Another chapter ready for you all. This is such fun! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it! Thank you for your kind words and time as always.


Chapter 7

Dealing With a Jotnar is Preferable to Regret


Toby patted Aaarrrgghh's horns. "Buddy, it's okay. Really. I'm not surprised Gatto would do that." The troll whined, and Toby gave him a firm scratch behind his ears. Aaarrrgghh could rarely relieve an itch there with his large fingers and flat nails. It was a soothing thing, and Aaarrrgghh reluctantly perked up. "If that's the price, it's the price. It's worth it if we get the info about the phoenix."

"What's the price? Aaarrrgghh, did you talk to Gatto?" Jim looked up from the list and Toby was glad they'd made an edited version for him. James was seated listlessly by a cozy fire and Strickler was reading by its light. Toby liked the fire; it warmed the cool underground, smoke released though a narrow, small tunnel into the crags where heavy winds could make it dissipate. The light was a comfort.

Jim stood back from the table, setting the list aside. "Aaarrrgghh, Gatto's willing to tell us about the phoenix? What did he want in return?"

Toby scoffed a little, ignoring the pit in his stomach. "Ah, it's not a big deal. He…kind of wants my Warhammer." Jim stiffened with affront. "Look, I don't like it either, but I've dumped two El Diablos into his stomach, I can understand why he hates me." Aaarrrgghh whined again. "Aw Wingman, it's okay. I can always make another, you and Blinky can help. Maybe make one even more awesome, huh? Different colors maybe."

"Toby, no. That's your weapon, you need to be able to defend yourself." Jim glanced at Strickler. "Do we have any leads on the phoenix at all? The last thing I want is for Gatto to get his way."

"Unfortunately Young Atlas, it would appear not. All information about phoenixes is ancient and hearsay, indicating they live in the hottest places on Earth. We couldn't search all the magma pools and volcanoes in the world even if we wanted to. Even trolls aren't immune to such high heat." Strickler turned the page, seated in a squat chair. "Perhaps Gatto would consider another item?"

"Seemed certain. Aaarrrgghh can't think of anything else we can give him instead." Aaarrrgghh grumbled. "Maybe should just give lots of burritos, only give ice when he tell us?"

"Let's not start a war with the only jotnar we're on speaking terms with," Strickler muttered. "When are we going?"

"Whenever you're ready." Toby picked up his hammer, resting against the wall, stroking it fondly. "We've done a lot haven't we? I guess it's pretty flattering, y'know; Gatto only wants really cool stuff."

Jim had to bend so he could be on eye level with Toby. It was a reminder to Toby of how stocky he was, although Jim meant nothing by it. "I'm sorry Tobes. Are you sure you want to do this?" He nodded firmly. "It means a lot. I'm glad you're protecting New Trollmarket with me." Jim smiled and Toby had to bite his tongue.

"Yeah, well…when it's something as important as this, Warhammer is a fair, if painful, price I can pay." Toby managed a fierce, jaunty grin that made his braces dazzle. "Let's roll out."

Claire was waiting down in the gyre station, but she made no move toward it. "Hi guys. Are you heading to Gatto's Keep?"

"Yeah. Not keen to visit Gatto I take it?" Jim asked. Claire shook her head and Toby knew she was going to help research creatures with Blinky. He shot her a rushed thumbs up and she gave him a short, determined nod. "We'll be back really soon. We're not getting anywhere near close enough for him to eat us."

Strickler shifted. "I question why a member of the Troll Council would be permitted such liberties. Bular often threatened to eat his underlings, but Gatto apparently does so frequently as well. Yet he was allowed to be part of the tribunal."

"Not many jotnar left," Aaarrrgghh said. "Most die long ago, joined earth. Aaarrrgghh only know of one other, and she live down, down deep." He shivered. "Rather deal with jerk Gatto."

"Hey." Toby knew James's stride by now, boots on the stony tunnel floor. "Got room for one more?"

Jim seemed surprised. "You want to go? Why?"

"I've seen a lot of things, but not a jotnar. And I'd like to get a look at the guy that eats people. Maybe I can help out, a former-king does have some diplomacy training." James hadn't said anything about Mordred's reappearance but Jim had confided in Toby the brief moment of awareness by the phantom. Toby understood to a degree why James was so upset – to see a hint of hope, only to have to cut him down again, must have been agony.

Maybe he wanted to help his other son the only way he could. Toby shrugged. "Sounds okay to me. Just don't try to riddle with him, he likes riddles. And eating people. And generally being a jerk."

Aaarrrgghh climbed into the gyre but James paused in front of it. "Is there a less…earthquake-ish setting for this thing?"

Strickler smirked. "A sensitive stomach I take it?" Toby figured there would be no easier setting used, even if Strickler did know of one. "We'll return shortly Ms. Nuñez. I've started the cauldron boiling for the defense; it will take days to break down some of the ingredients, and so long as the fire is kept hot the potion will be viable for months."

Claire stood beside the machine and Jim reached back to her, taking her hand. "Jim, I can come if you want me to. I mean, Gatto's as much fun as a barrel of fire ants, but…"

"I'd rather have you here in case anything happens. If we're not back in three hours, we'll need you and Blinky and Merlin to come bail us out. It wouldn't be the first time." She rolled her eyes and kissed him swiftly. "Back soon. Love you."

"Love you too. Don't get eaten!" She stepped back from the gyre and a bark made Toby peer at the tunnel. Draig came pelting out of it, bounding across the room and into the machine, all but crashing into James's lap. "Guess you've got one more rider."

Toby adjusted the satchel hanging from his shoulder. They weren't going in without defenses, though the smell of tacos was killing him right now. But he would stand firm; he'd meant his promise. If Gatto tried anything untoward, he had no fewer than five El Diablos. "Let's go guys!" Aaarrrgghh grunted and pulled the lever, and with a rush of wind they were speeding down the track, leaving New Trollmarket far behind.

Within the first minute Toby felt Draig groan, laying across their laps and looking miserable. He stroked the dog's back sympathetically. "I know boy, it sucks. Here, this might help a little." He took out a hanky and tied it over the dog's eyes. "Mr. Lake, why do you bring your dog everywhere?"

"He's an old friend. Loyal, and he's got my back. And besides, he's not a d – oh stars, why travel this way!?" James gripped one of the bars and shut his eyes tight. "Fifteen hundred years and my motion sickness is still terrible. Ugh."

Jim seemed relatively unbothered, but no doubt he'd used it very much in the past few months. "Put your head between your knees, it helps. You did the same thing when we went on road trips, remember?"

James obeyed and laughed shortly. "Yeah. Your mom had to ride the kid coasters with you at Disney, right? I was busy throwing up after the Dumbo Flight. Gosh I wish I could just travel by horse. You can balance on them, they don't throw you around if you train them well…"

Jim snorted with laughter. "That was the last time you ate anything on the trip other than soup."

"Yeah. Then when we got home I made a five course meal, I was starved." James managed to lift his head a little. "How's your Mom's cooking? It was always…creative as I remember."

Jim paused as they hit a particularly rough bump and Strickler muttered something under his breath. "I did most of the cooking once I was old enough. I started at nine I think, but Mom wouldn't let me use the stove alone until I was twelve." Again he smiled. Toby surreptitiously looked from him to James, intrigued. "I think she only let me then because she was afraid I'd die of malnutrition."

"You cook then? What kind of stuff?" Jim's face tightened and Toby jumped in.

"You kidding, Jimbo's the best cook I know. He would make me a lunch before school because Nana, love her, could not remember that my lunch box was not a box for Mr. Meow Meow PI to potty in. And she often confused mayo for vanilla pudding." Toby cringed. James's face grew green. "Sorry. Anyway, my personal favorite dish is the egg white manchego omelette. Best breakfast-brunch item ever."

"Really!" James by this time had scooted to the edge of the gyre. "That's awesome. You take classes or anything Jim? Before I mean."

"No, but I watched a lot of cooking shows and video tutorials. I was always interested in learning more but…well, with things the way they are, it's a moot point. I haven't cooked much since…"

Jim paused as James threw up over the side. "…How about we talk about this when you're not being sick?"

"Good idea. But I could – urk – definitely show you some recipes – ugh, that was a bump – from history. Interesting thing, food. Tells you a lot about history." James managed a wan, shaky grin.

Strickler groaned aloud. "Could you possibly try this bonding ploy with your son later? The rest of us are barely keeping our stomachs down as is!"


Aaarrrgghh was the first out of the gyre when they arrived. Toby came second, Jim third, and Strickler after him. Draig and James fell onto the floor in a heap, groaning. They helped them up and Toby offered mint gum to James and a stream from his water bottle for Draig. "Gotta be a way to improve the aerodynamics to make it smoother."

James, upon his recover, scratched Draig's ears. "I'll be back in a minute bud. Watch the gyre for us, huh?" The dog barked and plopped onto his belly, plumed tail wagging. If he minded the heat he didn't show it.

Leading the way into the heat, Jim was quiet as he watched for enemies. Aaarrrgghh did the same, never straying far from Toby, who carried Warhammer like a sacrificial lamb. James chewed his gum and looked at everything, impressed. "So this Gatto guy wants your Warhammer for info about the phoenix? What does he do with the stuff he collects?"

"He swallows it and keeps it in the rocky parts of his stomach. Not easy to steal from a guy who keeps magical artifacts in his guts." Jim paused as several weary trolls passed them, metal masks concealing their faces. They continued on after a moment.

"Does he ever bring the stuff up? Like, to look at it?" James asked.

"Not that I'm aware of. He just keeps it. He swallowed some of his guys to go after us once, so I don't think he has much control in there." Toby shrugged. "Don't know why he collects them like that, unless he keeps them for bartering tools. Or bait."

"So, technically speaking, once he swallows it, that's it." James stroked his chin. "Interesting." Perhaps spotting several trolls, he opened his hand and Excalibur appeared in it. "Not the friendliest place I've ever been."

Aaarrrgghh felt Gatto's eyes on them the moment they entered the great chamber, heat intense and the rumble of laughter all around them. It took several minutes to climb the stairway, and the heat built in their chests the entire time. "Welcome. I see you've brought what I asked for." Jim scowled at the troll and Toby gripped Warhammer tightly, jaw set. "Well, lob it in and I'll tell you of the phoenix."

Toby sighed and drew just close enough to the jagged, stone teeth to throw the hammer. "Ciao Warhammer. You've been a loyal weapon. I'll tell my children and grandchildren of your feats of valor." But James stepped up and put a hand on the weapon. Aaarrrgghh cocked his head curiously.

"Hi there. Gatto, right? Nice to meet you." Gatto closed his mouth, gazing down suspiciously. James waved. "I know what you're thinking, super rude of me to just pop up like this. And I totally agree. But I just had to meet a real jotnar, you know? Name's Arthur Pendragon." He looked around. "Do you have a hand to shake or…?"

"Why are you here? And…the Arthur?" Gatto glanced to Jim. "He looks like you. Before Merlin's little concoction."

Jim eyed James warily. "He's my Dad. He's been tagging along."

Gatto laughed, a loud, echoing noise. "What a thought! Merlin's first poor champion fathers his second one! Being swindled by wizards must be genetic." Jim's hands formed fists and Aaarrrggghh nudged him uneasily. But James bowed sweepingly.

"What can I say, the old conniver is clever. But he does make good magical artifacts. Case in point." He extended his arm and let the magma light play along Excalibur's blade. Gatto jolted, rock grinding against rock. Jim's face was alarmed and Strickler shot James a sharp look. "How about you take this instead of Warhammer, huh?"

"What!? No!" Toby stared at him and grabbed his arm. "That sword is probably super magical and does not need to be rotting in Gatto's Keep! I love my Warhammer but it can be replaced! That sword is the only thing that can stop Mordred, right?"

Gatto appeared to consider and Aaarrrgghh wished he could read minds. What was James thinking? He gently prized Toby's hand off his arm. "Why give me the sword?" Gatto asked, ground rumbling with his suspicion.

"Because I'd like to be on good terms with a jotnar. And seriously, there's so much history in this thing I feel a little dumb using it in the modern day. I mean, Jim's sword is with the times. Excalibur's kind of passé, know what I mean? Not like I have any armies to take down, just one ghost at the moment. And I'm sure I can find a good exorcism to deal with it." James held out the blade so Gatto could see it. "Think of it as a friendly bribe. I give it to you in exchange for phoenix info. Everyone's happy. Good transaction. I get a jotnar in my corner, you get a real treasure instead of a kid's hammer."

Jim started toward his father. "You can't-!"

"Done. Terms agreed." Gatto grinned wickedly. "You know how to make friends, Arthur." Jim glared at James, who tossed the sword into the troll's open mouth with a flourish, brushing his hands together cheerfully afterward. "Now that is a worthy addition! At any rate…"

Gatto let out a little steam through his mouth, considering. "The phoenix is at this time hidden in a magma cavern a mile down, reachable by a gyre. She leaves for a few days at a time but always returns to her abode to bathe in the heat and relax."

"Wait, straight down? From here?" Strickler asked. He looked at the ground. "Is she one of your subjects then?"

"Mm, not exactly. I can hardly punish her if she goes against my wishes, considering she is made of fire and can't be harmed by it. We're more cordial neighbors that never speak. I have never met her personally. But if you take the tunnel of the gyre and follow it around to the back of the volcano, there's a tunnel down. Take it and you'll come to a large opening where magma pools but an opening exists. She nests there." Gatto chuckled. "Of course she'll probably burn the humans to ash in a moment. And there are dozens of tunnels she can escape through. So I don't know how much good the information does you."

Strickler studied his claws. "And if we land in a magma pool we'll certainly die. Or at least suffer drastic burns. So we can't just take the gyre down right now."

Aaarrrgghh poked him. "Spell to protect against fire?"

"Yes…I think we'll need some magical intervention. We'll find the tunnel and take it down as soon as I can prepare the solution." Strickler grimaced. "Well Gatto, it has been illuminating."

"Yes impure, I'm sure it has. Now get out. Our discussion is at an end." Gatto huffed and smoke poured from his mouth in a noxious cloud, making them cough. "If you ever wish to talk again, bring me another treasure. Or hop on in, either way." Toby shuddered and clutched Warhammer tightly, and they left the chamber, breaking free of the smoke and heading down the path, toward the tunnel for the gyre.

"That was crazy!" Jim hissed, waiting until they were in the tunnel to avoid eavesdroppers. James whistled quietly and Draig lifted his head as they approached, ears pricked. "Why did you give up Excalibur? We have no other way of fending off Mordred!"

Aaarrrgghh was torn – the thought of the sword Excalibur in Gatto's belly made him anxious, and it was certainly very bad to lose such a weapon of history, but Toby got to keep Warhammer. He glanced back the way they'd come from Gatto, unsure of what to do. "Come on Aaarrrgghh," Jim called, "there's nothing we can do right now. Maybe we can get Gatto to reconsider if we find something else."

Strickler was lost in thought and said nothing, probably trying to recall a formula for fire defense. As soon as the gyre started and they were off, James burst out laughing. All of them started, shocked at his amusement. "Wow, what a blowhard! He and Merlin would get along great. Ha!" He grinned at them. "I neglected to mention something to Gatto." He opened his hand and Excalibur materialized, bright and clean as always. Aaarrrgghh yelped. "Excalibur is bound to me in the same way the amulet is bound to Jim. When Merlin finds a pattern he likes, he uses it every time. So if I call hard enough, it comes." He let it disappear and put his head in his lap, still snickering. "Ordinarily I wouldn't cheat someone, but that guy is a piece of work."

Toby hooted with laughter. "Dude! You saved my Warhammer!" He slapped James on the back. Jim's confusion melded into a pleased, bewildered laugh and Aaarrrgghh beamed. Gatto would probably never have any idea of the trick, or if he did, not for years and years to come. Strickler cast his eyes upward with a long suffering sigh.


"Merlin! Hey Merlin!" Jim knocked on the doorframe before peeking behind the green curtain that concealed the wizard's quarters. "We just got info about the phoenix. Strickler's working on a fireproofing spell. You have any ideas about that?"

Merlin's alcove was oddest of all. He had books in languages that probably hadn't ever been spoken by man or troll, Celtic knots and symbols carved into the stone, and a spot with a woven green rug for meditation. The Staff of Avalon was beside his cot, still and gleaming. Jim spotted him at his carved oak table, tinkering with a small, smooth stone. "Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were in the middle of something."

"Not a problem Jim. You're welcome here, and Claire. You two are the only ones that can look in my direction without imagining how you could throw me off a cliff." His tone was short. Merlin lifted the rock, turning it over in the light of the crystal chunk growing from the stone over his table. "Fireproofing you say?"

"Uh, yeah." Jim stepped inside. "I know the others are still kind of mad about things, but you're one of us. They're just…worried about me. It's my fault really." Looking for a way to change the subject, he stepped close enough to see the tiny stones. "What do those runes mean?"

"Protective charms. Arranged in a certain way, they could even keep Mordred penned somewhere for a time. Of course it'll take a while to complete the number we'd need, and I don't have enough of the right stone. I have to make it myself you see." He showed him the one between his fingers. It was perfectly round but flattened, darker and hard than jade, and an intricate character had been carved with a needle-thin blade. "Unicorn mane would work too. I heard a funny story about a gentleman that managed to protect his home by lining its border with unicorn hair, quite interesting."*

Jim inspected it. "Would the defense Blinky and Strickler are talking about be better than these?" Merlin snorted. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just their idea is most experimental, and dangerous for that matter. They are mere amateurs in the arcane." He sounded bitter more than he did condescending. "There's a chance it will work but an equal chance it will fail. And it will be intensely dangerous to gather the ingredients and…and utilize it."

Jim gave the rock back. "Claire's told me before that 'fortune favors the bold.' If it can help your runes protect New Trollmarket, I'll get those ingredients." Merlin sighed.

"Yes. I know you will. And the others will stop at nothing as well. I'll speak with Strickler about a fireproof spell after I put the finishing touches on this. It shouldn't be too hard to put together."

"Thanks Merlin. I appreciate it." Jim wavered. "I…also wanted to see if you were okay. After the thing with Mordred. You seemed shaken up." Merlins dark eyes rested on him. "Or if you don't want to talk, that's okay. It's your business. Just wanted to know if you were doing all right." Merlin looked to the wall over his desk, apparently lost in thought. "I'll just go, I guess." Embarrassed and worried he'd made things worse, Jim turned to exit the alcove.

"…He loved animals, you know."

Jim stopped. Merlin had spoken so suddenly, so softly, that he wasn't sure if he'd understood him. "Who loved animals?"

"Mordred." The name seemed to cost him several beats of his heart. "When he was a boy he would bring me fallen birds. I could mend their wings. He…always loved that. He had a great propensity for white magic. He would have made an excellent healer given time." Merlin turned over the book in his hands, listless. "But he was no warrior. No, that's all Morganna's influence. He couldn't bear to strike an animal, let alone hurt a person. He would rather muck out stalls than fight with a sword."

Jim turned to face Merlin. He'd never spoken in such a way. It was hard to read the emotions in his face. "He called you 'Uncle Merlin.' Were you like family?"

"I raised him from infancy. Arthur – forgive me, James – knew nothing of his existence and Morganna was often conducting her own studies, so it fell to me to raise a little boy. She couldn't abide babies anyway. It was the most challenging thing I could have imagined. I had an image of a great hero, a warrior beyond compare to imbue with great magic. I never dealt much with the children they were before that." He smiled faintly. It was full of a barbed pain, one that tore as it was drawn out. "Serves me right that I would get the cuddliest little monster ever born. Always wanted to be near me, watching me work, helping me with tasks. He craved affection. I can't tell you how many times I had to pry him off me just to get any work done. I would whistle that song to help him sleep…he loved the sound of the bird calls. He was always willing to help me, and never thought to ask why I put so much magic into him. He trusted me."

Mordred, a sweet kid. Jim tried to imagine it. A little boy, following Merlin around with starry eyes, letting magic flow through him without a fear. And then him being stripped away from the only family he knew at ten years old. The ache was familiar and it burned anew. "Sounds like he loved you. And…you loved him."

"I damned him!" Merlin slammed his fists on the table, shout raw. Jim jumped back. "I let my hubris rule me, thought I could make him what he wasn't to fit my plan! And then Morganna took him…and instead of tearing the country apart to get him back, I waited, trying to talk to Morganna, reason with her! Because I was so sure that I was right! I was a fool-!"

His voice broke. Jim's heart pounded in his chest – what should he say? Merlin had never acted as if anything really bothered him, rarely stirred to any emotion other than irritation, pride, or exasperation. But now he was hunched over his workbench, agony reflected in the curve of his back, his taut shoulders. Merlin slowly lifted his head. His breath was faint. "Everyone thinks when they meet the Merlin he'll have all the answers, know exactly what to do. And maybe I should, old as I am. And I act that way, as if I'm great enough to be sure of all my decisions. But I'm not. I'm…really not. I never have been. I can't even see the future with absolute accuracy, let alone be sure of what will be best for it."

Jim drew a breath. "No one's sure of all their decisions. Merlin, you're just a person. A really old, powerful person. No one does the right thing all the time." The wizard turned and for a second Jim saw an uncertain child, one that had broken something important and was waiting for the hand to strike.

"But what about when other people suffer for it? How do I deal with that, Jim? Arthur is doomed to wander this planet who knows how long, Mordred, my Mordred, may have to be sealed in the Shadow Realm, and…well, you see what I've done to you. In my desire to destroy Morganna my way, in my time, to get my power back, I made you pay the price. I've destroyed your chance to have anything like a normal life, enjoy the sun…even have any children of your own one day. By all rights you should loathe me, but you treat me cordially."

Had these things really occurred to the wizard? Jim was speechless. Merlin, feeling guilty for his power plays? Had Mordred sparked it, that one second where he was lucid? Or had Merlin, like himself, hidden emotions that he thought would make it harder to make it through each day? Had he lied to himself, pretended everything was all right, only to finally come face to face with absolute proof that it wasn't? Jim at least had friends and family that supported him. Merlin…what did he have, at the end of the day?

Jim thought a moment, aware that Merlin was very, very interested in his answer. He could not lie, Merlin would see through it. And something in him pitied the wizard. "I'm not going to pretend I like how things turned out. Maybe you went about it wrong, maybe certain things could have gone differently. And I know you can be kind of calculating and make some harsh choices, you've been in that kind of situation. I'm gonna say it's probably the same for my dad, and for Mordred. I'm sure things could have been better. And…you can be a real jerk sometimes." He paused, chewing his lip thoughtfully. "But you gave me the strength to save my h – Arcadia. My Mom, Toby, Claire, Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, everybody. I could protect them better because of what you did. If I could do it over, I think I'd do the same thing if it meant helping the innocent people of that city, and those I love most."

He met Merlin's eye. "So as far as I'm concerned, I can't hate you. I see too much good in you for that. And I'm grateful for the power to protect them, even if the repercussions are too much some days. So thank you. You're not perfect, but I think you try. And that's the only thing anyone can do, no matter how powerful they are. And you can feel guilt, which is more than Morganna could do."

Merlin blinked and looked away and Jim wondered what he was thinking. "…Do you think, Jim, that as we get older we learn many new lessons…but maybe forget the most important ones?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh, nothing. Just an old man rambling. You can go now." He waved a hand flippantly and, nonplussed, Jim went.


Merlin sat on his cot for a longtime after Jim left, turning the stone over and over in his hands. "He's so much like you were. Well, like both of you were." Arthur had been wild, excitable, shining with resolve to protect the kingdom. Mordred had been gentler, quieter, teeming with the desire to fix and help and heal. And Jim, a balance between the two, seeking to defend a people that by all rights should have been able to defend themselves.

The Pendragon bloodline did nothing by half measures. "Mordred…is it not too late? Can I help save your soul from shadow? Can I make up even a little for what I let her do to you?" Merlin rested his forehead against his palm, drained of all pride. "I thought myself so selfless and great for giving up my magic to stop her the first time. But I got it back. If someone as cold as I can be rewarded with that, why not those that are truly selfless and sacrifice without ever thinking they'll get anything in return?"

The trolls that had trained him in magic and cared for him since his mother's abandonment had taught him well, masters of magic and tactics. But they had known little of compassion or love. It wasn't in their nature. He wondered how many of them had followed Gunmar when he rose to power. But many trolls did know of love, even if it wasn't always so soft as the human notion. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh and Strickler loved humans fiercely.

Merlin could only think of a handful of people he'd ever loved. And because of his actions, most of them were cursed to fates worse than death. Or far beyond his reach. Or gone into the Shadow Realm to curse his name for all time.

He stood up, emerald fire sparking from his hands. "No more." Merlin wiped his face firmly and picked up the Staff of Avalon and marched out of his alcove.

He had to speak with a few trolls.


"It would last two hours I think." Strickler showed Blinky the formula wearily. "It would keep the air from cooking human from the inside as well, but direct contact with magma will weaken the ward. I think it would be better not to bring the humans at all."

"You're probably right. Master Jim included – his defense is far improved from a human's but he is still slightly less hardy than you or I with extreme temperatures. You, myself, and Aaarrrgghh would be ideal." Blinky tapped a quill against his cheek in thought. "Perhaps some form of gift for her? Can phoenixes cry upon request?"

"That I don't know. I understand they are sentient and can speak, so an honest request would be ideal. I don't think we want to make an enemy of her. And James should probably never go near Gatto's Keep again. I doubt he could explain if they saw him with Excalibur." Strickler smirked. "On second thought…"

"Come now, he's helping us. We must work together to solve these problems," Blinky said sternly. "And what of the basilisks?"

Strickler's amusement faded. "There is good news and bad news for that piece. The good news is that the den is intact and they're trapped as always. Unfortunately the defenses are also still intact." Blinky frowned. "They live within the rainforest, but around their pit is a changeling compound. Abandoned, I must think, but outfitted with powerful lights that will have the same impact on a troll as the sun."

"What on earth for?" Blinky demanded. "How is a troll to get at them if there's constant sunlight around them?"

"Precisely the point. Only a human or changeling could get at them. It precludes any 'pureblood' from gaining access to our greatest defense." Strickler winced. "Of course, given the situation, we only have a few options for how to get at the basilisks."

Blinky felt his knees weaken. "We can't send in Toby, Claire, or Barbara!"

Strickler rapped his claws against the table. "I dislike the idea as well. We'll come back to that, perhaps there's another method. Any word from James about fairy locations?"

"Well, if fairies still exist, I'd say they they're hiding out in one of their old glens. They can tuck themselves into the forests snug as you please." The two looked up in surprise as Merlin entered, coming to stand beside Blinky. "Excalibur will be able to lead us to one, if they still exist. I'd say it likely they would dwell near the Isle of Avalon for its protective aura."

Blinky, true to his name, blinked several times. "You…think so?"

"It's likely. And I can up the strength of the fireproof spell with some salamander blood and thyme. It'll bear up better near the magma for longer." Merlin knocked his staff against the table briskly. "Well? What of the unicorn? Moonlight is burning gentlemen."

Strickler shifted a back to survey him. "Why are you wanting to help now? You've been insisting it's a fool's errand for days."

"It may well be. But fools are sometimes right. And as a very wise person told me a short time ago, the only thing we can do is try." He rapped the table again. "Now come on! Bring me up to speed!"

End of Chapter 7


* A little nod to Gravity Falls for those of you that enjoyed that show as well.


Preview of Chapter 8

"My tears! You want my tears!?" The phoenix huffed. "That's a fine thing then! I hoped you'd come to gaze upon my beauty, for no one's sighted me in centuries! But no, you just want me to cry a river for you. What's the matter, got an ingrown toenail or something?"

She ruffled her splendid feathers and embers fluffed from her down. Blinky plowed ahead. "Dearest, most beautiful lady, I assure you it is for a vital cause. Though we are honored to see you. Certainly it was worth the journey to behold your plumage."

The phoenix eyed him with a dark, beady glare. "Fine. I'll give you all the tears you can make me cry. You must tell me a story."

Strickler stared. "What?"

"Tell me a sad story! Or two or three! If you can make me cry, you can keep whatever tears you need." She began to preen, beak digging through tendrils of flame. "You get one chance apiece. I want some new stories. If you can't get me to cry, that's it. You leave and don't come back." She continued cleaning her wings. "Well?"