Rise of the Evening Star

They were standing at a door that looked very much like the previous one. Is it dark? Kendra asked.

I can’t see a thing, Seth said.

Just follow this passage, the brownie instructed. It will lead straight to the dungeon. I suppose you know your way from there. I can’t say whether the barriers will impede you.

That risk is yours to take.

Thank you, Kendra said.

Here are your clothes, the female brownie said. She held up a lovely dress and a pair of moccasins, all made from the silk of the handkerchief. Kendra accepted the dress, and the female brownie handed Seth a shirt, jacket, pants, and slippers fashioned from the same material.

Now, that is improvising, Kendra said. The clothes look wonderful.

We all do what we do, the female brownie responded with a small curtsy.

The brownies held up the blankets in such a way as to allow Kendra and Seth privacy as they put on their clothes.

Kendra could not believe how comfortably the dress fit her.

Just my size, Seth said, pulling on the slippers.

Kendra turned the knob and opened the door. Thanks again, she said.

The brownies nodded congenially. She and Seth stepped311 through the door, closed it behind them, and proceededdown the gloomy tunnel. These are the silkiest clothes ever, Seth said. I’m going to use them as pajamas.

If you drink a shrinking potion every night, Kendra reminded him.

Oh, yeah.

Eventually the curved dirt walls of the tunnel gave way to stone, and the corridor became more square. The air began to smell less earthy and more dank. I think we’re getting close, Kendra said.

Good-I’m sick of the dark, Seth said.

I’m not sure the dungeon will be any brighter, Kendra said.

Maybe we’ll find a way to reach a light switch, he said.

We’ll see.

The corridor ended at an elaborately engraved brass door. I think this is it, Kendra said. She tried the handle, and the door swung open to reveal a room illuminated by trembling firelight. The source of the light was off to the left along the same wall as the tiny door, so they could not yet see it.

I can see, Seth whispered excitedly.

I think we must have made it past the barriers, Kendra said.

Seth pushed by her and stepped out into the room. Like the walls, the floor was composed of stone blocks mortared together. Seth stared off to the left. Hey, it’s the room where they make the —-

A huge, veiny hand suddenly seized him. The glove he312 was carrying dropped to the ground as Seth was yanked outof sight.

Seth! Kendra cried. A second hand shot through the doorway into the tunnel. She tried to dodge the grasping fingers and retreat, but the nimble hand grabbed her without difficulty.

The hand pulled Kendra from the tunnel and lifted her high in the air. At her diminished height, the room looked vast. When she saw the large cauldron bubbling over a low fire, she realized it was simply the room where the goblins prepared the glop. In the wavering firelight, Kendra recognized her captor as Slaggo.

Voorsh, I caught some strays to sweeten the glop,

Slaggo grated in his guttural voice.

Are you daft? Voorsh sneered. No snatching brownies.

He sat on a table in the corner picking his teeth with a knife.

I know that, you twit, Slaggo griped. They aren’t brownies. Have a smell.

Kendra was trying to pry apart the fingers that were clutching her. It was no use; they were thicker than her leg and covered in calluses as hard as stone. Slaggo held her up to Voorsh’s snout, and he took a couple of sniffs, slit nostrils flaring.

Smells like people, Voorsh said. Something familiar to the odor…

We’re Kendra and Seth, Kendra shouted in her squeaky voice. Our grandparents are the caretakers of

Fablehaven.313 It speaks Goblush, Slaggo said.Thinks she’s an imp, Voorsh chuckled.

You have to help us, Kendra cried.

Pipe down, Slaggo said. You’re in no position to issue orders. I remember these two. Ruth brought them through here not long ago.

Right you are, Voorsh agreed. And considering how things have changed…

What do you mean how things have changed? Kendra yelled.

He means seeing as your grandsires are now prisoners in their own dungeon, Slaggo said, it might be a fine prank to watch them gobble down their own flesh.

You read my mind, Voorsh gurgled.

What are they saying? Seth asked.

They’re talking about cooking us, Kendra said.

Grandma and Grandpa are imprisoned here.

If you cook us, you’ll pay, Seth shouted. You’ll be guilty of murder. Grandma and Grandpa won’t be imprisoned forever!

This one speaks like people, Slaggo grunted.

It has a point, Voorsh sighed.

You can’t cook us, Kendra called. The treaty protects us.

Trespassers in our dungeon forfeit all protection,

Voorsh explained.

But the runt may be right about Stan and Ruth, Slaggo said.314Course, if Stan and Ruth don’t know, they can’t rightlypunish us, Voorsh mused.

Why don’t you set my grandparents free? Kendra proposed.

They’re the rightful caretakers here. You’ll be rewarded.

Vanessa freed the big imps, Slaggo croaked. She is master of the situation.

Besides, we couldn’t spring Stan even if we wanted,

Voorsh said. We have no keys to the cells.

So we may as well have a little fun, Slaggo said, giving

Kendra a squeeze that made her ribs creak.

If you let us go, we may be able to help my grandparents,

Kendra said. Vanessa has no real authority here.

My grandparents will be back in charge sooner or later. And when they are, they will reward you greatly for helping us now.

Desperate words from cornered prey, Slaggo said, striding toward the cauldron of roiling gray sludge.

Hold, Slaggo, she may be right, Voorsh said.

Slaggo hesitated at the cauldron. Hot, foul steam fumed up, washing over Kendra. She glanced over at Seth, who returned a worried look. Slaggo turned to face Voorsh. You think?

Stan and Ruth have repaid loyalty in the past, Voorsh said. If we spare their spawn, there may be more reward in it than watching the runts boil.

A goose? Slaggo asked hopefully.

Or better. This would merit much gratitude, and Stan has always dealt with us justly.315I’m sure they’d give you huge rewards, Kendra said.You’d say anything at present to save your neck,

Slaggo growled. All the same, my ears agree with Voorsh.

Stan will likely return to power, and he has a history of fair rewards. Slaggo set Kendra and Seth on the floor.

Could you take us to their cell? Kendra asked.

Seth looked at her like she was crazy.

Wouldn’t go over well if the new mistress caught us aiding enemies, Voorsh said.

If you take us to the cell, you can be sure Stan willfully appreciate your involvement, Kendra said. You can always cut and run if somebody comes.