Coulter's mention of the key also corresponded with what Seth had heard from his grandparents. Without the key, Coulter couldn't access the vault. If he couldn't access the vault, his goal couldn't be to steal the artifact. And if
Coulter harmed Seth, it would blow his cover and prevent him from ever getting Grandpa to hand over the key. Still, even if Coulter was telling the truth, the adventure would certainly be dangerous. Seth knew that his life would depend on whether Coulter really could handle the phantom in the grove. It had been too much for Warren. He wished he could get advice from somebody else, but Coulter was right-if
Seth told anyone, from Grandpa to Kendra to Tanu, they would try to stop them.
I don't know what to do, Seth said.
Once we have the artifact, we can all escape and lock222 down Fablehaven, trapping Olloch inside until your grandparentsand their not-so-secret friend figure out what to do with him. Everybody wins, and we keep the artifact out of evil hands. I've thought it through, and this is our last chance to set everything right. If we stall, it is going to end badly. By tomorrow night, Olloch will be too strong. I can only do this with your help, Seth. Warren failed because he attempted it alone. If you refuse, we may as well both go back to bed.
It seems like every decision I make is wrong lately,
Seth said. People keep tricking me. Or I just do stupid things on my own.
Not everybody is out to fool you, Coulter said. And bravery is not always a liability. Often it is quite the opposite.
I happen to know your grandfather has great admiration for your adventurous spirit. This could be your chance to redeem yourself.
Or to prove that I'm the most gullible person in the world, Seth sighed. Hopefully this will end the streak. Do
I need to bring anything?
Coulter beamed. I knew I could count on you. He patted
Seth on the shoulder. I have everything we need.
Can I grab my emergency kit?
Good idea. Quiet, though. We mustn't disturb the others.
Seth slunk back up the stairs and into the attic bedroom
Kendra had shifted position but was still sound asleep
Crouching, Seth pulled the emergency kit out from under his bed.223 He felt uncommonly nervous. Was he making a mistake?Or was he just anxious at the prospect of facing a terrible phantom in a cursed grove with a short old man in the middle of the night? Coulter seemed to be the most cautious of all the adventurers. He had known exactly what to do when they met the fog giant, and he seemed confident that together they could handle the phantom. Seth stared at his emergency kit. If he just followed instructions, he would be fine, right?
Coulter did seem a little desperate to comply with the assignment from the Sphinx. He was probably putting them in a situation more dangerous than he would normally prefer because the stakes were so high. But he was right. The stakes really were high. Fablehaven was once again heading toward destruction. And Seth knew it was mainly his own fault.
Last time, Kendra had saved the day. Now it was his turn.
Seth crept down the stairs.
Ready? Coulter asked.
I guess.
Let's get you some milk.224Peril in the Night
Deadfalls snapped and popped like firecrackers as Hugo pounded through the dark woods. No starlight penetrated the balmy darkness beneath the trees. Hugo maintained an unflagging pace, clutching Coulter under one arm and Seth under the other, like a running back with two footballs.
They emerged from the woods briefly and thumped through a covered bridge spanning a deep ravine. Seth recognized it as the same bridge he had seen when Grandma took him and Kendra to barter with Nero. Not far beyond the bridge, Hugo left the path again, resuming their noisy, loping dash through oblivion. Only the occasional clearing allowed the faint glow of the stars to interrupt the blackness.
Seth remained tense, anticipating the appearance of225 Olloch. At any minute, he expected a supersized glutton toattack Hugo, splitting the night with a ferocious roar.
Instead, Hugo continued tirelessly forward, fluidly dodging obstacles.
When Hugo reached the top of a steep slope, he charged down without hesitation. Seth felt like they were on the verge of tipping over with every step, but the golem never stumbled. When they reached a dead tree leaning against a cliff, without using his hands, Hugo raced up the rotten trunk like a ramp. Seth's stomach lurched as the ground grew distant, and he felt certain they would fall, but although the tree creaked beneath them, the golem did not falter.
At length they reached a large, open valley with a rounded hill at each corner. After the complete darkness of the forest, the starlight proved sufficient to reveal the surrounding terrain. Tall brush covered the ground, mingled with prickly weeds. A dark stand of trees loomed at the far end of the valley, between the two largest hills.
Hugo bounded across the valley, coming to an abrupt stop near the edge of the shadowy grove. Forward a few more steps, Hugo, Coulter said.
The golem leaned forward, trembling. He rocked back, and the shaking stopped. Slowly Hugo lifted a leg. As he tried to move it forward, he began to shudder.
Enough, Hugo, Coulter said. Set us down.
What's the deal with Hugo? Seth asked.
Just as most magical creatures cannot enter the yard back at the house, Hugo cannot enter this grove. There is226 an unseen boundary here. The ground is cursed. Fortunately,as mortals, we can go wherever we choose.
Seth raised his eyebrows. We have to go up against the phantom without Hugo? he said.
I expected this, Coulter said. Though I would rather have been mistaken.
Are we sure we want to go someplace Hugo can't?
This has nothing to do with what we want. This is a matter of duty. I don't want to go in there, but I must.
Seth stared at the dark trees. The night seemed suddenly cooler. He folded his arms. How do you know a phantom is in there?
I did some private reconnaissance. I ventured far enough into the grove to read the signs. It's clearly the abode of a phantom.
How do we stop a phantom?
Coulter pulled a short, crooked stick from his belt. You hold this holly wand high. No matter what happens, keep it above your head-change hands if you must. I'll take care of the rest.
That's all?
The holly will protect us while I bind the phantom. No small task, but I've done it once before. The phantom may try to frighten or intimidate you, but if you keep the wand high, we'll both be fine. Now more than ever, whatever you see and hear, you must remain stouthearted.
I can do that, Seth said firmly. What if Olloch shows up?227 Golems make fabulous guardians, Coulter said. Hugo,keep Olloch the Glutton out of the grove.
Should I wear my medallion?
The one to repel the undead? By all means, put it on.