The store owner flicked her wand at the bulldog, shouting, "Revelorsus!"

The illusion disappeared, exposing Aldwyn and Skylar beneath.

"Stop them!" one of the wizards called. "They're the ones who tried to kill the queen."

The alchemist pointed her wand at the front door, slamming it. Aldwyn grabbed the basket of components in his teeth and started sprinting. Skylar flapped above him and Gilbert hopped behind. The Three made a dash for the open window and escaped just before the store owner's wand pulled it shut with a bang.

The familiars raced away from the shop. A moment later, the window behind them shattered as a messenger arrow cracked through the gla.s.s and went flying into the sky.

"We have to move fast," Aldwyn said to his companions. "Every one of the queen's soldiers will know where we are. And so will the Nightfall Battalion."

"We'll need a flame, a pot, and water to brew this healing potion," Skylar said.

"Marianne takes me to get soup at a small inn around the corner from here," Gilbert said. "They don't start serving until after sundown. The kitchen should be empty now."

Skylar and Gilbert returned to Aldwyn's back, and a new illusion was cast, this time of a large racc.o.o.n. They hustled around the next bend in the road, and just as Gilbert had promised, there was a small inn before them.

"There's a back door to the kitchen," Gilbert said. "I've gotten pretty chummy with the chef."

Sure enough, the rear entrance was left open a crack, allowing the trio easy access. The kitchen already had a pot hanging above the fire pit, and all that was needed was to ignite the logs and fill up the cauldron.

Skylar let the illusion fade and got to work. Aldwyn pulled the curtains closed, then locked the door to the dining room and the one leading to the outside to make sure no one disturbed them. With the help of a flame fairy, the wood was set ablaze, and Skylar began filling the pot with all forty-three components.

Aldwyn kept half an eye on her progress, but was more concerned with peeking through the curtains. Wizards and soldiers would run past, shouting and yelling to each other. One even stopped to turn the handle on the kitchen door, but upon finding it locked continued on. Aldwyn spied Urbaugh canva.s.sing the area, too. The response to the messenger arrow had been quick. And no doubt Navid and Marati were also out there searching.

Once every last ingredient was mixed in, a sulfurous odor began to pour out from the cauldron. The liquid turned a shimmering gold.

"I think it's ready," Skylar said.

While the smell was wretched, it certainly seemed as if it might be strong enough to wake the queen from her slumber.

"Gilbert, fill up one of those bottles," the blue jay ordered, pointing to a row of clear containers resting on a nearby shelf.

Gilbert grabbed one and dunked it into the cauldron. When he pulled it out it was filled to the brim with the healing potion. He put the cork top back in, sealing the bottle shut.

"Guys, I think I've got an idea of how we can get into the palace," Aldwyn said.

He pointed a paw out the window to the queen's memorial, which was now on the move. As the statue was paraded through the streets on the back of the horse cart, pa.s.sersby ran up to it with more offerings.

"You see those flowers bunched up around the base?" Aldwyn asked. "If we can sneak our way onto that cart, they'll deliver us right to the queen's front door."

"Every eye in Bronzhaven will be staring directly at us," Skylar said.

"What better place to hide," Aldwyn countered, "than somewhere no one would think we'd be stupid enough to be?"

Aldwyn used his mind to unlatch the back door, and the Three exited. They ran through the alley, hugging the wall, hiding in the morning shadows until they reached the street. The horse cart carrying the statue of the queen had already moved down the block. Aldwyn spotted Navid and Marati leading the Nightfall Battalion around the perimeter of the Bubbling Vial and all the neighboring buildings.

Ahead a group of the queens' guard were on the lookout, with swords and wands at the ready. Some were wearing revealing gla.s.ses to ensure that the fugitive familiars couldn't sneak by under the cover of an illusion.

"I'm afraid an illusion won't help us," Skylar said.

Just then, voices could be heard calling out from behind.

"Wait for us! We have something to add to the queen's memorial!"

Aldwyn turned to see that it was a group of mourners carrying an enormous basket of flowers. Hurrying to catch up to the horse cart, they were going to be running right past Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert.

"I think it's time to hitch ourselves a ride," Aldwyn said.

As the trio of mourners rushed by, Aldwyn used a nearby crate to vault himself into the tangle of flowers. Gilbert made a flying leap behind him, and Skylar soared in from above. The Three were nestled in the huge basket, the p.r.i.c.kles of leaves and thorns brushing against Aldwyn's fur. Through the flower stalks, it appeared to Aldwyn that the mourners were so eager to make their offering they had failed to notice all the extra weight.

The familiars were bounced and jostled as the mourners raced to meet the horse cart. Aldwyn peered out to see royal guardsmen pa.s.sing them just feet away, completely unaware that Vastia's most wanted were within their reach. The basket of flowers was added to the back of the memorial, and the horses continued on their procession to the palace.

"Now we just sit back and wait," Aldwyn said.

The statue of Loranella and the memorial moved through the streets of Bronzhaven, crisscrossing so the citizens of Vastia could pay their respects. At first, Aldwyn could see clearly through the flowers, but as more and more gifts were added, his view became obstructed. There was still a sliver of an opening to peek out of. Standing along the side of the road were men, women, and animals holding wooden signs with pictures of Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert painted on them. Xs were drawn through their faces. Devil horns had been added to Aldwyn's head, flames came from Skylar's eyes, and fangs crowded Gilbert's mouth.

"Even after all we've done, they still think we're the bad guys in this," Skylar said.

"Cast off and hated," Gilbert said. "As if we're worse than Paksahara. I just wish they knew the truth."

Aldwyn looked to his two friends.

"I know what it's like to be an outcast," Aldwyn said. "People viewed me as a n.o.body, nothing but an alley cat. Then I became a familiar, one of the Prophesized Three, a hero of the land. Now I'm even worse off than before. But I know I'm the same cat. And you are the same brilliant blue jay and loyal tree frog you always will be."

Skylar and Gilbert brightened.

The horses were nearing the outer gates to the palace, and the line of guards standing outside cleared for them. They trotted through, stopping in the courtyard.

"Just leave the memorial out here," a guard yelled. "Nothing goes into the queen's chambers until it's been examined for curses, poisons, and hexes."

Aldwyn heard the horses being unharnessed from the cart and led back through the gates out of the palace.

"I think we better make a run for it now," Aldwyn said.

"Gilbert, where's the healing potion?" Skylar asked.

"I thought you had it," the tree frog replied.

Aldwyn searched around. Skylar's feathers began to ruffle. They both looked like they were ready to explode.

"I'm kidding," Gilbert said, pulling the vial from behind some flowers. Skylar didn't seem the least bit amused, and neither did Aldwyn. Gilbert gave a sheepish grin. "Now probably wasn't the best time for a practical joke, was it?"

18.

THOMPSON WARDEN.

Seeing that the courtyard was empty, save for a guard standing on the far side, Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert emerged from the flowers and pushed their way through the cart full of offerings. They jumped down to the ground and made a beeline for the open doorway leading into the palace.

Once inside, they ran for a back staircase used primarily by the palace servants. While it didn't lead directly to the queen's chamber like the grand staircase would, they were less likely to get caught using this one.

"We're still going to have to get past whoever's outside Loranella's bedroom," Aldwyn said. "But at least we'll make it that far."

They ascended the narrow steps cautiously, peering around each corner to ensure that there were no guards hiding in wait. They reached the top and could see the entrance to the queen's chamber across the hall. Skylar was starting to lift her wing to cast an illusion when Commander Warden stepped out in front of them.

"Don't even bother," he said to the bird. The familiars stopped dead in their tracks. "I expected to see you here. Instructor Weaver told me everything, about how you were going into the Dreamworld to contact Loranella in the hopes of discovering an antidote to her condition. Of course, I was skeptical. Why would the very ones who tried to kill the queen be attempting to save her? But I heard you took quite a few components from the Bubbling Vial not long ago. And left a fire burning in a nearby kitchen." Warden eyed the vial in Gilbert's webbed hand. "That's it, isn't it? The potion you believe will save the queen?"

"You have to trust us," Aldwyn said. "We only want what you want. To bring her back, out of the Wander."

A clatter of iron boots could be heard stomping up the back staircase. Warden ushered the familiars into a neighboring parlor and closed the door behind them. There were piles of unopened gifts on the floor, remnants of Loranella's surprise party only days earlier.

"Give me the vial," Warden ordered Gilbert. "I'll have the healers test it appropriately, and if it's safe, I'll make sure they give it to her. In return, the three of you must turn yourselves in. Until this is settled, you're still enemies of Vastia."

Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert exchanged a look.

"I think we should do it," Skylar said. "Once the queen wakes, we'll be freed."

Gilbert seemed reluctant.

"You promise to keep your word?" the tree frog asked.

"I do," Warden replied.

Aldwyn's attention had wandered over to the presents, all stacked high. He thought back to what a joyous occasion the birthday celebration should have been. And how everything that followed never should have happened in the first place. He could make out the cards glued to the gifts. Even reading them upside down, names like Sorceress Edna and Urbaugh caught his eye. So did Commander Warden's. That one took a moment longer to register, though, as it was signed with his first name, Thompson. Aldwyn stared at it. There was something about the upside-down letters that looked all too familiar: udpjbm uosdwoyt. They were two of the words drawn on the familiars' dungeon cell floor. But they weren't words from a different language. They were letters written upside down. And they spelled "Thompson Warden."

Just like the remwalker had said about Elzzup, sometimes you have to look at things from a different perspective. But what about the other words from the message drawn on the floor? Spuowbip wjots sby. Aldwyn visualized the words in his head. The letters spun around one by one. "Has storm diamonds."

All of it now. Spuowbip wjots sby udpjbm uosdwoyt. Left to right they spelled "Thompson Warden has storm diamonds."

It was a message. Yajmada's armor had gone missing from Turnbuckle Academy. Kalstaff, the Mountain Alchemist, Loranella, and the plaque in the Turn protected the storm diamonds that fit inside of it. And those storm diamonds all appeared to be gone. Now it was clear who was responsible. The man standing right before them now: Commander Warden.

Gilbert was about to hand the healing potion over to Warden. Aldwyn couldn't get the words out fast enough.

"Gilbert, no!" he shouted.

But it was too late. Warden held the vial in his hand. He glared at Aldwyn.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" he asked.

"It's you," Aldwyn said. "You're the one who set us up." Gilbert and Skylar looked at their companion in disbelief. "You made sure Kalstaff's belongings ended up at Turnbuckle Academy so you'd be able to take Yajmada's armor and the storm diamond embedded inside it. You killed the Mountain Alchemist. I'm guessing he hid one of the other diamonds in the book that went missing. You probably got your hands on the plaque at the Turn, too."

"You live up to your reputation, cat," Warden said, impressed. "I'm not sure how you figured it out, though."

Skylar and Gilbert's disbelief quickly turned to shock.

"Not that I didn't count on the three of you living up to your prophecy," Warden continued. "Why do you think I framed you? You're the only ones who can stop me."

"There's just one thing I don't understand," Aldwyn said. "If you've already collected all four storm diamonds, and have the armor, why haven't you used it yet? Loranella says it would be destructive enough to wipe out entire lands."

"The diamond in Queen Loranella's crown," Warden said. "It's a fake. The real one is still out there somewhere."

"Why?" Skylar asked. "Why would you betray the queendom?"

"Because I should be ruling this land," Warden said. "My great-grandfather was wronged. If the original Prophesized Three hadn't stopped him, I would be sitting on the throne of Vastia."

"Great-grandfather?" Gilbert asked.

"His name was Uriel Wyvern," Warden replied. "Of Wyvern and Skull. Perhaps you've heard of him."

Aldwyn shuddered at the revelation.

"But I am not alone in this," Warden said. "There are others, even more powerful, backing me. We will restore balance to this land and the Beyond. Even if it means eliminating all those who stand against us now." He looked down at the healing potion. "Oh, I nearly forgot about this. It's a shame, really. You were so close. But there is one silver lining. At least Loranella won't be around to see the destruction of everything she loves."

Warden raised his arm and threw the vial down. An inch before shattering against the stone floor, Aldwyn telekinetically caught it and pulled it back to his side.

"Guards!" Warden yelled for all to hear. "I've found the traitors!" He kicked open the parlor door and shouted again. "Come quickly!"

Skylar took the vial from Aldwyn and tried to fly for the queen's chamber with it, but Warden flicked his wrist in her direction.

"Astula yajmada!" he incanted.

A crimson spear materialized and shot across the room. Luckily, it only grazed a few of Skylar's feathers, but it was enough to ground her.

Aldwyn focused on the pile of gifts and began mentally chucking them at Warden. The evil commander swatted them away with tiny bursts of wind. Warden whipped his hand around and raised a stone spike from the floor that pierced Aldwyn's fur. Pain shot through his body, but the fact that he was still breathing meant it missed any vital organs.

Gilbert spotted some dirt worms crawling out from the shattered stone. He hopped over and scooped a bunch of them into his hand, then started flinging them at Warden as if he were playing a high-stakes game of sluggots. And he proved quite accurate, even without Aldwyn's help, smacking Warden in the mouth and eyes.

A pair of soldiers raced in from down the hall, swords already drawn and pointed at the familiars. Warden brushed the worms from his face.

"They've brought some kind of poison," he said. "They had plans to kill the queen for good this time."

"He's lying!" Gilbert cried. "He's the one who's responsible for this."

"Arrest them," Warden commanded.

Without wasting a second, Aldwyn used his mind to pull a strand of ribbon from the presents and tied one of the guard's wrists together. The other lunged at him with his blade, but Aldwyn telekinetically parried the attack with the first soldier's sword. They dueled, exchanging blow and counterblow. And though Aldwyn was only fencing with his mind, he overpowered the guard and disarmed him.

Warden had seized the moment to run, exiting the parlor for the upstairs hallway. Aldwyn and Gilbert joined the injured Skylar outside the door, and they could see that more guards were charging in their direction. More concerning was that Navid, Marati, and some of the elite members of the Nightfall Battalion were accompanying them.

"I can't restrain them on my own," Warden called.