Max Hamby & the Amethyst Guardian

2

2

Max stepped out onto the patio and settled down in one of the overstuffed chairs. The Spriggan was asleep on a chaise lounge at the far side of the room. Deep worry lines stretched across his forehead. His breath came in short, quick gasps and his body trembled.

Max rested his chin in his hand and watched the Spriggan. Milo had been in the time stop for a full twenty-four hours. He doubted the Spriggan would ever be the same without him. The residents of Merrihaven took turns trekking down to the Oak tree to check on Milo and make sure no one else had gotten stuck in the time stop. Rose and Violet spent the most time there with only a few short breaks in between their vigil. It took quite a bit of convincing to get them to forego their plan to camp out by the tree. He shifted in the chair. How many times had he passed Milo in the halls at school without saying a word and the countless times he’d refused to sit with him on the bus because he was different. They’d become close since Milo had snuck into Merrihaven. Who’d have thought the weird kid with all the allergies was really the Earth king; the protector of creatures great and small.

Max smiled to himself and remembered the days after Milo had been discovered hiding in a kitchen cupboard. Animals and creatures had come for miles and settled on the lawn to wait for a chance to meet him. He had been patient and kind to everyone, but he couldn’t protect them now. If they couldn’t figure out a way to get his stone back, nothing would be the same without him. He swallowed hard and did his best to choke back the sob that threatened to escape his lips. He covered his mouth so he wouldn’t wake the Spriggan. Isolde was in control of the Earth and shadowstone. Who would be next? He grabbed the arm of the chair and squeezed. The thought of losing anyone else set off a deep ache that pulsed in his chest. Footsteps thumped down the hall toward the patio. He wiped his face and dropped his hands in his lap.

Bonedread crossed the room and placed two thick sandwiches on the table beside the Spriggan, then sat down on a padded stool. The goblin eyed the trembling Spriggan, then reached behind the chaise lounge for a blanket and covered the small creature up to his chin. Max bit his bottom lip as he watched the goblin handle the Spriggan with care. Bonedread shifted his weight on the stool, picked up the sandwiches and held one out. Max declined with a shake of his head. The goblin shrugged and returned the second sandwich to the table before chomping down on the first. He was halfway done when he wagged a finger in the air. “It might be a good idea to pay a visit to the half-giant. You might get answers out of Bertha quicker than this one here.” He jabbed his thumb at the sleeping Spriggan. “She might be able to tell us something so we can help the little one. I’ve tried everything I can think of to bring him around. He won’t even eat.” In two bites the rest of the goblin’s sandwich was gone. He rested his hands on his knees. “Your grandfather is a very persistent man and if I’m honest, a pain in my backside.” He reached for the other sandwich. “I might try taking the Spriggan down to the tree. It might jog something if he sees his friend fade in and out.”

Max looked out the window and stared at the tall hedges that surrounded the garden. He disagreed with the goblin. It might do more harm than good if the Spriggan were to see Milo now, but he’d keep that to himself. Bonedread and the others could take care of the Spriggan. The earth stone was his main priority now. The goblin did have a point, though. Bertha might have the information he needed to get Milo’s stone back.

A door opened with a bang. Heavy footsteps pounded through the house. Alfie and Cynric Pinkstone appeared in the doorway. They were covered in soot, which wasn’t unusual, but the brown mouse sitting on Cynric’s shoulder was. Cynric's head bobbed up and down as the mouse chittered in his ear. Any other time the similarity to a bobble head would bring a laugh, but not today. Alfie held up a vial filled with pea-green liquid. Glowing yellow flecks hit the glass every time he moved. “Eoin asked us to create something that will help the Spriggan and I think we’ve done it.”

Bonedread raised an eyebrow at the vial. “And what might that be?”

“It doesn’t have a name, but this potion should calm the Spriggan and hopefully, stop his nightmares enough to get some answers.

Cynric held up his hand to quiet the mouse. “My little friend will dump the contents of the vial down the Spriggan’s throat. The rest of us will take a limb and hold him down. There may be side effects.” Bonedread’s eyebrows came together, as he glared at the brothers. Cynric sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes. “What? There are always side effects. I am sure they will be minimal. Now, grab the little fellow.” Bonedread grabbed the leg closest to him. Alfie and Cynric each grabbed an arm. The mouse jumped down onto the Spriggan’s chest.

“Max, come on,” said Alfie, with a wave of his hand. “Take the other leg.”

Max eyed the brothers’ concoction and hesitated. “I don’t think...”

“It will be fine. Come on,” said Alfie, pointing to the leg. “Our little friend will be back to his old self in no time.”

Max held the Spriggan’s leg down and watched the mouse pour the potion into the Spriggan’s mouth. The Spriggan’s body bucked and sent the mouse into the air. It landed hard on the Spriggan’s chest, which jolted the vial. A spray of pea-green sludge with glowing yellow flecks dotted half the patio and everyone standing around the Spriggan.

“Oopsy-daisy,” said Alfie, taking the vial away from the mouse.

Bonedread growled at the brothers, as he wiped the sludge off his face. “Oopsy-daisy? I’ll give you an oopsy-daisy you won’t soon forget.”

Max let go of the Spriggan’s leg, as a tickle spread across his cheek and worked its way around his head. He scratched and wiped to get the potion off. The Spriggan’s eyes popped open.

“There. You see,” said Alfie.” Right as rain.” He high-fived his brother and smiled proudly, but the smile didn’t last long. Tiny green mushrooms with glowing yellow tops popped out all over the Spriggan’s body. The Pinkstone brothers stared wide-eyed at the small creature, then at each other.

“What did you do?” hissed Cynric.

“Me? Aren’t you the one who skims the ingredients lists? You never read anything through,” growled Alfie.

The brothers quickly descended into an argument and ignored what was happening in front of them. The gibbering mouse hopped across the Spriggan to get away from the mushrooms. Bonedread’s mouth hung open in disbelief. The Spriggan looked at his hands, then felt his face and whimpered.

Max whacked the brothers to get their attention. The Spriggan was turning into a living forest. The mushrooms stopped, but tiny green leaves sprouted from anywhere that had hair. “Stop.” He whacked Cynric. “Do something.” The brothers ignored him.

“Shut up, you blithering idiots,” shouted Bonedread. The Pinkstone brothers clamped their lips shut. “You need to fix this and quick. I promise you’ll look a lot worse than that if you don’t.” Alfie and Cynric nodded and ran out of the room. The goblin grabbed the Spriggan’s hands to keep them away from his face. “Go see the half-giants. No one is going to bother this one anymore.” Max turned to leave. “And tell your grandfather.” He hurried from the room and almost collided with the very person Bonedread was grumbling about on the patio.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” asked Eoin. “I thought we’d have a chat with the Spriggan.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Grandpa,” said Max. “The Spriggan is not himself.”

“He hasn’t been himself since he returned,” said Eoin.

“He’s not up to talking right now,” said Max. “Alfie and Cynric were just here.”

Eoin pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. “Please tell me, they didn’t mess up the potion. It was only supposed to calm the Spriggan.”

“You’ll have to see for yourself,” said Max.

Eoin nodded and moved past him to the patio. “What in the world? I’m going to...” Bonedread shouted back. They quickly descended into an argument. Their voices mingled with whimpers from the Spriggan. Max didn’t wait around. He needed to find Basil and the twins. He paused in the entryway. If all four of them went to see Bertha that would get the attention of the adults. If he went to Eldham alone, it would take him straight to Bertha and Wunder in no time and he’d be back before anyone noticed he was gone. But, what about Isolde? Now that she was free, anything could happen between Merrihaven and Eldham. An icy shiver ran down his spine. He didn’t want to admit that he was scared, but he was. No one really knew what Isolde was capable of. He crossed the entryway to the dining hall and peered in. No one was in there, except for Milly and she was sleeping in her rocking chair by the fireplace. He glanced at the Ostium in the corner, then back at Milly. Would she wake up and tell the others if he left now? It wouldn’t hurt to see what Basil and the twins had to say, besides they could cover for him if his aunts and grandparents started asking questions. He turned around and headed upstairs to the bedrooms. The twins’ bedroom was a disaster area. Clothes were strewn all over the place. Plates, cups and bowls were piled on the bedside table and the dresser; remnants from their midnight excursions to the kitchen. The two things the room did not have were the twins. He backed out and closed the door. Basil’s room was right across the hall. He didn’t need it, because he never slept, but he had one anyway. He opened the door to find it empty, too. The room was neat and tidy, but dotted with piles of books from the dining hall, which doubles a library. He closed the door and stood in the hallway. Where were they? Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen anyone else for some time. The kitchen had been unusually quiet. That was not like Mrs. Pitt or the gnomes. They could be tending to the Bayard in the stables or the Lumprotter and Wimplewooflewog. He shrugged his shoulders and headed to his room. He grabbed his satchel and reached in to make sure the watch and hourglass were still inside. Satisfied, he stepped out into the hallway. The door thunked closed and humming started. He’d forgotten that Alice and her doll had returned. He winced and tiptoed down the hallway. The floor creaked and Alice giggled.

“Oh dear, sweet, stupid boy,” she laughed. “You are in terrible danger and yet, you are off for a quick jaunt to see your friend.” She sucked her teeth and muttered to herself. His hand tightened around the strap of his satchel. He wasn’t even going to ask how she knew he was going to Eldham. There was no time for her games or weird riddles. He straightened up and walked toward the stairs, but her door flew open. “Time for tea,” she sang, with a wave of her hand. He was yanked inside. Her bedroom door slammed shut behind him.