Rise of the Evening Star

Hugo watches over him. An interesting consequence of his condition is that the creatures of Fablehaven never come near him, even when I bring him outside. Foul or fair, they keep their distance. Of course, I’m out here every day, to check on him and feed him and see to his hygiene.122 If we were all quiet, couldn’t we find him a room backat the house? Kendra asked.

I take him there from time to time, like on his birthday.

But he never seems comfortable. He curls up more, goes limp more. Out here he seems more peaceful. This is where he stayed before it happened.

He lived out here even before he became albino? Seth asked.

Dale nodded. Warren enjoyed his privacy. Unlike me, he was never a permanent fixture at Fablehaven. He came and went. He was an adventurer, like Tanu here, or Coulter, or Vanessa. He belonged to a special brotherhood-the

Knights of the Dawn. It was all very hush-hush. They worked to combat the Society of the Evening Star. The last time Warren visited, he stayed for quite a while. He was on some sort of secret mission. He didn’t tell me the details; he was always tight-lipped about his assignments until after the fact. I have no idea if it had anything to do with what turned him white. But he was as good a brother as a guy could hope for. Never hesitated to help me out. Now I get to return the favor, make sure he gets exercise, eats right, stays healthy.

Kendra watched Warren performing his awkward jumping jacks in the absurd sombrero. He was sweating. It was heartbreaking to picture him as an intelligent adventurer fulfilling dangerous assignments. Warren was no longer that person.

Want to see something nice? Dale asked, apparently trying to change the subject.

Sure, Kendra said.122 123 Follow me up to the belvedere, Dale said over hisshoulder.

Leaving Tanu with Warren, Dale led Kendra and Seth back into the cabin and up the ladder to the loft. From the loft, he led them up a second ladder through a hatch in the ceiling. They came out on the roof of the cabin, on a small platform with a low railing. The platform was high enough to see over the nearest treetops down the slope from the cabin, which extended their view quite a distance. The hill was not terribly high, but it was the highest point in the area.

It’s beautiful, Kendra said.

Warren used to like to come up here and watch the sunset, Dale said. It was his favorite place to think. You should see it in the fall.

Isn’t that where the Forgotten Chapel used to be? Seth asked, pointing to a lower hill not far away, brilliant with flowers and blossoming shrubs and fruit trees.

Good eyes, Dale said.

Kendra recognized the place as well. Up until they had veered off onto the cart track that brought them to the cabin, she knew they had been walking along the same path

Hugo had taken them down when they went to rescue

Grandpa the previous summer. Her army of fairies had leveled the chapel when they defeated and imprisoned

Bahumat and Muriel. Then the fairies had mounded up the surrounding earth over the spot the chapel had occupied and made it bloom as brightly as the gardens back at the house.124 Must look better now without that moldy old church,Seth said.

The chapel had a certain charm, Dale said. Especially from a distance.

I’m getting hungry, Seth grumbled.

Which is why we brought food, Dale replied. And there is more in the cupboards. Let’s go fetch Tanu and

Warren. I bet my brother has worked up an appetite.

What’ll you do if you can’t find a way to cure him?

Seth asked.

Dale paused. I’ll never know that day has come, because I’ll never stop trying.125The Dungeon

The next morning, Kendra, Seth, Grandpa, Grandma, and Tanu sat around the kitchen table eating breakfast.

Outside, the sun was rising on a clear, humid day.

What are we doing today? Seth asked, using his fork to chop up his omelet.

Today you’re going to stay here at the house with me and your grandmother, said Grandpa.

What? Seth cried. Where’s everybody going?

And what are we? Grandpa asked.

I mean, where are the others going? Seth restated.

This omelet is delicious, Grandpa, Kendra said after swallowing a mouthful.

I’m glad you’re enjoying it, my dear, Grandpa replied126 with dignity, shooting a glance at Grandma, who pretendednot to notice.

They have some unpleasant business to attend to,

Grandma told Seth.

You mean awesome business, Seth accused, whirling on Tanu. You’re ditching us? What was all that about teamwork yesterday?

Keeping you and your sister safe was one of our goals,

Tanu replied calmly.

How are we ever supposed to learn anything if you only let us do wimpy stuff? Seth complained.

Coulter entered the room holding a walking stick. The top of the stick was forked and strung with an elastic strap that turned it into a slingshot. You don’t want to come where we’re going today, he said.

How do you know? Seth said.

Because I don’t want to come, Coulter said. Omelets?

Who made omelets?

Grandpa, Kendra said.

Coulter suddenly looked cautious. What is this, Stan?

Our last meal?

I just wanted to lend a hand in the kitchen, Grandpa said innocently.

Coulter eyed Grandpa suspiciously. He must love you kids, Coulter finally said. He’s been exploiting those broken bones to stay as far from chores as possible.

I’m not okay with being left behind, Seth reminded everyone.

We’re going to an unmapped portion of Fablehaven,127 Tanu explained. We’re not sure what to expect, except thatit will be dangerous. If all goes well, we’ll bring you next time.

You think the relic might be hidden there? Kendra asked.

It is one of several possible places, Tanu said. We expect to find the relic in one of the less hospitable areas of the preserve.

All we’ll probably find are hobgoblins, fog giants, and blixes, Coulter spat, taking a seat at the table. He shook some salt into his palm and tossed it over his shoulder, then rapped his knuckles on the tabletop. The motions seemed automatic.

Vanessa strolled into the room. I have some unhappy news, she declared. She wore a U.S. Army T-shirt and black canvas pants, and had her hair tied back.

What? Grandma asked.

My drumants got loose last night, and I only recaptured a third of them, Vanessa said.

They’re loose in the house? Grandma exclaimed.

Coulter jabbed his fork toward Vanessa accusingly. I

told you no good would come from bringing that menagerie indoors.

I can’t imagine how they got out, Vanessa said. I’ve never had trouble like this before.

You obviously weren’t bitten, Tanu said.

Think again, Vanessa replied, holding up her arm and displaying three pairs of puncture wounds. More than twenty bites, all over my body.128How are you still alive? Grandpa said.These were a special strain of drumants I bred myself,