“Yes, that’s exactly why I picked you,” said Alex. “No one else in Artimé can do it but you.”
“Or the whole world,” Fox said dreamily.
“Or the whole world,” agreed Alex. He patted Fox and picked up Kitten. “I’ll see you on the lawn, and when this is all over I’ll want a full report, Fox.”
“If I survive,” said Fox.
“Right.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Well, then you’ll die a hero, like Meghan.”
Fox nodded. And then his face clouded over and his bottom jaw began to quiver. “I don’t want to die,” he whimpered.
“You won’t,” said Alex. “You’re magic, remember? And you’re a cat, so . . .”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Fox, panting in relief. “Phew. Nine lives.”
Alex nodded. “Or something like that. I’ve got to go.”
Alex left with Kitten snuggling up in his pocket. He went outside to find Simber, and discovered Gunnar Haluki there with him.
“Gunnar,” said Alex in greeting. “What ideas do you have for keeping our Quillens safe?”
“I’ve got some Necessaries agreeing to help,” said Gunnar. “I’ll take them with me in my group—you can station me somewhere along the shore in Quill. I’ve told the rest of the Quillens to stay in their houses for now. If we’re lucky, things won’t make it that far inland to reach the housing quadrants.”
“I’m going to put your team on the western shoreline with Aaron’s and Liam’s teams,” said Alex. “You three know that terrain better than Artiméans would. Squirrelicorns will be circulating with updates.” He looked out to sea. The ships were recognizable now. They stretched out across a wide portion of the water. “Any sign of Florence or Henry?”
“No,” said Simber. “And I can’t fly out to look forrr them, because I don’t want the attackerrrs to see me. I want them to think they arrre surrrprising us.”
“Good plan,” said Alex, straining to see any sign of Pan or the returning Artiméans, but knowing if they were there, Simber would see them well before he did. “I really hope they get here soon.” A familiar wave of dread rippled through Alex—it never went away, no matter how many times Artimé faced its enemies.
As Alex and Simber waited on the shore, the door to the mansion opened and Artiméans began streaming out and organizing themselves on the lawn like they’d done in the past. With very little guidance from any of the leaders, the people of Artimé stood poised and ready to hear their final instructions, as if they did this every day.
Sometimes it felt like they did.
A Word from a Leader
When those who wished to fight had assembled, Alex climbed on Simber’s back and stood there so that everyone all the way across the lawn could see him.
It was a fairly large army of several hundred despite their losses against Gondoleery. Many of the Warbler children who had found success in Beginning Magical Warrior Training stood with the Artiméans for the first time. And at the last moment Aaron returned from Quill with a group of Necessaries following him, carrying makeshift weapons and standing in solidarity with the magical world.
Alex watched Aaron come in with the Quillens. When Aaron found a place to stand, he looked up at Alex. Alex tapped his fist to his chest, trying to express his heartfelt thanks to his brother for taking on the role of head mage, at least temporarily, as well as for finding more people to fight with them. Alex knew that if he didn’t make it to the other side of this battle, Artimé would be in good hands.
Aaron lifted his chin, then repeated the fist gesture. He remembered it from the last battle. It was the Artiméan’s symbol of support and courage and dedication. I am with you. Dozens of Artiméans around him had seen Alex do it and responded in kind.
The warriors quieted and turned their full attention to their leader. Alex, overcome with humility, looked back at them, so choked up he was unable to say a single word. They had been here time and time again. They had mourned enormous losses together, and they had celebrated tremendous victories together. They were the living. And as Alex looked from face to face in the crowd, he was determined to keep every last one of them alive. He wanted no one to suffer the way he’d suffered when Meghan had died.
“People of Artimé,” Alex began, “you know how this works. You have your leaders. The squirrelicorns will act as messengers. Expect surprises, as always.” He glanced at the growing line of ships, which seemed to be widening. “The territory we must cover is much larger now than it has been in the past, and the approaching ships appear to be spreading out. Our main enemy will be the pirates, and they know how to fight. I fear they will attack from multiple locations around the island so we must be ready for that. That means our ranks will seem thinner than they are. It means each one of you is more vulnerable than in the past. And it means your significance to Artimé has never been greater than it is today.”
Alex looked over the crowd, and his eyes landed on Sky’s mother, Copper. He hadn’t expected to see her out here fighting. He nodded respectfully at her and continued. “Because we’ll be spread thin along the shoreline around the western half of the island, we must be clever and resourceful. Use the new trees in Quill to hide in. If you’re stationed in the west, utilize the lighthouse and hill to your advantage. And let’s not forget the last time the Warblerans paid us a visit. Be ready for the catapults and steer clear of anything that comes by way of them.”
Alex turned toward the group of Warbler children, and his eyes landed on Thatcher and Scarlet. “Warblerans and orange-eyed Artiméans, I believe these attackers are coming after you. You are welcome to change your mind about fighting. You may go inside and hide if you wish. I encourage you to do so, in fact. We don’t want to lose you. But if you choose to stay and fight, please be extremely cautious and keep yourselves as safe as possible.”
Thatcher glanced at Scarlet. Scarlet lifted her chin and nodded at Alex. She would fight, and so would Thatcher. He nodded at Alex too.
Alex continued with the usual instructions, finishing with a word of encouragement. “Most of all, people of Artimé and our friends from Quill and Warbler,” he said, “I want to thank you for coming here today and being willing to fight, perhaps for the first time, and hopefully for the last. Let’s split up now and go with our leaders. And may we fight with all we have in us to protect this magical land!”
An enormous cheer rose up, and Alex, heartened, lifted his fist in the air, then tapped his chest and held it there. “I am with you!” he shouted.
The people did the same and shouted back, “I am with you!”
After that, the groups began to break off from the crowd, and the leaders gave out their instructions.
Alex turned his focus to the sea, his brain whirring. His fingers moved absently to his pockets, making sure his components were in order, but of course they were. Every spell caster was well stocked with heart attack spells and scatterclips, as well as a variety of nonlethal spells. Everyone had water and knew where to get more.
Inside the mansion, Alex checked in with the hospital ward. Carina had prepped the nurses, and there was plenty of medicine, thanks to Henry’s stockpiles. But it would still be nice to have Henry here. Where was he? And Florence and Spike? Had something happened to Pan?
Alex was forced to put the worry aside. When he saw Captain Ahab stumping toward the shore, Alex called to Simber. “Can you take Captain Ahab and his team to the ship?”
“Of courrrse,” said Simber. He approached the team and knelt so Sean, Carina, and Ms. Octavia could climb onto his back, and then he scooped Captain Ahab up in his mouth, much to the captain’s loud displeasure, and flew them out to the ship. Then Simber returned to shore to collect the rest of their team, including a slightly nervous Fox.
Claire, driving her namesake boat, came into view as she left the lagoon. She waved to Alex, and Alex lifted a hand in return. She drove slowly around the west half of the island. Inside the boat with Claire were Cha
rlie and three other Artiméan spell casters who were learning how to control the white boat in case something should happen to Claire.
A moment later Matilda came running out of the mansion and dashed toward Alex.
“Ms. Morning has sighted Aaron’s team heading for the spot where the palace used to be,” Matilda signed.
“Exactly where I want him,” said Alex. “Aaron knows that part of the shoreline well.”
Matilda relayed the response, and then stood by the front door of the mansion to await further reports.
Restless, Alex went inside the mansion to check on Kaylee and Sky at their stations. Sky was at the front door with her hand on the hilt of her sword. She half drew it when Alex entered, then shoved it back in her belt when she saw who it was.
“Hi,” said Alex. “Are you clear on what to do?”
Sky raised an eyebrow. “Chop up anybody who tries to get inside? Yes, I’m pretty clear. Except for the fact that I can’t always see who’s coming. Shouldn’t we be stationed outside the door?”
Alex frowned and thought it through. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’d like you to do that—at least at first.”
Sky nodded. “Good. I can’t stand being stuck in here. Kaylee’s going crazy too.”
“I’m sorry—I’m not really sure what Florence usually does as far as protecting the mansion. I’ve always been outside. I wish . . .” Alex shook his head. “Never mind.” He’d wished for Florence enough times already, but wishes wouldn’t bring her back. He needed to figure out how to do this without her.
Sky smiled sympathetically and went outside, and Alex jogged to the back door of the mansion by the kitchen and told Kaylee about the change in plans.
“Thank goodness,” said Kaylee, heading out. “I mean, I know it’s crucial nobody gets inside the mansion, but it feels like prison being stuck in here when all we want to do is fight.”
“I need you to stay alive,” said Alex, “so if it gets too dangerous, please go back inside.”
“It’s a deal,” said Kaylee. She drew her sword and lashed it through the air a few times as Alex went back into the mansion. He looked in the hospital ward where Yazmin lay sleeping and found a nurse.
“What do you normally do in here when we’re in battle?” he asked. “Do you have a way to protect this room in case our enemies get inside?”
The nurse nodded. “We can close the doors and use a magical lock on them if we ever feel we’re in danger,” he said. “Henry came up with it and taught us all. He’s not back yet, is he?”
“No,” said Alex.
“I hope he comes back soon.”
“So do I.”
Alex left the hospital ward and went outside to the shore in front of the mansion where Simber stood.
“I guess you and I will have to work together this time, eh, Sim?” said Alex. “Can you stand it?”
“If I have to,” Simber drawled. “I’ve got my team on the west side of the mansion, and I told yourrr team to stay on the east side and coverrr the lawn up to the jungle. Does that sound rrright?”
“It sounds sparse,” said Alex. Usually the whole lawn was covered with warriors.
“Mrrr. Appleblossom’s team is therrre too.”
“Well, that helps. Where is Mr. A?”
“Alrrready stationed on the rrroof. We left his team on the grrround since they arrren’t as adept with theirrr footing as Siggy is.”
Alex looked up and spotted the man moving up and down the peaks of the roof without a moment’s hesitation. Mr. Appleblossom climbed to the tallest peak and called out to the three teams in the area. “It won’t be long before we see the start. The wind is on their side—be still my heart.”
“You are among the finest and bravest, Mr. Appleblossom!” Alex called back to him, remembering how the theater instructor had so nimbly saved Samheed from the boy’s own father in their first battle. “Are you afraid?” Alex asked him. The question was sincere, for Alex truly wanted to know.
Mr. Appleblossom looked down at Alex and said slowly, “I am afraid. It’s true—this scene is stark. No greater enemy have we than this. We must go forward with a blinded faith that we will see the end of the abyss.”
Alex gave Mr. Appleblossom a long, thoughtful look. The abyss. He hadn’t thought of the years of constant battles as an abyss, but once the man said it, Alex could see it that way. Something to cross. Something that stood in the way of their ultimate goal for peace. The chance to end it all lay in their abilities and actions today, and the enemy was much larger than any they’d fought before.
“We win or die today,” Alex said, more to himself than to anyone, but several Artiméans heard him and repeated the phrase to those around them. As the ships grew near, the island rippled with the words of their leader. “We win or die today.”
» » « «
When the phrase reached Aaron near the lighthouse, it meant something completely different to him. “I guess I can only win,” he said grimly to himself. The gravity and fear of the war was combatting his desire for power and leadership, but it didn’t disappear. His heart was with the people of this island—all of them. And he would fight his hardest against the enemy, and against the thoughts that continued to work their way around his brain. Still, now and then he imagined what life might be like with him in charge, once all this was over.
To reach that, Alex would have to die, or at least become incapacitated. There certainly had been a time when Aaron had wished for this, but no longer. As he watched the ships grow close, Aaron clenched his jaw, trying to rid the thoughts from his mind. He didn’t have time for them now. He needed to focus and lead. “Applecorn,” he muttered. “Make Ishibashi proud.”
He turned to his team, somewhat larger than the other teams because of the recruiting Aaron had done in Quill that morning. “Stand ready, soldiers!” he said to them. “Pay no regard to me if I fall in battle. Our ultimate loyalty is to the mansion. To our island as a whole. And to . . . to the head mage. Don’t fail me in this. Quill and Artimé are one! Do you understand?”
The assorted group nodded.
“Then take your places,” commanded Aaron.
They did so.
Oh, how good it felt to be in charge of something once more.
» » « «
Moments later in Artimé, a shout rang out from behind the mansion, and the ground began shuddering.
From the shore, Simber reared around with a growl in his throat, until he realized who was coming toward them at breakneck speed.
It was Florence. And she was dripping wet.
The Return of Florence
Florence!” exclaimed Alex, relief washing over him. “Thank goodness! What happened to you?” he asked as the lead warrior reached him and Simber at the shore.
“Pan and I got caught behind the line of ships,” said Florence. “The only way to get past them without them seeing us was to go under them and stay underwater until we rounded the north side of Quill. Even then we weren’t out of sight. I slipped off her back when we got close, walked ashore, and came through Quill. She stayed hidden under the water and continued home—she said she had things to take care of.”
“Good grief,” said Alex. “I’m so glad you made it. We were getting worried. But what about Spike and Henry? Where are they?”
“I don’t know,” said Florence. “I left with Pan immediately when she arrived on the Island of Legends. Henry and Spike went to do one last check on Karkinos—they were planning to follow us, but they never caught up. I’m worried they’re stuck behind the ships just as we were, but unable to go underwater for that large amount of time because of Henry.”
“Did you see any eels?” asked Simber.
“We fought one on the way to the Island of Legends several days ago. Luckily, after a major fight, we were okay—though we nearly lost the medicine. Pan bit the eel’s head off. We haven’t seen any since.”
“That’s great news,” Alex said, but he was preoccupied. He’d forgo
tten about the potential for eels, and now Henry and Spike were possibly stranded. “Let’s hope that was the last of them.” He signaled to a squirrelicorn on the roof of the mansion.
The creature swooped down to Alex’s side.
“Let our ship’s team know that there could be eels prowling about,” Alex instructed, “and then tell Claire the same thing in the white boat.”
“Yes, sir!” said the squirrelicorn, and she darted off to deliver the message.
“What did I miss here?” asked Florence, adjusting her quiver on her back and making sure she had all of her arrows after the ride underwater. “What’s the plan?”
Alex pulled out the official battle chart that Ms. Octavia had sketched, showing the placement of all the teams in Artimé and part of Quill. He filled Florence in on all that had happened and the strategies in place.
“Basically,” he explained, “I’ve got several teams stationed here on the south shore and all the way around to the west side of the island, facing the oncoming ships,” he explained. “Mr. Appleblossom’s team and mine are covering the lawn from the edge of the jungle to the mansion. Simber’s team is on the west side of the mansion. Also with us in the mansion area are Sky, Kaylee, Matilda, Kitten, and now you. Our teams are small, some with as few as thirty fighters, but every team has a few statues and some squirrelicorns as messengers.”
“Okay,” said Florence. “Where’s everybody else?”
Alex pointed to the chart. “Heading west along the shore in Quill you can see Lani’s and Samheed’s teams. I gave them a few extra members each because they have the most ground to cover. Then, rounding the curve near the lighthouse is Aaron’s team—he recruited some Necessaries and I gave him some strong spell casters, as well as Jim the winged tortoise and the ostrich statue.”
“So far so good,” said Florence, glancing up to check the positions of the approaching ships before looking back at the charts. “Keep going.”