“The storm is coming from the west,” Basirus said with a sneer. “Conditions are already hazardous for flight, but with the wind at my back, I could make it to the Reliquary of the Wandering Stones ahead of the big show.”
“Would you take us?” Seth asked. “Serena, too?”
Basirus looked at his sister. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked to do anything more distasteful.”
Isadore leveled her gaze at Merek. “This is essential to the Games? You have limited time?”
“Something like that,” Merek said.
Isadore and Basirus shared a look; then Isadore glanced back at Merek. “I would have to join you as well.”
Scratching his neck, Merek gave a pensive nod. “Can we have a moment of privacy? I need to consult with Seth and Calvin.”
Isadore shrugged. “We can step outside.” She picked up Serena and stood. Basirus rose as well.
“Do you promise not to eavesdrop?” Seth asked.
Isadore glanced at the candles. “Yes.”
She and Basirus went to the door, footsteps splashing.
“Want me to exit too?” Virgil asked.
“You can stay,” Merek said.
“How does water keep flowing through this room?” Seth asked.
“Pumps powered by the windmills is my guess,” Merek said.
“Good thinking,” Isadore said from the doorway. “Ogres power it if the winds are low. We’re short on time. Try to hurry.” She slid the door closed.
Merek lowered his voice. “The Harp of Ages is located in the Titan Valley Dragon Temple. The temple can be accessed only during the Perennial Storm.”
“We know where to find everything we need to win the Games,” Seth said.
“Neither relic will be easy to obtain,” Merek said. “Time is against us. But from what I gather, the hardest part may be actually claiming the Wizenstone.”
“I think we have to let the dragon take us,” Seth said. “Otherwise the timing won’t work.”
“Me too,” Calvin said. “Though I have to confess, I’m confused by Serena’s choice of partners.”
“She has learned a lot,” Merek said. “Sometimes the goal justifies the means.”
“They might try to steal the Unforgiving Blade,” Seth said.
“They will betray us,” Merek said. “The questions will be how and when.”
“You’ve really died many times?” Seth asked.
“It allows me to take risks,” Merek said. “Like an Eternal, I never die unless I’m killed. And if I’m killed . . . I don’t stay dead.”
“Like the undead?” Seth asked.
“Think opposite,” Merek said. “The undying.”
“The undying are real?” Calvin exclaimed. “I thought they were legendary!”
“Right on both counts,” Merek said. “I’m not immortal, but I’m as close as mortals can get. A lot of magic would have to be undone for me to die. Seth, you are more vulnerable than I am. But I cannot wield a blade wrought from darkness. This won’t work without you.”
“I’m determined to meet Humbuggle and get my memories back,” Seth said. “I’m not going to get a better chance than this. It would be a bigger risk to miss the opportunity.”
“Agreed,” Merek said, crossing to the door and opening it.
“That didn’t take long,” Isadore said, returning to the room. “Have you decided?”
“We need to reach the reliquary before the storm,” Merek said. “You can join us.”
“Very well,” Isadore said. “The winds are rising. We’ll have to depart almost immediately. Meet outside of Humburgh in two hours. Exit through the gates and go to the far side of the nearest hill. You’ll know the one.”
“We’ll be there,” Seth said. He looked at Virgil. “I’ll need some of my stuff from your house. And can you deliver a message to my cousin at the inn?”
Virgil saluted. “This is the greatest windfall of information about the Games I have ever encountered. I’m yours to command . . . as long as I don’t have to come with you.”
Not again!” Bernosh bellowed.
Warren looked at Kendra nervously. “Another bridge?” he called.
“This is the third ruined crossing!” the giant complained. “It was made of stone! One of the strongest in the whole sanctuary!”
Kendra, Warren, Vanessa, and Tanu sat together inside the portable dungeon. Bernosh had been climbing rough terrain, so the going was slower, and the enormous backpack jounced less sharply. They had learned that Bernosh could hear their words without difficulty.
“It’s deliberate,” Tanu said. “This is a concerted effort. They’re sabotaging bridges.”
“Who would dare?” Bernosh fumed.
“We told you,” Kendra said. “The dragons are plotting against you. This is more proof. They don’t want anyone getting near the Harp of Ages.”
“In all my days, I have never endured such an insult,” Bernosh seethed. “I will get you to the Dragon Temple if I have to scale every cliff at Titan Valley.”
“It may come to that if the bridges are down,” Warren murmured.
A violent gust of wind tore through the portable dungeon. For a moment, Bernosh had to brace himself.
“Rain will be here soon,” Bernosh said.
“I don’t love wet cliffs,” Warren said.
“Wet or dry, rain or shine, I can climb anything,” Bernosh said.
“Please let him be right,” Warren muttered.
“The sky to the west is getting murky,” Tanu said, peering out a window.
Kendra saw inky, black clouds spreading on the horizon. Pulses of lightning brightened pockets of the tenebrous mass, highlighting otherwise unseen textures of the thunderheads.
“This is not yet the onset,” Vanessa said. “We have to get to the Dragon Temple before the storm hits or we may not get there at all.”
“We’ll make it,” Bernosh grumbled, starting down the side of the cliff. The portable dungeon lurched and rocked with his movements. “The terrain is challenging, but the distance is not great.”
As they descended, the deep canyon provided shelter from the rising wind. At the bottom, Bernosh waded along a rushing river, the water above his knees in the deep places. During several stretches, unruly water flooded the canyon from wall to wall, endlessly tumbling in churning rapids and spraying up to the giant’s waist. Kendra wondered how much more the river would rise with the oncoming storm.
“There you are!” a high, male voice called from the barred window.
Kendra turned to see a male fairy in his young teens sliding through the bars
