“Harsh,” Newel said.
“The new Seth is falling in the polls,” Doren added.
“It’s not personal,” Seth said. “I’m going someplace where unexpected tagalongs could hurt my chances. Virgil set up an important meeting.”
“Who would let a satyr organize a meeting?” Newel said with a huff.
“Have you ever been to a party, Virgil?” Doren asked. “Ever watched an action movie? Or binged on donuts?”
“Virgil has been a big help,” Calvin called. “We’re closing in on important mysteries.”
“Calvin!” Tess exclaimed. “You really were with Seth!”
“I’m fine,” Calvin said. “We really do have a meeting.”
“You can vouch for us,” Tess said.
“They really are your cousins,” Calvin said. “The satyrs are longtime friends.”
“Good old Calvin,” Newel said.
“He tells it like it is,” Doren affirmed.
“Seth, don’t you have some news for Kendra?” Calvin asked.
Seth frowned. “Can you tell Kendra that Celebrant is here?”
“At Titan Valley?” Knox asked.
“In Humburgh,” Seth said.
“Is he pulling wagons?” Knox asked.
“I wish,” Seth said. “He’s in human form, still hunting the Wizenstone.”
“How do you know?” Newel asked.
“I saw him,” Seth said. “He tried to kidnap me, but Fenrick stopped him.”
“Thanks for saving him,” Tess said.
“Seth has aided me more than I can repay,” Fenrick said. “You have a noble friend and cousin.”
“You haven’t seen him pick his nose,” Knox said.
“Whatever,” Seth said.
“Seth is on the right path, guys,” Calvin said. “You can count on him.”
“Then maybe he should know,” Newel said. “Kendra has gone after the key to the Dragon Temple. She hopes to retrieve the Harp of Ages to help in the dragon war.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Seth said, glancing at the swordsman.
“What should we do about Celebrant?” Tess asked.
“Spread the word,” Seth said.
“Did you hear about the Fairy Realm?” Newel asked.
“No,” Seth said.
“It fell,” Doren said. “Ronodin is the new Fairy King.”
Seth blanched. “You’re not serious.”
“The Fairy Queen is overthrown?” Virgil asked.
“We got word from a fairy who escaped,” Newel said.
“That is disastrous news,” Seth said. “Ronodin is dangerous.”
“We know,” Knox said. “Didn’t you work for him?”
“Kind of,” Seth said. “He kidnapped me and was tricking me. He got me indebted to the Underking. I didn’t know who I was. I got away once I could.”
“It must have been rough,” Newel said.
“That’s life,” Seth said. “Thanks for the news. How about I catch up with you guys at the Wayside Inn after this meeting? Maybe we can help each other.”
“Sounds fair,” Newel said.
“You aren’t going to ditch us?” Knox asked.
“Not without good reason,” Seth said. “Thanks for trying to help me.”
“Sure,” Knox said.
Seth gave a wave and turned.
Knox watched his cousin walk away.
“Should we follow him?” Doren asked.
“I will,” Newel offered. “At a distance. Doren, take the kids to the inn and I’ll meet you there.”
Newel slipped into the crowd, not directly following Seth and his new friends. The satyr worked his way at a diagonal, keeping them in view.
“Think Newel might ditch us too?” Knox asked.
“If there’s good food involved?” Doren replied. “Absolutely.”
Those satyrs seemed jealous,” Virgil said as they advanced through the crowd. “And Knox is a little much.”
“Calvin, are you sure they weren’t dragons in disguise?” Seth asked.
“I would have sensed it,” Merek said.
“I don’t think any powerful creature would assume the form of a satyr,” Virgil said. “We’re considered frivolous.”
“You’re levelheaded,” Seth pointed out.
“I’m about as serious as satyrs get,” Virgil said. “And I spend my life studying games.”
“How far to the Chime House?” Calvin asked.
“Just a few blocks down this street,” Virgil said, the rising wind causing him to tuck his head and raise an arm against it.
Virgil had surprised Seth by meeting him as he and Merek emerged from the arena. The satyr explained that he and Calvin had visited the manor and made contact with an associate of Humbuggle’s called Sable. After speaking to Virgil for a few minutes, she had decided they should meet in private at the Chime House, where their conversation could not be overheard. Sable had promised to bring Serena. Since the appointment was not until one in the afternoon, Virgil had decided to see if Seth would emerge in time to join them.
Seth took Calvin from his pocket and cupped him in his palm as they walked. “Can you believe you’re about to see Serena?” Seth asked.
“I can’t express how excited I am,” Calvin said. “Have you ever wanted something so desperately, for such a long time, that it began to feel like an impossible quest without an end? Where you knew you might never succeed, but the prize was so worthwhile that you devoted your whole existence to the journey, even if it might all prove fruitless? That’s how I feel. I’ve wanted to see Serena so badly for so long that it’s hard to accept it will finally happen.”
“I’m happy for you,” Seth said.
“Don’t jinx it,” Calvin said, wringing his hands. “Let’s be happy afterwards.”
“Do you hear it?” Virgil asked.
“I hear about a thousand monkeys pounding xylophones,” Seth said. “And maybe a hundred of them blowing flutes.”
“It gets annoying when the wind rises,” Virgil said. “The Chime House is much quieter inside than outside. I don’t know how the neighbors tolerate it.”
Merek leaned close to Seth. “See the man on the other side of the street—the one with the black beard?”
Seth glanced in the indicated direction. “Short guy? Chubby?”
“Dragon,” Merek said.
“Really?” Seth asked. “Him?”
“Don’t make eye contact,” Merek said.
“They can’t kill us here in town,” Seth said.
“Nor can we slay them,” Merek said. “I can’t believe I threw Celebrant to the ground. Well, my incorporeal memories did. I’ve long dreamed of testing myself against him.”
“You may get your wish,” Seth said. “Based on what I understand from working with Ronodin, the dragon war is getting ugly.”
The Chime House came into view up the street. The four-story structure was built out of dark wood and featured three rapidly turning windmills. Wind chimes lined the eaves, windowsills, balconies, and porches, rippling vigorously in the wind with an incessant tinkling that seemed to jangle across every possible pitch. Other
