Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3)

by Brandon Mull

After all, as you have long known, why make when you can take?” Newel and Doren shared an uneasy glance.

“We can put you to work. The pay is unbeatable. You like raw hen flesh?”

“If you knew something that might be dangerous, but telling people about it could get you in trouble and make you lose a lot of money, would you tell anyone?” “Grandpa!” Kendra called. “Seth has a secret to tell you about the nipsies!” “You’re a traitor,” Seth grumbled. “I’m just helping Smart Seth defeat Idiot Seth.”

“So,” Grandpa said, taking a seat behind the desk in his office, “how is it you know about the nipsies, Seth?” “Common knowledge?”

“Wait a minute,” Seth said. “You set me up! You did that on purpose!” “What?” Tanu asked with too much innocence. “You wanted to see if you could create the biggest jump in the history of checkers. You must have been maneuvering the whole time to set that up!” “You’re the one who found the move,” Tanu reminded him. “I know pity when I see it.

Seth crossed to Kendra and reluctantly accepted her hug. Stepping back, he scowled at his sister. “If you guys fought another three-headed flying panther, you’re going to have to buy me antidepressants.”

“That was awesome,” Seth told Kendra. “You’re psychotic,” Kendra replied.

Warren cocked his head, his expression mildly embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Kendra—it was pretty cool.” “All boys belong in insane asylums,” Kendra said.

We humans are conflicted beings. Our beliefs don’t always harmonize with our instincts, and our behavior doesn’t always reflect our beliefs. We constantly struggle with right and wrong. We wage war between the person we are and the person we hope to become. We have a lot of practice wrestling with ourselves. As a result, compared to magical creatures, we humans are much more able to suppress our natural inclinations in order to deliberately choose our identities.”

“I don’t view most magical creatures as good or evil. What they are largely governs how they act. In order to be good, you must recognize the difference between right and wrong and strive to choose the right. To be truly evil you must do the contrary. Being good or evil is a choice.

“If he means to stand by his insult,” Broadhoof said forebodingly, “I will demand immediate satisfaction. No one, great or small, tramples my honor.” “You mean a duel?” Seth asked incredulously. “You’re going to prove your courage by beating up a kid?” “He raises a valid concern,” Cloudwing said, laying a hand on Broadhoof’s shoulder. “Consorting with hogs will only leave us soiled.” “The two of you are dead to us,” Broadhoof declared. “Depart.”

Leave the frightened ponies to pretend they have honor.” Kendra wanted to strangle her brother. “We overlooked your insult out of pity,” Broadhoof fumed. “Yet you persist?” “I thought I was dead,” Seth said. “Keep it straight, you nag.”

You’re welcome to murder me in my tent.”

But in acknowledgment of the desperate valor behind your words, I will stay my hand for the moment, and forget this conversation ever occurred if you drop to your knees, beg my forgiveness, claim insanity, and declare yourself a craven coward.”

“When jumping is the sole option, you jump, and try to make it work.

“Pair of pliers and some courage potion.” Patton regarded Seth with a broad grin. “I think the two of us are going to get along just fine.”

“From where I stand, Broadhoof, your willingness to engage a child in a duel, whatever the provocation, is a sure mark of cowardice. So now a grown man is calling you a coward in front of your friend, a boy, a girl, and a satyr. Furthermore, I perceive your indifference as a greater fault than your cowardice, and condemn your entire race as a tragic waste of potential.” Patton folded his arms.

She had not fully appreciated how much the satyrs disliked the centaurs until she witnessed the exultant tears they shed as they embraced one another.

“No, kids,” Patton emphasized. “My newest goal is to go my entire life without any children sacrificing themselves on my behalf.”