Richard Tuttle - Sapphire of the Fairies

Arik looked across the campfire and sawthe tears welling up in Tedi’s eyes. “You really ought to tell himthat, Tedi. I can keep my father busy for a while.” Arik stood upand called across the clearing. “Dad, I need you for amoment.”

Master Clava stared at the two boysnear the campfire wondering what was so urgent that Tedi couldn’thelp Arik with. He saw Tedi hesitantly start to walk over to wherehe and Alan sat and decided to find out. By the time he got to thecampfire, he looked back to see Tedi kneeling next to his father.“What is it, son?” he asked Arik.

Arik walked over and hugged his father.“I just want to thank you for being here for me,” he choked. Hesmiled when he looked past his father and saw Tedi and MasterMarkel doing the same.

“I’ll always be there for you,son,” Konic replied. “As I know you will always be there for me.”Konic turned to see what Arik was staring at and sighed softly.“Now that is a sight I have longed to see, Arik. Whatever troublethis witch has brought, she has brought some good, too.”

Breaking the embrace and tending to theboiling pot, Arik asked, “What are we going to do about her, Dad?What is it she wants?”

Konic poured himself another cup ofcoffee and sat on a log staring into the fire. “I don’t know, son.I asked around about her and determined that she did find out wherewe live. I didn’t get much of an idea why she is so interested inus, though. I did have many people offer their sympathies about myboy running away up North, though,” he chuckled.

“It seemed to be the best wayof getting rid of her,” admitted Arik. “I hope it works. It lookslike you brought enough stuff to stay out here a month.”

“Always be prepared, son,”Konic smiled, “always be prepared. I’ll check in with Master Ternlater tonight and first thing in the morning. We’ll know if shetakes the bait.”

Konic lapsed into silence and Ariktried to pick up traces of Tedi’s conversation. The only thingsthat Arik could out pick between the cricket chirps and the windfluttering the leaves was the word necklace and an admonishment forTedi to promise something.

Eventually, the weak soup was ready andTedi and his father came over to the campfire. Master Markel lookedsteadier and more determined than anytime that Arik could remember.There wasn’t much talk around the campfire, but Arik noticed thetwo Markels sitting closer and more comfortably than he would haveimagined before tonight.

After a while, Konic Clava rose andwalked silently out of the campground. He returned about an hourlater wearing a smile. “She already left,” he declared. “MasterTern said she was in such a hurry that she didn’t even ask for arefund for the room she had already paid for.”

“Well, that’s a relief,”Master Markel sighed. “Konic, I would like to go fishing with youfor a few days if you will have me, starting tomorrow.”

Konic smiled at his old friend as heeased himself to a seat by the fire. “You are always welcome in myboat, Alan. I have a new spot I would like to try.”

“It is good to have such afriend,” Alan said warmly. “That will give Tedi enough time to earnwhat we need to fix my boat properly so I may begin getting my lifeback together.”

Tedi touched the necklace around hisneck and his father shook his head slowly. “No, Tedi, you will gowith Arik hunting. When we have enough money, we will rebuild ourboat together.”

Tedi beamed as his father put hisshaking arm around his son and hugged him. Master Markel’s browneyes shone with a determination that had been absent for too long.Tedi knew the next few days would be very hard on his father andbeing out at sea with Master Clava was just what his fatherneeded.

Everyone sat around the campfire insilence, lost in his own thoughts. The sounds of the waves lappingsteadily at the shore and the crickets’ melody in the woods werepeaceful and calming.

Konic was the first to stir as he wentto the long duffel bag and pulled out some blankets. He handed oneto each of the group and rolled his into a pillow. “Not much sensegoing back to town tonight,” he announced. “It’s been a while sinceI camped out, but the night is fair and I am tired. First up shouldput on a pot of coffee.” With that he stretched out on the groundand went to sleep. Everyone soon followed.

Arik awoke to the smell of coffee andoatmeal. He sat up and looked around. It took a while for him toget his bearings and realize where he was. The two men were quietlycleaning up the campground. The only things not packed in theduffel bag were two cups and bowls and the oatmeal and coffee potsthat were on the fire as well as the two blankets that he and Tediwere using. Arik leaned over and shook Tedi, who groggilyawoke.

Konic looked over at the twosleepy-eyed boys. “Morning comes early and the fish won’t wait,” hechuckled. “You boys clean up and store the gear somewhere safebefore you go off hunting. I think we will spend a few more dayscamping out if that is not objectionable to anyone.” Master Markelwas whistling a tune gaily as the two men headed towards theboat.

Arik got himself some coffee and filleda cup for Tedi. “Your father seems in a good mood this morning,” heremarked. “What did you say to him last night?”

Tedi rubbed his eyes and reached forthe cup. “Just something the merchant made me realize,” he answeredsoftly. “I think your father had already softened him up by thetime I spoke to him, though. Whatever the cause, it sure makes mefeel good. I’m not going to be getting into any moretrouble.”

The boys cleaned up the camp and stowedthe bag before taking off in search of game. They hunted for acouple of hours and finally decided to head back to town. Arik hadcaught five rabbits and Tedi three. “I said we could be partnersand split the take,” Arik began, “and I meant it.”

Tedi shook his head and laughed. “Noway, fisherboy,” he chuckled. “You may have out-hunted me today,but tomorrow it will be my turn.”

The boys laughed all of the way to theFisherman’s Inn. Master Tern was in a good mood this morning aswell, although it was already later than when Arik usually showedup and customers were already eating breakfast.

“So, we have two hunters now,eh?” quipped Esta Tern. “Show me what you’ve brought for my guests.That bag doesn’t look big enough to hold a deer.”

While Arik dumped the contents of thebag and talked with Master Tern, Tedi strode over to the doorway tothe common room. He began gazing at the strange and differentcostumes the travelers wore, wondering where they were coming fromand where they were going. So little was known about the outsideworld and most travelers were not the talkative type. His eyessettled on a dark figure in the dimly lit corner of the commonroom. Tedi focused his eyes at the dark warrior image hiding in theshadows. The stern, cold face had icy blue eyes that seemed to beconstantly scanning every person in the room without seeming tomove. He was dressed entirely in black and his outfit appeared tohave pouches sewn into it everywhere. The man could probably carrythe contents of a campsite in those pouches and not even need apack on his back. His long hair was jet black and bound into a tailthat was draped over one shoulder. The black hilt of a massivesword strapped to his back protruded over the other shoulder.Across his midsection was a wide black belt with many loops forimplements, but only a lone black knife was present now. His eyesturned on Tedi and stopped in recognition. Tedi turned and ran outof the kitchen without stopping.

Arik looked up from his conversationwith Master Tern as Tedi flew through the kitchen and out the door.The innkeeper looked shocked at Arik and then quickly pressed somecoins into his hand. “You need to tame that boy down, Arik,” theinnkeeper stated. Arik nodded and took off after hisfriend.