It all had started because Aralt was getting frustrated. He had walked all over and just could not find anyone who was by themself. Someone that he could take back to Siate' for questioning. "Doesn't any just go for a walk alone anymore?" he had grumbled. Then he passed the cave were he had seen Nutmegg and Allspice. "Is that laughter inside? Maybe I can nab someone here," he decided as he quietly snuck into the entrance of the cave. What he saw was something he had not expected!
The Wysps had found the Ambrosia that Nutmegg had left out when they departed to the meeting with the Baron and Dowager. Leave it to a Wysp to get into something they shouldn't. It did not take much for Aralt to capture all three Wysps and put them into an empty bottle that he found in Allspice's kitchen. "This should keep Siate' busy for a while talking to them if not make her crazier," he snickered as he left the cave with the three little troublemakers trapped in the bottle. It wasn't very long before the intoxicated blue Wysps started to get bored. Bored Wysps do what they like to do most - irritate anyone they find. With Aralt telling them to be quiet all of the time as he headed to the cave that Siate' was in, they decided to start singing. Actually, instead of calling it singing, it sounded more like cat-or-wailing (something that house cats do very well). Every time they would start, Aralt would violently shake the bottle to try and get them to stop.
There are a lot of cures out there for sobering up quickly but one the Wysps had never before experienced was being set before a large irritated and upset Wish Dragon...
0 Comments
"Sire, Dree is gone. I went to his cave and he is not there. I checked the area and finally found tracks in one of the side caves leading to the area of The Wishing Well." It only took a second before Dulbbe calculated (being a bookkeeper before becoming the Troll King) what Dree may be up to and decided to send his chief minion out to find the missing Dragon. "I will let the others know, but do what you can to bring him back. We don't want Siate' or Aralt to find him first," he told Drat. Again Drat silently slipped out of the tea room as Dulbbe started to make his announcement about Dree's absence. Soon he was out of the Mansion and traveling towards The Wishing Well. "I should get there first with this shortcut," Drat thought to himself. "What is that Dragon up to?"
As Aralt walked to the well, it was Drat who saw him first. The rat was very good at not being seen when he did not want to be and quickly hid behind one of the giant mushrooms that grew in the area. As he watched Aralt draw up a bucket of water from the well and then take off his shoes and put his feet into it, Drat turned slightly green. "I must remember not to drink from that bucket ever again," he grumbled. "Augh!" A Dragon's sense of smell is better than any other animal and Dree was a Dragon. He too could smell something that was not pleasant as he was nearing The Wishing Well and decided to approach with caution. As Aralt was facing the other direction, the Herald did not see the Dragon and was unaware that he was now hiding behind the bushes behind him.
When he could no longer be seen, Dree left his hiding place and walked up to The Wishing Well. Picking up the bucket, he then proceeded to slosh the remaining water around in it and then poured it out on the grass. As he started to lower the bucket back into the well, he heard a voice behind him. "I don't know if you want to put that bucket back into the clean water of the well," said Drat. Smiling to himself before turning around, Dree looked at his friend and asked, "What took you so long to get here?"
The Bakery was always short of help and when Lil’ Boots offered to help out in return for meals, they quickly accepted. “What do I need sheckles for anyway?” Lil’ Boots thought. “I would only spend it here on food.”
“He would leave just as I was starting to eat,” grumbled Lil’ Boots as he stuffed most of his meal into his satchel. “No sense wasting it,” he reasoned as he started munching on one of the sweets that he normally saved for dessert. Staying far behind the Herald, Lil’ Boots watched him walk through the Village, stop at a few of the shops, and then begin walking towards an area that Lil’ Boots knew had a lot of caves. It took all of his skills, but he did not think that Aralt had noticed him as the Herald entered one of the caves. “Do I or don’t I?” thought Lil’ Boots. Deciding that he had already come this far, he was going to at least try to see further into the cave before leaving. As he snuck closer to the entrance, he could see a bright glow just inside. It was a huge Dragon and she was blowing flames! “What do you mean that you haven’t found that little welp?” screamed Siate’ at the Herald. Lil’ Boots was impressed that Aralt didn’t even flinch as the Dragon spouted flames from her mouth and turned a large rock into a red-hot glowing crystal! When she finished, Aralt said, “I have searched the entire village, checked with the Wysps, and even had to endure pranks from the Pyksees, but no one has seen him.” “He is the key! I feel it. He must know something about taking away a Wish Dragon’s magic and I must know what it is before I establish myself as the Queen of Dragons,” growled Siate’ as she stared at the Herald for a time as neither said anything. “You will bring one of his friends here so that I may talk to them,” she finally decided. “Don’t take the Dowager or her son, the Baron, but someone that the villagers won’t notice is missing for a while.”
“As you wish,” was all he said as he left the cave not noticing that Lil’ Boots had seen and overheard all of the conversation and what now knew what Aralt was going to do.
"Had possibly Siate' and the other Dragons chosen another Herald to replace me since I did not leave with them on their exodus?" Aralt thought. "I need to listen to more of what they are saying," he decided before exposing himself to them.
Apparently the Ambrosia was the key, but in the time that he tried to overhear their conversation, he could not figure out how it worked. When finally the Herald thought he had learned what he could, he quietly snuck back to the entrance of the cave and then turned around and started making as much noise as he could by calling out loudly if there was anyone home. That brought the two bakers outside and to him where he figured he had the advantage and could watch both of them easier. "Can I assist you?" asked the short heavy baker. "I am Allspice and this is my friend, Nutmegg." "I am looking for a young Dragon with the name of Dree. Have you seen him or maybe know where he is?" asked Aralt. Allspice and Nutmegg just stood and stared at Aralt saying nothing until the Herald realized that he had not introduced himself. "I am Aralt," was all he said as he did not want them to know about his relationship with the Dragons. What Aralt did not know was that Allspice had already seen him with Siate' and had already told Nutmegg.
When Aralt was out of site, Nutmegg turned to Allspice. "Now we know where this 'Dree' lives. I think I need to go check it out," Nutmegg said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Are you good here to continue without me for a while?" Allspice nodded and laughed. He could always tell when "the detective bug" had hit Nutmegg. "Go. I will be fine," Allspice answered as he laughed again and headed back into the cave to start another batch of Ambrosia.
Finally, as his feet were sore from all of the walking (which he was still not used to doing as he was used to being carted around in a carriage and treated with honor... What Had This World Come To!!), the Herald decided to take a seat on a large, flat rock in front of a cave. As he massaged his tired feet, he thought he heard some distant music. "I wonder what the occasion is," he pondered as he turned his head in different directions to see if he could figure out where the music was coming from. It didn't take long before he realized that the music was coming from the cave and it sounded like there might be more than one player. "If it isn't the young Dragon, then maybe they will know where to find him," Aralt decided as he entered the cave. Upon entering the dark entrance, the Herald waved his hand and a magical glowing light appeared. "This should work," Aralt murmured as he followed the sound to the source of the music using the light to show his way. As he approached and the music became louder he thought that he could see the path without stumbling. Not wanting the players to see him he banished the light and slowly proceeded down the cave. Hoping for answers and not wanting to scare away the musicians, Aralt slowly peered around a large rock to see who was there.
"This is just getting stranger and stranger," muttered Aralt quietly so the others would not hear him. As the Herald hid behind the rock and watched them, soon the music stopped playing and the one cooking clapped his hands and shouted "Ambrosia!" Startled, Aralt jumped back from the rock, but luckily the others did not see him as their attention was on the green glowing liquid.
"I have been thinking about what you told me, Allspice, and though the Ambrosia doesn't stop the Dragon's wishing power, do we really want to take away a Wish Dragon's ability to grant wishes?" asked Nutmegg. Hearing that made Aralt freeze. "What's this?" he thought. He then tried to block out all the other sounds in the cave so he would not miss this revealing conversation. Nutmegg continued. "If their ability to grant wishes was taken away from them, then would we be able to restore those Fae lost due to mis-enchantments? Also, I don't think there is a way to take away their power especially since they are immune to any magical spells and devices that we know of." "That is what I thought at first, but if Siate' is worried about that young Dragon who said he is no longer a Wish Dragon, then there must be something behind it," answered Allspice. "I agree, there is something of a mystery here," replied Nutmegg, "and you know that I love a good mystery who-dun-it."
As Arnie and the others followed the Gooblin King to his treasure room, others in the Realms were busy following their own plans…
Meanwhile, The Baron waited for his mother, the Dowager Griselda, to finish listening to the Flutterby’s message from Queen Ffion before asking her if she wanted more tea. Before he could speak, she picked up her empty teacup and told her son as he filled her cup and that she had a message for him.
“That means that not only Siate’ has arrived, but the other Dragons must be hiding somewhere in the realm. Why don’t they show themselves?” This was the same question Griselda was pondering… And deep within the cave, Aralt knew not to say anything when Siate’ was in a snit as she was now.
"Well your kingship, it is because of trolls that the word "trolling" began. Trolls would rather just look at the cover of a book and not really open it to the pages within," Drat replied. "Though, with the old king before you, there was such a competition between him and the Gooblin King that resulted in them both going after powerful books," Drat continued. "After all, wizards aren't just powerful on their own magic but from all the knowledge they collect. Both the old Troll King and the Gooblin King knew this," Drat said as he caught up to Dulbbe before he opened the door to the Shadows' Queen library. "Hmmm," thought Dulbbe as they stood in front of the closed door. "What if there are some old scrolls or books that could give us more information on this Wish Dragon, Siate'? I mean, Drat, just think of her power," Dulbbe pondered. "If she was so all powerful back when, why did the Dragons leave the realm? If the Dragons were so mad at the villagers enough to leave, why not wipe out the villagers instead? Or did history get rewritten with the Dragons leaving? Interesting questions that I think we need to know the answers, Drat," said Dulbbe as he opened the door to the library while Drat wondered about his new King. "A troll who believes reading is a virtue and doesn't wait for a servant to open doors for him," he mused to himself. As Dulbbe entered the Shadows' Queen huge library, they quickly headed to room 101 where the one source that might be able to answer a few of his questions was located. As he took the cover off the crystal ball it began to glow a pale green. "Oh Wise One, is there a book or scroll that tells us of the time of Siate' the Wish Dragon when she was in power?" The Dragon orb flashed a couple of times and then began to glow a brighter green as it answered Dulbbe's question. "Yes."
"The Gooblin King has it, though he knows it not," answered the orb. "It will be difficult to find for the scroll has it's own spell on it to keep it hidden from those that look to harm Dragons. For the scroll knows that knowledge is power and it hides from those that seeks it's power." In frustration Dulbbe's threw up his hands and growled, "How can we find a scroll that cloaks itself, let alone has hidden itself among the gooblins?" The Orb answered, "With the help of a Dragon."
"I can't have Dragons moving too close to our brewing spot," thought Allspice. "Otherwise I would never be able to have any of the brew stored here in the barrels. After all, part of the appeal of the brew to Dragons is that they find it irresistible." Allspice put his hand up next to the cave wall and started twisting it from left to right. Part of his ability was to feel the vibrations of sound since he used music to add his magical touch to the brew. This time when he heard the sound he felt his way along the walls of the tunnel to find where it was coming from. The closer he came to the sound, the more he could make out that it sounded like conversation going on between two creatures. "One of them is upset," he decided.
"That was a fool's errand, Aralt!" the She Dragon roared. "There wasn't a Dragon anywhere, let alone anyone that even knew about Dragons until we showed up from the direction we were sent." Aralt knew that when the Siate' was in a temper it was very wise indeed to keep one's head down if one wished to keep said head on one's shoulder. Allspice also had learned long ago about a Dragon's temper and decided it might be better to stay hidden behind the boulder for a bit longer. "That silly word game those villagers and that stupid little Dragon played on me has made me dangerous indeed!" continued the irate Dragon. "How can a Wish Dragon even not be a Wish Dragon any longer?" Aralt was pondering some of those same thoughts himself as he just stood there as Siate' continued to stomp around the cave while circling him as she ranted. "Now that was an interesting thought," Allspice said to himself. "Is there a way to take away a Wish Dragon's wishing ability... and would one want to do it?"
Even Griselda had not thought out this possibility of being known. "I don't think I even showed my tattoo yet either", thought Griselda as she brought her hand to her lips in surprise. “Greetings oh mighty one. Yes, it has been a long time and your presence greatly enhances our Realm,” Griselda replied receiving a smile from the Wish Dragon. It was then that Siate’ decided to address the young Dragon standing with the villagers. “And who are you and from which clan are you from?” she asked Dree. After a pause while he thought about his answer, Dree replied. “I am Drai’ochtluan and was of the Wish Dragon clan.” Siate’ waited for further explanation but when Dree did not continue, she thought that maybe Aralt was correct and this young Dragon was a little stupid. “What do you mean ‘was’ of the Wish Dragon clan?” she asked him. “As I was the only Wish Dragon before your arrival, I did not see myself as part of a clan,” he answered. With this answer Aralt smirked. He noticed the look that had appeared on Siate’s face. "Yes. I had already warned her that this Dragon was not the brightest," as he let his lips slightly curl up into a small smile.
“That is true,” Dree solemnly answered with a slight bow. When he did not explain himself further, it was Aralt who asked “Where?” After appearing to be thinking about his answer, finally Dree replied. “I am pretty sure that I said Where could be in the caves south of here.” After another pause he continued, “Yup. Possibly in the caves south of here. You might want to talk to Who as well.” “Who do I talk to?” Aralt asked. “Yes,” answered Dree. “I talk to Who?” again Aralt asked. “That’s right,” agreed Dree. It was then that Drat realized the game the young Dragon was playing. “That’s right,” said Drat as he smirked a smile to Aralt. “You should talk to Who. If you can’t find Who, then I suggest you go to the second cave and ask to see What. If you don’t get an answer from them then you then try the third cave. I Don’t Know Who is at the third cave." At this point Aralt, shaking his head, replied, " If you don't know who is at the third cave why are you sending me there? "No, no," replied Drat. "Why isn't sending you anywhere. I realize that this is all probably very confusing to you as an elder, so I will take you there if you need me to,” smiled Drat to the Herald. Again, feeling his intelligence insulted, Aralt puffed up his head and told the rat to mind his manners and that he would be just fine without his unneeded assistance. “Indeed,” the Herald replied as he marched up to Siate’ and offered to lead her to the other Dragons that must be in the southern caves. As they prepared to begin their quest, something still nagged at the mighty She-Dragon. “I don’t think this young Dragon is quite as stupid as Aralt thinks he is…” she murmured to herself as she turned to leave.
As everyone was listening to Griselda (aka the Dowager), it was Snoop who was writing down everything and recording those he saw at this eventful gathering. “Darn quill. Good thing I brought along some charcoal. Don’t want to miss a thing. This will be the biggest scoop in the history of the Bellwether,” he told himself. Taking out the charcoal and a piece of parchment, he began to write down those he recognized for sure. There was the Tree mother, Efem, with her sister Cornelia and Cornelia’s husband Nemmer. Standing near them was Parsley, the herbalist, and her son, Sprout. "Of course," Snoop thought to himself as he observed Granny Flare handing out dragon berry cookies with the three Goodie sisters serving tea. "Glad one can always rely on the Sisters and Granny for making sure we all stay alert and remain calm by feeding us," Snoop thankfully sighed rubbing his tummy. The Baron was seen helping his mother, the Dowager, while Awena of the Sleeping Sisters and the new King of the Trolls, Dulbbe, were quietly whispering to each other. Meanwhile, as the Shadows’ Queen Ffion was seen nodding her head in acknowledgement to the Gooblin King, Hir’aeth, as she entered, Hewy, the troll, was keeping an eye on the Borrower, Arnie. Even the minions were present Snoop noticed. “I saw Scarlet taking care of one of the Nytemares just before I entered. That must have been how Queen Ffion arrived and I see her chief minion Meen is by her side too. Even Drat is here,” he realized. As most everyone was still listening to Griselda speak, Snoop noticed one individual that seemed to be only interested in the portal. Standing near it, Dree was looking at the portal entrance as if something dreadful was going to be stepping out of it. Deciding this would be the perfect time to get to talk to the Dragon (personal interviews always were well received by the Bellwether readers), Snoop stealthily moved over to stand next to the distracted Dragon.
Before Snoop could reply Dree continued, "That is one of my problems as is how does one respect their elders if they have not earned the respect? If the Dragons come through this portal, I am wondering how I will react. I have never met another Dragon. You are all my friends. Even though the Dragons may be part of my heritage, they are still strangers to me. You are my family now…” Snoop was surprised on how much Dree had matured since he had first found out that Granny Flare was caring for a Dragon baby. Now that baby was making the decision of who was is his relatives or his friends. “Dree, you may never have to make that choice. As you said, you have not met any other Dragons before. Give it a chance. You might be surprised and find out that they are more like you than you may think. The Dowager is from the Dragon Clan of old and she doesn’t act anything like Aralt does. Dragons are probably as different from each other as people are.” Dree turned his head to look at Snoop and finally smiled. “You are right. Everything should have it’s chance. Thanks Snoop… oops… Augustus,” blushed the Dragon. Snoop smiled at Dree and then started to laugh. Soon both of them were laughing and it did not take long for everyone else to notice. As Dree was wiping away a tear, it was then he realized that everyone had quit talking and they were all watching him and Snoop. In less than a couple of minutes the Dragon blushed again. “Sorry everyone. I was getting some good advice on what to do if Dragons come through the portal.” Griselda smiled at the two and then asked, “Should we all know what the advice is?” Again, Dree paused before answering. “Yes. I was told that everyone should be given a chance to be trusted. I will stay here until the Dragons come through the portal to ask my questions and see how we are treated because I believe in my friends already, now I will learn if I can I trust my relatives?” That made some of the more nervous in the group a little more confident having a Dragon on their side. Soon everyone was sitting around the Dragon and watching the portal.
|
GreetingsWelcome to my blog. This is where I will reveal the magic of my Fae and their stories and share with you some of the success and pitfalls through the journey of doll making, sculpting, and other crafts that all come back to my dolls in many ways. Archives
May 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Affiliates:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 1993 - 2025 All rights reserved. MisplaceDolls.com and Peddlerscache.com