The Secret of the Stone

I was surprise that the captain’s attitude toward me had changed so suddenly. The next morning he was actually very cordial. There were no rude comments or condescending looks of disapproval as we traveled along the main road. It took three hours of hiking before we could see the city of Ruof situated in the valley below. It was a beautiful city of stone buildings that encompassed both sides of a river. We continued down the mountain road high above the valley. Cordum stopped to look down into the valley with a telescope. He then spotted something strange in the village. He motioned Census to come near and he too look through the scope. What he saw caused him to order us to hide behind the rocks.

“Take cover,” he said urgently. Hurriedly we followed Nayr behind some huge boulders. Census and Cordum ducked down and continued to observe the city.

“What is happening?” I asked.

“There are Yar soldiers in the city of Ruof,” said the captain.

“Julian has already reached the city, and from the looks of things he will make his move any day now,” added Cordum.

We huddled behind the boulders.” We have got to get into the city!” said Census. “Violet, cover your head and make sure no one sees your face. They might recognize you as Celestia, the rest of us are just traders from Evif.”

We made our way down the mountain trail and into the valley. Yar soldiers were guarding the gate. They looked even spookier up close. They all seemed to be the same height about 6’5”. You could not see their faces because they were wearing masks with metal helmets. Deep lurid eyes peered suspiciously at us as we entered the main gate. I could only imagine what types of creatures were under the mysterious gray masks. We proceeded to walk through the gate when one of the soldiers stopped us.

“Holt! Where are you from? And, what is your business here?” he asked rudely, poking Census in the chest with his weapon. His loud boisterous voice only added to his persona.

“Good day sir, we are traders from Evif coming to buy merchandise.”

“The rabbit is not from Evif but from Enos.” The guard replied and then waited for an explanation.

“I can see you are well traveled, sir. Yes my friend here is from the rabbit kingdom but has been with me for many years.”

“Is that so!” said the guard.” And how long will you be staying?”

“For a few days,” said the captain.

“See you stay no longer.” With that the guard stepped aside and let us through. I could feel his glare on us as we walked through the main gate and into the city.

The inside of the city was a lot different from the outside. Inside was bustling with people and activity. It was very crowded. It didn’t look like the safest place on the planet either. Lining the walls of the city where shops and stands selling various food and merchandise. Most of it stolen merchandise not doubt for sale on the black market. There were many different types of animals that resembled giant lizards, strange bears and multi colored elephants. There were many different types of people there too. The animals were not caged or tied but mingled with the people like how Cloud interacted with us. Most of the people were wearing cloaks as if they were hiding out in this city like us.

“Stay here!” said the captain. Nayr and I will check and see if there are any rooms at the inn.

I looked around the crowded street and spotted a sign on one of the buildings it had an inebriated clown on top.

“Cordum, what is that?” I asked.

It says the Laughing Jack, it’s probably a casino.

“Really,” I said curiously. “Do you think that we will find Temy in there?”

“Probably, but we are not going anywhere until Census and Nayr return. We don’t want to get separated out here.”

“Right.” I agreed.

A few minutes later Census and Nayr return from the inn.

“The inn is full.” said Nayr.

“Then where are we going to sleep?” asked Cloud “Out in the street?”

“Don’t worry!” said Census. “I ran into an old friend he is going to let us stay with him.”

Another man was walking towards us. He was wearing a uniform unlike the ones worn by the Yar soldiers. He was a young man but wore a goatee and looked 7 feet tall.

“Come with me,” he said as he led us through the crowd and onto a side street. We came to a side door. He opened it and let us in. He checked to see if we were being followed before he closed the door.

“Igil,” said the captain. “I am glad that I found you. When did the Yar arrive in Ruof?”

“Ah!” He grunted sadly. “They arrived about a week ago. They promised that they would not interfere with us but since their arrival they have posted guards all around the city.”

“And you allowed them to do this?” The captain asked surprised.

“We did not want the Yar here. Rumors are that they captured the princess of Enos and occupied her kingdom. We know that it is only a matter of time until they overtake us, to buy time we decided to tread lightly.”

“I am afraid what you heard concerning Celestia is true,” said the captain.

“I thought as much,” replied Igil.” My king knows the Yar will attack soon, hopefully we can unite with our allies in the other kingdoms before it’s too late.”

“Igil you must get the king to Nevele. Enos and Ground Claw are already on their way there to gather our forces together,” said the captain. “Also, my friend, it is very important that we find someone in town by the name of Temy.”

It was very warm inside the house I began to feel short of breath. I took off the hood.

Igil turned to me in amazement.” Census, I thought you said they had captured the princess. Who is this?”

“She is not Celestia.” He glared at me annouyed that I had taken the hood off.

“Sorry, it’s hot in here.” I began.

“Is she a decoy? The resemblance is amazing.” Igil asked circling around me.

“Not exactly, listen Igil we are searching for Celestia. I will explain everything but you must tell me first where I can find a man by the name of Temy.” Igil then turned his attention back to the captain.

“Temy!” replied Igil. “The only Temy I know is a two-bit hustler that I have arrested more times than I can count. He’s probably down at the Laughing Jack right now.”

“We saw the Laughing Jack earlier.” said Cordum.” Now may be a good time to have a little chat with this Temy.”

“You’re Right!” The captain agreed.”Cloud you stay here with Violet!

“Why should we stay here?” I disagreed. This Temy person could help me get one step closer to getting home and I wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.

“We don’t want anyone to mistake you for Celestia especially the Yar. It will be safer if Igil and I go to the Laughing Jack and talk to Temy!” He replied sternly. “Nayr and Cordum will go into town and buy some more supplies and find out what they can about the Yar’s plans.” He began to walk out when he turned again to Cloud and I. “Stay in here, Violet! Don’t answer the door and stay away from the window!” He warned as they walked out.

I felt annoyed about being kept out of the action and besides I was curious to see the Laughing Jack. I turned to Cloud when they had gone. “Who does he think he is telling everyone what to do? Cloud, are you thinking what I am thinking?”

Cloud sighed and shook his head. “Why is it that every time someone tells you to stay here, you do the complete opposite?”

“Oh, come on Cloud. Why should we stay here in this hot dingy house, when we should be out helping our friends?”

“No Violet. It’s too dangerous. We are staying right here.”

“Cloud, who knows they might need us. What if something happens to them?”

“No, Violet.” repeated Cloud.

“We could stay out of sight. We’ll just keep an eye on them.” I reasoned with him.

“And who will keep an eye on us?” asked Cloud.

“Cloud, I feel like we should go.” I started to pace the floor. “The captain is not the boss of us. We are not one of his soldiers. I am going. Now you can either come with me or not.” I headed towards the door.

Cloud ran after me. He tried to convince me to turn back all the way to the Laughing Jack but I ignored him. I walked to the side of the Laughing Jack and peered inside a window that faced the alley. Cloud peeped in too. The place was crowded, dark and smoky I could not see the captain or Igil anywhere. Inside there were sounds of laughter and cheering. I could see a crowd of people on the other side of the room playing a game with a wheel. There was a young man in the center and he seemed to be winning. He turned the wheel joyfully smiling and joking with the other players. A girl stood beside him with bright red hair. Then something caught my eye. There was something behind them. They had wings.

“Cloud, Cloud.” I whispered.” What type of people are those? They have wings.”

“Who? Where?” said Cloud trying to see who I was referring to. “Oh,” he said when he spotted them. “Those are fairies from Xis. Though I have never seen fairies in a place like this they are much too proper.”

“Fairies!” I gazed at them in amazement.

“Yes, can we go now?” complained Cloud. “Do you know how much trouble we will be in when the captain finds out you were here?”

“I am not in any trouble Cloud because I am here of my own free will and I can do what I please!” I reminded him.

Cloud rolled his eyes to the sky and shook his head.

“Wait, what is she doing?” I saw the girl fairy move something under the table.

“Their cheating!” exclaimed Cloud.

“Temy, today must be your lucky day,” said the female fairy over the crowd. Then something caught the female fairies eye and she whispered something into the male fairy’s ear, whatever she said made him quit the game, he rose up suddenly and started dumping his winnings into a bag.

The crowd booed when they saw he was ending the game before the other players had a chance to win their money back. He gave the crowd a slight grin and the two fairies headed across the room in our direction. A few seconds later I saw Igil and Census had arrived at the table the two fairies had just left. They didn’t see them sneaking towards the side door.

“Oh no, they missed him. He is going to get away!” I cried.” We headed toward the door on the side of the building to intercept them.

“Not if we have anything to do with it,” said Cloud. As the fairies where coming out the door, Cloud hid behind it.

The door swung open and the two fairies ran out struggling to hold on to their winnings.

“Wait!” I jumped out and blocked their way.

“If you know what is best for you. You will get out of our way!” shouted the girl with the bright red hair. She grabbed hold to my cloak impatiently. My hood flew off but they did not seem to recognize me.

“Let go of her.” Cloud jumped out and cornered them in the alley way.

“A rabbit!” said Temy surprised. At the sight of the giant rabbit, the girl fairy let go of my cloak. They stared at Cloud with their mouths wide open.

“Look we just want to talk to you.” I said.

“As much as we would like to talk, we simply don’t have the time.” said Temy in a polite charming tone. He took a quick look behind him at a fierce Cloud ready to pounce.

“Don’t try to fly away either,” said Cloud.

“We will hide you from Igil.” I said.

“Who are you?” said Temy. They could hear someone coming towards the door. “Okay, okay. Let’s go.”

We led them through the crowded streets and back to the house.

“Alright!” said Temy as I closed the door. “Who are you and why are you helping us?”

“I, uh,” I started. I had never done an interrogation before. I wished that the captain was here. I knew he would know what to do. “I hear that you have seen a piece of the Crystal Casing.” I could think of no other way but the direct approach.

He looked at me surprised and troubled. He then laughed. “I don’t know what you are talking about. You must have me mistaken for someone else.”

Cloud moved in on him. He backed him up against the wall. “You had better tell us what you know.” I came between Cloud and the fairy.

“Cloud please these are our guests.” I turned to the fairy, playing the good cop. “I am sorry but my friend here doesn’t have much patience. If you don’t tell us something soon he might just snap.” I pretended to laugh nervously.

The female fairy had sat down at the table with her elbow rested on the table holding up her head. “You amateurs aren’t very good at this are you? I have had enough of this. Let’s go Temy.”

“Oh yeah,” said Cloud rushing over to the table where she sat and glared at her menacingly.

“Yeah,” said the female fairy in a loud voice she stood up and looked Cloud dead in the face without blinking.

Cloud gulped. “She’s right Violet.”His voice trembled and he backed away.

“Cloud!” I was disappointed in him that he had been so easily intimidated by a harmless fairy.

“How did a fairy become so fierce?” He asked her.

“You have to be, out here on the streets.” She gave him a hard look and then walked over to Temy who was dusting himself off.

“Look you can’t leave.” I blocked the door.

“Try and stop us,” said the female fairy.

“I know you know something about the casing. That’s all we want to know.”

“Even if I were to tell you something, if I knew something, what’s in it for me?”

The door opened suddenly and Nayr and Cordum came in with the supplies they had purchased in town. They were surprised to see the two fairies in the house.

“Violet!” said Cordum annoyed we had let someone in. “Who are these people?”

“This is Temy.” I smile.

Cordum gave me a stern look. “Where is Census?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Uh huh,” huffed Cordum as he and Nayr put the supplies in the corner of the room.

“This party has become a little too crowded for us.” said Temy “It was nice to meet you Violet- is it? But we really must be going.”

“Wait. If you wait until our friend Census comes back maybe you can talk to him about and exchange of some sort.”

“What exchange?” asked Cordum.

“We didn’t hear Census and Igil enter the room. When Temy saw Igil he and the female fairy rushed towards the window.”

“It’s a trap! You tricked us!” said the female fairy as she ran forward she pushed me to the floor. Cloud and Nayr grabbed her just as she was about to get through and Igil wasted no time tackling Temy to the floor.

“You!” said the female fairy threatening me. “When I get my hands on you?”

“Who’s the amateur now? “ I grinned at her. “Good Job everyone.” I said to the others. “We have them.”

Igil and Census made them sit down at the table and bound their arms to their chairs.

“Look, we have not done anything wrong.” said Temy “You can’t hold us here!”

“I can do anything I want. Besides trespassing in the home of a public official is a crime,” said Igil. “We have been looking all over town for you. It was so nice of you to drop by.”

“Is this where you live Igil?” Temy smirked. “I would think someone with your standing would have better taste.”

Igil laughed.

“We are not trespassing.” said the female fairy. “We were invited.” She looked at me and so did Census.

“Well,” I added. “Trespassing is the least of their crimes. I’m sure that there is a high penalty for fraud in Ruof as well, right Igil.”

“What do you mean, Violet?” asked Igil curiously.

“Say, if someone saw someone cheating at the Laughing Jack.”

“You have nothing on us.” said Temy.

“Oh yeah well, I saw you cheating and would be willing to testify.”I threatened him.

“Cheating at the Laughing Jack would be the least of your problems Temy because if the unsavory patrons of the Laughing Jack found out about it, it could be very dangerous indeed,” warned Igil.

“You don’t want to go around here professing unfounded accusations like that.” said Temy.

“Well maybe you are innocent.”I sympathized with him, “but I saw your little friend here with a device that placed the odds in your favor at the Laughing Jack.”

Temy and the female fairy looked at one another.

“Alright enough, what do you want?” Temy sighed.

“Tell us what you know about the Crystal Casing,” asked Census. “Do you know where it is?”

“Do you know how much that tad bit of information is worth?” He replied fishing for a lucrative deal.

“Is it worth going to jail?” Igil reminded him of his current predicament.

“Trust me you don’t want to know,” said Temy.

“What don’t we want to know?” Census asked. Temy paused for a moment to see if he could think of any other way around the question. He could see that Igil meant business this time and he wandered if he refused to answer, was it worth spending the night in jail, and as eager as Igil was for the information. It could be a whole month.

“We’re waiting!” Igil pressed him impatiently. He decided that it wasn’t worth the trouble to keep the secret, they would never find the crystal casing, even if he told them the truth. He took a deep breath before answering.

“Sure Igil. I’m sure if you ask nicely the gnomes of the Enin will just hand it over to you.”

“Gnomes, laughed Igil. He’s lying.”

“Really, the gnomes have it!” He grinned.

“And why should we believe you?” Igil asked him.

“Because, once the Gnomes finish with you Igil, I’ll never have to see your sorry face again.” He chuckled. “Now let us go!”

“He’s probably lying.” said Igil to Census.

“How do we know that what you are saying is true?” Census asked him.

“You don’t!” said Temy casually.

“Census, he could be trying to set us up,” said Nayr.

“Not to mention waste our time,” said Cloud.

“I’m sorry Temy, we don’t believe you.” said Igil. “I’ll take them in. I’m sorry Census that we could not find a more reliable source to get the information you need.”

“Wait!” said the female fairy. “We have done everything you asked now let us go.”

“Maybe we should take them with us.” I suggested.

“Yes” agreed Nayr. “We could take them with us, that way if they are lying they will meet our same fate.”

“Whoa! We’re not going with you,” laughed Temy. “Igil, aren’t you going to arrest us?

“That might be a good idea,” agreed Igil. “You can take them but how are you going to keep them from flittering away?”

“Oh, I’m sure we will think of something,” smiled Census. “Alright, it’s settled then. We will leave with the fairies tomorrow morning.”

“You can’t do this!” cried Temy wiggling in his ropes. “If you go to Enin, it will be the death of us all.”