Tales Of Earthem: P.O.T.S

Verse 9–The Not So Benevolent Fox

It was the month in which the cold climates where present and the whole country of Canta watched on as snowflakes descended from the sky, the children were out playing in the streets having snowball fights whilst the merchants doubled their efforts and slashed prices down to attract any possible buyer they could. The Academy grounds seem to cater the snow beautifully, the front ground which usually showed the lavish green fields that stretch far and wide were now buried beneath white snow stretching as far and wide. It was the day of the last term and the first years were given a choice of either staying at the Academy for the winter break or being allowed to head home to see their families, this was the only period during the school year where this was permitted, nevertheless many students went home whilst very few stayed in the dorms, Jyro was of the latter of course seeing as he had no place to go really. It was midday and Jyro was gazing out the window watching the students depart off home, Johnny left the academy grounds a few hours earlier, his family were from a faraway place called Dania so he made sure he left as early as he could. “Jyro!” a voice hollered, he looked behind him to find Tristine carrying a large stack of books “ be a dear and hold these for a minute now would you” she said as she dumped the stack of books onto Jyros arms, “ Tristine what’s all this for, I thought you was going home for the holidays” mumbled Jyro under the stack of books that covered his face, “ ah yes I was planning on heading back home but then I suddenly remembered something “ said Tristine “and what’s that” asked Jyro, “ my parents annoy me “ Tristine said as she begun to complain on how much things her parents made her do whilst Jyro watched on intrigued, “oh sorry about that erm ….here’s me moaning about my parents when you don’t have….” Said the young girl as she slowly felt bad for even mentioning the topic to Jyro, but the boy simply smiled and encouraged her to continue on with her story. “Ahh yes I was meaning to ask you, how’s your preparations coming along for the event” asked Tristine, Jyro had a clueless look on his face suggesting he’s not done anything major, “(sigh) I thought as much I’m guessing you haven’t decided how your even going to travel by Horse, or vehicle right? “Jyro paused for a second then asked” what’s a horse” he then immediately tripped over dropping the stacks of books onto the floor, Tristine couldn’t help but laugh at him whilst helping him carry some, “dear oh dear Jyro what am I going do with you, but fear not I was on my way to the stables so you may come with me” said Tristine, so the two youngsters headed to the City.

On their way to the stables the two walked through trinity lane and decided to pay Mongoley a visit at his shop, “well if it isn’t my two favorite kids, aha how ya doing this chilly morning” said Mongoley whilst he looked around expecting Johnny to appear as well “where’s the other one, ya know one with the big ole glasses and freckles” ,” he’s gone away for the holidays, were on our way to the stables and thought we’d stop by and say hello” said Tristine, “ oh the stables ay that reminds me can you deliver this letter for me at the postbox on your way lad” Mongoley asked Jyro received the brown envelope which looked tattered and creased. The kids started making their way on their journey when Liam, Mongoleys assistant and nephew came rushing out to greet the two kids,” well if it isn’t Jyro Thomas , Glad to see you again mate” said Liam as he shook Jyro hands very enthusiastically, “ ahhh looking as radiant as ever Miss Morrowind” added Liam “ ermm thanks I guess…” replied Tristine reluctantly “ we best be off now” she said, whilst Liam let go of Jyros hands Jyro noticed Liam’s fingers were in plasters, “Liam what happened to your fingers” he asked, Liam looked at this two hands first before replying, “oh just a simple work accident, but you guys take care now” the kids waved the shop goodbye and left for their journey” ergh that guys a real weirdo done you think Jyro” asked Tristine ,Jyro simply chuckled at her statement.

Jyro and Tristine boarded the BB mobile and were off to a place called ‘ware’, “how long will take us to get there Trish” asked Jyro, “oh not as long as when we was coming from the plains, only like 40 minutes and since the area from Canta to Ware are all safe zones the journey will be straightforward” explained Tristine, Jyro remembered their first time riding the Beetle Bus and was curious why there was safe zones and danger zones around the area so he questioned Tristine, “ well , I did tell you before right about the state are worlds in , well the Royal Cities created a special map….hold on I might have one on me” Tristine then went rummaging through her bag and pulled out a brown papered map “here we are, look the places with red areas are the danger zones were Demons are located the green areas are called the safe zones and the tiny purple areas are the zones you shouldn’t even dare to go we call them the uncharted zones, that’s why we have to travel on BB’s it’s the safest way around” Tristine further explained, Jyro stared at the map trying to make sense of it all, “ so why are we going to the stables” he asked, “ well you’ll see when we get there, there’s a way to travel which is popular among exorcists and if you’re going to be staying around here its best you know how to ride” said Tristine, “huh how to ride?” Jyro said to himself.

The Beetle Bus driver called for next stop ‘Ware’, “that’s us” said Tristine so her and Jyro exited the vehicle momentarily. Whilst they got off a sudden noise of a trumpet sounding was heard, both kids looked at each other startled, the sound was heard again this time it came vividly from above them, the two kids looked up and saw a man dressed in fine purple clothes wearing a very long top hat, the same man they met at the plains, The Gatekeeper. The stylish well-dressed man jumped off the hood of the Beetle Bus and landed gracefully in front of the two kids, “ mmmmm Miss Morrowind & Master Thomas how delightful to smell your essence again” The man said, “ Ergh not you again, haven’t you got some students to harass or something” said Tristine in annoyance, , “words that harsh could pierce the hardest of hearts Miss Morrowind, mmmm my soul aches, it aches I tell you” yearned the man as he over exaggerated to being heartbroken, Jyro looked at the weeping man and didn’t know whether to take him seriously or not, “sorry sir I don’t think she meant it in a bad way ,what is your name anyway” he asked, “ pfft oh I certainly did” responded Tristine abruptly ,the man stopped his groans and peeked through his hands to look at Jyro, “my name mmmm you want to know my name master Thomas? Could it be the warm hand of friendship being extended?” asked the man, Jyro nervously looked at Tristine not knowing what to say to him, “ erm yeah ok let’s be friends” Jyro said reluctantly , the man clapped his hands in jubilation ” Fabulous!” he shouted” “you can call me Mr. Fox” he said .

Mr Fox? Jyro thought to himself what an odd name, but judging by the type of character the man has he knew questioning it would probably make him cause a scene again, “alright thanks for telling us your name but what is it you want from us anyway, were in a bit of a rush you see” as Jyro addressed Mr. Fox Tristine tried to quickly grab Jyros arm and dash off away, “ mmmmm why the rush? Could it be you two are off to the stables…. Wait a minute do I smell the aftermath of cupids arrows from the two of you” said Mr Fox whilst he smirked at the two of them, Tristine begun to blush and immediately let go of Jyros arm, “w..wait , what do you mean by that, nothing like that is going on” she said whilst trying her best to keep a straight face, but mind you Jyro didn’t really understand the situation and simply scratched his head in confusion “yes were on our way there, how did you know?” Jyro asked , “ well why else would you be in Ware aye mmmmm,” the man then begun to whistle whilst he looked around aimlessly and tapped his cane to the melody like he was waiting for something, Tristine sighed to herself and shook her head, “ I guess you’re coming with us right” the girl said,” ahhh an invite , well that’ll be swell , shall I lead the way” replied Mr Fox as he gripped his cane and pranced forwards, Tristine nudged Jyros arm before angrily following the man, “ouch” said Jyro what was that for? He thought to himself he too then followed on.

Not too long from their meeting the 3 of them made it to the stables , Jyro was expecting something a little similar to a farm but was instead greeted by a huge building complex with the letters CRC across the front. They made their way through the building and saw various pictures of horses hung on the walls, Jyro was in awe as he had never seen a horse in real life before only through books, Jyro then started reminiscing his childhood specifically his 8th birthday when he took a trip to the village with Mrs. Thomas. “Hello, I’m looking for a man called Ned is he around “asked Tristine to one of the employees at the desk, “yes he should be in the main yard out back, it’s through those doors then the first right” he replied. The group made their way out back where 100’s of horses were galloping up and down, some with owners others without, the grass was greener that the ones at the academy, and a small stream circled around where the horses went to drink out of, it was the most beautiful scene Jyro saw in his life. They entered the garden where an old man attending to the horses caught the eye of the visitors and proceeded to them, “well if it isn’t Young Tristine, your growing up every day how’s your mum doing” he said as Tristine quickly went to hug him “Uncle Ned its great seeing you again how are things and mums doing great as always” said Tristine, “and who might these two be they friends of yours Tristine”? the man asked whilst Mr fox took off his hat and bowed to introduce himself to the old man, “I’m the guide for these lovely Children today, don’t mind me” said MR fox, “ahem yeah that one’s Jyro Thomas he’s a friend of mine from the Academy that other one is irrelevant he’s a pervert I think” Tristine explained which was followed by the sounds of Mr Fox gasping in panic,” anyway where is she” Tristine then went strolling around the garden looking for something when out of nowhere a brown and white colored stead quickly trotted towards her, “ahaha so you saw me first Buttermell” said Tristine whilst she petted and groomed the horse. “ oh Jyro this is Buttermell she’s my very own Horse” she added, Jyro attempted to touch her when the Horse neighed at him shooing him away “ now- now girl that’s not how we treat Friends remember what I taught you” Tristine said, “wow you actually have a real life horse Trish that’s Amazing” Jyro exclaimed , “mmmm quite the lovely animal Miss Morrowind a shame it can’t accompany you back to Canta aye” Said Mr Fox sarcastically which made the young girl scowl angrily towards the man, “huh, why can’t you bring it to the academy” asked Jyro “well because were not all born with rich families you know” Tristine voiced with a slight tone of anger in her voice , Jyro held his tongue back from asking any more questions, he could sense that Tristine was rather sad about the whole situation.

Tristine mounted her horse and begun riding it up and down the garden dashing passed the other horses like a gazelle , Jyro watched in awe as he marveled at her moving gracefully through the garden, “ well don’t just stand there” she said “pick a horse and lets have a race” the young girl said, Jyro was suddenly stunned by the words of his friend, he then turned towards Ned, “ well it’s alright with me son, but take it easy not all these steads are friendly to strangers” said ned . Jyro strolled through the garden filled with horses looking for one to choose, Black ones, beige ones, white ones all types of all sizes where around him and he was somewhat spoilt for choice. The young boy walked on around the garden where he found the sleeping stables for the horses, he heard feint sounds of neighing and proceeded inside, When Jyro was inside all the stable gates were opened all accept for one, one horse was still behind the gates neighing in frustration and thrashing around, his fury startled Jyro who fell back onto the floor. He slowly got up and looked at the horse closely, it was coated in thick black with a white star on its brow, when Jyro looked closely the horses eye where two different colors as well, one was dark brown the other was dark blue, Jyro sensed its frustration and unlocked the gate, the moment the gates unhinged the horse immediately burst through and ran towards the garden. Jyro chased after it as the horse dashed through the garden causing a frenzy , the rest of the other horses eventually began acting the same and started fleeing, “OH NO” shouted Ned he then quickly brought out his lasso and readied it to be thrown, “ that horse was caged for a reason boy, since he got here he’s been nothing but trouble none’s been able to tame him” he voiced, Ned threw the lasso towards the Black horse it caught the rope in its mouth and pulled Ned across the ground making Ned let go of the rope. The black horse continued his rampage so Jyro quickly ran in front of it and stood in front with his two arms out , the horse rose up on his two hind legs at the boy who held his ground staring at the it, Jyro moved closer to it then shouted” CALM DOWN NOW”, the horses rage died down, it begun to snare and neigh at Jyro who slowly approached it even more, he took hold of the loose rope and tied it around the horses neck, the horses anger rose up again “ SHHH its ok it’s alright now I won’t hurt you” Jyro softly said, the horse slowly begun to relax and slowly steadied itself next to the boy. Everyone around looked on in amazement as the black horse began obeying the boys words, Jyro then mounted it slowly while still relaying instructions to it. When Jyro fully mounted the black horse he began to slowly rub its sides, “see, there’s no need to be afraid this is my first time as well so let’s try figure this out together ok” he said, he kicked his feet and the horse begun to trot, mind you he still hadn’t mastered riding the thing so he tried his best to remember everything he saw Tristine doing. Tristine and Ned looked on in amazement “…No way h..h..how did he manage to tame it who in heavens is that boy” asked Ned in shock, after a few moments of being in shock Tristine then started laughing to herself, “that’s Jyro uncle and trust me he’s been surprising all of us since we met him” said Tristine whilst she smiled on at Jyro and the black horse both nervously trotting through the garden.

few minutes later Jyro and the black horse went from trotting to running across the garden whizzing through the air at a tremendous speed, “ pfft there is no way I’m letting a newbie have this much fun” said Tristine as she rode alongside the two trying to out match their speed, the two kids and their horses raced around the garden laughing and playing amongst each other whilst the sun beamed down on them from above, MR fox and Ned simply looked on at them both and admired,” mmmm too be young again it’s a great feeling isn’t it,” said Mr Fox as Ned simply nodded his head who mind you was still in shock at what he witnessed “ have you ever seen it before sir, someone who’s never rode a horse in his life tame a wild stead and almost perfectly master it in a matter of minutes?” said Mr. Fox, “of course not that’s not even possible … but There was one guy who came down here many-many years ago I was still an apprentice myself and he claimed to have never even heard of a horse but he grabbed the toughest one to tame and made it his in seconds…. Now that I think about it he looked just like…..” just as Ned was about to continue Mr. Fox quickly interrupted him, “ohh its best you don’t fixate wild theories together dear sir and I suggest we let nature take its course” said Mr Fox whilst winking at Ned, ned turned around and looked at the man who then begun to walk away “Who exactly are you?” questioned Ned,” mmmmm who am i? I’m simply a spectator sir, just playing my part in this play eagerly waiting for the prince’s return” replied MR Fox, and just like that he disappeared, that would be the last time the kids saw MR Fox for the rest of the school year.