By the time everyone reached the top, the rowboats had exited the cove to return to the ship. Kendra could hardly imagine how the launches could row against the incoming barrage of breakers, but as far as she could see, the undead sailors made a smooth escape.
Bracken increased the size and brightness of his light ball and left it hovering about twenty feet above his head. Not far from the craggy shore, the island became vegetated, with tall trees draped with vines overshadowing exotic ferns. Nearby lay a timeworn statue of a lion, webbed with cracks and missing three legs. Standing, it would have been almost as tall as Hugo.
Bracken took the lead, guiding them along the coast until they reached a sandy lagoon. A barricade of dark rocks, jutting like rows of fangs, shielded the far side of the placid lagoon from the fury of the sea. Huge stone slabs and broken pillars littered the beach, as if graceful structures had once stood here. Kendra ran a hand over the crooked base of a broken column, examining the remnants of intricate carvings.
"This looks like a good spot for a picnic," Seth said, sitting down on the edge of a half-buried foundation. "These are sort of like benches."
"I could eat," Warren said.
"This might represent our best chance for a meal," Bracken agreed.
Kendra sat down, digging into her backpack for water. The voyage on the Lady Luck had used up much of their food and water, but enough remained for one last decent snack. At this point, it would consist mostly of jerky, nuts, crackers, and dried fruit. As everyone took inventory, Kendra realized they had packed their provisions on the assumption that after today they would need no more food. If they somehow survived, she supposed they could fish.
Nobody spoke as they ate. The dangerous trip to shore had left Kendra shaken, and the mysterious atmosphere of the dismal beach did little to brighten her spirits. The knowledge that they were all about to die hung over the meal. None of them discussed their impending doom, but Kendra felt certain they were all pondering it. She ate mechanically, the nuts and jerky tasteless in her mouth.
As the eating slowed, Bracken stood. "I can sense the shrine to the Fairy Queen farther along this coast. The shrine lies near the east side of the dome encasing the door to Zzyzx. If I understand the lore correctly, the dome should open to face the rising sun, so the shrine might be a good place to make our final preparations."
"Lead on," Trask said.
"You realize we have to live through this," Warren said, shouldering his pack. "There's no way my last meal is going to be hiker food."
Newel and Doren laughed. Nobody else could muster the effort. They started walking, Bracken in the lead.
"Come on, people!" Newel chided. "Warren made a joke. He has a point! We don't have to trudge to Zzyzx like mourners at our own funerals! We came on this mission knowing the outcome would be our demise. Doesn't that remove most of the stress? I'd be a lot more nervous if I thought I had a chance."
"It's like Bodwin the Bold," Doren agreed cheerfully. "He faced his executioners with a smile on his face and tipped the headsman. We may be doomed, but why not enjoy ourselves? It will lessen the victory of our adversaries."
"I like that," Seth said. "I'm going to smile at the demons. I really am. You guys watch me."
"I'm glad to be off that ship," Kendra said. "At least we'll die on a tropical island."
"I kind of like Warren's plan to not die," Vanessa said. "Any of you have last messages you want me to deliver?"
"You're all nuts," Trask chuckled.
"This beats letting it gnaw at us," Warren said. "I bet I'll be the last one standing."
"You wish," Seth said. "That will be Bracken. I bet he takes some demons with him."
"And I won't?" Warren exclaimed.
"Maybe a little one," Seth laughed.
"Not many weapons can harm a greater demon," Bracken said. "Seth's blade is our best by far. My horn can do it. Warren has the adamant sword, and it should pierce most demonic hides. The swords we took from the Gray Assassin will cut demon flesh. Trask has both at the moment, but he should give one to Vanessa. I saw her mind. She's very talented with a blade. The rest of you should hang back and take up our arms when we fall. And, for the record, if you want to place bets on the last of us standing, my money goes on Hugo."
"No," the golem rumbled. "Not last. Hugo save Seth. Hugo save Kendra."
Tears stung Kendra's eyes.
Newel raised a hand. "How do I get added to that list?"
This time everyone laughed, even the golem, stony shoulders shaking.
The banter continued for a time, fueled mostly by Warren, Seth, and the satyrs. Eventually the conversation died. Kendra felt glad they had acknowledged the danger and tried to laugh at it. The peril remained the same, but the camaraderie had helped lighten her mood.
Walking behind Bracken, Kendra tried to imagine how she could help in the final battle. If they didn't find any astrids to transform, she doubted she could contribute much. Everyone else was better than she was with weapons. Besides, Torina had used all of her phoenix-feather arrows, leaving none to appropriate. Based on what Bracken had said, regular arrows like Kendra had brought would only annoy the demons. Maybe the Fairy Queen could grant her some sort of weapon. She would definitely ask.
They reached a second lagoon, this one sheltered by spiny reefs. A jumble of fallen walls, arches, and columns cluttered the crescent-shaped beach. Scattered architectural remnants continued inland among the trees. Farther inland loomed the bulk of an immense stone dome.
"The first hints of dawn remain an hour away," Bracken said. "The shrine is not far off."
Bracken led them inland from the beach through a grove of tall palm trees. They passed a headless statue of a horse. Up ahead, Kendra saw a large ring of pillars connected by arches. In contrast to the other stonework they had found, the impressive circle of archways appeared perfectly intact.
"Is that the shrine?" Kendra asked.
Bracken nodded. "The rest of you may want to wait here." He took Kendra's hand.
"You don't need me," Kendra said.
"I need all the help I can get," Bracken said, coaxing her forward. "We have a lot to ask."
Hand in hand, Bracken and Kendra approached the wide ring of connected pillars. Passing beneath an engraved arch, Kendra found the ground paved with stone. Shallow steps led down to a circular pond with a small island in the center. A single delicate arch spanned the water to the island. They walked to the near end of the fragile bridge, where Kendra hesitated.
"What are we going to ask the Fairy Queen?" she asked.
"You'll see," Bracken replied. "Let's wait until her majesty can help shield our words. Nagi Luna keeps prying."
"Can the Fairy Queen block the Oculus?" Kendra asked.
"Not really, but she has ways of encouraging Nagi Luna to gaze elsewhere. Come."
He led her onto the narrow arch. Without his hand to hold, Kendra would have worried about her balance, but he felt so stable that she crossed without difficulty. The moment she set foot on the island, Kendra sensed electricity in the air, as if lightning were about to strike. The fine hairs on her arm stood up.
"Do you feel that?" she asked.
"Yes." Bracken led her to the tiny statue of a fairy beside a golden bowl. They knelt together, and powerful aromas washed over them. The desert during a rainstorm. The inside of a decaying log. Honeycombs dripping with sweetness.
So it has come to this. The words arrived with a flood of conflicting emotions. Profound sadness. Deep exhaustion. Simmering wrath. Tender concern.
"We both saw it coming," Bracken said simply. "I did everything in my power to prevent this."
Try as we might to postpone them, days of reckoning inevitably arrive.
"Is this going to be the end of the world?" Kendra asked.
It could be.
"I've been in touch with Agad," Bracken said. "He will arrive as planned. You have received my messages?" Yes. I agree with your assessments.
"You can talk to her away from the shrines?" Kendra asked.
"Not really," Bracken said. "Without my third horn I can't hear her. But she can hear me. I counted on that." Kendra stared at the little fairy statue. "Can you help
us?"
I must help you. The realm where I rule is connected to your world. For all its splendor and beauty, my kingdom is an extension of your reality. Without the terrestrial influence of the shrines, my unspoiled realm of light would eventually fade.
"Are you prepared to go all the way?" Bracken asked.
Emotions warred inside the Fairy Queen, and Kendra momentarily experienced them as if they were her own. Hesitation. Doubt. Concern for her realm. Concern for her subjects. Concern for the world. Concern for Bracken, specific and desperate. A desire to hide. A desire to rest. And an old hatred, a yearning for vengeance that had quietly smoldered for years.
Only as a last resort. It would be a desperate gambit.
"It's our only choice," Bracken said. "It's why this shrine was placed here. Their final obstacle."
What if I open my realm to you and your friends? Kendra, Seth, even the golem. We could find a way to shield ourselves.
"Open your realm to us?" Kendra asked. "Wouldn't that make your realm vulnerable?"
It might be safer than open battle.
"This is unbecoming," Bracken said. "Do not give utterance to these fears. My presence makes you weak."
You cannot imagine how you strengthen me. Kendra felt such a surge of love that she gasped and clutched her chest, tears spilling from her eyes.
"We can't win this battle," Bracken said. "There is no point in deluding ourselves otherwise. But even without winning the battle, we might earn a chance to win the war. Hours of crisis often call for sacrifice. In matters of consequence, when have doubt and fear given the best advice? Why not heed faith, courage, duty, and honor? Kendra has, her friends have, and without reason for hope."
Sound counsel, as usual. I will obey your plan. Kendra felt a wave of reluctant resignation.
"Not my plan," Bracken said. "I'm proposing we implement it, but I did not design it. This stratagem was authored by the wizards who arranged to locate a shrine here."
"What plan?" Kendra asked.
"Only the Fairy Queen and I know all the particulars," Bracken said. "It needs to remain that way. Agad has probably deciphered our strategy, but that was unavoidable.
Should the enemy anticipate our intentions, our final hope will unravel."
"We have a chance?" Kendra asked.
"A small one," Bracken said. "I would never have allowed you or your friends to come here if there wasn't a chance."
You have an important role to play, Kendra.
"How many have you gathered?" Bracken asked.
Ninety. Three of the six rebels returned. And of course three have perished.
"Are you talking about astrids?" Kendra asked.
The pool around the island erupted with the flutter of golden wings as astrids emerged from the water. Within moments, ninety owls perched atop the linked pillars, human faces staring down at Kendra and Bracken.
"No wonder I couldn't find any of them!" Kendra complained.
"They were out searching for you," Bracken said. "But as events unfolded, I decided it might be best for the Fairy Queen to gather them home in preparation for this day."
Kendra frowned at the little fairy statue. "Didn't all that travel weaken the protections to your realm? All the astrids coming and going?"
Yes. But do not fret, I repaired most of the damage by closing all other shrines besides this one. I have marshaled all of my energy for this confrontation. Follow Bracken. His leadership is now our best hope.
"Can you give us a clear morning?" Bracken asked.
The weather is the simplest part.
"You're ready to do the rest?" Bracken asked. I am ready.
Bracken became sober. "If the right conditions do not unfold, we'll have to abandon the effort."
I understand. Make your preparations. Onward to victory.
Kendra felt a surge of hope so strong she almost believed it. Then she was left with her natural emotions. The presence of the Fairy Queen had departed.
Bracken took Kendra's hand and guided her back over the arch. "Gilgarol, you first!"
A golden owl fluttered down and alighted in front of Kendra.
"This is the captain of the astrids," Bracken said. "Give him a kiss on the forehead."
Kendra crouched in front of the owl. The solemn face stared up at her with an unreadable expression. At least she didn't have to touch her lips to his feathers. She leaned down and gave his waxy forehead a quick peck.
Golden light flared, and, after a scintillating whirlwind of sparks, Kendra found herself crouched before a tall warrior. Gilded armor protected his muscular frame, and an owlish helmet guarded his head. His facial features appeared much more masculine than before. He clutched a spear in one hand, a sword in the other. Broad, gleaming wings fanned out from his back.
The splendid soldier turned and knelt before Bracken, head bowed. "Forgive our failure, my liege," he implored, his strong voice thick with emotion.
"Rise, Gilgarol," Bracken said. "All is forgiven. We have work to do."
The strapping warrior stood up. "We prayed this day would come. At long last, a chance for redemption."
Kendra confronted Bracken. "Okay, seriously, who are you? The Fairy Queen treats you like her favorite. The astrids kneel to you. Are you the only unicorn left or something?"