Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger Read online

  “I wanted to wait until you were twelve,” Uncle Griffinskitch explained. “As you know, twelve is an important age for Eens. It’s the age you finish school. It’s the age you can begin an apprenticeship with a master. It’s when you’re old enough to understand certain things.”

  “I can understand now,” Kendra declared. “I’m almost twelve anyhow.”

  “But this isn’t about them,” the old wizard said.

  “But I thought you said—,”

  “It’s about you,” Uncle Griffinskitch murmured, leaning forward in his chair. “You see, long ago, when you were just a baby, your mother and the rest of your family disappeared.”

  “I know,” Kendra said, sitting at her uncle’s feet. “They were traveling in the outside world, beyond the magic curtain.”

  “Aye,” Uncle Griffinskitch said. “But what you don’t know is that you were with them.”

  “What?!” Kendra exclaimed. “Then how come I didn’t disappear with them?”

  “I don’t know,” the old wizard admitted, his wrinkled face flickering in the light of the fire. “I went after your family with hopes of bringing them back. But I didn’t find them. I only found you, wrapped in your tiny green blanket, lying on the rocks. Everywhere, there were Unger footprints. But you were safe.”

  “Ungers took my family?” Kendra asked.

  “It seemed that way,” Uncle Griffinskitch said. “But the thing is, they didn’t take you.”

  “Maybe they couldn’t find me,” Kendra suggested.

  “No, I think they did find you,” Uncle Griffinskitch said. “They just didn’t take you. They left you behind.”

  “But why?” Kendra asked.

  “I have often wondered,” Uncle Griffinskitch said, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. “There’s some connection between you and the Ungers, Kendra. They left you behind as a baby. Then last year, you saved one. And then . . . there was last night.”

  “Why would the Ungers take my family?” Kendra asked.

  “Because they detest Eens,” Uncle Griffinskitch said solemnly. “That’s why.”

  “That Unger I saved last year—Trooogul—he said he didn’t hate us,” Kendra said. “He said it was the Eens that hate the Ungers.”

  “Then he was lying!” Uncle Griffinskitch cried, his face flushing red. “The only reason he said that is because you had just saved his sorry hide! Of course the Ungers hate us! That’s why they took your family! That’s why they set out to destroy all of Een!”

  Kendra lifted her hand and stared at her palm. “But Trooogul didn’t hurt me,” she murmured once her uncle’s ire seemed to fade. “And the Ungers left me behind as a baby. Is it because of this mark, Uncle Griffinskitch? This mark that the Unger Oroook saw upon my palm?”

  “It may be so,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered.

  “I wish Oroook had told us more,” Kendra said. “I still don’t know how he was able to cross the magic curtain. Only Eens and Een animals should be able to go in and out of Een. Oroook should have never even found the curtain or the land of Een—it should be invisible to him.”

  “And yet his tracks didn’t come from the curtain,” Uncle Griffinskitch mused, stroking his whiskery chin. “I examined them myself, before sunrise.”

  “You’re right,” Kendra agreed. “The footprints only started in our garden. It’s as if the Unger just magically appeared.”

  “This whole thing is a mystery,” Uncle Griffinskitch said.

  “What are we going to do?” Kendra asked.

  “We shall pay a visit to Winter Woodsong tomorrow,” Uncle Griffinskitch declared. “We are in grave need of her wisdom.”

  Kendra had met Winter Woodsong only twice. Even though she was very old, she was a powerful sorceress and the leader of the Council of Elders. Uncle Griffinskitch himself had once been an Elder of Een, but he had retired from the council after arguing with the other members—especially Burdock Brown.

  “Elder Woodsong has been very ill,” Kendra said. “Do you think she will be well enough see us?”

  “I hope so,” Uncle Griffinskitch replied. “She may be the only one to help us find this mysterious Door to Unger.”

  EVERYONE NEEDS TO ASK FOR HELP SOMETIMES—even wizards. For this very reason, Uncle Griffinskitch awoke Kendra early the next morning and they set off to make the short journey into the town of Faun’s End. It was in Faun’s End where they would find the Elder Stone, the magnificent palace where the Elders of Een held their private councils. More importantly, it was also the place where they would find the sorceress Winter Woodsong.

  Kendra and her uncle made their way through the forest slowly, stopping here and there to pick a few flowers for old Winter Woodsong. They had only gone a short way when a small gray mouse came scampering from around a corner in the path and blundered right into Uncle Griffinskitch. The whiskered wizard tumbled to the ground in a fluff of white hair.

  “Humph!” Uncle Griffinskitch grumbled, pulling himself up. “Who’s this now?”

  “Oki!” Kendra cried, for this was none other than her best friend. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

  “Oh, hi, Kendra!” Oki squeaked. The little mouse was quite excitable by nature and he was now hopping impatiently from foot to foot. “I was just on my way to find your uncle.”

  “Consider him found,” Uncle Griffinskitch grunted as he tried to brush some of the dirt out of his beard. “But why do you only ever find me by charging into me?”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Griffinskitch,” Oki apologized. “But I have some terrible news!”

  “Uh-oh,” Kendra said. “This is how our adventures always begin, Oki. You bump into Uncle Griffinskitch and bring bad news.”

  “It’s not my fault,” Oki said. “I’m a messenger, after all. It’s my job to deliver news. I can’t help it if it’s bad.”

  “Indeed,” Uncle Griffinskitch said, furrowing his brow. “Well, what is it, young Oki?’

  “It’s Elder Woodsong, sir,” the mouse replied. “She’s taken a turn for the worse. She’s become so ill that she can hardly get out of bed, and she’s finally let Burdock bully her into retiring from the Council of Elders!”

  “Humph,” Uncle Griffinskitch grumbled, looking sharply at Oki. “Elder Woodsong has led the council for a hundred seasons! Who does Burdock think he is? Who will lead in Elder Woodsong’s place?”

  “Burdock himself, sir,” Oki said with a gulp. “He’s declared himself leader of the council.”

  “Days of Een!” Uncle Griffinskitch cried. “That’s treacherous news for us all. When did this all happen?”

  “Just this morning, sir,” Oki explained.

  “We were just on our way to see her,” Kendra declared. “We have our own news.”

  “Oh, dear,” Oki murmured. “What now?”

  “We’ll tell you later,” Uncle Griffinskitch said to the tiny mouse. “For now, we must make haste to see Elder Woodsong.”

  They hurried on their way and soon arrived at Faun’s End. The whole town was abuzz with the news that the mean-spirited Burdock Brown was now leading the Council of Elders. When the townspeople saw Uncle Griffinskitch they immediately crowded around and assailed him with questions.

  “Have you heard about Elder Brown, Mr. Griffinskitch?”

  “What will you do? Will you join the council again?”

  “How can he do this to Elder Woodsong? Do you think she will recover?”

  “Humph!” the old Een snorted at Kendra and Oki. “Let’s get out of here as quickly as possible!”

  They pushed their way through the crowd and crossed the bridge to the Elder Stone. Now for those of you who have never heard of the Elder Stone, let me tell you that it is a wondrous place. At first glance, you might have thought that the Elder Stone was just a plain old rock. But then, upon looking more closely, you would see that it was something quite marvelous. For the Elder Stone was much like a castle, with rooms and passageways, doors and windows, and even a round moat. The outside of
the stone was carved with hundreds of tiny pictures: stars and moons, or strange Een faces. Some of these faces had long, open mouths from which gushed sparkling waterfalls. The falls glistened in the sunlight, changing color as they tumbled from ledge to ledge and down to the moat below.

  Kendra had always loved the sight of the beautiful Elder Stone, but there was no time to admire it now. They quickly approached the main door of the stone and knocked loudly.

  After a moment, they were met by none other than Burdock Brown himself. The old Een was hunched and fat, and he seemed in possession of a permanent snarl. His eyes were dark and hard, and he had only one eyebrow; this was thick and black, and stretched across his forehead like a caterpillar.

  Kendra, Oki, and Uncle Griffinskitch exchanged looks of surprise. Normally, the Elder Stone was guarded by Captain Jinx, a tiny grasshopper with legendary strength.

  “What’s going on here?” Kendra asked Burdock. “Where’s Captain Jinx?”

  “Jinx is no longer allowed here!” Burdock barked.

  “Why?” Kendra asked. “What has she done?”

  “Well, for starters, she was born a bug,” Burdock retorted. “And there are no bugs allowed in the Elder Stone anymore. No animals either. No critters of any kind. Just Eens!”

  “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” Uncle Griffinskitch declared, banging his staff on the ground.

  “No critters!” Oki squeaked. “But I’m a messenger for the Elders!”

  “No longer,” Burdock said, flashing a viperous smile. “I’m the head of the council now, and I have decided to put an end to all these animals running around the Elder Stone. These are dangerous times, after all. We can’t be placing important Een matters in the hands—or, should I say, the paws and claws—of these critters.”

  “That’s not fair!” Kendra cried. “Animals and Eens have lived together in peace and harmony for as long as . . . for as long as . . . ”

  “As long as Een has existed,” Uncle Griffinskitch finished, and Kendra could see his ears burning red with anger.

  “Change is afoot, old one,” Burdock said. “As I said, dangerous times.”

  “Humph,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered. “And what is so dangerous?”

  “Surely, you know better than anyone, old one,” Burdock said, his eyebrow twisting into a knot as he spoke. “Didn’t you hear the strange noises two nights ago?”

  Kendra gulped and cast a quick glance at her uncle. “Noise? What noises?” the old wizard asked, his voice steady and calm.

  “Fine, be that way then,” Burdock retorted. “But you and your troublesome little niece are no longer welcome at the Elder Stone.”

  “We’re here to see Elder Woodsong,” Uncle Griffinskitch declared. “She still keeps her chambers here, does she not? Or have you cast her out on the street?”

  “Of course not,” Burdock growled irritably.

  “Then you can hardly deny me the company of my old friend,” Uncle Griffinskitch declared, glaring sternly at Burdock. “Now get out of our way.”

  But Burdock didn’t budge.

  “Humph,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered. “Of course, if you prefer, I could change you into a mushroom, Burdock. Do you really want to engage in a wizard’s duel this early in the day?”

  “Go then,” Burdock scowled, standing back. “But just you and the girl. No mice allowed! Check the laws—the Elders passed it just this past hour.”

  “I’m sure they did,” Uncle Griffinskitch sneered. “You and your old cronies now! You’ve driven every other respectable Een off the council!”

  “Uncle Griffinskitch, you can’t let them keep Oki out!” Kendra cried.

  “Now, now, it’s okay,” the old wizard said. He turned to Oki and Kendra could hear him whisper these instructions to the tiny mouse: “Go, honest one. Gather our friends. You know who, right?”

  Oki nodded. “Yes, sir, I know.”

  “Good,” Uncle Griffinskitch said, patting Oki on his whiskery head. “Have them meet at my house, moon-up. And that includes you.”

  “I’ll do it,” Oki said, and he turned and darted across the bridge, back into the town of Faun’s End.

  “What’s all the whispering about?” Burdock demanded.

  “Never you mind,” Uncle Griffinskitch told him with a glare. “You’re not the king, Burdock. Not yet, anyway.”

  “Go on then,” Burdock said. “I don’t have the time to waste on rebellious folk like you, anyway. I have another important council meeting to attend.”

  “Indeed,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered and, with that, he lifted his head high and marched into the Elder Stone with Kendra right at his heels, doing the best to emulate his stern attitude. Together they brushed past Burdock Brown and began the long climb up the Elder Stone towards the private chambers of the ancient Een sorceress, Winter Woodsong.

  KENDRA COULD SEE that her uncle was quite out of breath by the time they reached the top of the Elder Stone. However, he did not even pause to collect himself before rapping on the small wooden door that belonged to Winter Woodsong.

  After a moment they were greeted by a weak, quiet voice that said, “Enter, old friend.”

  Kendra cast a startled look at her uncle. How could Elder Woodsong know who they were? But the old wizard merely grunted and opened the door to enter a small, round room.

  Kendra cast her eyes around the chamber in awe. If her own house was a collection of odd furniture and strange items (she lived with a wizard, after all), then Elder Woodsong’s home was even more so. Everywhere she looked, there was something interesting to see: kettles and cauldrons, goblets and caskets, wooden chests under lock and key, and tattered parchments and papers. In one corner of the room, there stood a tall cuckoo clock, which chimed almost immediately upon their arrival. Much to Kendra’s delight, the clock featured not a cuckoo, but a small wooden Goojun that banged a tiny toy club as he traveled his short mechanical path. In another corner, there was a large metallic globe with long rods jutting out at different angles. Each rod was capped with a small glowing light, and it seemed to Kendra that the strange device was somehow a map of the stars and planets. There were also many books scattered about the chamber. Many of these were stacked in tall piles, while others were lying open to reveal strange figures and symbols that Kendra could not begin to decipher.

  Then her gaze fell upon the old sorceress herself. Winter was lying on a small cot in the corner of the room, the blankets pulled tight about her frail body. Her hair was white and tangled, and wrinkles crisscrossed her pale, drawn face.

  “Elder Woodsong,” Uncle Griffinskitch said, immediately going to her. “How fare you?

  “I’m stronger than some would say,” Winter said. She tried to sit up in her bed, but immediately broke into a sharp, hacking cough.

  “Now, now,” Uncle Griffinskitch said, gently taking her hand. “Just rest. We shan’t stay long.”

  “Oh, no need to leave so quickly,” Winter said. “The company is welcome.”

  “We brought you some flowers, Elder Woodsong,” Kendra said.

  “Ah, thank you,” the old woman said, taking the bouquet and placing them in a vase by her bed. “Fireflowers are my favorite; their fragrance is divine. Did you know they grow only here, in the land of Een?”

  “No,” Kendra said shyly, suddenly timid in the presence of the great sorceress.

  “Well, no matter,” Winter said. “Take a seat, child. Sit, sit.”

  There was hardly a chair to be found, for each seemed to be stacked with books. After giving her braids a nervous tug, Kendra discovered a small empty stool near Winter’s bed. She was now met with some surprise, however; for as soon as she seated herself, the stool seemed to shoot up, so that Kendra found herself sitting high up in the air.

  “It’s a bothersome seat, that one,” Winter remarked with some amusement. “It has a mind of its own.”

  “Oh!” Kendra exclaimed, her feet dangling in the air.

  “Down, seat, d
own!” Winter ordered, and the stool instantly returned to its former height. “Sorry, child,” Winter murmured. “I suppose such are the hazards of visiting a sorceress!”

  Uncle Griffinskitch glared at Kendra (as if she were somehow responsible for the mischievous seat) then turned to Winter and said, “What’s this I hear about Burdock forcing you to step down?”

  “Burdock hungers for power,” Winter sighed. “That much is clear to me now. He would be emperor, I think, if Eens were to tolerate such nonsense.”

  “Humph,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered. “I won’t let Burdock get away with this.”

  “Shun your anger, old friend,” Winter said. “Burdock has already achieved his purpose. Myself, I am too old now to oppose him.”

  “He has declared it illegal for animals to enter the Elder Stone,” Uncle Griffinskitch declared. “He’s fired Captain Jinx and Honest Oki.”

  Winter sighed and closed her eyes, and to Kendra, it appeared as if she looked incredibly tired. “This is most unfortunate,” Winter murmured after a moment. “Burdock’s heart has grown dark.”

  “I’m going to take you home with me,” Uncle Griffinskitch announced. “Kendra and I will tend to you.”

  “No,” Winter said, opening her eyes wide at the wizard. “This is my home, and I shall stay here. Do I seem so weak to your young eyes?”

  Kendra smiled in spite of herself; she had never known anyone to refer to her uncle as young.

  “Besides, you don’t look so well yourself,” Winter told the wizard. “Why, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I just may have,” Uncle Griffinskitch muttered gravely.

  “Hmmm?” Winter asked, pushing herself up in her bed.

  Uncle Griffinskitch stroked his long white beard and began to tell the old sorceress about the visit from the Unger. He went through the story slowly, careful to not leave out any details.

  Winter Woodsong listened patiently. “This is most curious, most curious indeed,” she murmured when he was done.

  “Have you ever heard of this Door to Unger?” Uncle Griffinskitch asked.