Kingdom Keepers Inheritance by Ridley Pearson

Author:Ridley Pearson [Pearson, Ridley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: 2024-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

22

GETTING INTO TIANA’S PALACE was not going to be easy.

“The restaurant is closed for seating,” the receptionist said. “We hope to see you tomorrow.”

The front of Tiana’s Palace rose three stories, though Blair’s knowledge of Disneyland history recalled the restaurant had taken the place of a clothes store: Le Bat en Rouge. “It’s a false front,” she said. “The upper windows are only for looks. We aren’t going to get inside using them.”

People remained at the tables inside, finishing their dinners. The sounds of conversation, the clinking of glasses and tableware poured out onto the New Orleans street.

“A Cast Member entrance would get us around to the kitchen door,” Eli said.

“We just tried that, Eli. We nearly got ourselves in trouble.”

“Then what?” Eli groaned.

“Argos,” Blair said.

“Where’s that?”

“Not where, but who,” she said, correcting him. “You need to read more. Argos was Odysseus’s loyal dog. Kamala told you that you were on a journey. I happen to know you can talk to animals, Eli. There are birds throughout the park. Squirrels. Chipmunks. Maybe a bunny or two.”

“So?” he said.

“I think you should try calling them into Tiana’s Palace.”

“What? Why?”

“It is called a diversion,” Blair said. “Can you imagine a bunch of animals charging into a restaurant?”

“That would be funny!” Eli said. “I suppose no one would pay any attention to us. It’s a good idea, Blair.”

“Thank you! We’ll walk right through the front door while everyone is freaking out.”

It was true that Eli had once spoken to several hundred chameleon snakes. He had also had conversations with rodents, a cat named Desamora, and some monkeys in Animal Kingdom. But they had all been right near him at the time. Could he summon animals at a distance by just thinking something in his head? “I’m not so sure I can do this, Blair.”

“Trying is better than crying. Not winning is not failing. But not trying is quitting. At least, that’s what my father always says.”

“Yeah. Okay. I get it.” Eli found a wrought-iron bench and sat down. Blair joined him. “You keep watch for trouble,” he said. “I’m going to close my eyes.”

“No problem,” she said. Blair reached down and took his hand in hers. “I’ve got you.” She gave his hand a little squeeze and Eli clung to hers.

First, he tried to think what to say. He couldn’t just call out, Here, bunnies. Here, squirrels! Here, birds! How could he lure them?

He opened his eyes and looked at Blair. “What do bunnies, birds, and squirrels have in common?”

“They’re all always either sleeping or eating.”

“Good one!” Eli said. “And what do they like to eat?”

“Lettuce and nuts,” she said without hesitation.

He nodded, closed his eyes, and focused. Whoever is hungry, he thought-spoke, using the same technique he’d used with Desamora the cat, Tiana’s Palace is offering a lettuce and nut buffet. All you can eat. First come, first served. So, come and get it!

He heard nothing spoken back to him. He squinted an eye open, looking around.

“Anything?” he asked Blair.

“Not yet,” she said.

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