Page 39 of Potions & Pints
Pili was floating in the water behind him. When he had Tan’s attention, he pointed to the surface. Tan nodded and swam straight up.
The gills snapped shut when they broke the surface of the water. Tan reacted by taking in a big gulp of air, through his mouth. Next to him Vir, Pili and the others treaded water.
“Home,” Pili said somewhat bitterly.
The castle was massive. The timber frame was covered in shells.
Better than skulls, Tan thought, but it seemed almost as foreboding. He’d been barely conscious the last time he’d been here, and afterwards, he’d been too depressed to take in the sights. Now he saw clearly that the front face was strewn with seaweed, in various stages of decay. As they bobbed there, a huge wave smacked the front wall. More ocean matter was deposited, catching on the face, while other pieces washed away.
“How do we get in?” Garu asked.
“Follow me,” Pili said and dove under.
They followed him through an underground gate guarded by four water elves. One swam ahead of them. Tan figured they were being announced. Hopefully the sleeping sickness would have worn off, now that they were so far from Gamin Ait.
They swam up to a huge underground staircase. Pili landed on it and started walking. Tan copied him, making sure to stay a few steps behind. The guard who had swum ahead of them was waiting in the grand hall at the top of the stairs with two more elves.
Vir took two steps out of the water and collapsed.
“It’s the sleeping sickness,” Tan said.
The elves nodded.
“They’ll take care of him,” the gate elf said.
“Vir,” Tan said.
He went to go to Vir, but his way was blocked by a spear.
“Cheruck,” Pili said, frowning. “It’s okay—”
“Your father is waiting, in the Library,” Cheruck said.
“Okay,” Pili said. “Thanks. I know the way. You can go back to the gate I guess.”
“My orders are to escort you.”
Cheruck marched down the hall and they followed. Tan lingered as long as he dared. A half a dozen elves appeared with a large stretcher. When Vir was loaded up, Tan ran to catch up with Pili.
“What’s going on?” Tan said.
He had assumed they would be welcome. That did not seem to be the case. Or maybe the guards just stuck to decorum when on duty.
The palace was massive. Tan was—by force of habit—trying to memorize the directions, but he was quickly confused. When they did four quick left turns in a row, Tan would have sworn they were quickly back where they started. Was Cheruck trying to confuse them?
“Did you tell them about the weapons yet?” he whispered to Pili as they hurried down the hall.
“Yes, I sent word.”
“Then what is this? Are we even going in the right direction?”
“Of course.” Pili tried to sound confident, but Tan looked him over carefully. There was a tense line in his shoulders that hadn’t been there before.
“It seems odd.”
“I know the palace,” Pili said. “We’re almost there.”
“Where?”
