You asked the Sphinx what to do? Seth asked.
I did, Grandpa said. Face-to-face, as a matter of fact.
He suggested we move the artifact. You see, at roughly three hundred years old, Fablehaven is among the youngest preserves.
Of the secret preserves, it is by far the newest. One91 of the secret preserves was compromised not long beforeFablehaven was founded. The vault housing the artifact was transported here, and Fablehaven was kept a secret thereafter.
So the idea is not without precedent.
Have you moved it yet? Kendra asked.
Grandpa scratched his chin. We have to find it first.
You don't know where it is? Seth blurted.
To my knowledge, Grandpa said, none of the caretakers of the secret sanctuaries know where the artifacts on their preserves are hidden. The vaults that hold them were concealed so as to never be found.
And they are protected by lethal traps, Grandma added.
Chapter Five
Which is the true explanation for our visitors,
Grandpa said softly.
They're here to find the artifact! Kendra said.
Grandpa nodded. I do not envy their task.
Have they found anything yet? Seth asked.
Vanessa has had some luck poring through the journals of former caretakers, Grandpa said. Patton Burgess, Lena's husband, was fascinated by the secret artifacts. In a coded reference in one of his journals, he made mention of an inverted tower on the property where he believed
Fablehaven's artifact resides. His notes were inconclusive, but they gave us some idea of where to concentrate our search. We may find the artifact tomorrow. Or it might take many lifetimes.
No wonder Vanessa has such an awesome car, Seth said. She's a treasure hunter.92 They all have different specialties, Grandpa said.Tanu is a potion master. Coulter collects magical relics.
Vanessa focuses on capturing mystical animals. Their various occupations have taken them to some of the most dangerous corners of the world, and qualify them for this perilous assignment.
As caretakers, we hold as an heirloom the key that will allow us to access the vault, Grandma said. We keep it safely hidden. Once we discover the location of the vault, the key will allow us the chance to get inside and retrieve the artifact.
Even with the key, avoiding the many traps guarding the artifact promises to be no small task, Grandpa said.
Tanu, Coulter, and Vanessa will need to be in top form.
Did they know about Fablehaven beforehand? Kendra asked.
None of them, Grandpa said. I counseled long with the Sphinx and others to select them. Coulter is an old friend. I know him the best. Tanu has an impeccable reputation.
As does Vanessa. The Sphinx and several other caretakers vouched for both of them.
Despite their careful selection, Grandma said, there is a chance, however small, that the Society could have gotten to one of them. Or that one of them has been an agent for the Society all along. The Society of the Evening Star has an uncanny ability for infiltration. An endorsement from the Sphinx virtually clears them of suspicion, but the
Sphinx himself cautioned that we should remain mindful of the possibility.92 93 Which is part of the reason we selected three instead ofone, Grandpa said, along with the desire for extra help.
Even with three seasoned experts, finding the artifact is an overwhelming assignment.
Together they serve the added benefit of providing extra security around here, Grandma said, which is obviously a comfort, considering the recent unrest.
There have been reports of unparalleled activity by the
Society, Grandpa said. Since last summer, two more preserves have fallen, one of them a secret preserve like
Fablehaven.
So they got one of the artifacts? Kendra asked, gripping the arms of her chair.
We don't know, Grandpa said. We hope not. You remember Maddox, the fairy broker? He went into the preserve after it fell to perform reconnaissance. We have not heard back.
How long ago? Seth asked.
More than three months, Grandma said.
The secret preserve was in Brazil, Grandpa said. They thwarted an infiltration there two years ago. Then this past
February... we don't know what happened.
What artifact was hidden there? Seth asked, wide-eyed.
Impossible to say, Grandpa said. We have a rough idea of what the artifacts are, but no clue which is hidden where.
What are they? Kendra asked.
Grandpa looked at Grandma, who shrugged. One94 grants power over space, another over time. A third grantsunlimited sight. A fourth can heal any ailment. And one bestows immortality.
The details have been deliberately shrouded in mystery,
Grandma said.
The magic they wield is greater than any we know,
Grandpa said. For example, there are ways to get from one place to another besides walking, but the artifact that grants power over space does so in ways superior to any known spell or relic or creature.
And somehow, used together, they can open the demon prison? Kendra clarified.
Exactly, Grandpa confirmed. Which is why they must remain apart and out of the hands of our enemies at all costs.
One concern is that if the Society could get their hands on one, they could use it to help retrieve the others.
But they may already have one, Seth said.
We can only hope that the fallen preserve in Brazil was as inhospitable for them as it apparently was for Maddox,
Grandma said. Others have been sent since Maddox vanished.
None have returned. Naturally we must take precautions as if the worst has happened.
So where do Seth and I come into all of this? Kendra asked.
Grandpa took a sip from a tall glass of orange juice. He furrowed his brow. We're not entirely sure. We know the
Society has taken a serious interest in you two. We worry that they may know something more than we do about the change the fairies wrought in Kendra, something that makes95 them believe she could be of use to them. They infiltratedyour school and tried to win your trust. They used Seth to free a captive demon. Almost certainly they meant to abduct you. Their ultimate goal is hard to divine.
The Sphinx himself wants to meet Kendra, Grandma said.
He's here? Seth exclaimed.
Nearby, Grandpa said. He never stays in one place long. Most recently he was doing damage control in Brazil.
But he has become concerned that Fablehaven may be the next target. There have been numerous rumors of Society activity in the area, even beyond what happened with the two of you. I got in touch with him last night. He wants to meet Kendra and see if he can discern why the Society has become so interested in her.
I want to meet him too, Seth said.
We plan to bring you as well, Grandpa said, to see if something can be done about that bite.
I'm sick of waiting; what's the story? Seth sounded exasperated.