Part 11 (2/2)

Hes the Grand Master of the History Guild. Hes always running to the Knights of Light or the Guardians with these kinds of stories. He even comes to the Society of Imaginary Friends on a regular basis swearing that he knows where the Fractus are hiding! Hes become a running joke around town, Cyrus said.

The rest of their visit was uneventful. The guide showed Valerie, Cyrus, and Kanti around the building, explaining some of the details about how they protect the barrier between Earth and the Globe, and the history behind the Guild.

Valerie was very drawn to the Guardians, and learning more about the Guild deepened her interest. After all, she had more firsthand experience in crossing between worlds than almost anyone else on the Globe. In fact, compared to the Conjurors, Valerie was an expert on everything about Earth”from its culture to its geography”in a way that only having lived there could give. She could really make a difference as one of the Guardians, and she liked the idea of protecting her old home from the Fractus.

Still, she had held the dream of being a Knight for so long that it would be difficult to let go. It was one of the most important decisions shed ever make, and she knew that there was someone on Earth whom she wanted to talk to before she made her choice.

Chapter 19.

After finis.h.i.+ng the tour of the gothic Guardians of the Boundary Guild, which was filled with secret pa.s.sages, dark hallways, and tall, arched ceilings, Valerie, Cyrus, and Kanti left The Horseshoe so that Valerie could see the rest of the city.

Kanti had to leave to teach a cla.s.s on popular culture on Earth to the apprentices, and Cyrus seemed more relaxed after she left. He and Valerie wandered around Silva for hours, peering into strange shops and exploring the winding streets. She insisted on stopping by every shop that sold sweets. Since she wasnt sure how to barter her power yet, Cyrus volunteered to leave small objects made of light in return for the candy. She gobbled the candy up, though none tasted as good as Dulceas pastries.

Dr. Freeman would freak out if he knew how much junk Im eating! But maybe not. Maybe he doesnt have time to think about me.

Why do you always do that?

What?

a.s.sume no one cares about you. Trust me; youre not the kind of person people forget. A piece of Valeries heart that she didnt know was frozen thawed a little. Anyway, its almost dinner time, and Dulcea doesnt like it when anyone comes late.

They burst into the dorm cafeteria in the nick of time, and Dulcea was waiting at the door, watch in hand. Right on time. Valerie, how are you liking Silva?

Its wonderful here. Theres so much to see!

Excellent!

And thank you so much for my room. I love it.

Of course! Thats what Im here for. Now, you two go fill your plates and make sure you leave room for dessert!

A long buffet full of strange dishes stood in the middle of the room. On either side of the buffet were round tables filled with other young Conjurors of different ages studying at the Society of Imaginary Friends. In the group of around one hundred, Valerie spotted several fairies, two giant people who towered five feet over everyone else, and five boys with bright red hair who were completely identical. Valerie wondered if they were brothers, or if one was an amoebiate, like Thai, and they were all clones.

She put a little bit of everything on her plate, and then she and Cyrus sat alone at a table in the corner. This time, she didnt hesitate to taste everything, no matter how strange it looked. She was in ecstasy, and she practically inhaled everything in sight. It was as if a part of her couldnt believe that she was finally going to have as much to eat as she wanted, so she had to fill up before it all disappeared.

Cy, you have got to try this purple lumpy thing; its the perfect amount of salty and sweet! Its like mashed potatoes with a little hint of sugar.

Its muddleberry pudding. Its really popular in Elsinore, where Kantis from. Shes always eating that stuff.

Once Valerie had her fill and topped it off with a chocolate filled with a sweet cream, she sat back, content.

Finally! Ive been waiting to give something to you, Cyrus said. From under his s.h.i.+rt, he pulled out a long chain that he was wearing around his neck. On the end of the chain was a clear sphere. He pulled it over his head and handed it to her.

She took it, looking curiously at the image that was flickering inside the sphere. At first, she couldnt make it out, but then the image s.h.i.+fted, and she realized what she was seeing. Inside the sphere was a moving picture of Valerie when she was little, playing with a dollhouse that she recognized from when she was six years old. It was her first trip to the hospital, and it had been her favorite toy. Its me in there, she said in confusion.

Yeah. This was made for you. Its your protective charm, so that when you were on Earth, no one could find you except for me.

Like the charm Venu has that stopped you from finding him?

Yes. For the past few years, the Society of Imaginary Friends has been issuing these charms for all kids with imaginary friends so that they cant be found by the Fractus.

Valerie put it around her own neck. Thanks, Cy. For keeping me safe. Not only with this, but also from all those monsters. You made it fun to fight those guys, so I was never really afraid. I dont know what I would have done without you all those years.

I never took it off, even after you stopped believing in imaginary friends. I wanted to make sure that nothing bad would ever happen to you.

Her heart squeezed in her chest. Maybe he wouldnt get sick of her, like the others. After all, he had been her best friend for a long time, and he hadnt abandoned her yet.

Before they said goodnight, Cyrus explained how to project to Earth. He a.s.sured her that there was really nothing to it other than a lot of concentration, but she was doubtful. She decided not to try it for the first time in front of Cyrus”shed definitely embarra.s.sed herself enough in front of him over the past few weeks.

That night, Valerie entered her room and found that she had the s.p.a.ce to herself. As she unwound Cyruss flower of light from her hair, she had to smile at how perfectly Dulcea had decorated her room. There was even a poster of her favorite band, the Crew, on the wall. She put the flower on her bedside table, where it glowed softly, like a nightlight. Then, taking a deep breath, she decided that it was time to make her first trip back to Earth. Kanti wasnt back from her cla.s.s yet, and Valerie was glad. For some reason, visiting Thai was private.

She squeezed her eyes shut and thought of Thai. She pictured his dark, intense eyes, and imagined the sound of his voice when he thought he could tell her what to do. She was thinking so hard that it took her a few seconds to realize that someone was talking to her.

Youre here already, open your eyes, a familiar voice ordered her.

She popped open her eyes and Thai was sitting in a green chair next to a hospital bed where Chisisi lay, watching her with interest.

Chisisi! Are you really okay?

Yes, yes, no need for more fuss. And my efforts were most gladly given, seeing that you have made your journey safely.

She turned her wide eyes to Thai. He knows?

He knew the whole time, Thai said with a shake of his head, but she could see that he wasnt annoyed. His glance at Chisisi seemed affectionate.

Then you know you were attacked because of me, she said, all of her guilt rus.h.i.+ng back. Im so sorry for what happened to you.

It is no fault of yours. It was the Fractus who did this to me, not you. I am proud that I had the chance to thwart their plans and to help you make your way to your new home.

Thank you for everything youve done, she said, and Chisisi nodded his head.

Speaking of your new home, how is it there? Are they treating you okay? Thai asked.

Valerie filled him in on her fight with Venu in the pyramid, her trip to the Globe, and all of the marvelous things shed seen. Thai and Chisisi listened with quiet attention.

When she finished, Thai burst out, I cant believe that Venu sneaked past me! I was staring at the pyramid, waiting to see you leave, and he must have crawled in right behind my back. I knew I should have come through the tunnel with you, no matter what you and Cyrus thought. You could have been hurt!

It worked out okay. Hes not following either of you anymore, is he?

The frog man is quite gone, I a.s.sure you, Chisisi said. Your benefactor looked in to the matter and said that he has left the country. Valerie breathed a sigh of relief. She noticed that Chisisi looked tired, and his eyes closed.

In a softer voice, she whispered to Thai, I heard youre going home for a while.

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