On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

They reach the manor. Janner wonders if the weapons will be enough to defeat the Fangs. Podo insists that Janner trust him and do as he says. Peet promises to take care of Nugget for Leeli and to hold the Fangs off for as long as he can. Podo, Nia, and the children enter the manor just as the Fangs reach the gates of the property.

In the pitch darkness, Janner leads his family back to the cellar door. He hesitates to jump down because he is afraid of the ghost, but the Fangs are approaching. Podo assures Janner that the ghost is not real, and everyone descends into the cellar. A Fang appears in the doorway, spots them, and alerts General Khrak to their presence.

Tink leads the way through the tunnel to the door, opens it, and shows everyone into the weapons room. Podo gathers up a shield and sword and prepares to fight the Fangs in the corridor. Janner takes a sword and a lantern and follows his grandfather. Tink stays behind to protect Nia and Leeli. Podo and Janner advance back up the tunnel, killing Fangs as they go until they reach the cellar again. Podo instructs Janner to use the lantern to set fire to a woodpile. In seconds, Janner sets a blaze that engulfs the whole room. A Fang stabs Podo in the belly, but he and Janner make it back to the weapons room and shut the door. Podo loses consciousness.

Janner and Tink lean against the door. They can smell smoke. Fangs try to break down the door for hours, but as they are consumed by flames, the Igibys hear howling and “terrible mewling, gurgling sounds” (292). Exhausted, Janner and Tink fall asleep. When they wake, everything is quiet. Janner opens the door to reveal a hallway full of dead Fangs. He returns to the cellar to find that Anklejelly Manor has burned down. He meets Peet, who is delighted that the Igibys are safe. Janner leads Peet to the weapons room. Podo’s injury is severe, and he will soon die.

Nia asks Peet how he healed Nugget and wonders if he can do the same for Podo. Peet reveals that he has “Water from the First Well” (298), which was a gift from the Maker to Dwayne and Gladys. He used this water to heal Nugget, but he used too much; that is why Nugget is so big. Peet goes to fetch the healing water. Janner does not want Podo to die; he is angry with the Maker for allowing such a thing to happen. He wonders why Nia and Podo care more about the mysterious Jewels of Anniera than about their safety. Peet returns with a small flask. He pours water on Podo’s wounds, healing him immediately.

The family leaves Anklejelly with a stash of weapons and prepares to go to the Ice Prairies. Janner asks about the Jewels of Anniera again, angry that Nia and Podo have kept so much from him. Nia promises to tell him and his siblings the truth that evening. She suggests they all go to Peet’s house, where they will be safe. Podo refuses, but Nia insists that he let go of his resentment: Peet just saved Podo’s life. Peet leads the way to his house.

The Igibys travel to Peet’s tree house. Glipwood is now abandoned. Janner’s head is full of unanswered questions. They reach Peet’s home; Peet offers them blankets and begins to cook them all a meal. As rain begins to pour outside, everyone falls asleep.

After they eat, Janner asks where the Jewels of Anniera are. Gnag has been searching for them ever since the Great War because he believes that they contain a secret power. Janner is frustrated that his mother and grandfather would endanger their lives for something that could lead Gnag straight to them. Nia reveals that she brought the Jewels from Anniera to Glipwood herself; she, Podo, and the children all fled Anniera during the Great War. The children are surprised to learn that they are not from Glipwood after all, but Anniera. Peet finally tells the children that they are the Jewels of Anniera. Their father was the last “High King of the Shining Isle” (315). 

Nia and Esben Wingfeather were once the king and queen of Anniera. Janner asks if that makes him the rightful heir to the throne. In fact, according to Annieran tradition, it is the second son who becomes king. The first son acts as the Throne Warden, the king’s protector. It is a sacred duty. Peet is actually Artham P. Wingfeather, Esben’s older brother, former Throne Warden, and uncle to the Igiby children. He refuses to say why he has talons instead of hands.

Nia explains that when the Fangs attacked Anniera, Janner was three, Tink was two, and Leeli was a newborn. Peet tried to help them escape while Esben died fighting. Podo’s wife died during the escape, which is why he resents Peet. A Fang also grabbed Leeli and injured her leg, resulting in her disability. Nia, Podo, and the children left Anniera on a boat and were swept up by a storm. They crossed the Dark Sea of Darkness in just five days and settled in Glipwood. Five years later, Peet arrived in town. Nia and Podo did not trust him, so they insisted that he leave the children alone.

Before leaving Igiby Cottage, Podo collected a few things for the children. He gives Janner an ancient book that is passed down between Throne Wardens. Tink receives his father’s old sketchbook. Leeli receives an ancient silver whistleharp, a musical instrument. She learns that Queen Sisters all “learn to sing and make music” (325). Nia suggests that her songs might have significant power. Janner finds a letter from his father in the book. It tells him that both of his parents love him and that he and his siblings must protect Anniera. Though the world is dark and dangerous, Janner and his siblings, the Jewels of Anniera, now understand that they represent light and hope.