Liam looked taken aback. “Sambria is the result of centuries of shapers tampering with the environment. Some in big ways, others in small ones. Certain big changes fade, and some of the minor ones have greater impact over time. It’s hard to predict. The Quiet Wood is neither the strangest nor the most perilous region of Sambria. Bertram will guide you around the worst areas. He’ll take you on safe roads to Middlebranch. If something gets in your way, he’ll improvise. Won’t you, Bertram?”
“Not bad weather for an outing,” the old man remarked from the autocoach. “It’s not every day I go for a ride with my young relatives.”
“Not much personality,” Liam whispered conspiratorially. “Declan tends to be more about function than ornamentation.” He stopped whispering. “Bertram knows the geography. One perk of Sambria is that over the years, shapers have laid down many roads and paths, even through wild and otherwise inaccessible country.”
“Any other hazards we should know about?” Twitch asked.
“Mountains of them,” Liam said. “But who knows which ones you’ll encounter? We don’t have the weeks it would take to list them all. You have handy renderings and your common sense. Use them well.” He elevated upon his disk. “I can’t emphasize enough, no talking in the Quiet Wood. Remember that, and your trek should start out fine. Forget it, and you won’t get a second chance.”
“Thanks for everything,” Mira said earnestly. “We came here expecting to die. We leave with a fighting chance.”
“Good luck on your journey,” Liam said, raising a hand in farewell. “Remember, if you get into horrible trouble and desperately need me, I’ll be much too busy with my own problems!”
With that he sped off.
The four kids looked at one another. Jace and Cole burst out laughing.
“It may not be funny before long,” Twitch mumbled.
Jace rubbed away his smile. “We might get into trouble, but it’ll still be funny.”
“We should go,” Mira said, climbing back into the autocoach. “Think you three can keep your lips sealed?”
“We’ll see,” Cole said. “Sometimes when it’s really quiet, like during a test, or in the library, I get this urge to shout something just to break the silence and surprise everyone.”
Mira assumed a patient expression. “Um, Cole, you’re going to have to control that urge.”
“I’ve never given in and shouted,” Cole assured her. “And for the record, getting eaten by giant bears is the best reason I’ve ever had to keep my mouth shut.”
“Should we stop talking now, you know, to be safe?” Twitch asked.
“We’re not moving yet,” Jace pointed out.
“Go ahead,” Mira commanded.
The autocoach started rolling forward, accompanied by the soft clomping of the walking brick’s strides. Now that he listened mindfully, Cole heard the other autocoaches following.
“We’re moving now,” Twitch observed.
“Then I agree we should shut up,” Jace said.
“All in favor?” Cole asked, raising a hand.
The other three kids raised their hands. “Aye,” Mira said.
“As long as I get the last word,” Jace said.
“What if I want it?” Mira asked.
Jace gave a slow grin. “Then you’ll have to take it.”
“Maybe I will,” Mira said.
“I will for sure,” Jace said, his stare level.
“Guys, are you sure this is a good time to play chicken?” Cole asked. The autocoach was entering the forest.
“We have until the trees get big,” Jace said.
“It’s the Boomerang Forest first,” Mira agreed.
“Any chance of getting slaughtered by giant bears is too big of a risk,” Twitch said.
“Getting in on the contest too, Twitch?” Jace asked.
“Just trying to be the voice of reason,” Twitch explained. “How about you guys say something at the same time? You can both have the last word!”
Jace shrugged. “Seems like a nice, reasonable, cowardly way to settle it. Count me out.”
“Me too,” Mira said. “You’re not going to beat me.”
Jace smirked. “I will if I’m willing to get eaten by bears.”
“Are you?” Mira asked.
“Out of stubbornness?” Jace asked. “Sure, why not? I considered myself dead on my first sky castle mission. Helped my nerves. The rest of this is just borrowed time. A bonus.”
Mira narrowed her eyes. “But things have changed. You’re not a Sky Raider anymore.”
Jace cocked his head, as if unsure he believed her. “The danger feels about the same. Or worse.”
“What about that freemark?” Mira asked, glancing at his wrist.
Jace jerked a little, the comment cracking his facade. He rubbed his wrist and stared out the window. “You’re right. That hasn’t really sunk in yet.” He glanced her way. “I guess . . . it would be stupid to throw my life away to win some little contest.”
“Right?” Mira said appreciatively.
“Of course, if you’re going to die . . . ,” Jace said.
“Might as well be doing something stupid?” Mira finished. “The good stupid is the brave kind. When there’s a real reason behind it. Bad stupid is everything else.”
“The same is true for you,” Jace said. “You’re being just as obstinate. Just as dumb. So why do I have to back down?”
“To show you’re the bigger person?” Mira tried.
“I don’t get how losing makes me big,” Jace said.
They were well into the woods now. Cole stared out the window. The path had become twisty. Did the trees look larger? A little, maybe. Not way bigger yet. How big had Liam meant?
“Guys,” Cole said. “We’re deep in the woods. The trees are looking bigger. This isn’t funny anymore.”
Jace smiled wide. “Wrong. It’s just getting funny. Do you know what the punch line will be? I hear they look like huge bears.”
“You’re a riot,” Mira said blandly.
“I’ll die laughing,” Jace said. “Go ahead, test me.”
Cole felt like the situation was out of control. “Mira, this is crazy. Let him have the last word. Who cares? We have too much to do, too much real danger to survive. If he wants the prize of biggest nut job, let him have it.”