"So, you're off to Vampire Mountain," he said, picking up my knapsack and peering inside without asking. "Take matches, Master Shan. The way is long and the days are cold. The winds that gust around Vampire Mountain would cut even a tough-skinned young man like you to the bone."
"Thanks for the advice," I said.
That was the confusing thing about Mr. Tiny. He was always polite and friendly, so even if you knew he was the type of guy who wouldn't blink in the face of great evil, you couldn't help liking him at least some of the time.
"Are my Little People near?" he asked. The Little People were short creatures who dressed in blue robes with hoods, never spoke, and ate anything that moved (including humans!). A couple of the mysterious beings almost always traveled with the Cirque Du Freak, and there were eight of them with us at that time.
"They're probably in their tent," I said. "I brought them some food about an hour ago, and I think they're still eating." One of my jobs was to hunt for the Little People's food. Evra used to do it with me, until he grew up and demanded less messy chores. Nowadays I was helped by a couple of young humans, children of the Cirque helpers.
"Excellent." Mr. Tiny beamed, and began to walk away. "Oh." He paused. "One last thing. Tell Larten not to leave until I've had a word with him."
"I think we're in a hurry," I said. "We might not have time to -"
"Just tell him I want a word," Mr. Tiny interrupted. "I'm sure he'll make time for me." With that, he tipped his glasses at us, waved good-bye, and moved on. I shared a worried look with Evra, found some matches and stuck them in my bag, then hurried off to wake Mr. Crepsley. MR. CREPSLEY WAS GRUMPY when I woke him - he hated getting up before the sun went down - but stopped complaining when I told him why I disturbed his sleep. "Mr. Tiny." He sighed, scratching the long scar that ran down the left side of his face. "I wonder what he wants?"
"I don't know," I answered, "but he said not to leave until he had a word with you." I lowered my voice and whispered, "We could sneak away without being seen if we hurried. Dusk isn't too far away. You could handle about an hour of sunlight if we stayed in the shadows, couldn't you?"
"I could," Mr. Crepsley agreed, "were I given to fleeing like a dog with its tail between its legs. But I am not. I will face Desmond Tiny. Bring me my finest cloak - I like to look my best for visitors." That was as close to a joke as the vampire was probably going to come - he didn't have much of a sense of humor.
An hour later, with the sun setting, we made our way to Mr. Tall's caravan, where Mr. Tiny was entertaining the owner of the Cirque Du Freak with stories of what he'd seen in a recent earthquake.
"Ah, Larten!" Mr. Tiny boomed. "Prompt as ever."
"Desmond," Mr. Crepsley replied stiffly.
"Have a seat," Mr. Tiny said.
"Thank you, but I will stand." Nobody liked sitting when Mr. Tiny was around - in case they needed to make a quick getaway.
"I hear you're taking off for Vampire Mountain," Mr. Tiny said.
"We leave tonight," Mr. Crepsley confirmed.
"This is the first Council you've been to in about fifty years, isn't it?"
"You are well informed," Mr. Crepsley grunted.
"I keep an ear to the ground."
There was a knock at the door, and Mr. Tall let in two of the Little People. One walked with kind of a limp. He'd been with the Cirque Du Freak almost as long as me. I called him Lefty, although that was only a nickname - none of the Little People had real names.
"Ready, boys?" Mr. Tiny asked. The Little People nodded. "Excellent!" He smiled at Mr. Crepsley. "The path to Vampire Mountain is as hazardous as ever, isn't it?"
"It is not easy," Mr. Crepsley agreed cagily.
"Dangerous for a young snip of a thing like Master Shan, wouldn't you say?"
"Darren can look after himself," Mr. Crepsley said, and I grinned proudly.
"I'm sure he can," Mr. Tiny responded, "but it's unusual for someone so young to make the journey, isn't it?"
"Yes," Mr. Crepsley said curtly.
"That's why I'm sending these two along as guards." Mr. Tiny waved a hand at the Little People.
"Guards?" Mr. Crepsley barked. "We do not need any. I have made the trip many times. I can look after Darren myself."
"You can indeed," Mr. Tiny cooed, "but a little help never went astray, did it?"