“Only people with kind hearts could be so moved,” Nick said.
Geth and Zale remained quiet.
“It’s a shame,” Nick said. “Lars was a very wise man.”
“Are you sure of that?” Zale asked.
“He always said he was wise,” a Stone Holder behind Nick informed them.
“Such a pity,” Nick said. “This beautiful valley with no one to live in it.”
“Um,” Geth said with a small laugh. “There’s nothing dangerous about the air in this valley. Lars was misinformed.”
“That’s not true,” an athletic Stone Holder hollered from another tunnel. “Some have tried and not lived through the night.”
“That’s because that nitwit Lars killed them,” Zale shouted, no longer able to defend the selfish Lars.
The crowd reacted now. Everyone gasped, and some began to yell and stomp their feet. Geth held up his hands.
“Listen,” Geth hollered. “It’s true that we had no desire to kill Lars, but it’s also true that he wasn’t a good man. He’s kept this from so many. The air in the valley is no different from the air in the caves.”
“I don’t believe you,” a Stone Holder in a business suit yelled. “Lars said so himself.”
“Lars cared only for himself,” Geth shouted. “He had no desire to share this.”
“Well, I’m not taking a chance,” a Stone Holder in a football helmet barked. “I don’t believe it.”
“I believe it,” Nick said, surprising everyone. “You’re a lithen, and there ain’t no way a liar would cry like you did at the death of another. Besides, I never really believed there was danger. I’ve stood on this balcony for hours and days and never had no sickness or death.”
“Lars was no different from you,” Geth said. “And he lived just fine. This valley is a safe home to all of the inhabitants of Zendor.”
Nick smiled. “I always did want to walk through those grassy fields. I’m so sick of caves and darkness.”
Nick jumped over the balcony like he was hopping onto a horse. He landed on the grass and rolled a few feet.
The crowds gasped and mumbled.
Nick stood up. His legs shook a bit as he took in a big breath of air. He exhaled and looked back at the mountains.
“I ain’t dead,” he yelled.
The crowd began to jabber and argue with each other. Geth could see a couple of Stone Holders from other tunnels drop down and begin running into the valley. Nick had turned and was running farther into the valley. He reached one of the streams and knelt down to take a drink of water. He stood back up and yelled as loud as he could.
“Still not dead, and the water tastes sweet!”
Stone Holders were not known for being great free thinkers. They were dreams that had come to life and been forced to live in caves and only come out at night. They were too frightened to fight and too disorganized to be effective in any way. It was no surprise that Payt’s voice could turn their minds to mush and control them because they weren’t deep thinkers to begin with. These Stone Holders here had lived for years and never really questioned why they couldn’t breathe the air in the valley. Now as one of theirs simply tasted the water and lived to tell about it, they were all converted. Sure, Geth could have been tricking them and leading them into one massive slaughter, but luckily for them that wasn’t the case.
Stone Holders dripped and tumbled from the caves all around the valley, running through the grass and trees like children. Geth and Zale watched them all streaming out of the tunnels in excitement.
Clover materialized on Geth’s right shoulder.
“Great,” Clover complained. “There goes the neighborhood. I can only imagine what they’ll do to my house . . . that house,” Clover corrected.
“We need to get back out of here,” Geth said. “I’ve got to find Jill. She can bring her people in here.”
“Can’t we just head home?” Clover begged. “Look at all these people who now have a place to live. And they all lived happily ever after,” Clover said dramatically.
“No,” Geth insisted. “There’s someone I still need to deal with.”
“I bet it’s a girl,” Clover moaned.
“Payt,” Geth reminded him.
“Wait,” Clover said confused. “Payt’s not a girl. He’s just in that fairy troupe. By the way, didn’t he say he was thirteenth division last time, and now he’s fourteenth? I think he’s promoting himself.”
“I’m with Clover,” Zale said as the noise of Stone Holders rejoicing became almost unbearable. “You should get out of this realm while you can.”
“We’re not getting out,” Geth said. “And when we do, you’re coming with us.”
“No,” Zale insisted.
“Don’t argue with him,” Clover complained. “He never backs down.”
“I’m not arguing,” Zale insisted. “This feels nice. Hurray for the Stone Holders. Now they can hide in comfort. But the truth is, Payt still rules, and these people are merely trapped in a different spot. There’s no real escape from Payt and no exit to Zendor.”
“Eve escaped,” Geth reminded his brother. “She brought us here.”
“Eve escaped?” Zale spat. “Where is she now? Oh, that’s right, she’s under the influence of Payt’s voice and being forced to do his will. I bet she’s happy about her escape.”
“We’ll change that,” Geth argued. “This is a beginning, not an end.”
Geth headed back down the tunnel with Zale following. They passed Stone Holders who had heard the news and were heading toward the light.
“Do you remember how to get out?” Clover asked.
“I think so,” Geth replied. “There weren’t too many turns.”
Geth navigated them down and through the tunnels perfectly, despite the fact that Clover kept insisting they were going the wrong way.
“It’ll be light outside,” Clover reminded Geth. “What if there are boors?”
“I don’t mind waiting a few more hours to change a thousand lives.”
“Nice,” Clover said. “That line’s definitely going in the biography.”
Geth smiled and continued to lead.
“I bet Edgar has really missed me,” Clover added.
“I bet you’re right,” Geth agreed.
Nighttime couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Nineteen
Boxed In, Closed Up, Pushed Out
It has been said by more than one smart-looking person in a lab coat and glasses that questions can lead to answers. Of course, a few smart people wearing ties and polished shoes have also said that questions can also lead to more questions. I suppose that’s true. I once asked a man why he felt it was necessary to harm me. He then questioned my authority to ask such a question. His attitude caused me to question his approach, and we both ended up confused and questioning our place in a world where questions were so freely thrown about. He believed that we were here to form questions. I felt we were here to find answers.
There’s no question I’m right.
Geth had a lot of questions. In Foo, he had grown up a member of an elite pedigree. As a lithen, he had always been respected by most and hated by some. He had known happiness and sorrow, but embraced them both in ways that only a lithen could. Now, as he sat in a large cavern in the center of Zendor, he had more questions about who he was and if he was doing the right thing than he had ever had before. It was as if the lithen in him was being drained and real concern and emotions were visiting him for the very first time.
“Are you okay?” Clover asked. “You’re so quiet.”
“I hope we’re in the right spot,” Geth said, surprised to hear the words coming out of his mouth.
“Whoa,” Clover said reverently. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that.”
“Foo seems so far
away,” Geth added softly.
“Finally,” Clover cheered with enthusiasm. “This is what I’ve been saying. Let’s ditch this plan and find our way out. But we’ve gotta bring Edgar.”
Edgar was currently asleep on the cave floor. He had waited patiently for them while they had visited Lars, and had been by Clover’s side ever since they had come out. Geth looked at Edgar and smiled.
“We should just have him take apart Payt,” Clover suggested.
“I wish we could,” Geth said. “But Payt’s voice would stop him.”
“Fine,” Clover said assertively. “Then let’s get out of here and return to Foo.”
“Really?” Geth asked. “You could bail on everyone here in Zendor—all those who are now lined up to help finish this?”
“They have the plan,” Clover said. “They don’t need us. We can find a substitute. It might be good for them to do it on their own.”
“The plan was my idea,” Geth reminded him.
“And it’s an okay plan,” Clover said skeptically. “I just have a hard time getting behind something that’s dependent on me being a part.”
“That’s probably a smart way for you to live,” Geth joked.
It had been over a week since Lars had died, and Zendor was already changing. The Stone Holders and Those Who Hide had gotten word of the safety the valley provided, and a secret and powerful exodus had begun. As Payt burned fields and destroyed any structure he could find in an attempt to locate Geth, those who had once only hidden and lived in the dark were making their way across Zendor to hide safely in the valley.
“We can get out,” Clover said happily. “We’ve done our part. That valley is filling with more and more beings every hour. Think how many people are safe because of . . . because of . . .”
“Because of you?” Geth asked with a smile.
“I didn’t want to brag,” Clover said humbly.
“So what were you saying to all those women the other night?” Geth asked. “That wasn’t bragging?”
“I was just filling them in,” Clover insisted. “What I did or didn’t do is history and I want to make sure they record it properly.”
Geth patted Clover on the head.
“It’s a dangerous plan,” Geth said with excitement and worry. “Are you sure you want in?”
“No,” Clover said passionately. “I want out. Out of here and back to Foo. Lilly has to be sick about me by now.”
“Yeah,” Geth said solemnly. “I wish I could at least let Phoebe know I’m okay.”
“You’re not okay,” Clover reminded him. “You’re acting weird. Ever since that Lars guy bit it, I mean perished, you seem sort of sad. I didn’t think lithens could be sad.”
“I didn’t either,” Geth said, still not understanding what was happening himself.
“The plan could go wrong,” Clover reminded Geth.
“But if it goes right, I’ll get a chance to talk to Payt face-to-face,” Geth said seriously.
“Most people wouldn’t see that as a perk.”
“He has to be stopped.”
“What happens if things go nuts?” Clover asked. “Payt has a lot of boors. So many of the people we once knew are now fighting against us.”
“Well, let’s quit, then,” Geth suggested.
“I hate it when you raise my hopes like that,” Clover complained. “And what about your brother?”
“Zale’s committed,” Geth said. “The air from that valley has made him a new person. He’s helped build the wagons and right now is out in the field getting things ready. I hardly recognize him.”
Geth was right about Zale. Since Lars had perished, Zale had stepped up and fully embraced Geth’s plan to fight. He had also spent time helping those who were traveling the caves and moving to the valley. He was a changed lithen. The transformation gave Geth hope but also brought up strong feelings of sadness over the absence of all the others he cared for.
“Tell me again how this plan is going to work?” Clover asked Geth.
“Okay,” Geth said. “We’ve built three wooden wagons similar to the one we’ve seen Payt driving. Except there’s a major difference.”
“The secret compartment at the bottom,” Clover whispered excitedly.
“Right,” Geth said. “Each compartment can fit one person. Zale, Nick, and I will hide in the three wagons. The wagons will be pushed onto the main road, where Jill and others will pretend to drive them in broad daylight. When the boors give chase, Jill and the others will abandon the wagons. The boors will then do what they always do when they find any person or thing out of place. They’ll take the wagons to Pencilbottom Castle.”
“Just like when that one guy built that tower,” Clover chimed in. “And Zale said they took the whole thing to the castle?”
“Yes,” Geth answered. “And Zale is certain that the wagons will be put in the large compound near the castle. That’s where all the objects and oddities the boors bring in are placed. It’s perfect because we will be safely in the castle grounds without anyone knowing.”
“I’d be impressed, but remember, that’s where we once had to escape from.”
“I know,” Geth said with excitement. “But now we’re sneaking in. Then when night falls we’ll slip out of the wagons and take care of Payt.”
“This is just like that one story,” Clover said in a hushed voice, “where that guy builds that wooden animal and hides inside of it.”
“Trojan horse,” Geth said.
“No,” Clover insisted. “The guy’s name was Gregg, and I think the story was called ‘Wooden Surprise.’”
“Right,” Geth said skeptically. “This is just like ‘Wooden Surprise.’”
“Also, you left two things out,” Clover said.
“What?”
“One, I’ll be hiding in your wagon with you.”
Geth nodded. “True—that’s a great strength to our plan.”
“And two,” Clover listed, “there are about a hundred things that can go wrong.”
“But we just need a couple of things to go right,” Geth said positively.
“Pencilbottom Castle is filled with traps,” Clover reminded him. “If you remember correctly, you and I were both caught in one.”
“Zale has given us great information about the safest ways to move around the castle,” Geth said. “He spent many years there in that cell, and he’s heard and learned a few things over the years. We’ll still have to be careful, but we’ll have the upper hand. We know where Payt will be, and we know how to get there.”
“I think I’m going to throw up thinking about it,” Clover admitted.
“Then don’t think,” Geth instructed. “Besides, it’s time to move.”
Clover hopped over and patted Edgar on the head. The big beast didn’t even stir.
“Hopefully when he wakes up we’ll almost be back,” Clover said. “I’ll be honest, though, it scares me to leave him.”
“Do what you fear most,” Geth said wisely, “and the death of fear is certain.”
“I have a hard time killing spiders,” Clover complained. “Not to mention fear.”
Geth picked up Clover and put him on his right shoulder. He then walked down the long tunnel and out into the field of crops where the wagons had been built and hidden. There were a number of women gathered around the wagons waiting to help push. Jill was there, still wearing a sweater around her neck and bossing people around. Zale and Nick were already in their wagons preparing to crawl into the hidden compartments. Zale looked stronger, and there was life in his eyes now. His dark beard had been shaved off, and the resemblance to Geth was much more visible.
“This is foolish,” Zale said supportively to his brother.
“I know,” Geth replied.
“We’ll be fine,” Nick said. “I know there’s
danger ahead, but I kinda like the feeling of excitement on the back of my neck.”
“You sound more like a lithen than Zale and I do,” Geth joked.
“Thank you kindly,” Nick replied. He then took off his cowboy hat and with ceremony tossed it out into the group of women. A girl in a bathing suit and cap caught the hat and cheered.
“Remember,” Geth said, “we wait one hour after dark. Then open the compartment and follow your route. The first one to finish Payt wins.”
Nick and Zale clapped.
Jill helped Geth and Clover up into their wagon. A woman dressed in a pink skirt with pink leather shoes, like Eve and Anna, moved the large wooden plank to show Geth the compartment.
“You’re very brave,” she said breathlessly as Geth started to climb in.
“Thank you,” Clover replied.
Geth lay down in the bottom of the compartment with Clover.
“I wish I was going with you,” the woman in pink said, blushing.
“Mindy,” Jill chastised. “Stop harassing Geth.”
Jill stepped over and helped Mindy slide the large, heavy board into place.
“Thanks,” Geth called from inside the compartment.
“Anytime,” Jill cooed.
It was dark inside the small compartment, but a tiny crack directly above Geth’s eyes allowed him to see out just a bit and kept the space from being pitch-black. Geth’s legs were stretched straight out and he was laying his head on a soft piece of cloth. Geth bent his arms and closed two hooks that held the plank in place on top of him. Clover bunched himself up on the right side of Geth’s head.
“I hate small spaces,” Clover whispered.
“They’re not my favorite either,” Geth agreed.
“You know, this is way more dangerous for you,” Clover said quietly. “If we get caught, I can always go invisible.”
“I know,” Geth said. “If something goes wrong, you have to find a way back to Foo alone.”
“I would never leave you,” Clover said. “I mean, I love Leven and Winter and I really love Lilly, but I couldn’t leave.”
The sound of Jill settling onto the front seat of the wagon and other dreams gathering behind could be heard. Geth looked up through the sliver of a crack and could see the back of Jill’s hair as she sat.