Story's End (12 page)

“The characters are so frightened, they’ll believe anything Elton says,” Peter said as they neared the Weaponry Arena.

“Fear makes characters do foolish things,” Kai said.

“But fear also leads to moments of bravery.” Indy handed a broadside to a pair of worried-looking Villagers. “My dad says that true courage is carrying on even when you’re afraid.”

Kai studied Indy for a moment and then nodded slowly. “Your father is a wise man,” he said. “I’ve often said something similar myself.”

“Wisdom
and
bravery?” a voice asked from somewhere near Peter’s knees. “You must be thinking of a cat.”

“Sam!” Peter knelt down and gave the cat a friendly pat. “What are you doing here?”

“Reconnaissance mission.” Sam blinked at him. “The Resistance needed a spy.”

Peter gulped. His parents must be furious. “How are things at Bramble Cottage?”

“No idea. I left as soon as that lot from Heart’s Place showed up.” Sam arched his back into a lazy stretch. “Certain humans I can handle well enough, but I have my limits.”

As they made their way through the crowds, handing out broadsides and stopping to speak with some of the characters, Peter noticed that everywhere he went, Kai made friends. He applauded the dogs that were play-tackling each other outside the Eating Building. He whistled at the Sci-Fis who were having target practice with their laser guns. And he even sang a pretty little song to a group of fairies who were stringing tiny arrows on cobwebby bows near the fountain. Peter secretly wondered if Kai thought this all was some big joke. Story might seem a whole heck of a lot more interesting now that the characters were training for battle, but the Enemy’s return was no laughing matter. He said as much to Kai when they passed the fountain.

“The Plot thickens,” Kai said as he nodded to a beautiful princess. “But you’re quite right, my lad. Evil is never funny. Even so, you can’t deny that the best, rip-roaring Tales come about when the Heroes have to overcome a great evil.” He clapped one hand on Peter’s shoulder and the other on Indy’s. “We’re in the middle of such a Tale, lad, right at the heart of it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

They neared the entrance to the arena, joining other characters who were filing toward the main entrance arch, the same one Peter used for his Weaponry classes. The normal routine of Perrault felt ages ago, even though it had been less than a week since Peter had been going through his swordsman drills with the weapons master. Peter, Indy, and Kai took their place in line, while Sam ran over to a pack of cats that sat sunning themselves on the garden wall. A serious-looking Dystopian was standing outside the front doors with a cracked clipboard. Even from their place in the line, Peter could hear his somber voice. “Name, please,” he said to a cluster of girls. “And district.”

“Of course Elton would put that lot of nitwits in charge,” Peter whispered to Kai, who raised an eyebrow.

“End-of-the-world types?” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Always gnawing at the bone of impending disaster, aren’t they? Well, if the Enemy has his way, they’ll have their fill of it soon enough.”

Sam galloped back toward them. “He’s taking attendance,” he said. “Rumor among the other cats is that there’s a roster. Certain characters are to be reported immediately to Tale Master Elton. Happens that yours truly is on the list.” Sam pulled a paw across his whiskers with pleasure.

“Cheers, Sam.” Kai gave him a thumbs-up. “You must’ve done something right.”

Peter pulled the others out of line. “If you’re on that paper, I’d bet anything the rest of us are as well. Probably near the top.”

Kai grinned at him. “Best place to be, mate.” He pointed over to the cats. “Why aren’t they practicing for battle, or whatever it is everyone else is doing?”

“Cats,” Sam said as he squinted his eyes, “never do what everybody else does.”

Kai rubbed his palms together. “Excellent. Tell me this. Is there another way to get inside?”

“The animal entrances are around back,” Sam said.

“Perfect,” Kai said. “Sam, go get your friends and meet us there. And tell them they won’t be doing what everybody else is doing. Peter. Indy. Come with me.”

What would have been a problem for Peter and the other humans was not a problem with Sam as their leader.

“The Rodent Entrance,” Sam said as he led them to a small round door. “Humans always underestimate the animals.” The cat was right. No Tale Master minion stood guard here. Sam slipped through easily, but Peter, Kai, and Indy had to crouch on hands and knees to make their way down the tunnel. Once Sam saw the humans were inside, he slunk away to join the other cats. Peter silently crawled through the Rodent Wing to a miniature crossroads that opened up into the main hallways that ran around the circumference of the amphitheater. The curved rows of stone seats were already full of characters, and Peter had to squeeze past them to find spots in the uppermost row. A thick wall ran behind them, with pillars that held banner flags spaced every few feet around the arena.

Peter had been here many times—both as a participant in Weaponry challenges and as an observer—but the usual excitement had been replaced by a buzz of worried energy. Soon, even the concerned whispers died down to an uneasy silence as Tale Master Elton made his way to the center of the stage at the bottom of the arena. Elton wasn’t wearing a suit like he usually did. Instead, he wore a long green cloak, under which Peter could see the sparkle of battle armor, and he had a very grave expression on his face. The usually ridiculous-looking Tale Master for once appeared very fierce and very in charge. Behind Elton came a parade of other Talekeepers, a few Perrault professors, and, at the very end of the line, as though it was the most ordinary thing in the world, was Horace Wotton.

Indy must have seen Horace then, because Peter heard him suck in his breath. Horace held a clipboard importantly in front of his chest, and when he reached Elton, he shook his hand vigorously. Peter squeezed his fingers together. He wanted to leap over the group in front of them, shove aside the teachers, and wring Horace’s traitorous neck. Elton’s too, for that matter.

Kai must have known what Peter was feeling, for he leaned in close and whispered into Peter’s ear. “Easy, lad. There will be time enough for action later. First we listen. Then we ambush.”

Elton cleared his throat and moved forward to address the characters. “We gather here where Heroes-in-training fight their practice battles,” he said. “A real battle is coming, and I call each of you to find the hero within yourself.” Elton’s voice wasn’t his usual grating volume. Instead, it was strong, comforting, and solid as a rock. The rage Peter felt toward Elton’s treachery oozed slowly out of him. He found himself wanting to listen to Elton and wondered whether the Tale Master might actually have Story’s best interests at heart.

“Some of you may remember the horror of the Unbinding.” Elton thumped his chest with a fist. “These dark days have come again.”

Peter nodded his head without thinking.
Elton is right.

“Character lives have been lost,” Elton continued. “Our Tales are threatened. I promise you, people of Story, that, as your Tale Master, I will protect you and ensure your safety.”

Someone on the fringe of the crowd started clapping, and it was contagious. Soon, the same people who had been terrified were cheering and shouting Elton’s name. Peter clapped so hard his hands stung.

“I’m so glad Elton’s here,” Indy said with unusual cheerfulness. “He’ll save us.”

“Cleverly done,” Kai said in a low whisper. He fumbled around in his cloak and pulled out a handful of dried green leaves. “Chew on this.” He handed some to Peter and then to Indy. “To clear your head.”

Peter wished that Kai would stop talking. He wanted to hear what the Tale Master was going to say next. But he took the leaf and crammed it into his mouth. Immediately, the flavor of cool mint filled his senses. It was as though a fresh wind had come and blown a foggy mist from before Peter’s eyes. All thoughts of Elton’s truthfulness evaporated.

“Why, that dirty—” he began.

“Elton’s enchanting everyone.” Indy spit the words out as though they were poison. “The characters don’t stand a chance.”

Peter looked around at the crowds of people hungrily waiting on Elton’s every word. He had learned in Elocution what kind of control an enchanted voice could hold over people, but he had never seen one so powerful before. He shook his head. If not for Kai’s leaf, he would be gazing hopefully at Elton along with the rest of them.

“This is it,” Indy whispered to him. “This is the moment when all of Story begins to believe Elton’s lies.”

And then Elton did the last thing Peter would have ever expected. He told the truth. “The Muses were never defeated.” Elton scanned the crowds as he said this. “In fact, they are still in Story.” There were gasps. The girl next to Indy screamed. The cheers that had been there the moment before transformed into a low rumble of panicked questions.

“Be brave, good people of Story. Be brave. Heroes aren’t afraid.” Elton spread his hands out wide. “The Muses are evil, no doubt about it. They have not changed since the Unbinding. They want to trap us in our Tales, binding our every move. They will not rest until every character in Story is under Muse control. We expect more attacks like the one at Heart’s Place any day.” The murmur of voices increased, but Elton spoke over them. “It is as I have long feared: the End of Story is upon us.” Elton paused then, waiting for the full effect of his words to take place. He must have known how hearing the Tale Master voice their worst fears would terrify them. Some of the Dystopians began waving their signs. Characters were crying. A few set their faces into looks of stoic determination. Peter could almost taste the fear in the air.

“Now,” Elton continued, “the moment we heard of the attack on Heart’s Place, we knew it was the work of the oath-breaking Muses. Immediately, I sought out records from the Unbinding so that we could learn from Tale Master Archimago’s heroic deeds. Tale Master Archimago kept a sealed record of the actions he took to secure Story’s borders. In these writings I discovered a surprising fact. Not all the Muses turned against Story. There was one who vowed to uphold his oaths, who, at his own peril, fought to save the characters of Story.”

Peter took another bite of Kai’s leaf. Even though he knew Elton was twisting the truth, he wanted his wits about him for what he thought Elton might say next.

“I have been working night and day to plan for the defense of our districts. Story
will not
suffer the same casualties we saw in the last Unbinding. You have my word on that.” Even with the leaf, Peter had a hard time disbelieving Elton. If he hadn’t known better, he would have said that perhaps the Tale Master really did care about the fate of Story. “To increase the security in Story, I have sought out and found someone who will provide you with all the protection you need.”

A ripple of expectation ran across the arena.

“Tonight,” Elton said in his newly strong voice, “you are all invited to a coronation ball. We will gather at the Red Castle in the Enchanted Forest. Fidelus, the last faithful Muse, is prepared to uphold his oaths to Story. He is an immortal warrior. Our savior. And the new King of Story.”

The characters leaped to their feet, and loud cheers erupted. Peter chewed hard on the piece of minty plant Kai had given him.

“Do you have enough leaf for all of Story?” Peter whispered to Kai.

“In a manner of speaking,” Kai said with a wink. “Not to worry. We’ll reveal the full truth in time. But for now: just a glimmer. Are you ready?”

When Peter nodded, Kai shoved a soft parcel into Peter’s hands and clasped first his and then Indy’s arm. “Once the characters see clearly, they will fight for Story. You’re brave lads, and I’m glad to have met you.”

Kai hopped up onto the uppermost wall of the arena, did a few heart-stopping handsprings, and a final flip that landed him on one of the banner pillars.

“But isn’t a King in Story just a child’s Tale?” Kai said in a loud voice as he gave Elton a dramatic bow.

“Well, I—” Elton began as he motioned to two burly-looking figures off to the side.

Kai kept moving. He hopped along the circumference of the wall, and, as he went, characters swiveled to look at him. It made it seem as though Kai was leading the characters in some strange dance. Elton’s face had gone a deep shade of purple. He was whispering wildly to Horace and pointing to the far end of the stage. Peter didn’t doubt that more guards were about to come bursting into the crowd.

“The thing I like best in the world is a good story,” Kai said, as he leaned up against a banner pole. “But lies make a bad Tale.”

Elton was pushing his way up the center aisle toward Kai now, and the guards had spread out, as if they meant to squash Kai between them.

Kai kept talking. “The Muses
are
still in Story. But they aren’t your enemies.”

“Who is he?” Elton screamed, but his voice had lost some of its enchantment. “Catch him!” The crowded amphitheater stood between Elton and Kai. Down near Horace, another guard appeared, leading two snarling beasts at the end of a long chain. They were bigger than the ones Peter and Sam had battled that day on the dais. Matted fur stood stiff on their necks. Their yellow eyes glowed as they scanned the arena for their prey, and their distorted snouts dripped with saliva.

Kai was unperturbed. “Oh, you wouldn’t know me, Tale Master Elton, though I know all about you.” He leaped and skipped along the wall, calling out in a loud voice. “And what you hunt.” Elton’s head jerked back, and Kai continued. “But that’s not part of my speech. I wanted to warn the good people of Story about their real Enemy.” Kai stood on his tiptoes, cupped one hand over his mouth, and shouted in a loud whisper, “And let me just say his name rhymes with
Ridelus.
” One final leap, and he was on the highest banner pole. “The characters need to know the true Backstory, and then they will be able to fight their true Enemy.” He looked straight over at Peter, and Peter knew their moment had come.