What would happen if he tunneled down to Muriel? Would the witch issue new commands to her wooden servant?
Would she get in touch with Vanessa and figure out a way to escape?
You're in a fine predicament, a tiny voice giggled. It was high and musical, like the tinkling of a little bell.
Kendra turned her head. A yellow fairy hovered near her face, emitting a golden glow. She wore a shimmering slip of gossamer and had wings like a bumblebee and a pair of antennae. I wouldn't mind some help, Kendra said.
A heroine of your reputation should have no trouble escaping such a feeble adversary, the fairy said airily.
You'd be surprised how strong he is, Kendra said.
His magic is weak, the fairy sniffed. Muriel is sealed in a mighty prison. Her will no longer supports the enchantments she left behind. And yet you can do nothing but beg for help. Forgive me if I am unimpressed.269 Mendigo was dragging Kendra up the hill toward thespot where he had started digging. Obviously I'm having trouble, Kendra said. I don't know what to do.
The fairy laughed, a twittering sound. This is priceless!
The great Kendra Sorenson being hauled through the dirt by a puppet!
You act like I think I'm some big shot, Kendra said. I
think you're projecting. I know I'm just a girl. Without the help of all the fairies I would have died last summer.
False humility is more insulting than open pride! the fairy sniffed.
Mendigo picked up Kendra, cradling her in his arms, folding her knees up to her chin and keeping her arms trapped at her sides. He resumed digging with his feet. Do I
look like I could possibly be feeling superior to anyone?
Kendra demanded.
The fairy drifted close, hovering in front of Kendra's nose. The magic inside you is dazzling. By comparison, he is like a faint star next to the noonday sun.
I don't know how to use it, Kendra said.
Don't ask me, the fairy said. You're the gifted luminary our Queen chose to honor. I can't show you how to unlock your magic any more than you can teach me how to use mine.
Could you use your magic on him? Kendra asked.
'Change him back into a little puppet?
The spell that animates him remains potent, the fairy said. But the command guiding his actions is weak. With some help, I could probably turn him.270Oh, please, would you? Kendra asked.Well, I am here to guard the prison, the fairy said. All of us who were imps take turns as sentries.
You were an imp? Kendra said.
Don't remind me. It was a graceless existence.
He's trying to dig down to Muriel, Kendra said. If you're a guard, shouldn't you stop him?
I suppose I should, the fairy conceded. But the plums smell so wonderful right now, and the night is so fine...
rounding up fairies is such drudgery.
I'd be so grateful, Kendra said.
We fairies crave nothing more than your gratitude,
Kendra. We look up to you so. One kind word and our little hearts start racing! All we wish for is the love of big, clumsy girls.
You're terrible, Kendra said.
I am, aren't I, the fairy said, finally sounding flattered.
Tell you what. It is my responsibility to guard Muriel and
Bahumat, you were right about that, so maybe I could check if anybody else is bored enough to lend you a hand.
The little fairy zipped away. Kendra hoped she was really going for help. The fairy didn't sound very reliable. Kendra tried to force the limberjack's arms apart by straightening her legs. The effort strained her back. Mendigo was too strong.
As Mendigo dug deeper, Kendra's hope that the fairy would return began to dwindle. Mendigo was nearly waist deep in a hole before a small group of fairies swarmed around them, glimmering in prismatic colors.
See, I told you, the little yellow fairy tinkled.271 He's certainly tunneling toward Muriel, another fairysaid.
Not very efficiently, a third chimed in.
Would you like us to turn him to obey your will? a fourth fairy asked. Kendra recognized the speaker as the silver fairy who had led the charge when the fairies attacked
Bahumat.
Sure, that would be great, Kendra said.
The fairies hovered in a ring around Mendigo and
Kendra. When they began chanting, colors flared and sparked, making Kendra blink. Kendra could no longer comprehend what they were saying. It felt like trying to listen in on multiple conversations at once. All she caught were tangled fragments of meaning that together made no sense. .
After a final blazing flash, the fairies fell silent. Most soared away. Mendigo continued digging. He is now yours to command, the silver fairy reported.
Mendigo, stop digging, Kendra tried. Mendigo stopped. Mendigo, set me down. He set her down.
Thank you, Kendra said to the yellow fairy and the silver fairy, the only two who remained.
Our pleasure to help, the silver fairy said. Though pitched high, her voice was richer than the others.
The yellow fairy shook her head and buzzed away.
Why are they hurrying away? Kendra asked.
They have done their duty, the silver fairy said.
None of the fairies have been very friendly, Kendra said.
Friendliness is not always our forte, the silver fairy said.272Especially to one who was shown kindness by our Queen.You are much envied.
I was only trying to protect Fablehaven and save my family, Kendra said.
And you succeeded, which only elevates your status, the silver fairy said.
Why areyouspeaking with me? Kendra asked.
I suppose I am peculiar, the silver fairy said. I am of a more serious mind than many of the others. I am called
Shiara.
I'm Kendra.
Fortunately for you, we all have an interest in keeping
Bahumat imprisoned, Shiara said. Otherwise I question whether I would have been able to rally sufficient help to turn Mendigo. Although Bahumat rightly blames you above all others, his vengeance against the fairies would be merciless were he to escape.
Couldn't you just imprison him again? Kendra said.
Your elixir augmented our size and our power. Without it we would be no match for a demon like Bahumat.
Couldn't I get the elixir again? Kendra asked.
My dear girl, you truly are naive, which may be partly why our Queen condescended to share her tears with you.
Your decision to tread near her shrine would normally have been rewarded with a swift departure from this life. I suspect she spared you because of your innocence, though her reasons are her own.
Fablehaven is in danger again, Kendra said. I could use some help.273 Do not seek favors from her again unless she invitesyou, Shiara said. Now that you know better, irreverence will not be tolerated.
Kendra recalled how she had sensed that going to the island again would be a mistake. Could you help me?
Obviously I could, because I have, Shiara said, twinkling.