Unlocked 8.5 (Keeper of the Lost Cities) Page 22

  He tried to recruit Jolie to join the Neverseen, which was how she figured out what he was doing. She tried to get him to stop, and he lost his temper and accidentally sparked the fire that killed her (and left him brutally scarred—and more than a little unstable).

  He was the kidnapper who burned me (and Dex) during the interrogations and set the Everblaze in the Forbidden Cities.

  He let Grady and Edaline take care of him for the next sixteen years, even though he’d murdered their daughter.

  When Grady finally learned the truth and confronted him, Brant tried to kill him. Grady was stronger and made Brant burn off his own hand before I stopped him from doing more, because I didn’t want Grady to damage his sanity.

  I had to let Brant escape as part of the deal I made, to find out what the Neverseen were planning for their attack on Mount Everest, so I could warn my friends before it was too late.

  He tried to force Keefe to burn me to prove his loyalty when Keefe tried to infiltrate the Neverseen.

  He allowed himself to get captured (along with Ruy) when we used the Lodestar symbol to leap to one of their hideouts. He needed to be in Lumenaria’s dungeon (with Gethen) to carry out Fintan’s plan to knock down the castle.

  He was killed during the collapse of Lumenaria by Mr. Forkle, somewhat accidentally. (Apparently Mr. Forkle shoved him right as a piece of debris fell, and it crushed him.)

  Things I know about Gethen

  He’s a Telepath.

  He tried to grab me before Fitz brought me to the Lost Cities, but Mr. Forkle scared him away.

  He has a curved scar on his hand, from a dog bite he got trying to trick me into leaving the Forbidden Cities with him.

  He may have also followed me to my human school to try to grab me from there. (I swore I saw him—but I don’t know if I imagined it.) But Fitz was with me and took me to Everglen.

  He helped kidnap me from Havenfield—and tried to read my mind and erase my memories while I was a hostage.

  He would’ve killed Dex if I hadn’t been able to inflict and leap us away.

  He let himself get arrested during the battle on Mount Everest, hoping he would end up in Lumenaria’s dungeon with enough time to build up his mental energy and use it to knock down the castle with his outward channeling, setting Vespera free.

  He might’ve killed Cyrah Endal.

  He killed Mr. Forkle—using the sword he broke out of the stone in his Lumenaria cell. I guess he was aiming for Councillor Oralie, and Mr. Forkle took the blow instead.

  He led the attack when Umber used shadowflux to torture me (and Fitz).

  Sometimes I think he’s the villain we should be focusing on. I bet he’s a Keeper and knows all the Neverseen’s secrets—and I know I could shove past his mental barriers if everyone wasn’t always trying to protect me when I’m around him.

  I also wouldn’t be surprised if he’s hoping Lady Gisela and Vespera will take each other out and leave him the new leader of the Neverseen.

  Things I know about Alvar

  He’s Fitz and Biana’s older brother.

  He used to be an Emissary for the Council, assigned to the ogres.

  He helped his dad search the Forbidden Cities for me—until Fitz took over.Sometimes he was kind of nice to me. Especially when Alden’s mind was broken.

  Keefe used to look up to him.

  He’s a Vanisher. And I’m pretty sure he used that ability to spy on his dad (and his brother). Especially when they were trying to find me.

  I’m also pretty sure he helped the Neverseen kidnap me.

  I know he helped the Neverseen capture Wylie.

  He claims he joined the Neverseen because of the Vacker legacy—and I still don’t know exactly what that means. But… I also think he was jealous of his siblings. Especially Fitz.

  He had amnesia for a while, after we found him unconscious and injured in Nightfall. And the Council didn’t know how to punish someone who didn’t remember their crimes. So they put him on house arrest to monitor him and see if he’d changed.

  I’ll admit, he totally fooled me. I thought that since he couldn’t remember all the reasons he’d joined the Neverseen anymore, he’d finally realized that he’d picked the wrong side and wanted to change. But then his memories came flooding back, and… he chose to go ahead with his awful plan and let the Neverseen into Everglen during the Celestial Festival.

  Fitz almost killed him—twice—that night. And the second time, Alvar actually did look dead. But I guess he was using his skills to feign death so he could escape.

  Last time I saw him was at Candleshade, and… he didn’t look good. I guess he’s dying from the stuff Fitz did to him during the troll battle at Everglen. In fact, he may already be dead now. That’s why I agreed to his deal and let him get away in exchange for a little information. He’s not going to be able to hurt anyone again. I hope…

  Things I know about Ruy

  He was expelled from Foxfire as a Level Four and sent to Exillium—which he ended up getting expelled from too.

  His parents worked in Mysterium.

  Nobody knows what he looks like—even after the Black Swan captured him! I guess he wears an addler to make sure no one can really see his face, and he’s destroyed any records of his appearance.

  He’s a Psionipath.

  He helped the Neverseen spread the gnomish plague by putting force fields around infected trees.

  He helped capture Wylie.

  He shielded Gethen, Fintan, and Brant (and probably Vespera) under force fields when they collapsed the dungeon in Lumenaria to free Vespera and bring down the castle.

  His ability makes it really hard to fight the Neverseen—even when Tam and Wylie are there to break down his force fields. But that may be changing.

  Tam did something to him during the battle at Everglen—something with shadows that seems like it might’ve wrecked Ruy’s ability. Though I don’t know how long that’s going to last.

  Things I know about Umber

  Umber wasn’t her real name.

  She was a Shade.

  She could control shadowflux.

  She helped abduct Wylie.

  She… hurt me pretty bad. Let’s just leave it at that.

  She got crushed at Everglen by the newborn trolls, and the Neverseen just left her there. Didn’t try to get her help. Didn’t even take away her body. I guess that’s what you get for allying with selfish, evil people—and it’s not like Umber didn’t deserve it. But it’s still kinda sad.

  Things I know about Trix

  Trix isn’t his real name.

  He’s a Guster.

  He helped kidnap me—and helped abduct Wylie, too.

  He used to be friends with Umber.

  So I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say I’m not going to like this guy.

  Things I know about the Neverseen’s plan

  Honestly? Nothing.

  I mean, I have a ton of bits and pieces—and a few theories based on everything.

  But none of it actually comes together into anything coherent.

  And their plans are constantly changing, so nothing I’ve learned matters anyway.

  I do know they’re a million steps ahead of me. And it’s seriously frustrating.

  BUT… maybe that doesn’t matter.

  Maybe the real trick is to stop wasting time trying to figure out what they’re planning and come up with a plan of our own—make the Neverseen deal with that.

  Maybe that’s the secret.…

  The Intelligent Species

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  ANYONE WHO’S READ THE KEEPER series knows that there are only six intelligent species in the Lost Cities:

  ELVES

  GOBLINS

  OGRES

  GNOMES

  TROLLS

  DWARVES

  Humans lost that classification after they violated their treaty with the elves—that’s why the human world is called the Forbidden Cities. So you may have looked at this book’s
table of contents and thought, Wait—why did Shannon put the human section with everyone else? They’re not an intelligent species! And I assure you, it’s not a mistake—nor is it because I wasn’t sure where else to put that section.

  The truth is, while the elves have valid reasons to be concerned about some of the things humans do (like crime, pollution, wars, etc.), Sophie also discovered in Nightfall that the elves have hidden a very dark secret.

  The kind of secret that might have prevented humans from losing their status as “intelligent species” if the Council hadn’t covered it up.

  So, I put humans in the section where they rightly belong. Only time will tell if the elves are ever willing to do the same.

  (And yes, I am aware of how strange it sounds to talk about humans like I’m not one of them. My friends are constantly teasing me about it. Writing is a weird job! )

  GOBLINS

  CAPITAL CITY:

  Dorarspadera

  (translates to Gildingham in the Enlightened Language)

  RULED BY:

  Queen Hylda

  CULTURE:

  The first time Sophie saw goblins, Fitz told her they were “the most dangerous creatures you’ll ever meet.” And while the ogres might take exception to that, Fitz definitely wasn’t wrong. Goblins start battle training as toddlers, and focus heavily on weapons and war tactics throughout their lives. They also have heightened senses to detect threats or intruders (though their senses can be fooled by those who know certain tricks). All of which is why they make excellent bodyguards for the Council—and for Sophie and her friends. But the goblins’ military-driven ways are only one side of their culture. They also have a tremendous appreciation for beauty and art, as is evidenced by the delicate, shimmering architecture of their capital city. They don’t need their buildings to be strong, or to provide protection. Instead, they prefer to live somewhere that inspires awe—somewhere worth defending. And if peace truly became a reality, the goblins would happily set down their throwing stars and swords and celebrate that no more fallen soldiers would be added to their Hall of Heroes. Queen Hylda only keeps her forces poised for a fight because she fears that one is coming (particularly with the ogres, who have long been the major threat to the goblins’ safety). The goblin queen does everything in her power to ensure that if a war should happen, her people are armed, ready—and victorious.

  RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ELVES:

  The elvin-goblin treaty is one of the strongest of all the intelligent species’ treaties, which is why the Council trusts the goblins to be their personal bodyguards (and why they used the goblins for security in Lumenaria). Still, the relationship between elves and goblins has its limitations, particularly now that numerous goblins have lost their lives, between the Neverseen’s attack at Lumenaria and the ogre attack at Havenfield. The situation may dissolve further if no solution is found for what some are beginning to call “the human conundrum,” with human populations soaring and causing increased pollution and destruction to the planet. The goblins haven’t shown signs of being power-hungry or ambitious, nor have they demonstrated any desire to be the ultimate leaders over the elves. But they won’t allow anyone (ogres, trolls, humans, dwarves, gnomes—or elves) to cause harm to their world or their people. And if they did decide to break their treaty with the elves, it would be disastrous—particularly if any bodyguards turned against their charges.

  GOBLIN BODYGUARDS

  Sandor

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Sophie Foster

  QUALIFICATIONS: Before being assigned to the Lost Cities, Sandor was in charge of his own squadron in the goblin army.

  KNOWN FOR: His high-pitched, squeaky voice; overprotective personality; and rigid, disciplined approach to training and battle.

  NOTES: Sophie isn’t always a fan of being followed around by a seven-foot-tall, stubborn (and exhausting) goblin. But she and Sandor have grown quite close over time, fighting side by side during battles and trusting each other with their lives. Sandor has had several brushes with death since he started protecting Sophie—and he’ll surely face many more, given the Neverseen’s ruthless tactics. Yet his concern is centered on Sophie’s safety—not his own. He did consider requesting reassignment once, after the Neverseen’s most brutal attack on Sophie, but only because he feared he’d failed his charge. Sandor also appears to be in a relationship with Grizel (Fitz Vacker’s bodyguard), but he’s careful to remain professional and not let any feelings interfere with his duties.

  Grizel

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Fitz Vacker

  QUALIFICATIONS: Before volunteering to serve in the Lost Cities, Grizel was in charge of a squadron in the goblin army.

  KNOWN FOR: Her husky voice and stealthy way of moving—as well as her teasing personality.

  NOTES: Grizel is leaner than other goblins, with a natural grace and a light step—but she’s still every bit as deadly. Possibly more so, given her gift for sneaking up on others. She’s also highly competitive and loves a challenge, whether it’s on the battlefield or in a friendly wager—and if she wins the latter, there will be creative consequences. Rumors suggest that she and Sandor are romantically involved, but Grizel hasn’t let whatever may or may not be going on between them affect her behavior. She’s also been one of the primary proponents of the battle training that Sophie and her friends have been working through, believing the elves should learn to fight and protect themselves as much as they can.

  Woltzer

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Biana Vacker

  QUALIFICATIONS: Before being assigned to the Lost Cities, Woltzer served in Queen Hylda’s palace.

  KNOWN FOR: Regularly getting scolded by Sandor for failing to keep control of his charge.

  NOTES: Given how often Biana manages to sneak away from Woltzer, it may seem as though he’s somehow less competent at his duties than the other bodyguards. But protecting a Vanisher is no easy task—particularly someone as sneaky and strong-willed as Biana. And Woltzer has diligently fought to keep Biana safe, despite the trouble she causes him. Many do suspect, however, that Woltzer is eagerly hoping for a transfer to a new assignment as soon as possible.

  Lovise

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Dex Dizznee

  QUALIFICATIONS: As the oldest of the goblins assigned to guard Sophie and her friends, Lovise has had decades of service in the goblin army. The only reason she hasn’t been placed in charge of her own squadron is because she prefers assignments that are more solitary.

  KNOWN FOR: Her abundance of patience, which is particularly essential for her assignment, given that she spends a great deal of time around Dex’s triplet siblings.

  NOTES: Lovise was severely injured during one of the Neverseen’s recent attacks, and yet she refused anything more than temporary battlefield remedies for her wounds until she’d reorganized the security. She then returned to Gildingham for proper treatment, and while she was there, Queen Hylda gave her the option of being reassigned. But Lovise has grown quite fond of Dex and chose to remain with her charge. She also became one of the few goblins to have visited a Forbidden City after going with Sophie, Dex, and Sandor to London.

  Cadoc

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Edaline Ruewen

  QUALIFICATIONS: Before being assigned to the Lost Cities, Cadoc served in Queen Hylda’s palace and also taught battle tactics at one of the goblin’s military academies. All in his regiment agree he’s one of the best in their ranks.

  KNOWN FOR: Cadoc is the strong, silent type—and so tall and muscular that he manages to make Sandor look petite.

  NOTES: Cadoc survived the ogre attack that killed Brielle—but only because Havenfield’s resident T. rex broke free from her enclosure and went on an ogre-chomping rampage. And he was seriously injured in the fight. He now works to protect both Grady and Edaline as much as he can, feeling it’s his duty to honor Brielle’s sacrifice.

  Brielle

  ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Grady Ruewen

  QUALIFICATIONS: Before vol
unteering to serve in the Lost Cities, Brielle was second-in-command for a series of goblin squadrons, which is likely why she offered to be a bodyguard. Serving time with the elves can often lead to appointments in Queen Hylda’s palace.

  KNOWN FOR: Unflinching commitment and loyalty—and her long, curly hair. She also saved Grady Ruewen.

  NOTES: Brielle was killed during an ogre attack at Havenfield after taking on four ogres at once so Grady could get to Edaline. Three ogres fell to her sword. The fourth ended her life—and was captured and killed by King Dimitar during his interrogation (despite Queen Hylda’s demand that the ogres turn the murderer over to her). Brielle’s aurified body now stands in the Hall of Heroes, a permanent testimony to her bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.

  OGRES

  CAPITAL CITY:

  Sadlitzagvatka

  (translates to Ravagog in the Enlightened Language)

  RULED BY:

  King Dimitar

  Queen Gundula

  CULTURE:

  The ogres have proven time and again that they’re one of the more volatile, aggressive species on the planet, and many aspects of their culture could definitely be considered extreme. Their work camps are known to push workers until they collapse. Bloody sparring matches are a regular occurrence—even with their king. In fact, ogre leaders aren’t elected, but rather must fight their way to the position through deadly rounds of sparring. Even the ogres’ homeland was stolen long ago from the gnomes—and the ogres made sure to tear down the trees and poison the river in case anyone tried to help the gnomes return. So it’s no surprise that weapons and battle training feature prominently in the ogres’ lives. Warriors famously wear a minimum amount of armor to prove how little protection they require, and scars are celebrated. The army is organized to ensure that the king reigns supreme, with all ranks reporting to him—and select Mercadirs (who hold no actual power) are in charge of seeing that his orders are carried out. Ogre warriors are able to utilize certain skills, like the grusom-daj (where their brains transmit a high-pitched frequency to trigger pain) and phase-shifting (using a gadget to shift the force of gravity to launch themselves to safety). But the ogres’ greatest military (and medical) advancements are actually a result of their incredible biochemistry (which also affects much of their architecture). Substances like aromark (used for homing devices), reveldust (used to detect the presence of microbes), Bucollosisia (the bacterium that the Neverseen used to make soporidine), ethreium (another type of tracker), and numerous other microbes are utilized to tremendous effect. Even their Markchains (similar to the elves’ registry pendants) rely on special bacteria to identify whether someone has permission to be in Ravagog. And Mercadirs who commit serious offenses find themselves punished with a shamkniv (a special kind of dagger) dipped in flesh-eating bacteria. And while all of that may paint ogres as violent, ruthless creatures (and some have definitely played that role), ogres are also family-oriented, creative, clever, and fiercely loyal to their own people. They’ve also recently become more willing to cooperate with others. Whether that will be a permanent change or whether they’ll return to their warmongering habits is yet to be seen.