took years. He was a patient man.”
“Each Mapkeeper discovers how to unleash the map’s power in his or her own way,” Cadmus explained. “No two have interacted with the map in quite the same way, and its magic only works for the person whose name is inscribed on the map.”
Lucy pulled the map out of her pocket and unfolded it in front of her where everyone could see it. The firelight danced across the soft, beige parchment. Lucy Barnes was still inscribed in script in the bottom corner.
“Upstairs on the second floor you will find the hallway lined with portraits of all the Mapkeepers of the past, dating back to the third century PR. We track time based on the great rebuild of Praxis following the fifteenth Mapkeeper, who defeated the three beasts. PR stands for Post-Rebuild. Any records that existed prior to that were either lost or destroyed. You are welcome to go see the hallway of portraits later tonight if you’d like,” King Muttongale offered. “Olivia and Pip can show you the way.”
“Who was the fifteenth Mapkeeper?” Lucy looked up from the map.
“Alas, his name did not survive him. We only know him as the fifteenth Mapkeeper. He perished in the process of defeating the beasts,” the king said with a frown.
“How did he defeat the three beasts?” Luke asked.
Cadmus replied, “No one knows for sure, but legend has it that the king dispatched a great army to fight the beasts, but the entire army was annihilated! The beasts ravaged the town amidst the worst of the natural disasters: quakes, hailstorms, an erupting volcano, and even a massive ocean storm. Many people and creatures perished. Some were able to survive by hiding in the caves of the Dour Mountains or deep within Doldrums Forest. But even they were subject to terrible rock slides and a great forest blaze.
“When the beasts had demolished what was left of the forest and village, they refocused their attention on the castle. They climbed the castle hill, and were almost upon it when the fifteenth Mapkeeper unleashed the full fury of the map. It is said that he rode out of the stable on horseback at full speed toward the three beasts. In a blinding explosion of white light, he rammed straight into them, sacrificing himself but saving Praxis. The Mapkeeper and all three beasts were killed.”
Lucy’s mouth hung open and goosebumps sprang up on her arms. Cadmus continued, “To this day, a wide ring of trees remain leveled in that very spot. Nothing can grow where the white light touched. Records from that time state that the map disappeared without a trace that day and wasn’t seen again until his successor arrived, map in hand.”
“Do the Mapkeepers stay in Praxis their whole lives?” Mack asked. Lucy had been wondering the same thing. This question made her nervous.
“Some do,” the queen replied. “But many do not. They are always free to come and go as they please. In times of peace, the royal family rules in their absence. The map calls them back when they are needed, and they always come.”
Lucy glanced sideways at her brothers. They shared her look of confusion and disbelief.
“As you can see, Ms. Barnes, these are trying times. We all believe that it was no accident that you arrived when you did,” the king commented. He peered down at her through his wiry red eyebrow hairs.
Lucy felt Cadmus’ inquisitive gaze from across the circle. She tried to ignore it, pretending to be absorbed by the map, tracing the edge of Glacial Lake with a finger.
“I can explain our history in greater detail if you’d like, Ms. Barnes,” Cadmus offered. “I have studied extensively and am considered somewhat of an expert on the history of Praxis. If I can be of any assistance at all, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be staying at the castle and am at your disposal.” Lucy’s heart constricted at his kind words. She met his gaze, and his eyes were sincere.
“Thank you, Cadmus. Your dedicated service is
“Each Mapkeeper discovers how to unleash the map’s power in his or her own way,” Cadmus explained. “No two have interacted with the map in quite the same way, and its magic only works for the person whose name is inscribed on the map.”
Lucy pulled the map out of her pocket and unfolded it in front of her where everyone could see it. The firelight danced across the soft, beige parchment. Lucy Barnes was still inscribed in script in the bottom corner.
“Upstairs on the second floor you will find the hallway lined with portraits of all the Mapkeepers of the past, dating back to the third century PR. We track time based on the great rebuild of Praxis following the fifteenth Mapkeeper, who defeated the three beasts. PR stands for Post-Rebuild. Any records that existed prior to that were either lost or destroyed. You are welcome to go see the hallway of portraits later tonight if you’d like,” King Muttongale offered. “Olivia and Pip can show you the way.”
“Who was the fifteenth Mapkeeper?” Lucy looked up from the map.
“Alas, his name did not survive him. We only know him as the fifteenth Mapkeeper. He perished in the process of defeating the beasts,” the king said with a frown.
“How did he defeat the three beasts?” Luke asked.
Cadmus replied, “No one knows for sure, but legend has it that the king dispatched a great army to fight the beasts, but the entire army was annihilated! The beasts ravaged the town amidst the worst of the natural disasters: quakes, hailstorms, an erupting volcano, and even a massive ocean storm. Many people and creatures perished. Some were able to survive by hiding in the caves of the Dour Mountains or deep within Doldrums Forest. But even they were subject to terrible rock slides and a great forest blaze.
“When the beasts had demolished what was left of the forest and village, they refocused their attention on the castle. They climbed the castle hill, and were almost upon it when the fifteenth Mapkeeper unleashed the full fury of the map. It is said that he rode out of the stable on horseback at full speed toward the three beasts. In a blinding explosion of white light, he rammed straight into them, sacrificing himself but saving Praxis. The Mapkeeper and all three beasts were killed.”
Lucy’s mouth hung open and goosebumps sprang up on her arms. Cadmus continued, “To this day, a wide ring of trees remain leveled in that very spot. Nothing can grow where the white light touched. Records from that time state that the map disappeared without a trace that day and wasn’t seen again until his successor arrived, map in hand.”
“Do the Mapkeepers stay in Praxis their whole lives?” Mack asked. Lucy had been wondering the same thing. This question made her nervous.
“Some do,” the queen replied. “But many do not. They are always free to come and go as they please. In times of peace, the royal family rules in their absence. The map calls them back when they are needed, and they always come.”
Lucy glanced sideways at her brothers. They shared her look of confusion and disbelief.
“As you can see, Ms. Barnes, these are trying times. We all believe that it was no accident that you arrived when you did,” the king commented. He peered down at her through his wiry red eyebrow hairs.
Lucy felt Cadmus’ inquisitive gaze from across the circle. She tried to ignore it, pretending to be absorbed by the map, tracing the edge of Glacial Lake with a finger.
“I can explain our history in greater detail if you’d like, Ms. Barnes,” Cadmus offered. “I have studied extensively and am considered somewhat of an expert on the history of Praxis. If I can be of any assistance at all, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be staying at the castle and am at your disposal.” Lucy’s heart constricted at his kind words. She met his gaze, and his eyes were sincere.
“Thank you, Cadmus. Your dedicated service is
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