Rise of the Evening Star

The one question they are not permitted to ask is your given name, which you must never let them learn by other means. Before asking the formal three questions, the jinn can try to persuade you to agree to a bargain other than the138traditional answering of three questions. The petitioner canonly wait patiently and speak carefully, because every word you utter to a jinn is binding.

To make a long story short, I entered the oubliette, with

Stan standing watch, and the jinn and I negotiated. It makes me angry thinking about it-the jinn was so devious. He could have talked the devil into attending church. I was out of my depth. The jinn haggled and flattered and cleverly sought hints to what questions he should ask. He offered many alternatives to the questions, several of which were tempting compromises, but I detected traps in all his propositions.

We exchanged offers and counteroffers. His ultimate goal was clearly to secure his freedom, which I could not allow.

After our conversation had consumed many hours, and

I had revealed more about myself than I liked, he finally quit dickering and proceeded to the questions. Stan had spent days changing passwords and other Fablehaven protocols so that I knew nothing vital to our security. I had thought through all the questions he could pose, and felt prepared to answer anything. He used his first question to inquire what he could ask that I would be unwilling to answer. As you may imagine, I had anticipated a question like this, and had prepared myself to be able to respond that I would freely answer any possible question. But in the moment of his asking, perhaps called to my remembrance by some power that permeated the proceedings, I realized a piece of information that I could not reveal, and so chose not to answer the question.

It was all I could do to prevent him from being set free.139 Consequently, I opened myself to retaliation. He couldn’tkill me, but he did turn me into a chicken.

That’s how you became a chicken! Seth exclaimed.

Yes, Grandma said.

What was the secret you couldn’t reveal? Seth asked.

Something I cannot share, Grandma said.

The jinn is still down there, Kendra said softly, gazing at the hatch.

Grandma started walking back the way they had come.

Kendra and Seth followed. The hatch to the oubliette requires three keys and a word to open it, Grandma said.

At least one living person must know the word that opens the hatch, or the spell is broken and the prisoner freed. If any of the keys are destroyed, the same happens. Otherwise,

I would melt the keys and never tell the word to anyone.

What’s the word? Seth asked.

It’s two words, Kendra said. Dream on.

Kendra’s right. Perhaps one day you’ll be ready for that sort of responsibility. Grandma patted him on the back.

But probably not before I’m long gone.

They returned to the main corridor and followed it until it turned left again. Grandma stopped at a floor-to-ceiling alcove and shone the flashlight on a strange cabinet. A bit taller than a person, it looked like the kind of box a magician would use to make people vanish. Fashioned out of glossy black wood with gold trim, the cabinet was simple and elegant.

This is the Quiet Box, Grandma said. It is much more durable than any cell in the entire dungeon. It holds only a140 single prisoner, but it always holds a single prisoner. Theonly way to get the captive out is to put another in.

Who’s in there? Seth asked.

We don’t know, Grandma said. The Quiet Box was brought here when Fablehaven was founded, and was already occupied. Word has been passed down from caretaker to caretaker never to open it. So we leave it be.

Grandma proceeded down the hall. Kendra stayed near her, while Seth lingered in front of the Quiet Box. After a moment, he hurried to catch up. Near the final elbow of the hall, the one that would complete the square, Grandma paused at a seemingly random cell door. Seth, you said you wanted to see a prisoner. There is the imp who injured your grandfather.

She shone the flashlight through the little window in the door. Kendra and Seth crowded close to see. The imp stared at them coldly, frowning. He stood nearly as tall as

Dale. A short pair of antlers jutted from his brow. Leathery skin sheathed long, muscular limbs. Kendra had seen many imps. Too bad this one had not been changed back into a fairy like the others.

Go ahead, shine your light, you have no idea the doom hanging over you, the imp snarled.

What do you mean? Kendra asked. Grandma and Seth both looked at her strangely. The imp was staring at her.

What? Kendra said.

No light will stave off the coming darkness, the imp said, eyes on Kendra.

What darkness? Kendra replied.141The imp made a choking sound and looked astonished.Can you understand his speech? Grandma asked in wonder.

Can’t you? Kendra said. He’s speaking English.

Grandma put a hand to her lips. No, he’s speaking

Goblush, the tongue of imps and goblins.

You understand me, Stinkface? the imp tested.

Is this a joke? Kendra asked.

Because I understand you, the imp said.

I’ve been speaking English, Kendra said.

Yes, Grandma agreed.

No, the imp said. Goblush.

He says I’m speaking Goblush, Kendra said.

You are, the imp said.

That must be what he hears, Grandma said.

You don’t understand him? Kendra asked Seth.

You know how imps sound, Seth said. No words, just growls and snorts.

What are they saying? the imp asked. Tell them I’m going to cook their insides on a stick.

He’s saying gross things, Kendra said.

Say nothing more, Grandma said. Let’s get you away from here.

Grandma hurried them down the hall. The imp called after them: Kendra, you don’t have long to live. Sleep on that. I’ll be out of here before you know it. I’m going to dance on your grave! On all your graves!

Kendra whirled. Well, you’ll be dancing alone, you ugly wart! All the rest of your kind got changed back into fairies,142 and they’re beautiful and happy. And you’re still a deformedfreak! You should hear them laugh at you! Enjoy your glop!

Silence. And then the sound of something slamming against the cell door, followed by guttural snarling. Knobby fingers protruded from the bars of the small window in the door. Come along, Grandma said, tugging Kendra’s sleeve.

He’s just trying to upset you.

How can I understand him? Kendra asked. The fairies?

It must be, Grandma said, walking swiftly. We should have more answers tomorrow. Your grandfather got through to the Sphinx this morning and set up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon.

Me too? Seth asked.

Both of you, Grandma said. But keep it between us and your grandfather. We want everyone else to think we’re going on an outing into town. They don’t know that the

Sphinx is currently nearby.