Max Hamby and the Blue Fire

1

1

Max leaned back in the patio chair and sunk into its thick cushions. He rested his chin in his palm and stared out the window at the wall of hedges surrounding Aunt Esther's not-so-secret garden. The sound of clanging pots and laughter drifted down the hallway to the patio. A gnome began to sing. His voice was deep and clear and was soon joined by his brothers. It was some upbeat tune about a gnome in search of true love. They sung it often enough that he knew the words.

Max suspected it was to break the tension, because it always ended with Mrs. Pitt and the gnomes in a fit of laughter. Roanin and the Cagon strolled past the window as Mrs. Pitt and the gnomes hit a high note. Someone's voice cracked and drew giggles. Roanin and the Cagon were too deep in their conversation to notice him as that passed by him. The old dwarf's eyebrows were bunched together and formed a thick, hair line across his brow. He stroked his beard and nodded at one of the Cagon. It was hard to tell which Cagon was which, unless they were looking at him head on. Their eyes were different shades of yellow. They disappeared around a corner.

He leaned his head against the frame of the chair. He'd been sitting alone with his thoughts for the past couple of hours. With no solution in sight, a strange unease had begun to set in. He ran his hand through his hair and wondered about the others. Milo and the Spriggan had decided to walk the perimeter of Merrihaven. Basil had gone to check on the Pinkstone brothers' progress in finding a solution to the rot created by the Lumprotter. Alfie and Cynric were due to leave at first light to get the needed supplies to stop the rot from creeping towards the house, but that hadn't worked out. They had become delayed by another potion gone wrong. The twins had offered to give Zeeback, Bonedread and Merna a tour of Merrihaven, but got as far as the dining hall when Fuster and Cragge placed a plump turkey in the middle of the table. It didn't take long for the smell to reach Knoxby and he quickly joined them at the table with a turkey leg in each hand. Bertha and Wunder had quietly disappeared through the Ostium for one last check on Bicksby. Once again, the giant had eaten something that did not agree with him and was laid up in bed with a stomach ache.

Max twisted the strap of the satchel tucked between the cushions. Everything they needed to complete their task was safely inside. The meeting had been intense and the days would be no different. He sighed and shifted in the chair. The simple plan to save his parents was not so simple anymore. The list of delays kept growing; each one far more complicated than the one before.

The urge to astral jump was strong, but the risk of getting stuck in the Shadowlands was too great. The image of Isolde in bear form flashed in his mind. He blinked and shook his head to make it go away. It was replaced with an image of his father with his wild, unkempt hair and beard, the thread-bare clothes hanging off his thing frame and the green eyes that matched his own. If his father hadn't faded already, it was doubtful he could hold on much longer. He was barely visible the last time they were face to face. The only one standing in the way of his father's death was his mother. She was using her essence to sustain them both and by doing so, causing herself to fade, too.

Max closed his eyes and held the image of her in his mind. He couldn't imagine what life would be like without her. He opened his eyes and contemplated astral jumping. Would a quick jump to the Shadowlands hurt? Isolde wouldn't be expecting him this time. Then again, what if she was waiting for him? She had the shadowstone now. There'd be no escape this time, with or without Basil's help. What about Milo's family? Milo's mother and grandmother were fading faster than both his parents.

Max grunted and balled his hand into a fist. He had to check on them. His stone was stronger than the shadowstone and Isolde. Wasn't it? "I'm in control. I can leave anytime I want."

He closed his eyes and sunk down into the darkness and let his mind float in the quiet. Isolde would not get the better of him this time. A slap on his arm, followed by a shake of his shoulder jolted him back. He opened his eyes to find the twins standing over him. Milo and the Spriggan filled the doorway. Basil slipped between them and crossed the patio to stand in front of him. Basil stared him down, until Milo broke the silence. "The others are waiting outside."

"What about my grandparents and aunts?" asked Max.

"The aunts are with Fuster and Cragge in the dining hall," said Davi.

"Your grandparents are with our parents and brothers. They are thinking of taking our mother home," added Snoop. 'Everyone else are scattered around Merrihaven."

Max nodded and got up off the chair.

Milo, the Spriggan and the twins disappeared down the hallway. Basil stood in the doorway and leaned against the frame. He frowned and shook his head.

"What?" asked Max.

Basil crossed his arms over his chest. "You can't save them if you're trapped, too." Max made to leave the patio, but Basil blocked his way. "You have a tell, you know. A giveaway. I'm surprised no one has noticed it."

"A what?" asked Max.

"Before and after you astral jump, the color of your eyes dull to almost gray," said Basil.

"So," said Max, shrugging his shoulders.

"You and I know what happened last time. You could've been stuck forever," said Basil. "Isolde could've killed you."

Max sighed. He was right. If Basil hadn't jumped into the Shadowlands, he might not be here now. "I just needed to," he started.

Basil wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him into the hallway. "We'll get them out and deal with Isolde when we find the other stones."

"What about Celadine?" asked Max. "And the shifters."

Basil led him past the kitchen through the entryway. "We'll figure something out. If we don't get going, the others are going to look suspicious gathered on the front lawn."

"Max, is that you?" called Griselda.

Max stiffened and shifted the satchel out of view, then tucked Roanin's pendant under his shirt. "Yes, it's me. Just going for a walk around the grounds."

"Check on the Lumprotter. I swear the rot grew the last time I checked," said Griselda.

Basil poked him in the back. "Got it." They slipped outside.

Max exhaled and wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead. "That was close."

A muffled shriek sounded from somewhere down the hill.

"What was that?" asked Basil. "Should we check on the Lumprotter before we go?"

"No. Alfie and Cynric will take care of it. Let's go find the others."

▪ ▪ ▪

Alfie and Cynric coughed their way out of their workshop in a cloud of smoke.

"I don't see how you could've mistaken a white-backed Odeck egg with one from a Boobrie," coughed Alfie. "has it slipped your mind how many times that blasted bird tried to kill us?"

"I remember, brother," coughed Cynric.

"I think not. If it weren't for me, you'd be dead right now or don't you remember how the Odeck pinned you down in its nest?" asked Alfie.

Cynric turned his head and put his finger to his lips. "Listen."

"I don't hear anything, besides the infernal pounding in my head from the smoke. Some days, I miss our garden. It was..."

Cynric reached out, grabbed his brother's lips and held them closed. "Someone or something is moaning. if the Lumprotter is creating more rot, Griselda will have our heads." he let go of Alfie's lips and hurried downhill.

Alfie opened his mouth, prepared to lecture his brother on the value of personal space, but Cynric was already halfway to the Lumprotter. The lecture would have to wait. He raced to catch up to his brother.

▪ ▪ ▪

Max unrolled the map and waited for everyone to catch up. By the time he and Basil had joined the rest of the group, they were several yards from the house. He motioned for them to remain quiet and charged ahead until they were far enough away from Merrihaven where they wouldn't be discovered by Renny and Leofwin. He studied the map, as the rest of the group circled around him. "Bonedread, we're going to need the disc," he said. The Three Streams were located in the northwest; farther away from Merrihaven than he expected.

The goblin pushed his way into the center of the group and wagged the disc between his clawed fingers. "Have you ever been to the Three Streams before?" Max shook his head. The goblin turned around. "Has anyone been to the Three Streams or Gloomrock Lake? in order for the disc to work, someone needs a solid image of where we need to go, otherwise it'll open to parts unknown."

"I have flown over it," said a voice at the back of the group. A winged wolf stepped out from behind Milo, the Spriggan and Basil. Its yellow eyes focused on the goblin. The sun glinted off its pure white fur. It flexed the leathery wings folded against its muscled torso. It was one of two Cagon who agreed to hunt down the last three stones and the one Celadine had saved from the shifters. "I remember it well."

Bonedread approached the Cagon. "Then you must be the one to open the portal." He held the disc out, then paused. He looked down one side of Cymry, then the other. "You'll need to throw it." He held it up to the Cagon's mouth. "May I?" Cymry nodded. Bonedread slipped the disc between his teeth. "See the Three Streams in your mind, then throw the disc."

Cymry blinked in response, then turned his head and whipped the disc into the air. The flat silver disc flew end over end, then stopped with a slapping noise. It was followed by a soft rip. Bonedread approached the disc, but did not touch it. Instead, the goblin pierced the air just below it with a clawed finger.

Max watched the goblin slice down the middle of nothing. They had used the disc once before to escape the Black Order, but the portal had opened on its own then. Bonedread pulled it apart and stepped to the side.

No one paid any attention to the ragged porcelain doll approaching from behind. Its one good eye focused on Max. Its other eye hung precariously from a red string and swung from side to side in front of its cracked face. It ran behind the troll and goblin. Its feet made no noise on the grass. It skipped behind the half-giants, then paused when the Spriggan lifted his head and sniffed the air.

The doll quickly ran beneath the Cagon. It nearly missed being caught when the goblin approached the winged wolf. Luck was on its side when Max put the satchel on the ground. It scurried over, opened the flap and slipped inside a second before the satchel was picked up.

The doll settled down on the opposite side of the hourglass and watch. Light suddenly appeared and the doll backed up. The map plunked down on its head and it was dark again.

Zeeback was the first to step through the portal, followed by Basil and Merna. Milo and the Spriggan hopped through together with the twins. Max hung back with Bonedread, the half-giants and the Cagons. Bertha and Wunder hesitated and stared at the portal with trepidation.

"It's safe for biggins like the two of you," said Bonedread.

Max glanced up at Bertha when her large brown eyes fell on him. He nodded. It was obvious she didn't trust the portal. She was used to the old Ostium; closet doors that connect one place to another. He grasped her pinky finger, gave it a squeeze and led her toward the portal. Wunder followed close behind his mother. Though most of his long blonde hair covered his face, Wunder's jaw tightened and the muscles in his arms flexed.

They walked through the portal together. Max shivered as a slight tingle rushed over him. It disappeared once both his feet were in the new land. He let go of Bertha's finger and turned to watch the Cagon come through, then Bonedread. The goblin grimaced and one eye twitched. It could've been the effects of the portal, but it was gone too quickly. He eyed the goblin for a second more before turning to study their new surroundings. It reminded him of Merrihaven with its lush green grass and tall, full trees. There was something more, though. Heaviness settled over him and a constant trickling played in his ears. He glanced at the others to see if they could hear it, too.

The Spriggan nodded. "Water."

"I can hear it, too," said Milo.

"But, where? I don't see any water," said Snoop.

"Herrick and I will search from above," said Cymry.

The Cagons got a running start, flapped their wings once and lifted off. It didn't take long before they were out of sight.

"What do we do now?" asked Snoop.

Max shielded his eyes and watched the sky. "We wait."

▪ ▪ ▪

Alfie and Cynric rounded Knoxby's shack and stopped in their tracks. The Lumprotter had fallen off his rotted stump and was laying on the ground, moaning.

A brown mouse chittered and squeaked as it ran back and forth at the edge of the rot. It caught sight of the Pinkstone brothers, squeaked and ran towards them. It hopped onto the toe of Cynric's boot. Its arms flailed.

Cynric bent down and held out his hand. The mouse jumped into it excitedly. "Well, I'll be. A Gibbering Mouse." he watched the mouse with fascination. "We've only heard stories about these little guys. Haven't we, Alfie?"

Alfie didn't respond.

When the mouse realized it was being ignored, it stomped its foot. When that didn't work, it bit Cynric's finger.

"Ow," cried Cynric. "What was that for?"

The gibbering mouse rolled its eyes, slapped its furry forehead, then pointed at the Lumprotter.

"It's trying to tell you that we have a serious problem, brother."