Day 11

At dawn Kerri-liana Jones went looking for the wizard. She finally found him in the library. A big book in front of him.

“Did you find anything while you were snooping around last night?” Wizard Coalton asked.

“You have a beautiful home.” Kerri replied.

“You will need something to drink.” He said “Mrs Pots, please bring us some tea.”

“I don’t want to sound impatient but when will you tell me how to go home?” Kerri asked.

“It is customary to bring a gift when you seek wisdom from someone.” The Wizard said.

Kerri scratched in her bag. What could see give him that she was willing to part with that still had value?

Kerri looked at the drawing the children had made.

She offered it to him.

“I have a picture.” She said offering it.

Wizard Coalton looked at it. It was beautiful to him. A child had drawn it from a place of sincerity and the pureness of heart behind it was beautiful.

Kerri braced for the inevitable, 'what would I want with that?'

“It is a beautiful gift. Thank you.” He said receiving it.

Kerri smiled relieved that he liked it. She didn’t really like it, so giving it away was saving her bag space.

“So, child you seek wisdom how to get home. I set before you two paths. Choose wisely. None are without cost. Consider everything I say before you choose, do not be hasty. In the city of gold is a man who keeps a crystal like yours once was, an unbroken crystal, and in the village Fish is a crystal hidden from sight. These crystals reunited on mount Jeku, placed in their slots with yours it will reopen the sugs and travel will be available to you. When you travel clear your mind and know where you want to go. Or you could just cut yourself on the crystal you have and you will return home.”

“Just like that? What about everyone who ended up here from earth, will they also return with me?” she asked.

“Only if they have a piece of the crystal on them.” He answered.

Kerri’s eyes got big

“I knew that those blue diamonds were fishy, which means…. Ceronio blue diamonds are not diamonds at all but teleporting worlds crystal!” Kerri was excited.

She pulled a face.

“Of cause the Ceronio family are frauds” she groaned.

“Should all be punished for the sins of one?” He asked.

Kerri eyed him. He wasn’t even looking at her but rather the picture she had given him.

“May I go now?” Kerri asked.

“Tea has just arrived.” The wizard said.

So, Kerri sat and drank tea. She wasn’t so terrified of Mrs Pots and all the other magical items in the house anymore.

“Please bring food, my guest has a long way to travel. Oh, dear child will you stay for breakfast. Keep me company for one more meal?” he requested.

Kerri felt bad to say no.

“Sure, I will eat with you.”

“Oh good.” He said “Make a meal worthy of a goodbye.” He said “Dear take this book with you. A gift from me to you, just because I like you.”

He passed her a book. It was bound in leather and its pages seemed really old. She read part of the first page.

So, king Grog begot Ben, Lucy and Fido. Ben became king and married Clo he begot Seth, Lucy married Gill of the Sivthan clan of the south. Gill married Darla.

She stopped reading.

“Is this a book of Genealogies?” Kerri asked unimpressed.

“Yes, it is. A prized book of more value than can be conceived. Take good care of it. Do Not Trade It.” He said firmly.

“Um… ok.” Kerri said not feeling so grateful.

“Why is this book important?” Kerri asked.

“It holds great secrets.” He answered.

Breakfast arrived a selection of fruit and cream with scones and cheese and jams.

“This is nice” Kerri said.

“I hope you enjoy it.”

They ate together and enjoyed his fine brews of tea. But Kerri wanted to get back to the castle and announce she could get them home. Tẽra didn’t need to be queen anymore. Joe could go back to whatever it was she did. Well, everyone could get back to their lives, see their loved ones. But Kerri also had a niggly feeling that there was something else the wizard hasn’t told her.

“Is there something else you need or want to say or tell me before I leave and return all the earthlings to earth?” she asked not sure what she was fishing for.

The wizard smiled.

“Is there something you want to hear?” he asked.

“That it will all be fine and everyone will be able to return home.”

“It will all be fine. Everyone will be able to return home.” He said.

“Do you mean that or are you just saying it?” she asked.

“This world offers the opportunity to fulfill your potential it gives a chance that your world didn’t give. Some can be a great ruler and a mother and an assassin. Some can walk without a shadow of another hovering over them. Which path will you choose?” he asked.

“I haven’t decided. I thought I would discuss it with James and the others.”

The wizard smiled.

“Indeed, speak with them.” He said as if he knew something.

“Is there anything else I should know?” she asked.

“Lots of things but none of which I will tell you. I have made it easy for you. Choose your path and be sure. Know what you are doing and why. Now go in peace.” He said.

The breakfast cleared itself up and the wizard floated up to find a book and disappeared. The lights led her to the front door.

Kerri walked outside. She had no idea where she was. This looked nothing like it had in the storm. In fact, she was convinced she had never been there before. She could see smoke rising in the distance. She hoped it was people and not a wildfire. She walked towards the smoke. The wizard had not given her any water or food for the road. She hadn’t asked for it either. Now she was wishing she had. Kerri walked until she found a road. Horse hooves and wagon wheels lead in the other direction.

Someone came from there so there should be people or water, she thought.

Kerri kept going. As she reached the top of the hill, she could see the city below. Smoke rose up from the buzzing city.

Kerri walked until she found someone.

“Where am I?” she asked.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Go home drunk.” They replied.

She asked another person.

“How far to the castle?”

The woman raised an eyebrow.

“You are dressed nice. What’s the castle to you?” she asked eyeing her earrings.

Kerri backed away. She went to the tavern.

“Is someone going to the castle I can hitch a ride with?” she asked the owner loudly over the noise of the tavern.

The owner eyed her.

“Maid you will find trouble asking questions like that. But if you hurry, I have heard some men are headed that way. They are going to the peace conference as extra security in case the queen tries to kill everyone again.”

Kerri wanted to defend Tẽra but Tẽra wasn’t the queen and defending the queen was a bad idea.

“How do I find them?” Kerri asked.

“Follow the purple flowers.” The tavern owner said.

Now the slave trade had slowed down. With slaves being freed and traders ending up dead it had slowed things down. But the slave traders where now hiring security. Armed warriors to escort them between cities.

Kerri followed the purple flowers that lay on the road like a path. Trees has dropped their flowers all over the street. While briskly walking Kerri thought about what the wizard had said.

An assassin, a mother, a queen, well Tẽra was royalty which is practically a queen, Joe has always been a killer, a mother??? She pondered. Maybe that Fiona was pregnant, a mother, who else could it be? … Could it be so obvious? The wizard said what they wouldn’t be on earth. Joe is an assassin already Tẽra is royalty so that’s not news, that’s not an opportunity she wouldn’t have on earth.

Her mind raced as she confused herself with what the wizard could have meant and who he was talking about.

She caught up with the men going to the castle.

“Look what we have here?” one said checking her out.

“She would be worth a lot. I know a brothel in Ti that takes pretty little things like that.”

“A brothel in Ti?” another piped up “That city is a dump filled with freaks and those Carsta things that try to pass as something other than an abomination.”

“Those Carsta girls know how to give you a good time.” He defended.

“Hey I am here to see your leader about safe passage to the castle!” Kerri shouted.

“Feisty!!” the first one said.

The men all stood up straight and zipped their lips.

Kerri looked behind her. A big man of unusual height and size stood behind her. He was huge with muscles bulging under his clothes.

“What are you doing here?” he asked Kerri.

Leaving, came to mind. But she plucked up the courage and stated

“I am seeking safe passage to the castle.”

“How much can you pay?” he asked.

“How much do you want? I am in a hurry. I will also need food and water and a place to sleep?” she added.

Captain Kumi admired the strength the tiny girl exhibited. She stated what she wanted with no fear as if she could hold her own. As if she was more powerful then all of them put together.

She was so small in comparison to him that if he held his arm straight out, she could stand under it.

“A hundred gold coins” Kumi said.

“For that kind on gold I could buy my own dragon. Fifty is what I am offering and I need to get there as quickly as possible.” Kerri said firmly.

“You have a deal” Kumi said “You will sleep in my tent.”

“I want my own tent.” Kerri said.

Kumi looked around at the men.

“It’s for your protection.” He responded.

“I will only give you the gold once I have arrived safely at the castle.” Kerri stated.

Kumi chuckled “As you have said. Men listen up! This maiden is to arrive safely at the castle. No one may mess with her.” Kumi ordered.

“Yes Captain” they said in unison.

“Pack up we move out now.” Kumi ordered.

Everyone hurried to do their assigned jobs. Taking down tents and hitching up the horses. Then Kerri saw them. People in a cage pulled by two horses. They were dirty and smelly and they looked awful with worn clothes and no shoes.

Kerri went to one of the men packing up his tent.

“Why are those people in a cage and why do they look so mistreated?” Kerri asked trying to keep her cool.

“They are slaves that tried to run away. They are being taken to the City Point to be sold into the queen’s service. No one lasts long in the queen’s service. Even her knights have fallen to death by her.” His voice faded “Good men fed to the tigers or sent to die on the mountains.”

“So, you are slave traders?” Kerri asked trying her hide her emotions.

“No, they are the slave traders.” He pointed to the men by the cage “We are hired to protect them. Some new guy has a weapon that kills from far away with a bang… or so I hear and this is why we are hired to escort them safely to the City Point.”

“You protect slave traders?!” Kerri wasn’t able to keep her feelings as hidden as she would have liked.

“Yes. That’s our job. Like I said. Please don’t talk to me anymore. Captain Kumi is watching.”

Kerri looked over at Kumi. He was big and scary.

She gathered up all her bravery and went over to him.

“When will we arrive in the City Point?” she asked.

“Tomorrow sometime.” He replied casually.

“The day of the peace conference.” Kerri said thoughtfully.

The hoard of people moved. It was not quick. People needed to stop for food, for water, to rest the animals and more. Kerri didn’t like the idea of sharing the tent with Kumi. She remembered on earth they said, at a stay safe thing at varsity, that if you are kidnapped or abducted make your kidnapper identify with you, or was that a potential attacker?

Either way she intended to make herself a real person to Kumi. Seeing how afraid of him his men were, that was not comforting to her. But at the same time his men were giving her a hard time before he told them not to.

She started reading the book the wizard gave her. But she started in the middle. It was a collection of genealogies of all the royal families of every tribe. It made mention to an assembly of royals that decided that the weakest tribe the Terra would rule over them. This was so they could not oppress the other tribes with strength. But this happened so many years ago that no one even remembered it. Each king or queen had their ancestry recorded.

“What are you reading?” a slave trader asked.

“A book on genealogies.” She replied.

“Reading is good. So is knowing where you come from. What is your name?” he asked.

“Kerri and yours?” she asked out of habit.

“Hector. How old are you?” he asked.

“Excuse me!” Kerri said annoyed “You don’t get to ask things like that.” Kerri scolded “I am a lady and you sir are not a gentleman.” She continued.

“What is going on here?” Kumi asked.

“This man asked my age.” Kerri moaned.

Kumi looked at her waiting to hear the problem.

“She just went bat crazy and I didn’t even ask if she was a maid?”

Kerri just realized that a maid would mean a virgin. Not a statement to gender and it seemed age was not a touchy topic here.

“Walk with me” Kumi said.

So, Kerri walked with him hoping to continue reading her book and find the secret the wizard said it holds. But it really was not interesting at all.

“Why do you want to go to the castle?” Kumi asked.

“I am planning to attend the peace conference.”

“Who are you representing or joining?” he asked since she was traveling alone.

“Earth.” She said clearly.

“Where?” he asked.

“A small place far, far away in the milky way.” She said sounding less sure of herself.

“Are you a thief or someone planning to take advantage of all the new people coming into town?” he asked.

Kumi was reading her.

“No, I just need to speak with the queen plead my case, reveal my discovery.”

“Are you convicted of a crime?” he asked.

“No, I needed more time, but I don’t anymore. Now I need guidance.”

“What did you discover?” he asked.

“That I am a horrible person so fixed on being right that I ruin relationships and will probably never get married.”

Kumi burst out laughing.

“You need to see the queen so someone will marry you!”

He laughed and laughed a jolly contagious laugh that made you want to laugh as well.

Soon laughter has spread, everyone was laughing and no one knew why.

“Finding a husband is not that hard.” Kumi comforted “Just talk less.” He suggested.

“Thanks!” she said sarcastically.

She walked away from him and just looked at the scenery. Then she saw dragons twenty or more flying overhead. Kerri froze unsure if this was normal or not. Aren’t dragons bad? Eaters of men?

“It’s just the Dragon Riders going to the peace conference.” Kumi said seeing her frozen in fright “See people are riding them, now if you saw a dragon without a man on it then be afraid.”

Kerri had never seen a dragon before and they were scary looking.

“It looks like the Dragon Riders have taken no chances with the queen. Looks like we might get extra work at the castle… What do you say men?”

“Yeah, ho ho ho ho.”

“We will camp here tonight. There is water over there.” Kumi announced.

Kerri went and filled the water skin she was given. She really wanted to keep going but seeing how much time a large group needed to do things she understood. Plus, if they camped over she can free the slaves while everyone slept.

“Hey you Gosling.” Kumi called to Kerri.

“Gosling?” she inquired.

“I don’t know your name nor do I care so I will call you gosling. You don’t mind, do you?” he asked.

“I do mind.” Kerri said.

“Tough! Gosling you are. Come you must set up a place to sleep.”

He led her into a tent, his tent. It was big and had a table in it as if he needed one.

A mat was laid out on the floor and a blanket put on top of it.

“Pick a spot. Make your bed.” He said.

She looked at the mat and the dusty blanket.

“A pillow?” she asked.

He laughed.

“You some rich girl having a pillow. You’ll manage for a night princess.”

“What if I can’t manage?” she inquired.

“You will.” He said not as reassurance but rather an order.

“How did you become a hired gu..” she smiled “sword?”

“A hired sword? Well, that’s a long story.”

Kerri put her mat down and the dusty blanket on top of it. Just one blanket and a mat. She knew she was going to be cold.

“I have time.” Kerri looked at him waiting for answers.

“I don’t.” he said leaving the tent.

“Gosling, get out here.” Kumi called to Kerri.

Kerri joined him outside.

The Dragon riders were putting on a show. A ring of fire and another would fly through it, smoke rings and stunts.

“Now this is something you only see once in a lifetime.” Kumi said to her.

Even the slave traders were watching as if they had never seen something like it. It was like an air show but with dragons. Kerri was afraid and excited. It was a wonderful show indeed. She was very impressed.

The food was… alright and Captain Kumi had given her the best of what he had. Which wasn’t much. Purple carrots floated in the brown broth called a stew. Bits of meat that could not be identified were hidden in there. Kerri ate because she was hungry.

Later that night Kerri lay down on her mat and pulled the blanket over her.

“Goodnight Captain Kumi. Thank you” she said.

There was silence, Kerri didn’t really expect him to reply. But he had kept her safe even though she was traveling with roughegons and thugs, slave traders and mercenaries.

Kumi’s voice broke the silence.

“Don’t thank me. Pay me.” He said.

Kerri smiled it was such a Kumi thing to say.

“Why are you a mercenary?” Kerri asked.

But he didn’t reply.

“Do your parents approve of your work?” she persisted “I am an only child. My parents are great and my grandparents were even better. They passed away. I find things relevant to our history and uncover the truth about the past.” Kerri went on “They are proud of me, at least they were.” Her voice faded.

She realized that when she gets back home things would have changed. She would have been missing for days, what was she going to tell everyone when she returned?

She turned over feeling a bit miserable and cold. The one dusty blanket was not enough.

Kumi said nothing, he ignored her.

Kerri turned and turned. She was too cold to sleep. She wrapped the blanket around herself and went to see if the fire was still going. Embers glowed of where a fire once was. But warmth still came off it. She looked at the slaves still in the cages. No blankets or jackets. Huddled together for warmth. She looked around and saw no one, she listened and only heard the snoring of the men in their tents.

Kerri crept over to the cage. She examined the locks. She decided to try free them, she fiddled with it waking some of the slaves.

“Shhhhh” she said “I am going to free you but you must be quiet”

They nodded understandingly.

Kerri had one more lock to open when a big hand covered her mouth and with one hand gripped both of her hands.

She wanted to scream but she also didn’t want to wake everyone.

“Gosling you are the most stupid woman I have ever met! I have been hired to take these slaves, and their traders to Point safely. If they are freed during the night, that means I didn’t do my job. How long do you think it would take for them to discover it was you? Then you will be sold to make up some of the losses you caused them.”

He picked her up with his one hand still holding her two hands and held her at his face level.

“You are trouble. Do you even have fifty gold coins?” he asked.

“Captain Kumi” she began.

“I was cold and couldn’t sleep so I came out here and these slaves don’t even have a blanket how could I just leave them? Please put me down it hurts.”

He tossed her over his shoulder as if she was a sack of potatoes and walked back to his tent. He kicked one of his men in passing.

“Secure the slaves” he ordered.

Once in the tent he attached a rope with a cable tie like thing to her wrist and then the other end to his pants belt it had a meter and a half-length in between them.

“What are you doing?” she objected.

“Protecting my reputation.” He answered.

“How am I meant to sleep?” she asked in disgruntled.

“Not my problem.”

“What if I need to go outside?” she tilted her head and gave a look trying to express the toilet.

“Then we go.” He said.

“We!?!”

“Yes, princess we. Now lay down and sleep or the alternative is I tie you to the tree outside and gag you.”

“Such a gentlemen.” Kerri muttered under her breathe.

She moved her mat closer and wrapped herself in her blanket.

Kerri lay there staring at the hints of moon light that shone into the tent. Then to her complete surprise Kumi put his blanket over her as well. He quietly moved his mat next to hers and lay with his back towards her.

Kerri wasn’t sure if she should pretend to be sleeping or say thank you.

She decided to pretend to be sleeping.

Captain Kumi lay on his mat. He was sure she was sleeping as she hadn’t moved or sighed in disgust for a while. He didn’t need the blanket he was warm enough. So, he put it over Kerri. She was not like any woman he had met. She seemed so clueless and out of place.