The Secret of the Stone

The evening before we were to set off for Enin, Temy and the female fairy, whose name was Josili remained tied to their chairs. Nayr prepared the supplies and Cordum studied maps to chart our course to Enin. Cloud slept and Census and Igil made plans for the king of Ruof to depart for Nevele. I went into the kitchen to find something to eat. I found some of the pastries that Nayr had introduced me to in the rabbit kingdom and some sort of sun tea.

Census entered the kitchen. “Did you find something to eat?” He asked.

“Sure.” I answered in mid bite.

“Yes, well we never talked about that stunt you pulled earlier today.” He sat down at the table across from me. He grabbed one of the stale rolls from the center of the table and began to examine it disappointedly. “This place is surrounded by Yar soldiers and they would love nothing more than to turn you in to Julian.”

“I was just trying to help and let’s not forget that I am the one that found Temy.” I reminded him.

He placed the roll on the table and crossed his arms in front of him. “I guess you did.”

He stood up and then began to search the cupboards.

“There are some more of these pastries behind that jar.” I pointed to the basket where I had found them.

“I was just wandering what our host was going to offer us for dinner.” He walked over to the swinging door and peered out. “Igil!” He called to him and held the door open as Igil came through. “Is this all you have to eat around here?”He asked as he continued to search the cabinets.

“I’m afraid I was not prepared for guests.” He said apologetically. “I can send someone to the inn to bring some food.” He suggested.

“No, I’ll manage something.” said Census pulling ingredients down from the cabinets.

“Well help yourself to anything you can find.” Igil smiled as he returned to monitor the fairies.

“Census, you cook?” I asked.

“Well you’re going to help me.” He replied as he handed me a knife and some hard roots to cut.

“Am I?” I was about to tell him what he could do with those roots, but since everyone else was doing something except me. I felt obligated to help and I didn’t argue. He boiled some water and added some spices to it. The smell filled the room.

“What are you making?” I asked curiously.

“It’s called Nojallop. Celestia taught me how to make it.” He sounded sad when he said her name.

“Oh,” I walked over to the stove and handed him the cut roots. I guess they weren’t cut small enough because he re-cut some of them before tossing them inside the pot. I watched the soup boil and he put a top over it.

“What is she like?” I asked him.

“Celestia, she is the wisest and most generous person I have ever known.” He said gently. “She is a great ruler and friend.” He then paused and a sorrowfulness swept over him.

“Don’t worry I know we will find her soon.” I touched his arm to reassure him. His eyes met mine and he held his gaze on me a long time. I realized my hand was still on his arm and I removed it quickly. I looked away uncomfortably and sat back down again at the table. I twiddled my thumbs uncontrollably threw the short awkward silence that followed before he spoke again.

“You haven’t heard anything else from Celestia, any more dreams?” He asked.

“No. I shook my head. But you’ll be the first to know if I do, besides Cloud.”

“Thanks.” He nodded. He sat down beside me at the table while the stew continued to simmer.

“You and Celestia, you have the same face but you’re so different,” He remarked. When he realized what he said might have offended me. He tried to explain. “What I mean is…,” he continued.

“I know what you mean.” I turned away from him. “She is perfect, she’s brave and smart.”

“You are spirited and impulsive.” He added.

“Oh!” I winced angrily. “What exactly do you mean by that?” Was that a nice way of saying unpredictable and undisciplined. I thought.

“All I am trying to say is that I really like you!” He said clumsily.

I laughed at his attempt to smooth things over.

“Really, you two are just different that’s all. It’s not what you think. I think about you. “He said. Our eyes met again and there was a long pause before his face came close to mine. I gulped. Was he actually going to…? I thought. Then the door swung open.

“Something smells good in here,” said Nayr. He paused when he saw us. Census looked at him awkwardly for a moment. I could tell he was embarrassed and so was I. I stood there frozen feeling like I had just been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Census stood up to check on the stew. He opened the lid and steered the stew, then he began placing the spices back into the cupboards.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” said Nayr feeling equally awkward.

“You didn’t interrupt..,” I started. All of a sudden I was at a loss for words.

“You didn’t interrupt anything,” said Census without giving him eye contact.

There was again a long silence.

“What are you cooking?” asked Nayr trying to change the subject.

“Nah-ja-something,” I answered eager to change the subject myself.

“Najallop,” Census corrected me. “And it’s almost ready.”

“Great I am starved.” Nayr grabbed a bowl and sat down at the table. The kitchen had all of a sudden become unbearably warm.

“I’ll let the others know that dinner is ready,” I said and rushed out the door. I was surprised to see Igil and Temy at the table playing cards together like old friends. I shook my head at them and headed towards Cloud who was fast asleep. He was sprawled out on his back with his legs and arms stretched out in all directions. The female fairy was untied to. She was sitting on the table watching them play no doubt helping Temy to cheat.

“Uh, dinners ready.” I interrupted them. The same Cloud who had been snoring a moment ago jumped to his feet at the news.

“Don’t you think they should stay tied up?” I whispered to Igil.

Josili overheard me. “If I were you I would worry too,” she replied menacingly. “I still have a score to settle with you.”

“Don’t worry they aren’t going anywhere,” said Igil “Let’s go you two.” He motioned for the two fairies to proceed to the kitchen.

“Great timing for you, Igil you were losing this hand,” said Temy. “This isn’t over.”

Igil grinned as everyone took their seats at the kitchen table. Census poured soup into all the bowls and placed a big loaf of bread in the center of the table.

During dinner everyone complimented the captain on his superb cooking but, I didn’t let them forget that I had helped too. The captain didn’t talk much during dinner, despite Josili’s many advances. Nayr was quiet to. The captain was moody at times but it was especially unusual behavior for Nayr who always had a story or two to tell. I felt like they had talked about me when I had left the kitchen earlier.

“You know Igil?” said Temy. “Have you ever thought of changing sides?”

“What do you mean?” ask Igil curiously.

“You should join me.”

“Join you!” Igil belted out a boisterous laugh and slammed is goblet on the table.

“You would be a much richer man.” Temy tempted him. He flinched as he looked around the modest kitchen. “That king of yours obviously doesn’t appreciate your talents at least it’s clearly not reflected in your salary.”

Igil reached across the table and grabbed Temy by the collar.

“I would never join the likes of you.” He shouted and shoved him back into his chair.

Temy straightened up is shirt. “I am just saying, with your card playing skills and my brain we could have a lucrative partnership.”

“Why I ought to,” Igil was about to come out of his chair again when Cordum held him back.

“You want to be partners?” said Igil. The huge Ruovian sat back in his chair.

“There might be a place for you within my organization,” Temy continued.

“Hah,” Igil smirked. “You wish you had an organization. I’m sorry Temy. I’m going to have to refuse, your much too small time for me, besides I am not sure you are that great of a crook you’re always getting caught by the police.”

After dinner Nayr and I helped the captain to clear the table. I think Nayr wanted to make sure that we had a chaperone. When he stepped out to tell something to Cordum, I took the opportunity to clear the air.

“You were quiet during dinner.” I remarked.

“I was just thinking about the mission,” he said shortly. “Speaking of which,” he started. “What I was trying to say earlier was that on this mission. I’m in charge. You are going to have to do what I say. If I tell you to stay here with Cloud that is exactly what I mean.”

“I thought we were over that.” I joked.

He dropped the plate in the sink and turned around.

“This mission is my responsibility and there’s too much at stake here for everyone not to be on the same page.”

“I have a lot at stake here as well!” I belted back. “Did you forget that?”

“You know what? The only person that you ever worry about is yourself! I could care less if you get back home or not. There are millions of people’s lives at stake here and if you don’t grow up and follow the rules, you won’t be on this mission. Is that clear?”

“Oh yeah, well I don’t care about your stupid mission either!” I glared at him.

He gave me a hard look and stumped out.

“Oh!!” I picked up a jar from the counter. I wanted to smash it. “What an arrogant, egotistical, jerk! I shouted aloud as Cloud entered the kitchen door.

“Violet!” Cloud said as he entered the kitchen. He could tell that I was upset. I held the jar tight. I could feel my heart beating fast and my breathing heavy. I looked at Cloud and took a deep breath. I placed the jar back on the counter.

“Cloud!” I stopped him before he could say another word. I knew what he was about to say.“I can’t take this anymore.” I yelled. “I just want to go home!” I sunk down into one of the chairs. Cloud came over and nudged me with his nose.

“I know you are frustrated but we have to stay focused Violet, it’s our only chance!” He then tried to change the subject, “what if we try out your powers?” He suggested.

“You and I both know I don’t have any powers.” I sighed.

“I know you do,” said Cloud “I know it’s there inside.”He placed a large furry paw gently on my shoulder.

“Cloud, I am just a teenager from earth. I have no powers. We don’t have power crystals and trans-dimensional gates on earth.” I tried to convince him to face the truth.

“You have it Violet. How do you think you were able to come here?”

“I don’t know.” I replied frustrated. “It was the necklace or maybe Celestia. Who knows maybe she set it up like that?”

“No, don’t you see Violet, the necklace can only be used by someone with the authority to command it. You have it!” said Cloud.

“But, I don’t have any idea where to start.” I protested.” I don’t know anything about this type of thing.”

“Well,” Cloud pondered optimistically. “I watched Celestia practice many times! Maybe I can help.”

“And then I’ll be on my way home.”

“If that’s what you want. Let’s see..,” he thought aloud. “Oh, yes! She could make a force field around herself and the people that she loved.”

I sighed. “Cloud, don’t you think that is a little advanced, I need to start with something simple.”

“Okay why don’t you try and move that jar from the counter to the table.”

“How?” I stood up and looked at the jar dumbfounded.

“Concentrate with your mind,” Cloud tried to coach me. He spoke softly trying to relax my mind like a hypnotist. “See the jar on the table.” I closed my eyes really tight and imagined the jar on the table. I thought as hard as I could.

“Did anything happen?” I said eyes still shut tight.

“No,” said Cloud disappointedly. “But don’t worry, it’s going to take some time.”