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(Lars) #1

serve as a messenger. I consented, hoping to pass along what I know about
the king’s duplicity in confidence.”
“I’ll keep your words close.”
“That’s wise. You’re to unlock sixty doors swiftly, using a key ring
whose keys are unmarked.”
“Are the keys enchanted?”
“No. However, an ancient protective spell ensures they can’t be
removed from the ring. Unfortunately, it’s creaky old magic that did not
disallow adding keys, which the devious king has done. Now the ring
holds sham keys as well as useful ones.”
“I don’t understand why he’s bent on cheating.”
“It’s not the gold he may lose that troubles him. The doors picture
maps showing parts of his realm. If you pass the test, an enchantment
hands over those portions of his kingdom to better faerie kings and
queens.”
“Suppose I best him. He may grow angry enough to stir up fresh
problems for people.”
“Magic prevents that,” said the serpent. “There is danger, nonethe-
less. This spell of atonement should have held no peril for you. It does.
Between the doors, you were meant to see an unbroken stone corridor.
The king has used an imp-brewed potion to eat away a number of stones
in one wall. While no creature can enter the corridor to hinder you, the
gap opens into the king’s castle. You might look into it and linger, or
worse, slip through, and—”
“Make a careless mistake,” said Pegeen. “Granda has told me that a
person who eats the faeries’ food is bound to stay in their underground
kingdom forever.”
“That’s the hazard, indeed,” said the serpent. “Despite the king’s
tricks, do you want to try?”
Feeling excitement mingled with fear, Pegeen said, “Yes.”
“Knock on the cliff, then. The king awaits you. My twenty hearts
wish you good fortune.”
“I’m ever grateful.” Pegeen watched the serpent swim away before
trotting to the faeries’ flagstone and stepping onto it boldly. Mindful of
protecting her hand to turn keys, she tapped on the cliff ’s face with
two fingers.


DUPLICITY IS
DISHONESTY OR
DECEITFULNESS.

ATONEMENT IS
MAKING UP FOR
A WRONG ACT.
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