateditaway.HarryTwowaspantingsohardIthoughthemightpassout.Delphcameupnexttome

afterwehadtrudgedwhatIcalculatedtobetwentymiles.Inalowvoicehesaid,“Doyouseethatrockyoutcropoverthere?”Inodded.“Well,it’sasfarawayas

whenwestartedwalking,VegaJane.”Istaredatthethingand

realizedthathewasexactly

right.Ilookeduptotheskyand

gotanothershock.Thoughwehadbeen

walkingforalongtimeandthelightshouldhavebeenwellturningtonight,thesunwasinthesamepositionithadbeenwhenwefirststeppedintotheThirdCircle.“Delph,thesun.”

Henodded.“Iknow.”Ithoughtbacktowhat

Astreahadtoldusaboutthisplace.Avast,flatexpansethatstretchesseeminglyforever.Forever.Ishuddered.

Maybehermeaninghadbeenquiteliteral.Andwhatdidthatbodeforus?Aftermoretrekking,we

stoppedandsetupcamp.Ifanything,itwasevenhotter.Ilookedupatthesunandthendownatourlittlecampsite.Iraisedmywanddirectly

overthecampandsaid,“Embattlemento.”Thelargeshieldspellrose

frommywandandhoveredintheairoverwherewewouldbesleeping.Itsuddenlygrew

darkerundertheshield,andtheairbecamemuchcooler.“Thankyou!”exclaimed

Lacklandasherubbedthesweatoffhisfaceandletthecoolairwashoverhim.Thenhecollapsedontohisbackandjustlaythere.Later,wemadeourmeal,

andsataroundcross-leggedontheground.Whatworried

methemostofcoursewaswhatDelphhadalreadyobserved:Weweren’tgettinganywhere.IfLacklandandPetrahadn’trealizedthisyet,theysoonwould.Delphtookthefirstwatch

whilethethreeofusslept.Well,LacklandandPetraslept.Itriedforalongtimebutthengaveitupasabad

job.ItookouttheparchmentandsummonedSilenus.Welookedateachotheroverthespanofseveralinches.“Youlive,”hesaidinmild

surprise.“Ilive,”Isaid.“Barely.

We’renowintheThirdCircle.”Henoddedbenignly.“Iam

glad.”

Icockedmyhead.“Why?You’rearemnant.Iwouldn’tthinkaremnantwouldhaveemotions.”“Well,veryclearly,youdo

notknoweverything,”hesaidinaneventone.Irefocusedonthematterat

hand.“DoyoumindifIshowyoutoafriendofmine?”“Isheagoodfriend?”

“He’smybestfriend.”SilenusnoddedandIcarried

theparchmentovertowhereDelphwaskeepingwatch,satdownnexttohimandintroducedhimtoSilenus.IttookDelphabitoftimetogetcomfortablewithseeingthefaceontheparchment,buthefinallysettleddownafterafew“CorBlimeys!”

Isaid,“Wehaveaproblem,Silenus.”“Justtheone?I’mpositively

astonished.”“Wewalkedformostofthe

light,butthesunremainsoverheadbrightandhot.Iusedashieldspelltogiveussomerelieffromit.”“Verysmartofyou,Vega

Jane.”

Delphadded,“Thethingis,wewalkedallthatwayanddidn’tgoanywhere.It’slikewe’renotevenmoving.”Silenusnodded.“Icansee

thatthatwouldbeaproblem.”“Youcansaythatagain,”

interjectedDelph.Isaid,“Astreatoldmethat

theQuagmoves.Imean,it

reallydoesn’t.It’sjustahallucinationspell.”Isuddenlyblurtedout,“Transdesahypnotica.”“Pardon?”saidSilenus.“It’stheincantationthat

makestheQuagappeartobemoving.Butit’sreallynot.It’sallinourheads.Astreatoldmeaboutit.”InarushofpanicIrealizedsomething

else.Shehadnevertoldmehowtocounterit.Howcouldshehaveforgottentodothat?HowcouldIhaveforgottentoaskher?Thensomethingelse

occurredtome.Ilookedwildlyaround.Icouldn’tseethemountains

inthedistance.Northeridges,noranythingelsethat

DelphandIhadseenbefore.IlookedbackatSilenus.“Bitofapickle,eh?”he

notedimperturbably.“Yeah,abit,”Imumbled,

myspiritsfallingoutthroughthebottomsofmyboots.Istareddownatmywand.“ButI’vegotawand.”“Quiteso.Thenyouknow

thereverseincantation?”

askedSilenus.“No,Ibloodywelldon’t,”I

admittedmiserably.“Areyousure?”“Yes,Astreaneversaid.”Delphspokeup.“But,Vega

Jane,AstreanevertoldyouhowtosummonthisblokeSilenus.Andrememberwhenyouknockedusallsillybackathercottage?Youdonethat

allonyourown,eh?”SilenussmiledatDelph.

“Your‘bestfriend’isquiteperceptive.”“That’sright.I…Ijust

said,‘Makesense.’Andyoushowedup.”“Magicandspellsconjured

areborneofnecessity,”explainedSilenus.Ishothimaglance.“What,

youmeanIcancomeupwiththespellsthatIneedtogetthroughthisplace?NotjusttheonesAstreataughtme?”“Ofcourse.Thatispartof

beingmagical,afterall.”Andwiththoseparting

words,hedisappeared.Delphsaidencouragingly,

“You’llfigureitout,VegaJane.”

“No,Ithinkwe’llfigureitout,Delph.”Ismiled.Heheldmygaze.“Soyou

toldtheblokeIwasyourbestfriend?”“Youaremybestfriend,

Delph.”Hegavemethebiggest

smileinreturn.Istartedfeelingverywarm.Hetouchedmyarmandleaned

towardme.Iclosedmyeyesand—Thegrowlsreachedour

ears.Weleaptupandlookedaround.YetallIcouldseewasvastopenexpanse.“Useyourwand,”urged

Delph.“Crystiladomagnifica,”I

criedout.Nowrevealedasthough

theyweredeadinfrontofmewerefourbeastsmovingwithalarmingspeedandheadingourway.Delphscreamed,“Getup.

Lycans.Wakeup!”Iglancedbehindme.

LacklandandPetrahadalreadygrabbedtheirweapons.Iwithdrewthe

Embattlementoshieldfromoverheadsowecouldseebetter,andthesunburneddownbrightlyoncemoreandthetemperaturesoared.Iwasabouttoincantmy

magnificationspellagain,butthenIgaspedbecausethelycanshadrisenoutofthedirtrightatmyfeet.BeforeIcouldstrikewithmywand,

anarrowhitoneofthecreaturesinthechest.Itscreamedinfury,andrecoiledasbloodfleweverywhere.Thenittoppledoveranddied.Therewerethreemoreto

dealwith,however.“Jagada,”Icriedout,

pointingmywandatthesecondlycan.

Hugegashessproutedalloveritsbody.Itthrashedaboutingreatpainbeforeitcollapsed.Iwasknockedbackbyitsflailing,andlandedinthedirtsohardthatallthebreathwasforcedfromme.Iscrambledupintimeto

seeDelphusehisgreataxtocutthecreatureintwo.Then

hefellbackasthethirdlycanattacked.Ipointedmywandandyelled,“Rigamorte.”Butthelycanabruptlyturnedandmyspellmissed.ThenextmomentIwas

hurtlingbackwardasthefourthlycancrashedintome.Icamewithinaninchofbeingbittenbythething.Mywandfellfrommyhandand

ourcombinedstruggleskickeditaway.WithoutDestinandmy

wand,Iwouldbenomatchforalycan.ButIwasnotgoingdownwithoutafight.Irolledawayandjumpedtomyfeet.Heleaptatme,butImanagedtododgeoutoftheway.Ipulledmycloakoff,rolleditupbetweenmyhands

andhelditoutinfrontofme.Withasnarl,thethingattackedagain.Idodgeditagain,jumpedonitsbackandwrappedthecloakarounditsthroat.BeforeIcouldstartto

squeeze,itsclawsgrabbedmyhair,yankedandthrewmeoff.Ilandedonmybumfivefeetaway.WhenI

lookedup,thelycanwasleapingrightatme,itsfangspoisedforthekill.“Rigamorte!”Theblacklighthitthe

creaturesquareintheback.Itfrozeforamomentinmidairandthenplunged,landingfullonme.Imanagedtopushitoffandscrambledawayfromthedeadthing.

ThenIlookedoverandsawaverypalePetraclutchingmywand.Shehadcastthespell.Andithadworked.Shelookedatmewith

terrifiedeyes,evenasDelphandLacklandstaredathertoo,obviouslyhavingwitnessedherslayingofthelycanwiththewand.Thenextmoment,she

droppedmywandandclutchedatherhand,tearsstreamingdownherface.Irushedovertoherand

pickedupmywand.DelphandLacklandhad

alsohurriedover.Lacklandsaidinamazement,“You…youcandothat…stuffwhatVegacando.”“Sorcery,”addedDelph

breathlessly.Shewasstillclutchingat

herhandandshewasstillcrying.Ilookeddownatherhand.“Petra,letmesee.”Sheshookherheadandkept

herhandcovered.“Lethersee,Petra,”said

Delph.“VegacansortyououtwiththeStone.”Ihadalreadypulleditfrom

mypocket.ButIhadtopryherfingersopen.IshiveredandmystomachlurchedwhenIsawit.Herhandwasblackenedasifithadbeenforcedintoafire.Itlookedpainfulandstiffindeed.IstaredatitandthenatPetra.Therewasbothpainandconfusioninherfeatures.IwavedtheAdderStone

overthewoundandthoughtgoodthoughts.Nothinghappened.Surprisedbythis,Iheldmywandoverherhandandtriedseveraldifferentspellstohealthewound.Notasingleoneworked.Shejerkedherhandfreeand

snapped,“Justleaveit.”Asshewalkedaway

clutchingherinjuredhand,I

lookedatmywand.Whyhaditburnedher?Becausethewanddidn’tbelongtoher?IalreadysuspectedherofbeingaMaladon.Shehadcastthedeathspell.ShehadknownhowtousetheFinn,amagicalelementcreatedbydarksorcerors.IglanceduptoseeDelph

watchingmecuriously.I

wantedtotellhimwhatIwasthinking,butLacklandwasstandingrightthere.“ThanktheSteeplesfor

Petrabeingasorceress,”IsaidwithaforcedsmilethatI’msureDelphsawrightthrough.“Aye,”saidLackland,who

appearedstilltobedazedbythewholething.“I’lljustnip

overandseehowshe’sdoing.”HeheadedtowherePetrasatslumpedover.IsowantedtotellDelph

thatPetrawasourenemy.Thenmaybetheadmiringlookinhiseyeswheneverheglancedherwaywouldbegoneforgood.ButtherewasjustoneproblemwithallIwasthinking.

Petrahadusedthewandtosavemylife.“Whatisgoingonwith

Petra,VegaJane?”askedDelph.“Idon’tknow,Delph,”I

answered.AndIreally,reallydidn’t.

ICASTTHESHIELDspelloverusaswewalkedalongthenextlight.Itkeptthesunandheatoffus,butthatwasnotourmajorproblem.The

graniteoutcropwasstillasfarawayasever.AndwhenLacklandfinallywalkeduptome,Iknewwhathewasgoingtosay.“Vega,wedon’tappearto

bemovingajotallthistime.”“Iknow,Lackland.”Hescowled.“Anddoyou

haveaplantotakecare-athisweeproblem?”

Ilookedupintohisbeardedface.ThenIglancedbehindustoseePetraandDelphwalkingtogether.Theyweretalkinginlowvoices.IturnedbacktoLackland.“I’mworkingonit.”Helookedatmeskeptically.

“Oh,well,there’sarelief.”“Doyouhaveanyideas?”I

countered.

Hehelduphissword.“Youwantsomethingrunthroughwiththis,I’myourbloke.Thiswandandwordsstuff,thatfallstoyou.”Iglancedbackagain.“And

toPetra,apparently.”Hisfeaturesclouded.

“Neverknewthatabouther.”“Areyousure?Therewere

neveranysigns?”

“Well,whatsortasignswouldtherebe?”“Didsheeverdosomething

inexplicable?”Heshookhishead.“Not

thatIcanremember.Butthenagain,tillourvillagewasattackedwedidn’tspendallthatmuchtimetogether.Imean,we’renotfamilyoranything.JustFurinas.”

“Whowasleftofyourfamily?”Hisgazebecamedowncast.

“Memumandmesister.Medadandolderbrotherwerekilledalongtimeago.”“How?”“Colossal.There…there

wasnothingIcoulddo.BloodylycanskilledtherestoftheFurinas.’CeptforPet

andme.WhenIsawthemthingschargingus,allIwantedtodowasslaughter’emall!”headdedfiercely.HepausedandlookedoncemoreatPetra.“Petandmebeentogetherawhilenow.Likehavingmesisterback,Iguess.Nobodywantstobealone.Notinhere.”“No,theydon’t,”Isaid,

thinkingofDelphandHarryTwo.Wehadbeenwalkingaswe

talked.WhenIlookedahead,Istoppeddead.Lacklandbumpedintome.“Look!”HestaredaheadofusandI

felthimstiffen.“Whatthedevilisthat?”he

asked.

DelphandPetrahadjoinedusbythen.Delphsaid,“It’saunicorn.”Itwasindeedaunicorn.

Brilliantlywhitewithamaneofgold,shinyblackeyesandaregalhornthecolorofsilver.Itwaslargeandmuscular,withahugechest.Anditwasstandingrightinourpath.Itlookedsonoble,

almostlikeapolishedstatuebutwithapulsingheart.Anditwasalsoreallythefirstbeastwe’dencounteredinherethatwasn’ttryingtomurderus.“HarryTwo!”exclaimed

Delph.Mycaninehadventured

forwardandwaswithinacoupleyardsoftheunicorn.

Thecreaturesnortedanddrewbackabit.HarryTwostoppedandthenwaggedhistailandsmiled.Theunicornthensteppedforwardafewpaces.HarryTwoclosedthegapandthepairfacedeachotheracrossthespanofafoot.Theunicorntosseditsmane,

andHarryTwobarked,butI

knewittobeafriendlygreeting.Mycaninethenwalkedforwardandrubbedhismuzzleagainsttherightforelegoftheunicorn.ThelatterlowereditsheadandgrazedHarryTwo’searwithitssoftgoldenmane.HarryTwolookedbackat

usandyipped,asiftosay,Budgealong.

Icreptforward,thenglancedbackattheothers,whohadn’tmoved.“Toomanyofusmight

scareit,”Delphexplainedlamely.Ilookedbackattheunicorn

andkeptwalkingforward,thoughreadyataninstanttoretreatifitshowedanyfearoranxiety.Iputoutmyhand

andletitsniff.ThenIstrokeditsmaneanditrubbedupagainstmyshoulder.Ilookedcloselyatthesilverhorn.WhathadAstreasaid?Thehornoftheunicorncandefeatallpoisons.Thatwouldcomeinhandy,Ireckoned.ButthenIrecalledhowone

gotthehornofaunicorn.

Talkitoutofthehorn.Orkillit.TherewasnowayIwould

everharmthiscreature.Itwassobeautifulandgentleand…Itnudgedmyhandwithitssnout,liftingmyfingersfromitsmanetoitshead,justasHarryTwosooftendid.Myheartmeltedevenmore.Iverygently

touchedthehorn.Thoughitlookedsolid,itwassosoftagainstmyfingers.ThenInotedthatitwasn’t

puttingitsfullweightonitsfrontforeleg.Ikneltdownforacloserlook.“Somethinghasinjuredit,”

Isaid.Istrokedtheleggently,carefultonottouchthegashthere.Ireachedin

mypocketandpulledouttheAdderStoneandwaveditoverthewoundandthoughtespeciallygoodthoughts.Thewoundcompletelyhealed.Iroseandstrokedtheunicorn’smane.“Goodasnew,”Isaidtoit.Ifoundtheunicorngazing

atme,itsblackeyesdarkerthanthedeepestcave.Set

againstthebrillianceofthewhitecoat,theeffectwasremarkable.“You’rebeautiful,”Isaidin

alow,awedvoice.“Absolutelybeautiful.”Igentlyrubbeditshornone

moretimeandthenwithdrewmyhand.Myfingersweretingling.Ilookeddownatthem.Theywerethecleanest

they’deverbeen.NotaspeckofdirtcouldIfindonthem.Ilookedattheunicorn’scoat,horrifiedthatIhadtransferredmydirttoitsimmaculatehide.Buttherewasn’tabitofit

there.Ioncemorefoundthe

unicorngazingatme.Itopeneditssnoutandifa

creaturesuchasthiscouldsmile,itjusthad.AsIwatched,itturnedandtrottedoff.Thefartherawayitgot,thefasteritmoved,untilitwasjustablur.Thenitwasgone.Iturnedbacktotheothers

andrubbedmyfingerswhereIhadtouchedthehorn.Somethingappearedinmy

pocket.Atfirst,Iwasterrified,forIfeareddarksorcery.Ipointedmywandandsaid,

abitlamely,“Rejoinda,uh,bloodythinginmypocket.”Whenitsoaredoutand

landedinmyhand,weallgatheredaroundinwonder.Icaughtabreath.Itwastheunicorn’shorn.

Buthadn’tthecreaturehadthehornwhenitdisappeared?I…Icouldn’tbesure.“Howdidthatgetthere?”I

said.Delphlookedatmeand

smiled.“Youtookcare-aitsleg.Showeditkindness.Dadwouldbeproud-ayouforthat.Nursingbeastslikethat.”

Igrinnedandrubbedthehorn.Iknewitmustbeveryhard,butitfeltsoverysoft.Iputitawayinmypocketandglanceddownatmyfingers.Theystilltingledanditseemedthatthissensationwasspreadingoverme.Ilookedtowardthegranite

outcropthatwasasfarawayaseverandanideasuddenly

poppedintomymind,andIwonderedwhyithadn’tbefore.Iraisedmywandandsaid,

“Confuso,recuso.”Ashimmeringwaveseemed

topassinfrontofus.Whenitwasdone,wewerewithinbarelyamileofthegraniteoutcrop.IheardLacklandexclaim,

“BloodyHel.”Astreahadtaughtmethe

counterspellafterall,onlyIdidn’tknowthat.Butclearly,whatwasahallucinationbutaconfusionofthemind?Wemarchedon,energized

byoursuddenremarkableprogress,andreachedthewiderockyoutcropinshortorder.Itwascoolerinthe

shadecastbythegraniteandwedecidedtotakearest.Astheothersmadecampandreadiedfoodandwater,IusedDestintoquicklyzipuptothetopofthebigrockandlandbeforeastormknockedmesilly.Ilookedbehindme.Thesun

wasshining,theheatintense.Infrontofmewasthe

gloomiestgloom.Nosun,nolight,justclouds,soupyfogandchillyair.TheQuagwascertainly

livinguptoitsreputation.ItwasthemostinsanelyfrustratingplaceIcouldeverhaveimagined.Ihopedsoontohaveitatthebackofme.Ijumpedandlandedonthe

dirtbelowandrejoinedthe

others.“Whatdidyousee?”asked

Delpheagerly.“Itlookslikeitwillbe

coolerthanhere,”Iremarked.Weateourmealinsilence

andthenLacklandaskedifweshouldpushon.Idecidednotto.Itwouldbe

sillytowastetimegoingaroundtheoutcropwhen,

usingDestin,wecouldjustgooverit.ButIwantedtodoalittlescoutingfirst,andIdidn’twanttodoitalone.IsetDelphtotakethefirstwatchwithHarryTwoandthenIbeckonedPetraover.“I’mgoingtoflyoverthe

rockandgoaheadabitintothenextpartoftheThirdCircle,”Isaid.“Wouldyou

liketocomewithme?”WhileIhadgivenfewdirect

orderstoanyofthem,Petraseemedtounderstandthatdecliningtocomewasnotanoption.Iharnessedherupandthenkickedoff.Ihadneverflownwithherbefore,butshetooktothejourneywithease.Whenwearriveduptopand

Ireleasedherfromthe

harness,shesaid,“Whydon’tyoujustflyoverthisplace?Thatwayyoucanavoidallthedangersbelow.”“IfItaketotheairwiththe

intentofflyingover,thenahugestormblowsup.Butahophereandthereseemstobeacceptable.”“Yousoundasifthisplace

isalivingthing.”

“Oh,itisverymuchalivingthing.”Astreahadtaughtmethat,andIhadcertainlyseenevidenceofitfirsthand.Westeppedtotheother

edgeoftheoutcropandshepeeredahead.“It’ssodifferentfromback

there,”shesaid.Iglanceddownather

blackenedhand.“Doesitstill

hurt?”“No,notreally.”Shehastily

pulledhersleevelowertocoverit.“It’sokay,Petra.We’reall

carryingscarsfromthisplace.Andwe’llprobablyhavemorebeforeallissaidanddone.”“Iguessyou’reright,”she

saidsoftly,butshekepther

handcovered.“Canyoutellmeaboutyour

family?”Sheglancedsharplyatme.

“Myfamily?Why?”Ikeptmyvoicecalm.

“Becausetheymayhaveknownsomethings.Thingsthatcouldhelpusgetthroughhere.”Shewasshakingherhead.

“Theyknewnothing,Vega.”Putoffbyheranswer,Isaid

testily,“Theyclearlyknewsomethingiftheysurvivedallthistimeinhere.Aswe’vebothseen,it’snotthateasy.”Ipausedforamomentandthenadded,“Andtheydidn’thavemagic,didthey?Notlikeus.”Shegavealong,penetrating

look.“Ifyou’reaskingmehowIdidwhatIdidwithyourwand,Ican’ttellyoubecauseIdon’tknow.”“Yetyougrabbeditandsaid

theincantation.”“Iheardyousayitbefore,

whenthelycansattacked,”shesaidquickly.Tooquickly,Ithought.“It’sthekillingspell.The

onlyonethatdoesitoutright.”Shegavemea

condescendinglook.“Well,luckyforyou,then.Otherwise,you’dbedead.”Iignoredthis.“Andeven

thoughyousaiditwasjustluck,youclearlyknewhowtousetheFinn.”Sherubbedatherburned

hand.“Itwasjustluck,”sheinsisted.“So,yourfamily?”I

persisted.I’msuremylooktoldherIwasnotgoingtoyieldonthis.Sheletoutaquickbreath

andscowled.“Allright,damnit.Ihadanuncle.Myfather’sbrother.Hewasabitodd.Kepthimselftohimself,but

hetookalikingtome.Weusedtotakewalkstogether.Andwewouldtalk.”“Aboutwhat?”“Hesaid,well,hesaidthat

wedidn’tbelonghere.Thathethoughtthere’dbeenamistake.”“Amistake?Howso?”“Idon’tknow.Buthe

seemedangryaboutit.He

saidthatweshouldbelivingsomewhereelse.”IthoughtbacktoDelph’s

remarkaboutPetraseemingtounderstandthattherewasanotherplaceoutsidetheQuag.AndthisalsomightbewhatSilenushadalludedto—thatsomeMaladonshadbeentrappedinhere.“Maybeyourunclethought

youbelongedinmyvillage.”“Maybe,”shesaid

doubtfully.“Butthethingis…”Shelookedaway,unableto

meetmyeyes.“Petra,pleasejusttellme.”“Willyoupromisenotto

telltheothers?NotevenLackknows.”“Ipromise.”

Sheeyedmeseverely,asthoughmeasuringthesincerityofmywords.Shepointedatmywand.

“Myunclehadoneofthose.”“Awand!Youruncle?”“Ididn’tknowbackthen

thatthat’swhatitwas,”shecriedout.“IswearIdidn’t.”“Buthowdoyouknownow

thatitwasawand?”

“Becauseofwhathedidwithit.”“Whatdidhedowithit?”“Hecouldmoveabout.Go

fromonespottoanother.”“Pass-pusay,”Isaid.“Yes,Irememberhim

sayingthosewords.”“Whatelse?”“Hecouldmakeafirewith

it.Wewouldcookwhatwe

killedoverit.”Igrippedherarm.“How

couldyouruncledothingslikethatandnooneotherthanyouknew?Whydidn’tLackknow,yourfather,yourmother?”“Becausehenevershowed

themthewand.Heneverdidanythingwithitaroundthem.Onlywithme.”

“Andwhywasthat?”Shepeeredupatme.

“Because…Because…”“Becauseheknewyou

coulddoittoo?”Shenoddedjerkilyandher

lipsquivered.“How?”“Heletmeuseitonceto

bringdownsomeeggsfromanestformymeal.”

“Sohetoldyouaspelltouse?”“Hetoldmethewords.”“Wheredidhegetthe

wand?”“Idon’tknow.”“WhatifIweretotellyou

thathecouldonlyhavecomebyitfromafamilymemberwhogaveittohimwithapieceofthemselves

embeddedinit?”Shelookedutterly

astonishedbythis.Iwenton.“Sothatmeans

someoneinhisfamily,meaningyourfamily,passedhimthatwand.Whathappenedtoit?”“Idon’tknow.Whenthe

lycanscame,weweresleeping.Wehadsomeoneon

watch,buttheymust’vefallenasleeptoo.Myunclewaskilled.Idon’tknowwhathappenedtohiswand.”Ilookedatheragain,

watchingeverymoveofherbody,everytwitchofafacialmuscle.Iknewsomethingforafact.Iknewthatshewaslying.Petrahadheruncle’swandsomewhere.Knowing

whatshecoulddowithit,sheneverwouldhaveleftitbehind,lycanattackornot.“Doyouwanttogodown

there?”sheaskedquickly,lookingovertheedgeofthegranite.Sheobviouslydidnotwanttocontinuethisdiscussion.AndIdecidednottopushit.Ihadcertainlylearnedagreatdeal.

Inodded.“Youcanstayuphereifyouwant.”Sheshookherhead.“No,I

don’twantyoutogodowntherealone.”“You’resure?”Isaid.I

wishedIcouldtrusther.Butthefactwas,otherthanDelphandofcourseHarryTwo,Icouldtrustnoone.“Yes.”

SoIharnessedherupandweleapttogether.

IFANYTHING,THEgloomintensifiedonthegroundwhenwelanded.Ihadtolightmywandanditstillprovidedonlythebarest

illumination.Ididn’tlikethis.Anarmyofjabbitscouldbesneakinguponusrightnowandwe’dneverknowituntilwefelttheirfangsagainstourflesh.IgrabbedPetraandpushedhertothegroundassomethingflewoverussoclosethatIfeltthewakefromwhateveritwasliftstrandsofmyhair.

“Keepquietandstaydown,”Iwhisperedtoher.Icarefullyliftedmyhead

andlookedaround,listeningintentlyforanythingthatmighttellmewhatwasoutthere.ThenextthingIheardwastotallyunexpected.Laughter.Andthenavoicefromout

ofthegloom.

“Doesmyheartgoodtoseethelikesofthemwallowinginthedirt,rightwheretheybelongnoless.”Isettledonmyhaunches,

mywandreadyasIlookedaround.Thatwasamale’svoice.Therewassomeoneinherewithuswhowasnotabeast.Foronewild,panickedmoment,IthoughtThorne

hadescapedLucandtheotherekosandcaughtuptoussomehow.Butitwasn’thisvoice.“Whoareyou?”Icalledout.“Troubleandstrifewhichcutslikeaknife.Onewhoentersmygroundwillbehuntedrightdown.”Laughterfollowedthissillysong,alongwithawhooshingsoundlike

thethingwaswhizzingoverhead.Troubleandstrife,I

thought.Okay,Astreahadtoldmeaboutthisbloke.“AreyouEris?”Thewhooshingsound

stopped.“Howcomeyoutoknow

myname?”thevoicesnarled.IthoughtImightgivehima

bitofhisownmedicine.Isang,“IalwaysknowthenameofoneI’vecometotame.”Silence.O-kay.MaybeIhadgonea

bittoofar.Afigurestartedtosolidify

infrontofme.Hewaslikeafatbaby,onlywithwhiskers,dressedinagraycloakwith

hisbarefeetprotrudingfromit.“TameEris?”hesaid,alow,

maliciousundertonetohiswordsnow.Iheldupmywand.“Astrea

Prinesendsherbest.”Hisbeadyeyesonmywand

andwithsuddenunderstandinginhisfeatures,hesaid,“Well,goodluckon

findingyourwayinthegloom.Andthatwandofyourswillleadtoyourdoom.”Okay,Icouldfigurethis

out,Iwassure.AstreahadtoldmemuchaboutthisblokeandtheThirdCircle.Thisplacewasfilledwithdarkness,thoughluckilynotaccompanyingdepressionas

withtheSecondCircle.Buttherewassomethingthatcouldcutrightthroughthatdarkness.Whatwasitagain?Ah,yes!Isaid,“Rejoinda,cucos,”

andmovedmywandbacktowardme,asthoughIwerepullingsomethinginslowlyandsteadily.Amomentpassedandthen

aninklingoflightcameoutofthegloom.Thenthelightgrewbigger,brighterandbolder.Whenasliverhadpassed,thelighthadcutrightthroughthedark.“Blast!”screamedEris.Thelightwasnowlikethe

suncomingupandburningoffthemoistair.Thegloomwasliftingeverywhere.In

anotherfewmoments,weweresurroundedbycucos,smallbirdlikecreaturesthatflutteredaround,theirwingsglowingwithlight.Theywerebrilliantlycolored,asthoughtheyhadsmallbitsofrainbowsembeddedinthem.Iheldoutafingerandoneofthemperchedonit.Ifeltmyspiritsrisealongwiththe

light.Petraheldoutherarmanda

halfdozencucosalightedthere.Shesmiledastheilluminationsweptoverher.“Idon’tthinkI’veeverfeltthisgood.”Ihadtosmile,forIfeltthe

exactsameway.Itwasasthoughthefullpowerandgoodnessofthesunhadcome

todefeatthedarkness.Holdingupacucos,I

lookedatEris.“Troubleandstrifewillnottroublemylife.”Icouldn’thelpbutgrinasEriswavedafatfistatmeandthenvanished.Wewentbackandcollected

theothers.Iferriedthemuptothetopoftheoutcropandthendowntheotherside.

Whentheysawthecloudsofcucos,bothLacklandandDelphbecamegiddylittlemales,runningafterthesmallburstsoflightandlettingthecreaturescollectontheirshouldersandeventheirheads.Delphsaid,“Neverthought

I’dhaveanyfuninthisplace.”

Withthecucosprovidinglight,wemadegoodprogressandthenstoppedtomakecamp.Aswesataround,eatingourmeal,ImorefullyrecountedfortheotherswhathadhappenedwithEris.Petraenthusiasticallyjoinedinandgavemesomanycomplimentsthatitgottobequiteembarrassing.

DelphandLacklandlaughedheartilywhenImimedEris’sangryexit.ThenIheardthemcoming.Iscreamed,“Jabbits!”Thegroundwasactually

shaking;thehissespiercedourears.Andthenthereweretheshrieks,whichcouldrobanyoneofthelastvestigesofbothsanityandcourage.

“WhattheHelisajabbit?”yelledLackland.Hedrewhisswordandstoodhisground.Icouldn’tsayIlikedtheblokeallthatmuch,butIwouldneverquestionhiscourage.Petragrabbedhercrossbow

andDelphhisax.HarryTwo,asusual,wasbymyside.ThegroundwasshakingsobadlynowthatIfiguredtherewere

ahundredorsoofthethingschargingus.Isquintedahead,andthoughthelandwasflatandopen,Icouldseenothing.Icalledout,“Crystiladomagnifica.”IreallywishedIhadn’t.Onthepositiveside,it

wasn’tahundredjabbits.Itwasonlyone.Onthenegativeside,this

particularjabbitwaslargerthanacolossal.Thejabbithadrearedup

rightinfrontofus.Ahundredfeethighitwas,withsomanyserpentheadsalongitsvasttrunkthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletocount,certainlyinthetimewehadlefttolive.Itwaslikeavenomoustreewithathousanddeadly

branches,allofwhichcouldmovewithterrifyingspeed.IglancedatLacklandand

sawthatallthecolorhaddrainedfromhisface.Heraisedhissword,butIcouldtellbyhisexpressionthatheknewitwaslikewavingaflowerinfrontofanarmyofalectos.Isawtheaxwhizpastme

andstrikethejabbit.IlookedatDelph.Hehadheavedthethingwithallhisstrength.Ithadbarelycuttheserpent’sthicktrunk.Then,itstruck.“Embattlemento!”Icried

out.Thejabbithadlungedat

Delph,whohadfallenbackward.Theserpent

crashedintomyspellshield,butitwassohugethatitpushedtheshieldbackandintoLackland,whowasnearesttoit.TherewasanalmightyexplosionandLacklandlaysenselessontheground.Thejabbitrearedup,sawmeandstruckagain.“Pass-pusay,”Isaid,

tappingmywandagainstmy

leg.Thecreatureslammedinto

thespotwhereIhadjustbeen,burrowingaholefivefeetdeep.Petracamerunningupand

firedanarrowintooneoftheserpent’seyes.Theonlyproblemwas,ithadhundredsofothers.HarryTwosankhisteeth

intothetailofthemonster.Luckily,DelphwasupagainandracedforwardandpulledmycanineawaybeforeoneoftheheadsstruckouttobiteHarryTwo.ItsslashingtailhitDelphhardandhewentflyingthroughtheairwithHarryTwogrippedinhisarms.Theybothlandedwithathudagoodhundredfeet

away.Ipointedmywand.

“Impacto!”Thejabbitwassolargethat

myspelldidnothingbutcrushtwooftheheadsonitslowertrunk.Whenitcameoutoftheholeandturnedtome,Icouldtellthatitsfuryheldnoboundaries.Itstruck.ButIwasgoneagain.It

slammedintothegroundoncemore.Itroseagain,onlyabitdazedthistime.Thisstrategyrecalledtome

whatIhaddoneagainstmyopponentsintheDuelumbackinWormwood.Iwouldusethecreature’sfuryandstrengthagainstit.Threemoretimesitstruck,

andeachtime,Iwasgonea

momentbeforeimpact.Thethingroseupthelasttime,swayingandwoozy.Wefacedoff.Hundredsofeyeslookedatme.Istaredbackatit,suddenlynotnearlyasafraidasIhadbeen.Imightjustwinthisfight.Thenthewretchedbeastdid

somethingthattotallysurprisedme.

ItwentafterLackland,nowjuststrugglingtohisfeet.“No!”Icriedout.Lacklandscreamedand

threwhisswordatthething,butitmerelybouncedoff.Icalledout,“Rejoinda,

Lackland.”Lacklandflewtowardme

justasthejabbitattacked.Lacklandshoutedashe

sailedrightintome,orhewouldhaveifIhadn’tducked.Istoodstraightagainanddecidedthatenoughwasenough.Imarshaledeveryounceofmind,bodyandspiritthatIcould,pointedmywandandsaidquitefirmly,“Rigamorte.”Theblacklighthitthe

enormousserpentsmackin

thechestasitturnedtofaceme.Foralongmoment,itjustswayedthere,backandforthlikethependuluminacaseclock.Foroneterrifyingmoment,Ithoughtthatmykillingspellhadnotworked.Andifthismostpowerfulincantationhadfailed,thenIknewIcouldnotdefeatthething.

Thenextmoment,Ishoutedout,“Pass-pusay,”andtappedmylegwithmywandoncemore.ThespotwhereIhadjust

beenstandingwascrushedbythefallingdeadjabbit.Theforcewithwhichithitthegroundknockedmeoffmyfeetandmywandsailedaway.

IrolledoverandfoundmyselfnexttoLackland.“Sorry,Ihadtodothat,”I

saidasIsatup.That’swhenInoticedthat

hiseyeswereclosedandhisbreathingwasshallow.Andonesideofhisfacewasredandswollen.AndthenIsawthegashinhisskin,whereadropofyellowliquidsatnext

toit.Thejabbit’svenom.WhenLacklandhadflownpastthething.Itmusthave…bittenhim.Isquatteddownnexttohim.

“Lackland?Lack,canyouhearme?”Itouchedhishand.Itwas

growingcold.Iwasinadaze;thiscouldn’t

be.Thenmysensescleared.TheAdderStone!Ireachedinmypocketforit.Therewasnothingthere.Delph!Ihadgivenittohim.“Delph!”Iscreamed.I

lookedoverandsawadazedDelphstaggerup,butthenhefelloveragain.“Delph,IneedtheStone.Now!”Isaid,“Rejoinda,Stone,”butthenI

realizedIdidn’thavemywand.IsawDelphpushhimselfto

hisfeetandputhishandsinhispockets.Thenhedroppedtohiskneesandstartedtopawthroughthegroundwithhishands.HehadevidentlylosttheStone.Petraracedoverandknelt

nexttome.Shegripped

Lackland’shand.“Lack?Lack,hangon.Hangon!”Shelookedatmeandsaidfrantically,“Can’tyouhelphim?”Ididn’tunderstand.Thebite

ofajabbitinstantlykilled.ButthenIlookedathiswound.Itwasnottwobitemarksrepresentingtwinfangs.Itwasaslash.Hemust

havehurtledbytheserpent,andoneofthevilething’sfangsmusthavescratchedLackland’sfacesomehow.AsIwatchedhorrified,theyellowliquidridingonhisfacewasabsorbedintohisskin.“NO!”Iscreamed,butIwas

toolate.Lacklandstartedwrithing

andconvulsing.Andthen,evenmoreterrifying,hegrewstill,hisbreathingslowed,dangerouslyso.Hiseyelidsstartedtoflutter.“Lack!”criedoutPetra.

“No!”Fightingbacktears,Ilooked

wildlyaroundforsomething,anything,tosavehim.OnlyIhadnothing.Nothing.Where

wasmywand?TheStone?Thefingersofmyrighthandstartedtingling.Asifbyitsownvolition,myhandreachedintomycloakpocket.Ipulleditout.Thesilverhornofthe

unicorn.Withoutthinking,Ipressed

itagainstLackland’swoundedface.

Thesolidhornliquefiedandwasabsorbed,likethevenom,rightintoLackland’sskin.Then,withagaspandshudder,hesatstraightupsofast,ourheadsnearlycollided.Ijumpedback.Helookedatme;hiseyesseemedtowobbleintheirsockets.Hesaidwoozily,“What

happened,Vega?Didwekillthething,eh?”Petrascreamedandhugged

himsohard,hefellbackover.Icouldthinkofnothingelse

buttothrowmyselfontopandhugbothofthem.Whenweallsatup,Isaw

thatLackland’sfacewasstillscarredandswollen.Delph

cameracingoverwithHarryTwo.“Foundit,”hesaid,holding

uptheStone.Hehandedittomealongwithmywandthathehadobviouslyalsofound.IwavedtheStoneoverLackland’sface.Whiletheskinhealedsome,itwasstillbad-looking.Iusedmywandonhimand

thehealingspellimprovedhisfaceevenmore,thoughitwasstillscarredsome.Isaid,“Don’tworry,

Lackland,we’llgetyoubacktoyourhandsomeself.”Helaughed.“Badgeof

honor,wayIseeit.Besides,amalecanbetoopretty,eh,Pet?”Shesmiledandheldupher

damagedhand.“Howaboutafemale,Lack?Eh?”“Goonwithyou,butit’s

rightbetterthanbeingdead,Icantellyouthat.”“Har,”saidDelphasa

finishingpoint.Weallgrinned.Istood.“IthinktheFourth

Circlebeckons,”Isaid,fullofconfidencenow.

Ishouldnothavesoundedsogleeful.TheFourthCirclewas

whereIwasgoingtodie.

THELANDINtheFourthCirclewascurious—flatinspots,risinginothers.Wecouldmakeoutcragsofrocksandspinyridgesleadinginto

thesky.Overheadwerenostars,noNoc.Iledusbythelightofmywand.Wewalkedasfaraswe

couldandthenmadecampnearastandoftallwillowtrees.IwasonthelookoutfortheslenderthreadoftheObolusRiver,whichIknewranthroughhere,butInevercaughtsightofit.

WeateandLacklandofferedtotakethefirstwatch.PetraandDelphquicklyfell

asleepbut,asusual,IfoundIcouldnot,atleastnotrightaway.Ireachedinmytuckand

pulledoutthemapoftheQuagthatQuentinHermshadleftmeatmytreebackinWormwoodandthatIhad

reproducedonparchment.Thereweresomepoints

aboutitthatwereright,spot-onactually.Butmanymorewereabsolutelywrong.Ithoughtbacktothesequenceofeventsthathadleduptothismapbeinginmypossession.IhadbeeninmytreewhenIheardthebayingoftheattackcanines.Ihad

seenQuentingoingintotheQuag.IhadthengonetoworkatStacksonlytofindamessagefromQuentintellingmetogotomytreethatnight.ThereIfoundthatanextraboardhadbeennailedintothetrunk,behindwhichIhadfoundthemap.Isatup.Buttheextraboard

hadnotbeenonmytreewhen

IsawQuentinfleeingintotheQuag.SohehadtohavecomebackoutoftheQuagandnailedtheboardtheresometimelater,butbeforeIreturnedtoitthatnight.ThenIwonderedsomething

thatIneverhadbefore.WhyhadtheCouncilbeenhuntingQuentindown?Somethingmusthavetriggeredit.We

hadbeentoldlaterthatQuentinhadbrokenlawsbutwewerenevertoldwhichlaws.AndMorrigoneandThansiushadneverreallyspokenaboutthemattertome.Ireachedinmypocketand

pulledoutmygrandfather’sring.IthadbeenfoundinQuentin’scottage,so

presumablymygrandfatherhadgivenittohim.Butwhyhadhenotgivenittomyfather,hisonlyson?WhatqualitydidQuentin

possessthatwouldhavemademygrandfathergivehimtheringinstead?Washesimplyamessenger,gettingtomethingsthatIwouldneed?Washedoingmy

grandfather’sbiddingsomehow?Ifso,why?Ipulledouttheparchment,

tappeditwithmywandandsaid,“Silenus?”Hisimageappeared

instantlyonthepaper.“Whereareyounow?”he

askedsomberly.“TheFourthCircle.”“TheObolusRiver.”

Inodded.“AndRubezthepilot.Whatcanyoutellmeabouthim?”“Nothing,I’mafraid.”“Astreasaidthathewill

demandpaymenttotakeusacrosstheriver,butshedidn’tsaywhatitwouldbe.”“Ihaveofcoursenever

takenthejourney,andhavenoscrapsofknowledgefrom

anyonewhohas.”“Wonderful,”Imuttered.

“DoestherivertakeustotheFifthandlastCircle?”Heshookhisheadagain.

“Alas,’tisshroudedinmystery.”“Butthereisariver,soI

wouldimaginethattheremightbesomewaterdwellersinit.”

“Iwouldnotbesurprisediftherewere.”“HencetheboatwithRubez

tosafelycrossit,”Inoted.“Iwouldimaginethatsafe

passageacrosstheOboluswouldinvolvemorethansimplycoinforaseat.”“What,then?”Iasked.“Itmayverywellcostmore

thanyouarewillingtogive,

Vega.Andthenitwillbeuptoyoutodecide.Suchisthewayofthisplace.Itoftendemandsmorethanoneiseitherwillingorabletogive.”Andwiththatominous

commentSilenuswasgone.Islowlyputthepagesaway

inmycloak.WhatwouldIbeunwillingtogiveupinordertocrosstheObolus?

Petrahadthelastwatch.Iwaitedafewsliversaftershelefttotakeupherpost,and,makingsurethatDelphandLacklandwereasleep,IdrewclosertoPetra’stuck.IknewwhatIwasdoingwasinmanywayswrong.ButitwasalsowhatIneededtodorightnow.Ipointedmywandatitand

muttered,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Allthecontentsofhertuck

wereimmediatelymagnifiedinfrontofme.IsawwhatIthoughtIwould.Mynextincantationwasspokenjustassoftly.“Rejoinda,wand.”Thewandflewfromthe

tuckandrightintomyhand.

Whenitsmackedagainstmyskin,Irealized—toolate—thatitmightburnme.Butitdidn’t.PerhapsitwoulddosoonlyifItriedtocastaspellwithit.“Illumina.”Withmyownwandlighting

Petra’s,Ilookedatitclosely.Itwasmadeofwoodfardarkerthanmine.

Technically,herunclehadnotgiventhistoPetra.Perhapshewouldhave,buthe’dbeenkilledbeforehecould.Shehadsimplytakenit.Butsomeonehadgivenittohim.Hisfatherperhaps?IfoundwhatIwaslookingforonthebaseofthewand.Itwasapartofafingernail.

Icouldmakeitoutclearly

againstthewood.Feelingalittleguilty,I

pocketedthewand,wentbackovertomybedandlaydown.IfPetrawasmyenemy,eventhoughshehadsavedmylife,Ididnotwanthertopossessawand,awandthatcouldkillbothmeandDelph.Butstill,Ididnotfeelgoodaboutit.Thereseemedtobenoeasy

decisionsinthisplace.Iclosedmyeyesandfell

asleep,unsureifwhatIhadjustdonewasrightornot.

PETRAROUSEDUSwhenitwastimetogetup.Thiswasabitdifficulttocalculatesincethesundidn’trisehere.Iwatchedhercloselyasshegatheredhertuck,butshe

neverlookedinsideit.Thus,shewasunawareherwandwasgone.Whenshedidbecome

aware,Iknewshewouldimmediatelysuspectme.Howcouldshenot?Iwastheonlyonewhoknewabouthermagicalpastwithheruncle.Butshehadnottoldmethatshehadthewand.Thus,I

doubtedshewouldconfrontmeaboutit,atleastnotinfrontofDelphandLackland.Icouldtellshedidnotwantthemtoknowhersecret.ItwasafoultacticIwasplayingonher,butrightnowIcouldnotaffordanymoresurprises.Forthreemorelightsand

nightswerambledoverthe

darkenedlandscape.Onetimewesawaninficioflyingoverheadandhadtotakecoverinacave.Anothertime,itwasapackoffreksdoingbattlewithaherdofcreaturesforwhichIhadnoname.Thefrekseventuallywonandlingeredoverthecorpsesconstitutingtheirspoilsofvictory.Astheyate,weran

foritandweresoonsafelyaway.OnthefourthnightthatI

stoodmywatchontheedgeofourcampsite,Iraisedmywandandmuttered,“Crystiladomagnifica.”Ihaddonethisbeforewithlittleresult.Thisnightwastobedifferent.YetInevercouldhave

imaginedthatIwouldbeseeingsomethinglikethis.Itwasn’tsomecreatureway

outthere.ItwasDelphandPetra.For

somereasonmyspellwasshowingmewhatwasbehindmeratherthaninfront.Theywereverycloseto

eachotherandweretalkinginlowvoices,soIcouldnot

hear.Overthelasttwolightsandnights,Ihadseenthemlingeringtogether,whetheritwaswhenwewerewalkingorsittingaroundourmeagerfire.Theytendedtosleepneareachotheraswell.Butthisvision?Iwhirledaroundand

quicklymademywaybacknearerthedyingfire.

Istoppedandlooked.Delphwaswavingthe

AdderStoneoverPetra’sdamagedhand.Iknewhewasthinkingwonderfulthoughts.Andthenshesmiledandtouchedhischeek.Iturnedawayandwalked

backtomyoriginalspot,myheadlowered,myeyesonmydirtyboots.Delphwasmy

bestfriend.Friendsdidnotactlikethatwithanyoneelse.Itwasn’t…itwasn’t…Itwasn’twhat,Vega?Itwasn’twhatyouwantedtohavehappen?Well,it’snotyourlife.It’sDelph’s.IfhelikesPetrabetterthanyou,sobeit.Thenextmoment,Ifroze

whenIheardit.

Thesoundoflappingwater.Irantotelltheothers.Wehurriedalong,following

thesoundofwateruntilwereachedaclearing,andthereitwas.TheObolusRiver.Itwas

longandsnakelike,twistingandturninguntilitwasoutofsightatbothends.AnditwaswiderthanIwouldhave

thought.Itwasactuallyimpossibletoseetotheotherside.ButIjustknewontheothersidewastheFifth,andlast,Circle.Theonlythingbetweenthelastcircleanduswasthisbodyofwater.“Lookthere,”hissed

Lackland,pointingtooneside.Toourleftwasanold

woodenpier,listingbackandforthonwhatIsupposedwerepartiallyrottedsupporttimberssunkeninthewater.Thewoodensignhungona

leaningpostswungslowlyinthebreeze.Thoughweweresomeyardsfromit,thewordswereclearenough,eveninthedark.Infact,thewordsseemedtoglowred.

“BlackrootPier,”Iread.“VegaJane,”saidDelphin

atoneIhadneverheardhimusebefore.“What?”Iwhisperedback.ButIneedn’thaveasked.I

couldseewhathadpromptedhiswords.Thesmall,blackvesselhad

roundedthebendandwasdrawingclosertothepier.At

thebackofit,holdingalongsteeringoar,wasadark-shroudedfigure.TheboatglidedoverthewaterasifitwasridingontheairjustabovethesurfaceoftheObolus.Theshroudedfigure

expertlyguidedthecrafttoagentlestopatthewarpedboardsofthepier.

Therewasalanternattachedtoabentrodaffixedtotheboat’sgunwale.Itgaveoffenoughofaglowforustoseethefaceofthegentpilotingwhenheloweredhishood.Wealltookastepback

whenwesawhim.ItappearedtomethatRubezwasaskeleton,onlysomeonehadforgottentotellhimhe

wasnolongeralive.Everythingabouthimwasbony,hollowanddead.Yethiseyesglowedfiercely

inthelanternlight.Theglowseemedtobethesameasthefieryredofthelettersonthesign.Heopenedhismouthandspokeatthesametimethatonelong,bonyhandreachedoutandbeckonedto

us.“Drawclose,thosewho

wishtocrosstheObolus,”hesaidinavoicethatsoundedlikethelowthroatyrumbleofanattackcanine.“AndRubezwilloblige.”Wedrewclose,steppingup

ontothefragilepier,whichlurchedsidewaysunderourcollectiveweight.Ithought

wewereallgoingtogotumblingintothewater,butthethingrighteditselfandwestoodlevelacoupleoffeetfromRubez.Istartedtostepontheboat,

whenRubezbarredmywaywithhisoar.Itwasdrippingwetandslimy.“Oi,”IcalledoutasI

jumpedback.“Yousaidto

drawcloseandyou’doblige.”“Rubezisneedinghisdue,”

hecroaked.Istaredathim.“Whatsort

ofdue?”Inanswer,helookedatthe

planksofthesmallboatandthenoveratus.“Gotroomforfourandno

more.”Ilookedattheothersand

thenturnedbacktohim.“Butwe’vegotfive.”“Fourandnomore,”he

repeated.Ipulledmywand.“AndI

saidwe’vegotfive.Now,Iknowyouwantsomesortofpayment.AndI’llbegladtogiveit.Butwe’reallcrossingthisriver.”Hesmiledatmeandhis

teethwerebloodred.AndInoticedforthefirsttimethathisarm,exposedabitashewieldedtheoar,wascoveredindarkscales,likeafish.Heraisedhisoarandthenpointeditovermyhead.Thenextmoment,Delph

screamed.Iturned.Hewasonhisknees,holdinghishead,hisfacecontortedin

agony.Igrabbedhimbuthethrewmeoff,fellontohisbellyandstartedconvulsing.“Delph!Delph!”PetraandLacklandtriedto

help,buttheywerethrownbackwardbysomeunseenforce.IpointedmywandatDelph

totrytoincantsomethingthatwouldmakewhateverwas

hurtinghimgoaway.Butitwasasifsomethingwasgrippingmywandandpullingitaway.IwhirledaroundtostareatRubez.Hejuststoodthere,hisoarstillheldhigh,andIknewitwasthesourceofDelph’sagony.“Stopit!”Iscreamed.“Stop

it,please.”Rubezslowlyloweredhis

oar,andDelphinstantlyceasedconvulsing.Helaytherepanting.Ikneltnexttohimand

grippedhishand.“Delph?”“O…okay,VegaJane,”he

mumbled.“Pain’sgone.O-kay.”IturnedbacktoRubez

venomously.“WhytheHeldidyoudothat?”

“Fourinmeboat,nomore.”Ilookedoverhisvessel.

“Okay,thenwecanmaketwotrips.Threeandtwo.Thatmeetsyourbloodyrule!”Hissmilevanishedandhe

heldupasolitaryfinger.“Onetrip,nottwo.”Istood,facedhimand

squaredmyshoulders.“Sowhatisyourdue,then,eh?”I

trulydidn’tunderstandwhattheblokewanted.Heglanceddownatthedark

watersandthenbackupatme.“Oneofyoumustswimfor

itifyouwanttogettotheotherside.That’smedue.Ifyoudon’twanttoswimforit,youcanstayhere,thelotofyou.Andyouwon’tbealive

inafewslivers.”Helookedovermyshoulderashesaidthis.“They’recoming.”“Who’scoming?”Iasked

sharply.Heloweredhisgazetome

andhiseyeswerelikefistsoffieryblood.“Death,”hehissed.Andthatsoundfilledmewithadreadthatnoteventheshriekofajabbitcould

inspire.Ilookeddownatthegently

lappingwatersandthenacrosstowardtheriver’sotherside,whichIstillcouldn’tseefromhere.IturnedbacktoRubez.“Is

theretrulynootherway?”“Onlyone.”“What?”Isaideagerly.“Icanturnfiveintofour.

Thentheremainderscanrideinmeboat!”heendedsavagelyandraisedhisoarthreateningly.“Whichone,eh?EH!”Iheldupmyhandsand

criedout,“No.I’llswimforit.”Delphroseonshakylegs.

“VegaJane,you’renotthatgoodofaswimmer.”

HarryTwodancedaroundmyfeetandmovedhisforelegsasiftoshowhowpowerfulaswimmerhewas.“No,”Isaid.“I’llgo.”“No,”snappedDelph.“You

can’talwaysbetheonetogoitalone.”Lacklandsaid,“How’bout

thecanine,eh?”“Shutup,Lackland,”I

barked.Delphpulledmeasideand

whispered,“Let’shaveagoathimandtakehisblastedboat.”“Yousawwhathejustdid

toyou.Andhisoarapparentlyismorethanamatchformywand.”Delphsaidinanormal

voice,“Thenhowdowe

choose,eh?”Petrasaid,“IvoteforLack

togoin.”Lacklandsworeunderhis

breath.“Whyme?”“Well,weneedVega’s

wandtogetthrough,don’twe?”“That’sbloodyruthlessof

you,”snappedLackland.“WhataboutDelph?Orare

youtoowonkyoverthebloke?”DelphandPetrabothlooked

liketheyhadbeenwallopedbyacolossal.BeforePetracouldanswer,

Delphsaid,“I’llgo.I’mastrongswimmer.”Headdedinanembarrassedtone,“AndlikePetrasaid,weneedVega’swandtogoon.”

“No,Delph,”snappedPetra.“You’renotgoinginthere.BloodyHel,I’llgo.”Lacklandinterjected,“Look,

whynottheruddycanine,eh?Willsomebodytellmethat?It’sabloodybeast.”Delphshovedhim.“Harry

Twoisworthfive-ayou.”“Enough,”Ishouted.“I’m

goingin.”

“Butweneedyouto—”beganPetra.Ipointedmywandatthem.“No,VegaJane,”screamed

Delph.HeknewwhatIwasabouttodo.HarryTwobarkedand

lungedatme,hismismatchedeyeswidewithdistress.Isaid,“Subservio.”Instantly,theireyesbecame

unfocusedandtheystoodrigidlybeforeme.Ipointedmywandatthevesselandtheyallclimbedin,HarryTwoincluded.IdrewadeepbreathasI

lookedatthemonebyone,mygazeholdingfinallyonDelph.WouldthelastimpressionIhaveofhimbeoneofstarkbetrayal?And

theresatHarryTwo,frozen,butinsideIknewhecouldseewhatIhaddone.Ifeltdeepshameallaround.ButIhadnotimetodwelluponit.IturnedbacktoRubez,who

waswaitingexpectantly.“Anythingyoucantellme

beforeIdivein?”Iaskedcoolly.Heappraisedmeforafew

longmoments.Thenheglancedoverboard.“What’sdownthereneedssortingout,don’tit?Whetheryou’retheonetodoit?”Heshrugged.“Onlyyoucananswerthat.”Hegavemeawickedgrin,whichmademybloodboil.ItoldmyselfthatIwouldsurvivethisifonlysoIcouldfacethisblokeagainandturn

himtodust!Rubezusedhisoartopush

offfromthepier.Iwatchedthemdriftaway.IthadoccurredtomethatthismightbethelasttimeIwouldseeDelphorHarryTwo.Ishouldhavefeltteary.Ishouldhavefeltsomething.Andtruthbeknown,Idid.Aterrible,terribleemptiness.Asthough

allIhadorhadeverfeltwasgone.Thentheydisappearedin

themistthathadsprungupoverthewater.AllIcouldhearwasthesplashoftheoaragainstthewater’ssurfaceasRubezcarriedallofmycompanionsaway.TheSubserviospellwould

onlycontinuetoworkwhileI

wasinrelativelycloseproximitytothem.Butbythetimetheeffectsworeoff,itwouldbetoolatetostopme.Iheldupasolitaryhandand

said,“Good-bye.”ThenIsteppedtotheedge

ofthepierandlookeddownattheObolusRiver.Delphwasright.Iwasnotaveryexperiencedswimmer.There

simplywasn’tthatmuchwaterinWormwood.Ihadnoideawhatawaitedmeinthefouldepths,butstandingherethinkingaboutitwasnotdoingmeanygood.So,grippingmywand,I

tookadeepbreathanddovein.

IDIDN’TKNOWWHATtoexpectwhenIhitthewater.Well,IsupposedIthoughtitwouldbecoldandmiserable,butitreallywasn’t.Infact,it

feltwarmandcomforting.WhenIbrokethesurfaceof

thewaterthatchanged.Itookabreath.AtleastI

triedto.Butwhentheairhitmylungs,Ithoughtmybrainwouldexplode.IgaspedandwrithedandwhenIwasabouttoloseconsciousness,IdidtheonlythingIcouldthinktodo.Idoveunderthewater.

Afternearlysuffocatingabovewater,mymouthwasstillopenwhenIwentunder.TheliquidpouredintomylungsandIknewthenthatIwoulddiewhenmylungsfilledlikebuckets.ButIdidn’tdie.Thepainin

myheadwentawayandIgulpedbreathafterbreathandasthewaterpouredthrough

mylungs,Ifeltstrangelyreplenished.Ilitmywandandlookedaround.Thewaterwassomurkythatevenwiththeillumination,Icouldseeonlyafewfeetineverydirection.Iswamon,glidingsmoothlythroughthewater.IwantedtomakesurethatIwasheadingintherightdirection,soIbrokethe

surfaceagainandstaredahead.ButitwassodarkandthepaininmyheadbecamesofiercethatIhadtodivebackunderagain.Acoldchillinvadedmy

insides,evenasmyoutsidefeltwarmandcomforted.IfIcan’tbreatheoutofthewater,howwillIescapethisplace?Wasthistheduethat

Rubezdemanded?Thesacrificethatmostwouldbeunwillingtomake?MeimprisonedintheObolusforever?Ipushedthesetroubling

thoughtsawayandswamon,hopingIwastravelingintherightdirection.Rubezhadsaidthatthings

inhereneededsortingout.I

hadnoideawhathemeantbythat.Iassumedthattherewerevilecreatureslurkinginthewaterthatwoulddotheirbesttokillme.Ifso,IwasaspreparedasIcouldbe.Iheldoutmywandand

said,“Crystiladomagnifica.”WhatIhadexpectedwere

waterdemonswhoseferocityandlethalitywouldmatch

thosethatwalkedtheland.That,Icouldunderstand.That,Icouldfight,andperhapswin.Butthatwasn’twhatIsaw.“Nooo,”Imoaned.I

stoppedswimmingandstartedtosinktothebottomofthefoulriver.Thegreatbattlefieldon

whichIhadbeengiventhe

ElementalbyAliceAdronisandthennearlykilledlaybeforeme.Only,thistimeIwaspartofthegreatbattle.Iwasastrideamuscledsteed.Iwasoutfittedinchainmail.IcarriedagreatspearinonehandasIflewthroughthesky.JustasAlicehaddone.Ihadseenthissameimage

beforeinadream,thusI

knewwhatwasabouttocome.TheblowhitmyimagefullinthechestandItumbledoffmysteed.Ifell,andasmyimagefell,ithappened.Theimageandmyself

becameone.Andwewerebothfallingsofastandsofarthatmybreathwastornfromme.Ilookeddownatmychestandtherewasthe

wound,deepandbloody.AndthepainpiercedmesobadlythatIcriedoutandmymouthinstantlyfilled,notwithwaterbutwithblood.Myblood.AndthenIfeltnomore.Andthatscaredmemore

thananythingelsehad.Forthereisonlyonereason

awoundedpersonfeelsnopain.

Thiswasnodream.Thiswasnoimage.Thiswasmydeath.Me,VegaJane.Iwasnomore.IhitthebottomofwhatI

supposedwastheObolusRiverandthenaremarkablethinghappened.Ikeptfalling.Itwasas

thoughtheriverbedtherehad

opened,thedirtmovingaside,allowingmyplummettocontinuetoaplacethatwassomehowevendeeper.Myeyeshadbeenclosedall

thistimebecausemycouragehadreacheditslimits.ButnowIhadtoopenthem.Iheardtheheavystaffstrikethestonefloor.Ilookedupatthetall,lean,near-cadaverous

figure.ItwasOrco.Withhisgreat,

longnose,whichhadthreeopenings.Histotallyblackeyeslookedmeupanddown.Hisawfulmouthopened,revealingbothhisblackteethandthelongtonguewiththetrioofarrowends.Hehissedandstruckthestoneagainwithhiscudgel.

Thiscausedmetospringboltuprightandstandbeforehim.Ilookeddownatmyself.MyclotheswereasdryasifIhadneversteppedfootinthewater.Ilookedtomyrightand

thereitwas.Thewallofthedead.The

mouthswereopen,theeyesthesame.Nosoundscame

fromthemouths,butinthepleadingeyesIheardmoremiserythanIcouldpossiblybear.IlookedbackatOrco.He

wassmilingintriumph.AndIknewwhy.Ilookeddownatmychest

andsawthegapingholethere,mystilledheartrightunderneath.Iputoutmyhand

towarditbutthendrewback.Icouldnotbringmyselftotouchmyownmortalwound.IlookedupatOrco.“Certe,”hehissed,a

triumphantlookonhisfeatures.WasIreallydead?Buthow

couldIbe?Ihadneverreallybeenonthatbattlefield.SohowcouldIhavebeen

mortallywounded?“Iamnotdead,”Isaid

firmly.Inresponsehepointedwith

hisclawedfingerstomychest.“Certe.”Ishookmyheadstubbornly.

“Iamnotdead.”Hepointedtothewalland

raisedhiscudgel.Ifeltmyfeetleavethestonefloor.I

washurtledacrossthespaceandslammedintothewall.Icouldnowhearthewordsspewingfromthepoorsoulsimprisonedthere.Thenextthingthat

happenedtomewasthemostdreadfulofall.Iwassinkingintothewall.

ItfeltlikeIwasbeingdissolvedfromtheinsideout.

Icouldfeelmyself…vanishing,partsofmybeingdisappearingfromme.AsIlookedwildlyaround,IsomehowknewthatoncemymouthandeyesweretheonlythingsleftvisibleofmybeingthatIwouldbelost,trappedhereforever.Mythoughtsturned

fleetinglytoDelphandHarry

Two.AndeventoPetraandLackland.AndthenasIsankfarther

intothestoneavoicecameintomyear.Itwasnotfromthedeath

wall.Itwasavoicefrominside

myhead.Vega,deathisonlyfear.Withoutfear,thereisno

death.Withoutdeath,therearenobars.Withoutbars,thereisonlyfreedom.Avoicespeakinginmy

headatthismomentshouldhavedrivenmecompletelymad.Butitdidn’t.Forsomeinexplicablereason,itgavemepause.Thenitgavemecalm.Andthenitgavemesomethingmuch,much

stronger.Perhapsthestrongestthingofall.Itgavemehope.Ilookedatmyhand,which

wasstillvisible.Andinitwasclutchedmywand.AndIrecalledthatinour

firstmeetingOrcohadfearedmywand.Whichofcoursemeantthat

hefearedme.

VegaJane.Iwasasorceress.Ihada

wand.Ihadaneed.Thus,asSilenushadinformedme,Icouldcomeupwithaspelltofillthatneed.Theexactwordsweren’timportant.Itwasthemind,body,spiritallcomingtogetherasone,justasAstreahadsaid.JustasIhaddonespontaneouslyback

athercottage,withoutevenawandtoaidme.Myentirebeing

concentratedononlyonething.ImadeaslashingmotionwithmywandandscreamedoutwithallthebreathIhadleft.“Iamnotdead!”Therewasanenormous

crack,likeathunder-thrust,

andthewallbrokerightdownthemiddle,freeingme.Isteppedclearoftherubble,

mywandheldhigh.Forthefirsttimeinthe

presenceofOrco,Ifeltnofear.Thebarsofmyprisonweretrulybroken.ButinhimIsaw,withsatisfaction,uncertaintyinthosecoldblackeyes.

HeandIsquaredoffonthestone,circlingeachother.Whenheraisedhiscudgel,Iraisedmywand,bracingtothrowoffhisattack.Heloweredhiscudgel,butIkeptmywandpointedrightathim.Heglanceddownatmychest.Ididthesame.Igaped.Theholeinmy

chestwasgone.

Ilookeduptoseethatcruelfacestaringatme.Icouldnothelpmyself.“Certe,”Ihissed.AndthenIwashurtling

upward,throughstoneanddirtandintothecrushofwater.Up,up,upIwentuntilIthoughtthepressureIwasfeelingallaroundwouldsmashmeflat.Thenext

instant,IsputteredandspitandthoughtIwasgoingtodrown.AndthenIrealizedsomething.Iwasbreathingaironce

more,notwater.Ilookedacrossthesurface

oftheriverinalldirections.Itlookedthesametome,whichmeantIdidnotknowwhichwaytogo.Iwasflopping

aroundinthewater,suddenlyexhaustedfrommystruggledownbelow.Iwentunderthewateroncebutmanagedtopushmyselfbacktothesurface.ThenIwentunderagain.AndIdidn’tknowifIcouldfindthestrengthtokeepfighting.Somethinggrabbedmeand

Ikickedandthrashedtofree

myself.Itriedtopointmywand,butmyarmswerepinnedtomysides.Ibrokethesurfaceofthewater,andstoppedstruggling.“Delph!”Hewasfacingme,holding

meupinhisstrongarms.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Iasked.“Areyoumental?Whatthe

bloodyHeld’youthink?I’msavin’you.”Heturnedonhisback,held

meundermyarmsandkickedoff.“Doyouknowwhichway

togo?”Iasked,immenselyrelievedbyhispresence.“Welitafireontheshoreas

alandmark.Headingrightforit.”

“I’msorryIhadtocastaspelloveryou,”Isaid.“Figuredthat’swhatyou

donewhenIcameouttait.”“Haveyoubeensearching

formelong?”“Longenough.”Atlastmyfeetbumped

againstsomethingandIrealizedwewereintheshallows.Delphhelpedmeto

stand.Ilookedbackintimetosee

Rubezandhisblackenedvesseldriftpastus.Ilockedgazeswiththe

creature.AfterstaringdownOrco,Iknewthisblokecouldholdnohorrorsforme.IpointedbehindmeattheObolus.“Oi,Rubez,IthinkI’vegot

itallsortedout.Thanks.”Hisfacewasamaskof

loathing.AndIdidn’tcareajot.Wecontinuedonuntilour

feethitlevelground.Thensomethingleapton

me.ItwasHarryTwo.Helicked

myfaceandpushedhissnoutagainstmycheek.

Delphpickedmeupinhiscrushingembrace.“Youmadeit,”hesaid

quietly,hisbreathtouchingmycheek.Hissenseofreliefwaspalpable.“Imadeit,”Isaidweakly.

“Wherearetheothers?”“Overbythefire.”Aswestartedtowalk

towardthefirelight,hesaid.

“Wasitbadswimmingacross?”Ilookedupathiswide,

happyface.“Notthatbad,Delph.Not

thatbada’tall.”

WEWEREINtheFifthCirclenow,thelast.Anditwasnotlostuponmethatthiswouldbeourgreatestand,hopefully,finalchallenge.

Petrahadofferedtotakethefirstwatch.LacklandandDelphwereasleep.IlayonmylumpybedwithHarryTwobesideme.Ihadnottoldtheothers

whathappenedtomebackintheObolusRiver.Whatwouldhavebeenthepoint?Andbesides,whatcouldIsay?

Right,soanywayIdiedfromabloodywoundtomychest,butI’mbackfromthedeadnowandeverything’sjustsmashing.Wouldyouliketoseethespotofmymortalwound?Itwasquitesomething!Igroanedandputahand

overmyface.ThenIloweredmyotherhandtomychest.I

hadbeenterrifiedtodothisbefore,butnowIhadto.IreachedundermyclothesuntilIcouldfeelmyskin.Iknewexactlywherethewoundhadbeen.IwasscaredthatIwouldfeelremnantsoftheawfulspot,butmyskinwasassmooththereasithadalwaysbeen.Iwithdrewmyhand.But

still,Ifeltuncleansomehow,changedforever.And—thehardestpartofall—Ifeltimmeasurablydifferentfrommycompanions.DelphandIhadfacedso

muchinhere,together.Butwehadnotexperiencedthistogether.OnlyIhad.AndIthankedtheholySteeplesforthat.

IpulledtheparchmentfrommycloakandsummonedSilenus.Heappearedamomentlater.“Wemadeitacrossthe

ObolusandintotheFifthCircle,”Imumbled.“AndRubez’spayment?”he

asked.Itookaslivertodescribein

detailwhathadhappenedto

me.“Idied,Silenus.Iwas

becomingpartofthatwall.”“Butyoufoughtbackand

gainedyourfreedom.Thatisasignificantaccomplishment,Vega.Neverforgetthat.”“Astreasaidsheknewlittle

oftheFifthCircleexceptthatmyancestor,JasperJane,createdit.Apparently,hewas

keenondarksorcery.Anyway,shementionedthatitmightbethecircleoflostsouls.”Silenusstaredworriedlyat

me.“Lostsoulsareatrickybusiness,Vega.Verytricky.”“Howcanasoulbelost?

DespitewhatAstreasaidIthoughtifabodydied,sodiditssoul.”

“Oh,no.Thesoulisfarmoreresilientthanthebody,whichisactuallyquitefragile.Thesoulcanlivewithoutthebody.And,truthbeknown,thebodycanlivewithoutthesoul,butIwouldneverwanttoencounterasoullessbody.Idoubtthemeetingwouldbepleasant.However,abodylesssoulcan

bequiteniceandaccommodating.Insomeways,infact,thatmightbeanaptdescriptionofme.”“Well,that’snotsobad,”I

said.“Butdonot,forone

moment,believethatallsoulsdisenfranchisedfromtheirbodiesarelikethat,fortheyarenot.”

“Howdoyoumean,exactly?”“Anevilsoulremainsevil,

regardlessofwhetheritiswrappedinafoulbodyornot.Losingthephysicaldoesnotchangethesoul.Insomeways,itmakesitevenmoreevil.Thusitisagoodideatokeepahealthyskepticismofallsouls,Vega,untilyoucan

besureonwhatsideoftheledgertheyfall.”“Andhowdoesonetell

that?”Iasked,wide-eyed.“Well,agoodindicatoris

whethertheytryandkillyouornot.”Ihadasuddenideaandtook

outPetra’swand.“Yousaidyoucouldtellif

thisisaMaladon’swand?”

“Tapitagainsttheparchment,”saidSilenus.Idrewalongbreathanddid

asheasked.Silenusinstantlyvanished

fromthepage.Itappedmyownwand

againsttheparchmentandhereappeared.Westaredateachother.“AMaladon’s?”Isaid.

“Withoutdoubt.”Isaidgood-byetoSilenus

andputtheparchmentaway,mythoughtsnowfilledwithdread.IwalkedovertoDelph

whenitwasmyturntotakewatch.“Delph,weneedtotalk.”“’Boutwhat,VegaJane?”“Petra.”

Hesuddenlylookedsheepish.“We’rejustfriends.ItoldyouIfeltsorryforher.”“Idon’tcareifyoulikeher,

Delph.She’sprettyandtough,high-spiritedand,well,sortofamazing.”“Youmeanshe’slikeyou?”

heinterjected.Iwasabouttosay

somethingelsebuthadfrozen

athiswords.“Wh-what?”Istammered.“She’slikeyou.You’reall

thosethings.Andmore,VegaJane.Butyou’renotalikeinotherways.”IfeltmyselfturnredandI

couldn’tlookathim.“Whatdoyoumean?”“You’realwayshelping

folks.BackinWormwood,

thewayyouvisitedyourmumanddadandtookcare-ayourbrother.AndyouweretheonlyfriendIhadwhileothersmadefun-ame.AndbackattheOboluswiththatbloodyRubez,PetrawasjustfinewithLacklandhavingtoswimforit,becausesheknewsheneededyoutomakeitthroughtheQuag.Younever

wouldadonethat.”Welookedateachotherfor

alongmoment.Andthenwebothreachedoutatthesametimeandgrippedtheother’shand.Iwantedtodomorethanthat.Iwantedtokisshim,buthesaid,“YouwantedtotellmesomethingaboutPetra?”Ilookedathimandthen

slowlyletgoofhishand.“It’llkeep.Getsomesleep,”Iadded.AfterheleftIsatthere

thinking.Petracouldbeas

disconnectedfromherhistoryasIhadbeenfrommine.But,toborrowSilenus’sphrase,onwhatsideoftheledgerwouldsheeventuallyfall?

IknewatsomepointIwouldhavetoanswerthatquestion.Ionlyhopeditdidn’tcostmemylife.

THESUNROSE,muchtomyrelief.Assoonasweclearedaboutahalfmileofforest,wesawit.ThemountainthatDelph

andIhadseenonourveryfirstnightintheQuag—whichseemedacenturyagonow—roseaboveus,farcloserthaniteverhadbeenbefore.Thelandatthefootofthemountainroseswiftly,formingspinyridges.Theseridges,likethebacksofserpents,withdeepvalleysinbetween,grewsteeperand

steeperuntiltheyransmackintothefaceofthemountain.IeyedDelph.“Seemslike

wegooverthemountain.”Henodded,hisgazetaking

inallpoints.Whilethemountainstilllookedblueandstrippedoffoliage,fromourvantagepoint,wecouldseetheridgesleadinguptoitwerelushlyencasedingreen.

However,therewasnothingbeautifulaboutthisplace.Afterallwehadbeenthrough,Isawonlythestarkpossibilityofdeath.Wereachedthespinyridge

inthemiddleandstartedtoheadup.Thegoingwasrough.Thetreesandotherfoliageweredenselypackedandtheinclineswiftly

becamesteep.Thefootingwasnotsogoodeither,andweeachtooktumblesseveraltimes.Butwekeptgoing.Lacklandhadtousehis

sword,andDelphhisax,tocutawaythrough.Ifinallyendedupusingmywandtoblastapath.Thenwearrivedattheendandlookeddownintoabroad,flatvalleynearly

amileacross.Iglancedtomyrightandleft.Thepathhadjustendedinasheerrockcliff!Therewasnowaytokeepgoingup.Delphstoodnexttomeand

peeredintothevalley.Hesaid,“Guesswegodown,eh?”“IcanuseDestintotake

youdownonebyone,”Isaid.

“Youfirst?”IaskedLackland.Iknewhewasnotsokeenonflyingandwouldwanttogetitoverwith.Hesheathedhisswordand

tightenedthegriponhistuck.“Right,”hesaid,hisfacealreadyturninggrayandhisbrowsweaty.Ihadhimholdontothe

leatherstrapsonmyback.I

countedtothreeandthenweleapt.Well,Ileaptanddraggedasquirmy,heavyLacklandalongwithme.Ihadtododgepasttreecanopies,butwelandedsafelyandLacklandgratefullyplacedhisfeetbackonsolidground.IflewbackupforPetraand

thenDelph.

HarryTwowasthelasttocomedownwithme.Whenwealighted,Iunhookedhimfromhisharnessandlookedaround.Therewasnoonethere.“Delph?”HarryTwoyippedand

startedsniffingaround.“Petra?Lackland?Ifthisis

somesortofjollyonyour

part…”ButIknewitwasn’t.Theywouldneverdosomethinglikethat.HarryTwoandIracedhereandthere,exploringbehindtreesanddensefoliage,buttherewasnotonesignofthem.Mybellyburnedwith

anxiety.ThenIhadasuddenthought.Iraisedmywandandsaid,“Rejoinda,Delph.”I

preparedtoduckwhenhislargebodycameflyingatme,butitdidn’t.Everythingaroundusremainedstillandquiet.Iattemptedthesamespell

withLacklandandPetra.Nothing.“Crystiladomagnifica.”Allthatgotmewasaclose-

upoftreeswithnotoneliving

thinginoraroundthem.IlookeddownatHarryTwo,colddreadinvadingeverypartofmybody.Wewerealone.Ihadnoideawhattodo.Ihadneverfeltsofrantic.Irushedaroundscreamingtheirnames.Iwasamadfemale,allreasonstruckcleanfromme.Thenanotherthoughtfilled

mewithfreshpanic.Thiswastheplaceoflost

souls.Silenushadsaidthatthephysicalcouldbeseparatedfromthesoul,thoughanevilperson’ssoulwouldremainevil,whetherithadabodyattachedtoitornot.Hadtheybeentakenandtheirsoulsremoved?Ifso,whereweretheirbodies?

Stopit,Vega.Iwasactingasifitwas

certaintheyweredead.Icouldn’tthinkthatway.Ihadtofindthem.AndIwould.“Comeon,HarryTwo,”I

screamed.Hejumpedintohisharness

andIsprangintotheair.WesoaredalongandIdidlongbankingmovementstothe

rightandleftasIkeptmygazebelow,lookingforanysignofmycompanions.Isawnothingandmyspiritsplummetedandmynervesoncemorethreatenedtorunawaywithme.Thelongertheyweregone,themoreitseemedtheywouldbegoneforever.Icouldbarelybreathe.Iwassoscared,I

couldn’tevencry.ItwaslikeIhadbeenstruckbythesamespellIhadusedtofreezethejabbitbackatAstrea’s.AsIlookedup,Isawit

materializing.AtfirstIthoughtitwasanotherstormblowingupbecauseIhadbeenflyingforsolong.Onlyitwasn’tastorm.Iwouldhavepreferredastorm,

actually.Theskywassuddenly

blackenedwithflyingthings.Asonedrewclosetome,Icouldseethatitlookedlikeaninficio,onlyfarsmaller,aboutthesizeofHarryTwo.Buttheremusthavebeenthousandsofthem.Andtheywereallbearingdownonuswithclawedwingsand

screechingcries.Iwentintoadive.Icould

feelmycanine’srigidbodyagainstmychest.Icouldsensethethingsrightbehindme.Ievenfeltthetugsonmycloakasonegrabbeditwithitsclaws.Ispedupanddisappearedthroughacanopyofleaves.Iwasprayingthecreatureswouldnotfollowus

downhere.Myprayerswerenot

answered.Izoomedalongtheground

withtheswarmsclosingin.Ipointedmywandbehind

meandcriedout,“Engulfiado.”Asurgeofwatershotout

andasIlookedback,Isawitslamintothewallof

creatures,knockingmanyofthemdownandscatteringtherest.ButIknewtheywould

regroupandbeafterusagain.UpaheadIsawit.Ihadno

otherchoice.Ipointedmywandatthe

hugedoubledoorsofthemassivestonebuildingthathadjustappearedinmyline

ofvision.“Ingressio.”Thedoorssprangopen.I

lookedback.Theswirloffoulcreatureswasfeetfromus.Icouldseetheirrazor-sharpclawsandbeaksandthemurderouslooksintheireyes.HarryTwoandIzipped

throughthedoors.Pointingmywandbehindmeagain,I

criedout,“Securius.”Thedoorsslammedshutand

bolted.Asplitsecondlater,Icould

hearhundredsofthudsagainstthethickeneddoorsastheclawedcreaturesslammedintothewood.But,thankfully,thedoorsheld.IlandedandletHarryTwo

outofhisharness.Mychest

heaving,IwatchedthedoorsjustasIhadbackatStacksinWormwoodwhenthepairofjabbitswasafterme.Thatdoorhadnotopened.Itdidn’tlooklikethesewouldeither.Butthosefoulthingsout

there,hadtheyattackedDelphandtheothers?Hadtheycarriedthemawaysomewhereto…to…I

couldn’tthinkit.Ifeltthetearsnowrushtomyeyes.Itfeltlikemyhearthadbeenrippedcleanfromme.Imanagedtoregainabitof

calmandlookedaround.TheplaceremindedmeofStackswithitshighceilings,stonestairs,whitemarblebalustradesandarchedcolumnsleadingintoother

rooms.Istartedupthestairstoseewhatwasonthesecondlevel,whenIheardit.“MayIhelpyou?”Halfwayupthestairs,I

whirledaround,tryingtolocatethesourceofthewords.Mygazehadpassedoveracorneronthefirstfloor.ButthenIcamebacktoitasthe,well,whateverit

was,movedoutintotheopenwhereIcouldseeitclearly.Thefigurewasreallyjustan

outline.Thelightcominginthroughthehighwindowsshonerightthroughit,aswiththewendigo.“MayIhelpyou?”the

figuresaidagain.Islowlywalkedbackdown

thestairsandstoppedasthe

thingglidedovertome.Yes,itwasgliding,notwalking.Whenitdrewcloseenough,

Icouldseethatitwastheimageofatallmalebentwithage.Hehadonbootsandalongrobeopeninthefront.WithathrillIsawtheimageofthethreehooksimprintedacrossthebreastplatehewore.

“I’mlookingformyfriends,”Isaidquickly.“Therewerethreeofthem.Theyjustvanished.I’mveryworried.Please,canyouhelpme?”“Threefriendsvanished?”

hesaid.“Dearme,thatisnotgood.Iamsorry.”Helookedmeupanddown

andthengazedforamoment

atHarryTwo.“Ihaven’tseenacaninein

ages,”hesaid.HereacheddowntopetHarryTwo,buthishandpassedrightthroughmycanine.IsawHarryTwoshiverslightly.“Blast,”saidthemale.“I

forgotaboutthat.Oh,well.”“Whoareyou?”Iasked.I

alsowantedtoaskwhatwas

he.“MynameisorwasJasper

Jane.”Inearlyfellover.AndI

wouldhavebutIwasapparentlyfrozentothespot.“Well,I’mVegaJane,”I

managedtosay.Helookedatmecuriously.

“Weshareasurname.DoIknowyou?”

“Idoubtit.”Ipausedandthencontinued.“Isawyourgrave,”Isaidslowly.“AttheWolvercoteCemetery.”“Mybodyisburiedat

Wolvercote.Butmysoulisnot.Mysoulisrighthereinfrontofyou.’TisallIhaveleft.”Myeyeswidened.“Howdo

youseparateyoursoulfrom

yourbody?”“Therearetwowaysof

doingso.Forme,IdidsobecausemybodywasdyingbutIdidnotwanttofullyperish.Thus,usingmagicIremovedmysoulbeforemyphysicalselfbreatheditslast.”“Yousaidtherewasanother

way?”

“Yes.ButIdonotwishtodescribeit.Itistoohorrible.”Hesuddenlysawtheringon

myfinger.“Wheredidyougetthat?”heexclaimed.“Itbelongedtomy

grandfather.Whatdoesitmean?”Iasked.“Themark?”“ItisourTrinity.Our

mantra:Peace.Hope.Freedom.Preciselyinthat

order.”“Look,Ineedtofindmy

friends.Everysliverthatpasses—”Igulped.“I’mnotsureIcanhelp

you,notsureatall.Yousee,it’sreallynotmyplacetohelpthosetryingtopassthroughhere.”“Iknowthat!ButAstrea

changedhermind.She

trainedmeuptoescapehere.TotakeupthefightoncemoreagainsttheMaladons.”Thisallcameoutina

torrent.Helookedstricken.“Astrea?I…Helpedyouto

leavehere?Fightagain?Icanscarcelybelieveit.”InmymindIsearchedfor

somethingthatwouldmakehimseethathehadtohelp

me.Iheldupmywand.“Andthiswasgiventomebyanotherancestor,AliceAdronis.ShetoldmeIhadtosurvive.Tofight.Youhavetoseethetruth,Jasper,don’tyou?”Jasperwasnowstaringat

me,openmouthed.Hishandranupanddownthesymbolofthethreehooksonhis

breastplate.“Seewhat?”hesaidbreathlessly.“Eightcenturiesisbloody

longenoughtohide.AndtheMaladonswillfindus.Theywill.Ifthey’retrulyasevilaseveryonesays,theywillneverstoplooking.Well,Iwouldrathercomeoutofhidingandtakethefighttothem!”

Helookeddownatmywand.“Alice…Alicegaveyouthat?”“ItwasherElemental.And

nowit’smywand.Ithasastrandofherhairembeddedinit.”“Alicewasthemost

courageousofusall.”Heslumpedtothefloorandsattherecross-legged.“Thisis

quiteastonishing,”hesaid.“Quite.Wehadourplan,yousee.And…”“Andyoucarrieditoutvery

well.Butit’sovernow.It’sover!”“Howcameyouhere,tomy

castle?”hesaidsharply.“Iwaschasedbyflocksof

verylethalflyingcreatures.”“Oh,yes,thedreads,”he

saidabsently.“Thewhat?”“Thedreads.Mycreation.If

theyfollowedyouhere,they’llbewaitingjustoutside.Ifyouattempttoleave,theywillcutyouandyourcaninetopieces.Theynevergiveuponcetheyhavepreyathand.Dreadfulthings,hencethename.”

Mypatiencewasexhausted.“Fine.Ifyouwon’thelpme,I’llfindmyfriendsbymyself.”Iturnedandstartedtowalkoff.“Butthedreads!”Iturnedandshouted,“I

don’tcare.Icanfly,soIhaveachance.Andthey’remyfriends.Iwilldieforthem.Andifyouwon’thelpme,

thengotobloodyHel!”AssoonasIfinished

speaking,hevanished.Goodriddance.Werushedfromtheroom

andreenteredthemainhall.Istaredatthedoubledoorswherethedreads,accordingtoJasper,stilllurked.SoIknewthiswasprobablytheend.

IkneltdownandhuggedHarryTwo,pushingmyfaceintohisfur,breathinginhisscent.“Iloveyou,HarryTwo.Thankyousomuchforallyou’vedoneforme.”Helickedmyface,andinthosewonderfulmismatchedeyes,Icouldseethatmycaninewasmorethanreadytostandbymyside,anddiewithme.

Irose,mywandclutchedinmyhand.ButbeforeIcouldmouthmyincantation,thehugefrontdoorsburstopen.Iwassuretheopeningwouldbefilledwithdreadscomingtotearustopieces.Buttherewasnothingthere.Iduckedwhensomething

flewpastme.ItwasJasper.Onaflying

steed.Itwasastransparentashe.Helookedbackand

motionedformetojoinhim.IhookedHarryTwointothe

harness,leaptintotheairandfollowedJasperout.Catchinguptohim,weflew

sidebysideoverthedarkenedlandscapesbelow.“Wherearewegoing?”I

asked.“Tofindyourfriends.”“Doesthismeanyou’re

goingtohelpme?”“Obviously.”Heglancedat

meinconcern.“You’reclearlymagical,butyou’renot,well,slow,areyou?”“DoyoureallythinkIcould

havegottenthisfarifIwas‘slow’?”

“No,Isupposenot.”Ilookedaround.“IfIflytoo

long,astormwillcomeouttostopme.”“Notsolongasyou’rewith

me.”“Youcandothat?”“ThisistheFifthCircle.I

createdit.SoIcandoalmostanything.Almost.”Wesoaredforalongtime.

BelowusthenightturnedtolightandthenbacktonightandthenbacktolighteventhoughIknewthatcouldnotbepossible.ItwasallsosurrealthatafterawhileIjustaccepteditanditnolongerbotheredme.“There,”saidJasper,andhe

startedtorapidlydescend.Ifollowedhimdownward

andwetouchedthegroundaboutasliverlater.“Takeoutyourwand,

Vega.”Iimmediatelydidso.Jasper

Janehadnotstruckmeassomeoneeasilycowed.Buthelookednervousnow.Yet,Ithoughtwithsomemeasureofpride—wewerefamilyafterall—thathealso

lookedquitedetermined.“Wherearewegoing?”I

asked.“There,”hesaid,pointing

ahead.Icouldjustmakeitoutamid

aseaoftrees.ItlookedlikeSteeplesback

inWormwood,onlyitwasmadeoftheblackestwoodIhadeverseen.Itofcourse

hadasteepleandlongglasswindows.ButontheglasswerepicturesofthemosthorriblecreaturesIhopednevertosee.AndwhereasmySteepleshadacrossontop,thisonehadsomethingelse.Itgrewmoredistinctaswenearedthestructure.IrecoiledinhorrorwhenIsawthatitwasabodysplitin

half.“Whatis…thisplace?”I

said.“ThisistheTempleofthe

SoulTakers.TheirleaderisthehighpriestBezil,”saidJasper.“Atrulyevilcreature.”“Butholdon,youcreated

allofthis!Whichmeansyoucreatedhim.”

“Myjobwastopreventescapefromhereandalsoentryintohere,”saidJasper.“Icouldnotdosowithoutconjuringdarkforcespowerfulenoughtoachievebothgoals.Oncecreated,thesespeciesevolved.Theyhavehadeightcenturiestoturnevenmorediabolical.Theyforciblysplitthesouls

fromthebodiesofthoseunfortunateenoughtocrosstheirpath,devouringthelattertonourishthemselvesandthenturningthesoulsloosetowanderaimlessly.Thatisthesecondwaytoseveryoursoulfromyourbody.”“Howdidyouthinkofsuch

athing?”

Helookedatme.“IbaseditontheMaladons.”Thehorrorofthisleftme

speechless.Hesaid,“Yourfriendsare

assuredlyinthere.Ifyouwishtoleavethemtotheirfate,letmeknownowandwecanturnback.”Ashefinishedspeaking,hewatchedmesocloselyitremindedme

ofthewayAstreawouldlookatme.Therewasadefiniteairofappraisalinhisfeatures.“Ialreadytoldyou.Iamnot

leavingmyfriends.”“Capital,”saidJasper.“Buthowdowedefeat

theseblokes?”“Icandonothingtothem,”

hesaid.

“What?Thenwhydidyoucome?”“Toshowyoutheway.It

willbeuptoyoutodefeatthem.”Myspiritssank.“Canyouat

leastgivemeadviceonhowtodoso?”“Youneedtotrustyour

instincts,Vega.Andyourheart.Thatdidnotserveour

lotparticularlywellagainsttheMaladons,butthatisnottosayweshouldnottrustourheart.Afterall,itistheonethingwehavethattheMaladonsdonot.Goodluck.”“Wait,Ihaveonemore

question.”Helookedatme

expectantly.

“Whydidyouchangeyourmind?”“IfItrustedone‘soul’inmy

life,itwasAliceAdronis.Ifshewantedyoutosurvivetotakeupthefightoncemore,thenIwillnotstandinyourway.”Andwithaslightpop,

JasperJanewasgone.

ISTAREDUPATthewoodenbuildingwhosetimbersweresoblackthattheylookedtohavebeencharredinsomegreatfire.IglancedatHarry

Two.Mycaninewasnotsmiling,norwashistailbetweenhislegs.Hejustlookedserious.Andready.Thisgavemeabitofdesperatelyneededconfidence.Weapproachedthe

enormouspairofdoorsleadingintotheplace.Mywandheldtightlyinmyhand,

mygazedartingtoandfro,westoppedinfrontofthedoors.Ipointedmywandandsaid,“Ingressio.”Thedoorsswungsilently

open.ThoughthiswaswhatIhadintended,itdidnotmakemefeelanybetterthatthistempleofevilwasopeningsoreadily.Ipointedmywandagainandsaid,“Crystilado

magnifica.”Forthefirsttimeever,

nothinghappened.Noengorgedimagesappearedinfrontofme.Westeppedcautiouslythroughtheopening,andthedoorsslammedshutbehindus.ExpectingitasIwas,thisdidnotstartleme.Ihadotherthingstobringmeterror.

Startingwiththeinterioroftheplace.Everysingleinchofthe

wallsandglasswascoveredwithactsofdepravityandslaughterandmayhem.Itwaslikeamaniack’smindhadbeenopenedupandsplattered,likeblood,overthewallsandwindows.AsatSteeples,therewere

rough-hewnpewsliningthefloor.ButunlikethesimplebeautyoftheSteeplesseats,thesewerecarvedwithimagesofmiseryandtortureanddeath.Creaturesupanddownthewoodweredepictedkillingothercreaturesandthendevouringthem.Worstofallwerethecountenancesofthevictims,theirfaces

frozenforeverinsilenthorror.AsIlookedatthem,theyseemedtomoverightinfrontofmyeyes,asthoughthearmyoffoulthingsandtheirpitifulpreyhadsuddenlysprungtolife.Icouldsensethiswasmeant

toterrifyme.AndIwasterrified.Butthatwasnotthesameas

beingunreadytofight.“Embattlemento,”Icried

out,pointingmywandtotheright,whereawingedcreaturewithrowsofclawedappendagesshotatme.Itslammedintomyshieldspellandfelltothefloorinacrumpledand—gratefully—deadheap,itsnecksnappedfromthesudden

collision.IlookeddownatHarry

Two,whowasgnashinghisteethandgrowling.Aninstantlatermycaninehadleaptaheadofmeandattackedafiguredrapedallinblackfromheadtofoot,whichhadappeareddirectlyinfrontofus.“No,HarryTwo,”I

screamedout.ButHarryTwohadcaught

thethingrightattheneckandhisfangsbitdownhard.Thefigurefelltothefloor,apoolofgreenblooddrainingoutofitsneck.IpattedHarryTwo,who

hadimmediatelyreturnedtomyside,aswesteppedoverthething.Curious,Iknelt

downandliftedthehood.IwishedIhadn’t.ThefaceIwaslookingat

appearedtohavebeenlifteddirectlyfromtheflames.Theskinwasburnedandpoppedandcracked.ItlookedfarworsethanDelph’sdamagedarm.Andthebulbouseyes,anawfulmixofyellowandred,staredbackatme

malevolently,evenindeath.Ishuddered,droppedthe

hood,roseandhurriedon.Upaheadwasamonstrously

largestatuecarvedfromsolidrock.IthoughtthismightbeBezil.Hiscloakwasblack,hisskinwasburned,hisheadwasshavedandhiseyeswerefullofmalice.Heheldsomethinginhishands.AsI

drewcloserIcouldseeitwasadeadchild.Ipassedcautiouslybythe

statue,partofmesurethatitwouldsuddenlycometolifeandattackme,butitdidn’t.FartheronwasapairofhugedoorscarvedwiththesamemalignantimagesthatIhadseenonthepews.Idrewabreath,pointedmy

wandandsaid,“Ingressio.”Iknewthatjustbeyondthisportal,therewouldbethosewhowouldtryandpartmefrommysoul.Iknewitwouldbebad.

OnlyIdidn’tknowhowbad.Thedoorsswunginward

andwedrewforward.Ihadachievedgoodresultsfromnotsecond-guessingmyself

andsteppingboldlyintoasituation.Unpredictabilitycanbeagoodthingwhendealingwithheinous,evilincarnates,I’dfound.SoIsteppedboldlyintothe

room.Andscreamed.Delph,PetraandLackland

wereimmersedinthreeseparatepools.Thewaterwas

notclear,however,butfoul,darkandbubbly,andthereseemedtobethingsfloatingintheirdepths.Onlymyfriends’headswerevisibleandtheireyeswereclosed.AndwhileIstoodthere,theywereturningmoreandmoretransparent.Attheedgeofeachofthepoolswererobedandhoodedfigureswho

stirredthewaterswithlong,slendersilverrods.YetasIdrewcloserIcouldseethattherodswereactuallyclearandthatthesilvercolorwascomingfromthewaters,likeinkbeingsweptupintoaninkstick.Theirsoulswerebeing

taken!ThiswastheotherwayofstealingsoulsthatJasper

hadtoldmeabout.Myscreamshadalertedthe

robedfigures.Theyallturned,droppedtheirhoodsandrevealedtheirhideouslyscarredandcharredfaces.AsIturnedtotherightIsawanotherpoolthatwasempty.Iventuredthatwasmeanttobemine.BeforeIcouldmove,ahalf

dozenofthemflewatme,leapingthroughtheairwithaspeedandagilitythatwasdazzling.HarryTwo,though,wasnotnearlyasslowasIwas.Hemetoneofthemhead-onandIsawhislethaljawsclamparoundthefiend’sneck,anditwentlimpasmycaninebitdown.Iraisedmywandbutwasknocked

backwardbytwooftheSoulTakerssmashingintome.Theirclawedhandswereimmediatelyatmythroat,rippingandcuttingintome.“Impacto!”Theyblastedoffme,flew

acrosstheroomandcareenedintotwooftheirfiendishbrethrenwhowerechargingatme.Theyallfellintothe

poolcontainingLackland.Fourmorewereatmyside

inathrice.HarryTwolaunchedatanotherandtoppledhim,tearingatthecreature’sthroat.“Jagada,”Icriedout,

spinningaround,andtwoofthemimmediatelycollapsedwithcutsallovertheirbodies.

Ididn’twaitforthefourthtolaunchitselfatme.Pointingmywandatit,Isimplysaid,“Rigamorte.”Hefelldeadatmyfeet.IpointedmywandatDelph

andsaid,“Rejoinda,Delph.”Heflewfromthewatersand

soaredacrosstheroom,crashingintotwootherSoulTakerswhohadrushedinto

theroom,knockingthemout.Igrabbedathisarm.

“Delph,Delph,wakeup.Wakeup,please!”IheardHarryTwowhine

andIwhippedaroundandshouted,“Engulfiado.”Thepowerfultorrentof

waterhitapairofSoulTakers—whoweredraggingHarryTwoacrosstheroom

—withsuchforcethatitsmashedthemintothestoneandkilledthem.“Delph,please.Rejoinda,

Petra.”Petrasoaredoutofthe

watersasanotherpairoffiendsattackedmewiththelongrodstheyhadbeenusinginthepools.OneoftherodscollidedwithmyfaceandI

feltbloodspurtfrommynoseandcheek.“Embattlemento.”Therodsshatteredagainst

theshieldandsuddenlyDelphandPetraawoke.“Whatthe—”beganDelph.Petraslowlyrose,gazing

around,takingitallin,andthenlookedatme.Lacklandwassinkingdeeperintothedepthsofhispool.TheSoul

Takertherehadnotlefttoattackme.Hewasstillswirlingtherodinthewater.Lacklandwasnearlyoutofsight.Hissoulnearlyseparated.Fromanotherdoorwaya

dozenSoulTakersemerged,allarmedwithweapons,andchargedus.IlookedatPetra.Ourgazes

lockedforaninstant,butinthatshorttime,muchwascommunicated.Herlookwaspleading.SheknewIhadtakenherwand.Sheknew.Partofmedidn’twantto,buttheotherpartofmerealizeditwastheonlyway.Ifishedinmypocket,foundherwand,pulleditfreeandtossedittoher.Shegrippeditandturned

tofacetheregimentofdemonscomingatus.Ididlikewise,raisingmywandandshouting,“Impacto.”Amomentlater,Petra

screamedthesameincantation.Thecombinedspells

producedaforceofunparalleledpower.TheSoulTakerswerenot

merelyblownofftheirfeet.Theyweredisintegrated.IturnedtolookatPetraand

smiled.Shereturneditweakly.Thenshewashurledoffher

feetandbackintoherpool,wheresheimmediatelywaspulledunder.NextIwasbeingthrown

throughtheairandlandedin

thefourthpool.AndunderIwentaswell.Iopenedmyeyesandthoughthewaterwasdarkandfoul,IfoundIcouldseeclearlyenough.Thatwasnotagoodthing.Iknewwhowasfacingme.Bezil.Theblokefromthe

statue.Hiscloakwasbloodredandtherewasaheavychainaroundhisneck

withametaldiscattheendofit.Thesymbolengravedonthediscwasthatofthebodytorninhalfthatwasontopofhisbloodytemple.NowIknewitrepresentedtheseparationofthesoulfromthebody.Heheldaknifeineach

hand,hisexpressionmurderous.Ihadlostmy

wandandwaslookingdesperatelyinthewaterforit.Suddenly,ahandshotdownintothepool,grabbedBezilbythechainandwrenchedhimcompletelyoutofthewater.Ifoundmywandandused

Destintosoarupwardandbackintotheroom,coughingandsputteringasIflew.

Itwasquiteasighttobehold.Delphwasslamminghisfist

intothesideofBezil’shead.ButBezilwasfarmorepowerfulthanhelooked.HelashedoutatDelphandknockedhimheelsoverarse.IaimedmywandatBezil

butnevergotthespelloff.TwoSoulTakersattacked

me.AsIfoughtthem,ItriedtokeepDelphandBezilinsight.Theywerehavingatitanicstruggle,tossingeachotheracrosstheroom,rainingblowafterblowontheother.AsIfoughtoffmy

remainingSoulTaker,DelphrippedoneofBezil’sknivesfreeandslashedhimwithit.Thedemonsprangbackas

greenbloodsurgedfromthewound.Delphdidnotwaitamomentbeforepressinghisattack.HewasonBezillikeagarmonprey.Twoenormouspunchestothehead,whichIseemedtofeelfromacrosstheroom,andthebloke’seyesclosedandhisheadwentlimp.Delphpickedhimupandtossedhimbackintothe

poolofwater,wherehequicklysank.“Yes,Delph!”Iscreamedin

joy.Helookedatme,battered

butgrinningasIfinishedoffthelastSoulTaker.PetrahadgottenLackland

outofthepoolandalsosmashedtherodthathadbeenusedtosuckouthissoul.

Thoughhewasstaggeringaroundandgagging,helookedotherwiseunharmed.We’vewon,Ithought.Until

IsawDelph.“Uh,VegaJane?”said

Delph.Ilookedatwherehewas

staring.Bezilhadsoaredfreeofthe

pool.Hewasstandingneara

foulimageonthestonewall.Heraisedhishandsandspokeastreamofwords.Amomentlater,thewallopenedandoutmarchedahundredSoulTakers,withswords,lances,axesandknives,andbloodlustintheireyes.Therewasnowaywecould

beatthemall,evenwithtwowands.

“HarryTwo,”Icriedout,andpattedmychest.Mycanineleaptintohis

harnessandIsecuredhim.“Takemyhand,Delph.Lackland,takeDelph’shand.Petra,Lackland’s.”Wewerealllinkedtogether

now,withPetraandmeattheendsofthechain,ourwandhandsfree.Wewouldneed

them.Withbloodcurdling

screams,BezilandtheSoulTakersattacked.Ipointedmywandatoneof

thepairofgiganticstonecolumnsthatsupportedtheceiling.Outofthecornerofmyeye,IsawPetrapointhersattheother.“Severus.”

“Severus,”repeatedPetra.Enormouscracksripped

throughthecolumns.Theystartedtoshake.Andthentheybegantotopple.Wewerealreadyintheairbythen.Iturnedand,likeleavesstrungoutonavine,wesoaredforthedoorwaywhilethetemplebegantofallaroundus.Webarelycleared

thedoorwayastheroom’sceilingfellin,crushingBezilandhisfollowersbeneaththerubbleoftheirfoultemple.Howfitting!ButIwasterrifiedthatthe

restofthetemplewasgoingtocaveinonus,permanentlyentombingusheretoo.Weshotthroughthefrontdoorsastheytoppledinward.Free

ofthecrumblingtemple,wesoaredup,upuntilIcouldmaintainflightnolonger.Thenwefellfastandatasteepangle,slammingintothegroundandtumblingpainfullyacrossalongswathofdirtuntilwecametorestinaheap.AsIlookedup,Isawthe

entiretemplecrashinwardon

itself.Dustroseintotheairandthenitwasquiet.IlookedoveratDelph,who

wasstrugglingtohisfeet.Helookeddownatme.“Ithoughtweweregoners,”

hesaid.“Wealmostwere,”Isaid

back.IletHarryTwooutofhis

harnessandhelpedPetrato

herfeetwhileDelphpulledupLackland.IglancedatthewandPetrastillclutchedinherhand.“I’msorryItookitfrom

you,”Isaidsoonlyshecouldhear.Shelookeddownatit.“I

canunderstandwhyyoudid.”“Icouldn’thavedonethat

aloneinthere,”Isaid.“Ihope

youknowthat.”“Pet!”exclaimedLackland.

“Whereinblazesdidyougetthatthing?”Petralookedatherwand,

obviouslyunsurehowtoanswer.“Ihadaspare,”Isaid,

drawinganincredulouslookfromDelph.“Oh,”saidLackland.“Well,

thankallthat’sbleedingwonderfulforspares,eh?”Iwasstartledtofindthatwe

wereatthefootoftheBlueMountain.Onceweclearedit,IreckonedtheendoftheQuagwouldberightontheotherside.“Howdidyoufindus?”

askedDelph.“Ihadhelp.Fromafriend.”

Lacklandsaid,“Well,shouldwebeonourway?”Iglancedupsharplyatthe

mountain.Whatwasleftuptheretotryandstopus?Ilookeddownatmywand.Itseemedsotinyandinsignificant,yetithadservedmewellallthroughthecircles.Icouldonlyhopethatithadenoughmagicleft.

WECOVEREDFIVEmiles.Allnearlyvertical,untilweweresowearywecouldnolongerliftourarmsandlegs.Wemadecamponasmall

plateauthatallowedaviewacrosstheQuag.Oritshouldhave.Iturnedtoseewherewehad

comefrom.Ihadneverreallylookedbehindmewhilehere.Ihadalwaysbeenconcernedaboutwhatwasaheadofus.Butnothingwasbackthere

exceptdarkness,eventhoughitwasstilllight.Itwaslike

staringintotheheavensonastarlessnight.Therewasjustnothing.Ishiveredinvoluntarily.IlookedoveratDelph,who

washelpingPetramakethemeal.Theywerebothscarredfromtheirtimehere,DelphwithhisarmandPetra,herhand.Nodoubttheirmindswerescarredtoo,aswas

mine.Iobservedwithapangofjealousythattheyworkedwelltogether,seemingtoreadtheother’smind.Weateourmealanddrank

ourwater.Noneofusspoke.ItwasasthoughthebattlewiththeSoulTakershadrobbedusofsomethingimportantandwewerealltryingtofigureoutwhat.

Lacklandcarelesslyrubbedhisinjuredface.Delphrolleduphissleevetoexaminehisburnedarm.ButwhenIlookedoveratPetra,shewassimplylookingatherwandasthoughshehadneverseenitbefore.Iknewhowshefelt.Theweightofawandinone’shandcarriedwithitexpectationsandacertain

responsibilityequalperhapstothetonnageofthemountainwewereon.Petratookthefirstwatch,

andDelphandLacklandlaydownontheirbeds.IfollowedPetratotheperimeterwhereshewouldtakeupherpost.Iglancedatherwandand

decidedtocometothepoint.

Iwas,aboveall,apracticalWug.“Howmanyspellsdoyouknow?”Iaskedbluntly.Sheseemedtakenabackby

thisbutIplungedon.Wedidn’thavetimeforniceties.“TheRigamortespellisnotsomethingyoudoyourfirsttime,”Isaid.“Andtheotherspellsyouused,thoughIsaidtheincantationfirst,your

wandmovementswerespot-on.Sohowmanyspellsdoyouknow?It’simportant.”ItwaslikeIwastryingto

determinehowmanymortaroundswecollectivelyhadlefttofireatourenemies.IwasundernodelusionthattheFifthCirclewasfinishedwithus.IhadreliedonPetra’smagicalabilityto

escapetheSoulTakers.IknewIwouldneeditandheragain.Shesaidsharply,“What

doesitmatter?Icouldn’tsavemyfamilyfromthelycans,couldI?”Ipointedatthebitof

fingernailhousedinthebottomofherwand.“Thatwaspartofyouruncle,

wasn’tit?It’snothiswand.Hemadethiswandandgaveittoyou,didn’the?It’syourwand.”Shehadusedmywandtokill,butithaddamagedher.Shewieldedherownwandwitheaseandskill,whichtoldmeplainlyshehaduseditbefore.Shelookeddownatthe

wandandgrippeditmore

tightly.“Sowhatifhedid?”“Sohowmanyspells?”“Afew.Afewmorethan

theoneswealreadyused.Hewantedtoteachmemore,butthenightthelycanscame,wewereoffgettingwater.Agarmattackedus.Andkilledhim.”Shelookedatmefiercely.“AndIkilledit.ThatwasthefirsttimeIusedthe

deathspell.MyuncletoldmeIhadtofeel—”“Somethingmorethan

hatredorloathing?Andyouhadtofeelitwitheverybitofyourmind,bodyandspirit?”Shenoddeddumbly.Ithoughtitinterestingthat

webothhadlostlovedonestoagarm,sheheruncleandmemyfirstcanine.Andthat

wehadbothusedourfirstdeathspellonagarm.Shelookedatmywand.

“YoucandoloadsmorethanIcan.”“Well,Iwasproperly

trainedup,”Isaid,watchingherclosely.“Canyouproperlytrain

me?”shesaideagerly.Ihadbeenexpectingthis

request,butIstillwasn’tsurehowtoanswerit.Ilookedoveratadistant

spot.“Pointyourwandthatway.Theincantationisoneyou’veheardmeusebefore.Crystiladomagnifica.”Ishowedhertheproperwandmotion.Shereadiedherwand.“Focusyourmind,bodyand

spirit,”Isaid.“Andletthatcombinedenergyflowthroughyourwand.”Blimey!Allofasudden,IfeltlikeAstreaPrine!PetradidasIinstructedbut

failedthefirstthreetimes.Shedidnotgrowfrustrated,however,asIhadwhenattemptingthis.SheaskedmorequestionsandIgave

moreanswersandonhersixthtry,thelandscapethatwasmilesfromuswasnowmereinchesfromourfaces.Shelookedoveratmeand

beamedintriumph.Ireturnedthesmile,thoughnotquiteasenthusiastically.Thenwebothgazedatwhatwewouldbefacingthenextlight.“Isthatsmokecurlingup?”

shesaid.Isquintedtoseebetter,

thoughIshouldn’thavehadto.Theimagewasrightinfrontofme.Still,therewassomethingdistortedinthepicturethatmadeitdifficulttoclearlymakeoutthedetails.PerhapsPetrahadnotperformedthespellexactlyright.

“Itlookstobe.”Ipointedtoaspot.“Andthatmightbealittleshackwherethesmokeiscomingfrom.”“Sosomeonelivesthere?”

shesaid,soundingpuzzledandanxious.Icouldwellunderstandthat,

forwhowouldwanttoliveintheFifthCircle?“Iguesswe’llfindoutsoonenough.”I

hadanideaandsaid,“Maybewecanavoidclimbingthismountain.Maybewecanflytothetop.”“Ithoughtyousaidthat

wasn’tpossible.”“Itmightbenow.”“Howdoyoufigurethat?”“Assomeoneoncetoldme,

inhereanythingispossible.”AsIturnedtoleaveher,I

stopped.“Petra.DidyouruncleevermentionthetermMaladontoyou?”Iwantedtoseeherfirstand

trueexpression.“No,”shesaid.“Whatdoes

itmean?”“It’snotimportant.”

THENEXTLIGHT,wepackedourtucksandI

buckledHarryTwointohisharness.Iwasn’tgoingtoferrytheothersonebyone.Notafterwhathadhappenedlasttime.ForallIknew,othersliketheSoulTakerswerelurkingaround.Weweregoingtostaytogether.Dietogetherorsurvivetogether.Notalone.Neveragain.

WeheldhandsinalinelikelasttimeandthenIkickedoffandwesoaredclumsilyintotheair.Petrawasbringinguptherearwithherwandheldreadyinherfreehand.WesoaredalongandIhave

toadmitthattheviewfromupherewasspectacular.Closerupthemountainwasevenmorebluishthanit

seemedfromfaraway.Partsofitwerecoveredinfoliagebutothersectionswerebarerockwhereforsomereasonapparentlynoplantswouldgrow.Sofar,nodarkclouds

formedandtheairwasnicelycalm.IlookeddownbelowandspottedoncemorethecurlofsmokethatPetraandI

hadseenusingthemagnificationincantation.Fromuphere,Icouldmakeoutmoredetails.Theshackwehadalsoseenpreviouslywassmallandmadeentirelyofbluestone.Ibentmyheadforwardandweflewlower.NowIcouldseeapatchofbluedirtthroughthetrees.AndthenIspottedhim.

Hewasasmallmaleslowlytrudgingacrossthedirttowardthecottage,carryingastackofwoodnearlyaslargeashewas.Thiswaspresumablyfuelforthefirethatwasthesourceofthesmoke.Hewasdressedinoldruggedtrousers,acheckeredshirtand—IcouldmakeitoutasIdippeduslower—a

redcapwhosepeakedtopbentoverabit.Ididn’tfancyanencounter

withanothercreatureintheFifthCircle.Ithoughtwecouldsimplyflytothetopofthemountaininstead.AssoonasIfinishedthis

thought,thestormwasuponussofastIbarelyhadtimetodrawanotherbreath.Petra

screamedandLacklandbellowedasskylightspearsshotsideways,soclosetousthatIthoughttheymust,attheveryleast,impaleus.Thunder-thrustshitwithsuchforcethattheyknockedusacrossthesky.IcouldfeelmygriplooseningonDelph’shand.Thenanotherscreamjarredmeback.

IlookeddowntoseePetratumblingdownward.Lacklandstaredupatme,

shockonhisfeatures.“She…shejustslipped.”Ithadbeenhimscreaming,

nother.“Holdon,”Iyelled.Iwentintoadivethatputso

muchtorqueonmyshoulderwithDelphhangingontome

thatIthoughtmylimbwouldpartwayswithmybody.IsawthatIwouldnotreach

herintime,butthenIdidn’thaveto.Ipointedmywandandsaid,“Lassado.”Thethinlightexploded

frommywandtip,encircledPetra’swaist,andIwhippeditupward.Shesoaredtowardus.

“Lackland,grabherfoot.”Hedidsoandheldon.“Idon’tthinkshe’s

conscious,”hecriedout.“Hereyesareclosed.”“Isshebreathing?”I

shouted.Myfirstthoughtwasthatshehadindeedbeenhitbyaskylightspear.“I…don’tknow.Ithink

so.”

Iaimedmyheaddownwardasthestormragedaroundus.WeslammedintothegroundfarharderthanIhadintended,butIwasupinaninstantandkneltnexttoPetra.Shewasonherback,hereyeswereclosedandherfeatureswerescrewedupinpain.“Petra?Petra!”

Islappedherfacewithmyhand.Hereyespoppedopenand

shelookedwildlyaround.“What!Where?You?”“Areyouhurt?”Ilookedheroverandsaw

noobviousinjuries.MygazewentbacktohersasDelphandLacklandpeeredovermyshoulder,theirfacesanxious.

Isaid,“Younearlydied.Wejustcaughtyouintime.”Sheslowlyroseandtouched

herhead.“I…IguessIblackedout.ThelastthingIrememberwas…”“Hullo?”Weallwhippedaroundand

staredatthethingthathadspoken.Itwasthelittlemalewith

theredpeakedcap.Wehadlandednearhisshack.AsIlookedaround,Icouldseeitandthecurlofsmokebarelytwentyyardsaway.“Whoareyou?”Iasked.He

lookedatmewithsoftbrowneyesandaveryfriendlycountenance,whichimmediatelyputmeonmyguard.Friendlydidnotreally

existhere.Iwellknewthat.Cunningandmurderous,yes,butnotfriendly.“IamcalledAsurterof

Muspell,”hesaid,hisvoicehighandsqueaky.“Muspell?”Isaid.“Isthat

whatthisplaceiscalled?”“ItiswhatIcallit,”said

Asurter,whocamebarelyuptomywaist.Indeedhewasas

smallasEonbackinWormwood,thoughhisskinwasquitered.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

askedDelph.“IcutwoodandIkeepmy

firehot.”Ilookedoverattheshack.“It’swarm,”Isaid.“Doyou

reallyneedafire?”“Ialwaysrequireafire,”

repliedAsurter.“Doyouneedfoodorwatering?”Welookedatoneanother.I

wantedtopushonbut,thoughthestormhadclearedassoonaswetouchedground,Iknewwewouldhavetolaborupthemountainonfootnow.Isaid,“Thatwouldbevery

nice,thankyou.”

AsAsurterturnedhisback,Igavetheothersasigntobeontheirguard.Theblokemightbeokay,andthenagain,hemightnot.Wewalkedpastatruly

enormousstackoffirewoodallneatlycutandcubbied.Asurtergatheredupastaggeringamountofwoodinhisarmsandledusintothe

shack.Ithadlookedhumbleandsmallontheoutside.Anditlookedthesameontheinside.Thewallsweresimplythebacksidesofthestonesthatformedthehouse’soutside.Thefloorwasdirt,thefurnishingslimitedtoonechairandonetable.Dominatingthespacewasastonefireplacethattookup

oneentirewallfromthefloortothepeakoftheceiling.AssoonaswegotinsideitwassointenselyhotthatIstartedtosweatandIhadtoshieldmyeyesfromtheharshglareoftheflames.Ilookedattheothersand

sawtheywerehavingthesamereaction.WhenItookasteptowardtheflames,Ihad

toimmediatelydrawbackbecauseoftheheat.YetAsurterwalkedrightuptotheopeningofthefireplaceandputthestackofwoodonit.Theflamesinstantlyshottoafulltenfeetinheightandseemedtothreatentoescapetheboundsofthefireplace.Blimey,Ithought,nowonderhisskinissoredifhe

getsthatclosetotheflames.Heturnedbacktousand

said,“Foodandwater?”Hepointedtothetableand

wesawthatfoodhadindeedappearedthere.Andwater.Onlythefoodwascharredblack.AndwhenIwenttopickupagobletofwater,Idroppeditbecausethemetalwasburningtothetouchand

thewaterwasboiling.Asurterseemednottonotice

this.Hewentbackoutsideandreturnedwithanotherloadofwood.Hethrewitonandtheflamesleapteverhigher.Ilookedattheothersand

sawtheirconcernbuilding.Delphpointedafingeratthedoor.

“Well,thanks,Asurter,we’lljustbegoingnow,”Isaid.Heturnedtolookatme.

“Going?Goingwhere?”BeforeIcouldstophim,

Lacklandsaid,“Upthemountainandoutofthisplace,that’swhere.”IfrozebecauseIcould

sensesomethingbuilding.

JustlikeIhadwithLadon-ToshintheDuelumbackinWormwood.Asensationofenergy,ofpoweramassing,onlyatarateathousandfoldgreater.“Run!”IscreamedasI

hurtledforthedoor.Asurterwasnolonger

small.Infact,hewasgrowingsofastthatheburstthrough

theroofoftheshack.Andhelookednothinglikehehadbefore.Hewasgigantic,withlonghairandabeardthatreachedtohiswaist.AndifAsurterhadbeenred,thisthingwasaflame.Trulyaflame,hisbeardwasonfireagainsthischest,hishairlikewise.Wedashedoutside.Aswe

lookedback,Asurterhadgrowntoaheightofahundredfeet.Andwhathedidnextmademylungsseizeup.Hereacheddowntothegroundandgrippedsomethingmetallicthatappearedtohavebeendrivenintothedirt.Ashepulleditfree,weall

sawthatitwasaswordset

afirethatwasfullyhalfaslongasAsurterwastall.Whenheturnedtolookatus,itwasterribletobehold.Hisfacewassimplyamassofflames.Andwhenhismouthopened,thescreamcomingfromitcouldhavemeltediron.Fortunately,Ihadrecovered

mysensesandcriedout,

“Embattlemento.”Theflamesmetthespell

head-onandthankfullythespellheld,thoughthemagicalshieldwaswhitehotandIfelttheheatemanatingfromitthoughIwastwentyfeetaway.Myvictorywasshort-lived.Asurterturned,raisedhis

swordandsmotetheground

behindhimaterrificblow.Firehitthegroundandthenflamestoweredahundredfeetintheair.And,aswewatchedhorrified,thelineoffireracedrightupthefaceofthemountain,settingafireeverythinginitspath,movingfasterandfasterasitwent,sothatittraveledfromwherewewereallthewaytothetopof

theBlueMountainwithsuchvelocityitmademyheadspinandvanishedthebreathfrommylungs.Andthenithappened.ThetopoftheBlue

MountainblewoffwithaforcesopowerfulIhadneverwitnessedanythingclosetoitbefore.Thoughweweremanymilesfromit,theforce

knockedusallfortyfeetintotheair,andwerolledandtumbledacrossgroundthatwasnowheavingandpitchinglikeaboatonastorm-tossedsea.Whenwefinallycametoa

stopandmanagedtolookup,theentiremountainwasonfireandawallofflamingmasswasroaringdownthe

longsloperightatus.Itwasathousandfeettallandmilesacross.Itwasunstoppable.Itwascomingrightforus.TheFifthCirclehadjust

won.

RUN,VEGAJANE!”screamedDelph.Icouldsensehimbeside

me,tuggingonmyarm.ButIdidn’tlookathim.Icould

hearovertheroarofthemountainoffireheadingourwaythatLacklandwasfleeingdownthesideofthemountain,screamingforustorunashewent.Fromthecornerofmyeye,

IcouldseePetraonherknees,herheadbowed,awaitingtheend.AtmyfeetwasHarryTwo.Hewas

doingthesamethingIwasdoing—staringatfierydeathcomingourway.Ilookedatmywandand

knew,despiteitsconsiderablepower,thatitwouldnotbenearlyenough.TheflamefromAsurter’smouthhadnearlybuckledmyshieldspell.Whatwascomingnowwasamilliontimesmore

powerful.MyEngulfiadospellwouldsimplyturntomistinthefaceofit.IhadDestinaroundmy

waist,butIcouldnotflyushighenoughtoescapetheflames.AndasIcontinuedtowatch,themostamazingthinghappenedtome.Mypanicceasedanda

peacefulcalmtookover.I

don’tknowifitwassimplyresignationthatmylifewouldbeendingmomentarily.Orsomethingelseentirely.AsDelphkepttryingtopull

meaway,myfeetseemedtobecomeevenmoredeeplyrootedtothisspot.Thiswasmylaststand.I

woulddiehere.OrIwouldsurvivehere.Itwouldbeone

ortheother.ThisIclearlyunderstood.Iputmyhandinmycloak

pocketandwithdrewtheFinn.Idon’tknowwhatmademethinkofit,formanythoughtswereflashingthroughmymindatthatpoint.Ihadretiedtheknotsonthe

Finn.Ilookeddownatit,

unsurewhatwouldhappenonceIdidwhatIplannedtodo.Iundidthefirstknotonthe

Finn.Thewallofflameshit

Asurter’sshackanditevaporatedintosteam.Iundidthesecondknoton

theFinn.ThewallhitAsurterandall

onehundredfeetoftheblokedisappearedintonothing.Nownothingstoodbetween

usandcremation.“VEGA!”Delphscreamed.ButIwasnotlistening.I

waswatchingourdeathcomingatuswithunfathomablespeedandferocity.Iundidthethirdandfinal

knotoftheFinn.Itwastheonlyonethathadnotbeenuntiedbefore.Andwhenmyfingersletgoofthefreedstring,Iwasn’tsurewhatwasworse:theflames…OrwhatIhadjust

unleashed.Iwascatapultedstraight

intotheskywithsuchforcethatIcouldfeelmylungs

collapse,mybrainspinandmyclothesnearlyripfrommybody.TheFinnhadbeenwrenchedfrommygrasp.Thewindthatwaspropellingmealsoshotoutwardlikeatitanicwave,andithitthemightywallofflameswithacataclysmicblowthatIthoughtnothingcouldsurvive.HadIstillbeen

groundbound,IwassureIwouldhavedisintegratedfromtheeffectsofthiscollisionbeyondallcollisions.ItsweptoverthespotwhereIhadbeenwithsuchpowerthatIhadtoclosemyeyes.IwasafraidthatmymindcouldnotcontainwhatIwasseeing,thatitwouldsimplyburstifIdidn’tstop

looking.Butfinally,Ihadtoopen

myeyes.Ilookeddownandfroze.Itwasn’tjustthattreeswerebentover.Itwasn’tthatrockwassmashedflat.Itwasn’tthatthefirehadbeenquashed.Truly,allofthosethings

happened.Butsomethingelse

happenedtoo.TheentireBlueMountain

wasgone.Itwaslaidflatasthepalmofmyhand.Therewasnothingleft.Andnotonlyweretheflamesextinguished,buttherewasnotevenawispofsmokeleft.TheairwasasclearasIhadeverseenit.AndIhadabird’s-eyeview

ofthis,becauseIwasnearlyamilehigh.IthadnothingtodowithDestinbecausealltheotherswereuptherewithme.Delph,Lackland,PetraandHarryTwo.Wewereallsuspendedintheskyasthoughropesfromabovehadglideddownandencircledus.Nexttousourtucksfloatedintheair.

EverythinginthepathoftheFinn’sthirdknotofpowerwasgone.Asfarastheeyecouldseeahead,therewasnothing.ItwaslikesomeonehadrolleduptheFifthCircleandtakenitaway.Andthen,asquicklyasthe

mightywindhadcome,itleftus.Andwestartedtofallas

thoughtheropesfromabovehadbeensevered.Iconfesstohavingbeenina

tranceasIwatchedeverythingbelowusvanquished.Butnow,asweplummetedtoourdeaths,thetranceended.Iflippedoverintheair,shot

tomyleft,grabbedHarryTwoandbuckledhimin.The

otherswerebelowme,fallingfast.IpointedmyheaddownandshottowardDelph,whowasnearest.Ipointedmywandandcriedout,“Lassado.”Iropedhiminand,without

missingabeat,zoomedtowardPetraanddidthesamewithher.NowonlyLacklandwaslefttosave.Iturnedin

midairandacceleratedtowardhim.AsIdrewnearer,Isawit

fromthecornerofmyeye.Aboltoffire.Howcould

thatbe?Iturned.Asurterhadrisenfromthe

flattenedearth.HowhecouldhavesurvivedthewalloffireandthethirdknotoftheFinnwasinexplicabletome.Yet

hehadsuffered,forthoughhewasstillagiant,hewasnolongeraflame.Hewasbutacharredruin.Buthehadsomefireleftin

himandhadjusthurleditdirectlyatus.Iscreamedout,“Embattlemento.”Theboltoffirehitmy

shieldandexploded.ThenIpointedmywandatAsurter

andsaid,“Impacto.”Asurterwasblastedintoa

thousandfragmentsandwasnomore.ItwasthenthatIheardthe

screamandturnedback.Intimetoseeaflailing

Lacklandstrikethegroundwithanalmightythud.Andthenhelaystill.Ipointedmyselfstraight

downandracedtothedirt,hittingsohardthatwealltumbleddown.IranwithHarryTwostillbuckledtomychestandreachedLacklandbeforetheothershadregainedtheirfooting.Ikneltdownnexttohim.

Hisbodylookedcrushed,buthewasstillalive.Helookedupatmeanda

strangesmileplayedoverhislips.“Wedonegood,eh?”he

managedtomumble.Myhandsfishedthrough

mypocketsfortheAdderStone.“Justhangon,Lack.”“Donegood,eh,”hesaid

again,moreweakly.“Justhangon.”

“Donegood,”hewhispered.IfoundtheStoneandheldit

overhim.“It’llbeokay.”“Done…eh?”Heclosed

hiseyes.Iwishedgoodthoughts,the

bestIeverhad.IwavedtheStoneoverandoverhisbrokenbody.IkeptdoingitevenasDelphandPetraranupandkneltdownnexttous.

“Lack!”saidastunnedPetra.“It’llbeokay,”Isnapped.

“I’vegottheStone.”Delphlookeddownat

Lacklandandthengrippedmyshoulder.“VegaJane.”“It’llbeokay,”Isaid,tears

startingtofalldownmyface.“VegaJane,”hesaidsoftly.“It’ll…it’ll…theStone.”

Goodthoughts,Vega.Lack,you’llbeokay.Almostthere.Ididn’tseePetrareach

downanduseherhandtocloseLackland’seyes.Ididn’tseeDelphtakethe

Stonefrommyhand.Ididn’tseeHarryTwolie

downnexttoLacklandandnudgehishandwithhissnout.Ididn’tseeanyofthis

becauseIhadclosedmyeyes.IhadclosedmyeyesbecauseIknewifIkeptthemopenasecondlonger,Iwouldnevermovefromthisspoteveragain.ThatIwouldjustdierighthere.RightnexttoLackland.

Whohadjustdied.TheStonecouldnotbring

backthedead.Iknewthat.I

hadalwaysknownthat.IfeltDelphgentlyhelpme

tomyfeetandturnmeawayfromthebody.“We’lltakecare-ait,Vega

Jane.It’llbeokay.”Iwentandsatonthe

ground,mybacktothem,astheydugtheholeandlaidLacklandCyphersintoit.HarryTwosatnexttome.

Hissnoutnudgedmyhand,butforthefirsttimeever,Ididnotpethimwhenhedidso.Thesacrificethateveryone

hadwarnedmeabouthadjustcomeintheformofamortalblowtooneofus.Deathwasallaroundhere.Butwehadalwaysmanagedtojustskirtit.Ihadknowntheoddsofall

ofusgettingthroughtheQuagwereabysmallysmall.Astreahadtoldmethat.Butsheneedn’thave.IhadnotknownLackland

long.ButIhadknownhimlongenough.Andhislossateatmeinthe

waythatsuchalossalwaysdoes.Inawaythatsuchalossalwaysshould.

Whenthelastbitofdirthadcoveredhisremains,DelphandPetrarejoinedme.“’Tisdone,”saidDelphquietly.“’Tisdone.”Iopenedmyeyesatlastand

lookedupathim.Tearsstainedhisface.IlookedatPetraandsawthesamethere.Ilookedbackatthemound

ofdirt.Iroseandwalkedover

toitandlookeddown.Ipointedmywand,andachunkofcharredwoodflewforwardandplanteditselfattheheadofthemound.Usingmywandasaninkstick,Iwrotethewordsonthewood.HereliesLacklandCyphers,agoodfriendtotheend.ThenIplacedashieldspell

overthemoundtokeephis

finalrestingplacesafe.Iturnedandlookedahead.

Withamountainnolongerintheway,ourpathwasquitestraightforwardnow.Thoughnothingwasquiteasstraightforwardasitappeared,wasit?Certainlynotinthisplace.Igrabbedmytuckfrom

whereithadfallentothe

ground,andhoistedit.IpassedbyDelph,Petraand

HarryTwo.Iwaschangednow.Iwas

different.Icouldfeelitineverycreviceofmybeing.Ihadbeentheleader.Yetareluctant,hesitant,unsureone.ThenIhadgrownmoreconfident,pilingvictoryontopofvictory.Thorneandthe

circles.Nowsomethingelsehadhappened.Somethingcatastrophic.OneoftheonesIhadled,

whohadtrustedmetogethimthroughthissafely,nowlaydead.Yes,Iwaschanged,completely.Andforever.Withmywandinhand,Iled

thewayoncemore.Totheend.

Tothebloody,bloodyend.

ISENSEDTHATIcouldnowtaketotheairifIwantedtowithoutthethreatofastormrisingtostopme.Butevenwiththat,Idecidedthatwe

wouldwalkthroughthelastbitoftheQuag.Forsomereason,itjustseemedliketherightthingtodo.Soonwemarched.DelphandPetrahadnot

attemptedtotalktomeafterburyingLackland.Iappreciatedthis,becausehadIbeenfaster,therewouldbefiveofusnearingtheendof

thisjourney,notfour.Itwasmyfaultandminealonethathewasdead.JustlikeDufDelphia’slegs.Ihadfailed.Iglanceddownatmyhand

whenitstartedtoburn.Istoodthereparalyzed

whenIsawit.Onthebackofmyright

handsomethingwasmaterializing.

MyhandstartedtoshakesobadlythatIdroppedmywand.Ihadtoholdmyburninghandwiththeotherone.ThenthepainshotstraightupmyarmandIdroppedtotheground,screaming.Irolledandthrashed.WhenIfeltsomethinggrabme,Ikickedandpunchedtomakeitletgo.

IopenedmyeyesandsawthatDelphandPetrahadtakenholdofme,tryingtocalmme,tryingtoseewhatwaswrong.Andthen,justlikethat,thepainwasgone.Myhandandarmfeltnormal.Delphcriedout,“Bloody

Hel,VegaJane,whatisit?What’swrong?”Islowlysatupandlooked

downatmyhandwhereamomentbeforeithadfeltlikeagarmhadbittendownonit.“HolySteeples,”criedout

Delphwhenhesawit.“Whatisthatthing?”

exclaimedPetra.Onthebackofmyhand

werethethreehooks.ThesymbolofPeace.Hope.Freedom.

Itwasonmygrandfather’shand.Nowitwasonmine.Andthiswasnotinkthat

couldbeeasilyerased.Iknewitwasburnedintome,probablyfromtheinsideout.IknewsomehowthatIwouldhavethismarkuntilmylifewasover.Iroseonshakylegsand

retrievedmywandwhereit

hadfallen.“It’sjustamark,”Isaid

calmly,thoughIfeltanythingbut.“But,VegaJane—”began

Delph.“I’mfine!”Ibarked,and

thensaidinanormaltone,“I’mfine.DidyouexpectthatIwouldescapethisplacewithoutsomesortofscar?

Bothofyouhaveyours.AndHarryTwo.”Itriedtosaythisinajokingway,butIknewmytoneranghollow.Thiswasnotanormalscarorwound.Thiswassomethingmore.Farmore.IfeltlikeIhadjustbeen

branded.AndI’dhadnosayinthematteratall.Ihatedthisplace.Itrulyhatedevery

squareinchofit.“Let’sgeton,”Isaid.“Let’s

justfinishthis.”

FORTHREELIGHTSwewalkedacrossavastplain.Itwasinconceivabletomethatamajesticmountainhadrestedhereforovereightcenturiesuntilitwastoppledbyapegofunknottedrope,

leavingonlyflatnessinitswake.Onthefourthlight,Islowed

whenIsawitjustupahead.Ashimmeringglare,as

thoughlightwasbeingreflectedoffsomething.Aswedrewcloser,ourpace

slowedevenmore.Afterallwehadendured,Ididnotwanttorushheadlonginto

somethingthatwouldleaveuspacesshortofourgoal.“Whatdoyoureckonthat

is?”askedDelph,atlastbreakingthesilencethathungoveruslikeafuneralpall.Igazedattheshimmerbut

couldnotanswerhim.Asdarknessstartedtofall,theshimmerdidnotdiminish.Thelighthittingitthuswas

notcomingfromthesky.Aswegrewcloserthe

answerstruckme.Thelightwascomingfromtheotherside.Whichmeant,Irealized

withathrill,thatwehad,atlast,reachedtheendoftheQuag.IglancedatPetraandthen

lookedatherwand.She

noddedandgrippedittightly.“Loosely,”Imurmured.“

’Tisapartofyounow,Petra.”Isawherfingersloosen

aroundthewand’sbase.Shestoleaglanceatmeand

inthatlookIrealizedshehadsomethingonhermind.Imovedovertoherandlookedatherexpectantly.

“Whatisit?”Iasked.“Lack,”shesaid.“Itwasmyfault,”Isaid.

“I’mtheleader.”“No,”shesnapped.“Itwasmyfault.”“What!”“Youweresavingusfrom

thatflamebloke.Ihadmywand.Icouldhavesavedhim.”Shelookedather

boots.“ButIdidn’t.Ifroze.Ibloodywellfroze.Andnowhe’sdead.Becauseofme.”Shesatdownontheground

andstartedtosob.Delphlookedoveratusanxiously,butIwavedhimoff.IsatnexttoPetra,tryingtothinkofsomething,anything,tomakeherfeelbetter.“DoyouknowwhyIcame

intothisplace?”Isaidatlast.Herweepingslowedandshe

saidhesitantly,“Toescape,getout.”“No.Ijustwantedtoknow

thetruth.WhereIlived,therewasnotruth.Iwantedtofinditinhere.”Shelookedupatme.“Why

isthetruthsoimportant?”“It’sthemostimportant

thingofall,Petra.Withoutit,wedon’tmatter.Nothingmatters.”Istoodandheldoutmy

handforhertotake.“Yousavedmylifebackthere.Yousavedallofourlivesbackthere.That’sthetruth.Andnowallwecandoiskeepgoing.That’sall.Lacklandwouldcertainlyhavewanted

that.Ithinkyouknowthat.”Sheslowlyreachedout,

tookmyhandandstood.Wewalkedon,cautiously,

everynerveandsensealert.Thenwesawthatthe

shimmerhadturnedintosomethingmoresubstantive.Itwasawall.Abloody

wall.LikebackinWormwood.Onlythisone

wasmostlytransparent.ButIknewitwasalsofarmoreimpenetrablethanmerewoodandstraps.WhathadAstreatoldme?I

strainedmymindtothinkbacktoherwordsasshelaydyinginherbed.Webuildwallsbecauseweareafraid.Wedonotlikechange.Wedonotlikeit

whenotherswhodonotlookorthinklikeuscomealongandtryandchangethings.Thuswerunfromit.Or,evenworse,attackit.Withthosewordsinmind,I

tookastepback.Thiswallhadbeenbuilttodotwothings:keepusinandthemout.Itwasastakedrivenrightbetweentworacesthat

hadfoughtawar.Onewasinhiding.Onewasonthehunt.Ihadasuddenthought.Wasmygrandfatherout

there?Myparents?HowwouldIfindthem?Howwouldwehelpdowhatneededtobedone?Isatonmyhaunchesand

lookeddownatmywand.Ihadexhibitedresources

andapluckintheQuagthathadoftenastonishedme.Inthemidstoftheviolenceofthingstryingtokillme,Ihadrisentothechallengeand,withthehelpofmyfriends,survived,defeatingfoesthatintruthshouldhavevanquisheduswithlittletrouble.YetIalsoknewthatIhad

neverfacedoffwithafullytrainedMaladonwhohadgrownupintheworldofsorcery.AnddespitewhatAstreahadsaidaboutmehavingexceptionalpower,thetruthwasthatIwasyoungandinexperienced.Andthatcouldprovetobefatalatsomepoint.Delphsquattedononeside

ofme,andPetraontheother.Theybothlookedatmequestioningly.“Whatnow,VegaJane?”

saidDelph.Ipointedmywandatthe

shimmerandinvokedthemagnificationspell.However,thespellfailedmeasithadattheSoulTakers’temple.Allwesawwas

exactlywhatwecouldseewithoureyes.Theshimmer,whichreflectedbackourimagesandpresentsurroundings,likeavastlookingglass.Ipointedmywandatthe

shimmerandtriedvariousspells.Petrajoinedmeinthehopethatourcombinedwandscouldaccomplishwhat

asingleonecouldnot.Nothinghappenedother

thanthespellshitthewallandthensimplyvanished.Foroneintenselyuncomfortablemoment,Iimaginedthatwe’dcomeallthisway,foughtthishard,lostoneofourmembers,onlytobeforeverforestalledbythislastobstacle.Ifsorcerycouldnot

overcomeit,ifthelimitedspellsthatIknewcouldnottouchit,thenwhattheHelhadthisjourneybeenfor?Inmyagitation,Ikickedoff

andshotstraightuphigher,higher,ashighasIhadeverflown.AndthenIpointedmyheadforwardandputonaburstofspeed.IwasrepelledsofastwhenIhitthewallthat

Iwastossedheelsoverelbowsbackwardagoodtwohundredfeetbeforeregainingmyequilibrium.Ihoveredthereintheair.AndthenIlookeddowntoseetheothersstaringupatme.“Standback,”Icalleddown

tothem.Ilookeddownatmywand,

willedittoitsfull-size

Elementalstatus,andhurleditatthewall.Itglancedoff,didaslowarcandflewbackintomyhand.TheElementallooked

undamaged.Butsodidthewall.Ihadneverknownthe

Elementaltofailme.Yetitjusthad.Ihadnospellsleftto

conjure.Ihadnoweaponslefttotryagainstit.Ihadnothinglefttothrowatthebloodything.Islowlyheadedbacktothe

groundandsimplystoodtherestaringupatthewall,wonderingwhattodo.HowcouldIbeatit?Ihadbeenfacedwithmanysuchobstacles.Ihadovercome

themall.Untilnow.IlookedoveratDelphand

Petra.“Anyideas?”Isaid,readilyconcedingbymywordsthatIwascompletelyoutofthem.Theyshooktheirheads.IwishedLacklandwere

heretogivemeHelfornotknowingwhattodo.Ineededtohearhistaunts.Andwhile

AliceAdronisthoughtIwouldbetheonetoleadtheminarenewedfightagainsttheMaladons,Iwouldn’thavefollowedmyselftotheHighStreetbackinWormwood.Ihadneverfeltsuch

depressioninallmylife.Icouldbarelybreathe.Icouldbarelythink.AndwhatIdidthinkwasallaswrongas

wrongcouldpossiblybe,tousemygrandfather’swords.WhenIlookedoveratDelph,IcouldtellheknewexactlywhatIwasthinking.Butrightnow,hecouldnothelpme,nomatterhowmuchhewantedto.YetwithallIwasfeeling,I

hadtosmilewhenHarryTwolickedmyhand.Ipettedhim.

Helickedsomemore.Andthengrippedmyringwithhisteeth.Thenhesatbackonhishaunchesandbarkedonce.“Quietdown,HarryTwo,”

saidDelph.ButIputupmyhand.“Wait,Delph.He’stryingto

tellmesomething.”Ilookedattheringandthen

Istaredupatthewall.

Mygrandfatherhadlefttheringbehindandithadeventuallyfounditswaytome.Jasperhadsaidthatthehooksrepresentedourmantra,everythingwestoodfor.Thatwasapowerfulsymbol,perhapsmorepowerfulthanIknew.Thisringcouldmakeme

invisible.Butcoulditdo

somethingelsetoo?Itookafewhesitantsteps

forwardandthenkeptgoinguntilIwasrightupagainstthewall.Ireachedoutwithmyhandandfirstplacedthemarkonmyskinagainstthewall.Iheldmybreath.Nothing

happened.IlookedbacktoseePetra

andDelphstaringatmelikeIwasnutters.ThenIturnedbackaround

andplacedtheringagainstthewall.Istartedtoholdmybreath.

Butnevergotthechance.Thewallinstantlymoved

undermyhand.Itstartedtoshimmerandwobbleandpulseasifithadbeenturned

intoaliquid.Andthenasliceintheskin

ofthethingopenedup.Iputmyhandsoneithersideofthisopeningandpushed.ItopenedfartherlikeIwaspartingapairofcurtains.Ithrustmyselfthroughtheopeningandplungedontotheotherside.Afewmomentslater,

Delph,PetraandHarryTwopushedthroughandjoinedme.Aswelookedback,the

openingclosedup.“Blimey,”whisperedDelph.Ikneltdownandhuggedmy

canine,rubbingmyfaceintohiswonderfullysoftfur.Intheonlyearhehadleft,Iwhispered,“You’rebrilliant,

HarryTwo,absolutelybrilliant.”Wealltookagoodlong

lookaround.Staringbackatuswasdark,blankcountrysidethatlookedlikethelandscapeIhadoftenseeninWormwood.Itdidn’tseemfrighteningorinherentlydangerous,ashadeverybitoftheQuag.ButIknewthatit

probablyheldperilsthatwoulddwarfthosewehadalreadyfaced.Theabsoluteenormityofthemomentseizedme.“Wedidit,”Isaidina

hushedtone.IlookedatDelphandPetra.“Wemadeit.We’refreefromtheQuag.”PartofmecouldscarcelybelieveIwassaying

thesewords.IntheirfacesIsawrelief,

happiness,butalsouncertaintyandfear.AndI’msuretheysawallofthoseelementsinmyfeaturesaswell.Instinctively,weallthree

drewtogetherandembraced,ourbodiesshakingwiththepureemotionofhaving

finallyachievedtheonethingthathaddominatedourthoughtsandourlives,andwhichhadcostusapreciouslife.HarryTwosidledupnexttomeandrubbedhisbodyagainstmyleg.Idroppedonehanddownandstrokedhishead.Whenwepulledapart,we

continuedtolookatone

another.“WearefreeoftheQuag,”

saidDelph.“Thankstoyou,VegaJane.”“No,Delph,thankstoallof

us,”Isaid,mygazeonhim,andthenIlookedatPetra.“AndtoLackland,”Isaid.“AndtoLack,”sheagreed,

givingmethetiniestofsmiles.

“Sortoflookslike…likeWormwoodabit,”observedDelph.“Notthevillageproperbutthelandroundit.”“Itdoes,butdon’tthinkit

willbelikeWormwood,”Ireplied.“Whatnow?”whispered

Delph.Ipointedmywandtoward

somefarawaylightsandsaid,

“Crystiladomagnifica.”Instantlyinfrontofuswas

whatlookedtobeavillagewhoseinhabitantswereprobablyfastasleepintheirbedsatthistimeofnight.SomeofthebuildingslookedlikeonesIwasfamiliarwithbackinWormwood.Othersnotsomuch.Thestreetswerecobbledinplacesbutnotin

others.Aclockchimed.Afelinescreeched.Icouldhearrumblingnoises,butcouldnotseetheirsource.Butdespitethesleepyand

seeminglypeacefulsurroundings,Icouldsensesomethingnotnearlyasinnocentintheair.Remember,Vega,themostbitterlyawfulplaceofall…

“Vega!”hissedPetra.ButIhadalreadyheardit.Somethingwascoming.Someonewascoming.Ipattedmyharness,and

HarryTwoinstantlyleaptthereandIbuckledhimin.WithmywandIpointedfirstatDelph,thenPetra,andsaidsoftly,“Lassado.”Cordsoflightsnaked

aroundtheirwaistswhileremainingconnectedtomywand.ThesoundsgrewcloserandDelphwhisperedfrantically,“Whateveryou’regoingtodo,youbetterdoitnow,VegaJane.”Hegrabbedourtucksandstoodready.Itookmygrandfather’sring

andspunitaroundsothatthethreehookswerefacing

inward.WhatIhadhopedwouldhappendidhappen.Becausewewereconnectedbymyspell,thepoweroftheringhadspreadthroughthemagicaltether.Wewerenowallinvisible.WithPetraandDelphon

eithersideofme,Ikickedoffandweliftedintotheairrightasfootfallssoundednearby

andweheardthevoice.Itwaslowandmenacing.“Aroundhere,Icould

swear.Itwasaroundhere.Thisplacehasalwaysbeen…funny.Youknowithas.”“Buthowcoulditbe?”said

theothervoice,whichwasevenlowerandevenmoremenacing.“It’snotpossible.I’mtellingyouit’snot

possible.Notafterallthistime,eh?”Well,blokes,itwas

possible.Infact,itwasthetruth.WehadescapedtheQuag.

Andwewerehere.Whereverherewas.Wesoaredupwardandset

outtowardthedistantlights.And,indoingso,took

anotherstepforwardtoallthatlayahead.LikeJasperJanehadsaid:

Peace.Hope.Freedom.Inpreciselythatorder.Although,ironically,Iknewwewouldhavetoachievethelastinordertofullyenjoythefirsttwo.Itwouldrequireafight.Italwaysdid.Andaftersurvivingthe

Quag,Iwasdamnwellreadytoprovideone.Ourcause.Ourtime.Ourdestiny.Preciselyinthatorder.

adar\ -′där\AbeastofWormwoodoftenusedasamessengerandtrainedtoperformtasksbyair.Althoughtheyappearclumsyontheground,adars

arecreaturesofgraceandbeautyinthesky,owinggreatlytotheirmagnificentheightandwingspan.Mostremarkably,adarscanunderstandWugmortsandcanevenbetaughttospeak.

alecto\ -′lek-tō\AlethalcreatureintheQuagcharacterizedbyserpentsforhairandblood-drippingeyes.

Thehypnotizingswayoftheserpentsatopthealecto’sheadcandriveitspreytocommitsuicide.

amaroc\′a-m -räk\AfierceandterrifyingbeastoftheQuag,knowntopossesstheabilitytokillinmanyways.AmarocshaveupperfangsaslongasaWugarmandarerumoredtoshoot

poisonfromtheireyes.Whencaptured,theirhidesareusedintheproductionofclothingandbootsinWormwood.

attercop\′a-d r-käp\AtypeofvenomousspiderindigenoustotheQuag.

BreathofaDominici\′breTH v dä-m n-′ē-chē\Along-stemmedflowerwithafist-sizebloodredbloom

thatgivesofftheodorofslepdung.TheBreathofaDominicigrowsonlyinvipernests.

Care,the\′ker\AplacewhereWugswhoareunwellandforwhomtheMendensathospitalcandonomorearesenttolive.

chontoo\′ch n-too\AflyingbeastintheQuag

comprisedonlyofahead,thechontooissaidtowildlyattackitspreyinthehopesofusingitsbodypartstoreplacetheonesthechontoodoesnothave.Spawnedoverthecenturiesbytheinterminglingofdifferentspecies,thechontooischaracterizedbyafoulfacewithdemoniceyesandjaggedfangs,andflames

forhair.ThechontooisprimarilyfoundintheMycanmoor.

colossal\k -′lä-s l\Anancientraceofformidablewarriors,ofanoriginlargelyunknowntotheaverageWugmort.Theaveragecolossalstandsaboutsixty-fivefeettallandweighsnearlyseventhousand

pounds.

Council\′kaun-s l\ThegoverningbodyofWormwood.Councilpasseslaws,regulationsandedictsthatallWugmortsmustobey.

creta\′krē-d \AnexceptionallylargecreatureusedinWormwoodtopulltheplowofTillersandtransportsacksofflouratthe

Mill.Thecretaweighswelloveronethousandpoundsandischaracterizedbyhornsthatcrossoveritsfaceandhoovesthesizeofplates.

cucos\′koo-kōs\SmallbirdlikecreaturesthatinhabittheThirdCircleoftheQuag.Brilliantlycoloredasifsmallbitsoftherainbowareembeddedintheirfeathers,

thecucosarebestknownforglowingwingsthatcanilluminatetheirsurroundings.

Dactyl\′dak-til\AStacksworkerwhosejobentailsshapingmetalwithhammerandtongs.

dopplegang\′dä-p l-gaNG\AdangerouscreatureintheQuag,markedbyhideousrowsofblackened,sharp

teeth,thatmorphsintowhateveritsees.Thepowerofthedopplegangliesinitsabilitytotrickitsunsuspectingvictimintoinjuringorevenkillingitself,sincestrikingthebeastinitsalteredformistantamounttostrikingoneself.

dread\′dred\Ablackflyingcreatureinthe

FifthCirclecreatedbyJasperJane.Aboutthesizeofacanine,dreadsarecharacterizedbytheirscreechingcriesandclawedwingsthattheyusetocuttheirpreytopieces.

Duelum\′dool- m\Atwice-a-sessioncompetitionoccurringoutsideofWormwoodproperthat

pitsstrongmalesbetweentheagesoffifteenandtwenty-fourinmatchesagainstoneanother.ViewedbymanyWugsasariteofpassage,Duelumscanoftenbebrutal.

ekos\′ē-kōs\AsmallcreatureintheQuagexceptionalforthematsofgrassthatgrowonitsarms,neckandface,andsprout

fromitshead.Theekoshavesmall,wrinkledfacesandbulgingredeyes.

Event\i-′vent\AmysteriousoccurrenceinWormwoodthathasnowitnesses.WugmortspresumedtosufferfromanEventdisappearentirely,bodyandclothing,fromthevillage.

Excalibur\ek-′skal- -b r\AraretypeofsorcererbornwithextraordinarymagicalpowersalreadyintactandaprofoundknowledgeofWughistoryembeddedinhisorhermind.ItmaytakeyearsforanExcaliburtobecomeawareofhisorherinnateabilities.

Finisher\′fi-nish- r\

Aworkertaskedwith“finishing”allobjectscreatedatStacks.FinishersmustshowcreativeabilityatLearning,astherequirementsforthejobrangefrompaintingtokiln-firingitemsintendedforthewealthiestWugsofWormwood.

Finn,the\′fin\Amagicalelementconsisting

oftwineknottedinthreeplacesandloopedaroundatinywoodenpeg.Theuntyingofoneknotbringsaforceofwindpowerfulenoughtoliftobjectsofftheground.Untyingthesecondknotproducesgaleforcewinds,andundoingthethirdbringsawindofunimaginablestrengthwiththeabilityto

leveleverythinginitspath.

firebird\′fi-yuhr-burd\AhugeflyingcreatureintheQuagknownforitscolorfulplumageandsharpbeakandclaws.It’ssaidthatthefirebird’sfeathersaresobrillianttheycanbeusedtoprovidelightandwarmth.Afirebirdcanbeaharbingeroftragedy.

frek\′frek\Ahuge,fiercebeastoftheQuagcharacterizedbyanextensivesnoutandfangsincheslongerthanaWugfinger.Thebiteofafrekhasbeenknowntodriveitsvictimsmad.

Furina\fuhr-′ē-n \AWug-likeraceindigenoustotheQuag,madenearly

extinctbecauseofcontinuousattacksfrombeasts.TheFurinasaredescendantsofagroupofWugsandMaladonswhobecametrappedintheQuagwhilemigratingfromthegreatbattlefieldstothevillageofWormwood.

garm\′gärm\AlargebeastoftheQuag,thirteenfeetinlengthand

nearlyonethousandpoundsinweight.Thegarmisahideouscreature,itschestpermanentlybloodied,itssmellodiousanditsbellyfulloffirethatcancremateitsvictimfromseveralfeetaway.WormwoodloremaintainsthatthegarmhuntsthesoulsofthedeadorguardsthegatesofHel.

gnome\′nōm\AcreatureoftheQuagknownforlong,sharpclawsthatallowittominethroughhardrock.Thegnomesarecharacterizedbydeathlypaleandprunishfacesandyellowish-blackteeth.

grubb\′gr b\Apeacefulcreaturethatlivesprimarilyintunnelsbeneath

theQuagandcaneatthroughrockfasterthanmostanyotherspecies.Twicethesizeofacreta,thegrubbisknownforitsstrong,expandablehide;longslitherytongue;enormousjaggedteeth;soft,slipperybody;andeyecolorthatdifferentiatesmales(blue)fromfemales(yellow).

HighStreet,the\′hī′strēt\

AcobblestonestreetinWormwoodproperlinedwithshopsthatsellthingsWugmortsneed,suchasfoodstuffs,clothingandhealingherbs.

hob\′häb\AcreatureintheQuagabouthalftheheightofanaverageWug,characterizedbyitsthickframe,smallbut

powerfuljaw,stoutnose,longpeakedears,spindlyfingersandlargehairyfeet.HobsaretypicallyamicablecreaturesthatspeakWugishandmakethemselvesofassistanceinexchangeforsmallgifts.

hyperbore\′hī-p r-b r\Ablue-skinnedflyingbeastindigenoustotheQuag

characterizedbyalean,muscledtorsoandlightlyfeatheredhead.MorecloselyrelatedtoWugsthananyothercreature,thehyperboremayserveasanallyorenemyandrespondsfavorablytorespectandkindness.Hyperboressetontheirpreyquickly,beatingthemtodeathwiththeir

compactwingsandrippingthemapartwiththeirclaws.Thehyperboresliveinnestshighintrees.

inficio\in-′fēs-ē-ō\AlargefiendishbeastindigenoustotheQuagthatcanexpelpoisonoussmokepotentenoughtokillanycreaturethatbreathesit.Theinficiohastwomassivelegs

withclawedfeet;along,scalytorsowithpowerfulwebbedwings;aserpentlikeneckandasmallheadwithvenomouseyesandrazor-sharpfangs.

jabbit\′ja-bit\Amassiveserpentwithovertwohundredandfiftyheadsgrowingoutofthefulllengthofitsbody.Althoughjabbits

rarelyleavetheQuag,littlecanhalttheirattackoncetheyareonthebloodscent.JabbitscaneasilyovertakeWugsandhavefangsineachheadfullofenoughpoisontodropacreta.

Learning\′l r-ning\Theinstitutionyoungsattenduntiltheageoftwelvesessions.ItisatLearningthat

youngsgainskillsnecessaryforworkinWormwood.

light\′līt\Thetimeofsunlightbetweenonenightandthenext.

Loons,the\′loons\AboardinghouseontheHighStreet.

lycan\′lī-kin\AbeastoftheQuagcoveredinlong,straighthair,whose

biteturnsitsvictimsintoitsownkind.Thetall,powerfullybuiltlycanwalksontwolegsandwieldsitssharpfangsandclawstoattackitsprey.

Maladon\′mal- -dän\FromtheWugishwordfor“terribledeath,”anancientracewhosehighestcallingistoinflictterribledeathon

others.Asessions-longwarbetweentheMaladonsandWugmortsforcedtheWugstofoundthevillageofWormwood,aroundwhichtheyconjuredtheQuagforprotection.

maniack\′mā-nē-ak\Anevilspiritthatcanattachtoabodyandmind,drivingaWugirreversiblymadwith

everyfearheorshehaseverhad.

manticore\′man-t -k r\Aswift,treacherousbeastindigenoustotheQuagwiththeheadofalion,thetailofaserpentandthebodyofagoat.OvertwicetheheightofanaverageWugandthreetimesthewidth,themanticore’smostformidable

featuresareitsabilitiestoreadmindsandbreathefire.

Mill,the\′mil\AplaceofworkinWormwoodwhereflourandothergrainsarerefined.

morta\′m r-t \Along-orshort-barreledmetalprojectileweapon.

Noc\′näk\Thelarge,round,milky-white

objectintheheavensthatshinesatnight.

Outlier\′aut-lī- r\Athreateningtwo-leggedcreaturethatlivesintheQuagandcanpassasaWugmort.OutliersarebelievedtobeabletocontrolthemindsofWugsandmakethemdotheirbidding.

Quag,the\′kwäg\

AforestthatencirclesWormwoodandishometoallmanneroffiercecreaturesandOutliers.ItiswidelybelievedamongWugmortsthatnothingexistsbeyondtheQuag.

remnant\′rem-n nt\AcollectionofmemoriesfromanassortmentofWugs;anembodiedrecordoftheir

remembrances.

Seer-See\′sē-ir′sē\Apropheticalinstrumentusedbysorcererstoviewotherplaces.TheSeer-Seeconsistsofsandthrownintoapewtercupofflamingliquid,thecontentsofwhicharethenpouredontoatabletodisplayamovingpictureofadistantlocation.

session\′se-sh n\Aunitoftimeequaltothreehundredandsixty-fivelights.

slep\′slep\AmagnificentWormwoodcreaturecharacterizedbyitsnoblehead,longtail,sixlegsandbeautifulcoat.Itissaidthatslepswereonceabletofly,andthattheslightindentationsnoticeableon

theirwithersnowmarkthespotfromwhichtheirwingsgrew.

sliver\′sli-v r\Asmallunitorbriefperiodoftime.

Stacks\′staks\AlargebrickbuildinginWormwoodwhereitemsfortradeandconsumptionareproduced.

Steeples\′stē-p ls\AplacethemajorityofWugmortsgoeveryseventhlighttolistentoasermonizer.

unicorn\′yoo-n -k rn\Anobleandgentlebeastcharacterizedbyabrilliantlywhitecoatandmaneofgold,withshinyblackeyesandaregalhornthecolorofsilver.Thesofthornoftheunicorn

isknowntodefeatallpoisons,butcanonlybeobtainedbyconvincingtheunicorntosurrenderitfreelyorbykillingthebeastoutright.

Valhall\′val-hal\TheprisonofWormwood,setinpublicinthecenterofthevillage.

wendigo\′wen-d -gō\

Amalevolentspiritthatcanpossesswhateveritdevours.Thisghastly,quasi-transparentcreaturelivesthroughouttheQuagbutispredominantintheMycanmoor.Signsthatawendigoisnearbyareavaguefeelingofterrorandasensethatthefactsstoredinyourheadarebeingreplaced

byresidualmemoriesofthepreythewendigohasdevoured.

whist\′wist\Alarge,domesticatedhoundofWormwoodknownforitsimpressivespeed.

Wugmort(Wugforshort)\′w g-mort\(\′w g\)AcitizenofWormwood.

Anoveldoesnotcomeintobeingsolelybythehand(andimagination)ofthenovelist.TheKeeper,andbeforeitTheFinisher,arenoexceptionstothisrule.Manytalentedfolks

wereinvolvedinmakingtheVegaJanejourneyavailabletoaglobalaudience.AndhereiswhereIhavethewelcomepleasureofthankingthem.ToRachelGriffiths,David

Levithan,KellyAshton,JulieAmitie,CharisseMeloto,DickRobinson,EllieBerger,LoriBenton,DaveAscher,

LaurenFesta,EmilyMorrow,ElizabethParisi,RachaelHicks,EmilyCullings,SueFlynn,NikkiMutchandthewholesalesteamatScholasticforbelievingthatathrillerwritercouldmovetoanothergenreandtellagoodstory.ToVenetiaGosling,Kat

McKenna,CatherineAlport,

SarahClarke,RachelVale,AlyxPrice,TraceyRidgewell,HelenBray,TrishaJackson,JeremyTrevathan,KatieJames,LeeDibble,SarahMcLean,CharlotteWilliams,StaceyHamilton,GeoffDuffield,LeanneWilliams,StuartDwyer,AnnaBond,JonathanAtkins,SaraLloydand

NatashaHardingatPanMacmillanforfollowingmewithunbridledenthusiasmwhereverIgoinmyliterarypursuits.ToStevenMaatandthe

entireBrunateamforbeingwithmestep-by-stepaswereleasedabrand-newcharacteronanunsuspectingworld.

ToAaronPriestforlisteningtomycrypticmumblesataLondonbookpartyaboutthis“book”IwaswritingandforcallingmeonSundayafterhereadit,asopposedtoMonday!ToArleenPriest,Lucy

ChildsBaker,LisaErbachVance,FrancesJalet-Miller,JohnRichmondandMelissa

Edwardsforbeingsowildlyenthusiasticaboutthisseries.ToMarkandNicoleJames

forallyoudidforme.Here’stoattendingthepremieretogetheroneday!ToCaspianDennisand

SandyVioletteforcrowingtotheheavensaboutthebookontheothersideofthepond.Toallmyotherpublishers

whotookachanceonthisandtrustedmetogetitright.ToHannahMinghella,

LaurenAbrahams,MattTolmachandKateChecchiatSony/ColumbiaPictureswhohaveshownsomuchenthusiasminbuildingamoviefranchisearoundVegaJaneandherworld.ToEmmaFrostforsittingin

arestaurantinNewYorkwithmeforseveralhoursinpreparationofyourcraftingaterrificscript.ToallthelibrarieswhereI

discoveredbooksthatintroducedmetotheworldoffantasy,andtoallthelibrarianswhoguidedalittleboyinfindingever-newstoriesandoriginalvoiceson

theshelves.Toallmyfriendsand

family,whohavesupportedmeoverthirtynovels.ToKristenandNatashafor

performingyourownmagicinkeepingColumbusRoseandmerunningsmoothly.Andlast,butclearlynot

least,toSpencerandCollin,who,thoughyou’renow

adults,helpmealwaystoretainthechildlikewonderinlifethatallowsmetodowhatIlove.

DAVIDBALDACCIisaglobal#1bestsellingauthor.

Hisbooksarepublishedinoverforty-fivelanguagesandinmorethaneightycountries;over110millioncopiesareinprint.Hisworkshavebeenadaptedforbothfeaturefilmandtelevision.Heisalsothecofounder,alongwithhiswife,oftheWishYouWell

Foundation®,whichsupportsliteracyeffortsacross

America.DavidandhisfamilyliveinVirginia.

Copyright©2015byColumbusRose,Ltd.

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Baldacci,David,author.Thekeeper/DavidBaldacci.

—Firstedition.

pagescmSequelto:Thefinisher.

Summary:VegaJaneandherfriendDelphhavetakenthemapthatQuentinHermsleftthemandsetoutfromthetownofWormwood,

determinedtobravetheQuagandfindfreedomontheotherside—buttheQuagwasdesignedtokeepthetown

peoplein,anditisfilledwithbloodthirstycreaturesandsinistermagic,anditisnotgoingtoletthemescape

unscathed.ISBN978-0-545-83194-9

(jacketedhardcover)1.Magic—Juvenilefiction.2.Quests(Expeditions)—Juvenilefiction.3.Escapes—

Juvenilefiction.4.Adventure

stories.[1.Fantasy.]I.Title.PZ7.B18124Ke2015

813.54—dc23[Fic]

2015015698

Firstedition,September2015

CoverartbyJacey@débutart,©2015ScholasticInc.CoverdesignbyElizabethB.

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James

e-ISBN978-0-545-83315-8

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