Nemmer is found...

​​“Another couple of bends in the trail and I should be finally at Efem’s,” muttered Nemmer, still upset about losing his mask.  “At least I did not run into any Dusty Mytes on my way here.”  Not that he remembered anyway…

​Nemmer soon walked around the last bend of the trail and could see Efem’s tree grove.  A little further and soon he spied Efem… and she had Dusty Mytes with her!  “Oh no… and me without my mask for protection!” he thought.  As he was pondering what to do, Efem saw him on the trail and waved to him to come over. ​

​Not taking his eyes off of the Dusty Mytes, he slowly picked his way over.  As he came nearer, the Dusty Mytes slowly rolled closer to Efem, making a trail for him.

​ “What are you doing with these dangerous creatures?”

​​“I was so worried about you!" she told him with a look of relief.  “When the Dusty Mytes told me that something had happened to you, I was getting concerned and was about to send a message to your wife.”

​“I am glad you didn't.  The last thing I need is for you to call your sister.  You can see I am fine," Nemmer replied as he diligently watched the Dusty Mytes making sure that they did not try anything.  

​​“Oh Nemmer! They just want to apologize to you,” she answered. 

“Apologize?  To me?  What for?” he stammered, surprised and suspicious both at the same time.  “What’s their game?  Everyone knows that they make you forget things?”

​“Well, I don’t know exactly what happened on your way here, but, from what I can understand is that YOU attacked them.  The poor little dears had to defend themselves and in the scuffle you lost your mask.”

​​“So they took my mask!  I will get them for that!” growled Nemmer.

He was madder now than he was when he realized his mask was gone.  For now he knew that it was the Dusty Myte’s who took it.  Before he could reach out and start grabbing Dusty Mytes, Efem spoke in her mother’s voice. "Now Nemmer stop that and behave!"  When she used that voice it could stop any disobedient child in mid-step to listen up and behave - Nemmer froze. 

​“Now you will listen and be quiet.  They came to apologize for dusting you but you did attack them first.  And secondly, they are returning your mask that YOU dropped," she told him as she handed him his mask.  Nemmer did not know what to say and for a moment stood staring at the Dusty Mytes, his mask, and then to Efem.

​​“You are telling me that they dusted me and made me forget because I attacked them?  They were waiting to ambush me…”  Efem shook her head no.  “You startled them when you came upon them and they defended themselves.  They were not even looking for you.”

​After a long pause and in a tiny little voice, Nemmer muttered that he was sorry.  “What was that?  I didn’t quite hear what you said,” Efem glared at him.  “I am sorry for attacking the Dusty Mytes and I won’t do it again if they leave me alone,” he repeated.

​​Efem concentrated for a second to hear the Dusty Mytes answer.  “They tell me they will honor the peace between you and them if you quit picking them up and bopping them on the head.  Now that you have your mask back, tell me why you were coming here in the first place.”

​​“I don’t remember,” Nemmer started to tell her... then a smile spread across his face.  “Just kidding.  Your sister sent me here and I wish I could forget why.  Have you seen The Cat?"