Page 21 (1/2)
"And I sit at ho?" Grandma Sorenson said
"Why don’t you escort Kendra?" Grandpa proposed "Help her find some fairies, set some assistance in motion, then teleport back to Fablehaven before I head for the dungeon We’ll leave Coulter back hoistics, but I’d feelmore than one of us remained at home"
"That sounds reasonable," Grandma Sorenson admitted reluctantly
"Where will the dwarf insert us?" Grandpa asked "Near the nest of a roc," Grandma Larsen said "A roc?" Warren exclaimed "A rock?" Kendra asked
"An enormous bird that preys on elephants and aurochs," Grandenerally stay away fro area, but the nest lies within fifteenht up to the nest itself He will teleport us to a sheltered location with enough proximity to the roc to provide us with privacy"
"Sounds sensible," Grandpa said "I expect you want this to happen this evening?"
Grandave a nod "The quicker we set this indiscovered"
"Should be si Trask and Elise here with the Translocator," Warren said
"We’ll get word to the them to Fablehaven until the last possible moment Surprise will be the difference between success and failure"
"The Sphinx won’t knohat hit hiest you return Vanessa to the Quiet Box until this is over," Grandma Larsen said "You should probably place Tollin and eon We’ll keep our limpse us, ant him confused about our presence here"
"I believe we have the outline of a plan," Grandpa said "We’ll get to work on the particulars First order of business will be to bring Tanu, Coulter, and Dale in on this to help flesh out details We’ll hold all s back in time No discussion of this otherwise Not a word This has to succeed"
"We’ll make sure it does," Grandma Larsen said staunchly
"How are we on time?" Grandpa asked
Grandet into position" None of the back in time
Kendra studied her Grandma Larsen It was so wonderful to have her back At the same time, Kendra felt she hardly knew her It was hard to reconcile her memories of Grandma Larsen with this no-nonsense spy before her
Grandht Kendra’s eye "I’est"
"Kind of"
"You and your brother are well-known aer than I would prefer, but I’ve been so proud of you both"
The compliment made Kendra feel aard "Thanks"
"I’m sorry Grandpa Larsen and I have missed the last couple of years I suppose it’s fair that Stan and Ruth got a turn to know you Hopefully we’ll all have lots of tiether in the future"
"I hope so too," Kendra said
Chapter 12 Rescue
The next day, peering out the kitchen , Kendra spotted Hugo sitting on the lawn, legs straight out, shoulders slutiolem looked more colorful than usual, with an abundance of wild-flowers, blosso froo, hands on his hips Kendra realized she had never seen the gole down before
Kendra went out the back door and crossed the lawn to Dale "Soo?" she asked
"Hey, Kendra," Dale said, wiping his damp broith a handkerchief "I’ve never seen hiish all day Then I carass"
Kendra noticed the sole head swiveled toward her, cavernous eyes regarding her soleravelly voice was becoet up then," Dale prodded "We have chores to do You’reeverybody nervous" Dale looked uncoo used to be In the past, Hugo had done nothing but follow orders But after the fairies had taolem had developed a will of his own He still almost always followed commands, but on occasion he would deviate or io rose to his feet, mouth bent in a frown He looked down at Dale
"That’s the spirit," Dale said, as if encouraging a child "Let’s go see to those stables"
Powerful aro bent at the waist and then toppled forward His head hit the ground hard, digging a short furrow in the lawn Propped up by his head and feet, he rigidly held his bowed position, ar skyward
"What’s wrong, Hugo?" Kendra asked Could the gole with his arone," he said, a forlorn ruo shook his heavy head "Seth taken"
"Who told you Seth was taken?" Dale asked "Doren"
Kendra blinked Suddenly Hugo’s behavior made much more sense He was concerned about Seth
"Is that what has you out of sorts?" Dale asked "You o patted his chest "Miss buddy"
"Seth will be all right," Kendra said encouragingly "He’s survived tough situations before" She wished she could fully believe her words
Hugo regarded her with an unnerving, eyeless gaze "Hugo want help"
"Best way you can help is to keep Fablehaven running," Dale urged "Otherwise there won’t be a preserve for Seth to coazed down at Kendra "You help Seth"