4 Into the Palace

CHAPTER Four Into the Palace "Psss-psss-psss!" Khan whispered. The groggle obeyed, circling high over the city. "There it is!" Keeah exclaimed. "The Guardians' palace has the tallest tower." Below them stood a palace of shiny gray stone. From its top a tower coiled up to the sky. It was the tallest and strangest of all the buildings in the city. The groggle landed clumsily on a small street near the palace and the kids piled off. The streets were deserted. "The people of Ro are peaceful," Khan said. "They will likely be hiding."

"First things first," said Eric. "We need to find a cure for Neal." "No," said Neal. "First we stop Sparr." "Finding the Guardians will help us do both," said Keeah. Julie pointed into the air. "We'd better find them soon. Here comes Sparr's silver ship." They watched from the corner as Lord Sparr's airship landed in a large square in front of the palace. Almost immediately, a hatch opened and Lord Sparr himself appeared. "Princess Keeah," Khan whispered, "I will try to find your father and tell him where we are. With my nose, I should be able to sniff myself past Sparr and his chubby guards." The kids wished the Lumpy king good luck. Suddenly, the street beneath them rumbled. The stones vibrated under their feet. "We're flying!" Neal said. "Ro is going up!" They peered between the buildings to see the foothills slip away below them. The air grew colder. Clouds drifted over the rooftops. Ro was in the air once again. "Let's roll!" Julie cried. "Before it's too late!" The band of friends crept into the first hallway they could find. It was dark and cool. "Okay," said Eric. "Where should we go?"

Keeah pointed into the darkness. "My father says, when in doubt, head for the center." "Looks kind of spooky in there," Julie said. "I like the dark," said Neal. "I can actually see better. I hear voices, too. Not Ninns, though. I think this is the way." They followed Neal deeper into the palace. Julie turned to Keeah. "Why does Ro become invisible?" "To protect the Tower of Memory," the princess answered. "Everything that happens in Droon is written in the Tower. The Guardians are keepers of the Tower and of the whole history of our world. My father and I hoped they might tell us what happened to my mother." "Do you think they can help debug me?" Neal asked. Keeah nodded. "That's my plan." "Cool," said Neal. "Then that's my plan, too!" Together, the four friends scurried up a set of steps to another level. They could still feel the city rising higher and higher into the air. Strange noises echoed behind them. Eric wondered if the Ninns were on their trail. Did Sparr already know they were there? And if he found them, what would he do? Splat? "The Guardians rule over the people of Ro," Keeah added. "They're the last of a band of knights who have lived since the earliest days of Droon."

Suddenly, Neal stopped short and everyone bunched up behind him. "What's the matter?" Eric asked. "The hall ends here," his friend said. "Well, that's dumb," said Julie. "Why would they have a hall that leads nowhere?" Keeah chuckled. "The hall may end, but the way continues." In the dim light, she pointed to a strange mark on the wall above them.

"What is it?" Julie asked.

"It's an ancient language," Keeah said, peering close. "I don't know all the words, but I know this one. It means… the Guardians!" Keeah pushed at the wall. Vrrrt! It slid aside easily. The children slipped through the opening. They found themselves in a tall room with a curved ceiling. "I should tell you one more thing about the Guardians," Keeah said. "They are—" "Oh, my gosh!" Julie gasped. "Whoa!" Eric grunted. "I think we found where they keep the dinosaurs!" Neal whispered.