DISCLAIMER: Once again, I do not own Fablehaven. I own Ethelinda (Linda), Balistair and everything else that isn't under Brandon Mull's ownership.
Four chapters, guys. I'm on the roll with this. I usually suffer from intense and merciless writer's block, but this is something that comes easily to me. I guess Brandon made it easy, but I hope you all still like it. I sort of feel bad for Seth in this chapter, but he has to show some signs of trouble making or else my plot will fail utterly. Thanks for the reviews, guys~ Also, I apologize for any spelling or grammar errors.
Chapter Four;
It had been a close race, but it was Warren who had won. Winning the fight must have filled Warren with confidence because he had taken the lead over everyone, even Kendra. She supposed it was her lack of involvement in soccer that had rendered her tired, but she had beaten Seth. Linda streaked past both of them, her and Warren panting heavily on the stone shelf that jutted out in front of the cave. Kendra and Seth dragged themselves along the narrow path that snaked its way up the side of the mountain, dropping once they were sure they could walk no further. Grandpa Sorenson was the only one who was able to ascend without losing his breath. He stood between Warren and Linda, hands clasped behind him.
"I'm ready when you are." He said with a smile. Linda stood straight and patted her chest, as if to urge the air to rush inside.
"I think I've gotten older in the past hour." She said with a wheeze.
"You beat me and Kendra." Seth pointed out as he laid flat on the rock. Linda took in a final breath, then patted Warren on the back.
"He beat us all. I may be in my human form, but dragons are always more awkward on the ground than we are in the sky." She said. Warren was still doubled over his knees, trying to calm his breathing.
"Then I'm glad we chose to race on the ground." Warren laughed weakly. Linda moved away from him to approach Seth and Kendra. She crouched down so she was eye-level with them.
"Ready to see something cool?" She asked. They nodded, so Linda stood and turned to face the cave, "Anuale. Bruno. Come out of hiding and reveal yourselves to my guests."
The moment the command was issues, the rock shelf and the walls began to shake. It wasn't dangerously violent, but it was enough to startle everyone but Linda. From each side of the cave's entrance stepped forth a golem. They were a little taller than Hugo, the golem that worked at Fablehaven, and looked as if they were dominated by rock. Their ape-like forms were familiar, with their disproportionately large hands and feet. They stopped in front of Linda, her head easily reaching their abdomens.
"Golems!" Seth scrambled to his feet and hurried over to one, "Are they real golems?"
"Sadly, no. I didn't make the myself, but they were here when I was assigned to protect this place." Linda said. Warren regained himself and touched a gigantic, rocky arm.
"They were hidden well." He said." I wouldn't have guessed that they were there."
"That's the point. No one is allowed up here but myself and those I deem worthy. If ever there is a chance that someone passes the barriers, they will be met with a certain death at the hands of Anuale and Bruno. They'll never see it coming." She said.
"Can I command one?" Seth pleaded. Linda tapped her lips in though, watching as he squirmed and gave her the best pair of puppy-dog eyes he could muster.
"Only one command." She decided. Seth jumped up happily.
"Yes!"
"Anuale, you will follow the next command Seth gives you. Understand?" Linda said, pointing to Seth. The golem nodded, then turned to Seth.
"Punch the other golem." He ordered. Anuale did nothing.
"I don't usually condone that kind of order, but say Bruno's name if you want Anuale to punch him." Linda instructed.
"Punch Bruno, Anuale." Seth said. Anuale turned and pulled a rocky fist back, slamming it into Bruno's head. Bits of rock and dirt fell to the floor, but it didn't look like a lot of damage had been caused. Bruno tipped on one leg and pin wheeled, jerking to the side to regain his balance. He bumped into Anuale, who toppled over. Seth burst into laugher at the sight.
"A sight like that makes me grateful that we only have one golem." Grandpa said. Linda and Warren were even laughing at the slap-stick scene.
"That was great." Linda wiped a tear away, "I didn't think that was going to happen. Anuale, rise."
Anuale rose and stood still. Once Linda was calm, she sent both golems back into their hiding spots. The golem shaped depressions in the rock face were just large enough that they could fit into, but small enough that they were hidden well. The golems even had snow gathered in some spots, their forms melting into the rest of the mountain.
"Now that we've had our fun, who's ready to go inside the dark, creepy cave?" She asked. No one spoke, "Oh, it was just a joke."
"Is there a Lesser Tree inside?" Seth asked.
"I thought you had learned not to listen in on conversations that you're not involved in?" Grandpa growled.
"Oh, it's all right. I figured there were eavesdroppers, anyway." Linda said, "There is a Lesser Tree inside. If you will all follow me, we'll step into the cave before it moves."
Leading the way, Linda stepped into the dark gullet of the cave. Inside the cave, hidden against the oily blackness of the rock walls, was a torch. It was unlit, but smelled strongly of burning wood. Reaching back, Linda motioned for someone to hand her a lighter or a match. Seth took out a cigarette lighter from his pocket and handed it over, letting a suspicious look from the woman. He told her it was from his emergency kit, and that he wasn't stupid enough to smoke. Linda was pleased with this answer, and lit the torch. The lively flame flickered it every direction, happy to have been reborn. It cast deformed shadows against the ground and wall as they moved forward. Kendra was glad for the warmth of the torch, but she was able to see perfectly well without it.
"You may feel a little strange the farther into the cave we get. Don't worry, it's just the sensation you get as you pass through the barriers." She said, handing the lighter back. They kept moving forward, a smile coming to Linda's lips every time she felt someone shudder behind her. The barriers had no effect on her, since she had been the one to put them up in the first place. Deeper and deeper into the cave they roamed until they came to a small, circular room. The walls were too smooth to be natural, but there was some small amount of magic that radiated from them. The room was just as dark as the tunnel before them, and the flame from the torch did nothing to dispel the darkness. Tipping the torch over and putting it out in the dirt, she slipped the torch into a small, metal look on the wall. She summoned Kendra forward.
"What is it?" Kendra asked.
"Would you mind doing me a favor?" Linda asked with a sly smile.
"Depends." Kendra said. Linda giggled quietly.
"No need to worry. I can usually do this myself, but I thought it would be interesting for you. Put your hand against the wall." Linda said. Kendra hesitated. She wasn't sure why she was being told to but her hand against the wall. There might have been a prehistoric spider that was waiting for her to put her hand in front of it's poisonous mouth, or a trap that would keep her bound to the wall forever. Gulping, Kendra placed her palm flat against the wall. Something thin, rough and vine-like wrapped around each of her fingers. She screamed, but was unable to pull her hand away.
"What's going on?" Seth demanded, grabbing his sister's arm. Linda shook her head, holding him back.
"I promise you that she is in no danger. Nothing will hurt her, now watch. See, she's already calming down." It was true, Kendra had stopped struggling. Instead of looking panic stricken, she looked ecstatic. She giggled to herself as a soft blue glow began to emit from the wall. The blue glow was stretching along the length of what looked like many vines, the very tip of the vines taking what magical energy she was offering with her revitalizing touch. Seth, Warren and Grandpa watched in awe as the vines that were connected to Kendra's hand grew thicker towards the center of the ceiling. It was a beautiful sight as the entire room was bathed in the blue light.
"What are those things? There's so many." Seth asked in a hushed whisper. Linda let him go, but kept her hands on his shoulders.
"Those are the roots of a Lesser Tree. When a magical being, like me, or someone like your sister touches the walls of this room, the roots latch on and use the magic to light up. The Lesser Tree is above us, that's why the roots are so thick on the ceiling." She said.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day when I could watch someone light up a Lesser tree." Warren breathed. Linda walked over to Kendra and took her hand from the wall. The small ends of the roots flailed and reached for the girl's hand, then dug themselves into the wall when they found that they could not reach her. Kendra looked dazed, but there was a smile on her face.
"That was amazing." She said.
"I know." Linda grinned.
"I want to try." Seth ran over to the wall where Kendra had stood and placed his hand on the wall. He was expecting them to latch on like they had with his sister, but he was surprise to see that the root shied away from his touch. The light dimmed greatly, and the roots retreated even farther. Seth frowned, his hand being jerked away by Grandpa before more damage could be done. Linda frowned.
"That was strange." She said, touching the wall with her own hand. The roots latched onto her within seconds, the glowing becoming even brighter than before. When she moved away, the lights remained. Seth held his hand to his chest, frowning.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that was going to happen." He said with honest regret. Linda put a hand on his head.
"Do not apologize. I knew that you were one with the darkness, but I did not think that it would affect the Tree in such a way. You are not evil, and so they should not have reacted so." She sounded angry at the tree. Seth lowered his gaze to the floor, but Linda lifted his chin, "Do I have to make you smile?"
"No." Seth knew she was trying to cheer him up, but he was feeling uncomfortable with himself. When Linda began to lead them up a curved, stone staircase that was built into a slanted tunnel, he did well to avoid touching the walls with any part of his body. They went up the stairs in single file until they reached yet another room. This one was much bigger and held a sight more spectacular than the roots below. In the middle of the room stood a tree that Seth and Kendra recalled seeing a sketch of in the journal back at Fablehaven. They gasped and awed, as well as Warren and Grandpa. Linda crossed her arms and smirked.
"There, my friends, is that you have been waiting for. Feast your eyes on one of the many Lesser Trees that inhabit the earth," Linda spoke with pride and wonder, even if the sight was common for her. "Every manner of magical being, including myself, draws from the magic reserved in these trees. Of course, it's not nearly as big or bright as the Tree of Life."
Kendra was snapped from her trance, her blue-tinted face turning towards Linda.
"What's the Tree of Life?" She asked.
"It's the ultimate source of magical power. The roots of this Lesser Tree are connected to the Tree of Life, or Balistair as we magical beings call it. Without these Lesser Trees, those of us who are far from the Tree of Life would have very little to draw off of." She said. Seth gave her a confused look, "Let me try to find a way to explain this. Without lakes and rivers, the states in the middle of the US would get no water. The lakes and rivers are the Lesser Trees and the roots that connect them to Balistair, which is like the ocean."
"Do you know where the Tree of Life is?" Seth asked.
"No one knows," Warren spoke up, "It's a closely guarded secret between the cranky old fogies that are still alive."
"So without the Tree of Life, no one would have magic?" Kendra asked.
"It's hard to say. There has ever been a time when the magic inside these trees has dwindled, and I highly doubt there will ever come a time like that." Grandpa said.
"Let's not worry ourselves over it. If you all would like, you can step closer." Linda suggested.
"Can we?" Seth asked Grandpa.
"I know I am, and I don't have to ask permission." Warren said, wandering into the room. He was forced to step between the glowing roots as he made his way to the fifteen-foot tall tree. The bubble-like compartments of the tree pulsated the same color blue as the roots, fading from a white to a night-blue every few seconds. The roots were alive as well, sometimes twitching when Warren stepped on one of the thinner roots. Grandpa and Kendra stepped forward as well, making their way towards the twisted trunk. Linda was followed for about five feet before Seth called out in frustration.
"Hey, what's the deal?" He demanded. Everyone turned and stopped picking their way between the roots, watching as Seth pushed against an invisible wall. He appeared to be pressing his face against a window, but he was unable to pass into the room. Linda frowned and ran over. She grabbed Seth's arm, but it was like trying to pull him through a hard, taut net. Even with Linda's help, he was unable to enter.
"Seth, I can't apologize enough for this. I appears the Lesser Tree doesn't want you near it." She said with a frown.
"What? Why not?" He asked, his face falling. Kendra ran back over.
"It can't be because he's a shadow charmer." She accused. Linda lifted her hands in defense.
"This isn't my fault, Kendra. If I were the Tree, I'd let him pass. But I'm not, so he has to stay here. I'm sorry." She said. Seth kicked at the invisible barrier, crossing his arms.
"I can't pass because the stupid tree doesn't like me?" He muttered grudgingly. Linda made to apologize again, but a medium sized root flicked out at Seth and shoved his legs out from behind him. Seth feel onto his bottom, groaning. Linda and Kendra laughed.
"I wouldn't call it stupid, Seth. Without it, you wouldn't be a shadow charmer." Kendra said. Linda smiled.
"She's right, you know." Linda said. Kendra straightened herself smugly. Seth propped himself up on an elbow and rubbed his head.
"This is so unfair." He whined.
"I'm truly sorry, Seth. I promise that when we get back to the cabin, I'll do something extra special with you. Just you and me, so you don't feel left out." Linda promised. She stuck her pinky out, and Seth eyed it. He felt he was too old to pinky promise anymore, but he wound his own digit around hers.
"Fine." He grumbled, sitting against the wall. Linda felt terribly that Seth was forced to be left out, but she couldn't negate the protections that the Lesser Tree put up itself. So the four wandered over to the tree. Seth watched from the far away staircase, his stomach bubbling angrily. He hated that Kendra was able to do everything because she was fairykind, which also dubbed her a being of light. Seth had been told many times that he wasn't evil because he was a shadow charmer, just that he was able to befriend darker creatures, as well as speak their language and hide in the shadows. He couldn't imagine himself harming anyone, let alone a magical tree.
He sniffed once and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his coat, eyes narrowed. He saw Kendra and Linda touching the tree, causing a sudden flash of brilliant, white light. A half-second later, there was a violent tremor and explosion.
Seth jumped to his feet as smoky debris sprang up from behind the Lesser Tree. The roots began to shrivel and retract into the tree, the glow all but completely gone. The room had gone frighteningly dark, but the sound of screames urged Seth to try his hardest to get passed the barrier. Taking many steps back, he ran full speed at the barrier. It gave away like wet tissue paper, and he crumpled to the ground. With stinging elbows, he rushed blindly to the center of the room.
"Kendra? Grandpa?" He called. The tremor continued, and it was soon accompanied by the sound of cracking rock. The ceiling was going to cave in! Desperate to find his sister and the others, Seth shouted even louder. He felt around, trying to find his way to the tree. His foot shuffled against barren ground. There were no roots to guide him, only the sound of angry and frightened voices. Then, someone grabbed him. Seth struggled violently to rid himself of the grabber.
"Seth, it's me." It was Warren. Seth wished he could see in the dark just to be sure, but he settled with grabbed his face. Warren gasped when a pair of fingers drifted up his nose. Seth jerked his hand back.
"Sorry. Where are the others?" He asked.
"I don't know, I can't see a thing." Warren said. He said something under his breath, grabbing Seth's shoulders. "We need to find them."
"Good idea, but how do we find people in the dark?" Seth asked.
"No need to find me, I'm right here." Kendra suddenly said from behind them. Seth whipped around, but he only saw darkness.
"Kendra! Are you able to find Linda and Stan?" Warren asked anxiously. Kendra was silent for a moment, then cried out.
"Linda! Someone has her!" Kendra ran off, though the other two wouldn't have been able to tell if her footfalls hadn't told them. "Let go of her!"
The trembling stopped suddenly, then many things happened at once; light flashed from the lesser tree, someone hissed and screamed, the tree was severed, and then darkness threatened to descend upon them again. If it wasn't for the feeble glow of the Lesser Tree, Seth and Warren wouldn't have been able to find Kendra.
When they finally reached her, they saw that she was kneeling beside Linda. The woman was badly bloodied, and her eyes were closed. It didn't appear as if she were breathing. Kendra sobbed once and took Linda's hand. A small, golden spark leapt between them, but nothing else.
"Kendra." He put a hand on her shoulder, feeling them shake even more. Under the ever dimming glow of the fallen Lesser Tree, it was hard to believe that Linda was gone. She looked as if she were simply asleep, or that she might be playing a cruel trick on them. He hoped that she would jump up and shout 'Got you!', but she remained on the ground. Grandpa Sorenson limped up to them, leaning against Seth.
"She's not dead." He said. Warren and Kendra turned their eyes to the man, "She's just knocked out."
"She'll be okay?" Kendra asked. Warren let out a long sigh before lifting Linda's limp body.
"Linda will be perfectly fine, but I want to know what happened." Warren said serious, his eyes going to everyone. Seth shrugged and Kendra shook her head, but Grandpa looked as if he wanted to share a dark secret with everyone.
"I'm not sure what happened, myself. The room went dark after something crashed through the wall, then I heard Kendra screaming for someone to let Linda go. When the light flashed, I saw someone in a cloak drop Linda to the ground. That's when the tree was severed. I tried to chase the cloaked figure through the hole, but they vanished before I could get too far." He said. Kendra dried her eyes.
"You don't know who it was?" She asked. Grandpa shook his head.
"No, I can't say that I saw a face. Just a cloak and feet." He said. Seth looked to the tree and stepped over to it. He wanted to touch it, but he feared what might happen if he did. Clenching his fist, he kicked at a thick root. He felt bad that he couldn't have been there faster, but he blamed the Lesser Tree for having kept him back.
"Why did she pass out?" He managed to ask through clenched teeth.
"We don't know how it happens, but the protectors of the Lesser Trees form a bond with it. When the tree was brought down, it affected Linda physically. The tree will die now that it's separated from the roots, but Linda will be fine." Grandpa said.
"We need to take her back with us." Warren said. "Whoever attacked had something against her, and I don't want to leave her here in this state."
"We can't bring her to Fablehaven, Warren. If she find out that it's a secret preserve-"
"Will you forget about that for one second?" Warren shouted. Grandpa was taken aback, but he kept his cool. "She's hurt, and it's not safe here. Whoever attacked the Tree will come back for her, I know it."
"She might not even find out that Fablehaven is secret." Seth said as he made his way back over.
"Grandpa, please." Kendra begged, "We can't leave her here."
"Linda has been a distant friend of mine, but she has been one of the most loyal. Leaving her here without care is a bad idea, since she won't wake willingly for many days." Grandpa sighed heavily. "We will bring her home, but we must hurry. If the attack was so willing to attack the Lesser Tree, then we wouldn't want him to follow us to Fablehaven. Who knows what damage he could cause there."