“That’s him,” Winter said. “Knoll.”
Knoll was a traitor—a lithen who had turned his back on Geth and Foo. His place was to occupy the sixth stone, but he had given up his responsibility for the opportunity to live lavishly on the mainland of Foo.
Knoll was sitting by the fire, his long braids hanging over the back of a soft chair. The ends of his dark mustache were woven into his braids and he was wearing a long white nightshirt. His cheeks were red from the warmth of the fire and his eyes were halfway closed. All around him large pieces of furniture sat draped in the hides of roven. In his right hand he held a fat wooden cup.
“Are you ready?” Leven asked.
“Of course,” Winter said.
“Me too,” Clover added. “In case you were wondering.”
Leven tilted his head, nudging Clover.
“Good to know.”
Leven walked up and gently took hold of the large wooden doorknob that was sticking out of a twelve-foot-high door. The knob was carved into the shape of an eye.
It didn’t budge.
Leven motioned for Winter to move back. He lifted his kilve and slammed it down directly onto the knob. The eye cracked in half and Leven kicked the door directly below the knob. The door flew open as Knoll leapt up from his spot.
“Stay where you are,” Leven demanded.
Despite the warmth of the room Knoll froze and then coolly relaxed his shoulders.
“How dare you come into my house and tell me what to do?” Knoll said casually. “My mice should have stopped you, but since they didn’t I suggest you leave while the opportunity is still available.”
Winter moved in behind Leven.
Knoll saw her and shook his head. “How hard is it to kill one simple girl?”
“I’m not that simple,” Winter replied.
“Where is he?” Leven said, ignoring Knoll’s obnoxious statement.
“Get out,” Knoll insisted.
“Where’s Azure?”
“Again,” Knoll said, stepping forward. “This is my house and your questions are not welcome.”
Knoll sprang forward, grabbing his kilve as it lay resting against the edge of his chair. He whipped it up over his head and threw his arms forward.
His hands were empty.
Knoll looked back in confusion. Geth was holding the kilve and smiling as if he had just been invited to test out every ride at a new amusement park. Knoll tried to shelve his shock, but it was obvious from his twitching that he was unhappy to see his one-time friend Geth.
“How’s my timing?” Geth asked.
“Perfect.” Winter smiled.
“Where’s Azure?” Leven asked again.
“We should sit,” Knoll said, shaking. “I see no reason why this—like all problems—can’t be talked through.”
“You’re welcome to sit,” Leven said, continuing to stand. “Where’s Azure?”
“You bother me to find out about another? It’s too late.” Knoll smiled faintly. “Azure’s on to other things. I want nothing to do with him.”
“What of the Dearth?” Geth asked.
“That fable?” Knoll laughed. “I know nothing of the Dearth,” he insisted. “You must believe me, my part is finished. I am out of the tempest and alone in the lull.”
“You’re a horrible actor,” Geth said, looking around. “You must know what Azure has planned for the Dearth. You seemed awfully close to him last time we saw you. You know, that time when we were bound up and you did nothing.”
“My hands were tied,” Knoll apologized. “It pained me to leave you.”
“I’m sure it did,” Winter said.
“Where’s Azure?” Leven asked, bringing the conversation back around.
“I don’t know,” Knoll said. “My part is done. Let me rest.”
“Don’t tell me you bartered your integrity and sold out all of Foo for this?” Geth motioned to the lavish surroundings.
“I live very comfortably now,” Knoll said. “I served Foo for many years with no reward but the health of mankind’s dreams. Now I have something to show for myself—a warm place to drink and sleep.”
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing.” Geth was disgusted.
“You always were stubborn,” Knoll said.
“Where is he?” Leven insisted.
“Azure fights for more complicated things,” Knoll answered. “The meshing of Foo is no concern of mine. So it happens, so it doesn’t, I’ll sip my ale in front of a warm fire regardless.”
Geth looked stricken.
“The Dearth exists,” Leven spoke up. “I’ve heard him.”
Knoll looked at Leven. He brushed his mustache and tugged on his braids as if he were milking a cow. His body shook. The warmth of the room was so great everyone began to perspire. Knoll rubbed his forehead and spoke.
“So you’re Leven Thumps,” Knoll said nervously. “It was quite masterful how the Want played you. Give someone a task and tell him it’s important and most anyone will follow. What brings me the most joy is how you, Geth, were strung along.”
Geth pushed the sharp end of his kilve up against Knoll’s chest. Knoll stepped back up against the wall. He held his drink in his hand and tried not to look as concerned as he really was.
“You can’t kill me,” Knoll said.
“We could apply some of the dirty tricks you have been using,” Geth said seriously. “Apparently you’ve become quite good at causing accidents.”
“Why fight against us?” Knoll said. “You could have all this. You’ve done your part and fought hard. Reality must have been a task. So enjoy what you deserve.”
Geth still held the kilve up to Knoll but said nothing.
“You could have it all,” Knoll said. “Just say the word.”
Geth stared at him. “No.” He pushed the kilve harder into Knoll.
“Fine,” Knoll sighed. “Azure’s not here, but I have no reason to keep what I know from you. If it means I can get back to my drink, I’ll speak. I am not the calendar by which Azure sets his movements, but it is public knowledge that in three days’ time he will be meeting with the Twit of Cusp, cementing Cusp’s part in what’s to come. Have at him. Of course, you’re fools if you think you can deter Azure—fools of the highest caliber. Will you leave me now?”
“I don’t think so,” Geth said kindly.
“We had a deal,” Knoll scolded.
“That was your deal, not ours,” Geth replied.
“Azure will kill you,” Knoll raged. “You need me to save your lives.”
Geth nodded at Winter. “Go ahead.”
Knoll looked confused right up until the moment Winter hit him with her kilve on the back of his head. Knoll slouched forward onto his knees and fell face first onto the carpet, his drink spilling into the fire. The flames sizzled and snapped.
“Feel better?” Leven asked.
“It’s a start,” Winter replied, pushing her blonde hair out of her face. “That’s for the way he talked to Geth and me when we were tied up in the council room.”
Leven bound Knoll’s hands with rope while Clover rummaged through Knoll’s things.
“Do you think he wants this?” Clover asked, holding up a small starfish wrapped around a tube of wood.
“Don’t take his things,” Winter said. “We’re not here to steal.”
“But this looks like something he’s not going to use.”
“Leave it.” Leven smiled.
Clover sighed and let go of the object.
Geth bent down and hefted Knoll over his right shoulder. He carried him outside with Leven and Winter following.
“The onicks are up beyond the road,” Geth said. “I didn’t want to bring them in and give our presence away.”
Leven stood still and clapped like he knew what he was doing. His gold eyes blinked with surprise.
The sound of the onicks’ hooves clomping closer could be heard. The three onicks marched up the road and stopped directly in front of Geth
. The largest one exhaled, his breath like thin, spiraling spiderwebs.
“Not bad,” Geth said with excitement. “Controlling an onick from afar. Nice trick.”
“He messed with some mice earlier,” Clover said. “Made them lie right down.”
“It’ll be interesting to see how you end up,” Geth said happily.
“Interesting or frightening?” Winter asked.
Geth threw his prisoner onto the back of an onick. Knoll was still unconscious and slumped over the rear of the beast. He looked out of place in his white nightshirt and long braids.
“Leeeven,” a voice whispered, rising from the dust.
“Somebody had to have heard that,” Leven insisted.
“What?” Geth asked.
“Lev keeps hearing people call him,” Winter said. “I think he’s getting a little full of himself.”
“A little?” Clover laughed. “He can’t pass a mirror without stopping.”
“That’s you,” Leven pointed out. “So nobody heard that?”
“The Dearth knows you,” Geth said seriously. “Don’t stand still for too long. Now, do you want to lead?”
“Of course,” Leven replied excitedly.
They all climbed onto their onicks and rode out of the gates toward the direction of Cusp. The wind blew softly.
“Leeeven.”
Leven tried to think of other things, like longings, or wishing for a clear head—anything but the fact that the Dearth seemed to know him personally.
Chapter Three
You Scratch My Shell,
I’ll Scratch Yours
The Devil’s Spiral by day was a sight to behold—the deep brown cliffs rose thousands of feet high and spiraled around until they formed a tight circle. It was mesmerizing to view from afar and awe-inspiring from anywhere within a hundred feet. Approximately every two hours the water from the Veil Sea would contract and then push out, racing through the Spiral. When the rushing water reached the tight center end it would shoot up hundreds of feet. The water kept the large portions of Cusp well wet.
Of course at night the Devil’s Spiral was not quite as cheery. The dark walls, slick cliffs, and the sound of rushing water were unnerving in the blackness. The high canyon walls were pockmarked with small caves that were inhabited by Eggmen. At night the caves lit up as the Eggmen worked their magic making ingenious food and goods for the rest of Foo. The lights and noise and the ever-present danger of accidentally falling from the cliffs and being sucked into the Spiral were frightening.
The road above the Devil’s Spiral was wide and well traveled. It was barren and open, with no bridges that needed talking to. At night the road was littered with flareworms that glowed a variety of colors from the light they had soaked up during the day. The only peril travelers faced on the road was its close proximity to the edge of the Devil’s Spiral.
The three onicks were making good time. When they reached the Devil’s Spiral, Geth motioned for Leven to take a right turn off of the main road and down into the Spiral.
They slowed their rides as they rode out across dark, wet stone. With no flareworms on the rock, the weak moon was the only light they had.
“Down!” Geth shouted.
They maneuvered the onicks along the edge of the Spiral. The drop on the right side was hundreds of feet. Looking down into the Spiral was dizzying.
“I can see the Eggmen,” Clover said with glee. “Look.”
“I’d look,” Leven said, “but I’m afraid we’ll fall and die.”
“There’s so many of them,” Clover shivered, holding onto Leven’s neck.
“We’re going to die,” Leven replied.
“It’s so exciting.”
There was a narrow opening in the stone and Geth guided his onick into it. Leven and Winter followed. Inside the stone the sound of water was even louder as it echoed through the cave openings. All over the place fires and labs were being tended by Eggmen. The Eggmen were so consumed with their work they didn’t even look up to acknowledge the three onicks that had just wandered in—one of them hauling a bound body.
They slowed and Geth turned down some wide stone stairs. The onicks complained as they descended.
“You know where we’re going?” Leven yelled.
“Of course,” Geth yelled back.
“I think one of the Eggmen looked at me,” Clover said with unbridled enthusiasm. “Maybe he knows me from some of the ideas I sent in.”
“I’m sure that’s it,” Leven said. “Of course it might be hard to recognize you, seeing how you’re invisible.”
“Oh yeah,” Clover said, materializing. “Maybe there was like an emotional connection.”
Tables covered with piles of colorful candy and objects were all over the place. Clover turned invisible so he could better swipe a few pieces.
At the bottom of the stairs was a wide room crammed with all types of unused items. Geth brought his onick to a stop.
“A storage room?” Winter asked.
“Follow me.” Geth jumped off of his ride and threw a barely conscious Knoll up over his shoulder. “Grab the leather bag.”
“We’ll need it?” Leven asked curiously.
“Possibly.”
They walked through the clutter and into a poorly lit back room. Inside the room was a desk covered with trinkets and papers that spilled onto the floor. The walls were lined with chalkboards and drawings of various objects. An extra-fat Eggman sat behind the desk. He had a round head that sloped into his shoulders. There were some half-glasses perched on the end of his fat nose and a few wispy hairs sticking up from the top of his head. He wore a thick robe that appeared brown under the dull light.
The Eggman looked up from his work and smiled.
“Ah, a distraction,” he said. “What a welcome relief. But I would be a pale yolk if I didn’t think you were here for more than just my relief. Eh, Geth?”
“Wise as always, Durfin,” Geth said. “You have offered me a place to store things before. I was hoping that offer might still stand.”
“Before was many, many years ago,” Durfin said. “But going back on one’s word takes so much effort. I take it you’re not looking to store a lamp or a couch.”
“He might need to be fed occasionally,” Geth said, hefting Knoll from his shoulder and standing him up.
Knoll was conscious and unhappy.
“I am a lithen,” Knoll said. “This man’s a thief.”
“I can see you are a lithen,” Durfin said. “I still have my sight, thank the waters. But you are also a liar.”
Durfin’s face turned red with anger.
“I would welcome Geth as a friend if it were hundreds of years between visits and I had been fed nothing but reports of his dishonesty during that time. I would still believe none of it. You, however, are a different story. From what is said along the shore you are no more lithen than I. We have a spot for you, Knoll, and Geth, you are welcome to all that’s here.”
Durfin calmed himself and smiled. He pulled on a rope hanging nearby and six heavy Eggmen bounded through the door.
“We have a guest,” Durfin said. “Place him where I won’t
accidentally run into him. Feed him what the goats won’t eat and make sure he has at least two pairs of eyes on him at all times.”
“You are a fool,” Knoll shouted. “Azure’s wrath will be on you. You’ll be broken and smeared across Foo.”
“Perhaps,” Durfin said. “But it is I that will sleep in a bed tonight. Take him.”
Knoll yelled Foovian obscenities as he was dragged off.
“So does this favor come with further danger?” Durfin asked.
“No,” Geth said. “Nobody knows he’s here.”
“Who travels with you?” Durfin asked. “I’ve not seen eyes glow so strong as in this one here.”
“This is Leven and the girl is Winter.”
“Girl?” Winter said under her breath.
Clover materialized and cleared his throat. He
had a couple of pieces of candy in his hands. He stuck the candy behind his back.
“And Clover,” Geth added.
“You introduce a sycophant,” Durfin said. “How peculiar.”
“He’s quite a sycophant,” Geth said.
“If you say so.”
“I’ve actually sent you some ideas,” Clover murmured, awestruck. “I never heard back.”
Durfin smiled and his mushy face spread out like dough being stretched.
“I will rest easy,” Durfin said, “knowing we have you in our
corner.”
Clover bowed.
“And this is Leven Thumps,” Durfin said, darting a mushy eye towards Leven.
Leven nodded.
“So many stories and myths I’ve heard about you. I’m surprised you are not twelve feet tall and eight feet wide.”
“I’m pretty happy I’m not,” Leven smiled.
“You know, Geth,” Durfin sighed, “it has been some time since I’ve seen you. Knoll’s not stupid in giving me reason to doubt your intentions.”
Geth nodded, his hair falling over his blue eyes.
“You bear the look of one who still fights for Foo,” Durfin said.
“And I will till my death,” Geth assured him. “But if it makes you sleep easier, we have brought something for you.”
“A gift?” Durfin asked with excitement.
Geth nodded towards Leven and Leven stepped forward holding the long leather bag in his hands. He untied the flap at the end and reached in. As he pulled out the sword, Durfin gasped.
“I’ll be scrambled,” Durfin whispered.
It was the very same blade that Leven had used to cut the Want. It shined under the low lights and seemed to sizzle in Leven’s hand.
“How did you get ahold of this?” Durfin asked in awe.
“Fate placed it in front of us,” Geth answered. “And now we must return it to you.”
“There were only three shell blades ever crafted,” Durfin said with respect. “It has long been rumored that all three were destroyed.”
“This one wasn’t,” Leven said, handing the weapon to Durfin.
“Only a true soul would relinquish something so valuable,” Durfin said. “You have my gratitude and hospitality. Do as you wish while you are here.”