Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

"This is some sort of trick. Grandpa put you up to this. It’s a trap."

"No trick, I swear. We can’t afford to blow it at Wyrmroost. The Sphinx has the Oculus. We can’t let him have the Translocator. Think what will happen if the Sphinx can see anywhere and go anywhere! What will pre-vent him from grabbing all of the artifacts? How long will it be before he opens Zzyzx and none of us have anywhere to hide? Like it or not, we’re past playing it safe. If you want to be at Wyrmroost, I’d rather have you there than sitting idle at Fablehaven."

That conversation had been all it took to thoroughly convince Seth. He had written the note to explain his absence, and, as Warren had promised, after Christmas dinner, the back of the SUV was unlocked, the knapsack waiting.

Since Seth had entered the knapsack, Mendigo had been his only company. Unlike Hugo, the overgrown puppet had no will, no identity. It did not speak. The big limberjack existed only to carry out orders. Once, the wooden figure had obeyed orders from the witch Muriel. Now it was loyal to the Sorensons.

Seth continued to wait inside the crate, perspiring in the stifling darkness. Aside from the ample provisions packed for the others, Warren had stashed extra food inside an old trunk for Seth. When he felt certain the others were asleep, his reward would be to grab some granola bars and peanut butter. But before Seth could teach that conclusion, he heard the rasp of wood scraping against wood, as if the lid of a container had slid open. He had heard nobody descend the ladder. Peeking out from under the carpet, he saw no light. He heard the faint creak of a trunk opening, the rustle of a bag, and the crunch of an apple.

Somebody was getting into his private food stash!

The noisy munching was loudest right after each new bite. The chewing would gradually dwindle until the volume increased again with a fresh crunch. Who could be eating the apple? Certainly not Mendigo. The puppet didn’t eat. Seth felt sure he would have heard somebody come down the ladder, and anyone but Kendra would require a light. Could Coulter have missed a stowaway spy from when Kendra had first obtained the magical knapsack?

Shifting his position slightly, Seth got out his flashlight. There was a wooden baseball bat near his crate that he could use for a weapon. He hesitated, worried what he might see. He would spring into action on the next new bite, he told himself.

The unseen food thief bit into the apple again, and Seth stood up, flinging off the lid to the crate and switching on the flashlight. The beam spotlighted a stocky little goblin with an oversized head; grimy, greenish skin; long, pointed ears; and a wide, lipless mouth. The goblin stared into the light, an apple core cupped in one pudgy hand, eyes flashing like bronze coins.

"Who are you?" Seth asked in a hard voice, groping for the bat.

"I might try the same question," the stout goblin replied calmly, his voice grumpy.

Seth’s fingers found the handle of the bat. "You’re eating my supplies."

"You’re invading Bubda’s home."

"This knapsack belongs to my sister." Keeping his flashlight beam on the goblin, Seth began to climb over barrels and boxes toward the uncluttered portion of the room. The squat goblin stood barely taller than Seth’s waist. "If I tell her you’re down here, they’ll boot you out."

"But you’re hiding too," the goblin said with a sly smile.

"Maybe. But I’d happily give myself up to get rid of a spy."

"A spy? You’re an ally of the night. You speak good Duggish. I took it you knew what Bubda was."

"Which is what?"

"A hermit troll."

"I’ve heard of hermit trolls," Seth said. "You’re the kind who hide out in attics and under bridges. I’ve never met one."

. "Bubda didn’t want to meet you. But you wouldn’t leave, and Bubda got hungry." The troll stuffed the apple core in his mouth, seeds and all.

Seth reached the open floor. He held the baseball bat at his side. No need to act threatening if he could keep this friendly. "How long have you lived here?"

"Long time. No need to move once you find the right place. Dark. Well-stocked. Private. Places to hide. But two is a crowd."

"Your name is Bubda?"

"Right."

"I’m Seth. I’ll only be here a few days. Then you can have it back. How come Coulter never found you?"

Bubda crouched, tucking in his arms. The troll was gone. He looked exactly like a barrel. When he stood up straight again, the illusion ended. "Bubda hides well."

"That was cool," Seth said. "Can you look like other stuff?"

"Bubda has lots of tricks. Bubda never shows them all."

"Did you collect all this stuff?" Seth shone his light around the room.

"Some was here. Some Bubda brought. Bubda finds what Bubda must."

"You’re down here most of the time?"

"Almost always. Better that way."

"What about a rest room?"

"Careful what barrel you open."

Seth snickered. "I could use a rest room. I was thinking about sneaking out."

"Up to you. Maybe you leave for good?"

Seth shook his head. "You’re stuck with me for a few days. Don’t you get lonely?"

"Bubda likes to hide. Bubda likes to rest."

"We should be friends. I’m an ally of the night. We speak the same language."

"Bubda likes to be alone. Other people are a pain. You’re other people, Seth. Better than some. Maybe better than most. But no people is best."

"Will we get along?" Seth asked. "Are you going to try to harm me in my sleep?"

Bubda shrugged. "Bubda didn’t bother you yet. Bubda waited for you to go. Bubda can wait more."

Seth glanced at the giant wooden puppet. "Okay. Try not to eat too much of my food. And don’t eat any of the other people’s food. If they notice it missing, we’re finished. Understood?"

"Bubda knows. Bubda only took food from where you took food. Bubda has other food."

Seth wondered what other food Bubda meant. Did he eat the spoiled goo in the old barrels? The thought triggered Seth’s gag reflex. "All right. I guess we’re roommates."

"More?" Bubda asked, pointing at the trunk.

"Sure, Bubda. Have a little more. You give me my space, and I’ll give you yours."

The troll pursed his lips and nodded. "Deal."

Bubda was no taller than Seth’s chest, but he looked heavy, and he had long, sharp fingernails. Seth sidled over to Mendigo and dropped his voice to a soft whisper. "Keep Bubda under constant watch. If he comes within ten feet of me while I’m sleeping, pin him to the ground. Same if he sneaks up on me at any time. You hear me?"