He was right. Only the last traces of twilight remained in the sky above. Many stars were out now.

Cole was having trouble unsheathing his Jumping Sword. “This is sort of hard with the nets.”

“Valid point,” Liam agreed. “Promise you’ll be cool about it? Without the nets, if you try something, we’ll have to sick the grunts on you.” He pointed to the cardboard giant, and it turned back to wave-worn stone.

“We’ll behave,” Cole said.

“What about you, rope boy?” Liam asked.

“If you don’t mess with us, I won’t mess with you,” Jace pledged.

“I guess that’s fair. Promise? Double-dog promise?”

“I think that’s ‘double-dog dare you,’ ” Cole put in.

Liam looked at him in surprise. “You’re right. What’s a really strong promise?”

“ ‘Cross your heart and hope to die,’ ” Cole said.

“Oh, I like that,” Liam replied. Looking at Asia, he jerked his head toward Cole. “This one could be useful.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Do you all swear to be good?” Liam asked. “Cross your hearts and hope to die? I need verbal confirmation.”

They all agreed.

Liam waved a hand, and the nets blew free of them, becoming gaseous and quickly dispersing in the air.

“You’re good,” Mira said.

Liam shrugged. “I’m not completely useless. Let’s have those items.”

Cole handed over his shawl, his bow, and his sword to Liam.

Twitch hesitated with his ring. “This means a lot to me.”

“I’ll take good care of it,” Liam assured him. “I wouldn’t even have a use for it. I’m not from Elloweer.”

Twitch handed it over. Jace gave up his inert rope. Mira surrendered her Jumping Sword.

Liam returned to Cole. “You still have something small.”

“I forgot,” Cole said, taking the jewel he had gotten in Parona from his pocket.

Liam held it up and scrutinized it. “Never mind. It’s not worth the trouble to keep it with me.” He handed it back. “You hold on to it. Or don’t. Either way, you won’t lose it.”

“Here he comes,” Asia said.

Cole looked beyond her to where a large warrior led a group of others in full armor across the lawn. Even though it was dim, Cole recognized the leader. “Lyrus?”

The big warrior increased his pace to a jog. “Cole? Is that you?”

Liam looked befuddled. “You two know each other?”

“We’ve met,” Cole said.

Lyrus hustled forward and gave Cole a small bow. “I am astonished. How did you come here?”

“Through the cloudwall,” Cole said.

“You know them?” Asia asked. “Are they Sky Raiders?”

“Salvagers, yes,” Lyrus said. “And Cole is a proven hero.”

“Anything suspicious about them?” Asia inquired.

Lyrus shook his head. “I have only met Cole and Mira, but I believe they have good characters. Cole helped me awaken to my true nature.”

“Why aren’t you dead?” Cole asked.

“I was resigned to my demise,” Lyrus said. “But I was rescued. They fully healed my injuries.”

“Lots of semblances slide into the terminal void,” Liam said. “We can lend a hand to only a small fraction of them. Our master sensed that Lyrus was unusually self-aware. We rescued him and decided he would be a good fit as captain of the guard.”

“Can we please take this reunion to the castle?” Asia begged.

Liam touched his forehead and gave a quick bow. “As you wish. Follow me!” Tilting on his disk, he took off at a speed none of them could possibly match. His flying insects buzzed after him, rapidly falling behind.

“Stay with me,” Asia grumbled. “Judgment has yet to be passed on you. We’re off to meet the master.”

Chapter 20

DECLAN

The castle swept up from the ground, its unusual architecture dominated by concave curves. Smooth walls sloped inward before flaring outward as they rose. The towers tapered, then widened toward the top. The subtle hourglass theme was echoed on the battlements and in the windows.

Cole spent most of the long walk in silence. Lyrus had been reluctant to converse, explaining that, technically, Cole was a prisoner until the master decided otherwise. Whenever Cole spoke to his friends, Asia stayed nearby, obviously listening.

Left to his thoughts, Cole wondered about the identity of the person whom Asia, Liam, and Lyrus served. If the master were an enemy of the legion, hopefully he or she would be on their side. But not necessarily. The master could simply be a recluse who hated all trespassers. Obviously, the master wanted to stay hidden. Otherwise why live behind the cloudwall with lots of guards and a giant whirlwind to vacuum away any visitors?

The castle grounds had little light, and though the stars were bright, no moon was in view, making it hard to discern the hedges, lawns, trees, and fountains, except as vague forms in the dimness. The castle was easier to observe, thanks to lights in the windows and fires on the walls.

Full night had fallen by the time they reached the huge gates. As they neared the sloping walls, the gates swung open and a portcullis cranked upward. The group passed into a large courtyard lit by elaborate fountains of water and flame. Wavering shadows and splashes of light danced on the soaring walls. Heavily armed figures clanked around the area, armor glinting in the firelight.

As Asia led them toward the main castle doors, they opened and a figure emerged, head wreathed by curly brown hair, his body husky but not flabby. He wore a green robe and sandals, and he looked to be in his thirties.

“Welcome,” the man said with a graceful half bow. “It has been too long since we have enjoyed the company of visitors.”

“Don’t play host to prisoners, Jamar,” Asia scolded.

He raised his eyebrows. “Prisoners, are they? That isn’t how Liam told it.”

“Since when has Liam known anything besides shaping?” Asia challenged.

Jamar gave an apologetic smile to the group. “Asia takes the defense of this castle very seriously.” He eyed Cole and the others in turn. “The day may come when we are indebted to her wariness, but I suspect that will not be today. The master will have the final word. He is aware of your presence and wishes to meet with you at once.”

Jamar stepped aside, and Asia motioned for Mira to enter. Cole passed through the door after her, entering a grand hall many stories high, with stairs at the far end and tiers of balconies and galleries along the walls. Glowing globes spaced about the chamber provided steady luminance. Crystal trees with stained-glass leaves transformed much of the hall into a sparkling grove.