Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - Chapter 6 - Maddox

Summary

この物語は、ケンドラとセスという双子が祖父の森の家で不思議な出来事に遭遇する冒険を描いています。彼らは妖精と出会って、祖父の家に来たフェアリーブローカーのマドックス・フィスクと出会い、様々な種類の妖精を知ることができます。彼らはフェアリーの魅力に魅了され、神秘的なフェアリーの歌を聴くことができ、その力を体験します。しかし、祖父は夜になると秘密の交渉があり、子供たちは聞くことのできない騒音を聞いても、知ることはできないと告げています。

Takeaways

• 🛏️ ケンドラは興奮して目を覚まし、祖父の家にいることを思い出します。
• 🌞 ケンドラは朝早く起き、庭の美しい風景を楽しみます。
• 🍫 レナがホットチョコレートを作りながら、昔話を語ります。
• 🚤 パトン・バーゲスが水の妖精に恋をし、ボートハウスを建てた話。
• 🌊 レナが実は水の妖精だったことが明かされ、彼女の変身と人生の物語が語られます。
• 🌍 レナの冒険と多くの職業を経験した話。
• 🧚‍♂️ セスが妖精のいる池を探索しようとしますが、ケンドラに止められます。
• 🧔‍♂️ 夕食時に妖精の仲介者マドックスが登場し、彼の仕事について話します。
• 🦋 マドックスが持ってきた珍しい妖精たちが紹介されます。
• 🎶 ゴビ砂漠で捕まえた特別な妖精が歌を披露し、皆が魅了されます。

Q & A

ケンドラが目を覚ました時の状況はどうでしたか？

ケンドラはシーツを頭の上でテント状にしていた。彼女は何かを楽しみにしていた。まるでクリスマスの朝か、学校を休んで家族と遊園地を訪れる日のような気分だった。しかし、彼女は祖父ソーレンセンの家にいた。

セスは朝起きるとどのような状況でしたか？

セスは髪を乱れ、口を開け、足を布団に絡めている不揃いの姿勢でまだ眠っていた。彼らは前日に遅くまで話し、兄弟よりも友達のような関係で過ごしていた。

レナが朝に何をしていて、ケンドラはどのように反応しましたか？

レナはポーチで風鈴をぶら下げていた。すでにいくつかの風鈴をぶら下げ、蝶がその一つの風鈴の周りを飛び、シンプルなメロディーを鳴らしていた。ケンドラは朝の景色を見て、園子の中の虫たちが忙しく動いているのを見て、レナとの会話の中でホットチョコレートを希望した。

パトン・バーゲスが建造したボートハウスの物語とは何ですか？

パトン・バーゲスは1878年にこの財産の管理人となり、その池が彼の最愛の場所だった。彼は水中の水中ニンフに長い時間を費やし、特に気に入ったニンフに注目し、ボートハウスを建てて水に近づくようにした。しかし、彼の執着は3年以上も続いたが、最終的には水中ニンフに溺れ死した。

レナはどのようにして人間になったのですか？

パトンが溺れ死した時、彼の最愛の水中ニンフは彼を助け、岸に返した。その日、レナは水中ニンフから人間になり、パトンと共に51年間を過ごした。

ケンドラがホットチョコレートを吹き出してテーブルに飛ばした理由は何ですか？

レナが自分がかつての水中ニンフであることを告白した時、ケンドラはその衝撃からホットチョコレートを吹き出し、テーブルに飛ばしてしまった。

マドックス・フィスクはどのような人物ですか？

マドックス・フィスクはフェアリーのブローカーで、フェアリーを売買する専門家であり、フェアリーを捕らえる方法にはトレードシークレットがあると述べている。

フェアリーを捕らえるのはなぜ難しいですか？

マドックス・フィスクは、フェアリーを捕らえるのは彼らの虚栄心を利用するなど、かなりのノウハウが必要であると説明している。

フェアリーのサンクチュアリとは何であり、なぜ秘密にされているのですか？

サンクチュアリは多くの古代の魔法生物の最後の避難所であり、数千年間にわたり、人々が秘密を守り続けてきた。強力な魔法によって守られており、場所は必要に応じて変更される。

「夕方のお星」とは何であり、なぜ重要なのですか？

「夕方のお星」は古代の組織で、サンクチュアリを破壊し、独自の誤った目的で使用しようとする集団である。彼らの存在は稀に噂されるが、再び活動を始めるかもしれないという噂が聞こえている。

マドックスが持参したフェアリーの中で最も特別なのはどれですか？

マドックスが最も特別なフェアリーと称するのは、ゴビ砂漠のオアシスで捕らえたジンハープで、その音楽はオペラのアリアとララバイの甘さを兼ね備えた魅惑の声だった。

Outlines

00:00

🌅 朝の冒険の予感

この段落では、ケンドラが祖父の家で目覚める様子が描かれています。彼女は何かを楽しみにしていた気持ちで、祖父の家での日々がまるで学校を休んだり、遊園地を訪れたりするような特別な日のように感じています。彼女はセスと夜遅くまで話をして、兄弟以上の友情を感じていた。彼女は窓辺で日の出を眺め、外の自然と昆虫たちが活気に満ちている様子を見て、レナと話しながら新しい1日を迎えます。

05:01

🧙‍♀️ レナの秘密

ケンドラはレナと朝食を共にしており、レナが昔の物語について話すことを思い出します。レナはかつて水の精霊であるナイアドだったことが明らかになり、彼女はパトン・バージェスという男性との恋を経験したと語ります。パトンは水辺でナイアドたちと遊び、特に1匹のナイアドに惹かれていましたが、その結果、溺れ死する羽目になってしまいました。しかし、レナは彼を助け出し、自らも人間になることを選びました。その後、パトンと共に長い人生を送り、世界を旅してきました。

10:03

🤔 セスの冒険心

セスは森を探索することを決意し、ケンドラに止められますが、それでも彼は冒険を続ける決心を固めています。彼は自分の「緊急キット」を用意しており、魔法使いのようすを見せかけるアイテムをいくつか持っています。ケンドラは彼に危険を警告し、祖父が森の危険を知っていることを強調していますが、セスは大人たちが子供を甘く見ることに疑問を持っています。

15:04

🧞‍♂️ フェアリートレーダー

マドックス・フィスクという人物が紹介され、彼はフェアリーのトレーダーであり、フェアリーを飼育し、売買していることが明らかになります。彼はフェアリーを捕まえる方法について話しており、フェアリーのプライドを利用して捕まえるとのことです。また、フェアリーの売買には多くの秘密が伴い、彼はその詳細を秘匿しています。

20:05

🎼 神秘のフェアリーの歌声

マドックスは特別なフェアリー、ジンハープを紹介し、その歌声を聴かせます。その歌声は非常に美しく、聴衆を魅了します。ジンハープは稀な種で、マドックスはモンゴルの辺境で発見したと語ります。祖父はこのフェアリーが非常に価値があると認識しており、他のコレクションと交換を検討しています。

Keywords

💡ケンドラ (Kendra)

ケンドラは物語の主人公であり、祖父ソレンセンの家で冒険を繰り広げる少女です。彼女は好奇心旺盛で、物語の中で妖精や魔法の生物に魅了され、彼らとの交流を通じて成長していきます。例えば、朝早く起きて妖精たちの動きに感動するシーンがあります。

💡妖精 (Fairies)

妖精はこの物語の中心的な存在であり、魔法の世界に生息する神秘的な生き物です。彼らは美しい外見を持ち、物語の中でさまざまな形や能力を示します。例えば、ソレンセン家の庭で妖精が飛び回り、音楽を奏でる場面があります。

💡ナイアド (Nyad)

ナイアドは水の精霊であり、湖や川に住んでいる存在です。物語では、パットン・バーグスという男性がナイアドに魅了され、特にある一人のナイアドに恋をします。ナイアドの一人であったリーナが、後に物語の重要な人物となります。

💡パットン・バーグス (Patton Burgess)

パットン・バーグスは物語の過去に登場する人物で、1878年にソレンセン家の管理人となった若い男性です。彼はナイアドに恋をし、彼女たちに近づこうとするも、最終的にはナイアドの愛によって救われます。彼の物語は、リーナがナイアドから人間になった経緯と深く関連しています。

💡リーナ (Lena)

リーナは、かつてナイアドであったが、人間の男性パットン・バーグスのために不死を捨て、人間として生きることを選んだ女性です。彼女の物語は、愛と犠牲のテーマを強調しており、ケンドラに深い影響を与えます。

💡マドックス・フィスク (Maddox Fisk)

マドックス・フィスクは、妖精を捕獲し取引するフェアリーブローカーです。彼は物語の中で、異なる地域から集めた多種多様な妖精を紹介し、彼らをどのように捕まえるかの秘訣を話します。彼の登場により、物語にさらなる魔法的要素が加わります。

💡夕星の会 (Society of the Evening Star)

夕星の会は、魔法の保護区を支配しようとする古代の組織です。物語の中で、彼らが再び活動を開始したという噂が広まり、ソレンセン家とその保護区に対する脅威として描かれます。彼らは黒魔術の実践者や悪魔と関係しており、物語の緊張感を高めます。

💡保護区 (Preserves)

保護区は、物語の舞台であるソレンセン家のように、妖精や他の魔法の生物を安全に保護するための場所です。これらの保護区は世界中に存在し、人々から隠され、保護されています。物語では、これらの場所がいかにして維持されているかが描かれます。

💡ジェンハープ (Jinn Harp)

ジェンハープは、ゴビ砂漠のオアシスで発見された稀少な妖精で、金色の光のリボンのような翼を持つ美しい存在です。彼女の歌声はオペラのアリアのように力強く、甘美な子守唄のように優雅です。彼女の登場は物語に神秘的な魅力を加えます。

💡ソレンセン家 (Sorensen's House)

ソレンセン家は、物語の主要な舞台であり、ケンドラとセスが滞在する場所です。ここは妖精や他の魔法の生物が集まる保護区で、彼らの冒険と発見の中心となります。祖父と祖母、リーナがこの家を管理し、保護区の秘密を守っています。

Highlights

Kendra wakes up excited for the day, reminiscent of Christmas morning or a day off from school.

Seth and Kendra discuss the events of the day, bonding like friends rather than siblings.

Kendra observes Lena hanging wind chimes on the porch, creating a melody that attracts butterflies and birds.

Lena shares the story of the church that once played melodies on bells, influencing the fairies' behavior.

Patton Burgess, a man obsessed with niots, becomes the caretaker of the property in 1878.

Patton builds a boathouse to get closer to the water nymphs, showing his fascination with them.

A water nymph, Lena, becomes fond of Patton and saves him from the other nymphs after he capsizes his boat.

Lena reveals her true identity as a former nyad and shares her experience of becoming mortal.

Lena's life after becoming mortal includes traveling the world and experiencing various cultures and jobs.

Kendra and Lena discuss the nature of being a nyad and the differences between immortality and mortality.

Seth plans an operation to explore the pond and its mysterious inhabitants, despite the dangers.

Maddox Fisk introduces himself as a fairy broker, discussing the trade of fairies and their preservation.

Maddox explains the difficulty of capturing fairies and the tricks used to appeal to their vanity.

The existence of fairy preserves on all continents, including Antarctica, is revealed.

Maddox showcases various types of fairies, each with unique characteristics and abilities.

The Jen harp fairy's song captivates everyone with its mesmerizing and emotional power.

Maddox's journey to capture the Jen harp fairy involved enduring harsh conditions and following local legends.

Grandpa expresses interest in acquiring the Jen harp fairy, highlighting its rarity and allure.

Transcripts

chapter 6 Maddox

Kendra snapped awake with her sheets

tented over her head she was supposed to

be excited about something it felt like

Christmas morning or a day she was going

to take off a school so her family could

visit an amusement park

no she was at Grandpa Sorensen's the

fairies

she pushed off the sheets Seth lay in a

contorted position hair wildly

disheveled mouth open legs Tangled in

his covers still out cold

they had stayed up late discussing the

events of the day almost like friends

rather than siblings

Kendra rolled out of bed and patted over

to the window the sun was peeking over

the Eastern Horizon streaming gilded

highlights across the Treetops should

grab some clothes went down to the

bathroom took off her night shirt and

got dressed for the day

downstairs the kitchen was empty Kendra

found Lena out on the porch balancing a

top of stool Lena was hanging wind

chimes she had already hung several

along the length of the porch a

butterfly flitted around one of the

Chimes playing a sweet simple Melody

good morning Lana said you're up early

I'm still so excited from yesterday

Kendra looked out at the Garden the

butterflies bumblebees and hummingbirds

were already going about their business

Grandpa was right many clustered around

the newly refilled bird baths and

fountains admiring their reflections

just a bunch of bugs again Lena said can

I have some hot chocolate

let me hang these last Chimes she said

moving the stool and climbing fearlessly

on top of it she was so old if she fell

she would probably die

be careful Kendra said Lena waved a

dismissive hand

the day I'm too old to climb on a stool

will be the day I throw myself off the

roof she hung the final chime we had to

take these down for you kids might have

made you suspicious to see the

hummingbirds playing music

Kendra followed Lena back into the house

years ago there used to be a church

within your shot that would play

melodies on the bells Lana said it was

so funny to watch the fairies imitate

the music they still play those old

songs sometimes

Lena opened the refrigerator removing an

old-fashioned milk bottle Kendra sat at

the table

Lena poured some milk into a pot on the

stove and began adding ingredients

Kendra noticed that she was not just

scooping in chocolate powder she was

stirring in contents from multiple

containers

grandpa said to ask you about the story

of the guy who built the boathouse

Kendra said Lena paused in her stirring

did he I suppose I am more familiar with

that story than most she resumed

stirring what did he tell you he said

the guy had an obsession with niots

what's a nyad anyhow

a water nymph what else did he say

just that you know the story

the man was named Patton Burgess said

Lena he became caretaker of this

property in 1878 inheriting the position

from his maternal grandfather

he was a young man at the time quite

good looking wore a mustache there are

pictures upstairs

the pond was his favorite place on the

property

mine too

he would go and gaze the niads for hours

they would try to tease him down to the

water's edge as was their custom in

order to drown him he would draw near

sometimes even pretending he meant to

jump in but always stayed tantalizingly

Out Of Reach

Lena sampled the hot chocolate and

stirred some more

unlike most of the visitors who seem to

regard the niads as interchangeable he

paid special attention to a particular

nymph asking for her by name

he began to pay little heed to the other

niads on the days when his favorite

would not show herself he left early

Lena poured the milk from the pot into a

pair of mugs he became fixated on her

when he built The Boathouse the nymphs

wondered what he could be doing

he constructed a broad sturdy robot so

he'd go out on the water and be closer

to the object of his fascination

Lena brought the mugs to the table and

sat down

the nyads tried to upset his craft every

time he set forth but it was too

cleverly constructed

they succeeded only in pushing it around

the pond

Kendrick took a sip the hot chocolate

was Perfection barely cool enough to sip

comfortably

Patton began trying to coax his favorite

nyad to leave the water to come walk

with him on the land

she responded by urging him to join her

in the pond for to leave the water would

mean to enter mortality the tug of war

went on for more than three years he

would serenade her on his violin and

read her poetry and make her promises

about the joys their life would hold

he showed such sincerity and such

perseverance that on occasion she would

gaze into His Kind eyes and falter

Lena sipped the hot chocolate

one day in March Patton got careless he

leaned too close to the gun whale and

Anaya caught hold of his sleeves as he

conversed with his favorite a strong man

he resisted her but the struggle pulled

him to one side of the boat upsetting

his typical equilibrium a pair of nyads

heaved upward on the other side and it

capsized

he died Kendra was horrified

he would have died yes the nyads had

their prize in their domain he was no

match for them giddy with the

long-awaited victory they rushed him

towards the bottom of the pond to add

him to their collection of moral victims

but it was more than the favorite could

bear

she had grown fond of Patton seduced by

his diligent attention and unlike the

others she did not consider his death an

amusement

she fought off her sisters and returned

him to the shore

that was the day I left the pond

Kendra spewed hot chocolate across the

table you're the nyad

I was once you became mortal Lena

absently blotted up the hot chocolate

Kendra had sprayed using a small towel

if I could go back I would make the same

decision every time we had a joyful life

Patton managed Fablehaven for 51 years

before passing it off to a nephew he

lived 12 years after that died at 91.

his mind was sharp to the end

helps to have a young wife

how are you still alive

I became subject to the laws of

mortality but they have taken effect

gradually

as I sat by his deathbed I looked

perhaps 20 years older than I had the

day when I carried him out of the water

I felt guilty about looking so young as

his frail body was shutting down I

wanted to be old like him

of course now that my age is finally

catching up with me I don't care for it

much

Kendra sipped more of her hot chocolate

she was so enthralled that she barely

tasted it what did you do after he

passed away

I took advantage of my mortality I had

paid a steep price for it so I traveled

the world to see what it had to offer

Europe the Middle East India Japan South

America Africa Australia the Pacific

Islands I had Many Adventures I set some

swimming records in Britain and could

have said even more except I was holding

back no sense raising a lot of questions

I worked as a painter a chef a geisha a

trapeze artist a nurse many men pursued

me but I never loved again

eventually there was a sameness to the

traveling so I returned home to the

place my heart never left

do you ever go back to the pond

only in memory it would be unwise they

despised me there all the more intensely

because of their secret Envy how they

would laugh at my appearance they have

not aged a day but I have experienced

many things that they will never know

some painful some wonderful

Kendra finished up the last of her hot

chocolate and wiped her lips what was it

like being in nyad

Lena gazed out the window

hard to say I ask myself the same

question it wasn't just my body that

became mortal my mind transformed as

well I think I prefer this life but it

might be because I have changed

fundamentally mortality has a totally

different state of being

you become more aware of time

I was absolutely content as a nyad I

lived in an unchanging state for what

must have been many Millennia never

thinking about the future or the past

always looking for amusement always

finding it almost no self-awareness it

feels like a blur now no like a blink a

single moment that lasted thousands of

years

you would have lived forever Kendra

exclaimed we weren't quite Immortal we

did not age so I suppose that some of

our kind could endure forever if lakes

and rivers last forever

difficult to say

we do not really live not like Mortals

we dreamed

wow

at least that was the way of things

until Patton Lena said more to herself

now

I began looking forward to his visits

and back on them in memory

I suppose that was the beginning of the

end

Kendra shook her head and I thought you

were just the half Chinese housekeeper

she smiled

Patton always liked my eyes she batted

them he said he was of the Asian

persuasion

what's Dale's story is he a pirate king

or something

Dale is a regular man a second cousin of

your grandfather a man he trusts

Kendra looked into her empty mug a ring

of chocolate sediment circled the bottom

I have a question she said and I want

you to answer honestly

if I can

is my grandma Sorensen dead

what makes you ask that

I think Grandpa makes up phony excuses

for her not being around this is a

dangerous place he has lied about other

things I get the feeling he's trying to

protect us from the truth

I often wonder if lies are ever a

protection

she's dead isn't she no she's alive is

she the Witch she's not the witch

is she really visiting on whoever in

Missouri

that is for your grandfather to tell

Seth looked over his shoulder beside the

fairies fluttering about the garden

looks still Grandpa and Dale were long

gone Lena was in the house dusting

Kendra was off doing whatever boring

things kept her occupied he had his

emergency kit in hand along with a few

strategic additions operation sequel

monsters was about to begin

he hesitantly stepped off the edge of

the lawn into the woods half expecting

werewolves to LEAP out on him there were

a few fairies up ahead not as many as in

the garden

otherwise things look pretty much the

same

he marched forward setting a Brisk paste

where do you think you're going

Seth World Kendra was approaching from

the garden he walked back to meet her at

the edge of the lawn I want to see

what's really at the pond those Naya

thingies and stuff how brain damaged are

you didn't you hear a word grandpa told

us yesterday I'm gonna be careful I

won't go near the water

you could get killed I mean really

killed not bitten by a tick Grandpa made

those rules for a reason

adults always underestimate kids Seth

said they get all protective because

they think we're babies think about it

mom used to complain all the time about

me playing in the street but I always

did it and what's happened nothing I

paid attention I stayed out of the way

when a car came

this is so different

grandpa goes all over the place

Kendra clenched her hands into fists

Grandpa knows the places to avoid you

don't even know what you're dealing with

besides when Grandpa finds out he'll be

stuck in the attic for the rest of our

stay

how's he gonna find out he knew he went

into the woods last time he knew he

drank the milk

because you were there your bad luck

rubbed off on me how did you know where

I was going

your secret agent skills need some work

Kendra said a good start might be not

wearing your camouflage shirt every time

you go exploring I need to hide from the

dragons

right you're practically invisible just

a floating head

I have my emergency kit if anything

attacks I can scare it away with my gear

with rubber bands I have a whistle I

have a mirror I have a cigarette lighter

I have firecrackers they'll think I'm a

wizard

do you really believe that and I have

this

he pulled out the little skull in the

crystal Globe from Grandpa's desk that

should make them think twice a skull the

size of a peanut

there probably aren't even any monsters

Seth said what makes you think Grandpa's

telling the truth this time

I don't know maybe the fairies

well good job you blew it congratulate

yourself I can't go now

I'm gonna blow it every time not to be a

jerk but because you can get really hurt

Seth kicked a stone sending it skidding

into the woods what am I supposed to do

now

how about exploring the enormous Garden

full of fairies I already did I can't

catch them

not to catch them to look at magical

creatures that nobody else even knows

exist come on

he reluctantly joined her

oh look another fairy he mumbled now

I've seen a million

don't forget to put the skull back

when they responded to the call for

dinner a stranger sat at the table along

with Grandpa and Dale The Stranger stood

when they entered he was taller than

Grandpa and much broader with curly

brown hair the layers of furry skins he

wore made him look like a mountain man

he was missing the bottom of one earlobe

kids this is Maddox Fisk grandpa said

Maddox me and my grandchildren Kendra

and Steph Kendra shook the man's

calloused thick fingered hand

do you work here too Seth asked Maddox

is a ferry broker grandpa said among

other things Maddox added gold Ferry is

my specialty you sell fairies Kendra

asked taking a seat throw up them play

them thread them sell them all of the

above

how do you trap them Seth asked a man

has to keep his Trade Secrets private

Maddox said taking a bite of pork roast

let me tell you apprehending a fairy is

no easy task celebrity Critters the

trick usually involves appealing to

their vanity even then takes quite a bit

of know-how

could you use an apprentice Seth

inquired well that thought about six

years Maddox winked at Kendra

who buys fairies Kendra asked

Volkswagen preserves like go Granddad a

few private collectors other brokers

are there lots of preserves Seth asked

dozens Maddox replied there on all seven

continents even Antarctica Kendra asked

although one is on the ground harsh

environment perfect for a certain

species though

Kendra swallowed a bite of pork what

keeps people from discovering the

sanctuaries

there's been a worldwide network of

dedicated people keeping The Preserve

secret for thousands of years grandpa

said they're backed by ancient fortunes

held in trust bribes get paid locations

are changed when necessary

hopes that most folks are unable to see

the Little Critters Maddox said with the

right licenses you can get butterflies

through customs when you can't there are

other ways to cross borders

their preserves are the final refuge for

many ancient and wonderful species

grandpa said the goal is to prevent

these wondrous beings from passing out

of existence

though men Maddox said

you have a good haul this season Dale

asked

photos dropping goals pickings are

getting Slimmer every year I make a few

exciting finds in the wild one you won't

believe I picked up several rare

specimens from preserves in the

southeast Asia and Indonesia I'm sure we

can do some trading I'll tell you more

when we adjourn the study

you kids are welcome to join us grandpa

said all right Seth cheered Kendrick

took another bite of the succulent pork

rust everything Lena cooked was

outstanding always perfectly seasoned

typically served with delicious gravies

or sauces Kendra never had any

complaints about her mom's cooking but

Lena was a class all her own

Grandpa and Maddox discussed people

Kendra did not know other individuals

involved with the secretive world of

fairy aficionados she wondered if Maddox

would ask about Grandpa but it never

came up

Maddox repeatedly mentioned the evening

star Grandpa seemed to focus on the news

with particular interest rumors that the

evening star was forming again a woman

who claimed the evening star tried to

recruit her Whispers of an attack by the

evening star Kendra could not resist

interjecting what's the evening star it

sounds like you're using it as a code

word

Maddox glanced uncertainly at Grandpa

Grandpa gave him a nod

the Society of the evening star is an

Arcane organization that we all hope

that gone extinct a decade ago Maddox

explained over the centuries the

relevance is waxed and waned seems just

when you think they've seen the last of

them you start hearing rumors again

they are dedicated to overthrowing

preserves in order to use them for their

own misguided purposes grandpa said

members of the society can start with

demons and practitioners of the Black

Arts

are they gonna attack us Seth asked not

likely grandpa said The Preserves are

protected by powerful magic but I'll

endear to the news all the same rarely

hurts to be cautious

why the evening star Kendra asked it's

such a pretty name

the evening star occurs in the night

Maddox said

they consider the statement in silence

Maddox wiped his lips with a napkin

sorry not a very cheery topic around the

dinner table

after supper Lena cleared the table and

they all went to the study on the way

there Maddox collected several cases and

crates from the entry hall the cases had

preparations evidently to allow the

creatures inside to breathe but Kendra

was unable to see into them all were

locked

Grandpa settled in behind his large desk

Dale and Maddox claimed the oversized

armchairs Lena lent against the

windowsill and Kendra and Seth found

seats on the floor

first off Maddox said bending over and

unlocking a large black crate we have

some Verdes from a preserve on Timor he

opened the hatch and eight fairies sort

out two tiny ones not even an inch tall

darted to the window they were amber in

color with wings like flies one banged

on the window pane with a minuscule fist

a large fairy more than four inches tall

hovered in front of Kendra she looked

like a miniature Pacific Islander with

dragonfly wings across her back as well

as Tiny Wings on her ankles

three of the fairies had elaborate

butterfly wings with the appearance of

stained glass another had oily black

wings the last had furry wings and her

body was coated with pale blue fuzz whoa

Seth said that one's all hairy

the Downy Felton Sprite found only on

the island of Roti Maddox said

I like the little ones Kendra said a

more common variety they haunt the

Malaysian Peninsula Maddox said they're

so fast Kendra said why don't they

escape

catching a fairy who renders her

powerless maddoxin keep her in a cage or

a sealed the room like this one and her

magic could not be used to escape while

under confinement they become fairly

docile and obedient

Kendra frowned how does Grandpa know

they will stand his garden if he buys

them Maddox winked at Grandpa gets right

to the point this one he turned back to

Kendra fairies are highly territorial

non-migratoric creatures put them in a

livable environment and they stay put

especially an environment like

Fablehaven with Gardens and plentiful

food and other Enchanted Critters

I'm sure I can find a trade for a

fountain Sprite grandpa said the band to

see Sun wings are beautiful as well we

could work out the particulars later

Maddox slapped the side of the crate and

the fairies returned the ones with the

stained glass Wings took their time

drifting lazily the little ones zoomed

in the fountain Sprite floated up to a

high corner of the room Maddox padded

the side of the crate again and spat a

Stern command in a language Kendra did

not understand the fuzzy fairy glided

into the container

next we have some albino Nick grithers

from Borneo out of the case flew three

milky white fairies their moth-like

wings peppered with flecks of black

Maddox proceeded to display several

other groups of distinctive fairies then

he began showing fairies one at a time

Kendra found a couple of them disgusting

one had thorny wings and a tail another

was reptilian covered in scales Maddox

displayed its chameleonic ability to

match different backgrounds now for my

big find Maddox said rubbing his hands

together I captured this little lady in

an oasis deep in the Gobi desert I've

only seen one other of her kind could we

dim the lights

Dale jumped up and shut the lights off

what is she grandpa asked in answer

Maddox opened the final case out sort a

dazzling fairy with wings like

shimmering fails of gold three gleaming

feathers streamed beneath her elegant

ribbons of light she hung gloriously in

the center of the room with her Regal

Air

a gin harp grandpa said an astonishment

favor us with the song I beg you Maddox

said he repeated the solicitation in

another language

the fairy gleamed even brighter shedding

Sparks the music that followed was

Mesmerizing the voice made Kendra

imagine a multitude of vibrating

crystals the wordless song had the power

of an operatic Arya mingled with the

sweetness of a lullaby it was longing

beckoning hopeful and heartbreaking

they all sat transfixed until the song

ended when it was over Kendra wanted to

applaud but the moment felt too sacred

true you are magnificent medic said

repeating the compliment again in the

foreign tongue Chinese he tapped the

side of the case and with a radiant

flourish the fairy was gone

the room felt dim and Bleak in her

absence Kendra tried to Blink away the

splotchy after images

how did you make such a find grandpa

asked and wondered I caught the wind of

some local Legends near the Mongolian

border cost me nearly two months of

brutal living to track her down the only

other known Jen harp has her own Shrine

in a Tibetan Sanctuary Grandpa explained

she was thought to be unique fairy

connoisseurs traveled from all corners

of the globe to behold her

I can see why Kendra said

what a singular treat Maddox thank you

for bringing her into our home I'm

touring her around the circuit before I

take offers Maddox said I don't mean to

pretend I can afford her but lend me a

word when she becomes available standing

up Grandpa looked at the clock and

clapped his hands together looks like

it's about time for everyone under the

age of 30 to head off to bed but it's

still early Seth said no grousing I have

negotiations to conduct with Maddox

tonight we can't have young people

underfoot you'll need to stay in your

room no matter what commotion you hear

downstairs our uh negotiations can be a

bit spirited understood

yes Kendra said I want to negotiate Seth

said Grandpa shook his head it's Dole

business you kids have a good sleep

no matter what you might think you hear

Maddox said as Kendra and Seth Departed

the study we aren't having fun