Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(76)

Farther along the cave, a creature stood at the edge of the light. It had the body of a large bull and the head of a bearded man wearing a bronze crown. The creature spoke in a garbled language.


Bracken answered with equally strange speech.


"Don't worry," Warren whispered to Kendra.


The creature spoke again.


"What is it?" Kendra asked in hushed tones. "What is it saying?"


Bracken took her hand, and the garbled words became instantly untangled. The creature was still speaking.


"... many years it is a relief to have a shred of hope."


"We will do our best," Bracken promised. "You have met Warren. This is Kendra."


The creature bowed his head politely. "Greetings."


"Kendra, this is Halad," Bracken continued, "one of the proud lammasu enslaved by the Sphinx."


"He is no sphinx," Halad stated in his strong, calm voice. "Call him the Ethiopian."


"Halad stands guard over this secret entrance to the dungeons," Bracken explained. "He is not an evil being, but he would be bound by covenant to slay us if we trespassed here without permission from the Ethiopian."


"I take no pleasure in my assignment," Halad said stoically. "Nevertheless, a sworn sentinel must perform his duty."


"Any sense of what lies beyond the cave?" Bracken asked.


"My vision is restricted to my domain," Halad answered. "As you shall observe, my domain here is insulting. I am a prisoner guarding a prison."


"We thank you for safe passage through your domain," Bracken said.


"I lament the loss of your horns," Halad replied. "Go in peace."


Bracken released Kendra's hand. "Off we go."


"No trouble?" Warren asked.


"Just exchanging pleasantries," Bracken explained.


They advanced quickly. The lammasu stepped aside to let them pass. Halad was so large that Kendra doubted she could reach the bottom of his beard even if she jumped. Once beyond the lammasu, Bracken put his glowing stone away. Warren led the way out of the cave into the predawn light. They crouched behind some jagged boulders to survey the vicinity.


"Living Mirage contains a lot of land," Bracken whispered to Kendra. "In fact, the careful observer will find more land inside the surrounding fence than there should be."


"Several of the preserves are like that," Warren added. "Kind of like the knapsack but on a larger scale."


Bracken nodded. "A long, fertile valley runs north to south through Living Mirage. We're just barely in the northern half of that valley. The sealed shrine lies farther north where the valley narrows."


"The Sphinx suggested a course that should get us past most patrols and around the most dangerous areas," Warren said. "He has wraiths herding the undead away from our route."


"How do you know so much about Living Mirage?" Kendra asked Bracken.


"I first came here to investigate why the shrine had been sealed. I had some time to explore the area before I was captured. "


"What kind of dangerous creatures are here?" Kendra asked.


Bracken shrugged. "Beyond the ordinary I know of jinn, various demons, manticores, a chimera, steppe giants, sphinxes, river trolls, sirrushes, and of course the simurgh."


"He means the roc," Warren clarified. "Which is hunting a lot lately to feed three enormous hatchlings." He drew his sword. "The Sphinx warned that an actual sphinx guards the sealed shrine. It will pose riddles to us."


"Let me handle the riddles," Bracken said.


"The Sphinx seemed to think you'd have that covered."


"I've been around a long time," Bracken said. "I would almost prefer if the puzzles surprised me. I suppose we'll skirt the river, try to get cover from the trees."


"That was the route he described," Warren confirmed.


"We should walk, not run," Bracken said. "Haste draws attention."


"I'm with you," Warren agreed. He handed Kendra a glove. "That belonged to Coulter. It will make you invisible when you hold still."


"I remember it," Kendra said.


"Take the key as well," Warren said, handing her a short rod with a complicated shape at the end. "If the need arises, I'll draw off attention so you two can reach the shrine."


"We'll all escape together," Kendra insisted.


"Right," Warren said, trying to be patient. "We'll all try-to make it. But if we have to choose, let's get the people to the shrine who can actually communicate with the Fairy Queen. Some of us would get blasted into sawdust if we dared to tread upon her sacred ground."


"We should move," Bracken said. "You lead, Warren."


For the first five minutes, Kendra expected enemies to descend on them with every step. As they proceeded without incident, and as the cover offered by the trees became better instead of worse, she started to unwind. She began to wonder how the Fairy Queen could help them escape. Could she admit them to her realm? Kendra was pretty sure that was forbidden under any circumstances. The realm where she ruled had to remain unspoiled or it could mean the end of all fairydom.