Thank you for your many sacrifices,
Alexander Stowe
Head Mage of Artimé
Alex stood up and got dressed, ignoring the blackboard.
“Well?” said Clive, poking his nose and mouth out of the corner. “How does that sound? I was thinking of highlighting the border with yellow and green.”
“I don’t care what you do,” Alex said. He went into his bathroom and splashed water on his face, then stared down at the sink, not really seeing it.
Clive smiled and disappeared, and soon the words had a flashing neon border surrounding them. A moment later they disappeared and Clive’s face returned.
Alex came out of the bathroom, towel in hand and drying his face. When he was finished, he threw the towel at the blackboard. It landed, draped over the edge, partially covering Clive’s face. Clive raised an eyebrow.
Alex loaded his component vest and filled his robe pockets with more components, not even sure if he’d use them. Perhaps he’d just give himself up—maybe the enemy would take him in exchange for leaving the rest of Artimé alone. At least Artimé would be safe with Aaron in charge.
He looked around his room one last time, making sure he had everything he needed, and then he went toward the door.
“Don’t die,” Clive said from behind the towel, so it came out slightly muffled. He bit at the towel and managed to pull it down and drop it on the floor.
Alex thought about that for a long moment. “Thanks, Clive,” he said quietly, and went out, closing the door behind him.
A Meeting of the Minds
While Aaron got ready and tried to tame his thoughts, Alex blew out a breath, set his shoulders, and made his way downstairs. He went out the front door and found Simber on the lawn, staring to the west. Alex stood next to him and looked too. He could barely make out a few bumps on the water.
“I hope Florrrence and the otherrrs can get herrre safely without being attacked,” Simber said. “I’m afrrraid they might be caught behind the ships.”
Alex’s mind didn’t have room for more things to worry about. “Sim,” he said, “I’m thinking about surrendering. I don’t want our people to have to fight again. That’s all we’ve done since I came to Artimé, and things look especially bleak this time—you have to agree with me. If I give myself up, maybe the pirates and Warblerans will be satisfied with that.”
A low growl came from deep within Simber and it turned into a roar.
Alex cringed and backed up. A few people came running out of the mansion to see what was happening, but Simber glared at them until they backed away and left.
“If you surrrenderrr,” growled Simber with true anger in his voice, “who will lead this island when these enemies decide you werrren’t enough to placate them afterrr all, and they come back again?”
Alex frowned. “I’m certain you’ll be fine,” he hedged.
“Well I’m cerrrtain we won’t.” Simber glanced at the team members coming toward them for their meeting and hissed to Alex, “No morrre of that talk. You must find yourrr confidence immediately, and defeat these enemies. Don’t you see? Once they arrre overrrcome, no enemies rrremain. This is the final battle, Alex . . . but only if you fight it.”
Alex didn’t respond, and soon his team leaders ventured toward them. Alex turned to greet Aaron and Claire, the first to reach him. Aaron caught Alex’s eye and patted the slight bulge in his vest. Alex nodded solemnly.
Soon Sean and Carina arrived with Ms. Octavia, and Sky came with Kaylee. Both of them appeared relieved to see Aaron back with them. The three stood together, Aaron a bit stiff around the shoulders, but on the surface he seemed pleased to see them as well, despite the circumstances.
Samheed and Lani came next, and then Mr. Appleblossom and Liam Healy arrived, talking earnestly together.
Alex glanced at Simber. “Is this everyone?”
Simber nodded. “Gunnarrr Haluki has been summoned and is on his way frrrom Quill as well.”
“Th-that’s correct,” said Liam. “My, ah, my blackboard talked to his in Quill, and he got the message from Clive. He’s coming.”
Alex began to wonder what message Clive had sent out—perhaps he should have read it. He held up a hand to quiet the group, and they came to attention. “We have no time to waste,” said Alex. “And while I’m devastated by this news and have tried to come up with a way to keep this attack from happening, Simber has convinced me that our only option is to fight and defeat these enemies once and for all. So . . . anyone who wishes to join us in fighting should gather on the lawn within two hours. Does that sound about right?” He glanced at the tiny blobs on the water as if trying to determine their time of arrival.
“That’s what Clive said,” Liam told him.
“Oh,” said Alex. “Well, then, let’s go with that. I’d like each of you to lead a team as usual. Hopefully Florence, Spike, and Henry will be back soon to help us.”
Mr. Appleblossom raised a hand.
“Yes, Mr. Appleblossom?” Alex studied the man. He looked a bit weary in the weak morning light.
Mr. Appleblossom offered a pained smile and cleared his throat. “If not these enemies at sea exist, our happy land would be at peace this day. But I should say to all who gather here that happy lands are such with strife to pay. ’Tis not till after hardship’s won, we play.” He looked around wisely, the eldest among them, and added, “I see the end of this, though some may not. But enemies are fully known this time. There are no others hiding round the bend. What’s won is won for good, though rough the climb.”
Alex nodded and glanced at Samheed, whose eyes held great respect for the theater teacher. “Quite right,” Samheed murmured.
“Thank you, Mr. Appleblossom,” said Alex. “Your words bring a very special comfort and they ring true with Simber’s. I’m very glad you see the end to this, because I admit that for me, it’s hard to look past this moment. We are all tired, it’s true. And sometimes this cycle of fighting feels endless. So thank you. We take your words to heart.”
Mr. Appleblossom bowed his head. “Your fearlessness and drive will lead this charge, and happy we will be to see the end. And in that hour of victory we’ll meet in Artimé . . . and start the world again.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” said Alex warmly. How he wanted it! He was beginning to feel better. And even if he wasn’t, he had to fake it for the sake of his team. He stood up a bit straighter. “Our final battle,” he said to the group, with conviction. “Let’s make this our final battle forever. And when it’s over, like Mr. Appleblossom said, we’ll start the world again. With peace, and with family, and with friends.” He looked at Aaron, and Aaron held his gaze.
Alex went on to everyone. “I must ask all of you to vote. As you have no doubt noticed, my brother Aaron chose to return with me from the shores of his future home once we heard the news of the pending attack. He has unselfishly agreed to fight with us again. So I ask of everyone here: May I offer him spell components? I will only do so with the consent of everybody present.”
A murmur went up in the group, and Alex waited patiently while the people and creatures talked it over. Aaron stared at the ground.
Alex cleared his throat. “All in favor of offering spell components to Aaron, please say aye.”
The group’s voices rose up in a resounding “Aye!”
“Are there any opposed?” asked Alex. “If so, please speak now.” He looked earnestly around the group, his eyes moving to the ones who had been suspicious of Aaron. Samheed and Carina both nodded their approval at Alex. Claire didn’t meet Alex’s gaze, but she remained silent.
“No,” said Aaron suddenly, startling everyone. Perhaps even himself.
They turned to look at him.
“I don’t want any,” Aaron said. “It’s true I know how to use them. But I can’t bring myself to accept them. I would rather everyone in this community be entirely comfortable having me near them.” He dared a glance at Claire. He’d barely spoken
to her during his time in Artimé, knowing she must hate him for killing her father. But he also knew that if his new appointment as head mage were to be revealed, he’d need to strategize properly, and Claire would be his main hurdle. Claire looked up, and they both hurriedly looked away.
Alex shook his head, frustrated. “I’m sorry to hear that, Aaron, because you could be a big help to our spell-casting team.”
“Take them,” Claire said suddenly. “Please, Aaron. How would I feel if you were caught without any way to defend yourself? Your injury or death would be on my head then, wouldn’t it? And it wouldn’t do a thing to bring my father back. I don’t wish death on you, no matter what has happened in the past. Let’s put that aside for the sake of Artimé.” She reached into her vest pockets and pulled out a handful of scatterclips and gave them to Aaron. “I don’t have any heart attack components,” she said.
Aaron took the scatterclips and looked at Claire. “Thank you,” he said. “Are you sure?”
She held his gaze and nodded. “You’ve more than proven yourself to be a friend of Artimé.”
Aaron put the scatterclips into his empty component vest pocket. “I am sorry,” he said quietly.
“I know,” said Claire. She looked up briskly. “Please continue, Alex.”
“Thank you, everyone,” said Alex. “Now, let’s figure a few things out. First, we have one ship and one boat. Mr. Appleblossom, I’d like you to commission Captain Ahab to board our ship and take a crew with him. Sean, Carina, and Ms. Octavia, I want you and your teams fighting from the ship to protect it from takeover and help defend us and the mansion here on shore from approaching enemies.”
They nodded.
Alex went on. “Claire, please take your team in the white boat and be our eyes around the island so we know where the ships are and where they intend to attack. You’ll have first crack at taking out anyone who gets close enough. Got it?”
Claire nodded. “Excellent plan, Alex.”
“Mr. Appleblossom, once you’ve got Captain Ahab convinced to board the ship, I’d like to have you and your team stationed at your poste d’observateur on top of the mansion. The squirrelicorns can help with communication between you on the roof, Claire in the white boat, and Sean, Carina, and Ms. Octavia in the ship, as well as having a few of them stationed with each team. Also, please send Kitten and Fox to see me. I’d like to have Kitten near me, and I want Fox on the ship—but have him check in here first, please.”
Mr. Appleblossom nodded.
Alex went on, though his confidence faltered a bit—he wished he had Florence’s guidance when it came to protecting the mansion. “I’d like Sky and Kaylee armed with your swords and stationed at the entrances to the mansion, at least until we understand what kind of attack we’re dealing with. It’s crucial no enemies get inside. I’ll have those who are choosing not to engage in battle go to the lounge. In case there’s a breach, the lounge will be a hard place for intruders to find since they won’t know what to do with the tubes.
“I’ll have a few teams line the Quill shoreline on the western side of the island since that might be where their ships land first. The rest of us and our teams will take our usual stations on the lawn, and if anything unexpected happens, I’ll advise you on what to do via squirrelicorn message.”
He took a breath and let it out, wondering if he’d thought of everything, and then continued. “I want all the fighting statues to be stationed facing the water all along the shore, ready to scare the stink out of anybody who makes it to land. The pirates won’t have seen any living statues before, so have them focus their energies there and use distraction techniques with anyone else to buy the spell casters more time to prepare.”
Alex shoved his hands in his pockets, his mind awhirl. “I think that’s it for now. If you see Haluki, have him find me when he gets here so we can figure out what to do with Quill. I’ll go write up some team instructions and send them to your blackboards. Grab some breakfast, fill your canteens, and I’ll see you back here shortly.”
He pressed his lips together. “This is going to be our most difficult battle yet, by far. And I honestly don’t know how we’re going to get through it. But I won’t quit, and I won’t surrender, and I won’t back down, not for anything or anyone, no matter what they do to me.” He shuffled his feet in the grass. “I guess I just wanted you all to know that. You mean very much to me, all of you. And today I’m fighting for you.”
After the moment of warmth, the team went to carry out their duties. Aaron, who’d been given no special assignment, slipped away with a determined look on his face and headed into Quill.
One by One, the Warriors (Reprise)
When Alex went back into the mansion, he stopped in the hospital ward to check on Yazmin, the brave young woman who had escaped from Warbler. She and her brother Thatcher were awake now, and he was sitting by her bed, talking with her.
“Hi there. Thatcher, right?”
Thatcher’s eyes widened when he saw the head mage was talking to him. “Yes, how’d you know?”
“You’re doing really great with your spells. Are you going to help us fight?”
Thatcher’s eyes narrowed. “You bet I am. I’m going after Queen Eagala.”
“Be careful,” Alex warned. “Maybe start with a slow moving pirate or something.” He looked at Yazmin. “Welcome. I’m Alex,” he said. “We’re grateful to you for the warning.”
Her orange eyes were tired. “Hi,” she whispered, and then she pointed to her neck. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Is there anything you can tell me? We see the ships coming—the attack is imminent. But you should be safe in here.”
“Queen Eagala has been meeting with the pirate captain for months,” Yazmin whispered. “She built him a ship in exchange for help from them to defeat you.” She struggled to sit up. “The pirates alone will make up the first several waves of attacks, but there will be Warblerans hiding on the ships, waiting to fight if the pirates fail.”
“All pirates,” said Alex. “I was afraid of that. Thank you. That helps.”
“I want to help you fight,” said Yazmin.
Alex frowned. “I don’t think that’s wise—Carina says you’re quite sick. But you have helped us tremendously already. You gave us days of warning. That made a huge difference in our preparation, and we’re all very grateful.” He glanced at Thatcher. “I hope you’re pleased with how well your brother is turning out.”
Yazmin smiled and put her hand on Thatcher’s arm. “Our parents will be very happy to know that they made a good decision to send him here. They’ve been very worried.”
“Perhaps you’ll all be reunited soon,” said Alex. He wished he believed it. He nodded briskly. “I’ve got to run now. Thatcher, your instructions will be on your blackboard.” He headed out of the hospital ward into a bustle of activity as Artiméans moved throughout the mansion, preparing for battle or bringing possessions with them to the lounge. He saw Crow with Thisbe and Fifer heading for the tubes and stopped them.
“Stay safe,” Alex said to his sisters. He kissed each of them on the forehead and looked at Crow. “I’m so glad they have you.”
Crow smiled. “I’ll take good care of them,” he said. And with that, he and the girls slipped into the tube and disappeared.
Alex watched them go, then took the stairs two at a time and went to his living quarters. He quickly packed a bag of components for Aaron. “So you sent it,” Alex said, knowing full well Clive was aware of his presence.
“You said you didn’t care,” said Clive.
“Well, thank you. And . . .” Alex thought for a long moment. “And if anybody gets inside the mansion, you and the other blackboards should do what you can to scare them back out.”
Clive’s face pushed out and his eyes flew open. “Like what?” he asked, incredulous. “We don’t even have bodies.”
“You’ll think of something,” Alex said. “Gotta go.” He ran out of the room with Clive screaming
“Don’t die!” after him. And as Alex flew down the only-secret-to-intruders hallway past the Museum of Large, he skidded to a stop and stared at the door. He blinked a few times, shook his head, and mumbled something under his breath, followed by “No. Too dangerous.” He continued on to finish up his meetings before it was time to defend their land.
At the bottom of the stairs he nearly collided with Fox, who was running around the entry area, dodging people’s feet, and trying not to get kicked or stepped on. Alex scooped him up and saw that Kitten was on Fox’s head, hanging on with her tiny claws during the wild ride. Alex sidestepped down the hallway and darted into an empty classroom, setting Fox on a table.
“Whew,” said Fox, trembling slightly.
“Mewmewmew,” said Kitten.
Fox sat up to translate. “She says she is very happy to see you, her most especially good friend Alex, and she is delighted to be a part of this very special day of fighting.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, but Kitten smiled so hard it made her eyes turn into slits. “Okay, quickly, I have jobs for you,” said Alex. “Kitten, I want you to stay with me in case I need you. You can have a nice long nap in my pocket if you like. And Fox, I want you on board the ship. I have a special job for you.”
Fox gasped. He sat up straighter. “A . . . special job?” he whispered. “For me? Is it top secret?”
“No,” said Alex.
Fox’s face fell.
“Or, um, yes is actually what I meant to say,” said Alex.
Fox perked up again.
“Yes,” Alex continued, “it’s top secret. It’s the tippy top of all the secrets that exist. It’s so secret, I’m going to whisper it to you, and you must tell no one.”
“Even in the face of death?” Fox asked, eyes shining.
“Even then,” Alex said, and he nodded soberly. He bent down and whispered into Fox’s ear.
Fox’s face lit up, and when Alex was done he said, “That sounds very dangerous. And very clever, which is what I happen to be. Clever like a . . . cat.”