Not everyone else was smiling though. Especially not the town council members who had glanced at each other when Aralt had disappeared behind his doors and now started back to the council chambers. They definitely needed to talk. Shortly all of them were sitting around the conference table thinking about what to say at the meeting. Each of the councilors had their chief minion there in case an errand or message needed to be delivered awaiting in the chairs spaced against the wall of the chamber. Even if they were longingly gazing at the buffet table that Granny Flare and Cornelia had setup for everyone to snack on, they understood the importance of the events of day. Finally it was the Dowager who started the conversation. "Well, that went well." Those four words were all it took to get everyone talking at the same time. "Who would have thought he would be so short and I don't just mean in stature," snapped one member. "How can he think I will let him stay on the grounds of my castle," growled Queen Ffion. "What are we going to do now?" both Awena and Dulbbe silently thought to themselves as they listened to the others talk.
Each of the council members sat quietly, thinking about the Baron's question. Indeed, what do we do now? It was a quandary. "There is one thing we probably should do," grumbled Nemmer as he watched the others staring at each other around the table. "Maybe we need to hide Dree until we know more about this Herald business." It took a minute, as the others were heavy in thought about the situation, before they realized what Nemmer had just muttered. "Nemmer is right," smiled the Dowager. "Dree should be hidden until we know enough about Aralt before they meet. We don't want the two of them to get off on the wrong foot. But I also don't think they should meet until we find out what the Herald's plans are first." After a short discussion, the rest of the council agreed with the Dowager, but who to send? For they needed to distract Dree and to keep him away until the council had their chance to find out Aralt's plan and that wouldn't be easy. "I could send Meen," volunteered Queen Ffion as Meen jumped from her chair when she heard her name. "No disrespect to you or your minion, Queen Ffion," answered Awena, " But we need someone who might be able to distract Dree as to the arrival of the Herald but not spill the beans about him. Meen would get so caught up playing and probably tell Dree everything since she is a twiddletop when it comes to keeping secrets." The conversation continued for some time, going back and forth on who would be best to inform the Dragon, but it wasn't until Dulbbe, the Troll King, made his offer before they selected the messenger.
Realizing that his boss was both correct and actually giving him a compliment, Drat blushed slightly and bowed his head. "As you command Sire," he replied as he departed on his errand. "Well, it got me out of what looked like a long and boring meeting," thought Drat as he darted down the street to the caves under the Baron's mansion all the time working up a plan to keep the Dragon busy without letting him know he was being hidden away again for now. "I wonder if I can get him into a game of Tic Tac Toe? That could take a while if he doesn't know that secret. But I will definitely need to let him know that it doesn't require body parts or eating."
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"What are we to do now?" replied one member followed by "What do you think he will look like?" from another council member. In the middle of all this chaotic noise, Fiddlefaddle leaned over towards the Baron. Being the Baron's all around handy man and procurator of travel arrangements he quietly asked, "Do you know where he will be staying since we don't have what the Outies call a hotel here in our small village?" With that small question, the noise stopped instantly in the council chamber that one could have heard a pin drop if one was listening for that pin. Finally, Nemmer was the one who broke the silence. "There is a room over at the Rusty Nail Pub. I was just there this past week with my fellow archers and I am sure I heard the owner mention he had a spare room available." Which of course set up another flow of highly opinionated views on that suggestion.
"No, I don't think that is a good idea," replied Awena. "I walked by there on my way to the council meeting and heard that the little old lady that owns the place just picked up a set of Peerrots (in the Outie world would be known as parrots) that squeal 'Rise & Shine and Git Out' every morning now. I don't think we want our guest to think we don't want him here," continued Awena. At that moment a golden coach pulled up in front of the Village Council's building. All the members stood in anticipation for the Herald to exit the coach. As he did he simple stepped down, gave everyone a cold look, paid the coach driver, and then turned towards the center of the Village as if looking for something. He then proceeded to walk off and left without a word of acknowledgement or greeting as the coach departed in the opposite direction. So, just like the Pied Piper in tales of old, the Herald continued walking down the center of the small village neither looking left nor right with the Council members (now with a few curious villagers who were wondering where the parade was going and what was it for) all following behind him. Little did they know that Aralt was focusing on the ley lines of the area. He could feel them and though it had been many many years since being here, especially without the Dragons to feed them, the lines were still here, though very faint.
"If he thinks he is staying at my castle without an invitation or greeting, I don't think so!" Ffion growled to herself as the crowd all turned towards the Shadows' Queen castle. They all continued walking down the road like a gaggle of geese following the Herald's lead as he walked into the courtyard of the Shadows' Queen's castle and proceeded to the back upper garden where several of those following soon realized it was the same garden where the young Wish Dragon had transformed into a Moon Dragon. Aralt then went past the waterfalls (that covered the entrance to the secret cave that held the Dragon tablet recently taken by a Borrower) towards a wall covered with bramble vines that grow only in a darker corner of the garden. With his arms raised and the stone in the locket glowing that he always carried with him, Aralt spoke. " Rise to the left. Shift to the right. Reveal these doors to my Sight." Magically the brambles began to pull to the left with some shifting to the right, soon a massive stone door appeared that slowly opened for him. Apparently, by everyone's stunned reaction, Aralt realized that most of these simple people didn't know about the Dragons' Cave below. He finally decided to address the crowd of followers and turned to face them. "Excuse me. This is where I'll be staying. It has been a long day. I will meet with you tomorrow," and with that walked through the now open doorway with them shutting behind him. All the villagers stood there stunned with their mouths hanging open, wondering just what had happen.
Now she could focus on the real problem. She realized what she needed to do. "I should have thought of this earlier," she mumbled to herself. "Maybe it's time to talk to the trees. After all they were here when the Dragons were plentiful. As a Tree Mother, I should have thought of this before now," Efem continued to herself. " I will make time now to go to the Sacred Grove." Earlier, before Nemmer delivered his good news, Efem had received a Flutterby from the Dowager. Griselda told her about the scroll and how she had seen the Herald named Aralt in her vision. "I'm old, but even I don't remember anyone named Aralt," Efem thought. "Maybe this Herald can help us when the Dragons arrive." Now that she had a plan, Efem started her preparations. "One doesn't just walk into the Sacred Grove and ask questions." she mumbled to herself as she started looking for some necessary items. "First I need a small satchel bag to carry everything."
Nemmer would not admit it to anyone, being a little stubborn, but sometimes he liked fighting with The CAT. "Now that stupid CAT has me thinking about him just because he had to go and do something noble," Nemmer grumbled to himself with a slight pang of annoyance and a touch of nostalgia rumbling around in his chest. "Durn fool CAT. Why did you let that stupid troll pull you into that portal? You could have blinked out of there and gotten away," growled Nemmer as he was thinking about what the others told him had happened. "If I had found Hungry, then I would have been there to save you," Nemmer whispered to himself as he leaned his back against an old oak tree. So, that was it! Nemmer was feeling guilty about not being there and possibly saving The CAT. "If I was a better hunter, I would have found that Dragon first," moaned the archer. "Maybe I am not as good as I thought I was," he said as he slumped down the side of the tree to sit on the grass by the trunk.
While he was standing under it and trying to see through it, another apple fell out and almost hit him again. "Ha! Missed!" crowed Nemmer prematurely as another one fell out of the portal and smacked him again before it closed and disappeared. It was as he was rubbing his sore head and looking at the last apple that had hit him he now was holding in his hand when the realization struck him. "He's alive! That blasted CAT is okay! I've got to tell Cornelia and Efem. They will both be happy to hear that their CAT is still out there causing mischief and mayhem." It was with that thought Nemmer picked up the rest of his arrows (for an Archer of the Elfshot Guild would do no less) and started out to the cottage he shared with his wife Cornelia. And where was The CAT and what mischief was he getting into... well, that is another story.
Everyone is reading all about it!!! Snoop got the scoop! The truth behind the strange sightings in the Wandering Woods (or at least the foot prints and strange lights anyway) has been discovered. Several days ago Snoop volunteered to search out the Woods to discover the strange reports that had been coming in. What he has discovered will change everything in the Realms and you are reading it here first!
Taking a break from his many duties at the stable, Scarlet was spending a minute reading the latest edition of the Bellwether. “Did you see this Meen?” asked the farrier to the jumping Pyksee. Before Meen could answer he continued, “Your Dragon friend has been discovered to be lose in the Woods and will be making an appearance at the Magical Wishing Well out back behind the King’s Castle today. Let’s go see how he’s been doing but first you should tell the Shadows' King.”  … and yes readers, we too will have a representative of the Bellwether on hand at the meeting to keep you informed as to what transpires at the Magical Wishing Well.
Now, as everyone who has ever lived with a cat (you don't own a cat - you just live with it), that a cat has a mind of it's own. Add a touch of magic, the ability to talk, and a cat attitude - things become even more interesting. Especially with a cat that has a twisted sense of humor!
The CAT quickly sauntered (cats do not just walk anywhere) over to the Twitter birds' pond and summoned who could be calling him...  It was that wizard Dewin's Spite looking into a mirror. "Why would she be searching for me?" The CAT pondered. "I haven't bothered a Spite before..." As he said this, he realized that this was something new and not boring!!! Instantly he knew where the Spite was and that it was very close. "Close enough for just a short magical spring" decided The CAT. So, as Sprigg'n was deciding whether to search for The CAT or go and tell Dewin what she had discovered (both about the Wish Dragon and her new names), The CAT suddenly appeared sitting on the trail in front of her. There was no 'POOF' of magic - just a smug looking cat smiling at the Spite like it was soon to be a meal. "I have heard of you," Spite smiled back, "and your mischief. What do you want from me?"
Little do they all realize, but this unique meeting could shape the entire future of both the Realm of Wymsy and the Shadows' Realm.
The celebration honors spring at its peak and the coming summer but also gives everyone a terrific reason to be outside after the long winter months. Singing, dancing, and Maypoles will be everywhere. Then, of course, there will be the big bonfire when it starts to get dark where stories and more singing occurs.
As he worked on the tune, he pulled out his drumsticks and started tapping them on the stump. A magpie bird that had been sitting in a tree looked down on him when he started thumping on the stump, but realizing he did not have any food to share, promptly began to ignore him.
"No I haven't heard of nor seen anything out of the ordinary recently," replied Hewy, "other than your CAT." Nemmer replied as he stomped his foot, "It's not my CAT! If it wasn't for the stupid Petal Post from the Sleeping Sisters, I could be back at my cottage practicing my archery instead of looking for Hungry."
"It's a deal. Put away those drumsticks of yours and lets go see if we find some real ones to eat," Nemmer answered hungrily. As they walked off to find lunch, Nemmer could hear Hewy humming a song. "What's that your humming," he asked. "Oh, it's a little something that I heard the other day and seeing you reminded me of the little tune. It goes something like this." One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told. Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten for a bird, You must not miss. Nemmer started chuckling causing Hewy to ask what was so funny. "Well, of course I have to be the tenth bird that you shouldn't miss!" replied Nemmer. "There seems to be a prophecy hidden in your song, Hewy. What do you think?"
"You know I can't read those Petal Posts without sneezing my head off," Nemmer growled. "Plus you know The Sleeping Ladies would get me banned from the Golden Guild if they thought a male knew how to read those flowery posts." “Oh that... well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is this. We need you to go hunting," she told him. "Yes Ma'am. I am your best choice! What do you want me to bring home for dinner?" Nemmer replied. Cornelia was shaking her head NO as she stomped her foot. "You aren't listening to me." By now Efem finally caught up with her as Cornelia said, "I don't want you to kill something but to find..."  Efem, figuring Cornelia has already told Nemmer about the Petal Post, jumped into the conversation "We need you to hunt a Dragon". The look on their faces and the serious way Efem had said it, Nemmer decided they weren't kidding. "You want me to kill a Dragon! Are you both NUTS?" he yelled. "I may be a great hunter, but A DRAGON? And now that I think about it, what I am to do? Send you a Petal Post to let you know that I have been eaten?" After he had finished, Efem smiled and continued as if he had just agreed to go. "I understand he is a very friendly Dragon. The Shadows' King sent him to a teacher here in the forest, but you need to find him first and you must be very careful. He is a young Wish Dragon and you know the trouble they can cause if not properly trained."
"And what about The CAT?" Nemmer asked. "Can I use him for bait?" The "glare" he got from his wife and her sister was definitely a loud and resounding "NO". They did not even have to say it and he got the picture. "You may need The CAT though to talk to the Dragon," Efem replied. Now Cornelia was surprised and turned to look at Efem as did Nemmer. "You mean The CAT can talk? Oh, he and I are going to have a conversation when this Dragon business is all over," she growled.
“You do know The CAT is my cat," Efem purred teasingly at her sister.
There had to be a special place in the Dark Troll Grotto for sisters who knew just enough on how to be annoying – but as she was family, she just had to keep her... Cornelia lovingly sighed. Oh... and she loved her younger sister but younger sisters can be such saplings. If Cornelia hadn't been there when Efem had been born, she would have sworn that the Tree Nymphs had switched her with a Changeling. As if being called ‘Corny’ wasn't bad enough, Efem also had to needle her about her cooking - some things are too much!
Hearing this Efem lit up and replied, "Yes, I am taking My cat with me." Smiling to herself because Nemmer did not even realize that he helped save her and 'win' this round. She knew that both Cornelia and her loved these little sisters' discussions for no one knew her better than her sister and that their love for each other ran very root deep.  |
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