by c a king
“That explains all the rain we have been having.” He tried to not laugh but instead ended up letting out a snort starting the two giggling again.
“Let me see what you have read so far.”
Nathan shared two books with her and over the next few hours he continued to read then share. In between, the two discussed some interesting points in one book or another. They talked about what the different shades of a pixie's wings meant, what a plane was and how big a world had to be to need to use one and how to find a dark elf that was cloaked in invisibility. Occasionally they spoke in different languages they had learnt from the books. They were at just over seventy of them and they hadn't even made a dent in the first shelf.
Willow went into the forest for a few minutes. “Kiera, Aslo are you there?” she asked.
'We are always here,' Kiera answered.
“Is there a room downstairs that isn't being used? One that Nathan could rest in if he gets tired?” she asked whispering.
'Yes the one past yours is empty. He could use that,' Aslo responded. 'Oh and you don't have to speak out loud. We can still hear your thoughts.'
“Right,” she said still whispering. “I forgot for a moment.”
She returned with a basket of fruit, which she set on the stone table.
Nathan eyes bulged, glistening at the sight of the fresh produce. “Thank goodness I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to see food again,” he said taking a bit out of an apple.
“A little dramatic don't you think?” she said.
After eating, she showed him how to find the staircase and his room if he was tired. Nathan's comments about being hungry made her think about the others. It was time for her to go back and make sure they had food as well. After assuring him he would be safe and that she would be back as soon as possible, she headed to town.
Stepping into the forest she heard a playful whisper, “Ready to see what you can do?”
Willow smiled. Her eyes opened wide to take in what lay before her, a world she had only partially seen before. The tree in front of her swayed as if bowing and then branches formed a staircase for her to climb. She reached the top and peeked her head up above the tree line.
From beneath her she could hear a whispering, “Go ahead, we won't let you fall.”
With that, she stepped on the branches and leaves taking her first steps across the top of the forest. It was beautiful, the sun shining and wind tickling her face. She lay down, rolled around, taking in the different scents of each of the trees beneath her. Then she lay motionless on her back, her arms and legs outstretched, enjoying the feeling of the branches beneath her moving slowly in the wind, massaging her body gently. She closed her eyes. Visions of her friends entered her mind. Suddenly she realized time had been passing and she hadn't accomplished anything she had hoped to. Standing up, she ran towards where the forest bordered town.
Chapter Nine
Jade decided to go into town earlier than the rest of her friends today. She was still ecstatic about how well the dance had gone the night before. Even the short downpour couldn't ruin her victory. But she had one last conquest to make. She would have what she wanted and show that town of ingrates their place, beneath her.
She had a skip to her walk as she came down the lane, carrying a closed basket on her arm and completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Most of the town's population was standing in the middle of the road. She smiled as she passed them, stopping at Mr. and Mrs. Shinning with Victoria in tow.
“Good morning, are your boys up?” she asked, not even noticing the solemn looks on their faces.
“They are inside,” Opaque answered without looking at her.
She thanked them and continued on to their house. Opening the door, her eyes fixed on a glass case elegantly displaying the jewelry that had been made for Willow to wear to the dance. A devious smile crossed her face as she walked by and called out for the brothers. Pete answered her, extending his hand to offer her a seat in the visiting room behind the shop area.
“Where are your brothers?” she asked. “I brought you some more cake.”
Pete's eyes widened at the thought of the food she was offering. He had never liked sweets very much, but this was like nothing he had tasted before. Just the thought of it made his mouth water and his heart race. His adrenaline was pumping, he needed to have it, needed it now, more than anything in the world. He yelled for his brothers in a booming voice, letting them know Jade had brought more of the cake. His mouth filled with saliva as he watched her bring the baked delicacy out from the basket that adorned her arm. The other two boys were there in a flash, both experiencing the same reaction as their brother.
Jade served them each a piece, watching carefully as they quickly devoured it. As she filled their plates again, finishing the rest of the cake, she mentioned that there were some things that would make her happy, very happy. The boys, still consumed by the food before them, didn't answered her. A look of aggravation crossed her face which she quickly changed back to a pleasant smile as she pulled out a second cake from her basket.
“I thought you boys might be extra hungry today, we were out so late and all,” she said watching the boy's eyes following the cake as she set it on the table.
When the boys had almost finished the cake, Jade spoke again. “You fellas happy?” she asked.
The three brothers' attention switched to the girl in front of them. They nodded longing for more words to sing to them. Jade wouldn't disappoint them.
“I wish I could be happy. Until this sadness is banished from my life, I can not give an answer as to who I will chose to live out the rest of my life with. I want to, but I just can't think of such joy,” she said, her face wet with fake tears.
“What can I do to make you feel the same joy your presence gives me?” Jessie asked kneeling before her. “Name the task. There is nothing I wouldn't do to see your beautiful face smile again.”
Turning her head and faking more tears, she replied speaking to them all, “Perhaps.” She paused for a moment letting the brothers hang on her word with anticipation. “The dress and jewelry that were made for Willow for the dance, I cried for days when I found out such beauty would be worn by someone else. If I could just wear them and feel worthy of such items.” She sighed.
That was enough for the boys who rushed out to the front shop. Jessie and Dezi began fighting each other, tugging the jewelry case back and forth, while Pete slipped out the door and headed to the seamstress's shop. He found the black dress lying on the counter. Without a word to anyone, it was in his arms. He didn't even stop to notice the state of his parents' shop, filled with broken glass and destroyed furniture, or his brothers still battling. He slipped past to present Jade with her prize.
Jade held up the dress and smiled. Folding it neatly, she packed it safely away in her basket. The two other boys emerged, bruised and cut, each carrying items she longed for. Dezi presented her with the necklace and earrings, while Jessie had the hair piece.
“For me?” She squealed with delight putting the pieces into her basket and closing the lid. “This is so much to process. You all have made me so happy. I have to think about my choices, but I will have an answer for you tomorrow. Until then dream of our time together.”
The boys sat back with silly lovestruck smiles on their faces as they watched the object of their affections leave.
Jade had a quick skip to her step, smiling ear to ear. She stopped to pick up food for the day, when she realized the stands were empty. Turning around she saw the whole town standing behind her. She walked closer and asked, “Where is the vegetable girl?”
“We don't know,” Clairity answered. ”She has been gone since last night.”
“I see,” Jade replied with a shrug, continuing her walk to the castle without a thought or care.
Most of the Council members were gathered at a table in the dining room deciding who would go into town today for supplies when Jade walked in.
&
nbsp; “Where have you been so early today?” her mother asked.
“I went to town to thank the boys for such a wonderful evening,” she said still beaming from the prizes hidden in her basket.
“You should have brought back some fruit,” her father said without looking at her.
“I tried, but couldn't. The useless girl ran away or something,” she responded with a couldn't care less tone.
“What have you done?” Nebulah demanded.
“What have I done?” Anger spiked in Jade's voice. “What have I done? I can't help it if I am more beautiful than her. How is that my fault. I am sure she just went off to pout her date decided he wanted to be with me more than her.”
“Didn't you have enough dates last night without one more? Couldn't you let that girl have a little bit of happiness? Did I bring you up to feel nothing?” Her mother waved one hand in front of her face as if it were a fan, her mouth slightly open. She looked upwards attempting to stop tears from falling.
“You brought me up to see that we are far better than those losers. That we deserve to be treated better and have everything we want. None of them deserve to make me or anyone else from the castle feel inferior and in no way should those people show us up or make fools of us and, let's face it, lately that's all they have been doing while you sit here and do nothing. They need to be put in their place. All I did is what this Council hasn't had the nerve to do,” Jade said a green fire burning in her eyes.
“How dare you pretend you know the business of this Council and try to hide your deeds behind its name.” Malarchy stood, fury written on his face. “You will go to your room and remain there until a proper punishment has been decided on. Do not test me further child.”
Jade let out a little scream and left for her room.
Malarchy stood silent for a few moments staring at the still blank wall before speaking. “Nyssa, Zebulon, Nebulah, would you please take a few guards into town? See if you can find out what happened. Assess the damage and see if the guards can harvest any food from Willow's gardens. Although I fear not.”
“Why wouldn't they be able to pick our food for us?” Aurora asked.
Malarchy chuckled. “Do you really think that much food grows naturally every day? That fruit trees have new fruit every day? No, I am afraid it was the girl who made it happen. That is why I let her remain on her own and not join the orphanage years ago. Without her, we could all starve.”
“There is still the bakery, Malarchy,” Aurora added.
This time he laughed. “The bakery, yes well out back of the bakery is a plot of land where the grains grow that the bakery uses to make its food. Who do you think makes them grow everyday? And then there is the matter of the weather.”
“The weather?” Nyssa asked as if surprised.
“Yes the weather,” he answered. “Since the day that child was born we have enjoyed bright skies, warm temperatures, only adequate rainfall and at the same time everyday, while we sleep so it disturbs nothing. The sun sets and rises at the same time.”
“Are you saying she controls the weather as well and did so as a baby?” Nyssa asked.
“That is exactly what I am saying. She is a terraformer, a rare ability, not to mention it has been with her since her birth. Something we have never seen before. No, I am afraid if we can't somehow fix this mess, things will get bad. The sooner you get going, the faster we can try to resolve this. The rest of us will work on alternate plans taking the worst scenario into mind.”
When Nebulah, Zebulon, Nyssa and the four guards reached the city, they found the town still congregated in the street. They approached the gathering, sending everyone back to their homes, while the guards looked at the gardens. Some of the townsfolk had moved to their porches but were still watching as the guards returned with bad news. There was nothing growing...nothing at all. Not even a fruit tree, just plain open space.
A chilling scream came from the Shinning house. The Council members hurried to the door and let themselves in. At first glance one might have thought the sight of their front shop was enough to let out such a screech of terror as had just been heard. Glass lined the floor, all of the display cases were destroyed, there was damage to the walls and windows, but after carefully stepping through the mess they saw the Shinnings kneeling over their three sons on the floor. The boys were all having some sort of seizure. The three were all unconscious with a froth coming from their mouths.
“Send for Micca!” Nebulah yelled to the guards behind her. “And quickly there is no time to waste. Your fastest must go.”
“Help is on its way,” Nyssa said to Augusto. “Can you tell us what happened?”
“I don't know. We were outside with the others. The only one who came by was Jade,” he answered.
Opaque stood picked up the broken case which had held Willow's jewelry, looked at the bits of cake left on the table, then turned to Nebulah. “Your daughter did this,” she said
“I don't think now is the time for accusations.”
“The things we made for Willow for the dance are gone...stolen. She threatened she would have them no matter what the cost.” Opaque picked up a plate and took it to Jade's mother. “This cake...she brought it here this morning.”
No one had noticed Martha was standing in the background until she added, “The dress I made Willow is gone as well.”
“Stay here,” Nebulah said to Nyssa and Zebulon. “I will take a guard and return to the castle. If my daughter is involved I will find out.”
Leaving, she almost bumped into Willow, who had come over to see what all the commotion was about.
It only took one look inside for her to see the three boys convulsing on the floor. “What's wrong with them,” she shrieked. “Victoria, she could help. She can heal.”
She felt a hand fall on her shoulder and turned to see Micca behind her. He pushed past and knelt over the boys.
“She can't help,” Micca said. “It's not anything a healer can cure. They have consumed a potion of some sort. The only way to save them now is to find out what the ingredients were and make a counter potion.”
“Who would do this? Why?” Willow asked.
Augusto answered. “We think it was Jade.”
“Is this over me? Did she do this because of me?” Her eyes stung. The pain of the realization that she had been the reason her friends were hurt was too much for her.
Zebulon put his arm around her. “Come now child, you need some air. Let's not have tears and flood the town. We will figure this out. How about you tend to some food for the rest of the townsfolk. There are hungry, scared people.”
Willow looked at him with a blank stare and stepped outside. He knew what she could do. What she didn't understand was why the people didn't just go harvest their own food. She stumbled across the road, still in shock from the sight of the boys and round to her garden. It was empty. She stood dumfounded. There was nothing there.
Clairity and Ashlyn had come to her side. They both were just as shocked by the sight of the empty fields, but what came next was even more unusual.
Willow stood tall raising her arms above her head. What looked like a golden dust rained down on the field. Within seconds there were bountiful fruit trees, bushes of berries, vines with grapes and vegetables of all types fully grown and ready to pick. She turned taking only one step towards her friends. The weight of the day's events became too much for her. Her legs buckled, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Chapter Ten
Nebulah walked right by the other Council members and into the castle. She was keeping a fast pace which didn't slow once inside. She climbed the staircase and went straight to Jade's room. Flinging her daughter's door open, she moved to the bed.
“What are these?” she demanded pointing to the missing items from town.
“Can't knock?” Jade snarled back at her.
“What is going on here?” Malarchy having seen his wife return, followed her. He was standing at the door looking in.
Nebulah turned to him. “These items were stolen from town today,” she said choking back tears.
“They were gifts, daddy, from the Shinning brothers. Go ask them,” she said giving her mother a look of disgust.
“He can't ask them. They are unconscious and having seizures, all three. The only one to see them today was you Jade,” Nebulah replied. “What did you do?”
“Don't be so dramatic mother. I am sure they will be fine tomorrow,” Jade said without concern.
“If something happens to those boys and you have information that can save them.” Her mother's words cut off as she grabbed the dress and gems off her daughter's bed.
“Hey, those are mine. What do you think you are doing?” Jade yelled.
“Returning them to their owners,” Nebulah replied. She was about to leave when Nyssa appeared behind Malarchy.
“I am afraid there is bad news. The boys ingested some form of a potion. Without an ingredients list, they won't make it,” Nyssa said as she passed Malarchy in the doorway and looked at the items Nebulah was holding. All three turned their attention to the girl.
“Why are you looking at me?” Jade demanded. “Fine, it wasn't poison. It was just a little love potion and I didn't make it.” She looked straight at Nyssa and added, “If you want to know what was in it, why don't you ask Camile. Their fate is her fault, not mine.”
“You have broken so many rules...”
Jade interrupted her father with a cold voice. “So change them. That's what the Council does isn't it? Makes things fit the way they want them to?”
“You have no idea what you have done. I am not sure we can help you out of this mess.” Her father had a sadness in his voice, something Jade hadn't heard before.
“I can't believe you are my daughter,” her mother sobbed.
“I wish you were dead,” Jade yelled back at her in a fit of anger.
The three Council members left the room and locked the door behind them. They found Camile in the front sitting room. News of the situation in town had already spread throughout the castle.
