On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (23 page)

A Fang silhouette appeared in the moonlight over a rise not an arrow's shot away.

“Here they are!” the Fang cried.

Peet the Sock Man lost no time. He shrieked and bolted across the meadow toward the evil lizard.

The Fang scurried off, waving its arms and yelling to the rest of the soldiers that he had found their quarry.

“Onto the wagon! Now!” Podo commanded.

Nia and the boys clambered into the back, and Podo snapped Danny into motion.

Leeli clung to Nugget's neck as he galloped along beside Danny the carthorse, who was quite unsure about
the happy beast beside him.

42

Good-bye, Iggyfings

T
he foreboding, skull-like face of Anklejelly Manor materialized out of the darkness as they approached. Illumined with ghostly moonlight and framed by the dark wall of Glipwood Forest, the sight of the ancient manor sent a shiver straight down to Janner's toes and set him sweating. He tried not to think about the horned hounds or the ghostly moan that had oozed out of the tunnel that led to the weapons.

Behind them, another of Peet's screeches echoed over the wide meadow. He raced toward them and away from the Fangs at full speed, hundreds of soldiers coursing up the field behind him. Podo drove the wagon through the dilapidated gates, past the odd statues and the overgrown fountain until the upturned cobblestones and rubble proved too much for Danny.

Podo leapt to the ground and quickly worked the harness and tack loose. Once Danny was free, Podo slapped the horse's rump. “Now git! Git!” Danny whinnied and was off, galloping along the edge of the forest and away from the coming battle.

Anklejelly Manor had been frightening enough during the day. Now it was deep night, with a horde of Fangs fast approaching. The forest wall loomed an arrowshot away, teeming with unseen creatures that would put fear even into a Fang.

It seemed to Janner that there was nowhere left to run—none of the options seemed safe, not running into the forest, into the Fangs, or into Anklejelly Manor.

At least in the manor they would have an army's share of weapons. What good some swords would be to an old one-legged pirate, a woman, and three children, he didn't know, especially against an army of Fangs. But at least they had Peet and Nugget. Still, formidable allies that they were, Peet and Nugget couldn't defeat hundreds of Fangs.

Janner began to despair. Even if his grandfather had a talent for improvising in dangerous situations, sooner or later he was sure to run out of ideas. That time seemed to have come. He watched Podo helping Nia out of the wagon while only a few minutes away stormed the Fang horde.

“Janner!” Podo said. “You know where the weapons are?”

“Yessir, Tink and I do,” Janner said. “Inside, under the cellar.”

Podo nodded. “Good. Janner, you lead the way. We've got to get down there, and fast.”

“But, grandpa, we'll be trapped!” Janner said. “There's a long tunnel, and there are horned hounds, and there's a ghost down there, and—”

“A ghost, eh?” Podo said, tossing the bundle from the cottage over his shoulder. “Well, would you rather face your imagination or a Fang blade?”

“But we heard it!” Tink insisted. “We heard the ghost and it chased us out of the tunnel!”

“That sound is nothing but the wind. It's just something Oskar rigged up to a shaft to scare off folk that weren't supposed to be down there—like you and yer brother, for example. Now, you need to trust yer Podo and get to it.”

“What do you plan to do with more weapons anyway? There will still be only five of us!” Janner said.

“J
ANNER
!” Podo bellowed.

Janner's mouth clapped shut.

“Leeli, come on down from there,” Podo said gently. “Nugget's gonna have to take care of himself now. There's not much in all of Aerwiar that he needs to fear anymore, and he can't follow where we're headed. He'll be fine come sunrise, you'll see.” Leeli protested and hugged Nugget tight as Podo pulled her down. The dog whined and nuzzled her gently.

“Tink, help your sister,” Podo ordered.

Suddenly Peet materialized out of the darkness. His breathing was ragged and he staggered wearily.

“I wanted to say good-bye, young Iggyfings. I'll fight for you as long as I can.” Peet looked at Podo with a new boldness. “I'll fight for them.”

But without a word of thanks or even a glance, Podo stepped up the stone stairs and into the black mouth of the manor.

“I won't follow,” Peet called after the old man. “I'll stay away from you all, like you said. But I
will
fight for them.” Peet turned to the children and bowed low. “Good-bye, Iggyfings,” he said, then he turned and strode through the gate and toward the ocean of Fangs, his arms spread wide and his talons bared.

Tearing his eyes away from their protector, Janner took a deep breath and followed Podo into the darkness of the manor.

“Nugget,” Leeli cried over her shoulder. “You go someplace safe. Find me when this is all over. Go!”

But Nugget stood there, his giant head cocked sideways, his ears perked up expectantly.

“Mister Peet! Will you take care of him?”

“Yes, princess,” called Peet from across the moonlit lawn.

Nugget whined again as Leeli was led by Tink through the doorway, swallowed by the darkness.

Nia was last, and as she entered, the first of the Fangs poured through the gates of Anklejelly Manor, a hissing riot of snakes and snarls.

43

A Ghost in the Wind

A
ll was darkness.

Janner tried to remember which doorway led to the room with the missing stairs. It had been dark enough last time they were in the dilapidated mansion, and then it had been the middle of the day. Now it was night, and he was scared out of his wits.

His eyes adjusted and Janner was able to detect signs of bluish moonlight sneaking through cracks in the ceiling and puddling on the floor. He could just make out the wide staircase that led to the upper floors. Podo's hand was on Janner's shoulder, and Tink, who was helping Leeli, had a hand on Podo's back. Nia held on to Leeli's elbow.

Janner turned left and the train of Igibys entered a black hallway.

“Lad, I don't mean to rush you,” Podo whispered. “But that noise you hear outside is Fangs coming fast.”

Janner wasn't certain, but this felt like the right hallway, the one lined with doors on either side. If this was the case, he just had to find the third door on the left. He scooted his feet forward carefully with his hands outstretched until he felt the first doorway. The train of people behind him grew more frantic by the second.

“I wish I had some light,” he muttered.

“Aye, son. Me too. But even if we had some fire, there's nothing the horned hounds like more than a good blaze. Them and a great passel of other critters in the forest are drawn to it, especially at night. We don't need toothy cows
and
Fangs after us, now do we?”

“No sir.”

“You can do this, lad.”

“They're getting closer,” Nia said from the back.

Janner felt his way to the second, then the third doorway. “This is it.”

Like a gust of wind, the fear of the ghost of Brimney Stupe whooshed into Janner's heart. All the other horrors visiting them now seemed harmless. Here he was about to descend into the dark, stairless cellar and crawl into a tunnel where a ghost kept watch. Podo had said the sound was nothing but the wind, but Janner's imagination was strong and working hard. Death by Fang seemed better than facing the groaning ghost of Brimney Stupe, imaginary or not.

Sensing the silent urging of his family behind him, Janner edged forward, kicking little stones and debris as he did so. He fully expected to see Brimney Stupe's ghastly form rise up from the cellar door and set to eating his brain right out of his head.

Then he reached the dark doorway that dropped off into the cellar.

“We're here,” he breathed. He shook his head with frustration at himself for kicking the rope and plank back into the cellar when he and Tink had escaped last time. “There are no stairs, so we have to jump down.” He tried to hide the tremble in his voice.

“You first then,” said Podo. “I'll help lower down yer ma and sister.”

Janner thought to protest but kept silent. In his mind he saw a faceless figure standing at the bottom of the cellar, waiting to wrap its cold arms around him and gobble him up.

It's not real,
Janner told himself.
It's only the wind. Only the wind. There is no ghost of Brimney Stupe.
He sat on the ledge, turned onto his stomach, and scooted himself over until he was hanging by his fingers against the cellar wall. He closed his eyes and willed himself to drop.
Only the wind. Trust Podo.
With a prayer to the Maker, he let go.

The ground wasn't so jarring this time, now that he was expecting it and he wasn't jumping from the full height. He got to his feet.

“I'm okay. It's not too far down,” he said.

“Well done, lad,” Podo called down.

Then, from out of the darkness, Janner heard the moan.

A
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

It rose up out of the tunnel and swirled around the room. Janner smacked his hands over his ears and screwed his eyes shut. His mind grew numb with panic, and he tried to convince himself that if he opened his eyes he wouldn't see the glowing eyes of a hungry ghost. He scoffed that he ever believed Podo that a sound so horrible could be the wind.

“Janner!” He could hear Podo's voice faintly, cutting through the ghostly groan. “It's the wind, lad! There ain't no ghost!” the old man cried.

A
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

Time and time again Podo had proven trustworthy, Janner told himself. Why shouldn't he trust him now? Janner clenched his jaws tight and prepared himself to see Brimney Stupe and then the Maker.

Finally, Janner opened his eyes. Darkness.

Podo thudded to the floor beside him and pried Janner's hands from his ears. In the blackness Janner sensed his grandfather's face close to his and felt his warm breath when he spoke.

“It's all right lad. Just the wind. Feel my hands. These are real.”

Janner nodded. At the touch of Podo's big callused fingers, the moaning shrunk in his mind and was replaced with shame. He was thankful that in the darkness his face was hidden.

“Sorry,” Janner said.

“No time for that,” Podo said, ruffling Janner's hair. Just as he reached up and called for Leeli, the thump of footsteps and a snarl floated through the house above them.

The Fangs were inside.

Shadows moved over shadows in the manor as the Fangs spread like smoke through the house. Janner no longer heard fighting outside, which meant that Peet and Nugget were dead or had finally fled. Janner was angry at himself that he had been more afraid of the imaginary ghost than of the Fangs. He had cost them valuable time.

“Nia! Pass Leeli down!” Podo hissed.

Nia took Leeli's hands and lowered her into his waiting arms. She did the same for Tink, then Nia dropped Podo's bundle down and came last. When she scooted off and thudded to the ground, there came a grunt of surprise from the room above them. Suddenly the dim outline of a Fang appeared in the doorway, peering down.

The Igibys froze. A breathless moment passed, during which Janner was sure Podo had made a grave mistake leading them here. Though they could not see it, a slow smile spread across the Fang's face.

“I can ssssmell you,” the Fang hissed. “General Khrak!” he called, then disappeared from the doorway, and they heard it call again, “General Khrak! I've found them!”

44

Following Podo

T
ink!” Podo wasted no time. “Where's the tunnel?”

Tink remembered the matches and lantern he and Janner had discovered the last time they were there. He felt his way to the corner of the room near the pile of wood planks and grabbed the matchbox, but—the lantern was missing. Tink's heart shriveled till he remembered that he had dropped it at the foot of the steps in his terror at the moaning of Brimney Stupe.

With a deep breath, Tink rushed down the steps. His foot struck the lantern and he snatched it up and bounded up the steps. One strike of the match and the cellar was full of yellow light, illuminating the mouth of the tunnel and the stairs leading down to shadows. Tink lit the oil lamp and held it high.

“Tink, no!” Janner yelped. “The light attracts—”

But Podo cut him off. “Too late for that. In you go, quick!” Podo bustled Leeli and Nia down the steps. The air grew close and damp, and suddenly the manor above them seemed far, far away. It was difficult for Janner to walk Leeli through the low-ceilinged passageway, but after it opened up they were able to scoot along at a quick pace.

“Tink, they're coming!” cried Podo from the rear. Janner turned the corner and saw Tink staring at the old doorway. At the look on Tink's face, Janner felt a thud of despair. How had they forgotten? The map was the key to opening the door, and it was still at Oskar's shop.

“What's the wait?” Podo said as he rounded the corner with Nia.

“The map—it had a key. Holes that showed which of these buttons to push. Tink, do you remember which ones?”

“It was in the shape of a W,” Tink said, jabbing the buttons. He turned the latch and—the door didn't budge. Tink rattled the handle frantically. Now they could hear the Fangs behind them, probably in the cellar.

“I don't know what's wrong!” he cried. “Janner! Isn't this right?”

“Hurry lads!”

Janner stared at the rows of buttons on the door.

Podo looked around the corner. “They're in the tunnel!” His voice was urgent. “Have you got it?”

Janner closed his eyes and went over it again and again in his head. The buttons had been in the shape of a W, centered on the door. He was sure that was right. Why wouldn't the door open? Tink pressed all the buttons in again, firmly, and tried the handle. Still the door wouldn't budge.

“Wait—the corners!” Janner said. “Press the corners in!”

“That's it!” In a frenzy, Tink clicked buttons in again, this time with the four corners pressed. The door swung open, and the Igibys tumbled into the room full of dusty weapons.

Podo wasted no time in choosing a shield and spear from a pile. “There'll be no room to swing a sword in that tunnel,” he said to himself as he moved back to the iron door.

“Grandpa, you can't go back out there!” Leeli said.

Podo didn't seem to hear her. He stopped and looked at Tink, who was using the lamp to light a torch on the wall.

“Janner, find a blade and follow me with that lantern. Tink, you arm yourself and stay here with Nia and Leeli. If we fall, you hold this door shut till these Fangs die of old age, hear?” Then he turned and reentered the passageway.

Janner stood at the doorway his grandfather had just exited, thinking that he was seeing the kind of courage that he had only read about. Who knew how many armed Fangs clotted the very passageway his old, one-legged grandfather had just dashed into? Janner wanted nothing more than to own that kind of courage, but there he stood shivering in his skin and feeling as useless as a dead leaf.

He heard a rattle behind him and turned to see Tink rummaging through the weapons and armor. Nia hefted a short sword from the pile, then gave Leeli a long dagger and pulled her close. They stood in the center of the room, Tink now in front of his mother and sister with a shield and sword.

Janner took a deep breath, grabbed the nearest sword, and followed Podo into the tunnel with the lantern, barely able to keep his legs under him. The sound of steel on steel that echoed from the passageway was nearly drowned out by Podo's roar.

Janner could see nothing but the damp stone walls, the end of his sword, and Podo's rear. Beyond Podo he heard the enraged Fangs and caught glimpses of scaly fists and bared teeth. Podo stood his ground in the low tunnel, barring the way with the great shining shield. Whenever he saw an opening he jabbed the spear with all his might. The Fangs wailed and growled, and Podo managed a few steps forward. Janner nearly tripped over something and saw with disgust that he was stepping over the body of the Fang Podo had just slain.

He wondered what he was supposed to be doing. He couldn't fight from his position behind Podo, not that he would do much good if he could. If Podo fell, Janner wouldn't last a minute. And why had he brought the lantern? Podo was blocking all the light that might've done him any good. Janner considered putting the lantern down so that maybe he could squeeze beside Podo and get in a jab or two. But then he heard Podo's voice in his head.

Just trust me, boy, and do as I say.

Podo had wanted him to bring the lantern. That was that. Janner grimaced as he stepped over yet another dead Fang. Why were they forcing their way back up the tunnel? It made much more sense to him that Podo should have made his stand in the armor room. They could lock the door and hold it shut, and if the door was breached they could at least slay the Fangs one at a time as they entered the chamber. Either way, Janner figured they seemed hopelessly trapped.

Trust me, boy.

Podo killed another two Fangs and forced his way further up the tunnel. Janner could see that they were getting closer to the cellar. What then? He didn't know, but he grew more and more panicky the closer they got. Perhaps Podo planned to die gloriously with Janner in the cellar, making their final stand on the woodpiles—

The woodpiles.
“There's nothing that attracts the beasts of the forest like a good blaze,”
Podo had said.

Janner suddenly understood. And the prospects terrified him.

Podo advanced again, and suddenly he and Janner were climbing over more dead Fangs and up the steps to the cellar. They burst into the dark room to find two more lizards poised to attack. A third Fang leapt from the high doorway and more were coming. Podo set to waving his spear around wildly, forcing them back.

“Janner!” he bawled, jabbing at a Fang who had stepped in to thrust.

“I know! The woodpile!”

Janner edged along the wall toward the heap of old timber, keeping a close eye on the Fangs, but they were preoccupied with the mad one-legged ex-pirate bellowing at them. He held the lantern over his head, clenched his eyes tight, and hurled it down onto the stack of old, dry lumber. The oil in the lantern splattered across the wood, staining it with liquid fire that whooshed along the dried planks. In a matter of seconds, the blaze shot higher than Janner's head and inched upward to the ancient wood of the cellar ceiling, the same ceiling he and Tink had pelted rocks through for light.

Podo risked a glance at the flames and paid for it with the first real wound he had received in many long years. One of the Fangs stabbed him in the belly. The others were so surprised that the old warrior had actually been hurt, they stood for a moment in shock. With a roar, Podo ran the Fang through and flung his spear at the others. The spear skewered one of them, and even before its body crumpled to the ground Podo had gathered Janner before him and was bounding back down the stone steps.

The other Fangs, unconcerned with the rising blaze, awoke from their shock and gave chase.

Janner ran with all his might. He burst into the weapon room to a surprised Tink who was ready to strike the first thing that came through the door.

“Grandpa's coming, and the Fangs are behind him!” Janner said breathlessly, skidding to the ground. Tink rushed over and stood with his back to the wall beside the door. He gripped his sword in two hands and clenched his teeth.

With a loud cry, Podo tumbled through the doorway and collapsed, bright blood covering his hands and the front of his tunic.

Two Fangs were close behind. They trampled over his body as if he were already dead, howling with victory. Tink swung his sword with all his might as the first one burst into the chamber. The blade cut the creature cleanly in two, though it continued running toward Leeli and Nia as its bottom half and top half slid apart and sunk to the floor within inches of them.

The second Fang received a lesser blow from the same swing, but a crippling one. It howled at the wound in its side but still advanced toward them, its blade aimed right at Leeli.

Janner found his feet and struck the charging Fang's blade upward with his sword. But the Fang flew into Leeli and Nia, and the three of them crashed to the floor in a heap.

In unison Janner and Tink cried out and rushed to the pile to discover the tip of Nia's sword protruding from the Fang's back.

“Grandpa!” Leeli cried, wriggling from beneath the creature.

All eyes turned to Podo as Leeli scooted to him. Moaning, on his back just inside the doorway, Podo was on the verge of losing consciousness.

More Fangs were coming, and with them, heat and the smell of smoke.