The Secret of Ashona (7 page)

A wooden door appeared in the wall of Erec’s apartment, and somebody knocked on it. It was someone else’s Port-O-Door, but who could be knocking?

June and Jam both seemed as surprised as Erec was. Jam put his hand on the knob, but then thought better of opening it. “Who is there?”

“It’s me, Rosco Kroc. Are you busy?”

Jam glanced back at June. “Ma’am?”

“It’s okay,” Erec said. “Rosco has been helping us.”

The corners of June’s mouth turned up. “I know, Erec. I got to spend a little time with Rosco in Smoolie, remember? He’s been a good friend.”

Jam opened the door and waved Rosco inside. Erec cracked a
smile when he saw Rosco’s green scaled face. Rosco grinned and waved for a moment before Bethany ran up and threw her arms around him. “It’s so great you’re here, Osc—I mean Rosco. We have a lot going on, and we could use a little help.”

June nodded to Rosco. “That would be great. Anything you could do . . .”

Rosco looked confused. “Are you having problems? I’d have come sooner. I was just stopping by with some news for Erec. What’s going on?”

Everyone took turns filling Rosco in on the horrible details of the day. Rosco sat on the couch, stunned. “I have heard of Tarvos. Baskania has mentioned him. I think he’s working with him on something, but I don’t know the details. I’ll find out, and I’m sure I can learn where his cave is.”

“You see that?” June pointed at Rosco, excited. “There is another way! Erec, you don’t have to do that next quest or see the Furies after all. We’ll just get the information from Rosco and go straight to Trevor.”

Although that sounded tempting, Erec knew that it wouldn’t work. “Mom, you know that when the Fates tell me what I have to do, it’s the only thing that will help. That’s proven itself every single time.”

Before June could protest, Rosco nodded. “Erec, you’re right. Do what you need to, but I’ll be looking into things from my end too. I’ll get back to you once I get any details. But I can tell you that Baskania wasn’t behind trapping Erec and Trevor in that cave. He’s still hoping you’re going to show up at the Green House in a day or two with your scepter.”

“That would never happen,” Bethany said. “So, what did you come here to tell us?”

Rosco looked around in thought. “Not to be rude, but maybe if Erec and I can just have a few minutes alone . . .”

June gave a nod, then Rosco motioned for Erec and Bethany to follow him down the hall. As soon as Bethany closed the door to Erec’s room, she spun around. “What’s going on, Oscar? I’ve been worried about you! Have you been okay?”

Rosco laughed. “Never worry about me, Bethany. I’m too powerful and connected now to be hurt. Remember, Baskania can’t read my mind, so I’m pretty safe. It’s you two that have to be careful, not me. That’s what I came to tell you about.”

“Is this about the letter I got from the Green House?” Erec asked. “The one saying that all of the armies of Alypium and Aorth are coming after me if I don’t give Baskania my scepter?”

Rosco shook his head. “There is even more bad news, unfortunately. I don’t want to upset the rest of your family, but you need to know this. The Shadow Prince has stepped up his game. He has tons of detectives and hunters out searching for Bethany’s lost brother—the one that knows the secret to the Final Magic he’s been searching for. And when he’s not obsessing about that, he’s plotting to find the scepters. The Stain triplets are going to become kings in a few weeks, and he’s going to get them one way or another. The Stain boys understand that they’re working for him—he’s the one in control.”

Bethany put her hand to her head. “My brother . . . we have to find him before Baskania does. What can we do?”

Erec could feel the stress inside himself rise thinking about what she was going through. Bethany had a missing brother, just like he did. But now hers was in mortal danger.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I find out more. Just try to think of any clues about where your brother might be. For now, be on the alert. I’m keeping an eye out at the Green House.” He tapped his eye, the one that he had once given to Baskania and Erec had returned to him. “Thanks again for this.”

“It’s okay, Oscar.” Bethany smiled. “We’re just glad that you stopped by.”

“If anything else comes up, let me know. Don’t trust snail mail, though. Nobody would spy on mine, but yours might be read. It’s best to be safe. When you want me, just drop me a snail with nothing written on it. I’ll figure out where you are—I’m good at that.”

“Thanks, Oscar. It’s great to see you.”

“You too, kid.” Rosco got up and headed out. “Don’t forget—if you ever need me, just let me know.”

Jam packed more things into backpacks for himself, Erec, and Bethany than they would ever need. Erec was glad to see that he was taking their favorite Serving Tray along—the silver tray that magically produced whatever foods they wanted to eat.

Jam’s brow wrinkled. “You have to get to Al’s Well to draw your next quest, but I don’t think going there is safe. The last time, soldiers and guards were surrounding the place and Harpies were flying overhead to keep watch. I’m sure that hasn’t changed. I wonder how we should proceed. Do you think we should fly in aboard a dragon again?”

Erec shook his head. “The last time I did that, I almost got shot out of the sky. Bethany and I found a way to get to Al’s Well through the waterways under the city. They lead right up to it. We can go in and out safely from there.”

Jam frowned. “That’s odd. I didn’t pack bathing suits. You know me—it’s my magical gift to always be prepared. I should have them somewhere.”

“Don’t worry,” Bethany said. “We usually go in our clothes. Last time we didn’t have time to change. It won’t matter, anyway. Once our Instagills start to work we feel perfect in the water, even with wet clothes on. We don’t get cold or hungry. . . .”

It occurred to all of them at once that Jam did not have Instagills
to let him breathe underwater. Erec and Bethany had won theirs in a contest last year in Alypium. “I suppose . . .” Jam tapped his chin. “I might slow you down, paddling on top while you are swimming underwater.”

Bethany shook her head. “That wouldn’t be a problem. But I don’t know if there is any air at the top of the water tunnels. You might not be able to go at all.”

Jam cracked a grin. “Wait a minute. I suppose that I am prepared, after all.” He opened his backpack and pulled out a small tank. “Oxygen. I wasn’t sure why I brought one of these.” He laughed. “Now I see why I had the odd impulse.” He slung it over his shoulder and tucked it under his backpack. “Where do we find the underwater tunnels, young sir and modom?” He raised his eyebrows politely.

Bethany said, “They’re everywhere, but the closest place to Al’s Well is the swimming pool outside King Piter’s house in Alypium.”

Erec said, “One other place might work better—the Oracle, where we just were.”

Bethany smiled. “That’s right! That well led straight into the tunnels.”

In minutes, Erec, Bethany, and Jam were walking under the sparkling blue skies of Delphi, Greece. Bright sunshine warmed their backs, and rushing water bubbled near their feet. Soon Erec was gazing down into the Oracle’s blackness again.

“I should see if the Fates will help send us to Al’s Well like they did last time. That way we won’t get lost for sure.”

Bethany frowned. “I don’t know. Aren’t you worried that you’re calling them back too soon? I wouldn’t want to bug them. Maybe we should jump in and see if they’ll help us on their own.”

“I doubt it,” Erec said. “They probably won’t know that we’re here unless I call for them again.” He thought a moment. “I don’t want
to bother them either. But we could drift around in those tunnels forever and never find Al’s Well. I better just ask them.”

As soon as he said that, a bad realization hit him. He would have to look into the future again with his dragon eyes so he could call the Fates. The vision he had seen last time was too much—he was robbing a terrified family like a sick criminal. It was obviously the end result of being soulless and turning evil. What else would he see himself doing in the future?

He took a breath and leaned over the well, eyes closed. After a moment he visualized that familiar dark room deep inside of his mind. It felt warm and comforting to be there again. Erec found the second door within it, opened it, and went in.

The second room was even darker and more peaceful. The humming box on the table nearby radiated a calm wisdom. He was ready for whatever he needed to show himself. So Erec reached for the silken cord hanging between the two windows and pulled. . . .

Kids ran all around a playground, handing out candy. Anger seared through Erec, making him shake. Give that to me!” He dove at the kids with a snarl. A low growl escaped from his throat as he grabbed candy from their hands. People stared at him with wide eyes, as if he were a maniac. But there was no time to stop—so many kids, so much candy. And he had to take it all!

Mothers darted toward their children, trying to save them. But Erec could run faster than they could. One of the toddlers was surprisingly strong, and Erec struggled a while before yanking the sweets out of his hand. His mother looked equally confused and terrified. Right behind her was a kid about to put an opened lollipop right into her mouth. Not when Erec was there—he’d get it first! Shoving the mother out of his way,
he snatched the sucker out of the little girl’s fist, leaving her crying and rubbing her hand.

A few kids got knocked into one another as lollipops in their hands sailed into the air—Erec grabbing each one. Some kids still sat on the swings. They looked small and defenseless—taking their candy would be easy. He scooped the lollipops straight from their little fists.

One of the mothers stepped forward, outraged. “What’s wrong with you? These are little kids. . . .” She tried to grab his arm, but he shoved her back. There was still a lollipop he had missed, and she wasn’t going to get in the way. “Ow! Somebody call the police. This guy’s crazy! Let’s get out of here, Dougie.”

The last kid was older, and he struggled with Erec before letting go of his lollipop. Erec hadn’t meant to trip him, but the kid ended up on his face, his cheek cut and bleeding.

That wasn’t important. Erec had all the candy now, so he patted his pockets and turned away. He had won—he had taken every child’s candy in the whole park. But it wasn’t enough. Now he had to steal something else. . . .

Erec dropped the window shades and stepped back. He could feel himself shaking. It did not seem right to touch the black box next to him and calm down after seeing this—he did not deserve to feel good. Instead he quickly left both of the dark rooms. After he felt his dragon eyes swivel into the back of his eye sockets and his regular eyes come out, he opened them in the bright sunlight. He was blinded after the darkness, but he was too angry at himself to
care. Why should he be comfortable, knowing the awful things that he was going to do?

This was worse than the first vision he had today. Stealing candy from kids? And not just taking it but practically beating them up?

He could think of only one possible reason. By then he had lost his soul. He would not get it back. Instead, he would become evil and do horrible things to people.

Bethany was watching him, with a curious expression on her face. He thought about telling her what he saw . . . but the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth. How could he let her think of him that way?

No, he would keep this nasty secret to himself. He would try not to think about it until he started to see signs that he was deteriorating. Then he would have to find a foolproof plan to give himself to Tarvos before he hurt anyone else.

CHAPTER FOUR
The Erec Rex Fan Club

“F
ATES
?” Erec called into the blackness of the well. “Sorry to bother you again. Can you help me?”

Nothing but silence issued from the well. Bethany also peered into the black water, and Jam looked concerned.

Erec went on, “I won’t ask you any questions this time. I’m sure you don’t want to be bothered again. But we have to get to Al’s Well so I can draw my next quest. Could you send us there through the water tunnels?”