David Baldacci - The Keeper

“We did it,” I said in a hushed tone. I looked at Delph and Petra. “We made it. We’re free from the Quag.” Part of me could scarcely believe I was saying these words.

In their faces I saw relief, happiness, but also uncertainty and fear. And I’m sure they saw all of those elements in my features as well.

Instinctively, we all three drew together and embraced, our bodies shaking with the pure emotion of having finally achieved the one thing that had dominated our thoughts and our lives, and which had cost us a precious life. Harry Two sidled up next to me and rubbed his body against my leg. I dropped one hand down and stroked his head.

When we pulled apart, we continued to look at one another.

“We are free of the Quag,” said Delph. “Thanks to you, Vega Jane.”

“No, Delph, thanks to all of us,” I said, my gaze on him, and then I looked at Petra. “And to Lackland,” I said.

“And to Lack,” she agreed, giving me the tiniest of smiles.

“Sort of looks like... like Wormwood a bit,” observed Delph. “Not the village proper but the land round it.”

“It does, but don’t think it will be like Wormwood,” I replied.

“What now?” whispered Delph.

I pointed my wand toward some faraway lights and said, “ Crystilado magnifica .”

Instantly in front of us was what looked to be a village whose inhabitants were probably fast asleep in their beds at this time of night. Some of the buildings looked like ones I was familiar with back in Wormwood. Others not so much. The streets were cobbled in places but not in others. A clock chimed. A feline screeched. I could hear rumbling noises, but could not see their source.

But despite the sleepy and seemingly peaceful surroundings, I could sense something not nearly as innocent in the air.

Remember, Vega, the most bitterly awful place of all...

“Vega!” hissed Petra.

But I had already heard it.

Something was coming.

Someone was coming.

I patted my harness, and Harry Two instantly leapt there and I buckled him in. With my wand I pointed first at Delph, then Petra, and said softly, “ Lassado. ”

Cords of light snaked around their waists while remaining connected to my wand. The sounds grew closer and Delph whispered frantically, “Whatever you’re going to do, you better do it now, Vega Jane.” He grabbed our tucks and stood ready.

I took my grandfather’s ring and spun it around so that the three hooks were facing inward. What I had hoped would happen did happen. Because we were connected by my spell, the power of the ring had spread through the magical tether.

We were now all invisible.

With Petra and Delph on either side of me, I kicked off and we lifted into the air right as footfalls sounded nearby and we heard the voice. It was low and menacing.

“Around here, I could swear. It was around here. This place has always been... funny. You know it has.”

“But how could it be?” said the other voice, which was even lower and even more menacing. “It’s not possible. I’m telling you it’s not possible. Not after all this time, eh?”

Well, blokes, it was possible. In fact, it was the truth.

We had escaped the Quag. And we were here. Wherever here was.

We soared upward and set out toward the distant lights. And, in doing so, took another step forward to all that lay ahead.

Like Jasper Jane had said: Peace. Hope. Freedom. In precisely that order. Although, ironically, I knew we would have to achieve the last in order to fully enjoy the first two. It would require a fight. It always did.

And after surviving the Quag, I was damn well ready to provide one.

Our cause.

Our time.

Our destiny.

Precisely in that order.

adar \∂-′där\

A beast of Wormwood often used as a messenger and trained to perform tasks by air. Although they appear clumsy on the ground, adars are creatures of grace and beauty in the sky, owing greatly to their magnificent height and wingspan. Most remarkably, adars can understand Wugmorts and can even be taught to speak.

alecto \∂-′lek-tō\

A lethal creature in the Quag characterized by serpents for hair and blood-dripping eyes. The hypnotizing sway of the serpents atop the alecto’s head can drive its prey to commit suicide.

amaroc \′a-m∂-räk\

A fierce and terrifying beast of the Quag, known to possess the ability to kill in many ways. Amarocs have upper fangs as long as a Wug arm and are rumored to shoot poison from their eyes. When captured, their hides are used in the production of clothing and boots in Wormwood.

attercop \′a-d∂r-käp\

A type of venomous spider indigenous to the Quag.

Breath of a Dominici \′breTH ∂v ∂ dä-m∂n-′ē-chē\

A long-stemmed flower with a fist-size bloodred bloom that gives off the odor of slep dung. The Breath of a Dominici grows only in viper nests.

Care, the \′ker\

A place where Wugs who are unwell and for whom the Mendens at hospital can do no more are sent to live.

chontoo \′ch∂n-too\

A flying beast in the Quag comprised only of a head, the chontoo is said to wildly attack its prey in the hopes of using its body parts to replace the ones the chontoo does not have. Spawned over the centuries by the intermingling of different species, the chontoo is characterized by a foul face with demonic eyes and jagged fangs, and flames for hair. The chontoo is primarily found in the Mycanmoor.

colossal \k∂-′lä-s∂l\

An ancient race of formidable warriors, of an origin largely unknown to the average Wugmort. The average colossal stands about sixty-five feet tall and weighs nearly seven thousand pounds.

Council \′kaun-s∂l\

The governing body of Wormwood. Council passes laws, regulations and edicts that all Wugmorts must obey.

creta \′krē-d∂\

An exceptionally large creature used in Wormwood to pull the plow of Tillers and transport sacks of flour at the Mill. The creta weighs well over one thousand pounds and is characterized by horns that cross over its face and hooves the size of plates.

cucos \′koo-kōs\

Small birdlike creatures that inhabit the Third Circle of the Quag. Brilliantly colored as if small bits of the rainbow are embedded in their feathers, the cucos are best known for glowing wings that can illuminate their surroundings.

Dactyl \′dak-til\

A Stacks worker whose job entails shaping metal with hammer and tongs.

dopplegang \′dä-p∂l-gaNG\

A dangerous creature in the Quag, marked by hideous rows of blackened, sharp teeth, that morphs into whatever it sees. The power of the dopplegang lies in its ability to trick its unsuspecting victim into injuring or even killing itself, since striking the beast in its altered form is tantamount to striking oneself.

dread \′dred\

A black flying creature in the Fifth Circle created by Jasper Jane. About the size of a canine, dreads are characterized by their screeching cries and clawed wings that they use to cut their prey to pieces.

Duelum \′dool-∂m\

A twice-a-session competition occurring outside of Wormwood proper that pits strong males between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four in matches against one another. Viewed by many Wugs as a rite of passage, Duelums can often be brutal.

ekos \′ē-kōs\

A small creature in the Quag exceptional for the mats of grass that grow on its arms, neck and face, and sprout from its head. The ekos have small, wrinkled faces and bulging red eyes.