"He came home from rehearsals mottled with bruises," Doren remembered.
"I see Doren brought a bow," Seth pointed out.
"He's a handy archer," Newel said. "I prefer a sling."
Seth motioned for them to lean close and lowered his voice to a faint whisper. "I got our assignment from Patton. It will take us on quite a journey. I think we should probably get Vanessa out of the Quiet Box to help us. What do you guys say?"
"Absolutely," Newel affirmed. "Best idea I've heard all day."
"I'll second that," Doren said gladly. Seth gave the satyrs a doubtful scowl. "Wait a minute. You guys just think she's pretty."
"I've been around a long time," Newel said. "Vanessa Santoro is not just pretty."
"He's right," Doren agreed. "She's walking dy***ite. My pulse is rising just talking about her."
"She also might be a traitor," Seth stressed.
"The lethal temptress," Newel said with relish. "Even better."
"It will definitely spice up the adventure," Doren encouraged.
"I'm obviously talking to the wrong guys," Seth sighed. "Believe me," Newel said cockily, "you're talking to the right guys. We've been chasing babes since the world was flat." Seth rolled his eyes.
"The boy needs objectivity," Doren scolded. "He's leading this expedition. He needs valid opinions. Seth, considering all sides of this, I am deeply convinced that the right move to make would be to bring Vanessa. And any outfits she may require. And makeup. And perfume. And hair products. Whatever she needs."
Closing his eyes, Seth rubbed his face. Did the fate of the world really rest on these clowns? Should he even be involving them? At least he had Hugo.
Newel slugged him on the arm. "Seth? Lighten up! We're just kidding around. Keeping up morale!"
"We know you'll do the right thing," Doren said.
Seth opened his eyes. "I actually think Vanessa might be on our side. Plus, we may need her help to get where we need to go."
"If you bring her, we'll watch your back," Newel promised.
"A man would be a fool to trust a woman that gorgeous," Doren murmured shrewdly.
"That's a little more helpful," Seth said. "We have a lot to do. We should get back to the main house."
"Lead on," Newel said.
"Have either of you caught a leprechaun before?" Seth asked as Hugo lifted him. Both satyrs perked up. "We haven't," Newel said.
"We've tried," Doren added. "Did Patton have some advice on the subject?"
"He did," Seth said as they started across the yard. "It's part of our mission."
Newel rubbed his hands together. "This adventure keeps sounding better and better."
"You just have to get into the right spirit," Doren laughed.
Seth smiled weakly, quietly wondering if the satyrs would remain as eager once the undertaking stopped seeming fun. "Do you guys want Hugo to carry you?"
"How slow do you think we are?" Newel complained. "Go on, we'll keep up."
Hugo loped out of the yard. Seth thought the golem was going a little slower than he had before the satyrs had joined them, but they still made fast progress through the woods, and, true to their word, Newel and Doren kept pace, dashing along behind.
They had been charging through the dark forest for some time when Hugo stopped. Overhead, all but a few stars were blocked by the canopy of leaves.
Seth heard and saw nothing.
"Centaurs?" Doren asked.
"Behind us," Newel agreed. "Coming this way. Right this way. Sounds like they're tracking us."
"Can we outrun them?" Seth asked.
Newel chuckled. "I'm not sure anything at Fablehaven can outrun a centaur."
Hugo set Seth down and stood in front of him. A few seconds later, Seth could hear the approaching hoofbeats. As the drumming hooves got louder, he also heard leaves rustling and the occasional branch snapping. The satyrs were right. The centaurs were coming straight at them.
Seth shone his flashlight as the centaurs cantered into view. They quickly came to a halt. Cloudwing led the group of four, an arrow set to the string of his enormous bow. The flashlight beam rose from his silver fur to his extravagantly muscled human torso, then swept across the other centaurs.
"Greetings, Seth Sorenson," Cloudwing boomed. "I need to have words with you."
"In the middle of the woods?" Seth asked from behind Hugo. "In the middle of the night?" He was not anxious to converse with centaurs. He felt certain they still suspected him of stealing their unicorn horn, and even though it had been returned, he knew centaurs were the type to hold serious grudges.
"The treaty has fallen," Cloudwing replied, his voice clear and strong. "The preserve is in disarray. We need to know what you humans propose to do."
"We're working on it," Seth assured him.
"We have had tidings that you claimed the manor house on behalf of the demon Graulas," Cloudwing accused sternly.
"Word spreads like wildfire around here," Newel said to Doren.
"Even the cavalry knows," Doren replied.
"I'm doing what I can to keep dark forces away from the houses while the defenses are down," Seth admitted. "Maybe you guys could help the rumor spread."
"So the tale is false?" Cloudwing pressed.
"Yes," Seth said. "But don't go telling everybody."
"A false rumor will not dissuade wrongdoers for long," Cloudwing said. "I understand your grandparents have abandoned the preserve."
"Not on purpose," Seth said. "But yes, they're gone right now."
"Let me suggest you place the houses under centaur protection," Cloudwing advised. "It appears to be our fate to rise up and serve as the true guardians of Fablehaven."
"That might not be a bad idea," Seth said. "Can you spare a few guards until my grandparents get back?"
Cloudwing shook his head. "You misunderstand. We only protect our own property."
"You want the houses!" Seth cried. "What would centaurs do with human houses?"
"We could find uses for them," Cloudwing said. "For instance, we would keep them free of humans." The other centaurs chuckled.
"Then no, we don't want your protection," Seth said.
"Choose your words carefully," Cloudwing advised. "If you deny our protection, you may face our aggression."