Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - Chapter 8 - Retaliation

Summary

セスは妖精を捕まえ、不意に変異した姿に。彼は反省し、呪いを解くために魔女の村を訪れる。孫のケンドラと友人たちは、彼が復元されるのを願いながら、危険な妖精たちと戦う。この冒険は、彼らに魔法の危険性と自然との共存の大切さを教える。

Takeaways

• 😴 セスは目覚め、ケンドラがベッドにいないことに気づき、朝のルーティンを始めた。
• 🕷 セスはフェアリーの代わりにハゲタラニがいたことを発見し、鏡も割れていた。
• 🍞 アンナとケンドラはカラフルなカレドブレッドを食べ、その多様な風味に驚いた。
• 🏃 セスは急いでフェアリーのことを確認しに行ったが、見たものは不気味な小さな生き物だった。
• 🛁 セスは浴室で変な生き物に追われ、最後にそれを逃がしてしまった。
• 🌳 ケンドラは日焼け止めを塗り、ソレセン家の午後の予定を楽しみにしていた。
• 🏠 セスは魔法のせいで木の家から落ち、フェアリーたちに攻撃される。
• 🐟 ケンドラはプールでセスを助けようとするが、フェアリーたちに阻まれる。
• 🔮 グランパは魔法の報復について語り、セスがフェアリーを捕まったことの結果を説明した。
• 🧙‍♀️ ムリエル・タグgartという魔女がセスを元の姿に戻す可能性があるとグランパは言った。
• 🎣 セスは自分が犯した過ちについて学び、グランパから教訓を受けた。

Q & A

セスはなぜ目が覚めた後すぐに天井を見つめているのですか？

セスは目が覚めた後、天井を見つめているのは、彼が何もかもを再確認し、自分がどこにいるのか、何をすべきかを考え直したいからです。

フェアリーがどのようにしてセスのもとに来たのですか？

セスはフェアリーを捕まえ、タンブラーに閉じ込めたのです。しかし、彼がミルクを飲まなかったため、フェアリーは別の形態に変わり、ハゲタカゲラに姿を変えています。

ケンドラが食べたカレコロブレッドは何の特徴がありますか？

カレコロブレッドは、白、黒、茶、オレンジの色が混ざり合っており、一口食べると、シナモンと砂糖の味が主導しています。さらに、黒イチゴジャム、チョコレートとピーナッツバター、バニラプリンなどの多様な味があります。

セスはなぜ自分の部屋に戻っていくのですか？

セスはタンブラーに閉じ込めたフェアリーの様子を確認するために自分の部屋に戻っていくのです。

セスはなぜフェアリーにホットチョコレートを飲ませようとしましたか？

セスはホットチョコレートを飲ませることで、フェアリーの変貌を元に戻すことを試みたかったのです。

フェアリーはなぜタンクから飛び出して逃げ出しましたか？

セスがタンクの蓋を開けると、フェアリーは逃げ出してタンクから飛び出し、最終的に排水溝に逃げ込んだのです。

セスはなぜ木の家から飛び降りたのですか？

フェアリーたちによって木の家が崩れ落ち、セスは地面に向かって落下する途中で飛び降りたのです。

ケンドラはなぜセスをプールに飛び込ませるよう助言しましたか？

ケンドラはフェアリーたちがセスを追いかけるのを見て、プールに飛び込むことでフェアリーたちから逃れるチャンスがあると考えたのです。

セスはどのようにして元の姿に戻ることができたのですか？

呪いを解くために、魔女のムリエルに助けを求め、彼女が呪いを解くために必要な「結び目」を外してやることで、セスは元の姿に戻ることができました。

ムリエルがセスを元に戻すために何が必要でしたか？

ムリエルはセスにかかっている70以上の呪いのうちのいくつかを解くために、セスの体からエネルギーを取り出す必要がありました。そのために、セスにかかっている「結び目」を外すことが求められました。

セスはこの出来事から何を学びましたか？

セスは魔法的な生き物に触れることは危険であり、彼らに傷をつけたり、自分自身や他人に危害をもたらす可能性があることを学びました。

Outlines

00:00

🌅「朝の驚き」

セスは目覚め、ケンドラが不在に気づき、窓から差し込む日光を眺める。ベッドから起き上がった彼は、仙女を確認したいと急いでチェストの引き出しを開ける。そこには、仙女の代わりに毛深いタランチュラがいた。彼はすぐにミルクを飲まなかったことに気づき、仙女が別の形に変わるかもしれないと予想する。引き出しの蓋を確認したが、密閉されていた。鏡が割れていたことにも気づき、仙女が自分自身を傷つけたのではないかと心配する。

05:02

🍞「カラフルなパンと変化」

ケンドラは、パンを切って食べながら、その複雑な味わいを楽しんでいた。パンはシナモンと砂糖、ブラックベリージャム、チョコレート、ピーナッツバター、バニラプリンなど、多くの風味が混ざり合っており、奇妙な組み合わせだった。その間、セスが階下に戻ってきたが、仙女のことで頭を悩ませていた。彼は仙女が変異したことを知り、自分が何を做错いていたかと疑問に思う。

10:04

🐙「仙女の変異と罰」

セスは仙女を探し、変異した生体を発見。仙女は美しい姿から、不細工な小さな悪魔のように変貌していた。セスは仙女にホットチョコレートを飲ませることで元に戻ると試みるが、仙女は彼を攻撃し、浴室の排水溝に逃げ込む。セスは仙女のために残りのホットチョコレートを排水溝に注ぐ。その後、彼は謎のピースを組み立て、ケンドラと話す気はなかった。

15:06

💥「仙女たちの報復」

セスは仙女たちに追われ、木の家から落下し、水中に閉じ込められる。仙女たちは彼を攻撃し、変異を引き起こす。ケンドラとグランドパ・ソレンセンが助けを求めるが、セスは変異し、人間の形を失っていた。最後に、彼は奇妙な形態で地面に倒れ、仙女たちは彼の変異を嘲笑する。

20:06

🧙‍♀️「呪いの解き方」

セスの変異を元に戻すために、彼らは魔女ムリエル・タグgartの元を訪れる。呪いは70以上の呪文で構成されており、彼女は助ける代わりに高価な代償を要求する。グランドパは結び目を一つ解放し、呪いを取り除く。セスは元の姿に戻り、みんなは魔女の元を後にする。セスは自分の行動が仙女に与えた影響に後悔し、グランドパは彼に今後より注意深く、同情心を持ち、森の住人たちに敬意を払うように学ばせたいと語る。

Keywords

💡報復

報復とは、相手に対して故意に害を与える行為を指します。この物語では、セスが妖精を捕まえ、それが原因で妖精たちによるセスの変異を引き起こしたと描かれています。報復は、妖精たちがセスに様々な魔法的変化をもたらす契機となっています。

💡妖精

妖精は、この物語における魔法的な存在で、美しさと自己愛に満ちた生き物です。彼らは、セスによって捕らえられ、その結果、不快な変化を経験します。妖精は物語の中心的役割を果たし、人間の行為に対する自然の反発を象徴しています。

💡変異

変異とは、生物が外部的または内部的な要因によって、通常とは異なる形や性質を持つよう変化することを指します。物語のセスは、妖精を捕らえその報復によって、異形のウォレスへと変異します。この変異は、彼の行為に対する罰として描かれ、過ちの重さを強調しています。

💡魔法

魔法とは、自然現象とは異なる力によって不可能を可能とする現象を指します。この物語では、妖精たちが魔法を使ってセスに様々な変化をもたらし、最終的には呪いを解くために魔法の力が使用されます。魔法は物語の進展を促進する重要な要素です。

💡呪い

呪いとは、特定の個体や物に悪影響を及ぼす魔法的な力がかかっている状態です。物語では、セスが妖精を捕らえ、その結果、彼自身に70以上の呪いがかかることになります。呪いは、彼の行為に対する報復の形として描かれています。

💡縄

物語の中での縄は、呪いを解くための鍵となっており、魔法的な力を持っています。グランドパは縄の結び目をほどいて呪いを解くことが求められ、これは呪いを取り除くための犠牲や代償を象徴しています。

💡魔女

魔女は、この物語で重要な役割を果たす魔法使いで、呪いを解く能力を持っています。彼女は、セスを元の姿に戻すために、グランドパからの条件を受け入れます。魔女は、魔法の力とその使用に伴う責任を示すキャラクターです。

💡変異生物

物語のセスは、呪いによって変異生物ウォレスに変身します。彼の新しい姿は、彼の内面と外見の変化を表しており、彼が経験する困難や苦痛を物語っています。

💡復讐

復讐は、セスが妖精を捕らえたことに対する、妖精たちの反応として描かれています。彼らはセスに様々な苦痛を与え、彼を苦しめることで復讐を遂にします。復讐は、妖精たちの自己愛と正義感を反映しています。

💡救済

救済とは、呪いや苦しみから解放されることを指します。物語の最後に、セスは魔女ムリエルの助けを借りて元の姿に戻され、救済を得ます。救済は、彼の過ちからの反省と成長を象徴しています。

Highlights

Seth wakes up to find the fairy transformed into a tarantula, indicating a change in the fairy's form due to Seth not consuming milk.

The mirror in the jar is broken, suggesting the fairy might have smashed it in an attempt to escape.

Kendra and Lena enjoy a multi-flavored Calico bread, showcasing the magical and culinary creativity in the story.

Seth's encounter with the transformed fairy, now an ugly creature, reveals the consequences of his actions.

The creature escapes down the drain after Seth attempts to help it with hot chocolate, leading to a dramatic chase.

Seth experiences guilt and confusion over the fairy's transformation, showing his emotional response to the events.

A fairy attack on Seth leads to the destruction of the treehouse, indicating the fairies' collective power and retribution.

Kendra witnesses Seth's transformation into a monstrous form as a result of the fairy's magic, highlighting the severity of the retribution.

Grandpa Sorensen explains the concept of imps and the consequences of capturing a fairy, providing insight into the fairy world's rules.

The journey to seek help from the witch Muriel Taggart is described, showing the characters' determination to fix Seth's condition.

Muriel's conditions for helping Seth involve untying knots, revealing the complex nature of the magical world and the witch's power.

Seth's restoration to his original form by Muriel demonstrates the power of magic and the resolution of the conflict.

Muriel's gratitude towards Seth for unknowingly helping her and the implications of her potential freedom are discussed.

Seth's reflection on his actions and the lessons learned about respecting magical creatures and their world.

Kendra's realization about the incompatibility of humans and magical creatures, drawing a conclusion from the events.

Transcripts

chapter 8 retaliation

Seth wiped sleep from the corner of his

eye and stared at the ceiling for a

moment rolling over he saw that Kendra

was not in her bed daylight streamed

through the window he stretched arching

his back with a groan the mattress felt

inviting maybe he could get up later

no he wanted to check on the fairy he

hoped some sleep had calmed her kicking

off the Tangled cover Seth hurried over

to the dresser pulling it open he gasped

the ferry was gone and her place was a

hairy tarantula with striped legs and

shiny black eyes

had an inner he checked the lid it was

still on tight then it registered that

he had not consumed any milk yet this

could be the other form the fairy

appeared in he would have expected a

dragonfly but supposed a tarantula if

possible

he also noticed the mirror in the jar

was broken had she smashed it with the

pebble it seemed like a good way to cut

herself

no roughhousing he scolded I'll be right

back

a round loaf of bread sat on the table a

modeled mixture of white black brown and

orange while Anna sliced it Kendra took

another sip of hot chocolate

considering all the ingredients I left

out I thought they might have made a

jumble pie Linda said but Calico loaves

are equally delicious

try a piece she handed Kendra a slice

they did a great job on the pot Kendra

said and the table looks perfect

better than before Lena agreed I like

the new beveling brownies know their

business

Kendra inspected the slice of bread

the strange coloring continued all the

way through not just on the crust she

took a bite

cinnamon and sugar dominated the

flavoring eagerly she took another it

tasted like blackberry jam the next

tasted like chocolate with a hint of

peanut butter the following bite seemed

saturated with vanilla pudding it has so

many flavors

and they never Clash like they should

Lena said taking a bite herself

feet bear hair sticking up Seth trotted

into the room

good morning he said having breakfast

you have to try this Calico bread Kendra

said in a minute you replied can I have

a cup of hot chocolate Lena filled a mug

thank you he said as she handed it to

him I'll be right back I forgot

something upstairs he hurried off

drinking from the mug he's so weird

Kendra said taking a bite of what now

tasted like banana nut bread

up to some Mischief if you ask me Lena

replied

Seth set the mug on the dresser taking a

calming breath he silently prayed that

the tarantula would be gone and the

fairy would be there he slid the drawer

open a hideous little creature glared up

from inside the jar bearing pointy teeth

it hissed at him covered in brown

leathery skin it stood taller than his

middle finger it was bald with tattered

ears a narrow chest a pot belly and

shriveled spindly limbs the lips were

frog-like the eyes a glossy black the

nose a pair of slits above the mouth

what did you do to the fairy Seth asked

the ugly creature hissed again turning

around it had a pair of Nubs above the

Bony shoulder blades the Nubs wiggled

like the remnants of amputated wings oh

no what happened to you the creature

stuck out a long black tongue and

slapped the glass with calloused hands

it jabbered something in a foul or raspy

language what had happened why had the

beautiful fairy mutated into a revolting

little devil maybe some milk would help

Seth snatched the jar from the drawer

grabbed the mug from the dresser and

bolted down the stairs from the attic to

the hall he dashed into the bathroom

locking the door behind him the mug was

still a third full holding the jar over

the sink he poured some of the hot

chocolate onto the lid most ran down the

side of the jar but a little drip

through the holes on top one drop

plopped out of the creature's shoulder

it angrily motioned for Seth to unscrew

the lid then pointed at the cup

apparently it wanted to drink straight

from the mug

Seth examined the room the window was

shut the door was locked he wanted a

towel against the space at the bottom of

the door inside the jar the creature

made pleading motions and pantomime

drinking from the cup it Seth unscrewed

the lid with a powerful leap the

creature jumped out landing on the

counter crouching snarling it glared its

Seth I'm sorry your wings fell off he

said this might help

he held the mug out towards the creature

wondering if she would sip the flavored

milk or just climb inside the cup

instead it snapped at him barely missing

his finger Seth jerked his hand away

sloshing the hot chocolate onto the

counter hissing the agile creature

dropped to the floor raced over the

bathtub and vaulted inside before Seth

could react to the creature squirmed

down the drain a final garbled burst of

complaints issued from the dark hole

then the creature was gone Seth poured

the remnants of the hot chocolate into

the drain in case it could be of use to

the deformed fairy he looked back at the

jar empty now except for the few wilting

flower petals he was not sure what he

had done wrong but he doubted Maddox

would be very proud

later that morning Seth sat in the

treehouse trying to find puzzle pieces

that would fit together now that the

perimeter was finished adding the pieces

was a challenge they all looked the same

he had avoided Kendra all morning he did

not feel like talking to anybody he

could not get over how foul the fairy

had become he was not sure what he had

done but he knew it was somehow his

fault some accidental consequence of

catching the ferry that was why she had

been so frightened the night before she

knew he had doomed her to change into

the ugly little monster

the puzzle pieces started to vibrate

soon the whole tree house is trembling

were they having an earthquake he had

never been in an earthquake before

Seth ran out the window fairies hovered

everywhere gathered in the air all

around the tree house their arms were

raised and they seemed to be chanting

one of the fairies pointed at Seth

several glided closer to the window one

held her Palma in his Direction with a

flashlight the windowpane shattered Seth

jumped away from the window as several

fairies flew in he ran to the hatch but

the Treehouse lurched so violently that

he fell to the floor the shaking was

becoming intense the floor was no longer

level a chair tipped over the door to

the hatch had slammed shut he crawled

towards it something hot stung the back

of his neck multi-colored lights began

flashing

Seth grabbed the door to the hatch but

it would not open he tugged hard

something seared the back of his hand

panicked he returned to the window

struggling to keep his balance as the

floor quaked beneath him the flock of

fairies continued to chant he could hear

their little voices with a loud crack

the Treehouse suddenly tilted sideways

The View out of the window switched from

the fairies to the rapidly approaching

ground

Seth experienced a momentary sensation

of weightlessness every object in the

treehouse was floating as everything

plummeted together puzzle pieces filled

the air and then the Treehouse imploded

Kendra smeared sunblock across her arms

disliking the greasy feel of the lotion

against her skin she was Tanner than she

was when she had first arrived but the

sun was hot today and she did not want

to take any chances

her Shadow was a small puddle at her

feet it was almost noon lunch was not

far off and then Grandpa Sorensen would

take them to The Granary Kendrick

quietly hoped she would see a unicorn

suddenly she heard a tremendous Crash

from the corner of the yard then she

heard Seth screaming

what could have made such a huge noise

she did not have to run far in order to

see the broken pile of rubble at the

base of the tree Seth was sprinting

towards her his shirt was torn he had

blood on his face scores of fairies

appeared to be in Pursuit her initial

thought was to make a joke about the

fairies wanting a revenge for him trying

to catch them until she realized it was

probably true had the fairies thrown

down the treehouse

they're after me he yelled jump in the

pool Kendra called

Seth swerved in the direction of the

pool and began pulling off his shirt the

ominous cloud of fairies had no trouble

keeping up with him they hurled

sparkling streams of glitter casting a

shirt aside Seth sprang into the water

the fairies are after Seth Kendra cried

watching and horrified dismay

the fairies hovered over the pool after

a few moments Seth surfaced in Flawless

synchronization The Cloud of fairies

swooped diving towards him he yelled as

blazing rays of Lights began flaring

around him and ducked underwater again

the fairies plunged in after him he came

to the surface gasping the water churned

Seth floundered at the center of an

underwater pyrotechnics display Kendra

rushed to the edge of the pool

help he cried raising a hand out of the

water the fingers were fused together

like a flipper Kendra screamed they're

attacking Seth help somebody they're

attacking Seth

he flailed towards the side of the pool

the roiling mass of fairies converged on

Seth again hauling him to the bottom of

the pool amid Eerie bursts of light

Kendra ran and seized the pool skimmer

swinging it relentlessly at the horde of

fairies never touching any of them no

matter how dense the Swarm appeared

Seth resurfaced at the edge of the pool

and threw his arms up on the flagstones

trying to drag himself out of the water

Kendra stooped to a system but shrieked

instead one arm was broad flat and

rubbery no elbow no hand a flipper

coated in human skin the other was long

and boneless a fleshy tentacle with limp

fingers at the end she looked at his

face long tusks curved down from a wide

lipless mouth patches of hair were

missing his eyes were glazed with Terror

the frenzied fairies mobbed him again

and he lost grip on the side Vanishing

into another pulsing succession of

colored flashes steam sizzled up from

the ceiling water

what is the meaning of this Grandpa

Sorensen hollered hustling to the edge

of the pool Lena followed behind him the

water in the pool flickered a few more

times many of the fairies whizzed away a

few flew over to Grandpa one fairy in

particular chirped angrily she had short

blue hair and silvery wings

he did what grandpa said an

unrecognizable monstrosity heaved itself

out of the water and lay panting on the

flagstones the deformed creature had no

clothes Lena crouched beside him placing

a hand on his side

he had no idea that would happen Grandpa

complained it was innocent the fairy

twittered her disapproval Kendrick gave

that the freakish form of her brother

most of his hair had fallen out

revealing a lumpy Scout stippled with

moles his face was broader and flatter

with sunken eyes and tusks the size of

bananas protruding from his mouth a

misshapen hump swelled high above his

shoulders on his back below the hump

four blow holes puckered for air his

legs is united into a single crude tail

he slapped the ground with his flipper

arm the tentacle writhe like a snake

you're an unlucky coincidence grandpa

said consolingly most unfortunate can't

you have mercy on the boy the fairy

chirped vehemently

I'm sorry you feel that way I feel

terrible about what happened I assure

you the atrocity was unintentional

after a final Outburst of squealing

sounds the fairy zoomed away

are you okay Kendra said squatting

besides Seth he made a garbled moan then

a second more distressed complaint that

sounded like a donkey gargling mouthwash

grandpa said you've lost the ability of

speech

all fetch Dale Lena said hurrying off

what have they done to him

Kendra asked

an act of Vengeance grandpa said grimly

for trying to catch fairies

for succeeding

he caught one he did so they turned him

into a deformed walrus I thought they

couldn't use magic against us

he used potent magic to transform the

captured fairy into an imp unwittingly

opening the door for Magical retribution

Seth doesn't know any magic

I'm sure it was accidental grandpa said

can you understand me Seth slap your

flipper three times if you grasp what I

am saying The Flipper flapped against

the flagstones three times it was very

foolish to capture a fairy Seth grandpa

said I warned you they were unsafe but I

share some of the blame I'm sure you

were inspired by Maddox and wants to

begin a career as a ferry broker Seth

nodded awkwardly his entire bloated

torso bobbing up and down I should have

specifically forbidden it I forget how

curious and daring children can be and

how resourceful I would never have

supposed you were capable of actually

trapping one

what magic did he use Kendra asked on

the verge of hysterics

if a captured fairy is kept indoors from

Sunset to Sunrise it changes into an imp

what's an imp a fallen fairy nasty

little creatures imps despise themselves

as much as fairies adore themselves

Justice fairies are drawn to Beauty imps

are drawn to ugliness

their personalities change so quickly

their personalities remain the same

grandpa said shallow and self-absorbed

the change in appearance reveals the

tragic side of that mindset vanity

curdles into misery they become spiteful

and jealous wallowing in wretchedness

what about the fairismatics caught why

don't they change

he avoids leaving the cages indoors

overnight his captured fairies spend at

least part of every night outdoors

just putting the container outside

prevents them from becoming imps

sometimes powerful magic is accomplished

by simple means

why would the other fairies attack Seth

why would they care if they're so

selfish

they care because they are selfish each

fairy worries she could be next I am

told Seth even left a mirror with the

fairy so she could behold herself after

she fell the fairies consider that act

particularly cruel

Grandpa answered every question with

great calm no matter how accusingly or

angrily Kendra asked it his peaceful

demeanor was helping her calm down a bit

I'm sure it was an accident she said

Seth not vigorously blubber jiggling

I suspect No Malice it was an

unfortunate mishap but the fairies have

little interest in his motives they were

within their rights to exact retribution

you can switch them back

restoring Seth to its original form is

well beyond my abilities

Seth ladled along mournful Bellow Kendra

patted His Hump we have to do something

yes grandpa said he placed his hands

over his eyes then dragged them down his

face

this would be very complicated to

explain to your parents

who can fix him Maddox

Maddox is no magician besides he is long

gone

though I hesitate I can think of only

one person who might be able to undo the

enchantments placed on your brother

who Seth has met her the witch

Grandpa nodded

under the circumstances our only hope is

Muriel Taggart

the wheelbarrow swayed as it bumped over

a root Dale managed to study it Seth

groaned he was naked except for a white

towel wrapped around his middle

sorry Seth Dale said this is a tricky

path

Are we almost there Kendra asked not

much farther Grandpa replied they walked

single file grandpa in the lead followed

by Dale pushing the wheelbarrow then

Kendra in the rear what had become is a

nearly indiscernible trail near the barn

had brought it into a well-trodden path

later they branched off onto a smaller

track they had crossed no New Paths

since then

the wood seemed so quiet Kendra said

they are quietest when you stay on the

path grandpa said

it seems too quiet

there is a tension in the air your

brother committed a serious offense the

fall of a fairy is a woeful tragedy the

retribution of the fairies was equally

brutal eager eyes await to see if the

conflict will escalate

it won't right

I hope not if Muriel cures your brother

then the fairies could interpret it as

an insult

would they attack him again

probably not at least not directly the

punishment has been administered

can we heal the fairy

Grandpa shook his head no

could the witch

Seth was altered by Magic imposed upon

him but the potential to fall and become

an imp is a fundamental aspect of being

a fairy she transformed in accordance to

a law that has existed as long as

fairies have had wings Muriel might be

able to undo the enchantments forced

upon Seth reversing the fall of the

ferry would be Beyond her capacity

poor fairy

they reached a fork in the path Grandpa

turned left almost there he said keep

silent as we converse with her Kendra

stared at the bushes in the trees

expecting to find spiteful eyes glaring

back at her what creatures would come

into view if all the greenery were

removed what would happen if she raced

off the path

how long before some gruesome monster

devoured her Grandpa stopped pointing

away into the trees here we are

Kendra saw the leafy Shack in the

distance off the path through the trees

too much undergrowth for the wheelbarrow

Dale said scooping Seth into his arms

although Seth was much more blubbery he

had not increased in size as they waited

through the undergrowth Dale carried him

without much difficulty

The Ivy shrouded Shack Drew near they

walked around to the front the filthy

witch sat inside her back against the

tree stump chewing on a knot on a

bristly rope a pair of imps sat on a

tree stump one was skinny with prominent

ribs and long flat feet the other was

Compact and plump

hello Muriel grandpa said the imps

sprang from the trunk and scurried out

of sight Muriel looked up a slow grin

revealing decayed teeth

could that be Stan Sorenson she rubbed

her eyes theatrically and squinted

no I must be dreaming Stan Sorensen said

he would never visit me again

I need your help grandpa said and you

brought company I remember Dale who is

this fine young lady

my granddaughter

she got none of your looks lucky for her

my name is Muriel dear pleased to meet

you

I'm Kendra

yes of course you have that lovely pink

nightgown with the bow on the bosom

Kendra shot a look at Grandpa how could

this crazy witch know about her pajamas

I know a thing or two muriela continued

tapping her Temple telescopes are for

stars dear not for trees pay her no heed

grandpa said she wants to give you the

impression that she has power to spy on

you in your bedroom which is prey on

fear her influence does not extend

beyond the walls of this Shack

won't you step inside for some tea she

offered

what news she has comes from the Imp

Grandpa continued and since imps are

banned from the yard her news came from

a particular imp miria let out a

shrieking laugh the crazed cackle suited

her haggard appearance much better than

her speaking voice did

the Imp saw your room and heard

conversations from whatever Seth stashed

it Grandpa concluded nothing to fret

about

Muriel raised a finger in objection

nothing to fret about you say

nothing the Imp saw or heard could be

harmful Grandpa clarified except perhaps

her own reflection Muriel suggested who

is our final visitor this poor lumpy

abomination

could it be she clapped her hands and

giggled did our stalwart Adventurer have

a mishap did his clever tongue finally

betray him

you know what happened grandpa said I do

I do she cackled I knew he was insolent

but I never suspected such cruelty lock

him in a shed I say for the sake of the

fairies lock him up tight

can you restore him grandpa asked

restore him the witch exclaimed after

what he did

it was an accident as you are aware

why not ask me to rescue a killer from

The Noose to spare traitor from his

shame

can you not do it

shall I conjure up a medal for him to

wear as well a badge of honor for his

crime can you

Muriel dropped the ACT she regarded her

visitors with the sly expression

you know the price

I can't loosen a knot grandpa said

Muriel tossed up her gnarled hands you

know I need the energy from the not for

the spell she said he has more than 70

separate hexes operating on him you are

to untie 17 knots

what about no Dickering one knot and

your beastly grandson will be restored

to his original form

without the knot I would never be able

to counter the enchantment this is fairy

magic you knew the price before you came

no dickering

Grandpa sagged

show me the Rope

lay the boy at my threshold

Dale placed Seth in front of the door

standing in the doorway Muriel held the

Rope out to Grandpa there were two knots

both had dried blood on them one was

still moist with saliva

take your pick she said

of my own free will I will sever this

knot grandpa said leaning forward he

blew gently on the higher of the two

knots it unraveled the air trembled on

hot days Kendra had seen the air Shimmer

in the distance this was similar but

right in front of her she felt pulsing

vibrations like she was standing in

front of a powerful stereo speaker

during a song with lots of bass the

ground seemed to be tipping

Muriel extended a hand over Seth she

mumbled an unintelligible incantation

his blood were rippled as if he had

boiling inside it looked like thousands

of worms were under his skin squirming

to find a way out

future Vapor fumed up from his flesh his

fat appeared to be evaporating his

mishap and body convulsed Kendra

extended her arms and swayed as the

ground teetered even more there was a

burst of darkness and anti-flash and

Kendra stumbled barely catching herself

the odd sensation ended the air cleared

and balance returned Seth sat up he

looked exactly like his old self no

tusks no flippers no blowholes just an

11 year old kid with a towel wrapped

around his waist he scrambled away from

the shack and got to his feet

satisfied Mariel asked how do you feel

Seth Grandpa inquired Seth patted his

bare chest I feel better

Muriel grinned thank you little

Adventurer you did me a great service

today I am indebted you shouldn't have

done it Grandpa Seth said had to be done

he said we must be going

stay a while Muriel offered no thanks

grandpa said

very well spurned my Hospitality Kendra

nice to meet you may you find less

happiness than you deserve Dale you are

as mute as your brother and nearly as

pale

Seth please have another mishap soon

Stan you lock the wit of an orangutan

bless your soul do not be strangers

Kendra gave Seth's socks shoes shorts

and a shirt once he put them on they

returned to the path

can I ride in the wheelbarrow on the way

back Seth asked you ought to push me

Dale grumbled

how did it feel being a walrus Kendra

asked is that what I was

a mutant humpback walrus with the

deformed tail she clarified

I wish we had a camera it was weird

breathing through my back and it was

hard to move nothing felt right

might be safer not to converse so loudly

grandpa said

I couldn't talk Seth said more quietly I

felt like I still knew how but the words

came out all tangled my mouth and tongue

were different

what about Muriel Kendra asks if she and

Ty's the last knot will she be free she

was originally Bound by 13 knots grandpa

said she can loosen none on her own

though it doesn't seem to stop her from

trying but other mortals can undo the

knots by asking a favor and blowing on

them powerful magic holds not in place

when released Muriel can channel that

magic into granting the favor

so if you ever need her help again I

will look elsewhere grandpa said I never

wanted her to get down to a single knot

freeing her is not an option

I'm sorry I ended up helping her Seth

said

did you learn anything from the ordeal

grandpa asked Seth lowered it head

I feel really bad about the fairy she

didn't deserve what happened to her

Grandpa made no response and Seth kept

studying his shoes

I shouldn't have messed around with

magical creatures he finally admitted

Grandpa placed a hand on his shoulders I

know you meant no harm around here what

you don't know can hurt you and others

if you have learned to be more careful

and compassionate in the future and show

greater respect for the inhabitants of

this preserve than at least some good

came of all this

I learned something too Kendra said

humans and walruses should never mix