The Future.
"I hope to visit quite a bit," Bracken said. "Get to know your parents and grandparents better. Hang out with Seth. He's an interesting guy. "
"He's pretty cool," Kendra said, trying to manage her expectations.
"He still owes the Singing Sisters a favor," Bracken said. "I want to help him make sure everything goes all right."
"My family will be relieved to hear that."
Kendra and Bracken were walking around the beautiful pond of the naiads. After Raxtus, the small silver dragon, had brought Kendra here (having ruined the surprise of Bracken waiting for her), the duo were very happy to see each other, and during this conversation, Kendra learned that the Fairy Queen Shrine had been restored, after it had to be destroyed to defeat the demon Kurisock, after he had started a plague of shadow in the preserve.
And so they kept talking, both thinking about the future, but, during their talk, Kendra noticed a weird glow coming from the pond.
"Wait, Bracken. What is that?" Kendra pointed to the mysterious glow, having never seen such thing before coming from the pond.
"Beats me, but nothing bad should be able to come from there, with the shrine back, the full protections are back in place." The unicorn explained, as he carefully approached the pond to look down at the glow.
Suddenly, something came flying from the water, Bracken quickly backstepped, as the object landed right where the unicorn was just standing. He raised a hand towards Kendra to tell her to not come closer, as he looks at the thing.
"This is… a package?" Bracken questioned. "Were you expecting mail today?"
"No, and even less coming from the water." Kendra answered, confused about the package.
"Well, in that case, I will open it. Who knows, since it came from here maybe someone from the Fairy Kingdom sent this to me." The boy kneeled as he started to open the box.
"How can you know there isn't some kind of trap? What if it explodes?" Kendra asked, worried about her friend.
"Then I'm never accepting mail again in my life." He said as the package is opened.
They waited in expectation, but there was no bomb, or poisonous mist, at least so far.
"Lucky, seems like I can keep receiving mail." Bracked said with a smile as he looked at the content inside the box.
First thing he grabbed was a note, which was above a pile of, books. Kendra approached him to read the note together.
For Kendra and Bracken in the Fairy Queen's pond in Fablehaven.
We are the Singing Sisters, Wilna, Berna and Orna.
"Do the sisters already want Seth to fulfill his part? The deadline is still many months away." Kendra said worried about her brother.
"I feel like it's for something way different." Bracken comforted her as they keep reading.
Many decades ago, Kendra's ancestor, Patton Burges, came to us, and asked for the most strange favor.
He knew that after the demon war was over, conflict like this does not just ends without any repercussions, and he was worried about all of you.
So, he made us one of the biggest services we have ever requested or will request, and Patton actually managed to succeed, so we had to do our part.
Now as he asked, during a period of peace after the demon war, we have granted you books with knowledge about the future, and the storm that will soon approach. It's mostly from the point of view from Kendra or Seth, though there are others. Bring in anyone that you can trust for the lecture, as this information is the most relevant.
PS: Since the full details are needed, these books are magic, any forbidden information or vow that is read, will not actually punish anyone.
"This cannot be for real." Kendra said as they finished reading the note.
"The Singing Sisters are not a group that would put all of this effort just for a prank, if Patton really passed a hard test of theirs for this request, then they have to comply and make their part of the deal." Braken stated seriously, looking at the books inside the box.
Suddenly, Kendra and Bracken heard the sound of wings behind them, they looked towards that direction and saw Raxtus flying down.
Raxtus is the son of the Dragon King Celebrant, raised by fairies; he was unique for a dragon, smaller than others, his breath weapon healed, and he was able to turn invisible. But he was also an excellent flier with very tough claws and scales.
"Is everything alright? I flew past some fairies that looked nervous, and instantly came here." The dragon asked, stretching his long neck to look around.
"We just got a gift from the Singing Sisters." Kendra said.
"You must be kidding." Said Raxtus in disbelief.
"Thank Patton, we got books that will tell us the future." Continued Bracken.
The silver dragon looked at both of them.
"Is this a prank? Kendra told you that I told her that you were here, and now you decided to pull this?" The small dragon questioned.
"Wait, you did?" Bracken asked, looking at Kendra and Raxtus.
"Could you tell the others to come here quickly?" Requested Kendra, giving the dragon a chance to fly away before Bracken said anything else.
Raxtus nodded, and flapped his wings, sunlight making the platinum scales shine, as he flies towards the house. And soon enough, Bracken and Kendra could hear people coming in, Raxtus flying back while holding Seth on his front claws, Kendra assumed her brother would take any possible chances for dragon rides.
"Kendra? What happened?" Asked grandpa Sorenson as he walked in.
This day actually had most of Kendra's friends and family on the house right now, and the girl assumed the sisters had waited until a moment where most people could read, there were Grandpa Sorenson, Grandma Sorenson, the Larsens, Seth, Tanu, Warren, Vanessa, and Kendra saw Newel and Doren peeking from one of the entrances through the bushes.
"Are you having a party, and you did not invite us?" The satyr Newel asked as he looked at the group.
"I guess you should join too, you have helped a lot and will probably be involved." Bracken said to the satyrs.
Afterwards, Kendra and Bracken explained the strange situation to their friends, and showed the box with books, they counted 5 Books.
"I can't believe the Sisters are actually helping us like this." Seth said, thinking about his own deal with the trio.
"What can we say? Patton is a cool dude." Simply stated Warren with a shrug and a smile.
"We should begin reading already, the note mentioned a storm that will "soon" approach, we don't know how soon, but better not take risks." Vanessa said, promptly grabbing the book atop.
"Dragonwatch." She said.
"Dragons wear watches?" Asked Seth, looking at Raxtus, and trying to maybe see a platinum clock on his foreleg.
The small dragon extended his legs to show the kid he didn't wear any.
"Dragonwatch is an ancient order of wizards, dragon slayers and such, they were the ones that brought the dragons to the preserves." Grandpa Sorenson explained, worried about the book being titled that way.
"Can I start reading?" Kendra asked Vanessa, more curious about the contents.
"Sure, take it." The Narcoblix nodded, passing the book to Kendra.
"Hold on, first we should go back to the house itself, and there I can take measures so others can't hear us. I will allow Raxtus to enter too." Stan quickly said.
Everyone nodded, and walked towards the house, first the humans and satyrs entered, then after a few minutes, Stan made a sign to the dragon so he could go in too, then the group got comfortable and looked at Kendra.
She looked at the cover, it did not look too promising, a massive dragon throwing fire to someone who seemingly blocked it with some axe.
"I've seen my father too many times in my decently long life, he is the one in the cover." Raxtus said, looking behind Kendra by extending his long neck.
Everyone remained silent, as Kendra opened the book and looked at the first page.
From the Journal of Stan Sorenson.
"Are we going to read grandpa's secret diary?" Seth asked with a smirk.
Stan frowned at Seth, and hoping that wasn't actually going to happen.
Could this be the end?
Will I be counted among the last of the caretakers? Could this longstanding trust dissolve during my watch?
"Very positive start, Stan…" Whispered Warren.
"To be honest, we are the ones reading his journal, he can be as negative or positive as he wants there." Tanu told Warren.
"Thank you, Tanu." Stan smiled to the Samoan for the help.
I have loved Fablehaven since I first beheld the wonders disguised here. Most in the modern world cannot guess at the splendors concealed on these enchanted refuges, where creatures of legend hunt and frolic. More than fifty years have passed since Fablehaven won my heart.
But it comes with a price.
How far am I willing to go to fulfill my duty? To protect the magical sanctuaries of the world? I made peace with sacrificing my own life long ago. But what about the lives of others? What about my family?
I have longed to share the marvels of Fablehaven with those I love most. But knowledge of those miracles means exposure to the dangers as well. Magical creatures can dazzle. They can also kill. For me, the wonder outweighs the threat. But what right do I have to make that decision for another?
I never forced anyone to discover what is really happening at Fablehaven. Certainly not my grandchildren. But I let their curiosity lead them to the truth. After drinking the milk from Viola, the magical milch cow, Kendra and Seth could recognize that the butterflies here were actually fairies, the goats were satyrs, and the horses were centaurs. That first time is so incredible. And it never becomes ordinary.
Many of the presents thought back of the first time they saw the magical world, that incredible, first moment of seeing there's more than the simple eye can see, Kendra and Seth gave each other a knowing look and nodded, it was unbelievable for both of them.
I could have prevented it.
But I allowed Fablehaven to unfold for them.
Inevitably, it took hold of them. As it always does.
And peril followed.
Kendra and Seth know my real reason for living at Fablehaven. As caretaker, I serve the inhabitants of this preserve and protect the outside world from them. I am fed by experiences that stretch the definition of reality. I behold spectacles known by none except those with access to these extraordinary sanctuaries.
My grandchildren appreciate the responsibility of protecting these refuges. They have shown willingness to sacrifice as well.
I thought we had survived the worst of it. We were pushed to our limits. Our lives were in jeopardy. Loved ones died. Kendra and Seth were almost lost, but in the end, they tipped the scales to save us all.
But now they may be needed again.
"… Grandpa, do you, at this current point of time, already know what is happening?" Kendra asked worried about the future, hoping that peace could have lasted longer, after how many sacrifices were made.
Stan sighed and lowered his head.
"Things have been… shaking with certain creatures, it's not pretty and it could end terrible in not too long, but we are doing our best. I have the feeling this question will be answered relatively soon in those books." He explained.
It was for just a moment, but Seth thought he saw Raxtus looking slightly uncomfortable for a moment, until his normal expression returned.
I believe I can protect them. But I have wrongly believed that before.
Once again, frankly, I don't know what to do. My responsibility is plain. But how far am I willing to go? How much am I able to risk?
Is it fair to give them a choice?
Is it even a choice, when I know what they will choose?
"That's the end of this chapter, seems like it must have been a short prologue." Kendra said as she flipped page.
"The next chapter is called "Eavesdropping." She informed.
Literally everyone instantly looked towards Seth.
"What? I have not even appeared on the book yet, it's not fair to think anything that sounds slightly bad is my fault." The kid argued.
Many still kept looking at him, and he sighed, then suddenly took the book out of Kendra's hands.
"Just let me show you, I matured, and you'll see that I was not the one eavesdropping." He said.
"No way, Seth will actually read to a crowd outside school, I knew you started to take a liking to reading some years ago, but this is incredible development. Good job Seth." Kendra teased her brother slightly, who ignored her.
Author's Note: I promise, this fic of reading books will be finished, at the very least, the first book will, I hope you enjoy this and that I'm writing correctly the characters.