Part 14 (1/2)

In a moment she felt the slight jolt as the winged centaur landed. It must be Castle Roogna. Cube had not been aware of the pa.s.sage of time, and realized that though she could remain alert in the pouch, if she did not make a conscious effort to, she would lapse into oblivion. That must be the way it was with the others, only they had no choice. She was not aware of their presences, but knew that Ryver and Metria were in here with her, as well as the supplies. The pouch seemed to have no limit on capacity. It was impressive, both in its magic and in the fact that it was so ordinary looking, like a darned sock; Sofia Socksorter had not been trying to impress anyone. All this was merely incidental magic from the Good Magician's foot. If that was the true story of this pouch. After all, he was the Magician of Information, not transportation.

The Princesses dismounted and ran off. Then Karia reached back and took the pouch in her hand. She held it close to her face. ”Cube, if you hear me--now is a good time to come out. No one is watching.”

Cube reached up with her hand. It emerged from the pouch--and then the rest of her was sliding out. She landed on the ground beside the centaur. ”Thank you. I was aware, but couldn't see far.”

”The Princesses are going inside to find their mother. I think you should introduce me to her, as you have met her before.”

”How did you know that? I thought you were unconscious until I brought you out.”

Karia smiled. ”I was. The Princesses told me as we traveled. And I gave them some information on the Quest, since they have now joined it.”

”But they need Princess Ivy's approval first.”

”Do you have any doubt that they will receive it?”

Cube had to smile. ”No. They won't even have to wheedle very much.”

”I agree. Shall we enter now, or await their summons?”

”We can start in; they will intercept us.”

They started in--and the Princesses intercepted them just outside the moat. ”This way,” Melody said.

”Mom wants to meet the centaur,” Rhythm added.

”She thinks we made her up,” Rhythm concluded. All three giggled.

Princess Ivy met them in the hall, as before. ”h.e.l.lo again, Cube! I hope the little mischiefs haven't been too hard on you.”

”They took me to Castle MaiDragon, where we were able to help solve a problem. Then the little Princesses said they wished to join my Quest.”

”And you couldn't say no,” Ivy said with a smile. ”I know exactly how it is.” She turned to Karia. ”h.e.l.lo, Centaur. I am Princess Ivy.”

”I am Karia Centaur.”

”I am glad to meet you, Karia. I feel so much better about there being a centaur along.”

But Karia was beginning to drift. Cube quickly kicked her on a hoof. ”Snap to,” she whispered urgently.

The centaur recovered. ”I am glad to meet you too,” she said.

Cube realized that she couldn't say more, because she had tuned out after her name was spoken. ”And she is glad to be that centaur,” she said. ”I know she will do a good job of minding the Princesses.”

If Princess Ivy noticed the slight discontinuity of dialogue, she didn't say so. Cube knew she was a Sorceress herself, who surely had the ability to learn anything she wanted to. She had probably known what the Princesses were up to beforehand, and checked out the centaur. ”That's nice. I hereby give my approval for this excursion. But if the Princesses turn out to be too much of a handful, bring them back here.”

”Of course,” Karia agreed.

”Aes real. As I mentioned, together their magic power cubes. So if magic becomes necessary, remember that they have, potentially, more power than any other mortal in Xanth. Much more than they have wisdom to control. That is one reason adult guidance is essential. They will answer to adult authority, and at times it is necessary. But if there is a crisis, they will be able to handle it. Just see that they don't create more crises than they resolve.”

”We will try,” Karia said.

”Time to go,” Melody said.

”Put us in the bag,” Harmony agreed.

”And go there,” Rhythm concluded.

Ivy shook her head wistfully. ”At times I regret having lost the innocence of childhood. May you have a wonderful adventure.”

Then Cube held forth the pouch. ”Just put your foot in,” she told Melody.

The girl did--and slid out of sight. Harmony followed similarly, and then Rhythm.

”I suspect you will prefer to keep them in there much of the time,” Ivy remarked.

Then Cube mounted Karia, and the centaur trotted briskly out of the castle. When they got outside, she spread her wings and launched into the sky.

Only when they were well clear of the castle did Karia speak again. ”Before we bring the Princesses out and have them orient on the dragon, there is one matter I thought I would mention.”

”By all means.”

”The Princesses also mentioned a problem at Castle MaiDragon. They said that Brusque Bra.s.sy had been turned into a pig pen and had to be rescued. Fortunately they were able to restore him.”

”That's true.”

”Who enchanted him?”

”Oh, we forgot to run that down! We meant to, but then didn't.”

”It occurs to me that this could be a suspicious coincidence. Is it possible that it was intended as a distraction, to interfere with your Quest?”

”I hardly see how. It was just chance that brought us to Castle MaiDragon at that time.”

”Perhaps. And perhaps I am being paranoid. But I thought I should mention it, without alarming the Princesses.”

”It was worth mentioning,” Cube agreed. ”But I don't think there is any connection.”

”Then let's find that dragon.” Karia glided down to a private glade and landed.

Cube dismounted and took out the pouch. She reached in her hand. ”Princesses.”

Three little hands touched her fingers. Then they were out together, standing before her. ”That was fun,” Melody said.