The World Outside The Shell

Chapter 6: The Truth

Lady Ri was reading the map when I was dropped onto a large boulder as she paced back and forth. 

I said, “The StarGlave is in the cottage “

Lady Ri said, “Fine. I got what I wanted, the map of our world. The map has a translation written by one of my ancestors.  I searched for the map inside hundreds of turtles and was getting tired of turtle soup.”

Venn said, “I prepared the soup to your liking!”

Lady Ri said, “Sure, but eating the same thing everyday for a year is a bit much. Turtle,  I think you would be surprised to learn, the others did not have a magical hiding place inside the shell.”

I said, “I’m not surprised, I don’t get many visitors.”

Lady Ri said, “I was disappointed to learn that the StarGlave has no power to stop the flood. I need a key to close the door between worlds.”

I said, “So I can keep the magic staff?”

Lady Ri said, “No, the artifact belongs to my family.”

I said, “The staff was dropped when you left in a big hurry.”

Lady Ri said, “The StarGlave was the key to unlock the location of the map. The purpose was fulfilled and is no longer my concern.”  She watched her companions listen to every word of the conversation. “The flood waters are rising, please trusted companions, leave us and patrol the area for a safe escape to higher ground. Venn, please go and help the others.”

I watched the companions run into the forest then said, “Did you arrange to be alone so we can speak in private?”

Lady Ri said, “No.”

I said, “Will you be visiting the cottage this evening?”

Lady Ri said, “No.”

I said, “The map sounds important. I studied the map and can help with the translations.”

Lady Ri said, “No.”

I said, “I’ll return to the marshlands if I’m no longer needed.”

Lady Ri said, “The truth is…I need you to stop the flood.”

I said, “How?”

Lady Ri said, “Not important.”

Venn returned to the camp, out of breath and pointing to the flooded marshlands.

Lady Ri said, “Speak!”

Venn said, ‘The companions are lost. I barely escaped with my life. Run!”

I looked at the map, held in the steady hand of Lady Ri who appeared calm in the face of danger. I said, “The translation of the warning at the top of the map includes a picture of a turtle…”

Lady Ri rolled up the map, stood up to scan the horizon, and pushed the short bald man down the hill into the darkness.

I watched in silence.

Lady Ri said, “The short foolish man betrayed our companions, leading them too close the rising waters. I will save the world on my own. The loss of my companions will be mourned. Gromm is tracking the foolish shell collector.”

Venn appeared, clearly running from something, and panic on his face. He said, ‘The companions are lost. I barely escaped with my life. Run!”

I looked at the map, held in the steady hands of Lady Ri who appeared calm in the face of danger. I said, “The translation of the warning at the top of the map includes a picture of a turtle…”

Lady Ri rolled up the map, stood up to scan the horizon, and pushed the short bald man down the hill into a thick stand of brush and thorn flowers.

I watched in silence.

Lady Ri said, “The short foolish man betrayed our companions, leading them too close the rising waters. I will save the world on my own. The loss of of the Blue Blades will be mourned. Venn should not have been trusted.”

© J. Bateman

Concentrikey  © 2024