Fablehaven_ Rise of the Evening Star Part 17

Are you really part lion?

You mean, am I appearing to you as an avatar? I will tell you if you win. Would you care to serve?

Seth grabbed the handles. You can.

As you wish. The Sphinx pushed the ball through the slot. The cowboys started spinning frantically. The Sphinx got control of the ball, nudged it sideways about an inch, and, with a flick of his wrist, blasted it into Seth's goal.

Wow! Seth said.

Your serve.

Seth put the ball in play. Flailing with his cowboys, he knocked it all the way to the Sphinx's goalie. Using controlled movements, the Sphinx pa.s.sed the ball across the table, from row to row, until he slammed it into Seth's goal from a tricky angle.

You're amazing! Seth said. Did you say Kendra beat you?

Your sister needed confidence. Yours is a different problem.

Plus there is no chance of me telling you my secret unless you earn it. Seth put the ball back in play, and the Sphinx swiftly scored again. The same thing happened two more times, the final point coming from a shot that put a spin on the ball so it curved into the goal.

You skunked me! Seth cried.

Do not tell your sister that I went easy on her. Tell her178 you beat me, if she asks. The Sphinx paused, looking Sethup and down. You have obviously been cursed.

A demon statue bit me. You can tell?

I knew beforehand, but the evidence of the curse is plain. Olloch the Glutton. How does it feel to be on his menu?

Not so good. Can you fix me?

The Sphinx opened the refrigerator. I offered your sister a drink.

You have anything from Egypt?

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

Okay. Seth roamed the room, looking at the strange knickknacks on the tables and shelves. A miniature Ferris wheel, a collapsible spygla.s.s, a crystal music box, numerous figurines.

The Sphinx popped open a can of apple juice and poured the contents into a frosty mug. Here you go.

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

I am glad. Seth, I cannot remove the curse. It will remain until Olloch either devours you or is destroyed.

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

You will have to rely on the barrier the walls of Fablehaven provide. The day will come when Olloch shows up at the gates. The insatiable drive that compels him toward you will only increase over time. Worse, the demon is in the hands of the Society, and I suspect they will ensure he makes his way to you sooner rather than later. When179Olloch makes his appearance, we will find a way to deal withhim. Until that day, Fablehaven will be your refuge.

No more school? Seth asked hopefully.

You must not leave Fablehaven again until the glutton has been subdued. Mark my words, he will appear before long. When he does, we will discover a weakness and learn a way toexploit it. You should have no problem returning to school by the fall.

Having finished the juice, Seth wiped his lips with the back of his hand. No big rush.

Our conversation is nearly finished, the Sphinx said, taking the mug from Seth. Take care of your sister.

Turbulent times lie ahead. The gift the fairies have given her will make her a target. Your bravery can be a powerful a.s.set if you can keep it unspoiled by recklessness. Do not forget that Fablehaven almost fell because of your folly. Learn from that mistake.

I will, Seth said. I mean, I have. And I'll keep Kendra's fairykind thing a secret.

The Sphinx extended a hand. Seth shook it. One last thing, Seth. Are you aware that Midsummer Eve is scarcely a week away?

Yeah.

Might I make a suggestion?

Okay.

Don't open any windows.180An Uninvited Guest Grandpa leaned back in his wheelchair, tapping his lips with the safe end of a fountain pen. Kendra and Seth sat in the oversized armchairs, and Grandma was behind the desk. Kendra and Seth had not seen Grandpa the previous night-Grandma had taken them to a fondue restaurant after their meeting with the Sphinx, and so they had not returned until well after dark.

Our story is that you were fairystruck, and that there were some residual effects from the incident, Grandpa said, ending the contemplative silence. It sounds perfectly plausible, and will make you less of a target than if word gets out you are fairykind. Obviously we never let on that the diagnosis came from the Sphinx-we do not mention him at all, to anyone.180 181 Coulter already knows we went to see him, Kendraconfessed.

What? Grandma leaned forward.

He already told me, Grandpa said. Ruth, he was trying to teach the lesson that spies could be anywhere, eavesdropping on conversations, and in the process learned about the Sphinx. The secret will be safe with Coulter. But he need not hear further details. No discussing it outside of this study.

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

If someone knows enough to ask, and deserves an answer, that is our story, Grandpa reiterated. Now I hope we can get back to business as usual. Tanu is off scouting some unexplored territory. Coulter has an outing specifically for Seth. And Kendra can a.s.sist Vanessa with research.

Research? Kendra asked. Here in the house?

Seth bit the side of his hand. He was choking back laughter, which only served to inflame Kendra's indignation.

She's going through some journals, Grandpa said.

Following up on some hints left by Patton Burgess.

Why can't I go with Coulter? It's s.e.xist! Can't you make him take me?

Coulter is one of the most stubborn men I know, Grandpa said. I have serious doubts whether anyone could make him do anything. But I'm not sure today need be an issue for you, Kendra. I suspect you would rather skip this outing of your own accord. You see, a certain fog giant snared a valuable lead with us. In return, we promised him a live buffalo. So Coulter, Seth, and Hugo will be handing182over a buffalo to the brute to be instantly devoured. It willbe a gruesome sight.

Awesome, Seth whispered reverently.

Okay, well, I guess I don't mind skipping that, Kendra admitted. But I still don't like the idea of being left out of Coulter's excursions.

Complaint noted, Grandpa said. Now, Seth, I don't want this Olloch the Glutton business keeping you up at night. The Sphinx is right, the walls of Fablehaven will be sufficient protection, and if he says he will help us take care of the glutton once the demon shows up, then I see no cause for worry.

Sounds good to me, Seth said.

Well, then, Grandpa said. Off you go.

Seth kept glancing over his shoulder at the buffalo they were leading along the path. Huge s.h.a.ggy head, short white horns, bulky body, plodding gait. He had never appreciated what large animals they were. Had Hugo not been leading the beast with a bridle, Seth would have scrambled up a tree.

They had started out on paths Seth knew, but quickly turned down unfamiliar roads. Now they had reached lower, wetter terrain than Seth had ever seen at Fablehaven. The trees had more moss and vines, and the first shreds of unexpected mist eddied close to the ground.

Seth clutched his emergency kit. Alongside the more conventional contents, Tanu had added a small potion that would boost his vigor if he became exhausted. This morning183 Coulter had added a lucky rabbit's foot and a medallion thatwas supposed to repel the undead.

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

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

Are you superst.i.tious?

I like to cover my bases, he said softly. Keep your voice low. This is not a hospitable area of the preserve. Now might be a good time to put on that medallion.

Seth fished the medallion out of his emergency kit and slipped the chain around his neck. Where did Hugo find a buffalo in the first place? he asked quietly.

There's a complex of corrals and stables on the preserve, Coulter said. Not filled to capacity, but with plenty of animals for Fablehaven to remain self-sufficient. Hugo does most of the upkeep. He brought the buffalo from there this morning.

Do you have any giraffes?

The most exotic it gets are ostriches, llamas, and buffalo, Coulter said. Along with more traditional livestock.

The mist was getting thicker. The air remained warm, but the cloying smell of decay was increasing. The terrain became soupier. Seth began spotting cl.u.s.ters of fuzzy mushrooms and rocks slick with slime.

Coulter pointed to a path diverting off to one side.

Normally in Fablehaven you are relatively safe if you stay on the path. But that is only true of the real paths. That path, for example, was created by a swamp hag to lead the unwary to their doom.184Seth stared at the narrow trail meandering off into themist, trying to memorize it so he would never make the mistake of following it. They did not go much farther before Coulter stopped.

We are now at the edge of the great marsh of Fablehaven, he whispered. One of the most perilous, least explored areas of the preserve. A likely region for the inverted tower to be hidden. Come.

Coulter stepped off the path onto muddy ground. Seth squelched after him, with Hugo and the ill-fated buffalo bringing up the rear. Up ahead, through the shroud of white mist, a geodesic dome came into view. The grid of triangles that comprised the dome appeared to be composed of gla.s.s and steel. In form, the structure was similar to the domes of interlocking metal bars Seth had seen on playgrounds.

What's that? Seth asked.

A safe hut, Coulter said. Gla.s.s domes strategically placed in some of the more threatening areas of the preserve.

They provide the kind of refuge we enjoy back at the main house. Nothing can enter uninvited.

They walked about ten yards past the hut. Hugo, picket the buffalo here, Coulter ordered. Then stand watch from behind the hut.

Hugo produced a stake the size of a fence post and thrust it deep into the ground with a single powerful motion. The golem then fastened the buffalo to the stake. Coulter shook something from a pouch into his palm, then cupped his hand near the buffalo's muzzle. This will anesthetize him,'185 Coulter explained. Next he produced a knife and slashed thebuffalo on the shoulder. The buffalo tossed its heavy head.

A deep roar came echoing out of the mist. To the hut, Coulter murmured, wiping the knife clean before stowing it.

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

The symmetry of the gla.s.s dome was broken only by a small hatch in one side, also made of gla.s.s and framed in steel. Coulter opened the hatch and crawled in after Seth.

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

We're safe in here? Seth asked.

As long as we don't break the gla.s.s from the inside, no creature can get us, even a fog giant in a blood frenzy.

Blood frenzy?

You'll see, Coulter a.s.sured him. Fog giants go mad around blood. Worse than sharks. This tribute is the price we agreed to pay for information Burlox gave us about the marshland. After the tribute, he has promised us one more piece of information.

Burlox is the giant?

The most approachable of them, yes.

What if the wrong giant takes the buffalo?

Coulter shook his head. Fog giants are highly territorial.

Another would not encroach on Burlox's domain. Their borders are clearly defined.

Despite the condensation on the gla.s.s and the intervening mist, Seth had a good view of the buffalo. It was grazing.

I feel bad for the buffalo, Seth said.186 Like most livestock, it was born to be slaughtered,Coulter said. If not by a fog giant, by your grandfather. The anesthetic will dull its senses. The fog giant will administer a quick death.

Seth frowned, staring through the gla.s.s. What had sounded like fun back at the house was no longer very appealing, now that he recognized the buffalo as an actual living thing. I guess I eat hamburgers all the time, he finally said.

This isn't much different, Coulter agreed. Somewhat more dramatic.

What about the rules of the treaty? Seth asked. Won't you get in trouble for killing the buffalo?

I won't be doing any killing; that will be the giant, Coulter explained. Besides, the rules are different for animals. The treaty was meant to keep sentient beings from committing murder and casting spells on each other. The same protection does not extend to animals of a lower order of intelligence. When the need arises, we can slaughter animals for food with no repercussions.

Another roar sounded, much closer and more intense. A gargantuan shadow loomed beyond the buffalo. Here he comes, Coulter breathed.

Seth's mouth went dry. As the fog giant emerged from the mist, Seth found himself scooting back to the far side of the small dome. Burlox was enormous. Seth was not much taller than his knee. Hugo was shorter than his hip. The buffalo suddenly looked like a house pet.

The fog giant had the proportions of a heavyset man. He187 wore tattered, matted furs, and his body was smeared withoily muck. Beneath the filth, his skin was a sickly bluish gray. His long hair and beard were tangled in slime. In one hand he bore a crude, heavy club. The overall impression was that of a fierce, battle-weary Viking who had lost his way in a swamp.

The giant stopped near the buffalo. He turned and looked toward the dome, giving a single nod and leering.

Seth was acutely aware that a single swing of the huge club could bash the hut to smithereens. Burlox tossed the club aside and then pounced at the buffalo, tearing off the bridle and hoisting the fl.u.s.tered animal into the air.

Seth looked away. It was too much. He heard a noisy combination of bones crunching and flesh tearing before clamping his hands over his ears. Part of him wanted to watch, but instead he kept his head down and his ears covered.

You're missing it, Coulter eventually said, kneeling at his side.

Seth peeked. The buffalo no longer looked much like a buffalo. Sections of the hide had been cast aside, and jutting bones were visible. Seth tried to pretend that the leg Burlox was mauling was a gigantic spare rib, and that the feasting giant was drenched in barbecue sauce.