“In the Valley of the Sleeping Giants,” Emery replied.
“Are there many sleeping giants?” Tess asked.
“It’s hard to be sure,” Emery said. “Some can be clearly identified. They are the servants of the titan.”
“Are the servants big?” Tess asked.
“You tell me,” Emery said, leading Tess to a window. “See that ridge out there? Do you see how it kind of looks like an old man lying on his back? Hands on his chest? Feet poking up? See his face in profile? His nose and chin?”
“It does look like a man,” Tess said.
“He is Pietro, one of the sleeping giants,” Emery said.
“He looks bigger than the Giant Queen,” Tess said.
“Don’t say that too loudly,” Emery cautioned. “But yes, he is. Most of the sleeping giants are larger than the queen.”
“Is he made of dirt and rocks?” Tess asked. “He has trees and bushes on him!”
“The sleeping giants have slumbered so long that they are merging with the landscape,” Emery said. “Some claim they are long dead and will never awaken. Others maintain the sleeping giants are merely dormant and may someday rise again.”
“Where is the titan?” Tess asked.
“I’ve heard that the titan, Garocles, slumbers in a vast cavern at the far end of the Valley of the Sleeping Giants. He hibernates on a huge slab by the blue light of an eternal flame.”
“Does he look like a giant?” Tess asked.
“An enormous giant in a white toga,” Emery said. “The sky giants pattern their dress after him. He is technically the Dragon Slayer of Titan Valley, though none of us have ever seen him active.”
“Can he wake up?” Tess asked.
“Only the Giant Queen knows.”
“Can I go see him?”
Emery shook her head. “None are allowed in the Valley of the Sleeping Giants, let alone into the titan’s shrine. It is sacred ground for the giants.”
“I bet it isn’t sacred to dragons,” Tess said.
“I would rather not speak for the dragons,” Emery said. “As for myself, I think it is best to let sleeping giants lie.”
“Probably smart,” Tess agreed.
“Your eggs are ready,” Emery said, using a spatula to slide fluffy scrambled eggs onto a plate beside two pieces of wheat toast.
“I’m not sure I can eat so much,” Tess said.
“Eat what you can,” Emery said. “Through the eyes of a giant, it is a miniscule portion, so any waste will seem small.”
Knox sat at breakfast with the satyrs, munching a crisp piece of bacon, hot and crunchy, the way his dad made it. For some reason his mom and sister liked their bacon less done, a little chewier.
Newel took a long sip of apple juice and wiped his lips with his hairy forearm. “This is the life. I hope we’re exiles forever.”
“It really is the only way to travel,” Doren said. “I’ve never had servants. Doesn’t take long to grasp the appeal.”
Knox forked a fragment of pancake and used it to mop up some of the excess syrup on his plate. “Doesn’t it make you a little nervous that breakfast was made by something that could eat you for breakfast?”
Newel glanced toward the kitchen. “Emery? In her dragon state, I wouldn’t want to come within a hundred miles of her.”
“She knows our names,” Doren observed. “And we sometimes get a little bossy.”
“You were the one who wanted french fries in the middle of the night,” Newel accused. “I was content with those leftover croissants.”
Knox lowered his voice, eyes on Emery, who was washing dishes. “I have a feeling that if this preserve falls, we will have some really furious dragons on our hands,” he said. Did a small, knowing smile bend Emery’s lips? If so, it vanished as swiftly as it came.
“For now, we’re just following instructions,” Newel said. “Don’t forget, they’re serving us, but they’re also spying for the Giant Queen.”
“Doesn’t hurt to be courteous,” Doren murmured. He raised his voice. “Emery, these pancakes are a dream come true. And the bacon! I ate twice my normal helping.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed the food,” Emery said.
“Can I help with the dishes?” Doren asked, clearing his plate and utensils.
“Please, no,” Emery said. “Allow me the privilege of doing my duty.”
“Sorry I asked for those french fries the other night,” Doren mentioned.
“Ask again,” Emery said. “Make your wishes known, and I will endeavor to fulfill them.”
“This is the life!” Newel mouthed.
Warren poked his head into the dining room. “Meeting at Kendra’s. We’re receiving assignments.”
Knox wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’m not getting left behind,” he said.
Newel looked at him with a deadpan expression. “We have very different goals.”
The three of them rose from the table and hurried down the hall. Knox found Tess, Vanessa, Tanu, Warren, and Kendra ready and waiting.
“The Fairy Realm has fallen,” Kendra announced gravely.
“What?” Tess exclaimed with a gasp. “How?”
“We’ve gotten word the Fairy King let Ronodin in with a bunch of dragons,” Kendra said. “The dark unicorn stole the crown from the Fairy Queen, so fairies are now under his command.”
“What about satyrs?” Knox asked, glancing at Newel and Doren.
“I’m offended,” Doren said, folding his arms.
“Ronodin is now technically our king,” Newel said. “We’ve never paid much attention to those protocols. Maybe a little on holidays. He has no practical power over us, but the fairies are a different matter.”
“The fairy explained that satyrs are more loosely bound to the crown,” Kendra said.
“Can he mess up your fairykind status?” Tess asked.
“The fairy didn’t think so,” Kendra said. “Except I may not be able to give fairies orders anymore.”
“This is horrible news,” Newel said. “If we keep losing ground, what will be left?”
“We have to fight back,” Kendra said. “Warren, Tanu, Vanessa, and I are going to the Dragon Temple to recover the Harp of Ages. It can put dragons to sleep.”
“I’m going too,” Knox said. “Final answer. I have spoken.”
“We need you to lead a different mission,” Kendra said.
“Lead?” Knox checked.
“You, Tess, and the satyrs must go to Humburgh and find Seth,” Kendra said. “Knowing you guys are taking care of that problem will allow
