Army of Misfits - Book 4 of the Sojourn Chronicles

Army of Misfits Book four of the Sojourn Chronicles

By Crystalwizard

Š 2008 Crystalwizard. All Rights Reserved

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author Published by Cyberwizard Productions 1205 N. Saginaw Blvd. #DPMB 224Saginaw, TX 76179 Published by Cyberwizard Productions 10/11/07 ISBN:

978-0-9795788-7-8 (paper) 978-0-9795788-6-1 (electronic)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2007907831 Printed in the United States of America

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Army of Misfits

Acknowledgements: Proofreading, editing and helpful comments: Linda Notridge Michael Masterson Heather Michaels Rob Sapwell Vivian Zabel

Other books in the series: Book one - Wizard's Bane Book two - Villenspell: City of Wizards Book three – Wizards and Wanderers

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Crystalwizard

Table of Contents Prologue ................................................................. 1 Chapter One ........................................................... 4 Chapter Two ......................................................... 11 Chapter Three ...................................................... 18 Interlude ............................................................... 31 Chapter Four........................................................ 33 Chapter Five......................................................... 42 Chapter Six........................................................... 47 Chapter Seven ...................................................... 56 Chapter Eight ....................................................... 64 Chapter Nine ........................................................ 72 Chapter Ten.......................................................... 79 Chapter Eleven..................................................... 87 Chapter Twelve..................................................... 91 Chapter Thirteen ................................................ 101 Chapter Fourteen............................................... 105 Chapter Fifteen .................................................. 112 Chapter Sixteen .................................................. 118 Chapter Seventeen.............................................. 130 Chapter Eighteen ............................................... 136 Chapter Nineteen ............................................... 146 Chapter Twenty .................................................. 153 Chapter Twenty-One .......................................... 161 iii

Army of Misfits Chapter Twenty-Two.......................................... 169 Chapter Twenty-Three ....................................... 177 Chapter Twenty-Four ........................................ 186 Chapter Twenty-Five.......................................... 191 Chapter Twenty-Six............................................ 198 Chapter Twenty-Seven ....................................... 201 Chapter Twenty-Eight........................................ 207 Chapter Twenty-Nine......................................... 212 Chapter Thirty .................................................... 219 Chapter Thirty-One............................................ 224 Chapter Thirty-Two............................................ 234 Chapter Thirty-Three......................................... 240 Chapter Thirty-Four .......................................... 248 Chapter Thirty-Five ........................................... 258 Chapter Thirty-Six ............................................. 271 Chapter Thirty-Seven......................................... 281 Chapter Thirty-Eight ......................................... 288 Chapter Thirty-Nine........................................... 299 Chapter Forty ..................................................... 306

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Prologue Quhi fought against the wizard’s spell and dove for the beach. With a supreme effort of will he resisted the summons long enough to roll and dumped his passengers into the surf. Rommalt’s spell slammed across his mind as they hit the water and his body rocketed toward the open ocean on a course for Villenspell. As the miles flashed by, wing muscles began to burn and falter. His left shoulder cramped and he fell from the sky toward the unforgiving waves more than a mile below. A silent explosion ripped through his being the moment he touched the surface of the water and the world changed. He gasped and fell to his hands and knees on hard stone. Frigid air whipped across bare skin and shocked him back to his senses a moment before beefy hands grasped him around the upper arms and dragged him to his feet. Two large men dressed in bright mail flanked him and he found himself standing in the mouth of a cave, facing a long stone corridor.

“Move!” One of the men growled. He put a hand on Quhi’s back, and shoved.

Quhi stumbled forward, straightened his shoulders and strode toward a set of ebony doors at the far end of the tunnel.Frosty air whistled down the corridor and covered everything with a thin coating of ice. Torches set in wall sconces flickered as the wind toyed with their flames and dark shadows seeped into the tunnel from the cracks in the stone. The imposing ebony doors grew close, a silent symbol of the enemy who waited within and 1

Army of Misfits Quhi struggled harder with each step to break the spell and change his shape. He failed.

As he reached them, the doors swung open on silent hinges and revealed a large room awash with light. Golden globes drifted near the ceiling. Thick, deep red draperies covered the walls with sumptuous folds of fabric. The highly polished floor gleamed and reflected an onyx platform topped with a jade throne that rose from the center of the room.

Seated on the throne and gazing directly at the doorway was Magister Rommalt. Quhi’s courage evaporated and he froze.Rommalt narrowed his eyes. Quhi shook his head and backed away. Rommalt’s expression twisted with fury and he snapped his fingers. The guards grabbed Quhi by the arms, dragged him across the room and threw him to the floor at the foot of the throne. He lay stunned for a moment, then struggled to his knees and looked up at the wizard.“I am most displeased.”

Rommalt’s voice was an evil purr and his eyes glinted with malice as he regarded the naked man kneeling on the floor before him. “I’m sorry... ” “Silence, slave! When I wish to hear your voice, I’ll tell you.”Quhi winced and clamped his mouth shut. “Perhaps you don’t recall why I gave you to Greshathor? Or perhaps you thought that since he was dead you no longer answered to me?” Quhi shook his head. Rommalt shrugged.

“Matters not what you thought. You tried to betray me. You have disobeyed me for the last time.”Quhi’s blood ran cold and he gulped and frantically sought some way to break free of Rommalt’s bindings.A nasty smile crept across Rommalt’s face. “It would be amusing to sit here and watch you destroy yourself in a futile attempt to 2

Crystalwizard escape. However, time is pressing and I have no more of it to spend on you!” He pointed a finger at his slave. “Tell me everything that has happened since last equinox!” A blinding flash of light shot from the wizard’s fingertip and Quhi screamed.

Rommalt ignored the dragon’s agony and ripped through his memories. “It seems you were not the only traitor,” the wizard muttered after several minutes. He looked down at the man who was huddled on the floor at his feet and scowled with disgust. “Dispose of this quivering excuse for a dragon!” Both guards saluted, grabbed Quhi's wrists and dragged him from the room. Rommalt gestured at the doors and they slammed shut with an echoing bang.

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Chapter One Rommalt, Dale thought as he stared at the ocean.

And Quhi obviously didn't wish to obey him... He frowned and shook his head. His link to the dragon was weak and Quhi had flown beyond its range.

“We can't just stand here! Dale! Please!”

Aerline tugged his arm, her face a mask of fear.

Dale glanced down at her and nodded.

Jarl?

Yeah, I saw. Now what?

Think you can teleport the others over here?

Sure.

Can you land everyone on the beach in one piece?

Jarl gazed around the tower and grinned. Yea. I don't promise everyone’ll be dry.

Just try to avoid the deep water, all right?

I'll try. Jarl stood up and brushed off his pants.

“All right listen up!” He voice rang through the bottom floor of the tower. “There's been a slight change of plans.”

“We're not riding the dragon?” Kas interrupted.

Jarl looked over his shoulder at Kas and shook his head. “The dragon's taken a detour."

“Then how are we supposed to get out of here?”

“I'll teleport us. I need everyone over here.”

Raven rolled his eyes at Jarl and refused to move. “You almost got yourself killed the last time you did that.”

“That wasn't my fault! The imps intercepted me.”

“I'll pass anyway.” Raven leaned back against the wall, stretched his legs out and crossed his

Crystalwizard ankles.

Kaowin sighed and stood up. “Come on Raven, we don't have any choice. Please?” Raven gave Kaowin a sour grimace and got to his feet.

“Proop?” Pharcle floated up from the floor.

“Preept flogoatlt?” Jarl glanced at her and shrugged.

“Freetswork?” Pharcle insisted. Jarl shrugged again.

Pharcle floated over to the open door and looked out of it at the ocean, then vanished.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Jarl muttered as the Faoden disappeared.

Thorgeld peered suspiciously at Jarl. “Ya sure ya know what ‘cher doin'?” Jarl nodded. “Ya ain't gonna wind up near dead again?”

“That was not my fault!” Jarl's voice shook with frustration. “The imps ... ” “Is still around. Ya sure this is safe?”

“I'm sure!”

Raven snickered at the dwarf. “Don't tell me you're scared.”

Thorgeld shot Raven a black look and strode over to stand next to Jarl. “I ain't scared a nuttin’!”

That was uncalled for, Raven, Jarl thought at the younger man as the dwarf joined them.

It got him over here. The tone of Raven’s thought was heavy with defiance.

Both of you stop arguing, Dale interrupted, and get out of that tower!

Jarl jumped, then touched his link to Dale, wrapped the others in a tight web of energy and teleported. The world turned into violent shades of colliding colors and he fought against the forces of creation that dragged at him from all directions. His grip on the others slipped and threatened to fray apart. A sudden geyser of neon-pink startled him 5

Army of Misfits and he lost his concentration and fell back into normal space almost fifteen feet from the shore. A loud splash punctuated his failure as everyone else materialized and plunged into the water.“Dwarves can't swim!” someone shouted as the water closed over Jarl's head. He looked around for Thorgeld, surfaced and gasped for air, then realized that the water was drawing away from the beach into a massive wave. What the…? He struggled to gather enough power for a second teleport. The wave erupted before he succeeded and spewed kelp, fish and one soggy dwarf through the air.

“Yarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!” Thorgeld hollered, arms flapping wildly. He hit the sand a few feet from the surf and plowed a seven-foot trench with his nose. The water reversed into a second wave and spilled people and assorted sea life onto the beach.

Jarl let out a grunt from the impact, then sat up and shook the water out of his ears.

Dale crossed his arms and grinned down at his partner. “That was an interesting re-entry,” “I had nothing to do with it!” Jarl glared up at Dale and climbed to his feet.“Look!” Faran shouted and pointed out across the ocean.

The others turned and stared at the water rushing skyward; twisting into a crystalline tower almost thirty feet high. The tower expanded and the liquid solidified into a monstrous form of a man. It gazed at the beach, crossed its arms and frowned.

Thorgeld strode down to the surf's edge and shook his fist in the giant's direction. “Oh, put a sock in it! Ya didn't have to be so confounded dramatic!”

The titan looked down at him and crooked the corner of its mouth. “I could have left you to 6

Crystalwizard drown.” Its voice reverberated through the air.

“Ya didn't haf ta toss me so hard!” Thorgeld yelled back The giant peered down its nose at him. “You could be more grateful.”

“Fer what? I'm gonna be picking sand outta my ears fer a week!”

The giant grinned and pointed at the dwarf. A stream of water hit him in the chest and knocked him backward several feet. “Let that be a lesson to you all!” It thundered. “The ocean is no place for humans. Or dwarves!” He disintegrated into foam that fell gently down to drift on top of the waves.

“Oh go on with you,” Thorgeld grumbled and got back to his feet. “Who needs you anyway?”

“Thorgeld?” Dale walked over to the dwarf and assisted him back to a standing position.

“I'm fine,” the dwarf grumbled as he brushed the sand from his clothes.

Aerline placed a gentle hand on Thorgeld's shoulder. “Here, let me see that nose.”

Thorgeld pulled away from her. “Ain't nuttin' wrong with m'nose!”

Aerline refused to relinquish her hold. “It's all red. Hold still, this won't take but a moment.”

Before Thorgeld could utter another word, Aerline touched his nose and began whispering. A silver radiance spread quickly from her hand to envelop his face and a loud string of cuss words erupted from the dwarf. He threw his arms up and knocked her hand away.

“Well!” Aerline snapped. “Excuse me for trying to help!”

“I tol' you! There ain't nuttin wrong wit m'n ose!”

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Army of Misfits Dale bit back a laugh and took Aerline by the arm. “Let him be Aeri,” he said as he led her away from the dwarf. “I think you scared him.”

“I heard that!” Thorgeld hollered at their retreating backs. ~*~ The magical bags from the wizard's tower were waterproof and everyone changed clothing. Within an hour they were ready to continue the journey and Dale called a meeting. “We're about fifty miles south of where I wanted to be. I'd hoped to land at a port town and get horses or other transportation. As that didn’t happen, we'll have to make do with feet, though I'm still hoping we'll find something faster between here and…” He turned and pointed toward a tall mountain range in the near distance, “…those peaks. Those mountains surround Yaybar's kingdom and according to the atlas; they encircle it in an unbroken ring.”

“It's gonna take us weeks to get there!” Faran exclaimed.

“It may,” Dale agreed with a nod in Faran’s direction. “But it would have taken us three months to cross the ocean by boat, so we're ahead of schedule. There is something very odd about what lays on the other side of those mountains.” Dale looked around at the others and ignored the scowl Faran gave him. “In the atlas the roads are marked, roads defined and towns placed. But inside that mountain ring, the entire area is blank.”

Kheri glanced up at the peaks. “Maybe whoever made the map hadn't been there?”

Raven shook his head at Kheri. “The map is magical. It wasn't made by a person; it was made by a spell.”

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Crystalwizard “Which means the spell couldn't get beyond the mountains,” Jarl said.

“Which means,” Dale's voice increased in volume over any more interruptions, “that we have no idea what's waiting on the other side and we have no idea where Yaybar's castle is. The map shows a small village close to the pass. We'll plan to stop there.” ~*~ Kaowin ignored Dale and let his gaze travel over the nearby woods. Something's wrong, he thought as he turned from the trees and scanned the beach. Something terrible is going to happen. He glanced up at the clear blue sky, stared out over the water, then blinked in surprise. A rocky mountainside obscured the ocean and he could see a cave near the peak, small and far away but growing larger by the moment as if he were flying toward it.

There were people in its mouth and as he watched, one of them jumped - or was thrown - over the edge. His viewpoint changed and he found himself looking down at a broken body lying on the stones.

He gasped, horrified to see that it was Quhi.

“Mother!” Time stood still. Dale's voice stopped and a soft, golden glow suffused the beach. Kaowin turned around in a circle. “Mother, where are you?”

“I'm here,” came the quiet response to his left.

Kaowin turned toward the voice. “I can't see you.”

“I am still here, my son,” the voice whispered.

“What is the problem?”

“You have to do something!” The vision of Quhi's crushed body filled Kaowin’s mind and his voice shook. “You have to help him!”

“Kaowin ... ” 9

Army of Misfits “You have to!” Kaowin demanded and wiped angry tears from his face. “Please Mother, he'll die!”

“Many die every day, my son.”

“Mother, please!” Kaowin begged, unwilling to accept no for an answer. “For me, just this once.

Please!”

“Very well, I will do as you wish. But only this once.”

“Thank you.” Kaowin sniffled and wiped water from his cheeks. The glow dissipated, the vision faded and the beach returned to normal. Kaowin took a deep breath and attempted to pull himself together.

Kheri put a hand on his twin’s shoulder. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” Kaowin shoved past Kheri and went to join the others. Kheri raised an eyebrow but said nothing. They fell into line behind everyone else and trudged across the beach toward the mountains that loomed in the distance, warning of the journey yet to come.

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Chapter Two Quhi struggled without success to break free of the guards as they dragged him down the icy corridor and hurled him over the ledge. The landscape spun around, tilted sideways and exploded in a red haze as he slammed into the rocks. Broken ribs penetrated his lungs and blood rushed in to fill them. A wave of fear washed over him, accompanied by the certain knowledge that he was dying. Rommalt’s spell vanished and as darkness descended, he felt the freedom he had longed for throughout his life. His thoughts fled back to the beach where he had left the others and he wished for their safety; then death swung its scythe and he knew no more.

As Death claimed him, a blood red glow emanated from the rocks. The faint sighing of the wind over the mountainside hushed and the world held its breath. “Not this time,” a soft voice filled the air with the sound of crystal waters trickling over stones. “He is not yours, as yet.”

Death raised its scythe. “This one is special?”

“This one is required.”

Death planted the butt-end of the scythe on the ground and held out a bony hand. “I must have an exchange.”

“You will have such. There are two in the cave above. I require one. You may have him when I am finished.”

“Done.” Death dropped its hand and rested its scythe on its shoulder.

High above, the cave walls began to glow. The glow separated from the walls and formed into a

Army of Misfits ghostly woman with long flowing hair. She drifted through the air toward the cave mouth and touched one of the motionless guards. His body shimmered and wavered as if seen through rising heat waves and a deep green radiance issued forth from him to pool in her hands. She waited until the flow trickled to a stop, stepped back and nodded at Death. “This one is yours.” Death raised its scythe and sliced through the guard with a swift stroke.

The woman vanished into the rocky wall and reappeared on the mountainside below. She floated over to the rocks on which Quhi lay, held her hands above his body and allowed the green glow to infuse him. “Wake, child.” She touched his forehead with a gentle hand. A soft, golden light flowed from her fingers and formed a shimmering net which tightened about him.

His wounds vanished and Quhi gasped for air.

He opened his eyes, sat up on the rock and stared at the woman floating before him. “Who... ?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Be gone quickly from this place. It is not safe here, for you.”

She faded and disappeared.

Quhi watched her vanish, then gazed around in amazement. I’m free! The spell's gone. After all these centuries, I'm finally free! The desire to gain revenge welled up inside him and he stood, then stopped himself and gazed up at the cave. Quhi, you are a fool, Rommalt's far too powerful. I need help.

He looked down at the wizard's college lying at the foot of the mountain and shook his head, then changed shape. Wings unfurled, his body lengthened and he launched himself into the air.

Circling around, he dove at the cave and spewed forth a stream of sub-zero cold, blasting the second 12

Crystalwizard guard who was kneeling beside the first. He toppled over, coated in a thick layer of ice. Quhi didn’t hang around to see if the man survived. He banked sharply, rocketed into the sky and sped away from the mountain. Behind him, Death swung its scythe once more. ~*~ Quhi rose in an arc away from the mountains and set a course for the wild lands to the east. The country opened beneath him, sparkling with the sunlight dancing across the landscape. He looked down at it long enough to adjust his course and focused on his destination.

I can’t take him on. I can't fight him. But Melroth can. Images of Rommalt withering beneath the scorching blasts of an ancient red dragon floated through Quhi's thoughts. I just hope he remembers me. His thoughts went back to the one encounter he’d had with the other dragon almost three hundred years before. He might not. He banked to the left to avoid a flock of flying sheep. We’re both dragons, though, so surely he’ll be willing to help me. He swept a sheep off the end of the flock with his tail as he shot past, grabbed the surprised animal with both front claws and severed its neck, then ripped the skin from its carcass. Nothing like a little snack on an extensive flight. He took a bite out of the meat and gulped it down, then made short work of the remainder.

A familiar pain began in his left wing sometime later and he dove for a clearing in the woods. Angry thoughts raced through his mind, directed at both wizards who had kept him enthralled, forced him into human form and not allowed him flight. He landed wrong and smacked his nose into the 13

Army of Misfits ground. Fury overtook his common sense and he slammed his tail into a young sapling. It cracked and toppled over, scattering the birds nestled among its branches. He reared up on his hind feet, bellowed in rage and spewed icy cold in a great cloud. Leaves froze, branches cracked and a small starling fell dead at his feet. Quhi’s heart sank. He lay down and curled himself around the bird, hid his head under his wing and gave himself over to sobbing. Sobs turned to hiccups after a time and he slipped into an exhausted sleep. He awoke hours later, disoriented and alarmed, to a forest filled with light. He lifted his head and looked around.

Night had come and tiny, glowing creatures filled the trees. They floated through the air, skittered across the ground and twinkled at him from every angle. Quhi moved his tail and froze as a cloud of small lights ascended. I’m trapped! He craned his neck around as far as it would go. Lights covered the ground on all sides of him. If I move, I’ll step on something! A soft chiming filled the glade and he swung his head around, searching for the source of the sound.

A gentle green light radiated up from the grass a few feet away and he fought with the urge to flee.

The light brightened and a woman took shape. Her green hair curled around her body like ivy entwined about an old oak. She was clad in a loose gown of leaves and as she turned to look at him, flowers drifted gently through the air to settle on the forest floor. “You are right,” she said, her voice recalling the sound of trickling streams. “There is a dragon here. But he doesn’t appear dangerous.” A chorus of giggles answered her. The shining woman shifted her attention to Quhi. “Why are you in my woods, 14

Crystalwizard dragon?”

Quhi opened his mouth and discovered to his horror that he was unable to speak. He strained to answer and managed only a growl. Giggling laughter erupted and he dropped his head on his forepaws. Tears trickled down his face and he squeezed his eyes shut and willed the fairies away.“It seems you have damaged my forest,” the shimmering vision chided him, “and now you pay the price. Look at me, dragon.” Quhi peeked at her through one eye. “He who wishes to act as a beast, often gets his desire and becomes one. Is that not so children?” Her voice trickled through the air like soft raindrops and tiny cries of agreement joined it. Quhi winced. She smiled around at the lights, then gave him her attention once more. “You have acted rashly, yet you are younger than most dragons I’ve seen. Perhaps you had a reason?” Quhi watched her and said nothing. She returned his gaze. “I will release you from the penalty you have brought upon yourself and you will explain your actions to me. But be warned: If I am not satisfied, you will roam my woods for a hundred years, bereft of speech and at the mercy of my children in payment for the damage you have wrought.” She gestured and silvery-green light fell as rain.

Quhi’s form shifted and he shook as chill air connected with once more naked skin, then knelt before her and bowed his head. “Thank you,” he whispered. Relief swept over him as the words left his mouth and he slumped.She inclined her head toward him, then waved a hand and scattered fragrant blossoms about the small glade. “Tell me why you damaged my forest.”

Quhi gulped and raised his head. “I apologize. I 15

Army of Misfits was overcome with frustration and anger. I was on an urgent journey to seek an elder of my race and my wing cramped. I was forced to land and lost my temper over the injustice.”

“Injustice?” The green light took on a slightly cooler shade. “I fail to see why you deem it such?”

Quhi dropped his head and spoke to the grass.

“Please forgive me. I lost my temper. There was no injustice in your forest, only in myself. In my inability to fly the distance without stopping.” The temperature dropped further. Quhi shivered and forced himself to raise his head. He chewed on his lower lip and gazed up at her.

“What was so urgent that you could not accept this?”

“It was urgent only to me, M’Lady.” Quhi’s voice shook. “I was…I am... in need of help against a wizard who held me in thrall for several centuries.

I was hoping to secure such help from the one I flew to find.”

The light took on a blue tone and the chill air brought goose bumps to Quhi’s flesh. He shivered and hugged his arms across his chest. The woman arched an eyebrow at him. “What did you intend to do to the wizard?”

“K-kill him. He is e-evil.” Quhi stammered from the cold and the anger he could see dancing across the woman’s features.

“I still see no reason for your actions against my forest and I will not allow you to remain a moment longer. Be gone!”

Quhi’s stomach twisted into a knot. “I beg you!

Forgive me, but I cannot. I am still unable to fly, I can not shift shape again for several hours and I cannot walk about in this form without clothing.”

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Crystalwizard “You try my patience!” She scattered silverygreen light with a wave of her hand and a plain brown tunic, pants and pair of boots came into existence about him. “Choose a destination!”

Quhi’s mind raced. An image of Melroth rose before him and he discarded it. He’d flame me before I could speak if I showed up like this. Nor do I know precisely where he is. Thoughts of the few places he knew popped into his mind. Rommalt would find me far too easily. I can’t take that chance. He swallowed and forced himself to make a request. "May I choose a person instead of a place?”

The woman gave a sharp nod of her head. Quhi formed an image in his mind of the only other person he knew that might give him a chance against the wizard. “Send me here.”

The ground fell out from under his feet and he threw his arms over his head as he crashed down through the branches of a tree. He landed with a thud on the ground, cautiously lowered his arms and looked around. “Nice of you to drop in,” Jarl said, holding his blaster aimed at Quhi’s head. “Care to explain where you’ve been?”

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Chapter Three Quhi stared at the blaster, forced a swallow and met Jarl’s eyes. “Umm... ” he managed after a moment. “May I sit up, first?”

“Sure.” The blaster didn’t move. Quhi focused on Jarl and cautiously sat up.

Faran touched his sword point to Quhi’s throat.

“Before you say anything, be warned that the first lie you speak will be your last. I don’t like people who betray me, my friends, or my Lord.”

Quhi shifted his gaze to Faran. “I didn’t... ” Anger fled across Faran’s countenance and he narrowed his eyes. “You stood there in that dungeon and made Dale a promise! One I consider broken. Make one more wrong move and I’ll run you through!”

Quhi swallowed hard, his eyes locked on Faran’s face. “Understood,” he managed. “May I please explain?”

“Go ahead. We’re listening.”

“Faran,” Dale's voice sounded from the other side of the firelight. “Let him go. Both of you stand down until he’s at least had a chance to talk.” Faran glared at Quhi and pulled his sword away. Jarl grinned and lowered his blaster. Quhi sighed with relief and turned his attention to Dale. Dale met his eyes and gave a short nod. “Start talking, I’d like to know why we wound up in the ocean this morning.”

Quhi coughed and cleared his throat. “I apologize. I was forced to abandon you.”

Dale lifted one eyebrow. “Oh?” Tension lined Quhi’s face and he raised his hands. “May I please be permitted to finish the

Crystalwizard explanation before I am condemned?”

Dale nodded and stood. “Come with me. The rest of you stay here.”

Quhi rose to his feet and followed Dale out of the camp, grateful for the distance between himself and Faran’s sword.

“I don’t trust him,” Faran muttered as Quhi disappeared into the trees. “I’m going after them.”

Jarl stepped in front of Faran. “No you’re not. If Dale wanted your presence, he’d have taken you along.”

Faran glared at Jarl. “Dale doesn’t know what he’s dealing with! That’s not a man, he just looks like one!” He jabbed his finger toward the trees.

“That’s a dragon and they’re notorious for being evil, vicious, lying beasts!”

Jarl locked eyes with him and pointed at the ground beside the fire. “You’re still not going after them! Sit down!” Faran glowered at him and clenched his fists in defiance.

Kaowin swooped down out of a tree, made a graceful landing and furled his wings. “Stop arguing with Jarl, Faran, it’s not gonna get you anywhere.

You’re wrong, anyway. Quhi wasn’t lying.” He turned his back to the fire, bent over and stuck his rump out so the heat could soak in.

Faran crossed his arms and scowled at Kaowin.

“Oh yeah? And just how would you know?”

Kaowin straightened up, turned around to face Faran and folded his own arms over his chest. “I know a lot of things. I know Quhi is telling the truth. I know Aerline’s having a baby and I know you’ve got a crush on her.”

Aerline stared at Kaowin and Faran flushed red.

“I do not!” He swung a fist at Kaowin’s head. “You 19

Army of Misfits take that back!”

Kaowin dodged, stuck his tongue out and shot up into the air. “Missed me,” he taunted from high above. “And yes you do, you liar!” Faran drew his dagger and flung it into the sky. Kaowin zipped to the side and disappeared behind the trees.

“Faran, that will be enough!” Jarl’s voice was sharp with a hard, dangerous tone. Faran swung around and glared at the older man. Jarl locked gazes with Faran and pointed to the ground beside the fire, “Sit down or live to regret it. Kheri, go find Kao and make sure he’s all right.” Kheri rose to his feet and vanished into the underbrush. Faran scowled at Jarl and threw himself on the ground, crossed his arms and glowered at the fire.

“I’m not sure whether to be upset,” Aerline said as things settled down, “or excited. I really don’t want to have a baby right now. That complicates things far too much. I mean, look at us! We’re in the middle of a war for heaven’s sake!”

“It’s too late to worry about it now.” Jarl sat back down on the ground and pulled out his spell pen. “You should have thought about that sometime ago.”

Aerline dimpled at him and patted her belly.

“I’m well aware of that. I don’t understand how Kao could have known.” She rested her hand on her stomach and a gentle smile drifted over her face.

“What’s a crush?” Raven asked of Aerline in the silence that had descended on the camp.

“It’s... well... I’m not sure how to explain.” An expression of frustration crossed Aerline’s face.

“Haven’t you ever been in love before?”

“I don’t know.”

Aerline looked to Jarl for help. He was 20

Crystalwizard engrossed in the text that was forming in the air and ignored her. “Well... ” she turned her attention back to Raven. “It’s a feeling. It’s... oh this is impossible! It’s like trying to explain red to a blind man!”

Jarl stopped writing and grinned at Raven.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just something humans do. It’ll happen to you some day and then you’ll know what it means.” His grin widened at the blank look on Raven’s face and he turned back to his scribing.

“Just hope it doesn’t,” Faran grumbled and shot Raven a black look. “You get stupid and mushy!”

Raven stared at Faran in horror and poked him on the arm.

Faran jerked his arm away. “Stop it!”

Raven’s horror turned to confusion and he poked Faran’s arm again. “You don’t feel mushy.”

“Not physically, you dolt!” Faran yanked his arm away again and turned his back on Raven.

“You sure can be stupid some times!”

Jarl looked over his shoulder at Raven and shook his head. “Ignore him and don’t worry about it.” He turned his attention back to the glowing letters hanging in the air and continued writing.

A frown crossed Raven’s face and he stood up and slapped the dirt from his pants. “I'm going to get more wood.” He turned his back on the campfire and stomped off into the trees.

Jarl snickered at Raven, put his spell pen down and gestured. The letters in the air before him turned blue and began doing the tango around the camp. ~*~ Kaowin shot over the trees, then turned around 21

Army of Misfits to look back towards camp and hovered in the air. That was dumb, Kao. He thought about how close Faran’s well-aimed dagger had come and shivered. I think I’ll stay away from camp for a little while and let him calm down. The starry sky beckoned and he soared upward, delighted at the feeling of wind whipping through his hair. He banked to the right, spun toward the land, pulled up into a loop and leveled out to sail over the tops of the trees. Starlight glittered off the dew collecting on leaf tips and Kaowin laughed. He drew a deep breath of the night air, then paused above a small clearing. The sound of voices drifted up to him and he landed without sound beside a tree. ~*~ Dale led the way through the forest to a small clearing. He walked to its center, turned around and crossed his arms. Quhi’s heart sank within him at the expression on Dale’s face and he collapsed to his knees and bowed his head. “I am sorry,” he whispered to the grass. “I had no choice.”“I didn’t bring you out here to yell at you, Quhi. I brought you out here to give you a chance to talk. Tell me what happened.” Quhi didn’t reply. Genuine fear radiated from the man kneeling before him and Dale softened. “What are you afraid of?”

“You,” Quhi whispered.

“I’ll make this easier for you, then. I overheard most of your exchange with Rommalt on the flight from the tower.”

Quhi jerked his head up and stared at Dale.

“Then you know... ” “I know he had you under a spell. I know you didn’t dump us and fly to him willingly. Does that help?”

22

Crystalwizard Relief washed through Quhi and he nodded. “I was afraid that when you found out the wizard I was bound by was your enemy... ” “I thought as much. So it wasn’t the wizard of the tower who captured you?”

“No. I admit to leaving certain facts out of what I told you before. However, I did not lie to you.

Not... exactly.”

“A lie, Quhi, can be by omission, just as easily as by statement. If you deliberately leave a false impression of the facts by something you do not say, you are still lying. Understand?”

Quhi flinched. “Yes.” “Start talking. Why were you in the tower, what happened with Rommalt and why did you come back?”

Quhi gazed up at the man who was more shadow than substance and took a deep breath. “The wizard Greshathor was powerful and for some reason Rommalt wanted to spy on him. So I was given to him. Ostensibly as a gift for some accomplishment, but I was actually there to report on his actions. What Rommalt was suspicious of, I do not know. I was not told.”

“How long?”

“Years. Almost seventy. I did as instructed, but even though Greshathor was hard on me, he was much easier to work for than Rommalt had ever been and I stopped reporting much useful information after a while.”

“Why?” “I wanted to stay where I was. I didn’t want my master to find whatever he was looking for and have to go back to him." A pained expression flickered across Quhi's face and he winced. "Several 23

Army of Misfits years ago I stumbled across Greshathor’s diary and it seemed as if a real hope of escape was within my grasp. I shouldn’t have read it, but it was unlocked.

It was left unwatched in the library and I was curious.”

“Convenient." Dale's tone took on a hint of sarcasm.

“Excuse me?”

“That the diary was left like that, right where you’d find it."

Quhi shrugged. “I suppose.”

“And you read it?”

“Yes. I’m not sure how much was truth. Most of it was in a language I didn’t understand, but I grasped enough to see that Greshathor hated Rommalt and was trying to find a way to overthrow him. Time passed and then, not long ago, Rommalt came to the tower in person. He was not expected and Greshathor was not pleased. They argued.

Loudly. Rommalt wanted Greshathor to ambush an enemy and Greshathor wanted no part of it. Several hours later, I was summoned to the top room and found it full of imps. Greshathor had been casting and was exhausted. He wanted food. The imps followed me down stairs chattering incessantly and from their talk, I gathered he had decided to spring the ambush. I made the mistake of being too interested and wound up behind bars a few hours later.”

“And his reason for going ahead with the ambush?”

“He hated Rommalt and would not willingly do his dirty work. I think he felt that maybe he could use the enemy himself, perhaps intending to turn the tables and attack my master.”

24

Crystalwizard “Go on. What happened with Rommalt and why did you come back?”

Quhi grimaced. “My master knew Greshathor was dead and that I was avoiding him. He took over my will. It was all I could do to leave you in the surf instead of taking you with me.” Quhi shuddered as the memories of the morning’s enforced flight and its consequences rose to the front of his mind. He shut his eyes tightly and fought against a wave of panic. Dale pulled away from Quhi's emotions and waited until the dragon calmed down. “Where is Rommalt now?”

“I don’t know,” Quhi’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m fleeing from him!”

A slight movement near the trees caught Dale’s attention and he activated the daylight effects sensors in his suit, then relaxed; relieved to find it was not an angry wizard hidden under the trees.

“Kao, come over here please.” Kaowin sighed and walked over to stand beside him. “How long have you been eavesdropping?”

“Not very long. Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” Dale put one hand on Kaowin’s shoulder.

“However, I would have appreciated you allowing us privacy.”

“I’m sorry. I was curious. I didn’t know it was you down here when I landed and then I couldn’t help listening.”

“How much did you hear?”

“Not much. Just some stuff about Quhi spying on that wizard. But I already knew that.”

Dale exchanged glances with the dragon and lifted an eyebrow at Kaowin. “You knew that?”

“Sure. Wasn’t I supposed to?”

“Care to tell me how you knew?”

25

Army of Misfits Kaowin wrinkled his nose. “It’s kind of hard to explain. I kind of see pictures. Like when I’m asleep, but only I’m awake.”

“And you saw a picture of Quhi spying on Greshathor?”

“Yeah.”

“Any other pictures I should know about?”

“I don’t know. I see lots of pictures all the time.

How’m I supposed to know which ones you should know about?”

“Never mind. Just tell me if you see any pictures of our friends. All right?”

“Sure,” Kaowin’s face lit up with a smile. “Can I go now?”

Dale pointed at the trees. “As long as you go straight back to camp and stay there.”

Kaowin pouted, then shot up into the air, turned a triple loop and soared away over the wood. Dale watched him leave, then returned his attention to Quhi.

Quhi gazed after Kaowin’s vanishing form with a smile on his face. “He flies well,” he said, as the boy disappeared from sight.

“He does, but he’s far too reckless.”

“He’s young.”

“Which is why I’m rapidly turning gray.” Dale sat down on the ground next to Quhi and picked a blade of grass. “I intended to give you the chance to explain in private,” he said as he began ripping the blade apart. “I knew you were scared. I apologize for Kaowin’s intrusion. I take it Rommalt was less than happy with you when you arrived at the college?”

Quhi winced with his entire body. “That is a mild description. He was furious. He gave me a 26

Crystalwizard brief chance to talk. I should have taken it. I was afraid to and he lost all patience with me. He... ” Quhi flinched at the memory of Rommalt’s attack and fell silent.

“How much did you tell him?”

“I told him nothing. He invaded my mind and removed what he wanted by force.”

“So he knows where we are, then.” Dale pulled another blade of grass from the ground.

“I assume so. He knows everything I knew. He ripped my mind apart and then had them dispose of me.” Quhi shuddered, remembering the ease with which the guards had tossed him out into thin air, the dizzying descent and bone-shattering crash as he collided with the rocks. His stomach twisted into a knot and he fought with his emotions for a few seconds.

Dale waited patiently, silently channeling the panic away from Quhi before it could claim him once again. The dragon’s memories invaded Dale’s thoughts and he jumped as the rocks smashed into both of them. “I’m amazed you survived that,” Dale said, feeling a little shook.

“I didn’t. I am only here through the grace of some higher power. Why it wished me to live, I don’t know. I wasn’t told.” Quhi glanced at the sky and shrugged. “I’m grateful for the second chance, however.”

Dale studied the blade of grass in his hands. “So this power brought you back to life, then dropped you in my camp?”

Quhi lifted a corner of his mouth into a wry smile and shook his head. “No. I awoke on the rocks at the base of the mountain. She simply told me to leave and vanished.”

27

Army of Misfits “She who?”

Quhi shook his head and stared into the dark trees on the other side of the glade. “I have no idea.” His voice was barely audible. “She gave me my life back, that’s all I know.” He fell silent for several seconds, then shook himself back to the present, his voice no longer a whisper. “I wanted revenge and decided I needed help. I thought I knew where to find it, but my wings wouldn’t carry me that far.” He stopped kneeling and sat cross-legged on the ground. “I was forced to land in a strange forest and I lost control. I made rather a mess of the trees. The Lady of the Forest was less than pleased, but she was kind enough merely to banish me and told me to pick a destination. I didn’t know where to go that Rommalt wouldn’t find me.” He looked sideways at Dale. “I had to find a place where I’d have at least some chance if he came after me and I thought you’d be less likely to flame me than Melroth would. So I asked her to send me to you.”

“Melroth?”

“Another dragon. An ancient member of my race.” Dale raised an eyebrow and Quhi shrugged and looked at his hands. “I was stupid. I don’t even know for sure where he lives. Only a vague memory from the past.” He looked over at Dale. “What else was I supposed to do? I had to choose somewhere.

She almost didn’t permit me the chance to think.”

Dale turned his attention back to the blade of grass he was picking apart. “Did you expect to be welcomed back?” He felt the dragon’s tension deepen, then become submerged by a feeling of resignation.

“No,” Quhi whispered. He stared down at his hands and tried to ignore the tears that stung his 28

Crystalwizard eyes. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

“You’re fortunate Jarl reacted before Faran.”

The dragon flinched, then nodded. “What happens now?”

Dale studied his blade of grass for several seconds, then turned to regard Quhi. “You still owe me for releasing you from the dungeon. Remember what you agreed to then?”

“Yes. I did attempt to honor that.”

“And now you not only want my protection from the most powerful wizard in the world, you want me to destroy him for you.” Dale paused, but Quhi said nothing. “Correct?”

Quhi avoided Dale’s gaze and shook his head.

“No?” Dale asked, lifting both eyebrows.

“I... " Quhi picked up a stick and started twisting it between his fingers. "I want your protection. I wanted revenge hours ago. Now I just don’t want him to find me.”

“Don’t lie to me, Quhi,” Dale’s voice lost some of the warmth. “I can hear your thoughts. Would you care to try again?”

Quhi swallowed and squeezed his eyes shut, old fears rising to do battle with the fragile hold he had on his emotions. “Yes, I…do want him dead. I’m sorry. I beg you, forgive me!” He looked into Dale’s eyes. Dale said nothing. The dragon dropped his head into his hands. Tears spilled down his cheeks and dripped off the end of his chin. "Please," he whispered. "I'm sorry."

“Are you willing to pay the price I’m going to ask in order to gain this?”

Quhi wiped water from his face and looked back up. “Have I any choice?” His voice was bitter. “I have nowhere to go. I have no one to turn to. I have 29

Army of Misfits no skills as either dragon or human. Do what you want with me.”

“Rommalt is not just your enemy. He is the power behind a terrible war threatening the existence of everyone living in this world. We have to stop him. If I give you the protection you want, you will journey with us into the heart of the battle and do your utmost to assist us in winning. You will never lie to me again, either, and you will do what I say until I release you. Understand?”

“Yes. I already agreed to that anyway, before you freed me from that dungeon.”

“Yes, you did. And you intended to break your word the second an opportunity presented itself.

Didn’t you?”

Quhi’s cheeks caught fire with embarrassment.

“Yes. When did you know?”

“As soon as you did."

Quhi raised his head and stared out into the dark. The night was still and even the insects had become silent. He shivered.

“I’m through playing games with you, Quhi. If you want my protection, I want your loyalty in exchange. I’m not interested in placing my life on the line for someone who isn’t honest with me.”

Quhi dropped the stick on the ground and gave Dale his full attention. “I will do as you ask, I swear.”

Dale let the dragon’s emotions wash over him.

An underlying current of sincerity was present that he hadn’t felt before and he nodded. “All right. I’ll hold you to that. Let’s get back to camp and see if we can prevent Faran from doing something stupid.”

30

Interlude Zvothra lifted one corner of his mouth as he watched the scene unfolding in Bethraven’s fountain. He passed his hand over the water, studied the images flickering under its surface and smiled.

“You appear pleased,” Bethraven said from the other side of the fountain.

“I am. Things are moving as I desired.”

“I still disapprove of your means,” Bethraven’s voice was soft, but her eyes looked at him with displeasure. “You are far too harsh at times.”

“Perhaps. It works, however.”

“And a more gentle approach would not?”

“It might have,” Zvothra shrugged and turned back to the fountain. “I did not wish to take the chance.”

Bethraven rounded the fountain and stood gazing into the water beside him. “He’s so very young, Zvothra. Are you sure he is up to the task?”

“He had better be.” Zvothra drew his gaze from the water and turned to face her. “Because we’re all doomed if he fails.”

Bethraven rested her hand on her hip and tilted her head. “Perhaps you should have given him instructions in that case.”

Zvothra snorted and looked back at the images dancing in the fountain. “You know very well the sort of response I’d have met with had I done so.”

Bethraven turned her attention back to the water. “Then perhaps you should give him instructions now."

“I would, but my least favorite brother already has.”

Army of Misfits “You don’t fool me for a moment.” A smile dimpled Bethraven’s cheeks and she smiled at Zvothra. “You love both of your brothers.”

Zvothra grinned at her. “That doesn’t mean I don’t like one of them more than the other.”

She giggled and returned her gaze to the fountain. Her smile vanished, replaced by lines of concern. “Raven,” she whispered, “be very careful.

Our existence depends so much upon you.”

32

Chapter Four Kaowin swooped into the camp and landed gracefully next to the fire. Jarl threw an arm over his head and ducked. “Kao,” he grumbled and picked his spell pen back up. “I prefer my hair on top of my head, if you don’t mind.”

Kaowin grinned at him, walked over to Faran and plopped down on the ground. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Faran glowered at him. “Yeah, well. I don’t go around spilling your secrets.”

“I said I was sorry."

“And you made me lose my dagger too!”

“You almost hit me with it, if it makes you feel better." Faran wrinkled his nose and turned his attention back to the fire. Kaowin sighed. “Well, you did and I said I was sorry, so lighten up.”

Faran took a deep breath and turned to look at Kaowin. “You just don’t get it, do you?”

Kaowin gazed back at him and shook his head.

“Get what?”

“You told everyone I had a crush on Aerline!

You told her and Jarl and everyone!”

“So?” “You think I wanted people to know? I was trying not to feel that way, dummy!”

“Oh. Oops?”

Faran gave Kaowin a withering scowl. “The next time you know something private about me, don’t blab it!”

“Sure.”

“Why don’t I believe that? You’ll probably forget.” Faran picked up a stick and prodded the

Army of Misfits coals viciously, releasing a flurry of sparks into the air. He prodded the coals again, then turned back to Kaowin as the silence between them began to stretch thin. “Where’d you go, anyway?”

“Flying. Why?” Faran gestured at the trees. “Cause Kheri’s out there looking for you.”

“No he’s not. He’s out there getting high on mushrooms.”

Faran’s mouth dropped open and he glanced at Jarl. The older man was busy scribbling in the air with his spell pen and appeared not to have heard.

Faran grabbed Kaowin’s arm and leaned close to him. “You better go get him fast! If Dale finds out, he’s gonna be history!”

“But... ” “Shut up and go get him! Fast!”

Kaowin looked at him in confusion, but got to his feet and wandered away from the firelight.

Faran watched him go, then turned and stared back at the fire. ~*~ Raven returned a short while later carrying a load of wood. Thorgeld followed behind, dragging a small tree. “I think,” Raven said as he dropped his load not far from the fire, “that we might have enough wood for tonight.”

Thorgeld dragged his tree to Raven’s pile and let go of it, rolled up his sleeves and spit on the palms of both hands.

Kas looked up and his jaw dropped. “I think we have enough wood for the week!”

“Bah!” Thorgeld pulled out his axe and took aim at the wood. “Can’t never have enough stuff ta burn!” He swung the axe and the trunk split apart 34

Crystalwizard with a loud crack.

Jarl’s concentration shattered. The glowing letters flared and vanished from the air.

Thorgeld’s blade bit into the tree again. The trunk splintered and flung wood chips through the camp and Kas dove for cover as several of them connected with his face.

“Stop!” Jarl hollered and leapt to his feet.

“Thorgeld, no!” Aerline screeched.

Thorgeld’s axe hit the trunk once more, then vanished. He gave a cry of surprise and looked around. Jarl crossed his arms and glared at the dwarf. “Stop it, Thorgeld! We don’t need that much firewood! You hit Kas!” “Where’s m’axe!” Thorgeld demanded, peering at Jarl suspiciously.

“Right behind you.” Jarl gestured at the axe lying on the ground several feet away from the dwarf. “Don’t make me have to take it away again!”

“Don’t be touchin’ m’axe!” Thorgeld growled, shaking his fist in Jarl’s face.

Jarl put both fists on his hips and bent down so close to the dwarf that their noses almost touched.

“Then don’t be choppin' wood in the middle of camp!”

“Can the two of you possibly be any louder?”

Dale asked as he walked back into the camp followed by Quhi.

“If you like,” Jarl grumbled, clearly put out.

“Humph!” Thorgeld snorted and strode over to retrieve his axe. “Th’ thanks I git fer tryin’ ta help!”

Dale ignored the dwarf and scanned the camp.

“Where’s Kaowin?”

Faran shot a quick glance at the woods. Rik turned red and began digging through the jerky bag.

35

Army of Misfits Dale arched his eyebrows at both of them, crossed his arms and leaned against a tree. “Faran?”

“Sir?” Faran jerked his head up, a guilty expression plastered across his face.

“Would you happen to know where Kaowin is?”

Faran’s gaze slid to the side. “Uh…not exactly.”

Dale said nothing, waiting. Faran glanced at the trees again and started to fidget.

“Would you know where he is, at all?” Dale asked after several seconds of silence.

“Yes sir," Faran mumbled, avoiding Dale’s eyes.

“Where is he?”

“Out in the woods,” Faran looked down at his hands and picked at a fingernail.

“Would you happen to know why?”

“He’s lookin' fer Kheri,” Rik interrupted.

Dale turned a stern gaze on Rik. “Did I ask you?”

Rik flushed and shook his head. “No sir.”

Dale turned his attention back to Faran and cleared his throat. "Faran? Would you care to tell me why Kaowin is out in the woods looking for Kheri?”

“Uh…” Faran glanced at the trees again, “because Kheri was looking for him?”

“Look at me!” Faran jumped and gave Dale his full attention. “You can tell me what is going on now or after I find them. Which would you prefer?”

Dale’s voice was hard and anger glittered in his eyes.

Faran swallowed and looked askance at Dale’s belt. “Jarl told Kheri to go find Kaowin, but Kaowin came back and Kheri didn’t, so Kaowin went to find him.”

36

Crystalwizard “Why did Jarl send Kheri to look for Kaowin?”

Faran squirmed under Dale’s gaze. “Cause we got into a fight and he flew off.”

“A fight?”

Faran nodded; sweat beading on his forehead.

Dale stood away from the tree and put his hands on his hips. “Are you going to give me the rest of the details? Or do I get them from Jarl?”

Faran winced. “He said I was wrong, that Quhi wasn’t lying and I asked how he knew and he said he just did, then he opened his big mouth and told everyone I had a crush on Aerline so I swung at him and he flew off and I threw my dagger at him.” His lip trembled and he stared down at his hands in his lap.

Dale blinked and looked at Aerline. She batted her eyes and gave him a sweet smile. “I see.” He returned his attention to Faran. “Did you hit him?”

“No, sir.”

“I think you and I need to talk. Privately.”

Faran flinched and climbed to his feet. “Yes, sir.”

Dale turned around and walked out of camp without another word. Faran trudged behind, feeling as if he had just been handed a death sentence. ~*~ Dale led the way back to the small clearing and allowed Faran to fidget for several seconds before speaking. “I want an explanation... ”“I’m sorry!”

Faran’s voice shook and he addressed Dale’s boots. “I didn’t mean to get a crush on her. Honest.

It just happened. I was trying to make it go away!”

Dale raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t... ”“Honest, Dale!” Faran jerked his head up and met Dale’s gaze with his own. “I really tried to make it go 37

Army of Misfits away! I mean, she’s old enough to be my mom! I didn’t mean it!” His lower lip quivered and he bit down too hard, drawing blood.Dale looked down at Faran and nodded his head. “I appreciate that,” he held up his hand before Faran could interrupt again. “However, that has little to do with what I wanted to talk to you about.” Faran chewed on his lip, but kept silent. “I am deeply disappointed in you. Not because you had a silly fantasy that embarrassed you, or because you fought with Kaowin about it. I’m disappointed because you lied to me when I asked you where Kao was.” Faran winced and dropped his head. “I thought I could trust you, Faran.” Dale’s words cut deep into Faran’s heart. “Now I don’t know what to think.

Granted you didn’t tell me a blatant lie, but neither did you tell me the truth. Not until I forced it from you. Does this mean I have to become suspicious of everything you say and read between your words to see what you’re not telling me?”

Faran shook his head. “No,” he whispered, blinking away the tears.

“Trust is a funny thing. It’s broken so easily.

Even the smallest act of dishonesty can shatter it.

Sometimes it can be restored with a fair amount of work, but sometimes it’s gone forever.”

“I’m sorry.” Faran’s voice caught in his throat and he dropped his head and stared at nothing, feeling as if Dale had driven a stake through his heart and left him to die in the desert.

“Look at me,” Dale commanded gently, aware of Faran’s emotions. Faran wiped his face and raised his head again. “I’d like an explanation of why you felt the need to skirt the truth tonight.”

Faran sniffled and wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry. I 38

Crystalwizard was afraid what you were gonna do and I didn’t want you to be mad at Kheri, either.” He shook his head and hugged his arms around his chest.

“Go on,” Dale prompted when Faran didn't continue.

“She’s your wife! And you’re my Lord. I don’t want to have a crush on her! I thought you’d be furious. I was just really scared what you’d do.” He looked down at his hands and picked at his fingernails.

“I’m not going to do anything. You’re young.

Crushes are part of growing up. I’m not surprised you wound up with one on Aerline; I’m just surprised it took so long. You’ll get over it.”

Faran nodded, still looking down at his hands.

“You’ve called me your lord on several occasions, yet the first time you have a serious problem you’re afraid to come to me? And evidently, Kheri’s done something you’re worried I’ll be mad about so you’re trying to cover for him.

If it’s bad enough for me to be mad at him, shouldn’t you be telling me? Look at me.”

Faran took a deep breath and forced himself to meet Dale’s eyes once more.

“You’ve not taken any formal oaths to me. I don’t hold you to anything. But if you are going to consider me your lord at all, shouldn’t you be loyal even when it’s not convenient?” Faran winced and nodded. “You need to make a decision. Either I am, or I am not. If I am, then give me your oath and abide by it especially when it’s not easy. If I’m not, quit giving me the title.”

“You are,” Faran replied without hesitation.

“But I don’t know any oaths.”

“Then just use your own words."

39

Army of Misfits “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth when you asked earlier and I swear I’ll never lie to you again about anything.” Faran paused as his thoughts went back to his father's castle and the words of a knight’s swearing-in that he’d witnessed came to mind. He grinned and drew himself up stiffly. “I pledge my life and sword to you and swear to uphold your honor at all times.” He imitated the knight’s formal bow, straightened up and stood at attention.

Dale considered Faran's words, gauging the boy's sincerity. “Accepted."

Faran jumped and let out a startled yelp as tendrils of blue and silver light of lit up the night, swirled about him and enmeshed him in a net that vanished almost instantly. “That’s not what it looked like with Kheri!”

“Kheri’s not you."

Faran looked up at Dale, a serious expression on his face. “I really am sorry. Honest. I really won’t do it again.”

“I know,” Dale dropped a hand on Faran's shoulder. “If I thought you weren’t sincere, I wouldn’t have accepted your oath.”

“Can... ” Faran shook his head and looked down at his feet.

“What?”

“I... ” Faran took a deep breath and raised his head. “I want you to trust me.”

“You’ll have to earn that back. Show me by action.” Faran winced again and nodded. Dale removed his hand from Faran’s shoulder and crossed his arms. “Now what was Kheri doing?”

“He was looking for Kaowin. At least that’s what Jarl asked him to do, but Kaowin said he was 40

Crystalwizard out in the woods getting high on mushrooms.”

Dale's eyebrows shot up. “He what?”

“That’s what Kaowin said. I didn’t want you to be mad at him, so I told Kao to go find him before you got back.”

Dale reached out for Kheri with his thoughts and tried to establish contact. Several fantastic images shot through with amazing colors floated back to him and he sighed. “All right. Let’s get back to camp, before anything else goes wrong.”

“Yes, sir.” Faran turned to leave the clearing.

“And Faran, Quhi was telling the truth. He had no choice. He’s coming with us and he’s under my protection. Understand?”

Faran gave a quick dip of his head. “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you,” Dale said, relief evident in his voice, and led the way back to camp.

41

Chapter Five Kheri paused under the trees and tried to see through the branches. He could sense Kaowin high overhead and feel the exuberance bubbling off him.

Come on Kao, he thought, gazing up at the stars between the breaks in the treetops. Jarl’s worried about you.

I’m fine. I’ll be back in a few minutes.

Whatever. Just stay out of trouble.

Sure.

Kheri smiled; glad that his twin was enjoying the night. He glanced back toward camp and shook his head, recalling the glower on Faran’s face. I think I’ll stay gone for a while. He turned and walked deeper into the woods, following a small animal trail as it wound around a tree and snaked off into the unknown. The night was still, the sounds of insects filled the air and starlight filtered through the branches, giving everything a magical, enchanted feeling. The air was warm and alive with excitement hidden just out of sight. Grinning happily, he stuck his hands in his pockets and began humming a song. The trail meandered through the forest, twisted between several large trees and rounded a clump of berry bushes. Kheri strolled around the bushes without paying much attention and stopped. His mouth dropped open and he gazed around the small glade he had entered.

Pine trees with dark trunks encircled the glade and huge spider webs stretched between them, their strands glistening in the moonlight. Vines rambled up the tree trunks, curled around the branches and wove into a dense tangled mass. Thick, green moss

Crystalwizard dotted with tiny, glowing pink flowers carpeted the ground. In the middle of the glade stood a six-foot tall mushroom with a red and white mottled cap.

Carved into the cap were tiny windows glimmering with light.

Fascinated, Kheri walked across the glade, rested his hands on the edge of the cap and knelt down to peek through one of the windows. Small startled faces stared back at him and the room erupted into confusion. The inhabitants dashed madly around, spilling drinks, knocking over chairs and dousing lights. Kheri jerked away and pushed down on the edge of the cap with his hands. A cloud of spores enveloped him as it broke open under the pressure and he slumped to the ground.Several minutes later a tiny door opened in the base of the stalk and a large group of minuscule winged creatures tip-toed outside and surrounded the giant slumbering in the grass. Pulling miniature wands from their pockets, the group began a solemn chant.

Kheri's body sparkled and began to shimmer. The shimmer exploded into flashes of rainbow light and Kheri dwindled to less than an inch in height. The group moved forward to surround him in a tight circle, wand tips still aglow. They bound him rapidly with spider silk and carried him inside the mushroom. The door shut behind them and the mushroom began to glitter. The break in the cap sealed over, chimneys retracted into its surface and small flaps of flesh fell over the windows. The insects waited a few moments longer and resumed their night song. ~*~ Kheri woke, groggy and confused. He was floating and the space around him was white and 43

Army of Misfits filled with drifting fog.

Kheri, Dale’s voice echoed and seemed to come from everywhere at once. Where are you?”

I’m… Kheri paused and looked around. I don’t know.

You’re asleep. Wake up, please. I need you to tell me what you can see.

Kheri scrunched his face with effort, then shook his head. I can’t. Something’s wrong.

Dale's form materialized. He knelt beside Kheri, placed a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Tell me where you went.

Kheri took a shaky breath and nodded, focusing on Dale instead of the billowing fog that surrounded them. I was looking for Kaowin.

The fog vanished; replaced with a distorted vision of the darkened forest. Massive trees towered overhead. The deafening sounds of insects drowned out all thought and his conversation with Kaowin boomed through the air, shaking the ground. Kheri winced and the world changed. Sounds quieted; the trees shrank; and the night came to life as his memories wandered down the path, approached the mushroom and knelt down to look inside. As the spores swirled up and darkness fell, Dale glanced over his left shoulder at something. You see it?

Yep. Jarl’s response reverberated through Kheri’s mind. I got it. I’ll tell you when I’m there.

Be careful.

I am.

What’s going on? Kheri’s mental voice shook and streaks of red fear radiated out from his selfimage.

We’re trying to find you, Dale replied. Try 44

Crystalwizard waking up again, please. ~*~ Raven waited impatiently while Jarl stopped and adjusted his sensors. The hour was getting late, the insects had ceased their song and the moon rode high above the trees sending shafts of white light filtering down to the forest floor. The heat from Kheri’s footprints had faded, but the leaves and grass showed signs of passage. Jarl examined the ground and set off down the northern leg of a small animal trail with Raven following close behind.

They stopped a few minutes later and Jarl pointed down the trail. “Whatever is on the other side of that break is going to know about us long before we know about it.”

Raven nodded and held his hands out. Soft green light began to shimmer around his fingertips as he spread them apart. The light encased both himself and Jarl in its glow and began changing shades. As the light reached a deep green, a magical barrier popped into view stretching across the path.

Raven gave the spell a couple of nudges and lowered his hands. “We should be able to pass undetected now.”“When’d you get your powers back?” Jarl asked as they started down the path once more.

Raven stepped around a gopher hole on the edge of the trail and shook his head. “I didn’t. Dale gave me a little more leeway.” He moved to the other side of the trail and dropped back behind Jarl. “But I’m still under his control.”

Jarl ducked to avoid an overhanging branch.

“Hang in there. He’ll release you eventually.”

Raven shrugged and ducked under the same branch. “I’m not so sure I want that.” He moved up 45

Army of Misfits next to Jarl once again. “I kind of like things the way they are.”

They came to the barrier a moment later.

Raven’s spell touched it, glittered briefly and melded, allowing them to pass through undetected.

Jarl studied his sensors and looked at Raven with respect. “That was very well done.”

“Thanks,” Raven replied with a grin. “That means a lot, coming from you.” ~*~ The trail twisted around several trees, rounded the berry bushes and dead-ended at the glade. An owl turned bright eyes in their direction, hooted once and launched itself into the night sky. Jarl kicked his sensors up a notch and searched the ground. A clear impression of where Kheri had lain stood out on the display and he nodded.

Dale, we’re at the edge of the glade. I see the mushroom, but there’s no evident sign of life.”

Raven? Dale’s response came after a moment.

Can you find anything?

Raven spread his hands once more and allowed soft, yellow light to flow through the air toward the mushroom. It touched the cap and drifted down the sides. The mushroom turned several shades of gold and began to fade. Raven concentrated and the light deepened in color. The mushroom glittered and vanished. There, in the middle of the glade, stood an eight-foot tall, miniature stone castle. Lights blazed from its windows and the faint strains of musical instruments drifted through the air. I think, Raven thought to the others as he studied the castle, that we have just made enemies of the local pixies, or rather, Kheri has. This could be very bad.

46

Chapter Six Kheri struggled against the deep fog that held his mind. It filled him to the core, lulling him to sleep, draining his strength. After several long seconds, he turned to look back at Dale and shook his head. I can’t. I tried. I can’t shake it.

Dale nodded. All right. Raven thinks you upset some local pixies. We’ll have to get them to wake you.

Dale... Kheri’s mental voice was tense. What if... What if they won’t? There’s stories of people sleeping for hundreds of years!

Kheri, Dale held the younger man’s gaze with his own. Trust me please. I have enough to deal with, without you spiraling into panic. We’ll get you out of this.

Yes sir, Kheri replied and tried not to feel scared.

Stand. I have to disengage.

Kheri stood. Don’t leave...

I have to disengage, Dale repeated firmly. I can’t do anything for you while I'm sitting on the ground in camp. I can’t have you panicking either so this is going to feel a little strange. He stepped backward into his own mind, dragging Kheri’s consciousness with him.

Kheri jumped and sat down hard, the color draining from his face.

Sit and be still, Dale commanded gently What happened? Kheri asked, trying to make sense of what he was experiencing.

Dale opened his eyes and stood up. Nothing, he thought, striving to retain Kheri’s attention. You’re

Army of Misfits a passenger for a bit. As soon as we get the pixies to release your body, I’ll put you back.

Kheri frowned in mental confusion. His fears began to take shape and he shrank away.

You’re not going crazy. You’re temporarily sharing my mind. Now be still and calm down.

Yes sir, Kheri scooted out of the way and tried not to worry.

Dale put a mental arm around Kheri’s shoulders.

Take it easy. You’ll be fine. It’s just going to be a little strange for a while. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, all right? Kheri nodded, took a virtual breath and forced himself to relax. Dale waited until Kheri had calmed sufficiently, keyed the sound dampers in his suit and set out for the glade at a run.

Watch out for that barrier, Jarl cautioned as he approached. You’ll set it off.

Dale skidded to a halt. Port me then.

Jarl closed his eyes and concentrated on teleporting Dale. Space twisted and shuddered as he fought with reality, then suddenly gave way and Dale materialized. Raven gestured and expanded the spell shield to enclose him within its circumference. Fireflies burst into the air across the glade an instant later, swirling up into the sky and scattering light to every corner.

“Thanks,” Dale whispered and Raven nodded.

The three of them stood motionless, watching the fireflies as they circled the glade searching every leaf and blade of grass.

These guys don’t take any chances, do they?

Dale thought.

Raven shook his head. “No,” he said, his words only the shadow of sound. “And they do not like 48

Crystalwizard humans very much.”

Marvelous, Jarl growled mentally as he studied the castle. How are we supposed to get Kheri out of there? He keyed the sensors in his belt, winced as red flared across the heads-up display and kicked them back off. I am beginning to thoroughly hate magical creatures. Raven looked at him sideways and frowned. Not you, Raven. Just the ones that keep causing us problems.

Kheri’s the one that caused this problem, Raven thought back. He attacked them.

I did not!

You did, Raven argued. You tromped through their glade without invitation. You smashed part of their mushroom. What would you call it?

That was an accident!

I doubt they see it that way. You’re fortunate all they did was take you prisoner. They’re very territorial.

Dale activated his sensors and studied the glade.

“What’s the best way to approach these guys?”

Raven shook his head. “There isn’t one. Not for people our size. Pixies are suspicious of anything larger than themselves.”

“Where would they be holding Kheri?”

“Probably deep inside the castle. I’ve never been in a pixie fortress, but they tend to imitate the big races when they build.”

“I thought you said they hated us?”

“I did. And they do. Largely because they’re jealous. They haven’t any creativity of their own and that makes them hate those that do. However, they can imitate what they can study and it’s easier for them to study the creations of humans rather than those of other Fae. Humans usually don’t know 49

Army of Misfits they’re around.”

Dale turned his attention back to the scrolling data from his sensors. He activated the pause function, re-read several points and turned the display off. “Did you have pixies in your valley?” he asked without turning to look at Raven.

“Yes. There were two tribes: one on each side of the valley. They fought frequently and eventually killed each other off. They died out long before the valley did.”

Dale glanced over his shoulder at the younger man. “So there’s no chance you might know any of these?”

“No. It wouldn’t matter anyway. They don’t have overly long memories. We’ll need to rescue Kheri without their co-operation and we have to get rid of this before we can do anything else.” He canceled the discovery spell, allowing the mushroom to reappear. “As long as it exists, they can sleep us any time they like.”

“How far away from that thing are those spores effective?”

“Probably the entire glade.”

“Is it physical?” Jarl asked, carefully tuning his belt’s force field.

Raven nodded. “Somewhat. It has to be, or the spores couldn’t have slept Kheri.”

Dale turned his head and looked over his shoulder at Raven. “If we don’t breathe the spores… if they just get on our skin, can they affect us?”

Raven shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve never had much reason to find that out.”

“Does that thing burn?” Jarl asked as he finished with the settings on his belt, activated its force field 50

Crystalwizard and drew his blaster.

“Probably. Why?” Jarl squinted at the blaster's gage and adjusted the beam width. “Because I’m about to make it very hot inside that castle."

Raven held a hand up in alarm. “What about Kheri?”

“Kheri’ll be fine. Jarl looked around at Raven.

"I could teleport him out if there wasn’t so much magic coming from that thing.” He turned back to the glade, took aim and thumbed the trigger. A thin beam of high-powered energy hit the base of the mushroom. A small spot on the trunk close to the ground began to burn; flames shot up the stalk and engulfed the entire fungus in a blistering blaze.

Raven stepped back as the intense heat reached him and swiftly adjusted his arcane shield. It glittered and turned a dark shade of purple.Jarl waited until the mushroom was completely ablaze, then increased the strength of his blaster beam. The flames changed color to a blinding white; the air was rent with a horrible screeching; and the mushroom exploded into a thousand burning shards. Jarl held the blaster steady on the base of the castle and it began to melt under his attack.

Thousands of fireflies took to the air, weaving erratically, running into trees and colliding with each other. The forest came alive with hooting, screeching and various unearthly sounds as birds awoke and fled to the skies in panic. Hundreds of small mushrooms shot up from the ground and exploded with tiny puffs of purple spores that drifted gently down to the grass. The base of the castle continued to melt and the entire structure tilted sideways, groaning under the weight of its 51

Army of Misfits stones. Pixies fled out of the doors, jumped from the windows and raced for the safety of the underbrush.

“Cowards,” Jarl muttered under his breath.

“Don’t count on it,” Raven said. “They’ll regroup and be after us soon enough.”

“Where’s their king?” Dale asked, firing rapidly at small fleeing bodies. Pixies fell in droves, knocked unconscious by his stun ray.

“He won’t flee,” Raven said. “He’ll stay to defend his throne.”

“Unusually brave,” Jarl said, continuing to cut chunks out of the castle.

“Or the rest of them are unusually cowardly,” Dale finished for him.

“Neither.” Raven glanced quickly behind himself. “The king’ll defend his throne because if he doesn’t, someone’ll take it while he’s gone. The rest of them will regroup as soon as they’re out of danger and attack us.”

The castle interrupted the rest of the conversation by toppling over with a deafening roar.

Jarl’s heads-up display came to life as the magical barrier protecting the dungeons vanished and Kheri’s life sign blazed into existence. Jarl lowered the blaster, held out his hand and concentrated. A moment later Kheri’s sleeping form materialized on his palm. “Got him!”

“Great,” Dale said, continuing to stun pixies.

“Give him to Raven and help me finish this.”

“Here,” Jarl placed Kheri gently in Raven’s hands. “See if you can release him from that spell.”

Raven looked down at Kheri and nodded. “I can wake him. I can’t do anything about his size right now, though.”

“Then wake him,” Dale snapped. His attention 52

Crystalwizard was centered on the hundreds of small dots visible on his heads-up display that were now moving rapidly toward him through the underbrush.

Raven nodded, held his hands cupped together in front of him and began to chant. A green-gold light filled them as he worked, swirling around and obscuring from sight what he held. The light brightened in response to Raven’s weaving and was suddenly sucked inside Kheri’s sleeping form.

Kheri’s consciousness snapped back into his own mind and he opened his eyes and looked around in confusion. Raven dropped Kheri into his pocket and threw his hands out to the sides. The spell shield expanded across the glade, flattening brush, ripping the leaves off the trees, and knocking the advancing pixies nearly a mile away.

Jarl lowered his blaster and turned to face Raven. “What was that?”

“Just making sure we didn’t experience any sleep darts.”

Dale stared at the denuded trees. “It was effective. Did you have to hit them quite so hard?”

“No, but I’m not real good at subtle stuff.”

Dale looked at Raven sideways, then set off across the glade with the others trailing behind.

After several anxious minutes of threading their way between sleeping pixies, the trio reached what remained of the castle and stood looking down into it. Staring up at them from the throne room was a small winged man. He gripped his spear and shook his fist.

“He’s certainly got courage,” Jarl said.

“Pixies are known for that,” Raven agreed.

“I hope he has some common sense, too.” Dale tugged at the sleeve of his jumpsuit over his hand, 53

Army of Misfits sealed it around his fingers and reached into the ruin. The pixie reacted by viciously jabbing his spear into Dale’s makeshift glove. The point slid down the material and snagged.

Jarl slipped his own jumpsuit sleeve over his hand, reached down and grasped the king by the back of his jacket. The king dropped the spear and began pummeling Jarl’s fingers. Jarl ignored him and lifted him out of the ruins. The king struggled violently, threw his arms over his head and slithered out of his jacket. He twisted in an attempt to become airborne, but the distance was too short and his head smashed into the floor with a sickening thud. Dark green blood gushed out of his mouth.

Dale sighed as the pixie’s life sign vanished from his sensor display. “That was incredibly stupid.”

“They’re not known for large amounts of intelligence,” Raven said. “But that was dumb, even for a pixie.”

“There’s still someone down inside there,” Jarl said, studying the heads-up display. “Lower down.

Two... no…three blips.” He growled in frustration.

“I can’t get hold of them! They keep sliding to the side.” He aimed his blaster at the center of the throne room floor. A thin beam shot out, vaporized the floor and exposed the lowest level of the castle.

Several small square rooms were visible on one side of the lowest level, separated from other large, lavishly furnished rooms by a golden hallway. A girl chained to the wall in one of the small rooms blinked up at them and shrank away in terror. In the largest of the rooms stood a gray haired man with withered wings, a small boy huddling behind him.

Dale gazed down at them and shook his head. I 54

Crystalwizard wish you hadn’t destroyed the castle.

I didn’t have a lot of choice, Jarl thought back.

Would you rather Kheri was still in there?

No. I just wish there’d been some other way.

Raven peered into the ruin and arched his eyebrows. “Dale, that prisoner’s a sprite. We can’t leave her in there.”

Dale took a closer look and reached down into the remains. “We can’t leave any of them in there.”

The girl squealed in terror and fainted as he closed his hand around her. He broke her chains away from the stone, lifted her free of the dungeon and handed her to Raven. “Here. Keep her safe.” Raven nodded and placed her in his pocket.

“Dale,” Jarl hissed. “The old guy just vanished.”

Dale looked back down into the castle and frowned. The small boy stared up at him from the center of the largest room and shrank away, rapidly shaking his head. Dale keyed his sensors, ordered them to filter out everything non-arcane and studied the readout. “He’s over there,” he said after a moment, pointing to the brush on the far side of the clearing. Jarl growled angrily, brought his blaster to bear on the indicated target and fired in one swift motion. “Why did you do that?” Dale asked as the small life sign vanished from his sensors.

In answer, Jarl reached down into the castle and lifted the boy out of it. “He fled,” he explained, looking at the boy who stared up at him with wide, frightened eyes. “And left this kid to fend for himself.”

“I wasn’t aware cowardice warranted a death sentence.”

“There are times,” Jarl said as he handed the boy to Raven.

“When it does.”

55

Chapter Seven The night was dark and very little light made its way into Raven’s pocket. Kheri had found a comfortable corner and snuggled into it, relieved not to be looking out of Dale’s eyes any longer. He watched as Raven lowered the girl down beside him and grinned, then gently shook her awake. Her eyes flew open after several seconds and she let out a frightened gasp.

“No!” She stared up at the pocket’s edge high above her head. “Oh no, please no!”

“Hey,” Kheri put his hand on her shoulder and tried to reassure her. “It’s okay. You’re fine.”

She glanced at him, then stared back up at the pocket's edge. “How can you say that?” Her voice quivered. She lifted one hand up to wipe tears away and the chain still attached to her wrist clanked.

She wrapped her arms around her knees and started sobbing.

Kheri patted her on the shoulder. “Come on.

You’re out of that dungeon, now. You’re free.

Please don’t cry.”

She looked up at him with tears streaming down her face and shook her head. “Don’t you know what humans do? They squish us for fun, pull our arms and legs off or put us in jars and feed us flies!

They’re horrible!”

“You don’t have to worry about these humans.

No one’s gonna hurt you.”

She shook her head and stared up at the pocket flap, then drew back in alarm as Raven lowered the boy down with them. “Oh no! They’ve got the crown prince! The entire pixie nation’ll be up in

Crystalwizard arms!”

Kheri thought back to Raven’s earlier commentary. “You sure one of the pixies won’t just try and take his place instead?”

“I... I suppose they might. I don’t know. Oh this is terrible!”

Kheri removed his hand from her arm and turned to the boy who was watching them silently.

“You got a name, kid?”

“Royce. After my great, great, great, great, grand uncle.”

“You really the crown prince of the pixies?”

“Yeah. Well, I was. I think everyone’s dead now, though.”

The girl gasped and her eyes widened. “Oh that’s terrible! How horrible! You see?” She flung her arm toward the top of Raven's pocket and the chain attached to her wrist rattled. “The humans are horrid! They slaughtered the pixies!”

Kheri raised his eyebrows. “Mind if I ask why you’ve got those chains on your wrists?”

“What?” She turned her arms over and looked at the manacles locked around her wrists. “I was a prisoner. Why?” “How come?” Kheri settled back into the corner of the pocket again. It swayed gently as Raven walked and he grinned, enjoying the movement.

The girl turned around to face him and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “I was captured. The pixies ambushed my foraging party and took us all captive.” She tugged at the manacle attached to her left wrist.

“You’re not a pixie?”

“No. I’m a sprite.”

“What happened to your wings?”

57

Army of Misfits The girl looked embarrassed and quickly turned her back to him. “I... lost them.”

“You didn’t lose ‘em,” Royce corrected her.

“All prisoners of war have their wings cut off. It’s the law.”

She glared at him and shook her finger in his face, causing the chain to rattle loudly. “I guess that means you’re going to lose yours too, then! You’re a prisoner of war now yourself! Unless they squish you first!”

Royce drew back from her wagging finger and shrugged. “I didn’t do it. I was just saying what happened.”

“So let me get this straight,” Kheri interrupted.

“The pixies attacked you, took you prisoner, cut off your wings, stuck you in a dungeon and all you were doing was foraging?”

The girl turned back to him and nodded her head. “Yes. We were foolish. We knew we were too close to their territory but the grains were so plump... so... " she shook her head and dropped her hands into her lap. "Ripe." She sighed again and looked into Kheri's eyes. "We were only going to take a few of them.”

Kheri crossed his arms and peered at her. “So explain to me why you’re afraid of the people that just rescued us, instead of the ones that kidnapped you.”

The girl’s mouth fell open and she stared at him.

“Rescued?" Her voice hit a high note and Kheri winced. "What makes you think we’ve been rescued?” She locked gazes with Kheri and pointed behind herself at Royce. “Why’s he here if we were rescued? We’re all captives of these horrid giants!”

Kheri raised his eyebrows and looked at Royce.

58