“He has a point,” Mira said.

“Of course I do!” Twitch said. “I’m part bug. We have instincts about these things. We all have plenty to think about. If we keep talking, it’ll just get mean. Let’s go see what we can learn.”

“Fine with me,” Jace said. Only a little worry lingered in his glance at Cole. “I’ve never been more bored.”

Cole wanted to get in one more dig, but resisted. “Let me see if I have this straight. When dinosaurs attack the coach, don’t stay inside.”

Jace smirked. “That’s the idea. And I’m not supposed to dump soup on people unless it’s absolutely necessary.” He opened the door and got out of the coach.

“We all learned something,” Twitch said, following.

“Like not to mock Cole,” Mira said privately, with a little smile.

Cole thought she had missed his reference to Jace’s feelings. The ease of her comment hinted she was aware of his crush. It took everything he had to erase his smile as he stepped down from the autocoach.

A wall of fitted stones draped with ivy blocked any view of the cottage until they reached a wrought-iron gate. Testing it, Mira found the gate unlocked. A gravel path bordered by white pebbles led from the gate to a tidy wooden cottage. To either side of the path, plants grew in rich soil, occasionally divided by lesser paths and weathered wooden beams.

Elaborate carvings of vines and birds were embossed on the door. Mira knocked firmly.

“I’m out,” a female voice called from inside.

“We have to talk,” Mira replied.

There came a pause. They heard a bolt slide back and the door opened. An older woman with short, graying hair opened the door halfway. She was quite thin and not much taller than Jace. “Children? I’m out of sweetroot.”

“We don’t want sweetroot,” Mira said.

“Speak for yourself,” Jace grumbled.

“What is it, then?” the woman asked. “Father have a fever? Mother sprain an ankle? Cow not giving milk?”

“You’re Gerta?” Mira asked.

“The crazy old herb woman,” she replied with a small curtsy.

“Declan sent us,” Mira said quietly.

Gerta looked beyond them, surveying the area. “Who’s in the coach?”

“A semblance,” Mira said.

“You’re serious,” Gerta said, opening the door wider. “Come inside.”

She guided them to a parlor with some fancy chairs and many shelves of fragile ceramic figurines. Jace claimed one chair, Twitch another. Cole and Mira used the sofa, reserving the biggest armchair for Gerta.

The herb woman used the armrests and sat down with a weary sigh. “Where is Declan?”

“We can’t tell,” Mira said. “It’s for your good as much as his.”

She smiled, showing imperfect teeth. “You were with him all right. He’s well?”

“Old,” Mira said.

“He was old when I was a girl,” Gerta said.

“He doesn’t get around so well anymore,” Mira said.

Gerta nodded. “He sent you to me for a purpose?”

“I’m looking for . . . ,” Mira began, then seemed unsure how to phrase it.

“A monster that has been tearing apart Sambria,” Cole jumped in. “A really powerful semblance.”

“You can’t mean Carnag,” Gerta said with a gasp.

“That’s what people call it,” Mira said.

“There have been no eyewitnesses,” Gerta said. “I’ve heard tales of the devastation. The ruined towns, the missing people. We’re all worried it’ll head this way.”

“Is it close?” Mira asked.

“Don’t act eager, child. I’ve felt its energy from afar. It’s like nothing we’ve ever known. What does Declan expect you to do?”

“We have to find it,” Mira said.

“No,” Gerta said. “You leave Carnag alone. Try not to let it find you. What did Declan tell you about it?”

“We have to find it,” Mira repeated.

Gerta squinted at Mira. Then her eyes widened. “You’re connected.”

“What?” Mira asked.

Gerta spoke slowly. “You’re connected to Carnag. I wouldn’t have seen if I wasn’t really looking. Same type of energy, much fainter, but pure.”

“Where should we look?” Mira asked.

“Carnag moves erratically,” Gerta said. “This whole region of Sambria has been in awful suspense. We never know where it will strike next. Head southeast. Follow the screaming.”

“Straight southeast?” Mira asked.

“More or less,” Gerta said. “There will be a path of destruction. Ask the people fleeing. I expect you’ll find Carnag sooner than you’d like. What can you possibly hope to accomplish?”

“We probably shouldn’t tell you,” Mira said.

“That might be sensible,” Gerta agreed. “Declan really sent you to me?”

“Really,” Mira said.

“Did he shape the semblance in the autocoach?” Gerta asked.

“Yes,” Mira said.

“Mind if I have a look?” Gerta asked. “It’s not that I doubt you, but times being what they are . . .”

“Feel free,” Mira said.

“I’ll be back,” Gerta announced.

Cole and the others watched from the window.

“Think she’ll try to take something?” Jace asked.

“From the autocoach?” Mira said. “No, but it doesn’t hurt to watch.”

Gerta didn’t spend long at the coach. She returned along the path wearing a small, satisfied smile.

“That’s his work all right,” Gerta said as she reentered the room. “Bertram is a funny old character. He’s very adamant that he’s enjoying the countryside with his grandniece and grandnephews. You poor dears. You’ve gotten tangled up in something frightful. The whole garrison of legionnaires at Bellum went to fight this thing. Over a hundred men. None returned. If you go bother Carnag, I’m afraid that will be the end of you.”

“We have to try,” Mira said.

“Your connection to the entity is undeniable,” Gerta said. “I could speculate . . . but I better not. I’m glad to hear Declan survives. I’m happy to lend what aid I can. I’ve devoted myself to working with my plants. Vegetation is much easier to shape successfully than animals or even semblances. Given time, I might be able to whip up something powerful. Since you seem to be in a hurry, I’ll give you some of the best of what I have on hand.”