The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus) (11 page)

SNEAKER THIEF

SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS growl. Sigurd pulled out his sword, and Claire jumped behind him with her hand clenched to her chest.

“I’m hungry,” said Evan, feeling his cheeks burn red.

“Here,” offered Sigurd, handing Evan something wrapped in brown cloth. Evan grabbed the rectangular-shaped object, and then Sigurd handed another bar to Claire. “You will also need to keep up your strength.”

“Thanks!” she squealed. “I’m starving.”

Feeling anticipation much like on the morning of his birthday, Evan unwrapped the strange fabric from around his treat. This was a true gift, and he appreciated it more than words could express. Inside was a handmade granola bar with bits of nuts, oats, and raisins. The first bite tasted like heaven, even if it was difficult to sink his teeth through and the texture was hard and dry. And although the inside of his mouth hurt and his gums were probably bleeding, he ate the entire bar, thankful to ease the turbulence in his rumbling stomach. At last bite, he was ready to rescue imps.

Claire hadn’t eaten her bar yet, and Evan was feeling anxious. He opened his mouth to ask her to hurry up, but the sound that emerged from it was, “Arrrough-arf-arf, whooow. Bark-bark.”

Not one single intelligible word came out. Evan clasps his hands over his mouth and looked at Sigurd.

Sigurd laughed and smiled in his annoyingly charming way. “I am sorry, my friend. I had forgotten about the effect this Woofout Bar can have if you are not used to it.”

“Woof-arf-uff,” said Evan, still struggling to speak like a human.

Claire was quick to chime, “Wait a minute. So, if I eat this bar, then I will bark like a dog?”

“I am afraid so. But the effect only lasts for a short while.”

“Arf-arf! Rrrr-uff!” Evan was really frustrated, now.

In between fits of laughter, Claire said, “I think, hee hee, he wants to know if his nose is going to stretch and ears grow long.”

Evan tried to tell his sister just what he thought of her funny little comment, but all that came out was, “Whoo-hoo-woooh. Uff!”

“Thanks, Evan. But I already know how much you adore me,” said Claire, chuckling some more.

“Evan, I promise you will return to normal—very soon. Just stay calm,” said Sigurd.

“So, does this happen to you every time you eat one of these?” Claire asked.

“No, the bark from the Dawgbark tree has no effect on me now.”

“What’s a Dawgbark tree?”

“It is a rare tree, found only in Asgard. Very little is used in the Woofout Bar, but needless to say, it is extremely potent.”

“Well, I’ll just have to eat my bar before I go to sleep tonight. I don’t want to sound like Evan.”

“Rrrrr-ruff!” growled Evan, running his hand over his throat.

“Sorry, Evan. But you have to admit you sound pretty hysterical,” said Claire. “Sigurd, do you have extras of these. I’d love to play a few tricks on my friends back home.”

“I do have extras, but the effect will not work in Terra. Remember, humans cannot see nor hear magic from any of Sagaas’ realms.”

“Darn, that would have been a great prank,” said Claire. “Well, Evan, are you ready to fly?”

“Ruff!”

“I think he just said he was ready to go,” said Claire. “Right, boy, or does doggy want a treat?”

“Grrrr!”

Sigurd interrupted, “I believe he just informed you that he will bite you if you do not stop teasing him.”

“Fine. Let’s get this rescue business over with,” said Claire, looping her arm through Evan’s. “At least I don’t have to hold onto your tail—I know, I did it again. Sorry, sorry. I won’t say anything else about your ‘condition’.”

Somewhat camouflaged by the starlit sky, Evan and his two companions rocketed over the labyrinth. Light from orange torches bounced off walls in the courtyard, making it easier for Evan to see. Pretty soon, he could easily hear the sounds of angry giants arguing about how to catch those pesky kids. And, unfortunately, he was flying closer and closer to them.

“Hey, that giant just called me a kid,” hissed Evan.

“Evan, they’re just big dumb giants. What do they know?” Claire whispered. “Hey, the Woofout bar must have worn off.”

“Yeah, I guess it did,” said Evan.

“This is it. Evan, you know what to do,” said Sigurd, standing between Evan and Claire, his arms casually draped over both of their shoulders.

“I’ll be back for you. I promise,” said Evan to his sister before climbing the tower.

Evan crawled effortlessly up the chiseled surface. In fact, his fingertips barely even scraped the stone. He slithered around many windows, peering into each one. Although, the locket had shown the imps location as up high, he wanted to make sure no giants lurked in the shadows. When he reached the top, he spied two shapes that looked like Dunkle and Barfel. But the room was black, making it difficult to tell.

A tremendous growl came from somewhere below, and Evan looked down. On the ground below him, he could see his sister and Sigurd. It was just the two of them, keeping lookout. Evan searched, but couldn’t figure out what had made that noise. Suddenly, a hatch hidden under the dirt-covered ground, flung open! What came out was truly shocking. At least eight mini polar bears charged Sigurd and Claire!

“Those must be the giants’ idea of ‘hounds’!” yelled Claire, backing toward Sigurd.

Claire and Sigurd were surrounded by furry, white bears. They looked like baby cubs. If his sister hadn’t been in immediate danger, Evan would have found the polar bears sort of cute.

And then, giants began to pour in like cockroaches. Claire pointed her finger toward the ground and spun around in a circle. Dirt beneath her and Sigurd’s feet swirled around and around. Two circular pillars shot upward, lifting Claire and Sigurd up high above the fleet of white bears and fierce giants. Sigurd used a slingshot to pelt bits of rock at his enemies below. Claire extended her right hand and flexed her fingers; spikes shot up, trapping a few of the giants inside.

Polar bears tried to scramble up the pillars, digging in their sharp, black claws. But it was no use; each time one would climb a few feet, it slid right back down. One of the giants threw his club at Sigurd and knocked the hero to the ground. He tumbled down, but still managed to land on his feet. He used his sword to deflect an axe and broke its handle into shards.

“Impressive,” whispered Evan. He sighed and began to turn back toward the room. When suddenly, a garbled sound came from behind him, and a bag dropped over his head and down to his sneakers! Total darkness! Evan clawed at the burlap, first with his fingers, then with his mind. He tried to use his powers to lift the bag, but this giant was too strong.

“Help!” shouted Evan, but he was jabbed by what felt like a huge finger.

“You be quiet! No yell. You not be saved,” said the giant. Evan thought it sounded like the giant had a mouth full of marbles.

The space was cramped and breathing was difficult. Warm air surrounded Evan’s head. He had to get out. Hopefully, Sigurd and Claire had been able to escape unharmed.

A thunderous
BOOM
erupted each time the giant’s mighty feet hit the floor. The bag swung back and forth and Evan thought he was going to be sick.

“Lars, where girl?” garbled Marblemouth.

Evan strained to decipher what came from a distant giant as all he could hear were some grunts and groans.

Then Marblemouth asked, “We be only giants left? Where rest of ’em?”

Evan could hear more grumbling from the other giant, Lars.

“Stuck in stone? Ugh, I go free ’em,” said Marble-mouth, lifting the bag before dropping it hard on the ground. “We gots boy, now gets girl.”

Without thinking, Evan shouted, “Ouch! Be a little more careful; there’s precious cargo in here!” Another hurtful jab pushed into Evan’s side.

“Quiet!” yelled Marblemouth.

Evan stopped squirming. He sat back and sighed. At least he had just heard that his sister and Sigurd managed to get away.

“Boy go to dungeon wit dem imps,” ordered Marblemouth. “An’ Lars, no you sleep.”

The bag was lifted and heaved over Lars’ shoulder. Evan crashed against what must have been the giant’s broad back. Something small and sharp pressed into Evan’s side. It didn’t take long for him to remember what it was. The dagger! He struggled to move his hand, but it was difficult with all of the bouncing and squeezing of the bag. At last, he managed to free the dagger and sliced through the burlap. Unfortunately, the hole was too little for him to slip out. But through the opening, he was able to pick up a familiar odor: imps.

“Yuck,” Evan grumbled, and then called out, “Dunkle, Barfel!” But all he could hear was some scuffling. “They’re probably gagged,” he murmured to himself.

The bag tore open, and Evan dropped hard on the stone floor. “Aahh!” he cried. His shoulder throbbed with intense pain. The giant then grabbed Evan’s sneakers and yanked them right off his feet!

“Har, har, har!” laughed the nasty giant. “You go there.”

“Hey, give me back my shoes!” yelled Evan.

“Me keeps ’em. Put on belt, next to human heads.”

“Fine, whatever you say.” Evan winced as searing pain shot from his shoulder down his arm. He spied a wobbly stool in a corner and managed to hobble over. When he attempted to sit, it tipped, and Evan fell again. The giant roared with more laughter.

“Har, har, har!” roared Lars. “I be out there.”

The giant walked out, slamming shut the thick wooden door.

“Good riddance,” said Evan.

Pain grew in his shoulder, and he grasped at it with his other hand. He didn’t bother to get up and stayed on his side, trying to lessen the ache. A familiar sound came from the dark corner. Evan knew the scratch and scuffle of imp toenails when he heard them. Out of blackness, two imps slid their feet in his direction. Just as Evan had assumed, they were gagged and tied to each other, back to back. Dunkle mumbled something and motioned behind him.

“I can’t move my arm,” Evan whined.

Dunkle shook his head and then widened his eyes before motioning toward his bound wrists.

“I don’t understand. Sorry, but I need to rest,” said Evan, closing his eyes. Just then, an idea occurred to him. “Oh, I can use my powers to untie you.” And Dunkle sighed.

Evan concentrated and imagined removing the gag first, then untying the ropes.

“I’m free! I’m free!” Barfel cheered, waving his long arms.

“Shh, you don’t want the giants to hear you,” said Evan firmly. “Besides, we’re stuck in this prison, and I think I dislocated my shoulder.”

Dunkle and Barfel rushed to Evan’s side. Staring at Evan’s shoulder, Barfel exclaimed, “Use power! Use power!”

Evan couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered trying that before. With his eyes closed, he imagined the inside of his shoulder, underneath muscle, down to the bone. He tried to set the shoulder back into the socket. He felt a pop followed by instant relief.

“Who knew Biology class could come in handy? I amaze myself,” said Evan, carefully rolling his shoulder in a circle. “It’s still sore, but I’ll manage.”

Chapter Thirteen

FRENZY OF FUR

A SOFT HUM VIBRATED OFF the dungeon walls. Evan shifted around, alarmed.

“Evan, Evan, this is Claire. Evan, can you hear me?”

“Claire, where are you?” Evan asked excitedly.

“Great, I’ve finally figured out how to work this locket,” said Claire.

“What? Where are you?” Evan rushed around, but there were no windows and the only door was shut. “Is there a secret tunnel or something? I can’t see you.”

“Evan, listen, I’m not sure how long this will work,” said Claire. “Sigurd and I managed to trap a lot of the giants, but more kept coming. We needed to rest, so we hid in the labyrinth.”

“How can I hear you?” Evan asked.

“Not only does the locket show us what we ask to see, but it also works like a cell phone.”

“I’m afraid it didn’t work so great at seeing the future, fifty-eight minutes or whatever. Dunkle and Barfel weren’t up in the tower,” Evan sighed. “Sigurd was right, it was a trap.”

“The locket worked fine. We didn’t ask the right question,” Claire corrected. “Most likely the imps were in the tower. The giants must have moved them before we arrived.”

“Yeah, they were probably moved down to this medieval looking dungeon. So, we should have asked where they would be in the future,” Evan realized. “That information would have been great two hours ago.”

“Look, I’m learning how to use the divining locket as we go,” said Claire, sounding irritated. “We’ll get you out of there. Just hang tight.”

The room filled with light, and then returned to darkness.

“Claire, Claire. I guess time was up,” said Evan, searching for his sister’s lost voice. He stood beside a wall and ran his fingers around a cluster of stones. “Dunkle, Barfel—we need to get out of here. Do either of you know where we are?”

“Let me see,” said Dunkle, his fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully. “We came from the hall on the other side of that door.”