Bonus chapter :D. Finally finished so much school work so I can devote more time to writing once more! But also I wrote ahead for this fic so I'm fine lol.
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
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OO OO OO OO
Raxtus swooped just above the trees, letting Kendra get a good look at the smoke rising from the city of Humburgh.
There were three major columns rising into the air, with many more thinner coils drifting up.
As they flew closer, Kendra held firmly in Raxtus' claws, she got a better look at the scorched walls, fallen towers, and crushed buildings.
Even from this distance she could see some bodies on the ground.
Merek dipped closer to them, his golden astrid wings gleaming.
"That looks damaged."
Raxtus hummed, tilting slightly. Kendra imagined Merek had gotten a bit too close, not being able to see Raxtus as he was invisible.
"We should land nearby," Kendra called back. "Get a better look."
"I can land fairly close," Raxtus confirmed. "One second."
The rushed towards her as Raxtus dove the short distance. With the grass touching her feet he pulled flat, wind sending her hair flying behind her as she gasped at the jolt.
She grinned as her feet skimmed the grass, weeds whipping at her shins.
She'd never tire of flying with Raxtus.
His wings snapped hard, slowing them to a near stop in an instant as her stomach dropped. She was lightly dropped the last few inches, then Raxtus glided a few feet farther before folding his wings.
Kendra shook her head, brushing her hair back as Merek landed next to her.
"What happened here?" Kendra asked, getting a good look at the rubble. "I thought Humurgh was supposed to be protected."
"Humbuggle's magical defenses must have failed," Merek said.
"Does that mean—" Kendra barely dared to hope "—did Seth—"
"It's hard to tell," Merek said. "But it certainly implies Humbuggle's power has been shaken."
"Do you think he's here?"
"Seth?" Merek checked, continuing when she nodded. "It's possible, assuming cutting the harp strings summoned him to Humbuggle."
"What about Knox and Tess?" Kendra asked.
"We passed Terastios on our way here," Merek said gently. "We saw—well… the fortress was leveled."
"They wouldn't have been primary targets," Serena, the nipsie, offered hopefully from Merek's pocket. "Hopefully they escaped, which means they may be here too."
"I didn't see any sign of them around the ruins," Raxtus comforted Kendra. "Hopefully no other dragons did either."
"We'll find out at some point," Merek said. "For now let's enter the city and learn what we can. We need to know who holds the Wizenstone, and what happened to Seth."
Kendra turned to Raxtus, "What about you?"
"I'll stay here," Raxtus said, bending closer to her. "The survivors in Humburgh probably don't wanna see a dragon right now, not even a small glittery one. If I get seen I promise to stay close. Go find Seth and stay safe."
Kendra threw her arms around his neck, letting out a shaky breath. "Thank you."
He nuzzled her back with his snout, "Of course. You're my friend, Kendra."
"I have an idea where to start," Merek said. "Follow me."
Kendra pulled back and gave Raxtus one last wave before following the man who'd helped Seth.
Merek walked with her, keeping his wings tucked against his back. They scrambled over the remnants of the toppled wall, then had to pick their way around a half-collapsed building. They ducked under a pillar half held up by more debris, then climbed over large chunks of a building.
The depth of the debris increased as they got closer to the big wall, making them use their hands just as much as their feet to scramble over and under the remains of the city.
"It's a big town," Kendra observed as Merek steadied her on top of a bigger debris pile.
"You wouldn't know it at a glance, but the size is even greater than you realize. In the town square there's a vast colosseum, hidden on an island within a pocket dimension. I trained gladiators there for decades."
"I wonder if it survived," Kendra mused. "The town got hit hard."
"Not as much as Terastios," Merek countered.
Kendra hid a grimace at that.
She didn't want to think about that cities destruction. She couldn't deny the giants had it coming, what with enslaving the dragons, but—she didn't want to think about her cousins being in the city. Possibly dying in the city.
"How did you meet Seth?" Kendra asked to take her mind off of it, letting her gaze take in the city.
They passed a dome-topped building.
"He found me," Merek said. "Restored my memory, actually."
He helped her climb over another crushed building, a large spire buried into another across the street.
"He somehow befriended my memories when searching for his, somehow they were their own entity."
"Wow," Kendra said, ducking under an arch and catching a climpse of a dwarf and two humans slinking along the walls.
A centaur trotted by, equally wary.
"Yeah, it was something. After I got my memories restored, I abandoned my role in the Games and joined Seth in his quest to win the Wizenstone."
"I'm glad he had help," Kendra said. "I was really worried for him. I'm still worried."
"We'll find him," Merek assured her as he looked through a shattered wall into a newly exposed basement. "Well, something definitely happened here."
"Everyone is hiding for a reason," Serena pointed out. "The protection the Wizenstone provided must be gone, else the city would never have fallen. Humbuggle must've lost it to Seth."
Kendra felt hope blossom in her, maybe then—then Seth could have his memories back.
Her brother would remember her again.
She hurried to catch up with Merek, a new spring in her step, as they traversed a narrow alley. They came out into a broad street with a crater in the middle. It reminded her of the aftermath of bombs in one of Seth's favorite fighting shows.
Merek increased his pace to catch up to a dwarf with a reddish-brown beard.
"Good sir," he called. "A moment of your time."
"Got my own troubles, leave me be," the dwarf grumbled, altering his path to distance himself from Merek.
"Isn't Humburgh protected?" Merek asked. "What happened—"
"I said scram."
Merek frowned but turned to a centaur searching through a pile of partly burned boards.
"Noble friend," he greeted. "Could you tell me what has occurred here?"
"What are you supposed to be? An archaic harpy?" the centaur asked with a dark look. "Where were you during the attack?"
Merek turned away, his frown deepening. He continued along the street, slowing to allow Kendra to catch up.
"I could not help overhearing," said an old woman with a green-tinged jagged nose and a shawl-wrapped head. "Did you truly miss the attack?"
"We just got back in town," Merek confirmed. "How was Humburgh attacked?"
She cackled, rough and pained.
"A magical disaster, followed by a physical one. The magic sustaining Humburgh collapsed, and then the dragons attacked. Big Side got the worst of it, Little Side only got hit as collateral. Once it was demolished the dragons left. Where they went, or why, who can say. I'm not sticking around for them to return though."
"The sleeping giants awoke and turned the tide of the attack," Merek informed her. "I expect the dragons won't return anytime soon."
The old woman frowned at him, "You return my truth with lies?"
"We saw the giants wake," Merek said firmly. "Believe it or not."
He touched Kendra's shoulder in warning and walked briskly away, Kendra sticking by him.
They passed through several more streets, one completely pulverized with goblins hunting for prizes amongst the corpses, but Merek made no further attempts at conversation. They moved quickly, Merek seeming to know exactly where to go, until they reached a row of townhomes with the roofs torn off.
He checked the doors, then finally stopped before one.
He knocked briskly and stepped back.
"Where are we?" Kendra asked.
Before Merek could answer the door opened, revealing a satyr.
He wore a long red vest with gold buttons and had a pencil perched on one ear. Brass binoculars dangled by a strap around his neck.
"Hello, Virgil."
"Merek!" The satyr grinned. "You're alive! Who's this?"
"Kendra Sorenson," Merek said, motioning to Kendra.
Kendra waved.
"Seth's sister?" Virgil asked.
She nodded.
"I see zero resemblance."
Merek glanced at Kendra thoughtfully, "They have the same eyes."
"I guess," Virgil mused, studying her.
Kendra frowned at them both, "I look like mom, Seth looks like dad."
"Ooooh," Virgil nodded. "Makes sense. How's Seth doing?"
"We don't know."
"It's what we're trying to find out," Merek added.
"Calvin was with him," Serena lamented. "I should've stayed with them, Calvin doesn't have my experience surviving extreme situations. Now they're both missing."
"I'm sure they're okay," Kendra assured. "Seth has a lot of experience, and Calvin has been a big help so far."
"Have you heard anything about this?"
"Not about Seth, were you here for the attack?"
"We just arrived."
Virgil raised the binoculars to his eyes and checked the sky before stepping back in.
"Come inside, just to be safe."
They were ushered into his… mildly damaged room.
There was an overturned bookshelf crushing a small table, with a sprawling mess of books on the floor. But otherwise it was holding steady. There was an easel with a painting in progress on it in a corner, and several canvases stacked against the walls displaying various battles.
She tuned back into the conversation.
"—second wave anytime soon," Merek was saying. "We watched from Beacon Hill as the titan Garocles awoke, along with the sleeping giants, and drove the dragons away."
Virgil tripped over a book, crashing to the floor.
He rolled over quickly and turned to them.
"You're joking."
"The Titan was enormous," Kendra assured him.
"Wow—I—We're in a time of wonders…" He blinked up at them. "And you have wings."
"It's been eventful," Merek confirmed, his wings ruffling. "We managed to obtain the Harp of Ages and Seth cut the strings with the Unforgiving Blade."
"You succeeded," Virgil whispered. "You really did it."
"Seth disappeared after cutting the final string," Merek said. "We assume he was taken to Humbuggle, along with Calvin."
"That fits," Virgil mused. "And then Humbuggle must have lost the Wizenstone to him, ending the games. That would explain why the pocket dimension collapsed."
Merek blinked, "It collapsed?"
Virgil nodded grimly.
"All the magical secrets came undone at once. Even before the dragons attacked buildings were collapsing. Some changed their looks, others became visible for the time."
"That must have been when the defenses went down as well," Serena said.
Virgil nodded, "The dragons arrived shortly after, like a typhoon they crashed down on the city. There was no time to prepare, no place to hide. Entire city blocks were demolished in seconds. One of the dragons collided with our town-homes and swept away the attic. My bedroom has a lovely view of the stars now, makes me glad I'm renting."
"I'm not surprised the dragons were angry," Kendra muttered. "I'd be angry too if I'd been enslaved."
Merek shook his head, "No matter their anger… this is too much."
Kendra frowned, she didn't think it was too much.
The rest of the war? Yeah, she hated it. But this? She thought the giants deserved their slaves rebelling and getting free.
"Parts of the city are still burning," Merek continued. "And the damage is extensive."
"I hope somebody cares enough to put them out," Virgil sighed. "I'm afraid that Humburgh is- well it's obsolete now."
"What do you mean?" Kendra asked.
"What happens to a mining town when the ore runs out?" Virgil asked. "The draw to Humburgh has always been the Games. The Games have ended, and so there is no point to Humburgh. And the protections around the city have fallen as well."
"You predict an exodus?"
Virgil shrugged and turned to Kendra instead.
"You were with Seth at Stormguard Castle and met Humbuggle right?"
"Yeah."
"You sent the Wizenstone away?"
She nodded.
"Then you must understand. Winning at Stormguard Castle did nothing to Humburgh, but now?"
"The barriers have fallen, and the magic collapsed," Kendra said slowly.
He nodded, "Whatever happened, I suspect Humbuggle finally lost the stone."
"Could Seth have it?" Merek wondered.
"Maybe. If he wont the Game that seems likely. And if he has it… well he'll have access to enormous power. But it's also- well that's too much power for one person. If he found a way to own it without wielding it he could live but…"
"People will want the stone," Merek finished.
Virgil nodded.
"We need to find him," Kendra said. "Could he be nearby?"
"I don't know, but Humburgh is Humbuggle's seat of power. The showdown, if there was one, likely happened in town. It's also possible that the dragons got their hands on it."
"So, all we know is that it's gone," Merek said with a sigh.
Virgil shrugged, "When did you last see Seth?"
"When he cut the last harp string," Kendra said. "The sleeping giants awoke and Seth vanished."
Virgil sighed, staring out the window, "I wish I could help more- they always did say to be careful what you wished for."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
Virgil waved his hand at the room, the notes and books filling it.
"I devoted my life to the study of the Games, with the farfetched hope of helping a champion win them one day. That's happened now, I've won. Well, Seth won, but I played a role in it. But the victory is hollow. The town I know and love has been destroyed, the life I have is lost, and I'm unemployed. I'm a scholar of the Games, and there are no more Games. I have nothing left to do."
Kendra felt for him, he had a lot happen. But there was much yet to do, and they couldn't hang around.
"I'm sorry for what happened," she said gently. "Your knowledge was priceless though. I'm very grateful for you helping Seth win the Games, and I know he is too."
Virgil gave a weak smile, "Thank you."
"Be proud," Merek said. "Your aid was invaluable. We wouldn't have managed it without you. I wish there was more we could do to help you but we need to find Seth and the Wizenstone now."
"And Calvin," Serena added.
Virgil nodded, straightening.
"Well, I can't do much now… but I can help with that."
"I also need to find my cousins," Kendra said. "Do you know them? Knox and Tess?"
Virgil frowned in thought, "They're friends with a couple of rowdy satyrs?"
"Newel and Doren!"
"Last I heard, they returned to Terastios."
"Terastios has been destroyed," Merek said grimly.
Virgil winced, "Let's hope they got out in time then. Satyrs are good at avoiding battle usually."
Kendra nodded, worry for her cousins twisting in her gut.
"But as for Seth… I can offer some help on where to investigate for that. Let's go find out if Humbuggle's manor still stands."
OO OO OO OO
The outer fence of Humbuggle's manor was… a mess.
The wrought iron fence was twisted into knots, the hedgerows were flattened, uprooted, or burning, the grand fountain had been demolished with only a few recognizable shards floating in the basin, and a grove of what was once trees smoldered as blackened husks.
The entire estate was coated in soot, turning what was once white gray.
"It's… something," Kendra said, following Virgil along the pebbly path to the front steps.
"Up until today it was the star of the city," Virgil bemoaned. "But it's still standing, which is more than most can say."
Merek sighed, "There is that at least. And I do believe I just saw a face in an upper window."
"The staff probably," Serena said. "Humbuggle's servants were extremely dedicated, and if the manor still stands they will be there."
"How long were you there?" Kendra asked.
"A few years," Serena said. "Most didn't know me, we nipsies understand the value of hiding from big folk, but some did know that I accompanied Isadore. She… had a questionable reputation. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay out of sight."
The climbed the front steps but before they could reach the door, it opened.
An older woman glowered out at them, her arm in a sling and her hair singed on one side.
"No visitors this week," she stated firmly. "Be on your way."
"Is Humbuggle here?" Kendra asked instead.
The woman scowled, "The Lord of this manor goes where he pleases and answers to none, least of all you."
"I wasn't demanding he be present," Kendra countered. "I simply wish to talk to him."
"And has he not noticed his city lies in shambles?" Merek asked.
The woman frowned, looking past them as if she could see the city.
"What's that to him? He invited none and promised nothing. They chose to come, and they can reap what they sow."
She moved to close the door.
"Humbuggle knows me," Kendra called. "He'll want to speak with me."
The woman paused, "He knows everyone here and has not mentioned you."
"My brother won the Game," Kendra insisted. "Humbuggle should be expecting me."
She didn't know if he would, but she imagined he might. He had to know she'd be seeking her brother out.
"Ha," the women snorted. "I've heard some tales, but that takes the cake. Leave now."
"Ask Humbuggle," Merek chimed in once more. "Her brother is Seth Sorenson, this is Kendra Sorenson."
"You're saying the Games are over?" the woman asked.
"Look around!" Virgil cried. "The defenses are down, the pocket dimensions collapsed, and the arena has vanished."
"So you say," she snapped.
"Go check! Or send someone, have none of you left since the attack?"
"My brother won the Games," Kendra repeated. "I'm his sister, and with our parents away I'm in charge of his safety. I need to speak with Humbuggle."
"You don't know him," she scoffed. "Schemes within schemes within schemes. This is simply another trick."
"One where he lets the dragons destroy his city?" Merek challenged.
A tall man in a somber suit appeared behind the woman and whispered something in her ear. Her expression changed, eyes widening.
She pulled the door open and stepped aside.
"It appears your audience is desired after all," she said mildly. "Baynard will escort you to the Lord."
Baynard bowed and motioned for them to follow him.
He guided them through the pristine manor. It held no damage from the attack, with the walls covered in paintings and priceless artwork and the furniture well cared for. The décor shone in a way only possible through meticulous care. The only sign of damage in the shining, beautiful house came from the soot stained windowpanes.
The solemn butler made no sound, nor did he look at them. He looked immaculate, other than a single tear on his jacket sleeve.
Kendra wondered what had caused the tear, or the woman's injury. If they had been safe inside, then why they were hurt.
Baynard opened the door to a dark study.
The only light came from a lamp lit at the large reddish-wood desk in the back of the room, by an unlit fireplace. She could see bookshelves on the walls, filled with items of all manner, and a bulky suit of armor in one corner.
A dwarf sat at the desk in the back. He had a forked beard and was wearing spectacles while he studied an open tome.
"Thank you, Baynard," he said. "That will be all."
The butler departed, shutting the door.
Humbuggle closed his book and removed his spectacles.
"Welcome to my humble home. A pleasure to see you again, Merek. My old friend, Virgil. Serena, hidden away. And, of course, my dear Kendra. You're looking well."
Kendra frowned at him, "Where's Seth?"
"Still looking out for your brother? How devoted."
"We have questions," Merek interrupted.
"Of course you do, everyone does. My, my, Virgil you may wish to sit down, you look a tad pale."
"It's you," Virgil breathed.
"In the flesh," Humbuggle agreed with a flash of a grin. He slid out of the chair and came around the desk, leaning back against it.
"How well do you know me?" Virgil asked. "You called me a friend?"
"Oh, we've met many times, thought I was in disguise. You paid sharp attention all along, very impressive. Any guesses as to who I was?"
Virgil opened his mouth and closed it. He cleared his throat.
"Uh- I don't- the old flower woman on the corner leading into the plaza?"
"No, not Midge," Humbuggle said. "Though that's a good guess. She saw nearly everyone come and go, took an interest in many while merging into the background."
"When did we meet?"
"You knew me most often as Dante the briar troll," Humbuggle said, his voice changing to what Kendra assumed was the voice in question.
"No," Virgil gasped. "That was you? Every time?"
The dwarf spread his hands, a grin curling his lips.
"I've taken many personas, and you've engaged with me more than most. Really must thank you for guiding Seth in the proper direction."
"Speaking of my brother," Kendra interrupted, annoyed at the change of subject. If they wanted to flirt they could do it later. "Did he beat you? Where is he now?"
"You gave him a very important lesson, did you know that Kendra?"
She frowned.
"Back in Stormguard castle you showed that retrieving the stone was not necessary to win."
"Where is he?"
"Your wings are lovely," Humbuggle said instead, turning to Merek. "You might have been the finest trainer we'd ever had."
"I was your prisoner! You stole my memories from me."
"That's not—"
"I most certainly did not," Humbuggle said, bristling.
Kendra bit back a groan.
"Chose your words with more care," Humbuggle continued, eyes narrow. "You willingly forfeited those memories to try and take my stone, I helped restore them to you as a mercy. As Dante I sent Seth to retrieve what you lost."
"You caused me great harm and helped a little in the end. I suppose I also knew you in the Games?"
"Most often as Driggs," Humbuggle confirmed.
"You oriented me," Merek muttered.
"Can we get back on track?" Kendra asked.
Humbuggle ignored her, "I've also been many gladiators. I do love a good death scene."
"You fought in your own games?" Serena asked in surprise.
"I did," Humbuggle grinned. "And I must say, I had some delightful death scenes. All to entertain my loyal fans."
"Your city is in ruins," Merek pointed out.
"A house of cards is bound to topple," Humbuggle chided. "It was a city built of greed and ambition. Now they can no longer win the prize, there is nothing left."
"Where is the Wizenstone now?" Virgil asked.
Kendra sighed.
"And my brother."
Humbuggle lowered his voice, "Can you three keep a secret?"
They all nodded.
"So can I," he whispered, pantomiming locking his lips and tossing the key aside.
Kendra's eye twitched.
"Really?" she snapped. "You let us in here and now you're not telling us anything? Where is Seth? You took him from me and I demand you give him back."
"You demand, do you?" Humbuggle crooned. "Well, it's a shame that I won't be answering your demand."
"What will you do now?" Virgil interrupted.
"Me?" Humbuggle asked innocently.
He dragged a little suitcase out from behind his desk, laid it flat, and opened it. He plucked some papers off of his desk and dropped them in the suitcase with a flourish.
"As the mayor of Humburgh, I shall first pronounce the city unincorporated. Then I'm leaving."
Kendra glowered at him, "First you build this place and steal my brother, and now that it's collapsed, and my brother is missing again you're going to leave? What about the staff here? The people who help you?"
Humbuggle raised an eyebrow at her.
"You know, it's almost commendable how much you care. You really do have such love for your brother. But do not presume us the same. My staff are good people, some strong in magic even. They kept the dragons at bay during the attack and drove off a rogue giant who sought me, keeping my house intact. But! They are all here for the Games, and the Games are over."
"So… you lost?" Virgil asked.
"Kendra's precious brother cleaved it with the Unforgiving Blade, he holds the remnants."
"The Wizenstone was destroyed?" Merek asked, eyes wide.
"And now I'm free!" Humbuggle grinned. "I wield less power, but I feel much lighter. Do take some advice from me, all possessions are a burden."
"Where is my brother," Kendra demanded once more, stepping closer.
"Pushy, pushy," Humbuggle chided. "I did admit you for a reason. And despite your demands, I do find your loyalty to your brother fascinating. Such devotion, crossing the world to find him again. Would he do the same for you, I wonder."
Kendra bristled, but Humbuggle continued before she could speak.
"You know, I was no slouch before I held the Wizenstone. I made plenty of mischief, helped kingdoms rise and fall, and as such I know the signs of a good conflict. This dragon war concerns me though."
"Why?" Kendra snipped. "Cause they tried to burn your house down?"
He shot her a chiding look, but she simply stared back.
"My real estate here has become a bad investment," he continued. "Seth breaking the Wizenstone guaranteed the town was doomed—if not by the dragons then by the giants. I would like to enjoy my retirement, and I can't do that if the world is burning."
"So what?" Merek interrupted. "You want to help us?"
Humbuggle gathered a few strange jars, dropping them in his bag.
"You slayers created this mess," he declared. "Dragons don't naturally collaborate. They're not meant to band together and fight, and yet you led to this result with the hunting and sanctuaries—"
"Any being will fight when imprisoned," Kendra said. "The sanctuaries aren't meant to be prisons—but this one at least seems to be. And it seems odd that you keep saying them working together is wrong. They may be dragons, but they can clearly think well."
Humbuggle gave her a long look.
"That sounds like something a dragon sympathizer might say," he mused.
"I just don't like what's happened here."
He snorted, "Most wouldn't dare speak out about it regardless. But the point stands, this is unnatural."
"I don't see how collaborating is unnatural," she countered.
"You don't have the perspective. You haven't seen dragons in their natural state."
"People grow," she countered. "Why see this as unnatural and not them adjusting to circumstances?"
He waved his hand, "Not the point here."
She frowned but Virgil interrupted their debate.
"What can we do then?"
"You shouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past, it won't end well."
"So what?" Merek asked. "We should let them run wild? Or perhaps kill all the dragons?"
Kendra recoiled at the second suggestion. She was not liking the path of the conversation.
"We must do our best to sooth the battle," Humbuggle said. "It's a fight for survival, do what it takes to live. Your brother has learned that plenty."
Kendra did not want a fight for survival. The more she saw of this war the more she wanted it to stop. She didn't support the dragons, but how could she side with the giants after seeing everything they'd done? And anyone allowing this?
"My brother shouldn't have to learn to fight to survive. He's just a kid."
"And yet he learns from the best teacher of them all."
"Who?" Kendra scoffed. "You?"
Humbuggle doubled over laughing, "Oh- you silly girl- no. The best teacher is pain."
Kendra went cold. "Is he hurt?"
"More than one could measure," Humbuggle crooned once more. He seemed delighted by her worry. "His memories were restored, and thus he knows what harm he's done. Some lessons are only learned through suffering."
Kendra stepped forward once more.
"Where is he?"
"Not the foggiest idea," Humbuggle beamed. "I lost track of him after Celebrant captured him."
"Celebrant has him?" Kendra felt her world crash down once more. She'd only just got her brother back, but he was taken again. When was it going to stop?
"The Dragon King caught up to him shortly after Seth destroyed the Wizenstone. Seeing how he was having a panic attack from his memories- well he was in no condition to put up a fight. Celebrant took him and assuming he still lives, he could be anywhere."
Kendra wanted to cry.
"Did he hurt him?"
Humbuggle hummed, watching her with a grin that made her want to throw a fruit bowl at him.
"Celebrant took him captive, I watched in secret. If he meant to kill him, he had the opportunity."
So, Seth might be alive yet. She clung to that thought desperately.
"Where might they be?"
"Far from here, I'm sure."
She decided to switch tactics.
"What about my cousins? Knox and Tess?"
"They were at Terastios, I believe," Humbuggle beamed at her. "By all reports, Terastios was demolished and the Giant Queen killed. Doesn't bode well for your relatives or their satyr companions."
Kendra's legs went weak and Merek steadied her.
Her brother stolen, her little cousins probably dead.
She was alone again, responsible for the war coming.
She didn't want to handle it. She wanted Seth. She wanted her grandparents to tell her what to do. She didn't know what to do.
"What do we do?" Merek asked.
"That's for you to decide," Humbuggle chirped. "You came with questions, I gave freely. I hope it helps."
Humbuggle snapped his suitcase shut with a cheerful hum.
"Why not help?" Merek challenged. "You have as much to lose as the rest of us."
"I just did," Humbuggle said with a chiding look. "I have no love for the dragons, nor does any other demon for that matter. But I won't stick my neck out."
He crossed to the door.
"You're leaving?" Virgil asked, eyes wide and pitiful.
"As should you," Humbuggle suggested, shooting Virgil and gentle look. "Without the Giant Queen, this sanctuary is at the center of a power vacuum. I'll let the staff know to let you depart in peace, but with the Games over… well they may not obey my orders for much longer. Good luck!"
"He just gets to leave?" Kendra asked angrily.
"I'm not sure what more he could do for us," Merek said dismissively. "I assume he was telling the truth, Virgil?"
"I think so," Virgil said, not noticing or perhaps not caring about Kendra's anger.
She didn't understand why Humbuggle, who was responsible for the suffering of hundreds if not thousands was allowed to walk free.
She wondered if this was how Vanessa felt when they voted the Sphinx get to live.
"Humbuggle can be deceptive," Virgil continued. "But I'm not aware of any outright lies. He always has his reasons for what he does though."
"I agree," Merek said. "He knew nothing definitive about Knox and Tess either. Do we start by seeking them?"
Kendra took a deep breath, forcing her issues aside.
She had a war to handle, no matter how much she wanted to do anything else.
"Terastios is demolished," she said. "Could you fly around Humburgh, see what you find?"
"I can," Merek confirmed.
"I'll watch as Merek flies," Serena chimed in.
"I'll search the ground," Kendra said.
Virgil waved his hand, "I can help too."
"Thank you."
"What about Seth though?"
Kendra stared at the dark fireplace.
"We don't know where to start so… for now… for now he's on his own."
OO OO OO OO
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