Free Elliot and the Pixie Plot by Jennifer A. Nielsen Page B

have only a little magic but are more powerful in other ways. Same with the Dwarves. A Leprechaun has quite a bit of magic, and yet a human could easily overcome one if he knew how.”
    “How many Underworld creatures exist?” Elliot asked. “Are all the myths true?”
    “There are creatures down here that humans know nothing about and some creatures that you know more about than you think.” Mr. Willimaker shrugged. “I’m not sure how many of us there are. The Underworld is very big and not very well explored. Most of us keep to ourselves.”
    Elliot used his bundle as a pillow and laid back on it. Had he been sleeping on the surface, he would have expected to see stars, but the sky here was only black.
    “I miss the moon,” he said.
    Mr. Willimaker lay on his own bundle near Elliot. “Wait for it to get a bit darker. The Star Dancers, creatures of the night, provide us with the night sky. I think you’ll like it.”
    And he was right. After about a half hour, the Underworld became dark enough that Mr. Willimaker’s cool fire was the only light around. Elliot stared at the sky again, but now it became painted in streaks of thin neon colors. Bright lines of blue, green, and orange raced across the sky, slowly fading as new colors were drawn over the top of them.
    “Those are Star Dancers?” Elliot asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them.”
    “They never go to the surface world,” Mr. Willimaker said. “Why would they when they can have this much fun down here?”
    “I like the Underworld,” Elliot said. “If I survive Kovol, I might come back again one day. Fudd said the Brownies would build me a home here that’s my size.”
    Mr. Willimaker was quiet for a moment, and then he said, “Your Highness, I want to talk to you about Fudd.”
    Elliot leaned up on his elbows. “What’s the matter?”
    “I hope it’s nothing. Ever since the Goblin war ended, I believe Fudd has been sincere in trying to earn back your trust. But last night, after the royal feast, I overheard something that worries me. I believe the Fairies had a meeting with Fudd. He worked with them for years under Queen Bipsy, you know.”
    “I didn’t know,” Elliot said. That wasn’t a question he had even thought about asking.
    “Yes, well, the Fairies know you’re down here. They asked Fudd why.”
    “What did he say?” Elliot asked.
    “He said he couldn’t tell them anything, but then they said they already knew the Pixies brought you here and they weren’t happy about it. You see, the Fairies want the Glimmering Woods too. If they think you’re helping the Pixies, they’ll be upset.”
    “But I don’t have a choice,” Elliot said. “The Pixies have Tubs.”
    “I know, but the Fairies might not understand that,” Mr. Willimaker said. “Fairies aren’t the most forgiving creatures. They reminded Fudd about an old treaty the Brownies have with both the Pixies and Fairies, promising not to get involved in any fights between them. They told Fudd to stop you, or else they would.”
    Elliot groaned. “And what did Fudd say?”
    Mr. Willimaker shrugged. “He told them he’d think about it. I don’t know what he’s decided.”
    “Doesn’t sound good,” Elliot said.
    “No, it doesn’t,” Mr. Willimaker agreed.
    They stared at the streaks for a while longer, although now that Elliot wondered whether Fudd had betrayed him again, the streaks didn’t seem so bright and colorful. He sighed and said, “I don’t think I’ll get much sleep tonight.”
    “Cheer up, Your Highness,” Mr. Willimaker said. “Other than the Brownies, I can think of at least five Underworld creatures who aren’t trying to kill you right now.”
    “Great.”
    “Try to get some sleep,” Mr. Willimaker mumbled. “I’ll have breakfast ready when you wake up, and sn…”
    Whatever “sn…” meant, Elliot wasn’t going to find out. Mr. Willimaker was asleep before he finished the word.
    Elliot slept better that night than