Part 33 (1/2)
”I think we are agreed that we wish to continue with the Quest,” the centaur said, and the others nodded.
Just like that? ”What's so significant about these questions?” Cube asked.
”The first shows your integrity,” Karia said.
”But it's the only way I know.” Actually she had lied to Yorick in Mundania, but that was following a script while dealing with an unscrupulous man. On her own, truth was best.
”Precisely,” the centaur said. ”We like that, and know we can trust you.”
”The second shows your determination and courage,” Ryver said.
”Well, I always had gumption; that's just the way I am.” But she certainly hadn't felt very brave during the crisis.
”Precisely,” he agreed. ”If you had been some other way, we would still be underground.”
”The third shows that you found the right course when you were on your own, despite the bad thread,” Melody said, seeming unusually adult for her age.
”By remembering Nimby, and the Nameless Castle, and figuring out how to get there,” Harmony agreed, just as seriously.
”And without knowing that Nimby is actually the Demon Xanth,” Rhythm concluded.
”Who?” Cube asked, astonished.
”And of course the Demon Xanth does not like having the Demoness Fornax poking around his territory,” Tessa said.
”Demons don't,” Metria agreed. ”I should know, having irritated countless demons. Capital D Demons are worse.”
”You told him something he wanted to know,” Cory added. ”So of course he helped you. And I suspect there will be no more interference from Fornax, for each Demon is supreme in his own territory.”
”The Demon Xanth?” Cube asked, grasping a thin straw of understanding. Now that weird power of the dragon gaze was becoming intelligible, and the manner he did things.
”He knew you didn't know,” Karia said. ”He doesn't do favors for folk who know.”
”I--I--” But Cube couldn't formulate any coherent thought.
”Put us back in the pouch and continue the Quest,” Ryver said.
”But--” Cube paused and tried again, this time getting it out. ”But all of you shouldn't go in. I might lose it again.”
”Keep Diamond out,” Metria suggested.
”And you,” Cube said. ”Because you could catch it if it fell into another stream.”
The demoness shrugged, her shoulders and bosom rising off her body, then settling back. ”This Quest does seem to be getting interesting enough to be worth my attention.” She faded out.
”Very well,” Cube agreed, enormously relieved and flattered. ”If that's the way the rest of you feel.” She held out the pouch.
”We do,” Karia said, sliding into it. Then the others did the same, until only Ryver was left. ”You're a lot of woman,” he said as he approached.
”But not beautiful,” Cube said ruefully.
”Not yet,” he agreed, and slid into the pouch.
Oddly exhilarated, Cube turned to the dog. ”Are you ready to continue?” she asked.
Diamond wagged her tail.
Chapter 11: Mooning.
They followed the revived thread onward. Soon it diverged from the route the prior thread had taken, and Cube was glad to see it. It picked up an enchanted path, which she was especially glad to see, and went northeast.
It was late in the day, so she stopped at a convenient camp. Diamond was good company, but that made her wonder. ”You're a Mundane dog,” Cube said. ”You shouldn't have to wander around Xanth indefinitely. In time my Quest will be over, one way or another, and I'll go home or get into romance, depending. You need to find someone who needs a dog like you permanently.”
Diamond wagged her tail sadly. She knew.
As usual, someone else came to spend the night at the same camp. Cube realized that though the paths might not seem crowded, there were only so many camps, so that was where travelers were most likely to meet. This was a nondescript woman, somewhat dusty and tired from a day of walking.
”Hi, I'm Brenn,” she said. ”My talent is to change into a brick wall, but since this camp is convenient, I won't bother tonight.”
”I am Cube. I can summon and control nickelpedes, but I never do it mischievously. This is Diamond.”
”That's good.” Brenn patted the dog. ”Where are you going?”
Cube hesitated. She didn't know where she was going; she was following the thread. She didn't want to say that, because it would suggest her Quest. Yet it was a reasonable question.
”What have we here?” a voice inquired as a small black cloud formed between them. ”A gold brick?” The cloud became a s.h.i.+ning yellow brick, still floating.
”What are you?” Brenn demanded.
The brick expanded into human form. ”Demoness Metria, not at your service. I'm keeping an eye on Cube so she doesn't get lost.”
Cube realized that Metria had been doing exactly that, and appeared in time to distract Brenn from her question. She appreciated that. ”Thank you, Metria. I was just talking with Brenn, here, before we settle for the night.”
”Don't settle yet. There's another mortal coming.”
And there was: another young woman, who of course looked significantly better than Cube. ”h.e.l.lo, I'm Kelsey,” she said. As she spoke, her hair seemed to change color.
The other two introduced themselves, and so did Metria. ”A demoness?” Kelsey asked, surprised. Her hair turned purple.
”She's watching over Cube,” Brenn said.
”But demons don't care about mortal people.”
”Of course I don't care,” Metria said. ”But I promised someone I'd see her safely home, so I'm doing it. What is with your hair?”
”Oh, that.” Kelsey hair turned light blue. ”That's my magic. My hair changes color with my emotions. I can't control it; it just happens.”