"We happen to have some sparkleberries," Ivy said. "A branch of them should do nicely." She went to a cupboard and brought out a small branch with round green leaves and little black berries. She picked several berries and handed them to Electra. "You activate them electrically; that will be easy for you. Just hold one and run a charge through it and throw it up, and it will sparkle enough to alert anyone in the area, especially at night."

"Thank you," Electra said. "We'll set one off when we find Che, if we need help in getting him away from the goblins."

Ivy led them to the cellar. Grey was there, standing before a huge hypnogourd. "This doesn't take just your mind, it takes your body," he said. "I have nulled its magic for safekeeping, but I'll free it long enough for you to enter. Hold hands as you step in, so you don't get separated. You must follow the right path or you will get lost. Since you are going to the With-a-Cookee River outlet, watch for a cookie or a symbol of one. That will show you the correct path, when there is any choice of paths. You will arrive in just a few minutes, if you keep moving. Don't tell anyone about the gourd; we prefer to keep this system private."

Electra was impressed. "I should think so! You must be able to get anywhere in Xanth in a hurry!"

"Pretty much," Grey agreed. "Wherever we have big gourds placed, anyway. Now, are you ready?"

Electra and Nada nodded.

"Don't be surprised by anything you see in the gourd," Ivy said. "Remember, it's the realm of dreams. Just stay on the cookie path, and you'll have no problem. Don't let any of the dreams tempt you away from that path." "We won't," Electra promised.

Then Grey released the magic. The gourd seemed to glow faintly. The two girls stepped into the peephole.

Chapter 4. Dolph's Dilemma

Dolph pondered briefly as he approached the Element of Air. What form would be best for this? He was in young man form at the moment, having used it to take a stick and poke a suitable hole in the flypaper surrounding the kingdom of the flies, but he doubted that would do for Air. He knew there would be air currents of all kinds here, including fierce storms. He could become a squat turtle and let it all blow safely over him, but it would take him forever to explore it. He needed to check it quickly, because if Che Centaur were here, he could be in serious trouble, and time would be of the essence. But if Dolph assumed a flying form, he could get blown everywhere else but wherever Che was, and that was no good either.

He came to the border. On one side were green plants and manure and rotting things, suitable for the delight of flies; on the other was a turmoil of wind.