Spring Break
Chapter 8
By Rachel76m
Edited by Don Kaufman

“Come, Tierion, let’s find some fairies who will help us.”

They look around in the entrance area in front of the doors to the Grand Hall; they see Avel come in with their group from Thryson Kingdom. They both walk up to get their attention.

“Avel, can we use your fairies for an important task? We’ll explain it as we walk down the hallway.”

The fairies fly in front of Avel and agree to help out. They begin to walk down the hallways to the right and out of ear shot of the guests coming to the Grand Hall.

“This is the problem. We just received word from Renard and Eldwin that there was a survivor on the islands out West. It is Ruald; he was a wizard in training then. Now he is Master Wizard for the Maranelle Islands Kingdom. We think he survived by eating sea dragon meat and blood from the fight that the fishermen had with them.”

“That is very bad, King Dryden. He would be driven mad.”

“That is not all. Somehow he came back; either he or somebody else started the war so long ago. The problem now is that he was able to make other people sick there. It is estimated up to fifteen could be sick, could be more. Within that sea tooth that was delivered yesterday, is a message from Corrbas who explains it all. We do know that there will be an attempt to spread the sickness during the noon repast.”

“What do you want us do, King Tierion?”

“It is known that the fairies know where the wild animals of the field are and what they smell like. The infected people will have blood in their breath because they have eaten wild animal meat and blood. So it should be easy to determine who is sick in the kitchen.”

“Yes, we can do that. We’ll fly around and determine who stinks like animals,” said one of the fairies.

“We also need to find out how they are going to do it. The animal blood could be in a jar or box anywhere in there. Check the food as well. We have enough time to start over from scratch. The Master Chef will make sure the kitchen will be scrubbed down and clean before he brings in fresh food from the other storerooms which are locked.”

“Yes, we will find the source in the kitchen.”

“We’ll send the guilty party down below and out of the way. When the inquiry is over; there will be judgment passed on all those involved in this conspiracy,” said King Tierion.

“When you’re finished in the kitchen you can fly to the spring fed fountain in my private courtyard to get yourself clean. I will have one of my hand maidens holding some towels and soap if you need it. There will be a guard near the entrance to the courtyard to make sure no comes in.”

“Thank you, King Dryden, for being thoughtful, we’ll probably need the bath once were done. Can Avel come with us? Then we can join you in the Grand Hall.”

“Yes, he can. Avel can go with you.”

“Thank you, King Dryden. What about the people inside the Grand Hall? Surely there will be others in there as well that are sick.”

“Yes, we’re very aware of the problem in there, Avel. It will have to be a wait and see how the inquiry goes. Tell the other First Ones only of our suspicions to be very alert and wary; use the fairies to whisper in their ears. Anything could happen.”

“Angathorn and Thryson Kingdoms wizards, sorceresses and military are already aware of the problem with the sea dragon issue and ready to restore order to the chaos. The Outside Helpers and their escorts know as well. Richard and Sir Halgren told them what is going to happen. It is just a matter convincing the rest of Twainor.”

“I see. We just hope and pray no one get hurt during that time.”

“I agree, Avel. Come, let us get to the kitchen and fix that problem.”

They walk down some hallways and see four guards approaching them.

“Guards, please come with me. Are you armed with sleep darts?”

“We are, my Lord. What do you need?”

“Follow us to the kitchen. I’m afraid the food is being compromised somehow. We need you by the doors to prevent anyone from escaping. We’re going to use the fairies to help us find the guilty ones.”

The four guards look at each other and nod. They stand at attention, “We’re ready to serve, my Lord.” They all respond at once.

“Good, then let us go.”

Two of the guards take the lead. They’re followed by King Tierion, King Dryden, then Avel and the fairies. The last two guards take the rear position. Once they arrive at the doors they stop.

”Avel and the fairies are going to wait out here until they’re summoned. Once the guilty ones are taken away, have them delivered to the guard keeper down below. Put them to sleep so they won't harm themselves. Then return here to assist with the security."

“We understand, my Lord.”

“Guards, open the doors please.”

The two front guards open the doors for the Kings and three of the guards enter into the kitchen. All of a sudden it gets real quiet in the kitchen when they notice the Kings enter.

The Kings nod their heads as the Master Chef comes forward and nods his head as well.

“What brings this honor, my Lords?”

“We would like to do a surprise inspection before you commence with the preparation for the noon repast.”

“By all means do so. Do you have someone chosen to do the inspection?”

“We do, Chef. Guards; will you please go to your stations.”

“Yes sir.” Two of the guards walk to the other two doors in the kitchen and stand in front of them.

Once in position, King Dryden turns to the third guard behind him. “Please usher in the inspectors, Sir Tursten.”

He stands at attention and turns around and opens the door. In walk Avel and three fairies flying in with the fourth guard. The two guards then stand inside the kitchen at attention when they close the double doors. Then everybody looks at each other in wonderment to what this means and some begin to look a little worried.

“What is the meaning of this, my Lords? Surely this is just a ruse.”

“This is most serious, Master Chef. You will begin to understand shortly. Fairies please begin the search."

“Yes, Lord Dryden.”

"I need everyone to stand still and not move at all.”

The fairies begin to fly around the room hovering in front of their faces. Some of the people begin to giggle and laugh when in front of them. They fly around the food, the pots and pans; nothing was missed in the search. They even fly into the open store rooms. Once satisfied of the search they hover in front of the Kings.

“What did you find fairies?”

“There are three people that have the sickness. There is blood on their breaths and stink like wild animals.”

Soon shrieks and screams are heard in the room. Some tried to leave the room.

“Hold still, everyone! The guards have orders to put to sleep anyone who tries to leave.” The guards raise their gauntlets armed with wrist bows and sleep darts. They stand still as ordered.

“Point them out fairies.”

The fairies fly above the infected people out of reach of them and point them out.

Then a male servant takes a knife and throws it at one of the fairies.

“Eek, he’s trying to kill me.” The fairy dodges the knife in time and it hits the ceiling then drops to the floor.

“Die, you flies.”

Most of the people in the kitchen breathe a 'gasp' when they hear that statement.

"Guards, go and arrest them now!"

Three guards walk quickly to take hold of them, but are impeded by the others momentarily as the rest of kitchen help 'gasp' in horror and try to move away from the three quickly.

Avel gets mad and begins to neigh with anger. King Tierion puts his hand on Avel’s neck to calm him down, which he does. The fairies fly to safety behind Avel and the Kings.

One of the sick women tries to reach for another cook, but the potential hostage fights her off. A guard takes hold of her.

“Guards, put them in the holding cells down below until we’re ready to decide.”

Then a fairy flies in front of King Dryden, “Lord Dryden, can we give the man a scar to remember?”

“Hmm… I know it is a rare occurrence, but yes you may do so.”

“Curse you Dryden! You’ll be dead before the sun sets!”

“Guard, get him quiet.” He keeps a firm grasp on his arm. The guard reaches for a table napkin and stuffs it into his mouth.

The fairy that came close to dying takes out his knife and flies over to a hot flat stove. He touches the edge of the blade onto the hot surface. Once he is satisfied it is hot enough, he flies over and hovers in front of him with a grin.

The man begins to struggle some and tries to break free and muffle bad words through the napkin. He thrashes his head while struggling.

“I need some help to keep his head still.”

The Master Chef comes over, “Allow me my good knight. Look at me, young man! This is the least of your worries. You will die someday, but not by our hands. You’re given mercy to live for now. Anyone who sees you will know that you tried to kill a First One, especially a fairy from Avel.” He holds his face still and faces his left cheek towards the fairy.

He gets wide-eyed as the fairy brings the knife to the cheek. He screams in the table napkin and closes his eyes as the fairy touches his cheek surface with the hot knife. Some of the others in the room put a hand to their mouth or cover their ears.

The fairy leaves three marks that look like a claw scratch, but blood does not come forth. The fairy goes over to the stove again and gets it hot to burn off the flesh. He then dips it in a bowl of water set on a table nearby to cool it off and puts the knife into his belt scabbard. He then flies back to Avel with the other fairies.

What's this? I think I know what Richard wants done here now. Lord Dryden just realized what the fairy did and smiles.

The guards then take hold of the three, two women and the male servant. Their arms are brought around behind their backs and locked with the manacles. As the guards walk the three to the main doors; they began cursing at everyone.

“You’ll see who will win in the end,” cries one of the ladies in manacles.

They’re taken away and escorted to the holding cells, each one into their own cell and put to sleep. Then the guards return to the kitchen.

The Master Chef comes up and bows deeply.

“Rise, Master Chef, you’re forgiven because you did not know.”

He rises, “Thank you my Lord. What are we going to do now?”

“The fairies are going to search the kitchen again. The three guilty ones had planned to infect the food somehow to make everyone sick during the noon repast. Once the source is found, I want all food here removed and disposed of to the Fire Mountains regardless. Go to the other store rooms and restock here and start over. Do you need any more help to replace the three?”

“Yes my Lord. Even though they were not cooks, I still need three to help get the food together. One more for the store rooms, the other two to take care of the plating.”

“Perhaps I can help, Lord Dryden. Let me contact my Master Chef at our pavilion. He will be happy to lend some help here.”

“Thank you, Lord Tierion. That is greatly appreciated.”

“We’ll begin scrubbing and cleaning the kitchen while we’re getting rid of the spoiled food. Thank you for the early detection. We’ll have the noon repast ready. It will be a masterpiece, my Lords.” He smiles.

“I’m sure it will be. Master Chef, I just saw the fairy take his knife and heat it to burn off the flesh.

"Yes, I saw that too."

"I want you do the same with the metal utensils, pots and pans. Use new scrubbers from the storerooms. Heat up the metal items real hot, and then cool them down to scrub and clean them afterwards. If you can't get them clean, bring in new ones from the storerooms if you're pressed for time. Have the wooden utensils that you have used so far sent to the Fire Mountains. If you're not sure about the wooden utensil, have it burned anyway."

"I have not done that before, but I will do as you say."

"Thank you. Actually the idea came from Richard and it was just confirmed by the fairy with the knife."

"I see. We will see that it is done, Lord Dryden."

"I’ll have guards posted at the doors. Anyone who leaves the kitchen will be escorted at all times,” Lord Dryden smiles.

“I understand my Lord.” The Master Chef bows his head and raises its.

“Fairies have you found the source yet?”

“We did my Lords. There are some blood stained fingerprints on the cold boxes where the meat is stored and on some vegetables in the pans. We also found a small wooden box in the corner of one of the store rooms. There are four large sealed jars, one of them has been opened. No one else stinks like animals.”

“Very good fairies; point them out to the Chef. He knows what to do with it.

“Yes my Lord. Then we can go and get clean my Lord?” They giggled.

“Yes, you may, fairies. See you soon in the Grand Hall.”

“See you soon.” The fairies giggle again and quickly point out the box in the store room and the vegetables in the pans for the Master Chef so that they can get rid of the animal stench they had to endure. The King turns to the Guard by the main entrance door. “Quickly contact the Captain of Guard. Have another contingent of four, a handmaiden with towels and soap. Two guards will be by the spring fountain in the private courtyard with the handmaiden to help the fairies get clean. Once they're done there; they will join the rest here to assist in the security of the kitchen.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The guard brings out his contact sphere and calls the Captain of the Guard. Soon arrangements are made as King Dryden requested for the kitchen.

Lord Tierion brings out his contact sphere and contacts his Master Chef at the Thryson Kingdom pavilion. Soon an image appears above the sphere.

“What can I do for you, my Lord?”

“We need some replacement help with the kitchen in the castle Beharn. We need one man for the storerooms and two ladies to take care of the plating.”

“That is easy to do my Lord. I have plenty of help to spare. They will be escorted to the castle immediately by Sorceress Ma-ani. They will be in the courtyard by the Great Sundial.”

“Thank you, Master Chef.”

“Is all well in there, my Lord?”

“For now, everything is well. But we expect a situation later today. Just pay attention to the Captain of the Guard if something turns.”

“I understand my Lord. Be safe my Lord. We wish the Ceremonies to be a great celebration. We’ll be watching on our contact crystals here as it proceeds.”

“Be safe, Master Chef Beharn. See you later today.” The image disappears above the crystal sphere.

Just as Kings Dryden, Tierion, Avel and the fairies leave the room. They see the other four guards coming and a young maiden holding some folded towels and soap. They come to a halt and stand in front of King Dryden.

The lead guard speaks up. "Reporting for duty, my Lord."

"Were you informed what is needed here?"

"Yes, my Lord. Sir Halsted and Sir Alwyn are assigned to escort Avel and the fairies to your private garden my Lord."

Then the young lady speaks up. "Hand maiden Clarissa gladly accepts the honor to attend to Avel and the fairies my Lord."

"Thank you. Sir Halsted, Sir Alwyn and Clarissa you may go now and escort Avel and the fairies."

Avel and the fairies follow Clarissa and the knights to the private garden.

King Dryden looks at the two remaining guards. "Thank you, guards, you know your assignments. Anyone who leaves and need any foods from the locked storerooms or leaves the kitchen will be escorted. When it comes time to serve the noon repast you will make sure the ways are clear and there are no obstructions between here and the dining room. The other guards that already assigned to the main front doors to the dining room will keep that assignment."

"I understand my Lord. We will see to the safety of the kitchen."

"There will be three more people coming to assist the current staff. Sorceress Ma-ani is assisting their arrival quickly. They're to replace the ones we just arrested moments ago. Those three are from King Tierion's kitchen staff. They will be at the Great Sundial in the courtyard. See to it that they arrive safely here."

"Yes, my Lord."

"That should do it. If you need any more help contact the Captain of the Guard."

"I understand my Lord." The guard comes to attention. He takes out his crystal to contact the Captain of the Guard to arrange an escort for the three new helpers to the kitchen. He also requests a third squad to assist in the escorting of people who will go back and forth from the kitchen to the locked storerooms.

King Dryden and King Tierion bow their heads as the rest of the guards as well.

King Dryden and King Tierion turn around and start walking back to the front entrance to the Grand Hall.

"That was close, Dryden."

"Yes it was, Tierion. Apparently the Maker is making sure our world does not follow the ways of Earth."

"If all goes well, this will be a price that we won't forget for a long time."

"Well, it is time to begin the ceremonies. It will be the Second Mark soon."

The Kings walk down the hallways from the kitchen and out into the foyer entrance to the Grand Hall. They see the three guards that escorted the former kitchen help returning to the kitchen security. King Dryden bows his head as the three bow their heads as well as they walk past each other.

As they walk to the entrance they hear the rage of the dragons.

King Dryden speaks to the guards at the Grand Hall entrance, "Guards be alert. We are going in to see what is going on. Try to control the rush of people if it happens. Contact the Captain of the Guard if you need more help."

"Yes Sir." They open the doors and allow the Kings in.

The Kings run to the center. King Dryden walks up to the center stage while King Tierion stays down below.

The dragons are all in a rage. They are trying hard to keep from flying. All of the First Ones are trying to keep the dragons calm. This goes on for another moment. Then just as fast it started, they begin to calm down. Their breathing begins to calm down as they pant hard. They realized they almost caused a lot of destruction. The fairies fly around trying to say soothing words to them. The centaurs try to hold onto them to keep them grounded as they calm down.

"Thank you all. I'm sorry this has happened. If we find out the truth of the matter we'll let you know. We will begin the ceremonies soon."

The people begin to clap as both Kings walk back out to the foyer hoping to see Renard and Eldwin before the ceremonies start. Everybody begins to talk among themselves again.

~~~000~~~

A man whispers to another sitting next to each other.

"What do you think caused it?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw something like that was a long time ago."

"You know all it takes is for a dragon is to get injured. There could be a dragon outside who got hurt."

"It is possible. But we're glad that they calmed down. It would have ruined the plans for the Day of Awakening."

"It would have."

"Is everything in place?"

"Yes, everything is in place."

"Good." He smiles with a sneer as he closes his eyes a bit.

~~~000~~~

Sir Halsted and Sir Alwyn lead Avel, the fairies and Clarissa down the hallways, making turns left and right. Soon he comes to a door.

“This is the only entrance to the courtyard. It is open to the air, there are no windows facing it. I will be here standing guard so that no one comes in; the other will be stationed in a corner of the courtyard to get a view of the wall.”

“Thank you; that is greatly appreciated my good knights.”

The guard opens the door and they walk in. Soon the coolness of the fountain and garden greets their faces. The fairies immediately fly to the fountain and begin flying through the pouring water over the basins edges. They dodge the shooting streams of water. They dive into the pool at the base of the fountain, and then they emerge from the water. They continue having fun with the water fountain.

The garden is very beautiful with benches, flowers everywhere surrounding the winding path. There are trellises with vines and flowers surrounding the benches. There are two stone statutes standing guard at their locations. The aromas of the flowers add to the beauty of the place. The fountain water pool depth is about knee deep. There is an opening at the top of the small pool wall that allows the water flow down to a channel dug in the ground. The channel is lined with stone work to prevent erosion. It leads to an opening at the base of the wall where it falls as a veil to another pool on the plains below. There are trees around there giving a natural beauty. It then flows in its natural creek bed to the large lake to the South.

Avel and Clarissa walk up and laugh as the fairies play with the water.

“I know you can play some more, but we need to get back and help out.”

The fairies stop their playing and fly over to Clarissa, “All right,
Avel, we’ll get cleaned up now.” They come over and pick up the soap bars and bring them to the fountain. Soon they began scrubbing the soap bars on themselves, their clothes and hair. They get suds everywhere as they play with it. Avel and Clarissa laugh again while they’re doing the antics. The guards give a smile as well.

Once done they bring the soap bars back and hand them to Clarissa. They go immediately back and rinse off and have some more fun. Once clean, they come flying back and take the small towels to dry themselves off. They beat their wings fast to get those dry as well. Once done, the fairies bring the towels back.

“Thank you for the help, Clarissa. The soap smells wonderful; it is like the flowers of the field. Now we smell like fairies the way we should be.” Avel and Clarissa laugh with them as well.

“Thank you, guards, for keeping watch. You can escort us to the Grand Hall.”

“Yes Avel. Come this way please.”

Then Sir Alwyn in the corner of courtyard walks toward the group. Sir Halsted opens the door and they follow out. They start walking down the hallways. They come to a stop at an intersection.

“This is where I need to leave you. Thank you for the pleasure of being in your presence, Avel and fairies.”

“You’re welcome, Clarissa. You have our blessing and thanks. We pray that the Maker grant you a long and enjoyable life.”

“Thank you, Avel. Have a long life as well. Enjoy the celebrations today. I know there will be a test later today. Be safe and take care.”

“You do as well.” They all exchange smiles with one another.

Clarissa bows her head as Avel and the fairies did as well. Then the fairies quickly fly around the girl a few times. Then they hover in front of her. “Now we can call you Fairy Friend. Thank you for your generosity, caring and laughter.”

“Thank you for the honor. I will remember it always.” She smiles widely at them as do the fairies. She turns around and heads back to her quarters to take care of the towels and soap bars. Then she walks to a room where the ladies of the court are as they watch the ceremonies on the crystals. They’re sitting on pillows and chairs scattered about. The room is decorated as it should be for ladies of the court. There are framed paintings hanging on walls. A window is open to allow the fresh air in; with curtains framing the window. Colorful rugs are laid out on the floor. There are various tables with bowls of fruit, nuts and other easy foods to munch on in several locations in the room. Clarissa tells the ladies the experience she had with the fairies and Avel the unicorn.

The guards lead Avel and the fairies back to the Grand Hall just in time to get into the Grand Hall before it starts. The guards then turn around to help out with the security of the kitchen.