"We know that a dreaded presence haunts the property there," Grandpa admitted. "But those rumors were started by Patton, who had good reason to scare people away."
"Because he hid the artifact there," Kendra said.
"Furthermore," Grandpa continued, "we know of somebody who unwittingly entered the manor and survived to tell the tale."
All eyes turned to Seth. "I guess I did. I hadn't drunk milk yet that day. I had just escaped from Olloch, so I couldn't see what anything actually was. In fact, maybe that's the only reason I got out of there at all."
"I've wondered the same thing," Grandma said.
"Roaming the preserve without consuming milk has advantages and drawbacks," Grandpa said. "There is evidence that if you are unable to perceive magical creatures, they must exert greater effort in order to perceive you. In addition, many of the dark creatures feed on fear. If you fail to recognize them for what they are, the fear is diminished, and their motivation to inflict harm is reduced."
"But just because you can't see magical creatures doesn't mean they aren't there," Dale interjected. "Wandering the preserve without milk is a fine way to stroll blissfully into a death trap."
"Which is the downside," Grandpa affirmed.
Grandma leaned forward eagerly. "But if we know where we're going, and have an idea what awaits us, and we stick to the path on the way there and back, not drinking the milk may give us the advantage we need to sneak past the apparition and reach the safe. Seth, how long were you in the manor before the whirlwind pursued you?"
"Several minutes," Seth said. "Enough time to climb to the top floor, step out onto the roof, get my bearings, come back into the room, and start down the hall."
"Forgoing the milk sounds like our best option," Warren said. "You say the safe will appear tomorrow?"
"At noon," Grandpa said. "And then not for another week. We can't afford to wait."
"What about daylight saving time?" Grandma asked. "This time of year, we recognize noon standard time as one o'clock."
"With an apparition guarding the safe, timing will be essential," Grandpa said. "When did daylight saving time go into effect?"
"Around World War I," Grandma said. "Probably after the safe was created."
"Let's go by standard time, then, and hope the safe isn't as smart as my cell phone, automatically updating itself," Grandpa said. "We want to reach that room at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
"Dale and I can tackle this," Warren offered.
"I should come," Seth said. "If I'm there, Coulter and Tanu can scout for us."
"They can't be out under the sun," Grandpa reminded him. "And we have to do this around midday. In fact, in the interest of caution, since they can't help, don't mention any of this to them." "Maybe tomorrow will be cloudy," Seth tried. "Besides, I'm the only one who has been inside the manor before. I know where Lena was talking about. And what if the apparition uses magical fear? I may be the only one of us not paralyzed!"
"We'll consider your courageous offer," Grandpa said.
"I don't see how we'll succeed without incurring some losses," Grandma said, her brow scrunched. "Too much is riding on this for us to fail. We need multiple people going after the safe from multiple directions. Some of us will fall, but others are bound to get through."
"I agree," Grandpa said. "Dale, Warren, Ruth, and I should combine in a united offensive."
"And me," Seth insisted.
"I could come too," Kendra offered.
"Your eyes can't be closed to magical creatures," Grandpa reminded Kendra. "Your ability to see and be seen might inadvertently give us away."
"It might be handy to have somebody along who can tell what is actually happening," Kendra maintained.
"We'll bring walrus butter," Warren said. "We'll unveil our eyes if the need arises."
"So the five of us," Seth said as if the matter were decided. "Plus Hugo."
"Hugo, yes," Grandpa said. "Five, I'm not so sure."
"I'll even hang back if you want," Seth proposed. "I'll only go inside if it makes sense. Otherwise I'll retreat. Think about it. If this fails, we're all doomed anyhow. I might as well be there to help it succeed." "He makes a good case," Warren conceded. "And we'll be glad to have him if fear overcomes us. We know such fear exists."
"All right," Grandpa said. "You can join us, Seth. But not Kendra. Nothing personal, dear. Your ability to see really could spoil our one possible advantage."
"Do we want help from any of the other creatures?" Seth asked.
"I doubt they could enter the manor," Grandma said.
"But they could create a diversion," Warren suggested. "Draw attention elsewhere. Many dark creatures await us beyond the hedge."
"Good thinking," Grandpa said, becoming animated.
"We could send out several parties in different directions. Fairies and satyrs and dryads."
"Ideally centaurs," Grandma added.
"Good luck," Dale harrumphed.
"Seth spoke with them earlier today," Warren said. "Perhaps if we tickled their pride."
"Maybe coming from the children, if they sounded sufficiently desperate," Grandpa mused. "Regardless, I'll speak with representatives from the other creatures here. We'll drum up enough help to cause a commotion tomorrow. Remember, no walrus butter in the morning. Tomorrow the pond should appear encompassed by butterflies, goats, groundhogs, and deer."
"What about the golden owls?" Kendra asked. "The ones with faces?" "The astrids?" Grandma said. "Little is known about them. They rarely acknowledge other creatures."
"I'll prepare the cart," Dale said. "If we're all blind and covered, Hugo might be able to smuggle us to the manor unnoticed."
"Won't they go after Hugo?" Seth asked.
"A golem is not an easy target," Grandma said. "Many potential enemies may not care to bother him if he appears to be alone."
Grandpa clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. "Time is short. Let's start making the arrangements."
The sun was setting as Kendra and Seth trudged across an empty expanse of lawn toward the centaurs. The golden glow highlighted the bloated muscles of their chests, shoulders, and arms as the pair stood gazing stoically toward the pond.