Atlantis Lost by T. A. Barron

Author:T. A. Barron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2016-10-11T13:34:29+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Plans

Where exactly,” Atlanta asked Promi, “do you think we should go?”

Drenched from the river god’s rescue, she squeezed a handful of her hair that was dripping down her neck, wringing some water out of it—being careful, of course, not to give Quiggley another shower. The faery, perched on her shoulder, nodded in approval. Then he removed the hollow berries that served as his shoes, dumping a few drops of water out of each.

Meanwhile, Shangri wrung the water out of her kerchief and tied it again around her frazzled hair, while Lorno inspected the pastries in his pocket to see if they were too soggy to eat. He tasted a hunk of blueberry crumble and smiled, concluding that it tasted every bit as good (and maybe even better) in its moistened state.

The only one of the companions who wasn’t doing anything about being soaked was Promi. He was too busy thinking about Atlanta’s question. His gaze wandered to the great willow, whose tresses sparkled with spray, studying the gnarled root that had held the magical crystal. That very crystal now rested in his hand, sparkling like a rain-washed star.

At last, he turned back to Atlanta. “I have an answer for you. But,” he added with a look of uncertainty, “you might not like it.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got my attention.”

“Well,” he began, “I think it’s best to get the Starstone away from here. Far away.”

“The spirit realm?”

“Right. As long as it’s here on Atlantis, this whole forest—this whole world—will be in danger.” His voice fell to a whisper. “And so will you.”

Atlanta bent down, plucked a sprig of sweetstalk fern from the moss, and chewed on the sprig as she considered his idea. Shangri, Lorno, and Quiggley stopped their efforts to dry off, listening closely to the conversation.

“If I take it back to the spirit realm,” Promi explained, “your forest home will be less exposed to attackers, at least for a while. Right now, the dangers are everywhere—whether from those mistwraiths or that monster from the mines.”

At the mention of that beast, Shangri stiffened. Though her face was unaccustomed to frowning, she did now. “Everythin’ on Atlantis is in danger as long as that thing be loose.”

“True,” agreed Promi, “but let’s deal with one threat at a time.”

“Who knows what that monster’s doin’ now?” muttered Shangri. “Let’s be quick about makin’ plans, then go do our best to stop it.”

“And Reocoles,” added Lorno.

Atlanta nodded. “We will. But first, the Starstone.” Peering at Promi, she said, “If you take it away, the forest is less threatened. But also . . . less magical.”

“Just for a while, Atlanta. I’ll bring it back here as soon as this war with Narkazan is over.”

Heaving a sigh, she replied, “All right. I’ll agree to your plan. But only on one condition.”

“Which is?” asked Promi.

She stepped closer, putting her face so close that their noses nearly touched. “That you’ll come back.”

“I promise I will.”

“Good,” she declared. “And don’t wait so long that I’ll be twice as old as you.

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