Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

We walked back to the Peregarnian outpost, the Scribbleberry safe in my hands. It was heavy, and it shimmered like a ruby that had been colored with bright red paint. The sun poured down on us, making the wax scent in the air stronger.

"Almost there," I squinted at the colorful buildings that looked like they'd been molded from clay and set under the sun to harden.

Robbie wiped his brow, leaving a streak of dirt across his forehead. "Good, this thing looks precious. Can't wait to see what Luna's going to do with it."

When we arrived, Luna was right where we left her, standing tall and looking like a regal figurine crafted out of a mud pie and fine glitter. Her purple eyes fixed on the scribbleberry as we approached and hope, and wonder filled her expression as she gazed at it.

"It’s here. It’s finally here," she whispered, stepping forward, her braids clinking with the sound of the tiny silver charms.

"Yep," Robbie handed the berry over to her with both hands.

Her fingers closed around it gently, cradling it like it was the most precious thing in Doodle. "Thank you," Luna said, her voice vibrant with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means."

"What's so special about it?" Jessie asked, leaning in closer.

Luna smiled, her lips stretching into a grin that could light up the darkest corners of Doodle. "These scribbleberries are the seeds of new life here. When a mom and dad kiss this berry, it grows a baby."

That sounded a bit crazy. And yet, it was kind of cool too, and beautiful in its own way. Very much tracked with the rest of the realm .

"Really?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "Like magic?"

"Exactly like magic," Luna said. "Soon, thanks to all of you, my baby will be born from this berry."

"Wow," Robbie scratched his head. "That's something you don't hear every day."

"Congratulations, Luna," I said as warmth spread through me at the thought of new life.

"Thank you, Cendi. Thank you all," she said, her gratitude radiating like the colors around us.

After Luna held the scribbleberry close, her expression shifted. She looked serious now. "You have fulfilled your part of the bargain, so I will fulfill mine. The friend which you seek, Jaylyn, is with Zorand," she said, and there was something ominous about her words.

"Who's Zorand?" I asked.

"A Lizard Wizard," Luna said, followed by a shake of her head that made her braids jingle. "He's powerful, evil, and not very friendly."

"Why do you think he has Jaylyn?" Jessie asked.

Luna sighed. "Our people do some trading, and occasional small jobs for the Lizard Wizard. They reported seeing one of your strange-looking people there."

I drew my shoulders back. "Okay then, point us in the direction we can find her, and we’ll get her back."

She laughed. "It’s not that simple. He lives under a huge rock in the desert, with cricketmen guards all around his lair. Getting in will be difficult, getting out with someone he has taken… nearly impossible."

"Cricketmen?" Robbie raised an eyebrow.

"Yep. But Zorand eats them often, so their numbers are never the same."

"Great," Jessie said. "Unpredictable guard shifts."

"And an impossible to penetrate fortress?" I said, feeling overwhelmed.

Luna smiled. "Not to worry. You’ve done me a great favor, so I will do the same to you. Me, and my people, will help to prepare you for the Lizard Wizard, so you have your best chance at succeeding… starting with going over the map of his lair."

"Thank you," I said .

She nodded. "We’ll also help you with the transportation you need there, any supplies you might need, and a place to rest, as the evening is already upon us."

"We appreciate it," Robbie told her with a smile.

"Now, for the maps." Luna made a twittering sound and a group of Peregarnians came over, maps in hand. They were rough sketches, lines, and squiggles that somehow made sense to them. We needed more help having everything explained to us.

"Luckily, we have maps of the inside of his lair too, since members of our community have worked for Zorand," one Peregarnian unrolled a map on a nearby table. "This is his lair."

We huddled around, studying the layout. There were tunnels, rooms, and lots of dead ends.

"Here," Robbie pointed. "This passage, it's less guarded."

"Could be our way in," Jessie nodded.

"Or out," I added.

"What's this?" Robbie tapped on a little doodle off to the side.

"Secret chamber," the Peregarnian said. "Zorand keeps things there. Could be valuable or dangerous."

"Or both," Jessie said.

We exchanged looks. It was time to plan our next move.

The Peregarnians had set up a tent for us patched together from a quilt of mismatched socks. Once inside, the three of us huddled around a small lantern that cast playful shadows on the canvas walls. We need to talk, to figure things out, and then to rest, because the three of us were exhausted.

"I’ve been thinking a lot. Okay, so this Zorand guy is a lizard, right?" Robbie rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What if we make him think he's not the top predator anymore?"

"Huh?" Jessie stared at him in confusion.

He nodded. "We don’t know how to defeat a wizard, but we do know how to defeat a lizard."

"Snakes," I caught on. "Lizards are scared of snakes."

The room grew silent as we all began brainstorming. What do I know about lizards? What are their weaknesses, but it was Jessie that was the first to talk.

"What about making it chilly in there? Cold-blooded means sluggish reflexes," Jessie said.

"Jessie, you're a genius," I said with a smile. "But how do we even start to make a desert lair cold?"

"Leave that to me. With enough time, I can scribble together spells based on other spells I’ve learned. It’s tricky, but I have time to practice."

Robbie pulled out his notebook and offered it to her. She took it with a grateful smile.

"Also," Robbie added, "I read somewhere that lizards can't stand eggshells."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yep," he nodded. "Crushed-up eggshells. They hate walking on them. Throws off their balance or something."

"Could work as a distraction or a line of defense," I said as Jessie jotted down notes.

"Let's make a list then. We need robes for the illusions I’m planning, eggshells, something to keep the cold spell... icy," Jessie ticked items off on my fingers.

"First thing tomorrow, we get our supplies," I decided, feeling a flicker of hope.

We talked for a while longer. The Peregarnians brought us plates of food that, although sweet, were really good, and then they collected the plates when we were done. We moved to the back of the tent, where a mountain of blankets and pillows had been laid out for us and sat in the middle of them.

Jessie finished her enchantments and stepped outside to practice them, while we continued going over the maps and the plans. Another Peregarnian came to see if we needed anything else, and we had quite the time trying to explain the concept of eggshells. Luckily, when we were done, he was confident he could bring us many "Breaky Sharps."

At last, Jessie returned, looking exhausted, but explained that she was confident in the spells we needed for the rescue mission. We had to trust her, which we did.

Robbie sat beside me, his presence both comforting and unsettling in ways I hadn't expected. The ground was hard beneath us, but fatigue made any spot a good enough bed .

"Night, Cendi," Robbie said, his voice low and warm.

"Goodnight," I whispered back, my heart skipping as I scooted closer to him.

We all laid down under the warm blankets, food in our bellies, and a plan to find Jaylyn. Tomorrow wouldn’t be easy, but I told myself that we could do it. As long as the three of us stuck together.

Jessie's breathing evened out, her spell-practicing efforts clearly taking their toll. She was out cold, snuggled in her sleeping bag like a cocoon. With her asleep, I allowed myself to edge even closer to Robbie until our sides touched. He didn't pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into an embrace that felt as natural as it did surprising. My head rested against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. It wasn't long before sleep claimed me too, safe in Robbie's hold.

Morning came too soon, with the Peregarnians' camp already alive with activity. We trudged, bleary-eyed, toward the transport they had promised us, a bird so ridiculously large and pink it could only exist in Doodle.

"This is how we’re going to get to Wizard Lizard?" I asked.

A neon green Peregarnian smiled. "It’s how we travel over long distances quickly. It’s quite safe."

"Her name is Gertie," another one of the Peregarnians informed us with a grin. "Best flyer we've got."

"Looks sturdy," Robbie eyed the long-necked fowl dubiously.

"Sturdy and... unique," I added, because what else could you call a poorly-drawn chicken.

Luna and a group of Peregarnians met us before we left. She rubbed her forehead against each of ours, wished us luck, and warned us to simply slip in and slip out with our friend. We wouldn’t be powerful enough to face the wizard. We agreed easily. Simple and safe is exactly what we wanted.

Mounting Gertie was an awkward dance of hopping and scrambling, with Jessie getting a boost from Robbie before he hoisted himself up behind me. The giant bird shifted, sending us grabbing for anything that resembled a handhold .

"Okay, everyone just... hold on tight," Jessie said, a nervous laugh betraying her usual confidence.

Gertie let out a sound that was part squawk, part foghorn, and we were airborne. The ground fell away rapidly, leaving my stomach somewhere far below. I gripped the makeshift reins made from twisted pipe cleaners, and tried not to think about the height.

"Is she supposed to make that noise?" I shouted over the din.

"Let's hope so," Robbie yelled back, his arms circling my waist to keep us secure.

Without warning, Gertie dove, swooping toward something invisible to us. My scream was lost in the wind as we plummeted, then leveled off as abruptly. Below, a smaller bird disappeared into Gertie's beak, and I realized this was breakfast on the fly, literally.

"Watch those insects, Gertie," Jessie said up to the bird, pointing at the oversized bugs that buzzed dangerously close.

"Does she understand us?" I asked, doubting the intelligence reflected in Gertie's googly eyes.

"Better than you'd think," Robbie said, though I suspected he was guessing as much as I was.

The flight continued, a mix of terror and awe as we traversed the skies of Doodle on the back of a creature that defied logic. When we finally landed, it was with a mixture of relief and regret; Gertie had been an adventure unto herself.

As soon as our feet touched the ground, Gertie, the pink monstrosity of a bird, gave one last squawk and left us in a cloud of dust. I spat out a mouthful of grit and turned to see it, the lair of Zorand. It loomed before us, a hulking mass of chalk-drawn rock.

"Okay, everyone, robes on. Remember, they’ll be enchanted to make you blend in with your surroundings, but they can’t hide your noises, and if you move too quickly, you’ll be easy to see," Jessie said, her voice all business now. We draped the fabric over our heads, and I immediately felt the heat trap around me, my skin prickling uncomfortably.

"Stay sharp," Robbie said as he scanned the horizon. "Jessie, do your thing."

With a flick of her wrist and a murmur I couldn't make out, Jessie cast her spell using her wand. The world took on a mirage-like shimmer, and we blended into the desert landscape, becoming part of its vast canvas.

"Move fast, but quiet," she led the way.

We did just that, cutting across the sand with as much speed as we could muster. It wasn't long before we spotted one, a cricket guard, tall and angular, sketched out in bold ink strokes. Its antennae twitched in our direction. We froze, not even daring to breathe too loudly, until it moved on, its legs making soft scratching sounds against the sand.

"Close call," I whispered once it was safe.

"Too close," Robbie said, wiping his brow. Under the robes, the air was stale and sweltering, but Jessie handed each of us a small, enchanted bag. Inside, ice cubes clinked together, still solid despite the blistering heat. I pressed mine to my neck, grateful for the brief respite.

"Let's keep going," Jessie said, eyes fixed on the dark space beneath Zorand's crude mountain. "We've got a friend to save."

"Jessie, watch out," I yelled as her foot caught on a protruding rock. She stumbled, sending smaller stones clattering across the parched ground in a cacophony that pierced the desert's silence.

"Shh," Robbie said, panic in his eyes, but it was too late. The cricket guard turned toward us, its spindly legs moving with an alarming speed.

"Run?" Jessie whispered, poised for flight.

"Wait," I said, my heart racing.

A shadow loomed overhead, vast and sudden. We looked up in time to see a bird, massive and crudely colored in pink and yellow strokes, dive from the sky. Its beak snapped shut around the guard, who let out a scream that was abruptly cut off. The bird ascended, leaving only a few stray feathers fluttering in its wake.

"Okay, new rule," Robbie said once we regained our composure. "Stay hidden from the birds too."

"Right," Jessie said, dusting herself off. "We blend in with the rocks and sand, remember?"

"Hard to forget," I glanced at the ice bag in my hands. It was a small comfort against the heat and danger.

"Let's move," Robbie said, and we resumed our trek across the shifting sands .

Each step felt heavier than the last, but the thought of Jaylyn somewhere under that monstrous rock spurred us on. I could only hope Zorand wasn't as terrifying as the stories made him out to be. With each dune we crossed, I sent up a silent prayer that we'd make it through this ordeal in one piece.