the forests, entrusted me with the task of helping to hide Kalpavriksha,” said Garuda. He lifted the panel of moonlight. “This sacred object can reveal its whereabouts. But that secret is not meant for your eyes. The tree demands too great a sacrifice—it may only be used at the will of the gods.”
“There was a prophecy…” said Mini. “We think it’s about us and the tree. If we don’t find the real Kalpavriksha within two days, the Sleeper’s army could destroy the Otherworld.”
Garuda took his time responding. “If you could use the tree, what would you wish?” he asked quietly. “To win at war? You know nothing of what victory looks like. I regret what I must do, but I cannot let you continue.”
He stretched out his wings, snuffing out the torches and letting the night’s darkness crash around them. Aru was going for her lightning bolt when she heard a loud squawk. There was a flash of tufted gray and an indignant caw that could only belong to one bird.
Boo soared toward them, screeching at Garuda: “NOT MY PANDAVAS, YOU BIRDBRAIN!”
We Are All Potatoes
Boo alighted on his favorite spot in the world….
The top of Aru’s head.
He pecked her affectionately, then hopped about. Even though Aru couldn’t see him, she assumed he was making sure Brynne and Mini were fine, too.
Their pigeon guardian made a strange hissing sound at Garuda, who looked more bewildered than terrified out of his wits, but perhaps that’s to be expected when a pigeon starts insulting you out of nowhere.
“Subala,” said Garuda in his gravelly voice. “You are much changed.”
“He’s been taking new feather supplements,” said Mini defensively.
Boo puffed out his chest. “I am here to tell you that the Pandavas’ mission was sanctioned by me, a member of the Council of Guardians, and therefore you cannot punish them.”
Garuda’s wings lowered, and he looked down at the pane of moonlight in his talons. Aru’s hands twitched to take it. Once they had it, they could finally find the Tree of Wishes.
“You allowed them to go on this quest?” asked Garuda quietly.
Aru frowned. Why did it sound like he was insulting Boo?
Garuda did not take his eyes off Boo. “You should know better. You know the cost. Or perhaps you were blinded by the hope of gaining a new form for your soul. You should have protected your charges.”
The pigeon seemed to wilt.
“Boo does protect us!” said Mini angrily. “He always has!”
“I care very deeply for my girls,” said Boo, a barely restrained fury in his voice.
Garuda regarded him steadily. “And yet even the ones who love us and have our best interests at heart make mistakes. My mother enslaved herself to my aunt by impulsively accepting a bet. Maybe it was her pride. Or maybe she hoped it would put an end to my aunt’s bullying of me. Instead, my mother and I both suffered more. I do not trust any instant fix, be it a bet…or a wish.”
After a moment of consideration, Garuda laid the pane of moonlight on the ground. “As this journey has been sanctioned by a member of the Council, I cannot stand in your way. Though I wish you would let me.”
He pointed to the moonlit square. “Only chakora birds can decipher what is written here. It will reveal where Kalpavriksha has been hidden. But know this: the birds are gossipy things, and they honor no currency except secrets.”
“How do we find them?” asked Aru.
“Follow the path through the moonlight,” said Garuda. He lifted his chin. “I pray you know what you are doing.”
And with that, he unfurled his giant wings and took off.
Aru stared after Garuda as his silhouette shrank into the clouds. She thought she would feel victorious, but instead she felt hollow. Maybe the others felt the same way too, because only Brynne bent to retrieve the moonlit pane.
“Well,” said Boo, almost awkwardly.
He hopped down into Mini’s outstretched palms, tilting his head from one side to the next as he gazed at the unreadable message, and then at Aru, Brynne, Mini, Aiden, and Rudy.
“I must return to the heavens soon,” he said. “I’ve been watching the twins, and—”
“Wait a sec, Boo,” said Aiden. “How’d you know where we were?”
“And that we needed help?” added Brynne.
Boo’s feathers stiffened for a moment, as if he’d been caught off guard. “The Maruts,” he said breezily. “They’re keeping me updated.”
Aru frowned. He’d answered too quickly. Also, the Maruts didn’t know about their mission, did they? As a kinda-sorta-reformed liar, Aru was