Richard Tuttle - Sapphire of the Fairies

“If the thoughts of yoursoldiers were that we were coming to attack you, then they behavedadmirably,” Garth offered. “We had no way of announcing ourarrival, but we have ridden far and long to seek your audience. Wehave a matter of grave importance that must be discussed with YourHighness. I am known as Garth Shado.”

Queen Mita smiled deeply. “You are amost eloquent and gracious guest, Garth. I have been discussingyour adventure with Tanya and Arik. I know why you have come andwhat it is that you seek. The Holy Sapphire will be presented toArik when he returns the Crown of Light to the fairy people.Introduce me to the rest of your group.”

Garth threw a puzzled look at Arik andTanya as he introduced the Rangers to Queen Mita. The Queenapologized and welcomed each member of the group before addressingGarth again.

“I assume by the others’deference to you, Garth, that you are the group’s leader,” theQueen began. “It is late and while you have slept, my people havenot. Midge will help you set up camp and we will discuss things inthe morning.”

Garth nodded and Midge flew down tohover before him. After inquiring about the Rangers’ requirements,Midge selected an area of the orchard that was not far from theFather Tree and still allowed for a campfire. The Rangers set upcamp while flinging questions to Arik and Tanya. Arik ignored allof the questions and was the first down on his blanket to go tosleep. Tanya looked quizzically at Arik every time someone askedher what was going on. Eventually, she suggested that discussing itin the morning was a good idea and she also retired. With no one toanswer their questions the rest of the Rangers drifted off tosleep.

Garth awoke early and retrieved waterfrom the stream to make coffee. As soon as Garth got the firegoing, Prince Midge appeared to offer his help. Garth’s questionswere shrugged off with an explanation that Garth should learn ofthe discussion from his own people. Midge did prove to be pleasantcompany and Garth enjoyed stories about fairy life. Of course,Midge’s favorite story was about the time he accompanied the Mageand Garth detected the soul of an adventurer in the fairy Prince.Midge did explain to Garth what had happened on the trail with thecasting of the Sleep Spell, the levitation of the prisoners, andthe disappearance of Tanya.

Soon the smell of breakfast and thesound of voices awakened the Ranger camp. Many fairies were alreadyroaming about the orchard and all of them sported inquiringglances, but no one bothered the humans. Garth invited Midge tojoin them for breakfast and the green fairy was elated. Overbreakfast, Tanya explained how she avoided capture and planned theinfiltration. Garth thought Midge’s eyes would fly out of his headwhen Tanya described how she grabbed the Queen. When she got to thepart about the Queen’s determination to see Arik’s chest and somereference to the Bringer, all eyes turned towards Arik. Arik turnedbright red and stalked off to his blanket.

“What is all this about?”Kalina demanded of Midge.

“It is not my place to talkabout it,” Midge declared.

“The Queen said that she wouldforbid her people to talk of it if Arik requested her to do so,”Tanya prodded. “Arik did not make such a request.”

Midge stared over at Arik while hetalked. “Our Prophecy foretells of the one who will return theCrown of Light to our people,” Midge finally got out. “We know Arikto be that individual whom we call the Bringer.”

“How do you know it is Arik?”pressed Kalina.

“He bears the mark foretoldupon his chest,” frowned Midge. “Now that I have told you, will youspare him further grief and embarrassment?”

“What else do the Propheciesforetell?” Garth asked.

“I am only permitted to speakof the Prophecy as far as I have,” declared Midge. “To say more isto betray my people. Please do not abuse the hospitality that wehave extended.”

With that Midge flew off to sit nearArik. “You have no reason to be ashamed of what you bear,” Midgetold Arik. “I would gladly bear it for you if that were possible.It is a sign of greatness to my people. You should remove yourshirt and wear the mark as a badge of honor because you have beenchosen for an honorable task. There is not one among my people thatwould look upon it with anything but envy and awe. You are to berespected and revered.”

Arik looked at the diminutive Princeand smiled. “Thank you, Prince Midge,” he said softly. “Your wordsare kind and I respect them, but I am not a fairy. My own peoplewill find amusement in my disfigurement and I will be scorned as afreak. I just want it to go away. I want to return home and fishwith my father.”

“Alas, Arik,” Midge sighed,“greatness can not be discarded. Destiny cannot be tossed by thewayside with careless abandonment. For whatever reason you werechosen to perform this great deed, only you can perform it. Whatcomfort could you enjoy with your father, knowing that there werepeople who needed help, which only you could provide? Face it, myfriend, you have been chosen and you will perform the task. Giventhat, make the best of it. Be proud of who you are and strive to doyour best. I will help you in any way I can.”

“Thank you, Midge,” Arik said.“You have mighty words for one so small. Perhaps you can help mepractice my swordsmanship.”

Midge turned a pale green and Ariklaughed. “I am sorry, Midge,” he apologized. “Practicing helps meclear my head and I did not think before I spoke. Your words havehelped me and I will dwell on them while I practice.”

Arik rose and called out to Tanya aboutpracticing. She rose immediately and joined Arik in a clear areaaway from the fire.

“Practicing is a good idea,”she mentioned. “It will clear your mind and make you realize thatwe are all friends here and will help each other through whateverdifficulties we face.”

Arik nodded and squared off with hispractice sword. Once the swordplay got underway, Tanya noticed thatArik’s mind was still on his troubles. She pushed hard at him witha variety of strokes. Quickly, Arik responded to her vigor, firstdefensively, then with bold attacks of his own. The fightingbetween Arik and Tanya became so intense that Fredrik and Tedistopped practicing with their staffs to watch. Kalina and Niki alsoabandoned their magic lessons and soon a crowd of people andfairies had gathered to watch the dueling pair.

Tanya tossed her cap to the ground androlled past Arik while attempting a hit across his legs. Arikcaught her movements just in time and leaped over her sword swing.Upon landing he rolled himself into a ball and continued away fromTanya so she would not catch him turning around. Jumping to hisfeet, he saw Tanya closing on him and raised his wooden sword todeflect her blow.

The two warriors continued on,oblivious to the crowd, focusing their entire attention on eachother. His body aching and drenched with sweat, Arik subconsciouslystripped off his shirt and threw it to the ground just in time tofend off another of Tanya’s attacks.

The fairies in the crowd gasped at thesight of the mark upon his chest. Niki hid her face with her handsand Garth and Kalina stared without expression. Fredrik and Tedistarted to laugh and both felt something hard strike the backs oftheir heads. Turning around they saw Midge and another fairy withslingshots and the fairies were not smiling. Their laughter died intheir throats as they turned back to watch the match.

Arik and Tanya had noticed none of thereactions, as they were too intent on gaining an advantage over theother. Arik scored a couple of kill hits on Tanya, but the youngwoman ignored them and continued her attack. The match lasted forover half an hour before Arik had Tanya on her back with his woodensword at her throat. Tanya submitted and Arik collapsed on theground alongside her. Applause rang through the orchard from largehands as well as small and Arik and Tanya noticed their audiencefor the first time.