Mattie Spyglass and the Curse of Ashurnasirpal in Bloomington, MN

In Book Two, Mattie, Geeta, Eddie, and the wizard Herman Biddle are thrown apart on the treacherous Path of the Virtuous, as the journey upon the Third Stone begins. Herman Biddle held up the wooden staff against the wind, his cobalt blue cape a shimmering contrast to the red stone at his feet. The Third Stone of Anger. The words of the Mother Tiamet said to Mattie on the Second Stone resounded in Biddle's ears, "You Daughter have changed the River of Time and cheated the Dark Master of that which is his- the souls of ancient Nineveh. Go Daughter and hide, for your Brother of Darkness will kill you, and I cannot protect you." A hot wind began to rise and gather force. Mattie, Geeta and Eddie were thrown back. The Spyglass grew cold and heavy in Mattie's pocket. Two red orbs gleamed in fury. Mr. Biddle called out in alarm, "Keep your eyes down! Don't look at the sky!" The red orbs were those of the Master Himself. Satan. Devil. Marduk. Beams of searing hate from the two eyes fell upon Mattie. The word detonated the air. Thief!