The two travelers had heard no sound of pursuit from the giant and were just beginning to congratulate themselves on their elusiveness when a silky voice hissed, "What's this? Escaped from the giant's premises, I perceive."
And there in front of them, where two seconds before there had been nothing, now stood a very large dragon.
The only time Jennifer had ever seen a dragon before was that morning when the Old Witch had made herself look like one. That had been frightening enough, even when she had known it was only an illusion. Now she stood stunned, only her hand moving, groping for her pocket, fingering the magic bottle.
Norman's hand was on her wrist. "We might need it more later," he whispered.
"You know I'm new to all this," Jennifer answered just as quietly, "but I don't see how we could ever need it more than now."
"Please," the dragon said, "no whispering." He smiled, showing many long, pointed teeth, then added, "It distresses me." He demonstrated what happened when he became distressed with a blast of flame that shriveled the grass at their feet.
They took a quick step backward and the dragon took two forward. He moved his enormous tail back and forth, knocking several branches off trees.
Now dragons, as any zoologist will tell you, are closely related to snakes, which explains the hissing manner of their speech. But a more important trait that the two share is the way they can fix their eyes on a creature as if looking into the farthest corners of its being and almost hypnotize that victim into not moving until it's too late to escape. Which is precisely what this particular dragon was doing at that very moment. His eves were like black whirlpools, and he slowly approached, whispering, "So, small strangers, you've absconded from the savage giant's sagging domicile?"
Norman managed to break eye contact, and the dragon momentarily stopped advancing.
The sorcerer was visibly shaken and he stalled for time. "We didn't exactly abscond," he said. "The giant sneaked out first."
"And will you say why the giant should need to sneak from his own house?"
"No," Norman said.
"No?" the dragon repeated. "No?"
"I know what you're planning. You want me to talk so I'll be distracted, and then you'll jump us."
"I wouldn't think of such a thing," said the dragon, who was thinking exactly that.
"You won't even be listening to what I'm saying."
"I assure you, I'll be savoring every single syllable."
Having just escaped from one supper pot, Norman didn't care for the way the dragon said "savoring" but noted with professional interest that the dragon's snake-long tongue and his tendency to stress his S's made for an interesting combination. The dragon's tongue flicked and curled around itself with each S-word he uttered. Norman wondered if it was physically possible for the dragon's tongue to tie itself into a knot. That would surely keep him and Jennifer from getting singed ... or worse.
Hoping to keep the dragon's mind off eating them, and at the same time to keep himself from succumbing to the dragon's hypnotic power, Norman said, "Well, you see, the giant was making some swill—stew, actually."
"I've sampled it. Swill is closer."
"Substandard stuff?" Norman asked.
"Substandard swilly stew. Go on."
"Well, we just suggested some spices for it. Are you sure you're really paying attention?"
The dragon nodded to encourage him. "You suggested several spices for some substandard swilly stew. Yes?"
"Essential ones for sweetening it."
"You suggested several essential spices to sweeten some substandard swilly stew. So what?"
"The giant didn't have them, so he sneaked away to the sandy Spanish seashore to steal some."
The dragon nodded. "Let me see if I've got this straight," he said to prove that he really was listening. "The shameless giant simply sneaked from his own house to the sandy Spanish seashore especially to steal several essential spices to sweeten some substandard swilly stew?" His long tongue leapt, curled, and curved.
"Right. While he was away, we slipped silently through his snare."
"Sly," the dragon had to admit.
"Well, if he wasn't so self-seeking, it never would have happened. And as it was, we had to act swiftly. Are you following all this?"
"That shameless, self-seeking giant let swift, sly strangers slip silently through his snare just so he could sneak to the sandy Spanish seashore especially to steal several essential spices to sweeten some substandard swilly stew!" The dragon's tongue danced, its tip touching its middle before it slid down and straightened while Norman tried not to show any interest.
"That scalawag possesses the scruples of celery," the sorcerer continued.
"A single stalk," Jennifer offered, seeing at last what Norman was up to.
Norman fumbled with his beard so the dragon wouldn't catch him smiling.
"And a soggy one at that," she added.
Norman nodded. "He slackened his senses sufficiently so that we could get away with it."
The dragon sighed. "So, that shameless, self-seeking scalawag, possessing scarcely the scruples of a single, soggy stalk of celery, has slackened his senses sufficiently so that swift, sly strangers could slip silently through his snare just so he could sneak to the sandy Spanish seashore especially to steal several essential spices to sweeten some substandard swilly stew." The dragon's tongue was just a pink flash as it spun and waved and corkscrewed and untwisted.
"Sad isn't it?" Norman asked.
"Sad that the shameless—" The dragon abruptly choked on his tongue, which was still whipping about a bit from his last mouthful. "Grawarrr!" he bellowed. A tongue of flame burst from his mouth and nearly singed Norman's whiskers.
The sorcerer took a quick step back.
"Enough of these silly games already!" the dragon roared. "I see what you're trying to do, you sad little sample of humanity! Well, it got you about two extra minutes and that's all. You'll find I'm not so stupid as that slobbering giant!"
"Sir," Norman said in a voice of injured innocence, "I was only describing the circumstances. Everyone knows that the youngest, most immature dragon is by far smarter than the most scholarly giant."
The dragon smoothed down his scales. "Well, it's very nice of you to say so, but I'm going to eat you anyway."
Norman tried his best to ignore this last comment and think up some other tactic. "I only brought it up for your benefit."
The dragon's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Still speaking in circles, I discern. What are you talking about?"
"Gold."
"Gold?" Now the dragon's eyes opened wide and glowed even more brightly than before. For while it may be debatable whether, as a class, giants or dragons are more stubbornly proud, there can be no doubt in the world which one is the most greedy creature ever to draw breath. And luckily Norman had finally remembered this. "Gold," the dragon repeated. He pursed his lips and let some steam blow out his ears. "Ah, gold. In the giant's house? You saw it? Where?"
Norman almost froze. "Have you ever heard of a giant without a hoard of gold?"
"No, but I've been there. I've never seen—"
"Well, he wouldn't keep piles of it on the kitchen table, knowing you could snatch it away with your superior strength and intellect."
"Snatch the smirky fellow's gold," the dragon hissed to himself.
"While he's away in Spain."
This was a mistake. The dragon's eyes abruptly refocused on them, and he snapped warily, "Stealing several essential spices to sweeten some substandard swilly stew?"
"I only mentioned it to show there's time. But not much."
"I must dispose of you first."
"It'syour gold slipping through your fingers."
It wasn't his gold yet, and claws would have been more accurate than fingers, but the dragon got the point anyway. "Grawarrr!" he cried again, for he hated decisions. But meals were easier to come by than gold, so in another moment he had brushed them aside.
F
or the next few seconds, they could hear him barging through the trees in the direction of the giant's home. Then they were all alone in the quiet dark of Malveenya's valley.
Nighttime
ONLY A LITTLE BIT of moonlight was able to filter through the thickness of the trees. Jennifer and Norman could barely make out the way and held hands so they wouldn't become separated as they slowly fought their way forward.
The breaking of any twig in the darkness behind them, the whisper of any creature gliding through the grass made their bodies cringe in expectation of an angry bellow from the giant or a burst of steam and fire from the dragon. Jennifer thought briefly about how fond she was becoming of Norman and how—despite his lack of real magical ability—he made her feel more safe and comfortable than she had any right to feel, given their present circumstances.
Partially to cover up some of the night's noises, and also to lift each other's spirits, they once again tried to piece together the magic mirror's riddle. "Lesson One: Don't disbelieve something just because you can't see it." And, "Lesson Two: If the answer isn't in you, it isn't." But still they got nowhere. Even when Jennifer remembered the mirror saying, "A kiss usually works, but not always," they couldn't come up with anything.
Besides, ever since talking with the dragon, Norman kept speaking in S's, and it was beginning to drive Jennifer crazy.
They had put aside for the moment the problem of the mirror and were trying to catch glimpses of the stars through the branches, when Jennifer said, "There's one. No, wait. That's too low to be a star."
"Strange," Norman murmured.
They walked a few more steps, then Jennifer saw another light that looked like a star but wasn't. Another moment and Norman had spotted several more. "Candles?" he asked, as if he didn't dare to hope.
As they made their hesitant way forward, the trees thinned and the two travelers were standing in a wide clearing before a magnificent palace.
Unlike most castles of those days, which were built to be used as forts able to protect townspeople in times of siege, this one seemed to be purely a decorative home. Built of white stone that gleamed in the moonlight, it had spires and peaks and turrets reaching airily toward the sky. Everywhere there were large windows with balconies, and in each one they could see a glowing candle.
They became aware of the soft sound of a flute playing, and this mixed pleasantly with the gurgling of the brook that circled the majestic palace. It wasn't much of a moat, for at its deepest point it wouldn't have reached their knees; but in any case, the drawbridge was down.
"Maybe whoever lives here can help us," Jennifer hoped out loud.
"Maybe," Norman answered.
They stepped on a path of brightly colored, crushed stones that was lit by little round jars of burning oil. On either side of them were elaborate garden beds whose sweet smell came only faintly, since the flowers were closed for the night.
Standing in the dark on the forest side of the drawbridge, they could make out little of the palace's entry hall.
"Hello," Norman called out. The flute-playing continued and there was no answer. "Hello," he called more loudly, with Jennifer adding her voice this time.
When the music continued uninterrupted, they cautiously crossed the bridge and stepped into the main hall. If the giant had circled around and gotten there first, Jennifer still would not have been able to move. If the dragon had been standing just inside the door with black smoke billowing from his nostrils and flames leaping from his mouth, Norman would not have noticed. If Malveenya herself had been waiting for them, it still wouldn't have made any difference. They would have reacted in the same way. For the room they had entered was the most beautiful either of them had ever seen.
As it so happened, there was no one there, and they were able to stand in mute amazement simply absorbing their splendid surroundings.
The walls were white marble, lit by two enormous crystal chandeliers that hung in many glittering tiers. High above their heads was a huge mirror that seemed to stretch the entire width and length of the ceiling without a seam. It was only when Jennifer stepped closer to the fountain in the center of the room that she saw a large circular hole had been cut, and a huge glass dome showed the star-sprinkled heavens.
Besides the soothing sounds of flute and water, Norman heard the light chirping of a bird. At first he thought his imagination was affected by all the plants and potted fruit trees growing everywhere in the room, but then he noticed a hanging cage almost as big as his entire cottage. He stepped nearer and saw an exotically colored bird such as he had never seen before.
With Norman studying the bird and Jennifer fascinated by the skylight, neither heard the soft step on the landing above the stairs.
"Greetings, travelers," a gentle, melodious voice called. "And welcome to my home."
Norman and Jennifer turned to face the beautiful woman who had spoken. She had thick golden hair that almost reached the floor. Her large blue eyes sparkled merrily in a face with a perfect pink complexion. She smiled warmly and made a sweeping motion with her slim hand, saying, "Everything you see is yours to share."
She came down the curving staircase and walked toward them with the graceful movement of an ice-skater. Jennifer started to curtsy, but the tall, slender woman stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.
"There's no need for formality," she said in the same quiet voice. "We're all friends here." The silk sleeve of her shimmering white gown brushed against Jennifer and it felt as cool and smooth as running water. It reminded Jennifer that her own simple gown had become dirty and tattered around the edges, and she guessed that her face was probably smudged.
Suddenly the woman's brow creased in concern. "But my poor dears," she murmured, "you look exhausted! Come, let me get you some food and drink and prepare a place for you to rest."
Jennifer glanced at Norman, who was [JS standing quite still, and she wondered if the sorcerer was being quiet out of shyness or if he had forgotten that he no longer had the magic ring and thought he had changed himself to look like an inconspicuous coat rack. In any case, all the questions that needed asking seemed left to her. "But where are we?" she asked in a voice that she felt sounded childishly high-pitched and ugly compared to the other's.
The beautiful woman smiled cheerfully. "Why, you're in my home. And this is as warm and safe a place as you'll find around here."
"But I thought we were in the Valley of Darkness and Despair," Norman said when it became obvious that she wasn't about to clarify this answer.
The woman started to laugh merrily but quickly forced herself to stop. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But does this look like the Valley of Darkness and Despair?"
She pulled two apples from one of the small trees and offered one to each of them. "Why don't you have an apple," she suggested, "and I'll see about getting something more substantial for you to eat from the kitchen. Do make yourselves at home."
She smiled encouragingly and left.
"My goodness!" Jennifer said when they were alone.
"How in the world could we have wandered out of the valley?" Norman asked. He placed his apple on the windowsill and thoughtfully stared out into the clear night.
Jennifer sat on the circular bench surrounding the fountain. She was very hungry, but Norman's sudden moodiness in the face of their obvious good luck disturbed her. Besides, something kept nagging at the edges of her mind.
She twirled her apple on the edge of the fountain in time to the melody the flute was still playing. Something someone had said. Norman? Alexander? No, it was the Old Witch. "Something about apples," Jennifer thought. "Or was it eating in general?"
She shrugged and picked up the fruit. But it was still wobbling from the last spin she had given it; it slipped through her fingers and into the fountain.
There was a loud hiss as the water bubbled and steamed. Norman turned to face Jennifer as she jumped to her feet. "Norman!" she gasped. "What happened? What does
this mean?"
"It means," came the cool, level voice of their beautiful hostess from the doorway, where she had reentered, "that Lesson Three is: Don't believe everything you see."
"Lesson Three?" Jennifer said, looking at her blankly. Then both she and Norman, at the same instant, whispered, "Malveenya!"
The flute music changed into the shrieking of the wind, which suddenly blew around the palace and through the room. As Norman ran to Jennifer's side, the room darkened. The white marble turned to black stone, and the 1)8 crystal chandeliers became heavy wrought-iron lamps. The mirrored ceiling was lost in flickering shadows caused by the jagged flashes of lightning that struck but did not break the skylight.
Jennifer twisted her face away from the stinging strands of hair that the wind blew into her eyes, and saw the flowers and fruit trees wither into dark, stunted scrub brush with burrs and poisonous-looking berries.
Malveenya stood with the wind whipping her golden hair behind her. Beautiful but terrible, she added her harsh laugh to the frantic cawing of the now-black buzzard, screaming in its cramped cage.
"Greetings, travelers," she repeated. "And welcome to my home."
Malveenya
MALVEENYA TOOK a step toward Jennifer and Norman. If anything, she was more beautiful than when they had first seen her. Her eyes blazed, her cheeks were flushed, her brilliant white teeth showed in an evil smile.
"So," she smirked, "you were able to outsmart a giant and a dragon. That doesn't automatically qualify you for any awards for cleverness, you know." Although lightning still lit the room irregularly, the wind had died down and she was able to speak without raising her voice.
She stepped closer and examined Jennifer coolly. "All day," she said. "All day to get here! What a slow and dreary child in every respect!"
She turned her attention to Norman. "And you, you silly old goat, where ever did she pick you up? I'm so disappointed! I have visitors so infrequently and I was truly hoping you'd be interesting. Kreech, stop that noise this instant!"