Sable gasped, then narrowed her eyes. “Are you who I think you are?”
“I have a famous father,” Merek said. “Tell me what you do for Humbuggle.”
“I am the head housekeeper,” Sable said. “Basil is one of his drivers.”
“What is your real name?” Merek asked.
“I’m called Sable,” she replied.
“I didn’t ask what people call you,” Merek said. “I asked for your name.”
Sable scrunched her lips to the side and scowled. “I am Isadore.”
“A sorceress,” Merek said.
“I dabble,” Isadore said.
“What was your name when you were a dragon?” Merek asked.
“Ishaya,” Isadore said, some heat in the word.
Merek gave a nod. “And what about you, Basil?”
“My name is Basil,” he said.
“In your human form,” Merek stated.
Basil gave a nod. “You have killed many of our kind. I am Basirus.”
“I take no pleasure in slaying dragons,” Merek said.
Two of the candles snuffed out.
Merek gave a guilty chuckle. “All right. It can be satisfying to dispatch the worst ones. But I don’t harm dragons unless it becomes necessary.”
Isadore relit the two extinguished candles with her fingertip.
“What about the satyr?” Serena asked.
“I’m just a scholar of the Games,” Virgil said.
“A satyr and a scholar?” Serena exclaimed. “And the candles stayed lit?”
“This company is full of surprises,” Isadore said.
“Do you want to slay me, butcher?” Basirus asked.
“Should I?” Merek replied.
“Let’s keep this friendly,” Isadore said. “We’re ruining the moment for our nipsie lovers.”
“I’m doing fine,” Serena said.
“Maybe a hug?” Calvin asked.
“Why not?” Serena said. Isadore set her on the table, and she ran to Calvin, picked him up in her embrace, and spun him around. After she set Calvin down, Seth could see that they were exactly the same height.
Calvin smiled uncontrollably. “You never let me pick you up.”
“I was excited to see you!” Serena replied.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” Calvin said.
“I know what you mean,” Serena said. “I never imagined I would see you here.”
“How have you been?” Calvin asked.
“Working really hard,” Serena said. “And I can’t get distracted right now. So much is in motion. You brought me the champion. I’m indebted for that. But this is no place for nipsies.”
“Serena,” Calvin said. “The elders made me a giant, too. I have the same assignment as you. The same responsibility.”
“Calvin, this is deadlier work than you know,” Serena said. “I don’t want you in the kind of danger I’ve seen. I set out to do this for you and for all our people.”
“I came for our people too,” Calvin said. “And for you. I’m Seth’s sworn vassal. Wherever he goes, I go.”
Serena looked up at Seth. “And where are you going?”
Seth found all eyes on him. “Well, I’m on a quest.”
“We need to find the Unforgiving Blade,” Merek said. “It’s one of Humbuggle’s challenges.”
Isadore glanced at the candles and found them all burning. “I’ve never heard of that challenge. To what end?”
“I assume to cut something,” Merek said.
The candles still burned.
“Do you know where to find it?” Isadore asked.
“No idea,” Merek said, glancing at Seth.
“Could you help us?” Seth asked.
“Possibly,” Isadore said.
“Tell me a lie,” Seth said.
“Excuse me?” Isadore asked.
“I want to make sure the candles work for you as well,” Seth said.
“I like Dragon Slayers,” Isadore said.
All three candles went out.
“Ouch,” Calvin said. “That was cold.”
Isadore reignited the flames with her fingertip.
“I take it you’re on the Small Council?” Merek asked.
“I was until recently,” Isadore said. “The Small Council came out in open support of the dragons in the war. That was too much for me.”
Seth noted the candles still burning.
“What have you learned about the curse?” Serena asked. “Besides finding the champion?”
“Isn’t finding the champion the main part?” Calvin asked. “‘The curse arose from the demon’s blight; the lord who slays him will set it right. The slayer shall restore our pride, the Giant Hero at his side.’”
“I’m the Giant Hero,” Serena said.
“I’m one too now,” Calvin said. “We hadn’t heard from you in a long time. The elders were worried you might have perished.”
“You can assure them I am well,” Serena said. “What exactly are you and the champion supposed to do?”
“Set it right,” Calvin said.
“Set what right?” Serena pressed.
“Undo the curse,” Calvin said vaguely.
“Who placed the curse?” Serena asked.
“Graulas,” Calvin said.
“Okay, but who was he working with?” Serena said. “Who handled the details?”
“Do you know?” Calvin asked.
“Humbuggle,” Serena said.
Calvin’s jaw dropped. “No.”
“Isn’t that why you’re here?” Serena cried.
“Well, mostly,” Calvin said.
Two of the candles went out.
“You didn’t know,” Serena accused.
Isadore relit the extinguished candles.
“We’re learning as we go,” Calvin said. “You had a head start.”
“None of you has much time left,” Merek said. “The dragon war is coming to Titan Valley. Celebrant is here.”
Isadore’s eyes widened. “No.” She glanced at the candles, still burning. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Seth said. “And Ronodin has taken over the Fairy Realm. The dark unicorn will almost surely help Celebrant take down this sanctuary.”
Isadore glanced at Basirus. “This disturbs our plans.”
“It’s a problem,” Basirus said.
Isadore looked at Merek. “Why do you need the Unforgiving Blade?”
“We can’t tell you,” Merek said.
The candles kept burning.
“You literally can’t?” Isadore asked. “You’re not allowed?”
“We’re not allowed,” Seth said.
Isadore gasped and covered her mouth. “The blade is important. You’re close to winning.”
“We’re close,” Merek said.
She glanced at the candles, still burning.
“Very well,” Isadore said. “Let’s all share what we can.”
Merek gripped the edge of the table, stroking the smooth finish with his thumbs. “Before we all start comparing notes, I need to know what your side of the table is after.”
“What do you think?” Isadore asked. “We want the Wizenstone.” She looked at Basirus. “Same as everyone who works for Humbuggle.”
“Everyone who comes to mind,” Basirus said.
“And same as everyone who enters the Games,” Isadore added.
“What would you do if you obtained the Wizenstone?” Merek asked.
Her eyes flicked to the candles. “What would anyone do? Advance their own interests in one way or another.”
“I would do the same as I have done for centuries,” Merek said. “I would try to protect the world.”
All three candles stayed lit.
“Does that include protecting dragons?” Basirus
