Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing when Jim said, "This is Draal's and Nomura's son."

"Hold it a minute, Jimbo," said Claire. "How—When—"

"Draal implied he and Nomura were a thing once. And look at this kid. The coloring, the spikes. NotEnrique said he's going to have some impressive horns someday."

"There is a striking resemblance," said Blinky. "However, with neither parent present to consult, we cannot say for certain."

"Well, I'm sure," said Jim. "Kronisphere showed him to me—in that image I told you about."

The Akiridion communicator chimed.

"We've got company," said Stuart when Jim answered. "Just drove over the bridge."

"Turns out, we need to get something out of Newberry's car."

"Ya still want us to keep her busy?" said Stuart.

"Yes, but we need you to corner her, someplace she can't fly out of."

"That means only one way in or out," said Eli from the back of the truck.

"It does," Jim said, "but if anyone can trap a Legend Seeker, it's you guys. When you've got her, call, and we'll portal there."

"Leave it to us," Krel said as Stuart ended the call.

AAARRRGGHH! returned with another armload of mineral crystals for the youngling.

The little one chomped one crystal after another until he'd stuffed himself. With a yawn that was almost bigger than he was, the youngling crawled into AAARRRGGHH!'s gigantic arms and went back to sleep.

Jim kept the Akiridion communicator ready as he gave into the urge to pull out The Book of Ga-Huel. "Mom, would you mind looking at this again?" He flipped to the page containing the hidden message.

Barbara rounded the table. "I don't think—" She stopped mid-sentence. "There's more of the message than last time."

"I see it now too," said Jim. He let the amulet hover over the pages. "It says, 'The sick of heart will find their cure.'"

"Is that the whole thing?" Claire looked over Jim's shoulder. "Guess so."

"You see it?" said Jim.

Claire nodded.

"But you couldn't before."

"Neither could you."

Aja had said they all had to choose to hope.

"Mom, you said there were other words before. Are they still there?"

Barbara nodded. "There's another piece to this message, but it still has gaps."

"The sick of heart." Douxie clasped both hands atop the table. "That sounds like us."

"Uh… Jim?" Claire pointed to the pages.

"Douxie, come look at this." Jim laid the book on the table, in view of all.

"The Book of Ga-Huel does not function this way," Blinky said as he crowded in with Barbara, Douxie, and Claire. "The full page is always revealed at once. None of this one piece at a time business."

"Well, that's how it's doing it this time," said Jim as NotEnrique perched atop his head to get a better view.

"Master Jim, for me, there is nothing on this page except the images of your mother and Strickler," Blinky said.

"It's the youngling and Nomura, standing opposite each other," Douxie said.

"And there's you and me." Claire pointed to another portion of the page containing Jim's mom. "And Tobes!" She pointed to the opposite page.

"Was all that gold stuff there before?" said NotEnrique.

"Gilding? These are plain ink silhouettes," said Blinky, gesturing to the book with all four bewildered hands.

"Not for us, Mr. Big Words," said NotEnrique.

Blinky covered all his eyes with two hands. "My sight fails me."

"I don't think this is about your eyes, Blink," said Jim. "At first, only Mom saw it. None of the rest of us could—not even Douxie, and he's a wizard."

"Perhaps you're right." Blinky uncovered two eyes, then four. He leaned over the book and studied it with all six eyes, mouth set in a determined line, one eyelid twitching. "Still nothing." He sank into the nearest chair, and his forehead clunked to the table. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Jim said. "You'll see it soon. I know you will."

"I fear your faith in me is misplaced," Blinky said.

"I don't." Jim gripped Blinky's shoulder.

The six-eyed troll managed a hesitant smile.

Jim put the book away. "AAARRRGGHH!, would you mind watching the little guy? He seems to like you."

The youngling still slept in the crook of AAARRRGGHH!'s arm, fingers tangled in the moss green fur that draped from AAARRRGGHH!'s shoulder to mid-chest.

"AAARRRGGHH! would be happy to. Taco truck too small for AAARRRGGHH!, anyway."

"Thanks," Jim said, just before his stomach grumbled.

"Goodness," said Dictatious from the corner. "What on earth is that awful racket?"

"I'm kinda hungry too," said Claire.

"Tobes would have had a bag full of snacks," said Jim.

"I've got some crackers from the hospital vending machine." Barbara held out a crumbly pack of grilled cheese and peanut butter crackers. "They're… a few weeks old."

"Tobias left some of his Nougat Nummies when last he visited." Blinky fetched a small tin and set it beside Barbara's crackers.

"Guess that'll have to do." Jim split the food four ways.

"Not horrible," said Douxie through a mouthful of cracker. "Better than Merlin's cooking."

Just as the group finished eating, the Akiridion communicator chimed.

"We've got her following us to—got—sure—doesn't—catch." Stuart's choppy image vanished.

"Claire, can you lock onto one of them and portal us wherever they are?" Jim said.

"I've got a fix on Eli. Stuart's driving is insane, but I think I know where they're headed."

Jim slung his backpack over one shoulder. "Let's go steal a box from a Legend Seeker."