Obert Skye - Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want

To all of those who have fought valiantly for Foo
but no longer recall it

Dreams linger because of you

Text 2007 Obert Skye

Illustrations 2007 Benjamin R. Sowards

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Shadow Mountain . The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of Shadow Mountain.

All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Visit us at LevenThumps.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Skye, Obert.

Leven Thumps and the eyes of the Want / Obert Skye ; illustrated by Ben Sowards.

p. cm.

Summary: Leven is summoned to the abode of the Want, not knowing whether that leaders intentions are to harm or to help Foo, and soon Leven is separated from his good friends as he continues his battle to save that mythical land.

ISBN 978-1-59038-800-6 (hardback : alk. paper)

eISBN 1-60641-674-x (eletronic)

[1. Fantasy.] I. Sowards, Ben, ill. II. Title.

PZ7.S62877Ldr 2007

[Fic]dc22 2007016995

Printed in the United States of America

R. R. Donnelley and Sons, Crawfordsville, IN

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Big Bold Words at the Beginning
of a Chapter

Waking Up on the Wrong Side
of the World

CHAPTER ONE

The Red Grove moaned softly, releasing the last bit of warmth it had held onto from the day. The thin veins of heat were smothered quickly by the cold. Trees shook, and their leaves curled like startled snails as a light wind drifted cautiously through the chill.

The air thinned.

All manner of creatures and beings looked for shelter beneath the roots of trees or in holes hidden in the tall cliff walls. The Tea birds remained in their nests, afraid to fly for fear of their shadows freezing and leaving them stuck in the air.

The night blackened.

The rambling forest of the Red Grove was circled by tall, jagged cliffs from which the dark night had stolen all outline and definition. A weathered cottage squatted at the edge of the valley. The taverns tiny windows glowed from the activity inside as a small wisp of smoke oozed up from the chimney. When the smoke rose high enough, greedy plum trees reached out to pull and twist it in their branches like taffy.

Beneath the trees canopy, a rough stone trail ran from back to over across the dark valley. The sound of hooves echoed off the rock walls as three onicks raced closer. The onicks stopped in a clearing a hundred yards away from the tavern.

Easy, Geth whispered to his onick. Calm yourself.

Is that it? Leven asked, pointing to the cottage.

Should be, Geth answered softly. If our contact in Cusp was telling us the truth.

At least it looks warm in there, Winter shivered. I never knew it could be so cold.

Your gift kept you warm, Geth said, his long hair hiding his eyes. Now you must feel the elements of winter just like everyone else.

I feel like half a person without it, Winter said. I cant shake the feeling of being incomplete.

You look whole, Leven joked. Dont worryif Jamoon was able to steal your gift, there must be a way to recover it.

The onicks they were sitting on shifted.

So we just march in? Leven asked, diverting the conversation from Winters condition.

I was thinking wed march quietly, Geth said.

Lets go, then, Leven replied impatiently. Weve got to stop that secret. It could be selling itself right now.

I dont think it is, Geth whispered. Its held its tongue this long. It is an unusual secret that recognizes what it has. This one is waiting for the right buyer, and, if what we were told in Cusp is true, we know that buyer has not arrived here yet. Besides, the secrets scared. It wont be standing in plain sight. Look for it in the corners or the rafters. Its waiting for the right moment to show itself and make the deal of its lifetime.

Lets hurry, Winter said, blowing on her stiff hands. Its freezing.

Remember, Geth said. If you spot the secret, dont react. Dont let it know that you know its there. And Leven, you must keep your face and eyes hidden. It will recognize you easily.

Got it, Leven said.

What if it runs? Winter asked. She was wrapped in a dark brown robe tied around the waist. Her long blonde hair spilled out from under her hood, circling her green eyes and once pink, currently blue, lips.

Then we chase it, Geth said with enthusiasm.

There must be... Leven stopped to count the creatures tied up outside the tavern. There must be at least twenty people in there.

Perfect, Geth whispered, slipping from his onick and sounding like the toothpick he once had been.

Last time I counted, we made up only three, Leven said calmly.

Nobody in there will give us trouble unless we ask for it, Geth said.

Leven smiled at Geth. It was still not easy to believe that the toothpick Leven had toted around for all that time was now a man taller and stronger than him. And not just any man, but a lithen, which was about as close to royalty as Foo got. Geths long,
dusty-blond hair hung down in front of his blue eyes. The hood of his green robe was pulled back off his head, and his kilve hung from a thick leather strap over his shoulder. When Geth had first stepped from the ashes and back into his former self, he had looked far more royal and polished. He now appeared much more roguish and up for adventure.

I wouldnt mind a tenth of your confidence, Leven whispered.

Youre not scared, are you? Winter asked. I mean, you have multiple gifts; all I have is this kilve.

The wooden staff Winter held looked dull under the dark night. The top of it emitted a weak amber glow.

Dont worry. Fate will see us through, and by the time you both take your places in Foo, you will have the confidence to do anything you please, Geth smiled. Now, lets go.

Leven pulled the reins tight on his onick. His hands were bigger than they had been when he had first stepped into Fooin fact, his entire body was larger. The experiences he had struggled through had caused him to grow rapidly, aging his body by a couple of years at least. He felt like a smaller version of himself wrapped up in a body two sizes too big.

Lets snuff that secret out, Leven said.

Geth clicked his teeth and maneuvered his onick down the thin stone path through the trees. The onick Leven was riding moaned and hissed, causing those tied up in front of the tavern to moan back.

The three of them dismounted and loosely tied their onicks to the wooden post in front. The cold wind twisted up both of Levens legs and ran down his arms. He wished both for warmth and for Clover.

Clover had not returned since he had run off to take care of some other sycophants that the tharms had tied up. Leven had allowed Clover to leave freely, but had he known then what he knew now, he never would have let Clover depart. He could think of little besides the safe return of his close friend.

Hes fine, Winter said as she stepped up next to Leven and touched his hand.

What?

Clovers fine, she smiled. Even if the whole of Foo knew how to harm him, he could stay hidden. Besides, well put a stop to the secret and there will be no reason to worry.

About Clover, Leven specified.

Sure, Winter said. There will still be plenty of other things to worry about.