Max Hamby and the Faeryn Cross

2

2

Two pixies sat on the window sill. Their heads swiveled back and forth, as they watched the excitement below. Friends were enjoying the morning by using Bartholomew's stomach as a trampoline. The dog didn't seem to mind in the least. His tail wagged excitedly as one group came down and sent a second group soaring high above the maze of hedges. A third group had chosen to ride on Harold. The odd, yellow bird with a cat's head performed an eloquent double loop before rushing past the window, almost sending the pixies tumbling off the window sill and onto the bedroom floor. They pursed their lips and crossed their arms tightly in front of them, as the pixies dive-bombed off of Harold onto Bartholomew's stomach and bounced high into the air. The pixies stomped their feet, whipped around and glared at the humans. Their wings shifted to various shades of green and when Harold swooped by a second time, there was a green tint to their skin. They had agreed to guard the boys for the day, but they were not happy about it. The only thing keeping them from joining the others was the promise of a sweet treat at the end of their shift.

Max groaned with frustration and kicked the bed, startling the tiny guards on the window sill. They stuck out their tongues and angrily turned away, but Max paid no attention. He kicked out again. The impact caused one of the pixies to lose her balance and fall backwards. She caught herself before hitting the floor and fluttered back to her original position, red-faced with anger and shaking her fist in his direction.

The door to Max's bedroom opened. The twins brushed past the pixies standing guard in the hallway. They eyed the boys suspiciously before closing the door again. “It's like Fort Knox out there,” said Snoop. “We can't walk through the house without being followed.”

“I don't know what Aunt Griselda promised them, but they've become tiny soldiers,” added Davi, pointing to the pixies on the sill.

Max crossed his arms in front of him. “Did you find out anything?”

Davi glanced at his twin and frowned. “No. “

“The adults are tight-lipped,” said Snoop. “And our little guardians have made it impossible to do a proper search.”

Max exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. The second Basil removed the sleeping spell, they'd been corralled into the dining hall, given a seriously long lecture and grounded. None of them were allowed to leave Merrihaven. They were assigned extra chores and the book, map, hourglass and watch were taken away. As an added measure to keep them from running off, Aunt Griselda enlisted the pixies to stand guard.

“Where's Basil?” asked Davi.

“He's on kitchen duty with Mrs. Pitt,” said Max.

“Can't he put them all to sleep again?” asked Snoop.

Max shook his head. “They've blocked his magic with some kind of ward, as well as mine and Milo's.”

The twins flopped on the bed beside Milo and the Spriggan. “What are we going to do?” asked Davi. “We need to get Tommy back. Mom hasn't left her bed or spoken to anyone since Birdie took him away.”

“There's not much we can do, “said Max, pointing at the window. The pixies made a face and gave a him raspberry. This time, he did notice and rolled his eyes. His bedroom door opened again and Basil stomped into the room. He swatted at the pixies fluttering around his head. “Alright. Alright. Go away.” They flew around his head one last time, before reluctantly leaving the room. Before Basil had a chance to move, the pixies on the window sill flew over to him and buzzed around his face and hands. He tried swatting at them, but they were too fast. He gave up and stood there while they crawled all over him. “The gnomes have gathered enough honey for an army,” he said. “I’ve been making honey cakes all morning.”

Max watched the pixies zip around Basil. One landed in his hair and the other sprawled over his shoulder. Their tiny eyes glossed over and their movements grew sluggish. He snapped his fingers. “That's it. Aunt Griselda has promised them honey.”

“Are you sure that's it?” asked Milo.

“Well, look at those two. Have you ever seen the pixies act that way?” asked Max.

“Now that you mention it, it is quite odd,” said Milo.

“What I'd like to know is, where is all the honey coming from,” said Davi.

“Yeah. When was the last time any of us saw a bee or a hive around Merrihaven,” added Snoop.

“The honey acts like a d**g,” said the Spriggan. “And you are correct. The bees migrated south long ago. There are no hives here. The pixies cannot resist it. Very addictive stuff.”

Snoop jumped off the bed. “Then all we have to do is take some honey from the kitchen.”

“The pixies work in shifts. We'd need enough to distract them all,” said Max.

The pixies clumsily flew back to the window and slumped against its frame. Their eyes were half closed. One hiccupped and the other giggled. Max crossed the room and wiggled his fingers in front of their tiny faces, then backed up. The pixies paid no attention to him.

“We have kitchen duty later,” said Snoop. He smirked and rubbed his hands together.

“But, how do we get it without getting caught?” asked Davi.

Someone pounded on the bedroom door. The boys and the Spriggan jumped. The pixies burped, then rolled off the window sill onto the floor. “Let's go, boys,” called Mr. Scrine. “Yer on yard duty with me now. You've got two minutes to get outside.”

“We're coming,” called Max. He waited until the sound of Mr. Scrine's footsteps disappeared, then pointed at the door. “That is how we'll get the honey. We'll tell Mr. Scrine that Snoop and Davi are needed in the kitchen right now.” He turned to the twins. “You two will create a diversion and set the honey at the back door. Basil, you grab the honey and hide it behind the stables. Don't let Leofwin hear you. Now that we know he can talk, he'll be sure to tell Mr. Scrine. Milo, the Spriggan and I will keep him busy.”

Snoop and Davi smiled and high-fived each other. “Oh, we'll create a diversion alright,” said Snoop.

“Let's go before Mr. Scrine comes looking for us again,” said Max. He glanced at the sleepy pixies, then opened the bedroom door. They had no trouble getting past the pixies in the hallway, because they were curled up on the floor. Snoop and Davi hurried toward the stairs.

“Wait,” said Max, softly. “We're grounded. Remember? Act like it. Don't make anyone suspicious.” The twins nodded, then slumped their shoulders and frowned. “Good. Now, go.”

They followed the twins down the stairs to the kitchen. Even with Oxworth trapped in the Shadowlands, it was still chaos. The gnomes darted back and forth, while Mrs. Pitt loudly instructed one of the gnomes on how to whisk properly. It was followed by Nodrik's order for ten rutabagas, five cabbage, a salted melon and a peppered pomegranate.

Max curled his lip in disgust. There were plenty of mouths to feed and Knoxby had the appetite of ten men, but he hated rutabaga and cabbage. A shout rang out for an order from the stables. It was met with murmurs and grumbling. Ever since Leofwin revealed he could talk, the bayard had changed up his diet with exuberant requests.

Snoop and Davi stood in the doorway with their hands in their pockets and their heads bowed. It took a minute for Mrs. Pitt to realize they were there, because her attention was on a large turkey and the gnome stuck inside of it. Nodrik held on to his brother, while Mrs. Pitt grabbed one end of the bird and pulled. The stuck gnome slipped out of the turkey with a wet slurp and a pop. Mrs. Pitt wiped her hands on her apron and shook her head. “Next time, use your hands to remove the innards, not your face.” She chuckled, then turned to the grim-faced twins. “A bit early, aren’t you?” The twins shrugged their shoulders. “Well, then.” She waved them into the kitchen. “Come on. I’ve never seen a more pathetic sight than the two of you.” She turned away in time to catch a gnome sliding across the floor on a trail of bacon grease. He zipped by and sailed head over heels into the trash can. “Next time, where your skis, Herbert,” laughed Mrs. Pitt. The twins followed behind her; careful to avoid the grease trail. Davi turned with a smile and a wink. Max nodded and slipped outside with the others. Basil ran behind the stables, then popped his head out and gave a thumbs up. The stables rumbled with the sounds of Mr. Scrine and Leofwin arguing. Max, Milo and the Spriggan paused before continuing on.

“I do not feel like going for a walk right now,” called the bayard. “Come back later.”

“You ungrateful beast. We are supposed to be guarding the grounds,” yelled. Mr. Scrine. Metal clanged against metal.

“There is mud caked in my hooves and I am covered in dust,” whined Leofwin. “How do you expect me to guard anything when I look like a frightful mess? No. I will not go.” Max and Milo glanced at one another and nodded. This was exactly what they needed to get the honey.

“A frightful mess,” muttered Mr. Scrine. “I’ll give you a frightful mess.”

Max, Milo and the Spriggan rounded the corner of the stables. Mr. Scrine caught sight of the them and stomped over. “You’re late. Where are the others?” His face was flushed and his fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

“Kitchen duty,” said Max.

Mr. Scrine threw up his hands. “That’s just great.” He pointed to Milo and the Spriggan. “You two will have to survey the grounds on foot. Do not go near the Downs.” Milo and the Spriggan gave him a mock salute and headed off down the hill. “Max, you will take care of that blasted beast in there.” Max crossed the yard toward the stables. “Muck out his stall and scrape the mud from his hooves. His royal highness requires a bath and a brushing, as well.” Mr. Scrine grunted and quickly walked away. Max shielded his eyes from the sun and peered towards Knoxby’s shack. Milo and the Spriggan were already gone. There hadn't been any sightings of the Trith or shifters, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. Milo’s earth magic was strong, but not enough to deal with a blood thirsty monster or the shape-shifting dead. His thoughts jumped to pale blonde hair and ice blue eyes. Celadine. He wondered if she was okay. Roanin had sent Cannick to Grimhold at first light. The dwarf was confident Cannick would return with his daughter. He doubted Cannick had ever dealt with the goblins before. Bonedread was only interested in two things. Himself and money. The goblin would be sure to sell Celadine quick, then she would be lost.

“Are you coming in or not?” called Leofwin.

“Yes,” said Max, giving the Downs a last look before walking into the stables. Getting Celadine back in time relied on how fast they could get the honey and distract the pixies. There were a lot of gnomes in the kitchen. One of them was bound to catch on and tell Mrs. Pitt. He picked up a bucket and a brush. What if they did get caught? Would they be locked in their rooms and made prisoners like Cragge once was? Celadine’s life wasn’t the only one at stake. There were others depending on him to find all the stones. He’d just begun to wonder how the twins were doing, when the sound of clanging pots and pans drifted into the stables, followed by shouts from one of the twins and Mrs. Pitt. “Not feeling well. Just need a bit of air.” That was Davi. Max smirked to himself. He listened to the scuffle of Basil’s feet and the side door closing with a thump. It worked. The plan was in motion. If all went well, they’d be on their way to Grimhold by dark.