Seth's aggressive negotiations

  "My grandpa is willing to risk his life, and the lives of his family, to carry out the plan," Seth said. "We can't guarantee it will work, but at least it gives us all a chance."

  "Without your help, we'll never know," Kendra exaggerated. "Please."

  "We need you," Seth said. "If the plan works, you'll have rescued Fablehaven from my grandfather's incompetent management." He glanced at Kendra for approval.

  The centaurs leaned together, conferring inaudibly.

  "Your lack of leadership is indeed a problem," Broadhoof pronounced. "But Cloudwing and I do not perceive it as our problem. We must decline."

  "What?" Seth cried. "Are you serious? Then I'm glad half the preserve is here to watch who stood idly by when Fablehaven was endangered."

  Kendra glared at her brother.

  "We care little for the fate of satyrs and humans, and less for their reactions to our indifference," Cloudwing stated.

  "Thanks anyhow," Kendra said, grabbing Seth's arm to pull him away. He shook free of her. "Fine," Seth spat. "But I'll be going out there tomorrow. Good luck ignoring the fact that you don't even have the courage of a human boy."

  The centaurs stiffened.

  "Am I deceived, or did the whelp label us cowards?" Cloudwing asked in a dangerous tone. "Our verdict not to lead your diversion had nothing to do with fearfulness. We recognized the activity as futile."

  Broadhoof fixed Seth with a fierce stare. "Surely the human youth misspoke."

  Seth folded his arms and stared back silently.

  "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."

  Kendra tried to drag Seth away, but he was too strong.

  "All muscle and no backbone," Seth snarled. "Let's go find some satyrs to lead us. Or maybe a dwarf. 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."

  Broadhoof balled his fists, huge muscles bunching in his forearms. Veins stood out in his beefy neck. "Very well. Tomorrow at sunrise, you and I will resolve the issue of my honor."

  "No we won't," Seth said. "I don't fight with mules. The fleas are my biggest concern. That, and the actual problems that need solving. You're welcome to murder me in my tent."

  "Broadhoof is within his rights to challenge you to a duel after a deliberate insult," Cloudwing asserted. "I stand as a witness of the exchange. " He extended a hand, indicating the surrounding area. "Furthermore, this place is a refuge for creatures of light. As a human, you are a trespasser here. Like the naiads in the pond, Broadhoof could slay you at will with utter impunity."

  Kendra felt her stomach drop. Seth looked shaken.

  "Which would prove nothing about your honor," Seth said, his voice almost steady. "If you care about honor, lead the diversion tomorrow."

  The centaurs put their heads together and spoke quietly. After a moment they parted.

  "Seth Sorenson," Broadhoof intoned weightily. "Never in my long years have I been so openly affronted. Your words are unforgivable. And yet I am not ignorant to the reality that they were spoken in a misguided ploy to gain my assistance, in counterpoint to the awkward flattery you attempted at first. For the insolence of denying my challenge, I should strike you down where you stand. 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."

  Seth hesitated. Kendra elbowed him. He shook his head. "No. I won't do that. If I did, I really would be a coward. All I take back is saying my grandfather mismanaged the preserve. You're right that we were pretending to flatter you."

  With a ring of metal, Broadhoof unsheathed an enormous sword. Kendra had not previously noticed the scabbard hanging at his side. The centaur held the blade aloft.

  "This brings me no pleasure," Broadhoof growled broodingly.

  "I have a better idea," Seth said. "If you lead the diversion tomorrow, and I come back alive, I'll duel with you. Then you can satisfy your honor the right way."

  Kendra thought the centaur appeared relieved. He spoke briefly with Cloudwing.

  "Very well," Broadhoof said. "You have accomplished your aim, though not without a price. Tomorrow we will spearhead your diversion. The day afterward, at dawn, we settle the matter of your impudence."

Chapter 17