of the group. Flutes and drums carried on the air; there were musicians both on the beach and the docks.
They watched ships drift lazily in and out of the port city, transferring goods to and from Fionngall. Huge ships with bright sails were manned with massive crews; muscled men with worn hands and strong sea legs constantly moved on the decks, hoisting and rowing with determination.
The city was a fine-tuned machine. Nothing seemed out of place, nothing seemed accidental, yet it seemed too perfect. Underneath it all, Tolan sensed mystery and unspoken concerns.
“All of my people’s food and goods come from this place,” Drith said. “Fionngall trades with Norrow, across the sea.”
“Norrow is our destination,” Tolan said. “But we cannot reach it without a ship. We will need to ask for one.”
“That should go well,” Shannara said. “Buy a ship without any coins.”
“We cannot buy it,” Tolan said. “We will need to borrow it and bring it back later. First, we must meet with the leaders of this city.” Tolan stopped a merchant who tried to sell them hatchets and fishhooks. “Good sir, who rules your fine city?”
He grinned up at them. Two of his teeth were made of silver. “Fionngall has no leader. It is taken care of by the Custodian.”
“Custodian?” Shannara asked, bewildered.
“Yes, my beauty. Custodian Charris takes care of us all.”
“Where may we find him?” Tolan asked.
“Only one place.” The merchant pointed up the face of the cliffs. “The sea castle of Fionngall.”
Tolan tipped his helmet. “We thank you for your help.”
They moved down the beach, watching the merchants and performers, including jugglers, magicians, and the ones Pim found most interesting: fire eaters.
Each of the buildings on the cliffs had stairways that curled up to the rooftops. They climbed one until they reached the top. There, they set eyes on a grand castle with towers and a massive gate.
Pim turned round to see the Baltha Sea stretching to the end of the world, meeting the blue sky in the distance. The wind whipped his golden curls, and the salt tickled his nose.
Before he knew it, they stood at the gatehouse to the castle. A guard stood inside.
“We seek an audience with Custodian Charris,” Tolan spoke.
“From where do you hail?”
“I am Tolan of the High Guard in Cardoon. With me are Drith of Glengorrah, Pim of Gonnish, Shannara of the D’Elkyrie, and our guardians.”
“Well met. State your business.”
“We are here under grave matters. Danger comes to all of Athora, and we seek your city’s help. There is no time to waste: a great scourge has come to claim us all.”
“From the east?”
“You have heard?”
“We thought it was only rumor among the caravans. I will send word to Charris.”
After some time, massive, rusted chains lowered the gates, and the group was shown inside.
A tall, thin man with a salt and pepper hair and beard, dressed in a long formal sheath and robe met them in a grand foyer of polished marble. It was decorated with chandliers of seashells and brass.
“Strange travelers… I see you have come a long way.” His hands were open and his smile was an honest one. A quartest of guards flanked him.
Tolan extended his hand. “Custodian Charris?”
“Yes, indeed.” Charris took Tolan’s hand in both of his own. Tolan noted how warm they were.
“Pleased to meet you, sire. We come with great haste and need.”
Chariss interrupted Tolan. “Come, let us talk of it over lunch. I was just about to sit down.”
“Sire, we have no time to waste. We…”
“I insist!” Charris immediately turned away from the group and went down a tapestry-lined hallway.
Tolan shrugged to the others and followed Charris and his men. The others followed Tolan.
###
Custodian Charris hosted the group at a long banquet table. The seers sat together beside Shannara; Drith sat across from Tolan and Pim, and the D’Elkyrie warriors sat at the end of the table.
Charris shared wine, fruit, bread, and cheese with the group. “Please, try some of the cheese. It’s made with goat’s milk from Norrow.”
“Goats?” Pim said. “They have goats?” He tried the cheese. It was unlike anything he’d ever tasted.
“Of course they do,” Charris laughed. “They have many things. We are blessed to have such people across the sea. So, what grave matter brings you to Fionngall? I see that you have come a long way. King of the South, I would know you anywhere. Queen of the D’Elkyrie, it must truly be dire, if your people have come down from the M’Illium Fells.”
“Aye, more than you know,”