Chapter 20
I don't own fablehaven
The Inverted Tower
Wearing a blanket like a shawl, Kendra straddled a thick limb in a tree with a good view of the cottage.
The night was just cool enough to make her glad for the blanket, which was currently invisible along with the rest of her. Before climbing to her current perch she had crisscrossed the area touching the boles of several other trees, in case an imp tried to track her scent.
Although she felt exhausted, her precarious position helped motivate her to keep alert. If she nodded off, she would fall about ten feet and receive a very rude awakening from the uncaring ground. She had spent the majority of her time astride the limb either furious at Seth or fretting about him. It was not fair that he had abandoned her and left her vulnerable, nor that he had taken action without consulting her. But she also realized that he was trying to do what he thought was right, and that he would probably pay a heavy price for his misguided bravery, which gave her a reason to rein in her unkind thoughts.
Tense and anxious, Kendra strained her eyes and ears for any sign of an enemy approaching, or of Mendigo returning.
She was unsure how she would proceed once Mendigo reappeared.
Even though it was too late to save Seth from his fate,
"What's up with everyone assuming I die straight off the bat?" Seth asked.
a big part of her wanted to go after him rather than flee
Fablehaven. At the same time, she knew that if she could find the Sphinx, it might be her best chance to rescue her grandparents and maybe even discover a way to restore Seth,
Tanu, Coulter, and Warren from their albino states.
Waiting impatiently on the limb, Kendra was stunned to see Warren climb out onto the observation platform atop the cottage. She watched him in astounded silence as he stretched and rubbed his arms. The night was too dim for her to observe details, but he appeared to be moving about like a normal person.
Warren! she hissed.
He jumped and turned toward her. Who's there? he asked.
She was so surprised to hear him speak that it momentarily prevented her from answering. You can talk! Oh my gosh! What happened?
Of course I can talk. I'm sorry-who are you?
I'm Kendra. She couldn't believe it. He seemed perfectly fine.
I'm going to need a little more to go on. He squinted in her direction. The night probably looked darker to him than it did to her, and of course she was invisible.
I'm Kendra Sorenson. Stan and Ruth are my grandparents.
If you say so.
"So you're gonna trust this random girl whose hiding in a tree, and you don't know where or why you're there?" Dale asked.
"It's called confusion." Warren said.
What compelled you to hide in a tree in the middle of the night? Can you tell me how I got here?
Meet me at the back door, Kendra said. I'll be there in a second. Warren had somehow been cured! She was no longer alone! She slid off the limb and climbed down from the tree. Taking off the glove, she walked out from among the trees and through the garden to the back door, where
Warren met her.
Standing in the doorway, he studied her. He looked even more handsome now that he had possession of himself. His striking eyes were a silvery hazel.
"How much you wanna net Warren is just saying that about himself" seth asked. Warrrn flipped the book around and tapped the spot. Kendra groaned again.
Had they been that color before? It's you, he said in curious wonder. I remember you.
From when you were mute? she asked.
Was I mute? That's a first. Come inside.
Kendra entered. You were a mute albino for a few years.
Years? he exclaimed. What year is it?
She told him and he looked flummoxed. They walked to the table in the main room.
He ran a white hand through his thick hair, then stared at his palm. I thought I was looking sort of bleached, he said, flexing his fingers. The last thing I remember was something coming toward me in the grove. It could have been yesterday. I was overcome by a panic like I had never known, and my mind withdrew to a dark place. I felt nothing there, hemmed in by pure terror, disconnected from my senses, retaining a groggy semblance of self-awareness. Near the end I saw you, wreathed in light. But it felt like hours lapsing, not days, certainly not years.
You've been catatonic, Kendra said. There is a revenant in the grove, and everybody who goes there ends up like you did.
I haven't wasted away too terribly, he said, patting himself. I feel a tad slimmer, but not withered like I should be after years in a coma.
You could move around, but always in a daze, Kendra explained. Your brother Dale made sure you got exercise.
He took good care of you.
Is he here?
He's locked in the dungeon with my grandparents,
"Oh isn't that lovely."
Kendra said. The entire preserve is in danger. Members of the Society of the Evening Star have taken over the house.
One of them is a narcoblix, so I've been awake for a couple of days straight. They are trying to get the artifact.
He raised his eyebrows. You're saying there isn't going to be a Welcome-Back-from-Your-Coma Party?
"Still hasn't happened guys."
Kendra smiled. Until we rescue the others, I'm all you get.
Sooner or later, I want cake and ice cream. You mentioned the artifact. Do they know where it is?
She nodded. They weren't sure what to do about the revenant. My brother went to fight it. Since you're suddenly awake... I think he must have defeated it. Your brother?My little brother, she said, suddenly rather proud of him. He took off with the key to the tower and a crazy plan to use a courage potion to counteract the fear radiating from the revenant. I thought he was nuts, but it must have worked.
He has the key to the inverted tower? Warren asked.
We stole it from Vanessa. She's the narcoblix.
Your brother intends to enter the tower?
He wants to get the artifact before they do, Kendra said.
How old is he?
Twelve.
"Your just jealous." Seth said.
Warren looked astonished. What kind of training does he have?
Not much. I'm worried about him.
You should be. If he goes into that tower alone, he will not emerge alive.
Can we go after him? Kendra asked.
Sounds like we'd better. He dropped his gaze to his hands, shaking his head. So now I'm albino? Don't stand too close; my luck might rub off. I set out, seems like yesterday, to retrieve the artifact. That was what led me to the grove. I knew a danger lurked there, but the overwhelming fear took me off guard. Now, after losing years of my life in a panic-induced trance, I get to pick up right where I left off.
Why were you after the artifact?
It was a clandestine commission, Warren said. We had reason to believe the secret of Fablehaven might have been breached, so I was charged with removing and transferring the artifact.
Who had you do that?
Warren gave her a measuring stare. I'm a member of a covert organization that combats the Society of the Evening
Star. I can't say any more.
The Knights of the Dawn?
Warren tossed up his hands. Nice. Who told you that?
Dale.
"Sharing all my secrets."
Warren shook his head. Telling that guy a secret is like writing it across the sky. Anyhow, yes, we had reason to suspect
Fablehaven had been discovered by the Society, and I
was supposed to locate the artifact.
Ready to finish what you started?
Why not? Looks like things fell apart around here without me. Time to put Humpty back together again. None of my gear is where I left it, but ill-equipped or not, we'd better hurry if we hope to catch your brother before he enters the tower. I take it Hugo isn't around.
Vanessa sent him to the farthest corner of Fablehaven with orders to stay put, Kendra said.
The stables are far enough from here that getting a horse will save us no time. I know the way to the valley. You up for a night hike?
Yes, she said. Mendigo should return soon. He's an enchanted puppet the size of a man, and can help us get there enchanted puppet? You're not exactly an average teenager, are you? I bet you've got some stories to tell.
Kendra was pleased by the admiration in his voice, and hoped it wasn't showing on her face. Why was she thinking about the moment she had kissed him?
"I'm going to die from reading this stuff." Kendra said miserably.
She was suddenly very conscious of the way she was standing, and had no idea what to do with her hands. She had to stop noticing how cute he was. This was the wrong time for silly crushes! One or two, she managed to say.
"Dude you don't crush on your cousin, that's gross." Seth said.
I'm going to scavenge for equipment, Warren said, hurrying over to the cupboards.
I have a glove that makes me invisible when I hold still, Kendra said. And several magical potions, though I'm not sure what they do.
Of course you do, he said, rifling through some drawers. Where did you get all that?
The glove belonged to a man named Coulter.
Coulter Dixon? he asked urgently. Why do you speak of him in the past tense?
He became a mute albino like you. Which probably means he's fine now, except that he's locked up in the dungeon with Dale.
Jackpot! Warren announced.
What?
Cookies. He stuck one in his mouth. What about the potions?
A guy named Tanu. He's a former mute albino too now, but I don't know where he is. I've heard of Tanu the potion master, Warren met him.
Just then Kendra heard a faint jingling of hooks. She ran to the front door. Mendigo carne to a halt beside the porch.
Our ride is here, Kendra said.
One minute, Warren called. He returned promptly with a coil of rope looped over one shoulder and an ax in his hand. Best weapon I could find, he said, hefting the ax.
Mendigo can carry us, she said. He's stronger than he looks.
That may be, but we'll travel faster if I run alongside.
Off we go, then.
Mendigo, Kendra said. Carry me to the place you just took Seth, fast as you can. And don't lose Warren. She pointed at Warren for emphasis. She scrambled up onto
Mendigo's back and they set off at a brisk pace.
Warren did a good job keeping up at first, but he was nearly running at a full sprint, and before long he was gasping and wheezing. Kendra ordered Mendigo to carry him as well, and Warren consented. I don't have the wind I used to, or the legs, he apologized.
Warren was considerably bigger than Seth or Kendra, and Mendigo did not run quite as speedily while carrying him. Occasionally Warren insisted on running for a minute or two, trying to maximize their pace.
The night wore on. At last they reached the valley. The stars in the east were growing faint as the sky began to pale.
Mendigo soon reached the unseen boundary that he could not cross. He can't enter the grove, just like Hugo, Warren-remarked. If Hugo had been with me that night, I would not have lost those years.
Set us down, Mendigo, Kendra said. Guard the grove from all intruders.
What have we here? Warren murmured, stooping and examining the ground.
What? Kendra said.
I think your brother was here. Follow me. Warren jogged toward the trees, clutching the ax.
Kendra rushed to keep up. Could there be other dangers in the grove? she asked.
Doubtful, Warren said. This has been the revenant's domain since the hiding of the artifact and the founding of
Fablehaven. Few would dare tread this cursed ground.
Wait a second, Kendra said. Here's Seth's emergency kit. He lost it the first time he came to the grove. Kendra retrieved the cereal box from where it lay.
First time? Warren asked.
Long story, Kendra said.
Look here, Warren said. The key. Your brother is not inside the tower. He's probably injured or spent. We'd better hurry.
They trotted through the trees. Warren held the ax in one hand, the key in the other. What's that up ahead?
Warren said. A flashlight?
Kendra saw the glow as well, low to the ground. As they hurried nearer, she saw that it was indeed a fallen flashlight.
Gauging by the faintness of the bulb, the batteries were nearly depleted. Beside the flashlight lay a skeleton clad inrags. And atop the skeleton lay her brother, facedown.
Warren knelt beside Seth, felt his wrist for a pulse, and rolled him over. One of Seth's hands remained closed around a pair of pliers that held nothing. The flashlight revealed ugly mottled marks on Seth's throat. Warren leaned in for a closer look. His neck is bruised and burned, but he's breathing.
Shouldn't Vanessa be in control of him? Kendra asked.
You know, the narcoblix?
This is no natural sleep, Warren said. She may have power over him, but she can't animate limbs that refuse to function. He paid a severe price to best the revenant-it was evidently a very close contest. Potion or no potion, your brother must have the heart of a lion!
"Some call it Seth" Seth said.
He's very brave, Kendra said, tears pooling in her eyes.
Her lips trembled. Can I borrow the light? Warren handed her the flashlight and she found a small potion in the cereal box. He was very proud that Tanu gave him a potion that could boost his energy in an emergency.
That might do him good, Warren said. He uncapped the bottle, propped up Seth's head, and poured some of the fluid into his mouth. Seth spluttered and coughed. After a moment, Warren gave him more, which he gulped.
Seth's eyes opened, and his brow furrowed. You! he said weakly, his voice raspy.
Get out of him, hag, Warren spat.
Seth smiled eerily. And then his eyes rolled white. What happened? he gasped, voice still raspy. The revenant?
You succeeded, Warren said.
You're healed, Seth murmured perplexedly, staring at
Warren. Didn't know... that would happen. Kendra. You came.
Ask him something only he would know, Warren said.
This could be a ruse.
Kendra thought for a moment. What dessert did you hate in your school lunch last year?
Cherry cobbler, he said weakly.
"What!?"
"School food sucks."
What was your favorite shadow puppet Dad used to make?
Chicken, he said.
It's him, Kendra said confidently.
Can you sit up? Warren asked.
Seth's head bobbed slightly forward. His fingers twitched. I feel like I've been run over by a steamroller.
Like everything... has been squished out of me. My throat hurts.
He needs time to recuperate, Warren said. And I
need to get into the tower. The narcoblix knows the way is open. The only reason she would have released Seth is because she is already on her way here. Kendra, you mentioned that a great imp is helping her, along with another man, but she may have more contacts than them on the preserve.
I should be able to navigate the traps. Let's have
Mendigo take you and your brother to a safe place.
I want to come, Seth croaked. You've done enough today, Warren said. Time to passoff the torch to others.
Give me more of that potion, Seth said.
More of that potion won't change your condition,
Warren said. Though Kendra should probably have a dose, to help her keep awake.
Kendra took a sip. Almost instantly she felt a burst of alertness, as if she had been slapped.
Warren scooped his arms under Seth, lifting him in a cradled position. Kendra started collecting the key and the ax, but Warren told her to leave them. He was walking with quick steps back toward Mendigo.
Should I go into the tower with you, Warren? she asked, catching up.
Too dangerous, he said.
I may be able to help, she said. Last year, I visited the
Fairy Queen's shrine on the island in the pond and raised a fairy army to save Fablehaven from a demon named
Bahumat.
"That's my key to getting in on stuff" Kendra said.
What? Warren sputtered.
She did, Seth confirmed.
You do have stories! Warren said.
The fairies left me with certain gifts, Kendra continued, not wanting to specify that she was fairykind. I can see in the dark, and speak all the languages the fairies can. I
don't need the milk anymore to see magical creatures. And my touch can recharge magical objects that are out of energy. The Sphinx seemed to think that might come in handy for some of the artifacts. It very well might, Warren said. It has been suggested That the artifacts were deliberately drained of energy as an additional safeguard.
Without me you might not be able to use the artifact even if you find it, Kendra said.
I believe I can successfully negotiate the traps in the tower, Warren said. But that is without knowing what they are. I'm not infallible, as the grove has aptly proven. Do you understand the possible dangers of accompanying me?
We could both die, Kendra said. But there is danger everywhere at Fablehaven today. I'll come with you.
An extra pair of eyes and hands could make a difference,
Warren conceded. And the ability to charge the artifact, whichever one it is, could make all the difference. We'll trust Mendigo to watch over Seth.
This is no fair, Seth muttered.
Do you want your glove back? Kendra asked.
You'll need it more, he said firmly.
They emerged from the grove and hurried to Mendigo.
Warren suggested that Kendra have Mendigo take Seth to the stables. Kendra gave orders for Mendigo to take Seth to the stables and watch over him, keep him safe from harm, and not allow him to wander off for a full day unless otherwise instructed. Mendigo trotted away, cradling Seth.
"Hmmph"
Warren and Kendra ran back to the dry skeleton of the revenant and retrieved the key and the ax. Kendra followed
Warren deeper into the grove. There was little undergrowth, but the deeper they went, the closer the trees grew together, and the heavier they were draped with moss and mistletoe.
"Why is there mistletoe in s grove?"
They reached a place where the trees grew so snugly that their branches interlocked in such a way as to almost form a wall.
When Warren shouldered through the living barrier, they found a small clearing ringed by trees, illuminated by a warm, predawn glow. A sizable raised platform of reddish stone dominated the area, looking almost like an outdoor stage. Stone stairs on one side of the platform granted easy access.
Up the steps Warren charged, with Kendra at his heels.
Despite the ubiquitous wildflowers and weeds in the clearing, the stone platform was untouched by vegetation. The smooth surface was flecked with black and gold. At the center of the spacious platform was a round socket, surrounded by multiple circular grooves that radiated out concentrically to the edge of the platform. About four feet separated each of the dark, narrow grooves. From above, the grooves would look like a target, with the socket at the center of the bull's-eye.
Warren placed the complicated end of the key into the round socket. He had to twist the key back and forth, lining up various protuberances with notches in the socket to gradually work it in deeper. Once the tall key was approximately a foot into the hole, it clicked home.
You sure you're up for this? Warren asked. There will be no turning back once we go inside.
What do you mean? Kendra asked.
These sorts of places are designed so that unless you make it to the end and claim your prize, you do not make it out alive. The designers don't want explorers solving the puzzle piece by piece. The traps guarding the way back will be much less forgiving than the traps protecting the way forward.
Until we reach the artifact.
I'm coming, Kendra said.
Face reddening with exertion, Warren gripped the handle of the key tightly and began turning it. The key rotated 180 degrees and stopped.
The platform shuddered. It became apparent that the circular grooves marked divisions between concentric rings of stone when the outer ring fell away into darkness, followed by the next, and the next, and the next. The massive rings thundered as they struck the ground.
Warren pulled Kendra near him, standing atop the innermost circle with the key. Though the other rings all fell, the innermost never dropped. Peering down, Kendra saw that the outermost ring had fallen the farthest, with each ring thereafter plummeting a shorter distance, so that all together they formed a conical stairway. From the outside of the platform, it was at least a thirty-foot drop to the floor of the chamber. From the center where Kendra and Warren stood, the next ring was only four feet lower, the next four feet lower again, and so forth down to the floor.
They just don't build entrances like they used to,
Warren said. He tugged on the key, and, with a musical ring of steel, the portion of the key in the socket separated from the rest of it. Now instead of ending in a complicated series of protuberances and notches, the key ended in a slender, double-edged spearhead. Would you look at that?
Can't be good, Kendra said. Yeah, it probably turns into a weapon for a reason,Warren said, looking down into the chamber. I don't see any trouble yet.
I'm putting on the glove, Kendra said. She vanished.
Not bad, Warren said.
Kendra waved at him, reappearing as she moved. It only works when I hold still.
Do you know what any of the potions do? Warren asked.
I know a couple that would make us about eight or nine inches tall, she said. And I know some are bottled-up emotions, although I'm not sure which is which. Seth might know a few others. We should have asked him.
Warren began climbing down from ring to ring. As a last resort, you can always try a random potion, he said.
"That is not safe" Tanu said.
Hopefully it won't come to that.
The chamber was not much larger than the widest ring of stone. The floor appeared to be a single slab of bedrock.
There was nothing in the chamber except a pair of doors at opposite ends. One wall was covered in writings in various languages, including a few repeated messages in English.
This accursed sanctum lies outside the domain of Fablehaven.
Do not proceed.
Go in peace. Kendra assumed the other messages restated the same thing in their respective languages.
Why did they write it in English so many times?
Kendra asked.
I only see it in English once, Warren said.
Oh, fairy languages, she said.
They reached the bottom ring. Stay near me, Warren instructed. Step only where I step. Be ready for anything.
He tapped the ground with the handle of the key before stepping down. Kendra followed him.
Which door should we try? Kendra asked.
You pick, he said. It's a toss-up.
Kendra pointed at one of the doors. Warren led the way, prodding the floor with the key like a blind man. The door was of plain, heavy wood bound in iron, and appeared to be in good repair. Warren probed the ground off to one side and had Kendra stand there holding the ax. Standing still, she disappeared. Holding the key like a spear, he pulled the door open.
Nothing waited behind the door except a stairway curling downward. Warren got out the dying flashlight. He tried to tap the top stair with the handle of the key, but the handle went right through it.
Kendra, look, Warren said. The handle of the key disappeared through the first few steps. False stairs. Probably masking a drop of hundreds of feet.
"Illusisons! Cool I wish I could have come." Seth said.
They crossed the room and repeated their cautious actions at the other door. Again the door opened to a stairway, and again the stairs were only an illusion. Warren leaned out far, testing with the key, to check if perhaps only the first few stairs were counterfeit, but nothing within reach proved to be tangible.
Warren led the way around the perimeter of the room, tapping the floor and the walls. They reached a place where the key passed through the wall. Warren leaned through the illusion, and Kendra heard him tapping with the key.
Here is the genuine stairway, he said. Kendra passed through the insubstantial wall and saw a stone stairway winding downward. White stones set in the walls emitted a soft light.
You never know what might be a mirage in places like this, Warren said. He poked one of the glowing stones with the key. Ever seen a sunstone?
"What's that?" Scott asked.
"I'll explain in a second." Warren said.
No, Kendra said.
So long as one stone sits under the sun, all the sister stones share the light, he said. It's probably atop one of the nearby hills.
As they descended the stairs, they found a few places where illusionary steps disguised gaps in the stairway. Warren helped Kendra leap across the empty places. Finally they reached the bottom of the stairs and another door.
Again Warren had Kendra move over to one side as he opened the door. Strange, he murmured, testing the ground. Warren stepped through the doorway. Come on,
Kendra.
She peeked through the doorway. The room was large and circular, with a domed ceiling. White stones set in the ceiling illuminated the scene. Deep, golden sand covered the floor. On the far side of the room a door was painted on thewall. On the left side of the room murals of three monsters decorated the wall, with another three on the right side.
Kendra saw a blue woman with six arms and the body of a serpent, a Minotaur, a huge Cyclops, a dark man who from waist up looked human and from waist down had the body and legs of a spider, an armored snakelike man wearing an elaborate headdress, and a dwarf in a hooded cloak. All the images, though a tad faded, had been rendered with supreme skill.
"I always miss out on the cool stuff." Seth again explained.
Warren raised a hand for Kendra to halt. The key sank into the sand in front of him. There are places where the sand becomes treacherous, he said. Watch your step.
In order to avoid sinking in quicksand, they took a circuitous path to the painted door on the far side of the room.
The painting depicted a door of solid iron with a keyhole below the handle. Hesitantly, Warren touched the painting.
The image of the door rippled for an instant, and suddenly the door became real, a mural no longer.
Warren whirled, key held high, and eyed the other murals in the room. Nothing happened. Finally he turned back to the door and tried the handle. The door was locked.
Notice anything all the creatures on the wall have in common?
Warren asked.
Kendra focused on comparing them. A key around their necks, she said. The keys were not obvious. They were small, and subtly drawn, but each painted being had one.
Any theories on how we get through the door? Warren asked, obviously with an answer in mind. You've got to be kidding, Kendra 't we both wish, he said. The old guys who designed this place sure knew how to throw a party. He led
Kendra around the perimeter of the room, avoiding quicksand, and scrutinized the depiction of each individual creature.
The keys appear identical to me, he said after studying the dwarf. I think the game is selecting which foe we believe we can overcome.
I hate to be cruel, Kendra said, but I'm thinking the dwarf.
"Always picking one the short ones aren't you" Seth said amusedly.
I would choose him last of all, Warren said. He carries no weapon, which leads me to believe he must be strong in magic. And he looks the easiest at first glance, which almost certainly means he is the most deadly.
Then who? Kendra asked. The Minotaur carried a heavy mace. The Cyclops wielded a cudgel. The blue woman held a sword in each hand. The hobgoblin, as
Warren had named the snakelike man, clutched a pair of axes. And the half-spider man bore a javelin and a whip.
I suspect the Minotaur may be the lesser of these evils,
Warren said at length. I would no sooner choose the woman than the dwarf, and a Cyclops is nearly as adroit as he is strong. Of the others, the Minotaur carries the most cumbersome weapon. His mace will limit his reach and hamper his ability to avoid the tip of my spear.
You mean your key, Kendra said.
We'll use one key to get another.
Kendra regarded the Minotaur. Black fur, wide horns, bulky musculature. He stood a full head taller than think you can take him? Kendra asked.
"Warrens probably gonna go tooting his horn now, I'm calling it" Seth said.
Warren was testing the sand and outlining the sinkholes.
I'll want you to stand still, he said. The Minotaur may catch your scent-I want to keep him in doubt as to your location. You'll keep the ax, and if I should lose the key, you may be able to toss it to me. If I should fall, the Minotaur will roam the room searching for you. If you keep still, you may have one free swing at him.
But you think you can take him? Kendra repeated.
Warren looked at the image of the Minotaur and hefted the key. Why not? I've made it through some tight scrapes before.
"Oh we don't doubt that."
I would give a lot for a few of my regular weapons.
Maybe you could use the ax to help me mark all the quicksand?
They spent much longer than Kendra liked delineating the areas of treacherous sand. She knew Vanessa and Errol were on their trail. Once the sand had been marked, Warren positioned Kendra so that the largest region of quicksand was between her and the Minotaur. He approached the mural.
You ready? Warren asked.
I guess, Kendra answered, squeezing the handle of her invisible ax, her heart pounding.
Maybe I can get in a cheap shot right at the start, he said, touching the image of the Minotaur and raising the key, holding it ready to strike. The mural wavered for a moment and then vanished. The sharp tip of the key clinked against the wall, and the Minotaur appeared behind Warren. Behind you! Kendra ducked and lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding a blow that would have brained him. The Minotaur swung the mace briskly. The weapon was big and heavy, but the Minotaur was strong enough that it did not look very cumbersome.
Warren faced the Minotaur, staying a few paces away, key held ready. Why not just hand over the key? Warren asked. The Minotaur snorted. From across the room, Kendra could smell the beast, an odor like livestock.
"Great observation kiddo" Seth said in a stupid accent that mad him sound like an old dude with a high voice.
The Minotaur charged, and Warren nimbly danced away. Warren pulled back his arm as if to throw the key, and the Minotaur raised his mace protectively. Feinting like he was hurling the key, Warren leapt closer and used the long reach of the key to scratch the Minotaur on the snout.
The Minotaur roared, chasing Warren around the room.
Warren ran from his pursuer, trying his best to lead the
Minotaur toward quicksand while keeping the beast away from Kendra. Either the Minotaur understood what the lines in the sand meant, or he instinctively knew where not to step, because he skirted the quicksand just as effectively as
Warren.
Sniffing the air, the Minotaur turned toward Kendra.
Over here, you coward! Warren shouted, moving in closer and brandishing the key. The Minotaur strode boldly toward
Warren, holding the mace off to one side, tempting Warren by leaving his chest exposed.
After a few feints, Warren took the bait, driving the tip of the key toward the Minotaur's chest. The Minotaur grabbed the key just below the slender spearhead with hisfree hand and wrenched it from Warren's grasp, yanking him closer in the process, and swung the mace.
Warren saved himself by diving backwards and managing to keep his feet. The blow had missed by inches. The
Minotaur quickly reversed his grip on the key and hurled it like a javelin, burying the head in Warren's abdomen despite his attempt to dodge it.
"That hurt do bad" Warren said while wincing.
Roaring triumphantly, the Minotaur rushed at Warren, who pulled out the key and stumbled away, the spearhead red with his own blood. Scrambling, spraying sand, Warren managed to get a small area of quicksand between the
Minotaur and himself.
Kendra flung the flashlight and struck the Minotaur in the back. The brute turned, but she was invisible again. The
Minotaur picked up the flashlight, sniffed it, and then sniffed the air, moving toward Kendra.
Using the key like a crutch, Warren came around the quicksand, approaching the Minotaur from behind. The
Minotaur whirled and gave chase. Warren skipped away, ending up with his back to a broad expanse of quicksand.
Warren, quicksand! Kendra cried.
Too late, he stepped beyond the line in the sand, one leg sinking to his thigh, the rest of him collapsing forward onto the sturdier sand. The Minotaur dashed forward, mace held high to issue the killing stroke. Quick as a mousetrap,
Warren thrust upward with the key, the razor tip of the spearhead entering the Minotaur just below the sternum, angled up to pierce his heart. The Minotaur stood still, impaled, and snorted. The mace fell from his hairy hands,landing heavily on the sand. Warren twisted the key and shoved it in deeper, toppling the Minotaur backwards.
Panting, Warren withdrew his leg from the mushy sand.
Kendra ran to him. That was an amazing trick! she shouted.
A desperate one, he said. All or nothing. His hand covered the wound on his abdomen. He swatted at the damp sand coating his leg. Probably wouldn't have worked, except the Minotaur thought I was mortally wounded.
"You kind of are." Vanessa said.
"Eh I've had worse." Warren said.
Course, he might have been right.
Is it bad? she asked.
It pierced me deep, but clean, he said. In straight, out straight. Belly wounds are hard to read. Depends what got punctured. Go fetch the key.
Kendra crouched beside the supine Minotaur, enjoying the livestock smell even less up close. The key hung on a fine gold chain. She pulled hard, and the chain snapped. I
have it, Kendra said.
Get the big one too, Warren said. The big key was still lodged in the Minotaur's chest. Kendra had to brace a foot against the beast to tug it free. Warren had taken off his shirt. The blood stood out sharply against his white skin.
Kendra averted her eyes. He wadded up his shirt and pressed it against the wound, which was a couple of inches to one side of his belly button. Let's hope this stanches the bleeding, he said. Can you cut me a length of rope?
Using the sharp spearhead of the bloody key, Kendra did as he said, and Warren used the rope to bind his shirt in place over the wound. He wiped the blood from the spearhead onto his pants. Can you go on? Kendra asked.
Not much choice, he said. Let's see if the Minotaur's key works.
Groaning, Warren used the tall key to pull himself to his feet. He walked to the iron door, inserted the Minotaur's key, and opened it.
"That was lovely." Warren said. "Ok who who wants to read now?"
"You know I'll give it a shot" Seth said. He quickly began reading before anyone commented on the fact that he Seth sorenson was reading.