‘Kaz?’
‘I’ve got a pair of Warrior’s Lenses too,’ he said. He patted his pack. ‘I’ve got my sling to throw rocks, and some standard gear. Rope, a couple of throwing knives, a grappling hook, flares and snacks.’
‘Snacks?’
‘Pop taught me never to rescue a near-doomed allied kingdom on an empty stomach.’
‘Wise man, my grandfather,’ I said. ‘Aydee, what do you have?’
‘A bubbly, infectious personality!’ she said. ‘And a cute flower in my hair.’
‘Excellent.’ I fished around in my pocket. ‘I’ve got my standard Oculator’s Lenses,’ I said, ‘along with my Translator’s Lenses and one Truthfinder’s Lens.’ The former had been given to me by my father; the latter I’d discovered in the tomb of Alcatraz the First. Neither were very powerful in battle, but they could be useful in other ways.
As I fished in the pockets of my jacket, I was shocked to discover something else. A pouch that hadn’t been there before, at least not in the morning when I’d gotten dressed. I pulled it out, frowning, then undid the laces at the top.
Inside were two pairs of Lenses. They glowed powerfully to my eyes, as I was wearing my Oculator’s Lenses.
I took the new Lenses out. One had a baby blue tint to them. I’d used these before; they were called Courier’s Lenses. The other Lenses had a green-and-purple tint.
‘Wow,’ Bastille said, snatching the second pair from my hand, holding them up. ‘Alcatraz, where did you get these?’
‘I have no idea,’ I said, looking inside the pouch. There appeared to be a little note tucked into it. ‘What are they?’
‘Bestower’s Lenses,’ she said, sounding just a bit awed. ‘They’re very powerful.’
I got the note out, unfolding it. You called me once with a set of Courier’s Lenses when you weren’t supposed to be able to, the note said. Give it a try again.
It was signed Grandpa Smedry.
I hesitated, then pulled off my Oculator’s Lenses and put on the Courier’s Lenses. They were supposed to be able to work over only short distances, but I was discovering that there were a lot of things about Lenses and silimatic glass that didn’t work the way everyone said they did.
I concentrated, doing something I’d only recently learned to do, giving extra power to the Lenses. Static fuzzed in my ears. And then, an image of Grandpa Smedry’s face appeared in front of me, hovering in the air. It was faintly translucent.
Ha! Grandpa’s voice said in my ears. Alcatraz, my boy, you really can do it!
‘Yeah,’ I said. The others gave me odd looks, but I tapped the glasses.
You found the Lenses, I presume? Grandpa asked.
‘I did,’ I replied. ‘How’d you get them into my pocket?’
Oh, I’ve been known to practice a little sleight of hand in my day, my boy, he said. I’d been meaning to give you those Lenses for some time. Make good use of them. I’m sure dear Bastille can tell you how to use them. Ha! The lass seems to know more about my Lenses sometimes than I do! Are you in Mokia yet?
‘We’ve arrived at Tuki Tuki,’ I said. ‘I’ve got Kaz with me, and my cousin Aydee.’
Excellent, lad, excellent. I’m working on the knights. I’ve almost got them in agreement to come with me to ‘rescue’ you. But they’re not convinced that you’re in danger. They think that you tricked them and didn’t really fly to Mokia – you just acted like it to try to get them to go join the war.
‘Wow,’ I said. ‘As I think about it, that might have been a pretty good idea.’
Except for the fact that we’ll need to prove to them where you are, Grandpa said. Your cousin Aydee was in town dropping off a bit of Communicator’s Glass. The other piece is in the palace, with Bastille’s sister, the queen. If you can contact the Mokian embassy in Nalhalla through it, that will prove that you’re there in Mokia. They won’t take my word on it with the Courier’s Lenses, but if you contact the embassy, the knights will have no choice but to come defend you.
‘All right,’ I said.
This will be dangerous, lad, Grandpa said. I don’t want you getting hurt.
‘But that’s the Smedry way!’ I said, imitating him.
Ha! Well, so it is. But surviving is also the Smedry way. Get in, contact the embassy, and then lay low. Don’t go fight on the battlefield yourself. Understand?