CHAPTER EIGHT

These are the Storm Creatures,” Grubber said, walking Tempest Shadow into a great hall the next day. “You all have… um, met before. They’ll be joining us on our mission.”

The creatures stood there, facing her. Now that she was looking at them up close, she realized they all looked like strange versions of the Storm King. They had the same white fur around their faces, and they wore the same black armor with the blue symbol. But the beasts had sharp, pointy faces and beady blue eyes. One was huge, with paws like a lion’s. Two long tusks curled out from his nose. (She thought he was the one she had kicked, but she couldn’t be sure.) Another stood on his hind legs. He was shorter than the rest, with thick arms that looked as if they could smash someone with one blow. They all peered down at her. None of them spoke.

“Do they need to come?” Tempest asked. Then she turned to the creatures and shrugged. “No offense.…”

One of the Storm Creatures crossed his arms over his chest. He was definitely offended.

“The Hippogriffs are very powerful. We should bring them just in case. They’re good to have on your side in a fight.” Grubber leaned in and whispered in Tempest’s ear, “Now, this is where you give them a pep talk.”

“Right,” Tempest said, not really sure what to say. She and Grubber had come up with a plan, but she wasn’t exactly expecting to lead the group. And definitely not the small army she had just fought days before…

“So… Storm Creatures,” she said. “We leave for Mount Aris tonight. You’ll wait on the airship while Grubber and I enter the castle. The Queen of the Hippogriffs has a magic pearl that we need to get for the Storm King. Grubber and I will find it, and then we’ll count on you to be there when we make our escape. But remember: We want this to be as quiet as possible.”

The Storm Creatures looked confused.

“Quiet isn’t really their thing,” Grubber whispered.

“Grubber and I will take care of everything,” Tempest said. “You’ll wait on the ship. We’ll just need you as backup.”

They stood there, staring at her with their beady blue eyes. They didn’t seem excited about staying on the airship, but they didn’t seem mad about it, either. Grubber inched toward her. “This is where you lead them to the ship,” he whispered.

“Okay,” Tempest said, letting out a deep breath. “Let’s ready the ship for our journey. Storm Creatures, head out!”

The creatures all turned at the same time and marched out of the great hall. They climbed down the hill and marched across the long bridge away from the Storm King’s castle. That was when Tempest saw the ship for the first time.

It was bigger than the one she’d seen in the desert, and it was nestled in a swirling storm cloud. Set against the sunset, this airship was one of the most impressive things she’d ever seen. She remembered then what Spring Rain and Glitter Drops had always said to her—how she was the bravest of them all. Tonight, she’d be stronger and fiercer than ever before. She’d lead Grubber and the Storm Creatures to Mount Aris and bring back the pearl. Not for the Storm King, but for herself.

A Unicorn was nothing without her horn.

“Come on,” Tempest said as she started up a long, steep staircase to the city of Hippogriffia. Grubber was behind her, but the hike was too much for him. He was breathing heavily, and he kept stopping on every other stair to rest.

They’d left the ship far below. The Storm Creatures weren’t happy to not be going up to the city, but Tempest promised she would call for them if they were needed. Almost as soon as she said it, she hoped that wouldn’t happen. She just wanted to get in, get the pearl, and leave. The faster this was over, the better it would be.

She kept walking up the stairs, turning back once to make sure the ship was hidden. Mount Aris was perched high up in the clouds. They’d parked the ship far below, then covered it with a giant storm cloud. From where she was standing, it just looked as if there was rain at the base of the mountain.

“No one mentioned the stairs,” Grubber said, huffing behind her.

“We’re nearly at the top,” Tempest said. “Just a little farther.”

When they finally arrived, they looked past the beautiful gates. Inside, the city was all stone, with carved pillars and statues of Hippogriffs. An official-looking Hippogriff sat on the other side of the gate, guarding it.

“Who goes there?” he called as soon as she spotted Grubber and Tempest.

Tempest had a shawl around her shoulders. She and Grubber had disguised themselves with rags and old pieces of clothing they’d found in the castle kitchen. The long, tattered shawl covered Tempest’s armor. Grubber wore a black hooded cloak that was ripped at the seams.

“I’m sorry to bother you.…” Tempest let the shawl fall from her head, exposing her broken horn. “We’ve gotten lost. We’ve been traveling for days, and I’m afraid we’re very weak.”

“How does that concern us? Do you know where you are?” the Hippogriff asked.

Grubber shook his head, pretending he did not. He was sitting on the steps, and every other second he coughed. He really did look like a sick and weary traveler.

“This is the city of Hippogriffia,” the Hippogriff said. “Only Hippogriffs are allowed inside these gates.”

“We wouldn’t ask for help if we didn’t really need it.” Tempest stared into the Hippogriff’s eyes. She knew she was lying, but she was used to that by now. It was a survival skill. There was no way they’d be let in if they didn’t have a convincing story. She’d tell the truth after tonight. After they got the pearl. After the Storm King fixed her horn.

Without another word, the Hippogriff lifted off into the air. He was a magnificent blue creature with impressive wings. He went up into the stars, then swooped down and disappeared behind one of the buildings.

“Do you think it worked?” Grubber asked, peering through the gate. There were stone statues lining the street. They were all Hippogriffs posed in different positions.

“I don’t know.…” Tempest said. She stared up at the buildings. It was late, but she could see light in a few of the windows. Why couldn’t they let them in for just one night? Was the city really so strict they’d leave them outside?

She turned and sat down on the steps. Tempest glanced back at the city. The Hippogriff was nowhere in sight. “How long should we wait?” she asked.

“As long as we have to,” Grubber said. “We can’t go back without the pearl.”

There was something about the way he said it. It seemed as if they weren’t allowed to fail. Would the Storm King let them back into the castle if they didn’t have the pearl? Or would Tempest be banned forever?

She heard the sound of the Hippogriff’s wings against the sky. The giant creature swooped down and landed on the other side of the gate. Then he unlocked it and let the doors swing open.

“The queen has granted your stay in the city,” he said. “But only for the night. What are your names?”

“I’m Cherry Pie,” Tempest lied. She couldn’t use her new name. Not when they were going to steal the pearl. “And this is… Mort.”

“I’m Stratus Skyranger,” the Hippogriff said. “Come—follow me, and we’ll get you food and a warm bed.”

He walked down the stone street. Tempest gazed up at all the statues, high buildings, and carved pillars. Grubber plodded along behind her. She turned back just once, and his eyes were wide.

Their plan had worked.