“Fly to Grammaria,” he told them. “Nepharo turned himself into a brown striped owl and Charlotte into a mouse. See if you can rescue her before they reach the castle.” The birds streaked into the sky, leaving only a flutter of leaves in their wake. Hudson hoped they would succeed but knew it wasn’t likely. Charlotte had said shabtis had only weak magic. He was sending them up against a wizard with powerful magic. Hudson galloped on through the forest, his mind churning. How could he rescue Charlotte? He couldn’t ride as quickly as an owl could fly, and besides, what could he do once he reached Grammaria? He couldn’t fight soldiers to free her. He didn’t have a chance against Nepharo. But Mr. Fantasmo did. Hudson checked the compass face. “Where is the closest exit to my world?” The arrow shifted sharply left. The words MERMAID LAKE emerged under the glass. He had no idea how far it was. He turned his horse in that direction, jumping over a succession of bushes that looked like large, sunburned hedgehogs.
