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catflower.”
    â€œI can’t sell the compass,” Hudson said, fingering it. “I’m just borrowing it from a friend.”
    Rex frowned. “Then what did you bring to trade?”
    Hudson shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I could give you my shoes, my shirt, or my jacket.” He wasn’t taking off his pants and climbing a tree in his underwear, though, not even for Bonnie’s kitten.
    Rex shook his head, still frowning. “We don’t wear clothes from the Land of Banishment.” He peered at the compass again. “You can always tell your friend you lost the compass. It won’t even be a lie. You’ll lose it and gain something from my shop.” He stepped behind the counter and gestured to the cupboards behind him. “I keep the truly fine merchandise back here. Things worthy of a magic compass.”
    Rex opened a cupboard and pulled out a leather belt, complete with scabbard and sword. With fluid grace, he unsheathed the sword and pointed it in Hudson’s direction. Hudson took an unsteady step backward. For one gasping moment, he thought Rex was about to strike him.
    â€œIf you want power,” Rex said, “you need this magic sword. As long as you hold it, your enemies will run.”
    And if Hudson ever brought it to school, they’d run right to the principal’s office and have him expelled. “I came to get catflower for my sister. If you tell me where it grows, maybe I can find some.”
    â€œYour sister is a cat?” Rex frowned. “How unfortunate.”
    â€œNo, my sister has a sick cat.”
    Rex sheathed the sword and put it back into the cupboard. “Well, you can easily buy her a new cat, once”—he pulled a velvet bag from underneath the counter—“you own this magic purse.” Rex took a silver coin from his pocket, placed it into the bag, and pulled the drawstring tight. He shook the purse dramatically, then opened it and turned it upside down. Two silver coins fell out. “Instant and continuous wealth.” Rex held the purse out to Hudson, offering it to him.
    Hudson wasn’t sure the purse was even a good trick, let alone magic. A silver coin could have already been inside the purse to begin with.
    He didn’t reach for the purse. “I could get something from my home to trade and bring it back here.” The problem with this suggestion was that Hudson had no idea what sort of things the people here wanted. “I could give you some food,” he said. “Or maybe a doorknob that won’t wander off.…”
    Rex flicked his hand, waving away Hudson’s words. As far as salesman went, he was determined. “Wealth and swords don’t interest you. I should have known as much. Fine wizards have enough of those. But I bet I can guess what you do want. Admiration.” He pulled a round mirror, no bigger than Hudson’s palm, from a drawer. He put it on the counter, rubbing away some dust that coated the tiny golden leaves twining around the mirror’s rim. “Perhaps there is a fair lady, someone whose attention you want to catch. Once you own this magic mirror, you’ll always be the most handsome person around.”
    From behind Hudson, Proval whispered, “Take my advice and choose that one. You need it.” Then he snickered at his own joke.
    Hudson opened his mouth to refuse the offer, then paused. The mirror’s magic seemed to rise from it the same way scents rose from fresh-baked cookies—warm and delicious. He leaned over the counter to get a better look. From the mirror, his eyes gazed back at him hopefully. What would it be like to be the best-looking guy at school—to be tall, muscular, and always have girls hanging around? To have Isabella hanging around?
    Before Hudson could change his mind, he put the compass in his pocket. “I’m just here for catflower.”
    Glamora gave him a forced smile. “What a good