by V F Sharp
After a few seconds, Ezstasia stopped and looked at everyone.
“When I was in that castle,” she said, “Prince Alazar said there’ve been rumors about that forest for a while now, even before they saw the light from our game. He didn’t know the light was from us, and I didn’t tell him, but he was concerned enough to go and investigate it with his knights. He told me about his ongoing suspicions before I left. People have seen a lot of things in the last few weeks alone.”
“So, they’re already looking into it,” said Ithron. “Good. Let them take care of it. They’re more qualified anyway.”
“That’s not the point,” said Ezstasia. “We are who the prince needs. All of you are the proof that something malevolent is happening in that forest! Nobody in his village has firsthand experience with the evil entities like you did. There’ve only been rumors of sightings. This forest is more dangerous than even they realize. They need to know what they’re dealing with before something happens to someone else.”
“What can they do?” said Meldon. “All the knights in all the kingdoms combined couldn’t do anything to stop dark magic.”
“The prince has access to every scroll imaginable,” said Ezstasia. “Maybe something in those scrolls can help.”
“Wait a minute,” said Ithron. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe the prince is behind all of this himself?”
“That’s ridiculous,” said Ezstasia, appalled at the accusation.
“He has access to the old scrolls. He’s living in Valorian’s Castle, for crying out loud, the very man who died for hoarding magic. We could be walking right into a trap.”
“He has a point,” said Meldon.
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” said Ezstasia. “You weren’t there. The prince is a fair man. I saw evidence of that on more than one occasion. And besides, he rescued me. Shouldn’t that count for something?”
“If this is really true,” said Pallu, “and magic is coming back, I don’t think I’m ready for that. You know the old stories. People died horrible deaths. We need every form of protection we can get.”
“Shouldn’t we still tell the elders so they’re able to prepare and protect themselves?” said Randin.
“If we do that,” said Pallu, “who knows what that may unleash and then we may never get the chance to tell the prince. We can tell them afterward.”
“Let’s make a decision,” said Fin. “Do we go to the castle or not? I say we do. He has the knowledge. He has the men. All those who agree to go to the castle, raise your hand and say ‘aye.’”
Lanzzie considered the options; she trusted her sister’s judgment. She raised her hand.
“Aye,” she said, as she looked around the room.
Pallu and Fin were in favor. Ezstasia was as well, of course. But Zander, Randin, Ithron, and Meldon kept their hands down. Only Jezreel remained hesitant on giving a response. She would be the tiebreaker. Ithron was staring at her.
Just as Jezreel firmly put her hands in her lap, Zander changed his mind and raised his hand, saying, “Aye!”
Randin looked at him. “What are you doing!?”
“You didn’t experience the terror I did with that spider,” said Zander. “If there’s any chance that the prince or anyone in that castle can figure this out, then I’m all for it.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Fin. “We set out in the morning.”
“You mean you set out,” said Ithron. “I’m not going through that forest again.”
“We don’t need to go through the forest,” said Ezstasia. There’s a road that goes through the hillside, west of the forest.”
“I think we should join them,” said Jezreel. “It’s important we stick together.”
“Besides,” said Ezstasia, “yours is the most important story of all. The prince needs to hear it from you.”
Ithron contemplated silently for a long moment, then finally nodded. Lanzzie assumed that he just didn’t want to be apart from Jezreel. But no matter what his reasoning might have been, she was glad that he had agreed to join them.
Lanzzie knew she wouldn’t be getting much sleep that night, because every possible scenario would be playing continuously through her mind. As of tomorrow, they would be bypassing the Cottage elders and going directly to a neighboring prince. They’d be in the former capitol of magic, Old Vynterra, in Valorian’s Castle itself. She had to admit that she was quite excited about seeing the grand kingdom. But then she thought of a possible snag in their plan.
“How are we going to get the rabbits tomorrow?” she said. “That old, crotchety man didn’t look like he wanted to ever see us again.”
“It’s too far to walk,” said Ezstasia.
“Well then, let’s all put our best happy faces on when we greet the old bugger tomorrow,” said Fin. “For now, let’s get some rest.”
“I want it on record,” said Meldon, “that I’m not in favor of going on this unplanned journey. There are already foreseeable risks at hand.”
“Then you better start calculating and planning, Meldon,” said Zander.
“I’ll bring the muffins,” said Pallu. “Just in case.”
“Pallu,” said Zander, “as good as they are, not every problem in life can be solved with muffins.”
“As usual, I think you underestimate the power of delicious food. Especially mine.”
“We’ll see about that,” said Zander.
CHAPTER NINE
As she stood on the dirt road outside the stables, observing the sunrise with the others, Ezstasia’s mind was racing. On one hand, she was excited about the prospect of seeing the prince again as well as being thrilled that her friends would be able to experience the magnificence of the castle alongside her. On the other hand, she was nervous on how the prince would react to their news, or if her friends would be subject to intense questioning about the arrows. There was also the issue of getting the rabbits from the stables. She took a deep breath as she waited, then exhaled, her breath visible in the cool air. She could see Fin pacing back and forth, and the others were getting anxious, too.
“Do we really have to wait for him?” said Zander, as the first rays of the sun began shining through the clouds, providing some much needed warmth. “I don’t understand why he couldn’t just leave with the rest of us.”
“He needed his beauty sleep,” said Randin.
“Here he comes,” said Fin.
Ezstasia looked up to see Pallu walking casually up the hill. She looked at his smiling face and the large sack he was carrying and immediately knew that he brought food for the whole group.
Pallu approached, grinning at everyone as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Late again, are we?” Zander said to Pallu. “How is that even possible? We all slept in the same cottage.”
“Correction, my friend. I may be last, but I’m not late. The sun just came up, so technically, I’m right on time. You, on the other hand, were early, wasting what could’ve been precious sleep time.” He moseyed past Zander toward Fin. “It’s all about energy conservation,” he added.
“Since when does laziness equal energy conservation?” yelled Zander.
“Time to head in there,” said Fin.
Ezstasia took Fin’s signal and began walking toward the stables. The others followed her.
Just as she entered into the stable, she saw Krimp sitting at the registration table talking to one of the stablekeepers. Her nerves were already at their peak when she saw him. As they walked closer to the table, she watched as Mr. Krimp spotted them. He stared intently in their direction, so much so, that he seemed to be ignoring the words of the stable keeper next to him.
She let Fin go first, since he was typically the best conversationalist, and also the calmest.
“Morning, Mr. Krimp,” said Fin, trying to be cheerful and nonchalant.
Krimp stood up, chewing on his piece of straw. A smile formed on the old man’s face.
“It is a good mornin’!”
said Krimp, much more animated than he was the night before. “Here to check out yer rabbits, are ya?”
“Yes, sir,” said Fin.
“And you’ll have them back before dark?”
“We will, sir.”
The old man gazed at him for a moment, then nodded.
“Pendants, everyone,” said Krimp to the group.
Ezstasia wondered why he was being so cordial. This seemed too easy.
Fin held up his pendant and Krimp checked the rabbit footprints on his parchment for a match.
“Get number forty-one,” yelled Krimp to one of the stable keepers standing nearby. “The rabbit named Zon.”
Lanzzie went next, then Meldon. Ezstasia let Ithron, Jezreel and Pallu go before her. Finally, the twins, Randin and Zander approached the table.
Now it was Ezstasia’s turn. She walked to the table as she watched the others’ rabbits being brought out to her friends one by one.
Krimp gave her the biggest grin of all as she lifted her pendant to show him.
“The lady of the hour,” he said, his crooked yellow teeth showing.
“I won’t have Tia out so long this time, I promise.”
“Oh I know ya won’t,” he said. “Matter of fact, ya won’t have ‘er out at all.”
“What do you mean? We’re all going out together. I need her. I got her back safe and sound, you said so yourself.”
“Correction, lassie. I said she appeared to be no worse fer wear. I won’t know fer sure how sound she is until the waitin’ period is over.”
“What waiting period!? Who made that rule?” Now she could feel her face growing red.
He laid a parchment on the table and turned it around for her to see.
“Article seven, section three, line twenty-three. See fer yerself.” He grinned and looked up at her, obviously enjoying this far too much.
“Any rabbit kept out overnight,” he added, “must undergo a three day waitin’ period to fully assess their health.”
“Mr. Krimp, I can read,” she said. She glanced over and saw Fin talking with Randin and Zander. The three of them kept looking over at her. Their rabbits were with the rest of the group, further back. Then Fin approached.
“Sir,” said Fin, “first—I must say that’s a nice straw.”
“What’re ya gettin’ at, lad? Out with it.”
Ezstasia was wondering herself what Fin was doing.
“I know rules are important and everything,” said Fin. “I mean we all have rules to live by and all. And I understand that this rule was created to protect the rabbits because after all, they’re delicate creatures. Aren’t they so delicate? They’re just beautiful crea—”
“That’s it. Yer tryin’ my patience now.”
Ezstasia tried appealing to his sensitivity, if he even had any. “Look, sir,” she said. “It’s really important that I check out Tia so that I can ride with my friends. Otherwise, I’ll be left completely alone for the entire day. I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
“I’ll take good care of her, too,” said Krimp. “And that starts with followin’ these rules.”
“I think what she’s trying to say,” said Fin, “is that it would mean so much to us if you could overlook this rule just this once?”
“Have ya gone mad?” said Krimp. “Let me tell ye somethin’.”
He leaned forward.
“I had the highest of hopes,” he said, “that ye might all come in today, just so I could exercise me duties to enforce this rule. Ye said yer peace. Now I’ll say mine. After all the games ye ladies an’ gents have been playin’? I don’t think I’ll be overlookin’ anything this day. So me answer is no. You may not take out the rabbit in question.”
“Sir,” said Ezstasia, “I will not t—”
“What she means to say,” said Fin, interrupting her, “is that we will not trouble you any further with this. We understand.”
Ezstasia stared daggers at him. “What do you mean we—”
“Ezstasia, let’s be respectful of this gentleman here,” said Fin. “Come on, let’s head outside.”
“But Fin—”
“We’ll deal with it. He’s just trying to do his stable master duties. Let’s just go.”
“A smart man,” said Krimp. “Ye heard him. Run along.”
Ezstasia wasn’t ready to give up so easily, but Fin grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the exit. On her way out, she glared at Mr. Krimp, who returned the same look while chewing on his straw.
“What are you doing!?” she said to Fin. “We need my rabbit today. This is too important to wait on, just because some old crank refuses to break the rules.”
“Give the guy a break,” said Fin. “It’s not his fault that he can’t break the rules.”
“Are you crazy!?” she said.
Fin smiled. “I said he couldn’t break the rules. I didn’t say we couldn’t. Turn around.”
Ezstasia turned around to see a smiling Zander, holding Tia by the collar. In the midst of all the distraction, somehow the twins had managed to sneak her out of the barn.
“Your steed, m’lady,” said Zander.
“Let’s get out of here before they notice,” said Fin.
Just as he said that, two stable keepers came running out from the stables.
Ezstasia jumped on Tia and grabbed the reins, while Fin and Zander did the same with their rabbits.
“Follow them!” yelled Krimp, emerging from the stable doors.
Ezstasia kicked her legs to get Tia moving faster. “Run, girl!”
The stable keepers were almost upon them, but then the rabbits picked up speed. The rest of the group were already ahead on their rabbits.
“Keep moving,” yelled Fin, up ahead.
Ezstasia could see Zander, Meldon and the others to Fin’s right. The only one she didn’t see was Pallu.
She looked back and saw the stable keepers throw their hands up in defeat as they turned around.
“We’re clear!” she yelled to Fin and the others.
Once they were out in the open field, Ezstasia caught up and they all paused to give the rabbits a rest.
“Where’s Pallu?” she said.
“Don’t tell me he’s still back there,” said Fin.
Ezstasia called for Pallu. No answer. This was bad. They needed to get out of there before the stable keepers caught up. After all, the keepers may have gone to get their horses.
“It took you guys long enough,” said Pallu, emerging with Thumps from a row of bushes.
“How did you get here?” said Zander.
“I left the stables as soon as I got Thumps. We came to our favorite spot to have a little snack. How did everything go?”
“Are you crazy?!” said Zander. “We all thought you didn’t make it out.”
“I told you,” said Pallu. “Energy conservation.”
* * * *
Once they were far enough from the stables and couldn’t see any of the stable workers behind them, Ezstasia began to feel a little safer, though she still felt uneasy. After what they just did –it was likely that they’d never be allowed to take the rabbits out again. And who knows what kind of trouble they’d be in when they returned. But these were unusual times, and life itself was at stake—not only for them, but also for their neighbors and all the Cottage people. They would have to understand that. She determined that the outcome of this would greatly depend on the prince’s reaction and how she and her cohorts were received in Old Vynterra.
“Worried?” said Lanzzie, coming up to ride beside her.
“Everything’s changed so much in so little time,” she said. “I feel like our whole lives are upside down.”
“There’s no going back now. But for what it’s worth, I think we’re doing the right thing.”
“Of course, we’re doing the right thing!” said Pallu, as he rode up beside them. “We’re like brave warriors. We may even go down in history.”
Lanzzie smiled.
“I’m
serious,” said Pallu. “Our journey will be in books one day. I can just picture a beautiful painting of me hanging over mantels of the rich, the poor and everyone in between. Can’t you envision it? I can.”
“Uh, right,” said Zander from behind them. “In your mom’s house maybe. And that’s a maybe.”
“Ye of little faith,” said Pallu. “We might end up saving all of the Human Lands.”
“I hope not,” said Ezstasia. “I mean let’s just hope that there’s nothing they need saving from.”
Pallu shrugged. “Well, if they do, they’re lucky to have us. On another note, I think a few rounds of By the Falls of Old Vynterra are in order. Who’s in? C’mon Zander, you like singing.”
As they rode on, Pallu led the group in a rendition of the old folk song. Ezstasia thought of the song in a whole new light, now that she’d actually seen the falls. And soon enough, her sister and friends would also see its beauty.
* * * *
They continued riding north throughout the morning, making stops as planned. It wasn’t until the early evening that Ezstasia started recognizing her surroundings. Soon, they came to the fork in the road that she had been waiting for.
“We take the left path,” she said. “It’s the back way into the kingdom, but it’s the only way I know. The right path would take us through the forest.”
“Left path,” said Zander. “Definitely the left path.”
They continued for a while along the path, which wasn’t so easy for their rabbits because it was a gradual incline the entire way. Eventually, they came to a steep hill, and she knew the moment had arrived. They were approaching Old Vynterra at last.
“We’re almost there,” she said, beginning to wonder if this was a good idea.
As they reached the peak of the hill, she could see a tree-lined path up ahead, their upper branches connecting to form a natural tunnel. She remembered going through that path on her way back to the Cottages. Just beyond it lay Old Vynterra’s Western Gate.
As they descended the hill and made their way through the tunnel of trees, everyone became silent. Even Ezstasia couldn’t help but think back to the forest and its ancient trees. These looked just as old.
