Chapter Twelve: Getting Backup


If the Lost Marshlands in the central Isles were known for anything, it was their inhospitable nature-for witches, at least. A great deal of strange plantlife and vicious demons made these lands their home, making it a rather grim destination, even by the standards of the rest of the Boiling Isles. Very few souls would ever willingly enter these swamps...such as a select few Inquisitors.

Shrike trudged through the murky, shin-deep water, pointing his staff out in front of him. He walked slowly and methodically, as though being led by an invisible force. Behind him, Sanguinus crept through the water, and Stygma hovered just above it. The former's hand twitched, preparing to grab onto his sword, while the latter examined their surroundings with disgust.

"Is there any chance of us heading home anytime soon?" asked Stygma, glaring at a moss-covered tree. "This place is revolting."

"I would have expected that you two, of all demons, would be able to appreciate our surroundings," Shrike said, still inching forward.

Stygma scoffed. "I don't know whether that says more about how you see us, or how terrible you are at judging what people like."

"Regardless, the others were busy," said Sanguinus. "Though I would agree that we shouldn't stay here any longer than necessary. The kappa tend to get very territorial this time of year."

"Unfortunately for you, dowsing is not an exact science," Shrike said indignantly. "It is an ancient art that allows its user to commune with the very world around them, to sense the location of specific objects."

"I know what dowsing is," said Shrike, hand placed over her face. "I didn't not graduate school just to listen to more rambling lessons!"

"Er, in the essence of time," Sanguinus interrupted, "how close are you to locating the terrorwort?"

Holding his staff higher, Shrike stood still for a moment. "I'm detecting a patch...right over...there." He changed course slightly to the right, as his guardians followed.

"Just why exactly was it necessary for us to come with you?" Shrike asked.

"As Inquisitor Sanguinus has made abundantly clear, the Lost Marshlands are rife with danger," said Shrike. "I could not very well venture out here alone without anyone to protect me from the many monsters that call this place their home." He tilted his head slightly as he noticed a disturbance in the water to their left. "...for example..."

In a gigantic explosion of water, a massive scaly creature burst up from beneath the surface. Shrike didn't so much as flinch as it soared towards him, its beak filled with sharp teeth. He only regarded it quizzically as, moments before it could dig its fangs into him, the monster was intercepted by another. Sanguinus had thrust out his hand, and Ophelia had lunged and battered the kappa aside.

Ophelia and the angry kappa continued to grapple, thrashing around in the water. Sanguinus ran over to join them, and Stygma darted beside the pair. As the battle of the two titanic beasts raged, Shrike paid it no mind, strolling through the churning waves towards the location of his treasured potion ingredient.

Humming a quiet tune to himself, Shrike crouched next to the base of a rotting tree, where a clump of terrorwort grew. He leaned his staff against the side of the tree, and produced a pair of clippers to remove a few bulbs. Ophelia continued battling her foe mere feet behind him as he placed the clippings in a small pouch. "Could you perhaps be a little quieter in protecting me?" he asked. "All the noise is making it hard to focus."

In a burst of motion, the kappa slammed its fist against Stygma, sending her flying into a tree. "You're not the one dealing with this thing right now!" she shouted back.

The kappa, having momentarily gained the upper hand, lifted Ophelia over its head, and hurled her a short distance away. It raised its fists over its head, preparing to slam them down on her. "No!" Sanguinus lunged forward, sending a lightning spell into the water. Electricity surged through the Kappa's body, causing it to stumble back and bound away.

"Yeah, and don't come back!" Stygma yelled after the retreating beast. Sanguinus had hurried to Ophelia's side to make sure she wasn't injured. Shrike returned, pouch and staff in hand. "Some help you were!"

Shrike shot her a look-or at least seemed to. "I got what we came here for," he said, holding up the pouch. "You were so anxious to leave, and now we may."

The relative silence was broken as a twig snapped. Sanguinus re-drew his sword, Stygma prepared a spell circle, and Shrike pointed his staff at where the sound seemed to have come from. With the echo, though, it was hard to tell exactly where it had been.

"Was that our big green friend again?" asked Stygma.

"Not likely," Sanguinus answered. "Kappas are rarely this stealthy. If he was back for more, we'd know." Ophelia growled softly.

A booming voice reverberated throughout the swamp. "Intruders! How dare you trespass on my domain!?" The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Leave now, or face my wrath!"

Unlike his companions, Shrike wasn't the least bit intimidated. "Show yourself!" he demanded. "If this truly is your domain, come out and make us leave in person!"

Thunderous laughter. "I would not dare sully my glorious appearance with your shameful, mortal eyes! Begone from this place at once, servants of the emperor, or suffer the endless fury of the King of Demons!"

"King of…?" Suddenly, Shrike realized he had heard that voice before. He scanned the area, until he located what he believed to be the source of the noise. With alarming speed, he darted over to an old, dead tree. Behind it sat none other than King, whose voice was magnified by the hollow trunk.

King clearly wasn't expecting his ruse to be found out so quickly. "Um...fear me?" he said quietly.

"Hello, king of acoustics," Shrike said. "You're awfully far from home, aren't you?" He reached out a hand to grab the small demon. "Belos will be awfully glad to have another guest…"

"Hey! Stay back!" said King, backing against the hollow tree. "Don't make me summon my demonic army!"

Stygma chuckled. "And what sort of army would a munchkin like you be able to-"

Sure enough, just then, the kappa from earlier decided that it was indeed back for more. It let out a bellow as it barreled through the water towards the group. Before anyone could react, it battered Sanguinus away before it was set upon once more by Ophelia. This time, it knew enough to block her before she could sink her teeth in.

"Uh...there, see!" King said, recovering from the shock. "Destroy them, my trusty lieutenant!" he shouted to the kappa, who clearly didn't notice him. "I will make my escape now!" He then scampered away, climbing up a nearby tree to watch the battle from a safe distance.

Shrike had watched the entire scene with an aura of disinterest. "Very well, nevermind his majesty. We have the terrorwort anyways. Sanguinus, Stygma, take care of this beast so we may head home."

"What does it look like we're trying to do!?" shouted Sanguinus. He aimed a lightning spell again, but the kappa was wise enough to keep Ophelia close enough that he would risk hitting her. Stygma sent her healing energy into Ophelia, hovering a safe distance away from the skirmish.

"Nevermind then," Shrike said. "Meet me back at the castle once you are finished here." He began to walk away, leaving the two behind. However, the monsters' fight soon reached him; the kappa threw Ophelia in his direction, and although he stepped aside to avoid her, the impact caused two leaves to come off of his cloak, floating into the water.

Shrike glanced down at the spot on his cloak where the two leaves had been. His eyes, previously hollow, began to glow with a flickering orange light, resembling fire. He turned around as the kappa charged at him. "You ruined. My favorite. Cloak," he hissed.

Just before the kappa could pound him into the ground, Shrike thrust out his arm. A massive stream of fire shot out from his palm, hurling the kappa back and slamming it against a tree; the same tree King was now hiding in the branches of. With a yelp, he lost his grip from the impact and fell into the water below.

The kappa shook its head, dazed, but prepared to charge again. But when it got to its feet, it hesitated a moment, before its legs grew wobbly. The beast's eyelids drooped, and it fell back to the ground, unable to support its own weight anymore. Stygma hovered behind it, healing energies traveling from within the beast and into her spell circles, rather than the other way around. "What's the matter? Feeling a bit fatigued?" she asked.

Shrike walked over, barely paying the kappa any mind. He instead picked up a struggling King by the scruff of his neck. "Put me down! You can't treat the King of Demons like this!" he shouted.

"Let us head back now," Shrike said. "We got what we came for...and then some. Belos will be pleased to see we've captured a friend of Eda's."


Eda confidently strolled through the woods, Kade crawling behind her. They both held onto their staffs, even though Eda's was without a palisman. "So, you know the Bat Queen then, right?" Kade asked.

"Oh yeah, we go way back," Eda replied. "I babysat her kids a while ago, so we've got that goin' for us."

Kade looked warily at their surroundings. "You'll forgive me if I'm not exactly confident…"

It was unmistakable what part of the forest belonged to the Bat Queen: the ground was littered with bones. The remains of hundreds of small animals crunched beneath their feet as they walked into the entrance of her lair.

"Eugh… Her reputation definitely precedes her," Kade said.

"And here I thought you'd be right at home at a place like this," Eda said, glancing back at him.

"Normally I would be, but it's someone else's home, that's the problem," said Kade. "I'm just concerned with not adding to the flooring. Well, I don't have an internal skeleton, but you know what I mean."

"Ah, quit worryin'!" Eda said. "Bat Queen won't eat one of my friends, I can tell you that much."

The entrance opened out into a large open space where more trees grew. If one looked closely, one could see the movement of many tiny creatures in the trees' branches. But Eda and Kade were more focused on what was perched on a large branch right in front of them.

"Who has entered the lair of the Bat Queen?" asked a booming voice, coming from the shadowed shape before them.

"Hey, Batsy! Just me," Eda said. "Thought I'd pop in to see an old friend."

"Oh. Eda. I couldn't see it was you." The Bat Queen spread her wings to reveal her full form. A demonic woman's face with wings and legs did not sound particularly frightening, but every witch and demon who had heard of her knew she was a force to be reckoned with. "What brings you out to the woods today?"

Eda rubbed the back of her head. "Well, I did say I just wanted to see ya, but to tell the truth, I kinda need your help."

"Well, help I might provide." The Bat Queen flew down from her perch, landing before them. Kade spotted a trio of smaller creatures that looked like her behind where she had been perching. "And who is your friend?"

"...Hmm? Oh-Kade Murkwater. I'm an old acquaintance of Eda's. She's crashing with me while...well, I'll let her explain."

"Thanks, K," Eda said. "So...remember how you owed me that favor?"

"I think you are remembering wrong," said the Bat Queen. "You owed me the favor. I cashed it in by having you look after my little one."

Kade gave Eda a look, who laughed awkwardly. "Was that how it happened?" she said. "'Cause I kinda remember differently…"

The Bat Queen eyed her quizzically. "Why don't you tell me that is your problem?" she suggested. "Then I will decide if I can help you."

Kade leaned in closer to Eda. "You're telling me she doesn't owe you a favor?" he whispered.

"Yeah, but like I said, she's an old friend," Eda replied. "She'll help us." She approached the Bat Queen. "I'll cut to the chase: I have some dangerous people hunting after me. Now, normally, that wouldn't be too out of the ordinary, but these are some really nasty characters. They call themselves the 'Inquisitorius Magicus,' or something pretentious like that. They stormed the Owl House, almost got us. They almost captured me, but I got away by the skin of my teeth. Thing is, now we're scattered. Luz, King, Owlbert-I don't know where any of them are."

The Bat Queen nodded. "I see. And you need me to lay down the hurting on them, is that it?"

"You're too kind, but I can handle that part myself," said Eda. "The thing is, I'm at a bit of a handicap at the moment." She held up her bare staff. "They took Owlbert. I'm not powerful enough to fight them without him, and if I can't fight, I can't find Luz or look for King. I need your help to get him back."

The Bat Queen took a moment to examine the peg where Owlbert usually sat. "I am familiar with the one called Owlbert," she said. "He came to me, not long ago. Then the one called Luz came to rescue him. They share a connection, those two."

"I knew something was up with them…" Eda muttered. "So does that mean you'll help us?"

"I will do what I can," she said. "Now, where are they right now?"

"I don't really know where Luz is," Eda said, "but I'm pretty sure Owlbert's being held at the Emperor's Palace."

A brief look of hesitant remembrance flashed across the Bat Queen's face. "The Emperor...why would he be there?"

"That's where the Inquisitors hang out when they're not hounding me," Eda said. "Oh, the Inquisitors work for Belos. Forgot to mention that part."

The Bat Queen looked away. "Eda, I wish very much that I could help you," she said. "There is no greater sorrow to me than a palisman that has been separated from its master. But the domain of Emperor Belos is the one place on this island I cannot go."

"What? Why?" Eda raised an eyebrow. "You scared of him, or something?"

"All should fear Emperor Belos," the Bat Queen replied. "I wish you luck on your quest, but I cannot go back to that place."

"'Back?'" said Kade.

"Long story," replied Eda. "So, that's it? You're just gonna send us off with nothing? Even after all that?"

"I am sorry, Eda," she answered. "There is too much at stake. If I am captured or killed, who will look after my children? After all of these abandoned palismans? I have a responsibility that I cannot abandon."

"Hey, look, you owe me!" Eda said. "I only agreed to look after one demon baby, not three! If anything, you owe me two favors!"

"You can argue all you want, but I am certain." The Bat Queen flew back up to her perch. "I will help you in any way I can, but returning to the Emperor's Palace is out of the question."

Kade glanced behind the Bat Queen, and spoke up. "Excuse me, Mrs. Bat Queen? Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice that you have some children of your own."

"Yes. They are my little ones." The three children nuzzled up against their mother. "I would do anything to protect them."

"Well, Eda and Luz, they've got something similar going," Kade said. "Eda's kind of like Luz's mother, and she'd do anything to protect her, too. So if you help us out, you'd be helping a fellow mother."

"That's right!" Eda said. "Luz is my little one! Look, I can't ask you to go back to that place, but...is there anything we could do to convince you to help us? One mother to another?"

The Bat Queen thought for a moment. "Well...back when she came here with Owlbert, Luz made a promise to me. She promised to help me find out who my owner was. For so long, I have searched, but found nothing. If you help me to find out who I belonged to, I will help you find your little one."

Eda sighed in relief, before turning to Kade. "See? I told ya this would all work out!"

"You told me she owed you a favor," Kade said, unimpressed.

Ignoring him, Eda turned back to the Bat Queen. "So, you know more than I do at this point. Where do we start the search?"

"On my last search, I found ruins fit for a giant," she said. "It is a long fly, so it will be dark before we arrive. We will leave first thing in the morning. Besides…" She turned to her brood. "I need to find someone to watch my children."

"I could do that!" said Kade. "I'll keep them out of trouble while you two go searching."

"You sure?" said Eda. "You're not coming with us?"

"Hey, I'm the one who always wanted kids," Kade said with a shrug. "Although...I think you should hold onto this."

Kade handed Eda his staff. The carved wooden centipede on the tip stared up at her curiously with its big eyes. "You're giving me your staff? Why?"

"You can't exactly fly without Owlbert. I figured this'd be more comfortable than riding on the Bat Queen's back."

"Kade, you-"

"Take it. Mr. Crawly knows you, he'll listen to you. Besides, it's not like I need a staff to watch over some kids, right?"

Eda took the staff. "You'd be surprised," she said. "They're a bit of a handful."

"So were you." Kade winked, walking over to the Bat Queen and her children. Eda looked down at Mr. Crawly, who looked up at her.

"Don't worry, Owlbert. Mama's comin' for ya."


"So, you need anything else?" asked Tia. "Something to eat? Something to drink? Should I turn on the crystal ball?"

"Hmm?" Luz looked up from her seat on the couch, having previously been spacing out. "No, I'm alright, thanks. I'm just trying to think of what to do now."

"Well, you just do what you feel like for now," Tia said. "Just holler if you change your mind!"

"I will," Luz replied. "Actually, did you let the others know I'm here?"

"Sent out a message not too long ago," said Tia. "They should be here before too long." At that very moment, in fact, there was a knock at the door. "Oh! How's that for timing?"

Tia's mother walked over to the door to let in their guests. "Hello-AAUGH! ...I mean, hello Mrs. Nocturna!" Luz recognized Gus' voice. "Is Luz here?"

Aargaret Nocturna said something in her chattering language, gesturing towards Luz with one of her forelimbs. Gus, Willow, and Amity rushed inside, particularly the latter. "Luz!" she shouted. "You're okay!"

"Sure am!" she said. "Thankfully Tia found me when she did, or I-Woah!" Luz was almost squashed beneath the weight of all three of her friends as they hugged her in tandem. "I'm glad you're here," she squeaked out.

"When we showed up at your place yesterday, it was swarming with Inquisitors!" said Willow. "We didn't know what had happened-we thought they might have captured you!"

"They...almost did," Luz said. Her cheery demeanor faded away as she remembered the events of the previous day. "Eda and I had to split up just to escape. She's safe, but…"

"But?" Amity said.

"Look at this." Luz held up the note Kade had sent her. "I got this this morning. Eda and Hooty are safe with a friend of hers, but they took her palisman. And King...neither of us know where he is."

Amity scanned the note. "But at least Hooty's safe," she said, with a hint of bitterness.

"I just...I can't shake the feeling that this is my fault," said Luz. "Maybe if we hadn't gone after Loxton like we did, none of this would've happened…"

"Luz, don't think like that," said Willow. "You couldn't have known what would happen."

"But I did, that's the thing!" Luz said. "It's just like what happened with Mattias! I think I can handle things, so I rush in without thinking! And because I'm so careless all the time, people get hurt."

Willow was about to say something, but Amity stepped forward, grabbing Luz by the shoulders. "Luz, listen to me," she said firmly. "You are not responsible for the Inquisitors, and what they do. That's on them, not on you. Just because you tried to stop them doesn't make any of this your fault. Okay?"

"O-okay…" Luz said, caught unawares by Amity's demeanor. "B-but even if I'm not, they still got Owlbert, and King's missing. What do we do now?"

"I don't know," Gus said. "But it's a good thing we've got plenty of time to think of something!"

"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Luz.

"Don't you remember?" said Gus. "Today's St. Bludworth's Day-we get the whole week off from school!"

"Oh yeah!" said Luz. "At least I won't have to worry about missing school, huh?"

"That would've been the least of your worries," said Willow.

"Hey all!" Tia walked into the room, carrying a tray full of glasses. "I brought some lemonade! Sorry to interrupt, but I thought I'd bring you something."

"Oh, no need to be sorry. You're my friend, too," said Luz. "Besides, I'm staying at your place, you should be able to join in a conversation!"

Tia set down the tray, and everyone picked up a glass. "Good point," she said. "So...what's your next move?"

The room was silent as Luz thought for a few moments. She glanced down at the letter from Kade. "Well...we know Eda and Hooty are safe, and even though Owlbert isn't safe, we at least know where he is. But King...he could be anywhere out there, all alone. We have to find him!"

"Are you sure?" asked Amity. "Doesn't the letter tell you not to go looking for them?"

"It just says not to go looking for Eda," Luz answered with a grin. "It doesn't say anything about King. Besides, Eda would want to know he's safe, too."

"And if you run into any Inquisitors in the woods?" asked Gus.

"Don't worry, it won't be like last time," Luz assured him. "I won't go looking for trouble. I'll go looking for King, but I'll be sure to get out of there if any Inquisitors are nearby."

"We'll be coming with you, of course," said Willow. "We wouldn't want you getting into any scrapes you can't get out of alone."

Luz looked around at her four friends. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" she said.


"This is a waste of our time," Mandrake grumbled.

He, Loxton, and Grace all wandered through the woods near Eda's house, trying to find where she had gone. "Yeah. She could be anywhere by now!" Loxton replied. "She'd 'ave to be mad to stay 'round here after what we did to 'er."

"Normally I'd agree, but I hear she's a stubborn sort," replied Mandrake. "Hey, Grace? Any idea where Eda went after we beat her up?"

Grace stood nearby. One got the feeling she was staring intently at something, despite her blindness. "Our destinies are tied," she said. "Even worlds apart, two families have become one."

Mandrake and Loxton both stared at her silently for a moment. "...Well, thank you for that wonderfully insightful comment," Mandrake said. "Why did Belos put her on the team again?" he whispered to Loxton.

"I 'eard a rumor she's 'is mother-in-law," Loxton said. Both he and Mandrake shared a chuckle at this. "Still don't explain much, does it?"

"It explains why she's out here in the sticks with us," Mandrake said. "I get the feeling big, bad Emperor Belos doesn't like us very much."

"Now why would that be?" said Loxton. "I'm a likable sort. You're not 'alf bad yourself."

"Gee thanks," Mandrake said. The remark was sarcastic, but he still smiled. "...How would you feel about teaming up?"

"Eh? We're already on the same team, aren't we?" Loxton said.

"But are we?" Mandrake said. "You and I both know that Belos is only using us. And don't even get me started on Mattias. Just about every one of the other 'Inquisitors' would stab us in the back to get more power. If we watch each others' backs, then maybe we can be the ones doing the stabbing. Sound good?"

Loxton thought for a moment, before grinning. "I do like stabbing!" he said, holding out his arm. "You got yerself a deal, 'Drake!"

The two shook hands. "Good to hear! Always nice to know there's at least one person I can count on," said Mandrake. "Hey, Granny! What about you? You in?"

Grace had her arms clasped behind her back as she stared into the distance. "There is a storm coming," she said. "And the human child will be unable to take shelter."

Mandrake rolled his eyes. "What is it with you and these vaguely-worded prophecies?"

In response, Grace pointed out into the distance. Off on the horizon, several dark clouds were coalescing, headed towards the mainland. A storm was coming.

"Ah," Loxton said. "Acid rain. That'll make searching this place a right pain, eh?"

"Maybe," Mandrake said, thinking. "Or maybe it'll make our job easier."

"How d'you mean?"

"'The human child will be unable to take shelter,'" Mandrake repeated. "I take it that means she'll be caught out in the storm. She'll be trapped, vulnerable. All we need to do is scoop her up and take her back to Belos. Once we bring her to him, we'll be on the fast track to moving up in the world!"

Loxton laughed. "You're one ruthless son of a hellhound, has anyone ever told you that?"

Mandrake grinned. "I get that a lot."