Chapter 41: Lookout

The next morning in the Great Hall, Claire got the jeweled necklace from Alanza during breakfast and gave it to Jae along with the silver comb. She then walked up to Merula, who was standing near the fireplace behind the Hufflepuff table.

"Are you ready to talk about who we should bring to the final Cursed Vault?" Claire asked.

"Krystal, I'm more than ready," Merula claimed.

"Good, because this is a very important decision."

"It's not just about who should come along, but why they should join us on this crucial mission. Because we need to make sure each of us brings a unique set of skills in order to be prepared for whatever traps may lie in the final Cursed Vault, or Rakepick for that matter."

"Well, if we're talking about skills, then I would say Ben is definitely the most well-rounded."

"Agreed, we should take Copper along. He was present when we found the previous vault, after all, and he's arguably the most dedicated member of our group."

"Even so, Ben may not want to live through the same experience as the previous vault again."

"I nearly died in the previous vault, but that hasn't stopped me from wanting to find the last vault. He probably wants to go for the same reasons I do."

"Not sure I agree with that, but we will be asking him to risk his life again."

"Look, we're running out of time, Krystal. We either ask Copper to join us now, or forget it."

Claire tried to find a counterargument, but couldn't think of one. So she nodded in agreement, and followed Merula over to the Gryffindor table where Ben was seated.

"Hi, Ben," Claire said. "We have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" Ben asked, glancing at Merula.

"We'd like you to come with us to the final Cursed Vault," Merula said.

"Then I'm in," Ben replied without hesitation. "I assumed we would go together, once we found out where the final Cursed Vault was."

"I told you he would want to go, Krystal," Merula bragged to Claire.

"Well, I wasn't sure, especially after what happened in the previous vault," Claire responded in a defensive manner.

"Honestly, I think the three of us make a good team…even though we couldn't save Rowan," Ben spoke up. "But for that reason, I do think we should bring someone else to watch our backs. They won't have to keep up, though their support would be essential. And I know just the person for the role."

Claire wanted to ask Ben whom he had in mind, but all the students began filtering out of the Great Hall with Ben and Merula leaving with them to attend their classes. So Claire followed their example and attended her classes while thinking about which Circle of Khanna member might be the backup for their trip to the final Cursed Vault. Then during Free Period, Claire went to the courtyard and met Ben.

"Will you tell me who the backup is now?" Claire asked impatiently.

"Of course," Ben said. "It'll be Barnaby. He can watch the Lakeshore for us."

Hearing Barnaby's name made Claire blush immediately, followed by a gut-wrenching feeling of fear. "Why should Barnaby watch the Lakeshore?"

"Suppose Rakepick shows up while we're in the Black Lake, and we didn't have anyone to warn us. Well, that's where Barnaby comes in. He could keep an eye out for her, and then let us know so we're not caught off-guard."

"I guess it will allow us to focus on the task at hand. Let me ask him."

Spotting Barnaby on the other side of the courtyard, Claire immediately walked over to him. Barnaby seemed nervous upon seeing Claire, but he quickly hid it with a smile.

"Hey, Claire, and Ben," Barnaby said. "If you two are here, I'm guessing you've got another adventure lined up."

"Yes, and we need your help," Claire began.

Barnaby looked giddy. "Does it have something to do with Magical Creatures? Maybe a duel with 'R'?"

"We were hoping you would watch the Lakeshore while Claire, Merula, and I visited the Merpeople in the Black Lake," Ben said.

"Aww," Ben groaned. "I was hoping I could come with you. Watching the Lakeshore doesn't sound fun at all."

"Let's discuss this more over a game of Gobstones," Claire suggested, taking out the Gobstones she inherited from Rowan's family after the funeral service.

Despite hesitating, Barnaby agreed to this. So he and Claire sat across from each other with the green Gobstones lying in the center of a circle of chalk while they took turns shooting red ones with their thumbs.

"Now why can't I come along?" Barnaby asked.

"Because we need you to watch the shore in case Rakepick decides to interfere," Claire answered, shooting a red stone that got close enough to squirt a yellow liquid in Barnaby's face.

Though Barnaby was initially surprised, he quickly wiped the liquid from his face. "Do you not trust my strength as a Wizard?"

"No, you're one of the strongest Wizards I know," Claire said. "And that's why you're more qualified to keep watch than the rest of us."

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I'll do it," Barnaby agreed. "Plus, I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Smiling at Barnaby, Claire was so distracted that she didn't notice Barnaby's red Gobstone had rolled up and was surprised when it sprayed the same yellow liquid her face. She laughed in response, causing Barnaby to laugh as well. Then the two continued the game, which surprisingly ended in a draw with both having accumulated the same number of green Gobstones on each side of the chalk circle.

"Before we do go to the final Cursed Vault, though, there's one more person I want to talk to," Claire said as she collected the Gobstones.

"And who's that?" Ben asked.

"My brother Jacob," Claire said. "I think I'll ask him to join us for the final Cursed Vault."

So at the Lakeshore later that day, Claire used Vermillious to signal Jacob. Like before, Jacob Apparated in front of her.

"I should've figured it was you, Pip," Jacob said impatiently. "Now I don't have a lot of time to talk, since I'm still pursuing Rakepick. So what's this about?"

To be continued…