The Fortress of the Treasure Queen

  The boy turned eagerly. “Yes?”

  “You can come,” said Keeah.

  Sparr jumped. “Really? Thank you! This is great! We’d better hop on that carpet and get to Bazra’s island as soon as we can. Come on, there’s no time to waste!”

  Watching Sparr race across the beach, with Julie, Neal, and Max chasing after him, Eric turned to Keeah. “I always knew we’d see Bazra’s treasure fortress again,” he whispered. “But I never thought Sparr would be on our side!”

  Keeah smiled. “You can say that again. Come on.”

  It was already late afternoon when Keeah flew the green carpet away from the beach and up over the darkening waves. She flew at a breakneck speed until they could see the beasts just ahead of them, then slowed and steered a course that kept them just out of sight.

  Julie and Neal huddled under a cloak. Max was in between them, his nose stuck in Galen’s map.

  “This is amazing,” murmured Sparr, leaning into the rushing wind. “I feel so free! Since forever, I’ve been hidden away in one of Ko’s palaces or another.”

  “In the Dark Lands?” asked Keeah.

  The boy nodded. “When Ko went on his missions, he always left me behind, guarded by a beast called a moon dragon.”

  “Doesn’t sound like fun,” said Julie.

  “Not fun,” agreed Sparr.

  “What else do you remember?” asked Neal.

  As the carpet soared over the waves, the boy closed his eyes for a second, then opened them again. “The thing I most remember is an attack on the Dark Lands. It was huge. Ko was wounded, and the dragon ship flew him away. I never saw him again —”

  “You will,” said Eric. “You brought him back.”

  Sparr glanced at Eric. “That’s all pretty confusing. I find I have memories of me older. I’m grown-up and doing bad things. Like bringing Ko back to life. But that’s so weird, isn’t it?”

  Max stared at Keeah, then lowered his head.

  Sparr turned, the cold wind running through his hair. “Tell me … about me.”

  As Keeah drove the carpet faster toward the setting sun, the five friends told Sparr what they knew. That as an infant, he was kidnapped from the Upper World with his wizard mother, Queen Zara. That Zara died, and Ko brought him up. That he became a sorcerer of great power and the leader of the red warriors called Ninns. Even that the wizards Galen and Urik were his brothers.

  “Zara,” said Sparr, wincing as he spoke her name. “I remember her.”

  Upon hearing the queen’s name, Eric found that his heart beat faster. It always did, though he had never understood why.

  “My master Galen searched for you for years,” said Max. “From the moment he made the rainbow stairs, he did nothing but look for you.”

  “But I was already lost!” cried Sparr.

  Keeah put her hand on his cloaked shoulder. “Maybe you’re found again —”

  “Those icky beasts found something,” said Julie. “Take a look!”

  The two creatures they were following slowed, and out of the southern sky came a larger, darker shape. Four broad wings, ragged and spiked, waved up and down as if in slow motion. It approached the two beasts.

  Sparr began to tremble. “Oh, please, no! Quick, fly us into a cloud! Hurry!”

  Keeah jerked the carpet up into a passing wisp of pink and hovered there.

  “Yikes, what is that thing?” said Neal.

  Peering through the cloud, they watched the new beast approach. It was not huge, but its two pairs of wings were very long and covered by scales the color of night. It had toothy jaws, a thick tail, and powerful forelegs ending in long, black-nailed claws.

  “It’s a dragon.” Julie shuddered. “An ugly one!”

  It made a sudden piercing screech, and the two beasts slowed their flight even more.

  “A moon dragon,” murmured Sparr. He narrowed his eyes at the approaching beast. “He’s the one Ko always left to guard me. He’s much smarter than the others. His name is Gethwing.”

  “Gethwing?” grumbled Max. “I don’t like that name, either.”

  “Nice,” said Neal. “An ugly dragon who’s smart. Can he please be just passing through?”

  Gethwing joined the two other beasts and hovered in the air with them. Then he turned his large head down and pointed a claw at a small dot of land in the ocean far below.

  “Let me guess,” said Sparr. “The island of Mikos?”

  Max scanned the map. “Of course!”

  Together, the three beasts dipped slowly toward the island.

  “If Gethwing’s going to Mikos, then Ko sent him,” said Sparr. “We have to be very careful. And very quick. Let’s fly like the wind!”

  Keeah smiled. “There’s a reason this is my favorite Pasha carpet. It flies faster than the wind. Now — go!”

  Fwoooosh! The carpet shot like an arrow from the cloud. Circling the three beasts widely, it swooped and dived like a swallow over the swampy shore, then dipped away unseen to the far side of the island. Keeah landed the carpet on one of the high gray cliffs before the beasts were even halfway there. They still flew toward the island very slowly, as if taking their time.

  “We certainly beat the beasts!” chirped Max, squinting back across the sky.

  Sparr looked out over the sea, too. “Gethwing’s probably figuring out his plan of attack. He’ll wait for the right moment. For now, let’s find Ko’s submarine.”

  “Yeah, but who says the Sword of Jaffa is even here?” asked Neal.

  Sparr jumped up on a rock and scanned the island. Then he pointed to where the base of the fortress met the swamp. Between two large jagged rocks, the sea had carved a narrow inlet under the walls. The mouth of it was blocked by a thick iron gate whose bars were as curved and as sharp as fangs.

  “Once,” he said, “not long after Ko left on his dragon ship, but before he charmed himself and the other beasts to sleep, I heard that Bazra’s treasure hunters had found his submarine. I’ll bet it’s been locked under the fortress since then.”

  “A fortress of magic,” said Julie, turning to Eric. “Maybe we’ll find your mom’s cookie jar here, too.”

  “You think so?” said Eric. “That would be awesome!”

  Sparr turned. “Something from the Upper World? Bazra would want it. And maybe not only Bazra. It would hold a lot of power in Droon.”

  “It holds a lot of cookies, too,” said Neal. “But how will we ever get in?”

  Between where they stood on the cliffs and the thick walls of the fortress first lay a field of high grass, then a wide stretch of bare ground that ended in a rocky chasm. The only way over it was a stone bridge that led right to the main fortress gate.

  “That chasm is new,” whispered Eric. “But I remember those guys.”

  Marching atop the fortress walls were dozens of spear-toting guards. Each one had two mean-looking, dog-shaped heads.

  “There are more guards than before,” said Max. “To protect against robbers.”

  “Robbers like us,” said Keeah. She tugged one of the carpet’s tassels and — slurp! — it shrank to the size of a handkerchief, which she slipped into a small pocket on her tunic. “Pasha was always very clever about storage,” she said. “Now, let’s go.”

  The small band wormed its way down a narrow pass through the cliffs, then paused at the base. At each corner of the fortress stood a tall tower shaped like a snarling dragon. Now, as night fell, searchlights blazed from the head of each dragon, their beams crisscrossing the island.

  “The eyes of the dragons see all,” said Max. “I hope they don’t see us!”

  Keeah stepped away from the cliffs. “Let’s sneak quietly through the grass, then run carefully to the bridge.”

  “The key word being sneak,” whispered Eric, eyeing the bright beams.

  One searchlight streaked across the cliffs behind them.

  “Also quietly,” added Sparr, moving with Keeah into the high grass.

  Another searchlight swept
across the bridge.

  “Carefully is a good thing, too —” said Julie.

  A third beam flashed down from the fortress.

  “Ooof!” said Neal. He stepped into a hole, lost his footing, and fell out of the grass onto the bare ground. He froze. “Maybe if I don’t move, they won’t see me —”

  All three lights flashed right to him, the fortress gate shot open with a crash, the ground thundered, and a troop of dog-headed guards rushed out, barking and growling.

  “I think they see you!” cried Eric. “Runnnnn!”

  “Back to the cliffs!” cried Keeah, dashing through the grass toward the rocks.

  “Grooo-yaaa!” growled the two deep voices of the chief guard.

  A moment later — cling! plonk-k-k! — a dozen three-edged spears whizzed across the grass, clanking finally against the distant cliffs.

  “Sheesh!” whispered Neal, scrambling to join his friends. “Why don’t they just leave us alone so we can steal the sub?”

  The guards waded quickly into the grass.

  “They’ll get us!” said Julie. “And throw us in a dungeon, and —”

  “No they won’t!” said Sparr. Looking both ways, he made a motion like throwing a ball, but nothing visible came from his hand.

  A few moments later — crack! crish! thump! — the sound of footsteps went scurrying away through the grass.

  The guards spun around instantly. The searchlights moved toward the sound.

  “Everyone to the bridge —” hissed Sparr. “Really fast!”

  While the guards charged to where Sparr had aimed his throw and the lights followed them, the kids raced across the dark ground to the bridge and huddled on a narrow ledge beneath it. They held their breath.

  Finally, the chief guard growled from both heads. “Ooog-rrrr!”

  His fellow guards took one last look around, then assembled again. On the chief’s command, they marched toward the cliffs, picked up their spears, and headed away through the pass.

  “Whew, that was close!” said Neal. “Good one, Sparr.”

  “Yeah,” said Eric softly. “Thanks!”

  Grinning, Sparr blew gently on his sparking fingers. “You’re welcome.”

  Keeah held up her hand. “Wait a second. Why did the guards go through the pass? Did they go all the way down to the beach? Listen —”

  They heard the sound of waves below, crashing first on the rocks then splashing against something hollow.

  Max lifted his head. “A ship?” he whispered. “Is someone coming?”

  A moment later, they heard the creaking of ropes and the clacking of oars. Soon the fortress searchlights were all trained on something moving in the black water below.

  “Somebody’s coming, all right,” said Sparr. “Eric, boost me up!”

  Startled, Eric put his hands together, and Sparr hoisted himself up. He crept to the top of the bridge, then craned his neck to look out past the swampy shore. His eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh!”

  “What is it?” asked Neal.

  “Let me see,” said Keeah.

  Eric boosted them and Julie up, too. Then he and Max scrambled up to the bridge by themselves. Eric’s mouth dropped open when he looked. “Whoa —”

  In the blaze of the searchlights, they saw a wooden sailing ship moored just beyond the swamp. A band of plump red creatures stomped down its crooked plank to the shore.

  “Ninns!” said Keeah.

  “Ninns?” gasped Sparr. “But don’t they usually wear … armor?”

  The Ninns were not covered in their usual black armor. They weren’t waving swords around. They weren’t storming off their ship for battle. The big red warriors were dressed in long, flowing robes, wildly colored scarves, and crowns of jewels and feathers.

  Julie blinked. “Well, this is a new look for the Ninns. Pretty stylish!”

  “Get down. Here they come!” said Eric.

  The kids dived back under the bridge as the guards led the Ninns up over the cliffs and through the grass in single file. Two of the Ninns carried a golden chest between them.

  “Ninns clean up pretty well,” whispered Neal as the warriors marched overhead.

  Eric nodded. “I bet they’re working for Ko, just like Gethwing is —”

  Sparr rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think so. Seeing the Ninns makes me remember that … I sent them. This might have been my last order before I became small.”

  “You sent them here?” said Neal. “Terrific. Dragons and dog-faced guards aren’t enough?”

  The searchlights lit up the path to the main gate.

  “But why?” whispered Keeah. “Why did you send them … like that?”

  The boy’s fins suddenly turned red. “Stay here!” With a swish of his cloak, Sparr leaped back up onto the bridge behind the last of the Ninns. He crept up to the warrior and tapped him on the shoulder.

  The Ninn turned around while his companions kept going. A towering warrior, he lowered his feather-crowned head and gazed at Sparr with a large, dull face. Suddenly, the Ninn’s eyes bulged. His mouth fell open. He began to quiver all over.

  “My leader!” he said. “You are back again!”

  As little Sparr waved his hand and the Ninn’s round red face smiled, the kids listened but heard nothing. Sparr’s fins glowed through every color of the rainbow, then turned a dull purple. The warrior pointed to the golden chest two of his fellow Ninns were carrying.

  Finally, Sparr waved his hand again. “Yes, I see. Well, be on your way!”

  The Ninn hiccuped loudly, spun on his heel, and joined the others now entering the fortress.

  Just before the gate thudded shut and the searchlights swept the ground once more, Sparr dropped back down below the bridge. “Sorry, but I keep remembering things about myself. It seems I can read Ninn minds. That can be useful!”

  “What did you find out?” asked Keeah. “Do you know why you sent them?”

  “Bazra can’t resist magic,” said Sparr. “By pretending to be fancy magic traders, the Ninns got invited to the fortress. But once they’re inside, they’ll try to steal the Sword of Jaffa.”

  Neal chuckled. “The Ninns raided the costume shop to get past the guards!”

  Sparr grinned. “Clever plan of mine, isn’t it? I mean, wasn’t it?”

  “Uh-oh,” said Julie. “It looks like Gethwing’s got a plan now, too.”

  With a nearly silent flap of his four great wings, the moon dragon swooped finally to the island. Joined by the other beasts, he dropped below the distant cliffs.

  Sparr’s face grew serious. “We need to get in there —”

  “But since I fell before, the fortress is probably on extra-high alert,” said Neal.

  Max watched the searchlights streaming across the ground in every direction. “We’ll never get in now,” he said.

  “Right,” said Sparr, “unless …”

  Everyone turned to him.

  Eric sighed. “Are you going to make us ask again?”

  The boy grinned. “Unless … we don’t sneak past the guards, or climb over the walls, or swim under the fortress, but march straight through the gate. Bazra will never refuse more magic traders. Who feels like dressing up?”

  Flick! Sloop! Swoo-ooosh! The air twinkled and sparkled under the stone bridge.

  Max spun a wild array of spider-silk scarves and robes, then wrapped himself in a large orange turban. For herself, Keeah whipped up a glittering silver robe crossed with white and blue sashes.

  Sparr twirled his hands and was instantly wearing a long white cloak. Fashioning a tall cone-shaped hat to match, he laughed. “White is the color of the good guys, isn’t it?”

  Eric stood there in green boots, green pants, a green vest, and a green cape that trailed behind him. Looking at Sparr, he found he was still unsure about him. Sparr seemed to be helping them, but Eric couldn’t forget what the bird had said.

  Were its words a warning? Is Sparr on our side or not?

  Seeing Eric, Neal laughed
. “Hey, Green Boy, call me Mr. Blue!” He wore a layered navy blue robe and a wide hat dangling with marsh flowers.

  Julie’s outfit matched Neal’s, except that hers was pale yellow. “Princess Julie, at your service! What will we bring for magic? Bazra will want something special —”

  “We’ll think of something,” said Sparr. “With Gethwing on the island, things are getting more dangerous by the minute. Let’s get inside and find Ko’s sub.”

  As everyone scrambled to the top of the bridge, Eric paused. Ko’s submarine wasn’t the only thing they needed to find. Until the cookie jar was back in his own house again, both his world and Droon were also getting more dangerous.

  Assembling in single file at the top of the bridge, the kids marched straight to the palace gate. Neal struck its big door three times. Trumpets sounded.

  The chief of the guards stared down from the wall. “Who goes there?” he growled.

  Deepening her voice as best she could, Keeah said, “Magic traders from … from …”

  “Doobesh!” whispered Sparr. “They have good magic there. I think.”

  “From Doobesh!” said Keeah.

  A minute or two of silence was followed by — errrrch! — and the heavy iron gate lifted. Inside was a long stone hall lined completely with armed dog-faced guards.

  “This way!” barked the chief. He spun on his heel and marched in. The gate slammed shut behind them, and the friends followed the guard deeper into the fortress.

  Eric looked into each new room they passed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the jar.

  Marching next to him, Sparr gasped over and over. “Amazing … amazing!”

  “That was where the Sapphire Star was on display,” whispered Keeah, pointing to a treasure room with a high ceiling. “Before we stole it.”

  “And saved me with it!” whispered Max.

  Eric realized that the Star had saved Max, all right. From Sparr himself! He also noticed that the boy was trailing farther and farther behind the group. “Stay with us —”

  Sparr shook his head. “The minute you said Sapphire Star, I remembered that I’ve met Bazra before. Well, the older me has. If she recognizes me, it’ll blow our whole plan. I’m better off hunting around on my own, anyway. But good luck with Bazra!”