{"id":451,"date":"2026-01-03T20:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/piers-anthony-xanth-46-six-crystal-princesses-anthony-piers\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T20:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:40:13","slug":"piers-anthony-xanth-46-six-crystal-princesses-anthony-piers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/piers-anthony-xanth-46-six-crystal-princesses-anthony-piers\/","title":{"rendered":"Piers, Anthony – Xanth 46 – Six Crystal Princesses – Anthony, Piers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Preview<\/h3>\n
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Chapter 1<\/p>\n

Mission<\/p>\n

Vinia sat beside Prince Ion as he slept, holding his hand. His hair was blond, and so were his eyes when open, in contrast to her dull brown eyes. He was a year younger than she, but a bit larger in body. She loved him, but that was only part of it. She needed to be close to him, because she was hyperallergic, and his ambiance abolished all allergens, so she could, literally, breathe freely only in his presence. Connecting with him had opened much of the cosmos to her, literally. He was a prince and a Magician, while she was nothing, but he loved and valued her. They were perfect for each other and had known it from the first moment they interacted, two years before.<\/p>\n

Vinia smiled reminiscently. They had met, and she had learned that he was disabled. There had been an accident that crushed his legs, and he had not been able to use healing elixir to fix them because he was immune to all elixirs, good and bad. But she knew she could fix that, in her fashion, because of her telekinesis. She had put her hands on him and lifted him up, using her magic to make his legs support him. Then she had realized that in her excitement she had committed a social breach, touching a prince when she herself was the commonest of commoners, and tried to apologize. But he, pleased with the ability to stand that she brought him, had kissed her to shut her up. Then he started to demur, feeling that she would not want to associate with someone who couldn\u2019t walk, until she kissed him back to shut him<\/span> up. Then they had gazed into each other\u2019s eyes, and kissed a third time, mutually impelled\u2014and a little heart had flown up. They were only nine and ten at the time, but the hearts always knew: they were for each other. The others with them had seen the heart and accepted its message. They had been happily together ever since. His family accepted her, especially his sister, Hilda, a princess and Sorceress in her own right, because she truly loved her brother and wanted him to be happy, and Vinia\u2019s presence had lifted a burden from her.<\/p>\n

But Vinia had a problem. She and Ion formed a tightly knit quartet with Hilda and her boyfriend, Benny. Benny was one of the Animalia, a human\/Caprine crossbreed. Benny had known of Vinia, who had visited the planet Animalia as a tourist and stayed because she loved the human\/Equine folk, loving horses though she could not get out to ride one because of the allergies. He had brought Ion and Hilda to meet Vinia, and there followed what followed. That was why Vinia liked Benny. He was pleasant and personable and helpful, but it was that giant favor he had done her that won her unending gratitude. Now she had a life! <\/p>\n

She looked again at Ion. In perhaps seven years the two of them would be of age, and probably he would marry her, and she would become a princess. But that wasn\u2019t what brought her the main joy. It was that he truly needed her, as she needed him; they were a perfect complementary couple. To need and be needed, that was the essence. All else was secondary.<\/p>\n

But that was also the problem. Hilda had sewn Benny a thinking cap. That was her talent as a Sorceress; she could sew things with marvelous magic. She had made Ion a little magic carpet, which he had used to travel everywhere. If Hilda sewed a woman a kitchen apron, that person became a phenomenal cook. If she sewed a party dress, the girl who wore it became so sexy as to freak out any man in range.<\/p>\n

Benny had tried out the thinking cap, of course. And come privately to Vinia. \u201cMy first idea: Hilda could sew Ion a pair of walking socks,\u201d he said. \u201cLike walking boots, only these would fit under the boots. They should enable him to walk on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinia felt a nasty chill. With such socks, Ion would no longer need her!<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you understand,\u201d he said. \u201cI haven\u2019t mentioned this idea to anyone. I needed to talk to you first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Thank you,\u201d she responded, stricken. \u201cPlease, I need some time to think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not mention it to anyone else. It is your decision.\u201d For Benny was the soul of discretion, and he never betrayed his friends.<\/p>\n

Now Vinia was thinking about it. She wanted what was best for Ion, of course, but this might make him better off without her. That could destroy her. If the idea had occurred two years ago, before she had fallen totally in love with him, maybe she could have survived it, but now she knew that without Ion she would not want to live. Her choice was stark: tell him, and lose him and herself, or be silent, carrying the guilt of her secret. It was overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Ion woke. \u201cVinia!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cYou\u2019re crying. Did I do something to hurt you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, no, Ion,\u201d she said immediately. \u201cYou are blameless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had an awful dream that I lost you. Oh, Vin, I couldn\u2019t stand that. I couldn\u2019t be happy without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had to tell him. \u201cHilda could sew you a pair of walking socks, so you could walk on your own. Then you wouldn\u2019t need me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gazed at her half a moment. \u201cOh, Vin, put your dear mind at rest. We thought of that long ago and tried it. But the socks had wills of their own, going where they wanted to go regardless what I wanted, and sometimes they tripped, dumping me. We knew early on it was no go.\u201d He took a breath. \u201cBut more important, do you think I need you only for your telekinesis? I love you! You support me so much more than physically. If I could walk on my own, I would still want to walk with you. The only way we\u2019ll ever separate is if you tire of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, never!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Hilda sewed me the flying carpet. She had a better template for that, and it was more responsive to my will, and I was quite satisfied with it, until you came on the scene. The socks were more ad hoc, and unruly.\u201d He looked at her sharply. \u201cDid you really think that I would dump you if I found a better way to walk?\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinia had thought that. She should have known better. Ion was way finer than that. She had judged him unfairly. \u201cI\u2019m so ashamed,\u201d she sobbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet you told me anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to.\u201d Her shame was forming a little cloud around her.<\/p>\n

Ion nodded. \u201cCome here,\u201d he said, reaching for her.<\/p>\n

She joined him, lying on the bed, and cried into his shoulder while he held her close. Gradually she subsided into sleep. Her last thought was how adults seemed to think that children lacked real emotions, such as love. How wrong they were!<\/p>\n

In the morning Vinia woke to Ion\u2019s kiss. \u201cI will explain to Benny,\u201d he said. \u201cThen we need discuss this no further.\u201d Because he was sparing her the embarrassment of her confusion.<\/p>\n

They talked with Benny and Hilda. Benny looked like a young human man, but he was only one-third human, two-thirds Caprine, and could change to goat form when he chose. He was adult, but this required some interpretation, because while a human person was considered adult at age eighteen, a goat was adult at age three. Each Caprine year was equivalent to about six human years, at least in youth. Thereafter the ratio diminished, further complicating the comparison. Since he was a crossbreed, his age was a matter of opinion. He looked twenty-four, but chronologically he was six. Crossbreed math was recognized, so he was accepted as adult, but he had existed only a bit more than half as long as Hilda. The others understood this and were mum about it, as there was no point in confusing strangers, and there were times when his being recognized as adult was useful.<\/p>\n

All the Animalia were considered animals, without the rights of humans, and all desired to achieve those rights by breeding children who would be more than half human, and thus recognized as human. Benny had been assigned to accompany Hilda on planet Animalia, to assist her in any way she needed, but also perhaps to persuade her to remain there and breed with him when she came of age. Any children of theirs would be two-thirds human. So he was highly personable, handsome as a man, with a white stripe on his brown hair that lent it character. Vinia had once seen a picture of Benny\u2019s ancestors, and one was a Toggenburg goat with a similar stripe. He had a neat goatee.<\/p>\n

What, then, of his being constantly close to Hilda? Here again his Animalian training and discipline counted. He had the physical capabilities of an adult man, but Benny never treated Hilda with anything but absolute respect. The only time when she was annoyed with him was when she wanted to know what was on the other side of the dread Adult Conspiracy to Keep Interesting Things from Children. He knew but declined to tell her. Her folks knew he honored the Conspiracy, which was why they trusted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you see,\u201d Ion concluded, \u201cyour thinking cap is as yet new, and not all its ideas are fully informed. This one was not apt, but the next one may be. We do appreciate your courtesy in telling Vinia privately, so that she could think it through and make her own decision. She decided to tell me.\u201d He did not mention the rest of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see that now,\u201d Benny said. \u201cThank you for clarifying it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no need to discuss the matter any further,\u201d Ion said. That was code for keep your mouth shut, and Benny would honor it. There was a fair amount of silence in their tightly knit quartet.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we have any other business?\u201d Hilda inquired. This was her way of suggesting that they change the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I may,\u201d Vinia said tentatively.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you may,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cYou\u2019re our dearest girl. Out with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have long been curious how your parents met. They seem so happy with each other, with never a hesitation or quarrel. Is there some secret there for the rest of us, when our time comes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilda smiled. \u201cHardly. It was sheer complicated chance that brought them together, and even when they were together, they didn\u2019t know they were destined for each other, even though they were betrothed as infants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could that be?\u201d Vinia asked in genuine wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story. The essence is that they ran afoul of forget whorls left over when the big forget spell on the Gap Chasm dissipated and forgot. Our father, Hilarion, set out looking for his betrothed, but forgot his age and her name, so he seemed to be a generation younger than she and did not recognize her. Ida, our mother, meanwhile set out to see the Good Magician Humfrey. On the way there she got lost, and at one point was captured by a dragon and frozen in a crystal along with half a dozen other princesses. She was rescued by chance and continued her excursion. Then she traveled to Castle Roogna and met her sister, Princess Ivy, only then discovering that she herself was a princess. Then the little moon Ptero came to orbit her head, representing her Sorceress-level talent of the Idea. All the ideas and all the people who had ever existed or might have existed in Xanth were to be found on Ptero and its moons and could be met if a person arranged to adapt and visit. Ida met Prince Hilarion and liked the young man. Then they discovered that he was her age and her betrothed. They kissed and that was it. They have been happy together ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinia was perplexed. \u201cI thought that in Xanth men had sons and women had daughters, as indicated by the first letter of their names. Shouldn\u2019t you, Hilda, begin with an I for Ida, and Ion begin with an H for Hilarion?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion laughed. \u201cWe guess that this was a trace effect of their original confusion. Somehow the names got mixed up, and it can\u2019t be changed. We\u2019re satisfied, regardless. Or maybe I am my mother\u2019s son, and Hilda is her father\u2019s daughter. It seems it can happen, even in Xanth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr at least in our adjacent Kingdom of Adamant,\u201d Hilda said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeird,\u201d Vinia said, laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it still leaves us bored with palace life, with the obsequious servants and set routines that keep us constantly on show as useless royalty,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cI miss the kind of adventures we had two years ago, when we got loose on our own. I wish we had a pretext to get out and go on a Quest or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benny put on his thinking cap. A light bulb flashed over his head. \u201cI have an idea,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n

Hilda fondly touched his hand. \u201cAs if that wasn\u2019t brightly evident. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose other six crystallized princesses\u2014were they rescued?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, only Ida. It was mostly an accident that broke open her crystal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen shouldn\u2019t they be rescued too? Aren\u2019t they similarly deserving?\u201d<\/p>\n

The others shared a three-way glance that soon crystallized into something more tangible. \u201cWhat about<\/span> those other princesses?\u201d Ion asked. \u201cThey shouldn\u2019t be frozen in crystals forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen isn\u2019t that your Quest?\u201d Benny asked. \u201cTo rescue them from the dragon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d Hilda agreed, her eyes glowing like crystals themselves.<\/p>\n

It seemed to be up to Vinia to bring some common sense into this developing notion. \u201cBut would your folk allow it? Dragons are dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got potions to handle dragons,\u201d Ion said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I can sew us fireproof vests,\u201d Hilda added.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re children<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs it happens, there is an adult member of our party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Six eyes turned on Benny. \u201cI\u2019m six years old, chronologically,\u201d he reminded them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn adult Caprine,\u201d Ion said. \u201cThere is precedent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s chancy,\u201d Vinia said. \u201cDepending on how they choose to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilda nodded. \u201cWe need advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benny put the thinking cap back on. There was another flash. \u201cSquid!\u201d he said. \u201cShe\u2019s traveled a lot as a child, and surely she knows how to handle parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion reached into a small bag he brought from a pocket. Vinia knew that bag; it was another of Hilda\u2019s sewings. It looked small, but it contained everything Ion wanted to put in it, which was a lot. He had extra food supplies in there, and changes of clothing, and folded tents. And his collection of elixirs. He was immune to all elixirs, which meant they couldn\u2019t help or hurt him directly, but they affected others. When Vinia had tripped and fallen and scraped her knee, Ion had brought out a vial of healing elixir that mended her knee nicely, when she got out of his range and applied it. But how did this relate to Squid?<\/p>\n

Ion found the vial he wanted. \u201cEssence of Squid,\u201d he announced. \u201cWho wants to do the honor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d Hilda said, taking the vial. She cleared a place in front of her, then poured one drop of essence on the floor. \u201cInvoke,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The drop puffed into vapor, which rose and swirled, forming into a floating cuttlefish with its tentacles spread. Then it put them together, two by two, forming arms and legs. The main mass of it became a body and a head. It stood on the floor, orienting, shaping further into a thirteen-year-old girl with dull brown hair and eyes like Vinia\u2019s. She was an animation, but she seemed to be becoming aware of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Squid,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cWe are Ion and Hilda, with our friends Vinia and Benny, here in Castle Adamant.\u201d<\/p>\n

The figure spoke. \u201cI remember. Benny\u2019s Caprine. Vinia\u2019s telekinetic. Ion\u2019s immune to elixirs. Hilda\u2019s Xanth\u2019s best seamstress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s us,\u201d Hilda agreed. \u201cWe used a drop of your essence to summon your image for a consultation. We need advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

A faint man-shaped cloud appeared beside Squid. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Chaos,\u201d Squid said. \u201cThese are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cloud nodded and faded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDemon Chaos is my boyfriend,\u201d Squid explained. \u201cHe wants to be sure I don\u2019t get into trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinia nodded inwardly. Word had circulated. Chaos was the strongest of all the Demons, and he loved Squid. The universe would shake, literally, if anything happened to her. But he preferred to stay out of her business, satisfied to observe. He was still learning the intricacies of mortal social life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut first tell us where you\u2019ve been,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cThe news was that you disappeared for several months, and no one knew where you were. We are curious as bleep.\u201d As a child she couldn\u2019t say \u201chell,\u201d though she knew the term; the notorious Adult Conspiracy forbade it, along with other pointless restrictions evidently designed to make children feel inferior.<\/p>\n

\u201cReadily answered,\u201d Squid said. \u201cI was called away to solve a murder mystery. I couldn\u2019t decline, because it was my own murder, on another track of Xanth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were murdered!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a different track. There are millions of tracks, and this was the only one where that happened. Still, it wasn\u2019t something I could just ignore. So we went, and it was a future track, where I was of age, so I married Larry, who is also Chaos, to lure the murderer back. It worked, and we caught him. Then I made the murderer take over as protagonist until I was ready to forgive him. But no need to bore you with that story. Now it\u2019s done, and we\u2019re home. And young again, more\u2019s the pity. Now what\u2019s this advice you need from me?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was plain that Hilda wanted to know more about that other track, as did they all, but also plain that Squid had said as much about that as she cared to. She had been of age, and married her boyfriend, so she must have learned all the Conspiracy secrets! But she wouldn\u2019t tell those either. How Vinia envied her! \u201cWe want to go rescue six princesses from their crystals,\u201d Hilda continued. \u201cThe way our mother, Princess Ida, was rescued, but there\u2019s a dragon in the way. Should we try?\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid paused half a moment. Vinia realized that she was communing with Chaos, who could instantly gather the background information she needed. Then she spoke. \u201cThat\u2019s Dragoman Dragon. He\u2019s not a bad sort, as dragons go. He doesn\u2019t eat maiden princesses, he collects them. But you will have to meet his terms to rescue the princesses, and that may not be easy. The Quest is worthwhile, but you need to clear it with the Good Magician first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion laughed. \u201cFirst we have to clear it with our folks. That\u2019s the real hurdle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll put in a word for you.\u201d Then Squid\u2019s eye happened to connect directly with Vinia\u2019s eye. She froze. \u201cOh, my,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

Vinia was startled. What did this famous girl care about her? They had met only briefly two years before.<\/p>\n

Then Squid broke the connection. She glanced around. \u201cBye.\u201d She dissolved into vapor and faded out.<\/p>\n

There was a silence stretching a good moment and a half.<\/p>\n

Then Hilda spoke. \u201cWhy did she break it off so suddenly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething occurred to her,\u201d Ion said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you a maiden princess?\u201d Benny asked nervously.<\/p>\n

Vinia saw his point. What was to stop the dragon from trying to collect Hilda herself and crystallize her?<\/p>\n

\u201cIon can give me some antidragon elixir,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cThat should protect me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had confidence. Was it justified? Vinia loved Ion, but she also loved Hilda in a sisterly way and didn\u2019t want her to get hurt either.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill, this may be nervous business,\u201d Benny said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid knows something we don\u2019t,\u201d Ion said.<\/p>\n

It was time to shift the subject slightly. \u201cFirst things first,\u201d Vinia said. \u201cGetting your folks\u2019 permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Mom,\u201d Ion said. \u201cDad\u2019s away on business today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe think about it for a day or two?\u201d Benny asked with slight hope. He had suggested the Quest, but Vinia understood his hesitation now that it was turning real. The girl he loved was going to put herself at serious risk. Vinia was not completely easy about it herself, as her ongoing thoughts indicated. Sometimes she wished she could turn off her mind for a while so she could relax.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy waste the time?\u201d Hilda asked rhetorically. She headed for the door.<\/p>\n

So much for that. They followed her into the hall. Vinia put one arm around Ion and engaged her power, making his feet walk in step with her. It was routine, whenever he walked, but she still loved doing it, and she knew he loved doing it too. It was a pretext for continuing closeness they both valued.<\/p>\n

Then Ion looked at her, realization dawning. \u201cYou\u2019re the protagonist!\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main character of the story. The viewpoint person. The one who sees and hears everything, without necessarily affecting it. Squid was the protagonist two years ago: she knows how it is. She recognized you. She has a notion what you\u2019re in for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat am I in for?\u201d Vinia asked, frightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know. But there are rules. The protagonist always survives to the end of the story. And there always is<\/span> a story, a big one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike maybe rescuing six crystallized princesses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. It\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilda looked back. \u201cHey, slowpokes! You trying to sneak in a kiss while we\u2019re not looking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell her!\u201d Vinia said desperately. \u201cPlease. I need time to sort this out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion nodded. \u201cYou caught us,\u201d he called back to his sister. He put his face to Vinia\u2019s face, and they kissed. He was covering for her. She loved that about him, among other things: his loyalty to her.<\/p>\n

They hurried to catch up.<\/p>\n

A palace servitor bowed, his way of inquiring what they wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease inform Queen Ida that we are on the way for an audience,\u201d Hilda said. No one else could just barge in on the queen, but they were her children.<\/p>\n

He faded out.<\/p>\n

When they arrived at the audience chamber, Queen Ida was there. Vinia saw her little moon circling her head, just outside her petite gold crown. That would have been an oddity anywhere but here. \u201cYes, dear; what is your concern?\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Hilda deferred to her brother, glancing at him. So Vinia and Ion stepped up to face the queen. \u201cWe want to go rescue the six other princesses who were crystallized with you, way back when.\u201d<\/p>\n

The queen glanced at them, her gaze touching each in turn, and pausing fractionally at Vinia. \u201cOh, my,\u201d Ida murmured.<\/p>\n

She knew!<\/span><\/p>\n

Ion saw that pause, so like Squid\u2019s pause, and understood. Vinia knew that Ida herself, a Sorceress in her own right, might have been a protagonist at some time, so was alert for the signals. Vinia averted her gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it does get dull for you children, here in the palace,\u201d Ida said. \u201cBut you should at least travel with an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenny\u2019s adult,\u201d Hilda said promptly.<\/p>\n

The queen of course knew all about Benny. Would she accept him in that capacity?<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps that will do,\u201d Ida said.<\/p>\n

Now Hilda was suspicious; she knew her mother well. \u201cWhat, no argument?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ida smiled. \u201cYour friend Squid was by, with her adult boyfriend. They seemed to feel that you would be safe enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh. Because the protagonist would be along, making the safety of the party more likely. Chaos might even have checked an alternate track, a future one, to get an indication.<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid said she\u2019d put in a word,\u201d Ion said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did. And Chaos left some little bombs for you, just in case. I will give them to you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBombs?\u201d Hilda asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are small, invisible, and largely immaterial,\u201d Ida said. \u201cUntil invoked. Then they generate chaos nearby, for everyone but the detonator. Things go wrong. Confusion abounds. If a dragon were about to bite you, this might cause it to accidentally bite a stink horn instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

They all laughed. Stink horns were Xanth\u2019s worst-smelling plants, absolute disasters to step on, especially indoors or close by. A squashed stink horn made a foul-smelling noise and a hideously filthy stench. That could indeed help protect them and was a nice little gift from the Demon.<\/p>\n

Ida held out her hand, as if holding something, though it seemed empty except for a faint glimmer. \u201cThey will not be evident on you. They are invoked only by a thought. Do not use them carelessly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion reached out and took the glimmer. It disappeared. Then Vinia did the same. There was a tiny tingle, then it was gone.<\/p>\n

They stepped back, and Hilda and Benny took their bombs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow it is time for dinner,\u201d Ida said. It was the middle of the day, but dinner was whenever Ida said it should be. Vinia realized she was hungry.<\/p>\n

They settled down to a private meal with the queen, catered by the palace staff. The drinks were boot rear, of course, the beverage with a kick in it; all children and some adults liked it. There was a fresh salad with Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Island dressing: a rumor hinted that Mundania had found the last island, but who believed that? Square onion soup. Footsie rolls, which looked like bare feet. Floating baked air potatoes. And pink eye scream for dessert. Dully routine food, but that was palace life.<\/p>\n

That afternoon they made their preparations for the journey. Hilda gathered voluminous threads and giant needles and sewed a full-size magic carpet, like Ion\u2019s small one, but large enough for all four of them. Vinia assisted in any which way she could, bringing more rolls of basic material and more spools of thread as Hilda needed them. The magic was not in the material, or the thread, or the needles, but in the princess\u2019s sewing; the carpet was imbued with the essential magic as she worked. What gradually took shape was the basic carpet, hovering just above the floor, a magic cloth guardrail to prevent accidental stepping off, a canopy, steering bar, reclining deck chairs, and even a private curtained privy consisting of another endless-capacity bag that would hold solid and liquid refuse without apparent weight or odor. They would be able to poop and pee without pausing in their flight.<\/p>\n

Vinia was amazed yet again by the sorcery. Hilda could do so much, yet never bragged about it, any more than Ion did about his magic. They just did it as needed and were otherwise normal children.<\/p>\n

They boarded the carpet and sat in the chairs, Ion at the steering bar. They took off smoothly, flying up and out an open skylight. It was dusk, and the forested skyline was lovely. They hovered just above the trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all should practice handling the craft,\u201d Ion said. \u201cJust in case there is a disruption.\u201d He passed the bar to Vinia. It was not attached to anything.<\/p>\n

She was so surprised she almost dropped it. \u201cBut, but where do I go?\u201d she asked somewhat plaintively.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust sail around, getting the feel of it.\u201d Ion closed his eyes as if for a nap.<\/p>\n

Vinia took a firm grip and slowly moved the bar. The carpet slowly turned in that direction. She reversed it, and the carpet followed suit. She tilted it slightly back, and the carpet smoothly rose higher. She tilted it the other way, and the carpet descended. She squeezed it, and the carpet accelerated. This was fun!<\/p>\n

Soon she passed the bar on to Benny, and he put the carpet through its motions. Then Hilda, who had sewn it but not flown it before. Now they all knew how to do it.<\/p>\n

There was a rumble of thunder. In two and a half moments an angry-looking storm cloud headed their way.<\/p>\n

Ion took back the wheel and smiled. He steered the carpet straight into the cloud. Lightning jags radiated and thunder crashed all around them, but nothing struck them, not even any spatter of rain. He zoomed it right into the heart of the cloud, and turbulent darkness surrounded them, but there was still no contact.<\/p>\n

Ooo, the storm was mad! But it could do nothing. Soon it departed in a huff.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s immune to weather,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cI sewed in a spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

They parked the carpet by putting it a continuing circle high above the forest and retired for the night. Ion opened a vial and let out a waft of vapor. \u201cInvisibility elixir,\u201d he said. \u201cNo one will bother us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The twins seemed to have thought of everything. But they had traveled before, many times, and knew what they were doing.<\/p>\n

Vinia joined Ion on his bed mat, and Benny joined Hilda. <\/p>\n

This whole excursion was amazing. \u201cThis is so thrilling,\u201d Vinia murmured.<\/p>\n

Ion kissed her. \u201cI love being with you. The only thing I still wish for\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re too young,\u201d she whispered. She had known what all men wanted, even the boys, having taken an orientation course on planet Animalia, which specialized in catering to lusty tourists.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could make it happen, the same way you make me walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her telekinesis. She hadn\u2019t thought of using it in precisely that manner, but it could be done. She could make a man of him, as it were. \u201cYes. But no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one need know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPause and consider,\u201d Vinia said. \u201cDo you really think your mother would let you go out into the wilderness with a girl who wasn\u2019t your sister without taking precautions? Without making sure she knew exactly what you were up to every minute of the day and night? She\u2019s the Sorceress of the Idea. Do you think there\u2019s any idea you might have that she did not anticipate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, bleep!\u201d he swore.<\/p>\n

He was the prince and the Magician, while she was just a nondescript girl. But sometimes she governed their relationship. Vinia suspected that Ion would not care to have it otherwise.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right, you know,\u201d Hilda said from the nearby darkness. \u201cNobody sneaks any ideas past Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ion sighed. He knew it was true.<\/p>\n

Vinia was sure that Hilda and Benny had had a similar dialogue well before this time, with him being the sensible one. Ida did not extend her trust carelessly. No mother did. <\/p>\n

Still, the Adult Conspiracy could be a nuisance. If Vinia could have it her own way, with no outside censure, she would do it this instant with Ion, just as Benny would with Hilda. Childhood could be a burden.<\/p>\n

In the morning they discussed it briefly and decided to take the scenic route to the Good Magician\u2019s Castle. For example, neither Vinia nor Benny had ever seen the famed Gap Chasm. For half a century it had been neglected, being under a forget spell, but when that had finally dissipated, it had become a tourist attraction. The dread Gap Dragon, a descendant of the original one Princess Ivy had pacified, had become almost tame, enjoying the notoriety.<\/p>\n

They breakfasted on tomato chips and people crackers, took turns visiting the privy, washing up, dressing, then doused the invisibility spell because it also made the outside realm invisible to them, messing up traveling. <\/p>\n

Xanth came into view in all its morning splendor. The sun was glowing behind cloud cover, perhaps doing its own pooping and washing up, girding itself for its arduous climb up into the sky, and the pale mists were sinking into shadows. They angled down to get a better view of the scenery below, the fields and streams and maidens washing in the puddles, then set off north, for the Gap Chasm.<\/p>\n

A screech of harpies spotted them and flew in close. \u201cLook at this!\u201d one screeched (of course). \u201cA giant flying carpet! With children on it! Let\u2019s have some fun with them!\u201d However, their idea of fun was unlikely to be child\u2019s play.<\/p>\n

Ion sat at the prow. \u201cDesist, bird brains! This is a private conveyance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dirty birds screeched their coarse laughter. The nearest one oriented on the boy, her very gaze filthy. \u201cPrivate, is it, innocent lad? We\u2019ll show you some privates!\u201d She flipped backward to expose her tail section, spreading the feathers. This would have been a violation of the Conspiracy, but harpies did not much honor it, anyway, except in the mocking of it, and bird anatomy hardly counted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecond warning,\u201d Ion said. \u201cDesist annoying us and go your way in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say piece?\u201d another harpy screeched. \u201cHow\u2019s this for a piece?\u201d She thrust her bare bosom forward and inhaled. Vinia had to concede that she had pretty good breasts, exactly the kind that a boy Ion\u2019s age should not get to peek at.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet back out of range,\u201d Ion warned the others. \u201cThe privy curtain will shield you.\u201d<\/p>\n

They crowded into the privy together, to the raucous laughter of the harpies. Vinia was able to see some detail through the curtain. \u201cLook! The kids are hiding!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr pooping!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re party poopers!\u201d The implications were filthier than the words.<\/p>\n

Ion uncapped a vial and blew its emerging mist at the harpies. They laughed as the vapor expanded into a faintly roiling cloud. \u201cYou think to tease us with a puff of bottled air? We\u2019ll give you air!\u201d Several presented their backsides, making rude noises. The thing about harpies was that they were dirty in mind as much as in body. Ion merely waited.<\/p>\n

Then they started choking and retching. \u201cYuck!\u201d one gasped. \u201cWhat is that odor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEssence of stink horn,\u201d Ion answered. He breathed deeply. \u201cExhilarating, isn\u2019t it.\u201d He was of course immune to this, as it was a kind of elixir.<\/p>\n

The harpies tumbled out of the air, retching uncontrollably. They were amateurs, compared to a stink horn. The lack of the foul sound and hideous color had fooled them into basking in it. They were wise too late.<\/p>\n

Even in the protected locale of the privy, Vinia smelled half a whiff. It was the worst stench she had encountered in years. Rotten vomit soaked in parboiled day-old goblin poop after a feast on soiled has beans did not begin to describe it. But she wasn\u2019t sorry for the harpies. Ion had warned them.<\/p>\n

They flew on, leaving the noxious cloud behind, admiring the colorful fields and forests. The land of Xanth was lovely from this perspective. Ion and Hilda were used to it, but Benny and Vinia gazed down in virginal awe. There were so many intriguing details!<\/p>\n

Then a large fire-breathing dragon spied the carpet. Maybe it had seen what happened to the harpies, as it circled them without approaching closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cBegone, dragon,\u201d Ion commanded.<\/p>\n

Instead the dragon oriented and inhaled, readying a blast. Uh-oh. Dragons did not take human directives well. It could toast them from well beyond the range of anything like stink horn stench.<\/p>\n

Ion did not seem to be concerned. He reached into his bag and brought out a small glowing ball. He set it on the carpet in front of him. \u201cI call this the mini-nova effect,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting for a chance to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNova?\u201d Vinia asked nervously. She was not familiar with the term.<\/p>\n

\u201cI traded with an old elf mage: a vial of high-grade youthening elixir for it. I thought it might be useful someday.\u201d <\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t help much. They would just have to see what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cInvoke,\u201d Ion said.<\/p>\n

The ball abruptly expanded into a sparkling translucent sphere that surrounded the carpet. The dragon saw that and smiled, baring its deadly teeth. It was sure that a thin glassy ball would not withstand a direct fire strike. Then it sent its white-hot spear of fire.<\/p>\n

Vinia tried not to flinch as the spear smote the sphere, knowing that Ion knew his business. She saw Benny and Hilda similarly nervously unflinching. She saw it strike.<\/p>\n

The sphere flared hugely, making an expanding flame that scorched everything in a wide radius. Vinia could see the dust in the air exploding into ash, and the air itself magically transforming into some other element. The scorch touched the dragon, illuminating it in fire. The dragon was a fire creature, largely immune to heat, but this was clearly of a new order of intensity. Just as the harpies had been no match for stink horn elixir, the dragon was no match for the nova. It fell, its wings burned to crisps, its scales glowing with residual heat. The creature seemed to have survived as it bounced on the ground and wriggled away, trailing ash; it could grow new wings. But it would not bother them again.<\/p>\n

In fact, no dragon would try to harass them again. Word would get around. Ion was a Magician, and no one with any sense knowingly messed with magic of that caliber.<\/p>\n

Now maybe they had half a notion what a nova was. If this were mini, what would a full-size one be like? Vinia hesitated even to try to imagine that.<\/p>\n

Nothing aboard the carpet was affected. The glassy sphere had protected it. <\/p>\n

\u201cA nova,\u201d Hilda said weakly, obviously as bewildered as Vinia was.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit like a black hole, only its force is outward rather than inward,\u201d Ion explained. \u201cThe protective sphere is roughly analogous to an event horizon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for that clarification,\u201d Benny said, similarly confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Ion said. A bit of a hidden smile was hovering in the vicinity.<\/p>\n

They flew on without further event, the Xanth horizon unaffected. Soon they came to the famed Gap Chasm.<\/p>\n

Benny and Vinia plunged into renewed awe, while the twins watched tolerantly. The Chasm was a phenomenal cleft in the ground, descending a mundane mile or so to a floor overgrown with trees and lesser vegetation. It was obviously a whole separate ecosystem, only tenuously connected to the terrain on either side.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see the Gap Dragon,\u201d Hilda said. \u201cBut make us invisible so it\u2019s private. We don\u2019t want others to know we\u2019re on a quest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Ion agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut do let us see out, this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it. I have a one-way shield.\u201d He fished in his bag and brought out a miniature shield. He set this on the carpet. \u201cInvoke.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shield expanded, surrounding them. But they could see through it, as they coasted down almost to the ground. Was it really working?<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me verify,\u201d Benny said. He changed to Caprine form, a handsome buck goat with white patches on his brown fur, then lowered his horny head and leaped off the carpet to the ground. Vinia was a quarter way startled: she knew he could change, and had seen it before, but he had remained in human form while staying at the palace and she had gotten used to his human aspect. All crossbreeds could switch between their ancestral forms; it was their magic.<\/p>\n

The buck turned about and gazed back at the carpet for two-thirds of a moment. Then he shook his head. Then he reverted to human form. \u201cI can\u2019t see or hear you,\u201d he called. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to throw me a line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hilda unwound some thread on a spool, then threw the spool toward Benny while holding on to the end. It landed on the ground before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he called as he picked up the spool. Then he followed it as Hilda reeled him in. He passed through the shield. \u201cAh, there you are,\u201d he said, now seeing them. \u201cYou are completely invisible from outside. There was just brush.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo brush-off,\u201d Hilda said, the semblance of a smile hovering nearby.<\/p>\n

They resumed motion, elevating above tree level. Ion brought out another artifact, this one a little disk with a needle pointing in no special direction. \u201cGeneral purpose compass,\u201d he explained. \u201cGap Dragon.\u201d This was evidently another item he had traded for. Potent elixirs could fetch in just about anything.<\/p>\n

The needle immediately oriented, pointing a specific direction. They went that way and soon heard a kind of whomping, as if something heavy was being thrown repeatedly on the ground. Then they saw it: a long snakelike dragon with three pairs of legs, at front, middle, and rear. It was a steamer, with wisps of steam rising from its mouth as it breathed. This was the dread Gap Dragon, the scourge of the separate realm of the Gap. It moved by lifting its front end, then its middle, and finally its rear, in the manner of an inchworm but on a larger scale, each section whomping as it landed. It looked inefficient, but the creature was moving right along and could surely catch any prey it went after. Vinia was impressed.<\/p>\n

The dragon whomped to a stop. The ferocious head looked their way. How could it see them?<\/p>\n

Then it lifted a sign board from somewhere. Words appeared printed on it. HELLO IDA\u2019S OFFSPRING.<\/p>\n

Vinia and Benny froze in shock. The dragon knew they were there! <\/p>\n

Hilda brought out a section of cloth from her purse. \u201cHello, Gap Dragon,\u201d she said, and the words appeared on the cloth: HELLO, GAP DRAGON. \u201cHow did you know we were here?\u201d She dangled the cloth outside the shield.<\/p>\n

I SMELLED YOU, HILDA. YOU FORGOT TO MASK YOUR ODORS. WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?<\/p>\n

Odors! Vinia knew they would be sure to include that next time. <\/p>\n

Hilda turned to Ion. \u201cThis is cumbersome. We\u2019d better turn visible for the nonce. We can trust him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnvoke,\u201d Ion said. There was a faint shimmer as the shield dissipated.<\/p>\n

AH, THERE YOU ARE!<\/p>\n

They talked. Hilda introduced Benny and Vinia. They learned that Ida\u2019s twin sister, Queen Ivy, had given her friend the Gap Dragon the magic talking board so it could communicate with humans when it needed to, and that board had been passed down to its descendants. They also learned that the Gap Dragon did not eat friends. Now Vinia and Benny would be considered friends.<\/p>\n

Overall, it was a nice enough visit.<\/p>\n

They bid parting to the dragon and floated back into the sky. It was time to brace the Good Magician, who was likely to be more formidable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Read the full book by downloading it below.<\/p>\n

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