Fablehaven I (25 page)

The satyr nodded. They scrambled out of the bush and

started down the hill. Behind them, the ogress skidded to

a halt and changed direction, coming after them. The goatman

pitched the bucket of stew into a tangled patch of

thorns and bounded over a fallen log. Kendra and Seth

sprinted after him.

Propelled by her downward momentum, Kendra found

herself taking larger steps than she wanted. Each time her

foot touched the ground became a fresh opportunity to lose

her balance and tumble forward. Seth stayed a couple of

steps ahead of her, and the swift satyr was gradually increasing

his lead.

Heedless of obstacles, the ogress pursued them noisily,

trampling bushes and tearing through branches. She

breathed in damp, wheezing gasps and cursed periodically,

reverting to her unintelligible native tongue. Despite her

cumbersome size and apparent exhaustion, the misshapen

ogress was rapidly gaining.

The slope leveled out. Behind Kendra the ogress fell,

branches and deadfalls snapping like fireworks. Kendra

glanced back, catching a glimpse of the burly ogress surging

to her feet.

The satyr led them into a shallow ravine, where they

found the wide entrance to a dark tunnel. This way, he

said, dashing into the tunnel. Although it looked spacious

enough for the ogress to enter, Seth and Kendra followed

without question. The satyr appeared confident, and he

had been right so far.

The tunnel grew darker the deeper they ran. Heavy

footsteps followed them. Kendra glanced back. The ogress

filled the subterranean passageway, blocking out much of

the light filtering in from the opening.

It became hard to see the satyr up ahead. The tunnel

was growing narrower. Close behind Kendra, the ogress

gasped and coughed. Hopefully she would have a heart

attack and collapse.

For a space, the darkness became complete. Then it

began to brighten. The tunnel continued to shrink. Soon

Kendra had to crouch, and the walls were within reach at

either side. The satyr slackened his pace, looking back with

a mischievous grin. Kendra checked over her shoulder as

well.

The panting ogress crawled and then scooted forward

on her belly, wheezing and choking. When she could worm

no farther, she roared in frustration, a strained, throaty cry.

After that it sounded like she vomited.

Up ahead the satyr was crawling. The passage slanted

upward. They emerged through a small gap into a bowl-shaped

depression. A second satyr stood waiting for them.

The second had redder hair than the first and slightly

longer horns. He motioned for them to follow.

The two satyrs and two children charged recklessly

through the woods for a few more minutes. When they

arrived at a clearing with a tiny pond, the redheaded satyr

stopped and faced the others.

What was the idea, ruining our operation? he asked.

Clumsy work, the other satyr agreed.

We didn’t know, Kendra said. We thought it was a

well.

You thought a chimney was a well? the redhead complained.

I suppose you sometimes mistake icicles for carrots?

Or wagons for outhouses?

It had a bucket, Seth said.

And it was in the ground, Kendra added.

They have a point, the other satyr said.

You were on the roof of the ogress’s lair, explained the

redhead.

We get it now, Seth said. We thought it was a hill.

Nothing wrong with pinching a bit of soup from her

cauldron, the redhead continued. We try to be free with

our assets. But you need to use some delicacy. A little

finesse. At least wait until the old lady falls asleep. Who

are you, anyhow?

Seth Sorenson.

Kendra.

I am Newel, said the redhead. This is Doren. You

realize we’ll probably have to construct a whole new rigging?

She’ll rip the old one down, Doren explained.

Almost more work than cooking our own stew,

Newel huffed.

We can’t make it come out like she does, Doren

mourned.

She has a gift, Newel agreed.

We’re sorry, Kendra said. We were a little lost.

Doren waved a hand. Don’t worry. We just like to

bluster. If you spoiled our wine, that would be another

story.

Still, Newel said, a guy has to eat, and free stew is

free stew.

We’ll try to find a way to repay you, Kendra said.

So will we, Newel said.

You don’t happen to have any… batteries? Doren

asked.

Batteries? Seth asked, wrinkling his nose.

Size C, Newel clarified.

Kendra folded her arms. Why do you want batteries?

They’re shiny, Newel said, nudging Doren with an

elbow.

We worship them, Doren said, nodding sagely. They

seem like little gods to us.

The kids stared at the goatmen in disbelief, unsure how

to continue the conversation. They were obviously lying.

Okay, Newel said. We have a portable television.

Don’t tell Stan.

We had a mountain of batteries, but we ran out.

And our supplier is no longer employed here.

We could work out an arrangement. Newel spread his

hands diplomatically. Some batteries to repent for disrupting

our stew siphoning-

Then we can trade for more. Gold, booze, you name

it. Doren lowered his voice slightly. Of course, we would

need to keep our arrangement private.

Stan doesn’t like us watching the tube, said Newel.

You know our Grandpa? Seth asked.

Who doesn’t? Newel said.

You haven’t seen him lately? Kendra asked.

Sure, just last week, Doren said.

I mean since last night.

No, why? Newel said.

Haven’t you heard? Seth asked.

The satyrs shrugged at each other. What’s the news?

Newel asked.

Our Grandpa was kidnapped last night, Kendra said.

Your grandfather is a kid? Newel said.

They mean he was abducted, Doren clarified.

Kendra nodded. Creatures got into the house and took

him and our housekeeper.

Not Dale? Doren asked.

We don’t think so, Seth said.

Newel shook his head. Poor Dale. Never been very popular.

Lousy sense of humor, Doren agreed. Too quiet.

You guys don’t know who might have taken them?

Kendra asked.

On Midsummer Eve? Newel said, tossing up his

hands. Anybody. Your guess would be better than mine.

Could you help us find him? Seth asked.

The satyrs shared an uneasy glance. Yeah, ouch,

Newel began uncomfortably, this is a bad week for us.

Lots of commitments, Doren confirmed, backing

away.

You know, now that I’ve thought on it, Newel said, we

may have needed a new rigging on the chimney anyhow.

How about we go our separate ways and call it even?

Don’t take anything we said to heart, Doren said.

We were just being satirical.

Seth stepped forward. Do you know something you

aren’t telling us?

It isn’t that, Newel said, continuing his slow retreat.

It’s just Midsummer Day. We’re booked.

Thanks for helping us get away from the ogress,

Kendra said.

Our pleasure, Newel replied.

All part of the package, Doren added.

Could you guys at least point us toward home? Seth

asked.

The satyrs stopped retreating. Doren extended an arm.

There’s a path over there.

When you reach it, go right, Newel said.

That will get you started in the right direction.

Give our best to Stan when he turns up.

The satyrs hastily turned and dashed off into the trees.

Chapter Twelve

Inside the Barn

Kendra and Seth located the path just as the satyrs had

instructed, and soon reencountered the nickel-sized

holes that served as a perfect trail of breadcrumbs toward

home. Those goat guys were idiots, Seth said.

They did save us from the ogress, Kendra reminded

him.

They could have helped us rescue Grandpa but they

blew us off. He wore a scowl as they continued along the

path.

As they neared the yard, they heard the inhuman groan

again, the same sound they had heard while exiting the

basement, only louder than ever. They halted. The perplexing

sound was coming from up ahead. A long, plaintive

moan, comparable to a blast from a foghorn.

Seth dug some of the remaining salt out of a pocket and

rushed ahead. With their quickened pace, they were soon

back at the edge of the yard. Everything appeared normal.

They saw no hulking behemoth capable of the enormous

sound they had heard.

You know, that salt didn’t do much to the satyr,

Kendra whispered.

It probably only burns the bad creatures, he replied.

I think the ogre lady picked some up.

It was all mixed in the dirt by then. You saw it torch

those guys last night.

They waited, hesitant to enter the yard. Now what?

Kendra asked.

The mighty groan resounded across the yard, nearer

and louder. The shingles on the barn rattled.

It’s coming from the barn, Seth said.

We never looked there! Kendra said.

I didn’t think about it.

The monstrous groan blared a third time. The barn

shuddered. Birds flew up from the eaves.

You think something took Grandpa and Lena to the

barn? Kendra said.

Sounds like it’s still there.

Grandpa told us never to enter the barn.

I think I’m already grounded, Seth said.

No, I mean what if he keeps ferocious creatures in

there? It might have nothing to do with his disappearance.

It’s our best chance. Where else are we going to look?

We have no other clues. The tracks were a dead end. At

least we should try to get a peek inside.

Seth started for the barn, with Kendra following reluctantly

behind. The towering structure rose a good five stories

tall, topped by a weather vane in the shape of a bull.

Kendra had never studied it for entrances until now. She

noted the obvious set of large double doors in the front,

along with some smaller access doors along the side.

The barn creaked and then started shaking as if there

were an earthquake. The sound of timbers splitting filled

the air, followed by another mournful moan.

Seth glanced back at Kendra. Something huge was in

there. A few moments later the barn grew still.

Chains and a heavy padlock bound the double doors in

front, so Seth moved along the side of the building, quietly

trying the smaller doors. All were locked. The barn had

several windows, but the lowest were three stories off the

ground.