Vir spent the next morning perusing the grounds, and with permission from the guards, was allowed to explore the town with Alima as chaperone. She went plainclothes so as not to be recognized.
"Do not you think it strange, Alima? It's like father disappeared and all we get is a letter? Those actions are not true to his nature. I know there must be something secret happening." Vir said. Alima solemnly agreed with her princess.
"Indeed, milady. I never would have expected this kind of clandestine behavior. The servants are already beginning to talk, and I'm sure you know how that goes." Alima said, rolling her eyes.
The princess stopped walking all the sudden and seemed to be listening for something.
"Alima, do you hear that?" Vir asked, looking in the direction of the nearby mine.
"Hear what, miss? I'm afraid I don't know what you are trying to indicate." The town was indeed full of sound, horses' feet, merchants advertising wares, and just the general noise of many conversations occurring at once.
"The metal sound. Over there." Vir pointed, although she couldn't quite see the source over the buildings and hills between.
"Oh, you mean the mines miss? Yes, I do believe the diggers are at work today." Alima said.
"Let's go see them. I've never seen them work and they've never been this close to town before." Vir took Alima's hand and began walking towards the sound.
"Milady, with all due respect, I don't think we should be interfering with the operation. And if your mother finds out you went there-"
"She won't find out. Remember, out here, we're just a couple of servants on a holiday with no money and nothing better to do." Vir said. Alima reluctantly accompanied the princess to the dig site.
Vir was intrigued by the sight before her. Very strong men and women were using pickaxes to unearth something. Some of the men paused momentarily in their work to spot the visitors, and upon seeing they were women, put more force into their work. Vir laughed a little.
"Don't draw attention to yourself." Alima warned.
"Then let's go over here." Vir said, heading towards a small gathering of rocky hillside. There was a big tree that lent shade in a wide expanse, and the girls gratefully sat under it to rest. Lost in conversation, they didn't notice a creature come up to investigate them. It made a strange noise that sounded like a growl, but not angry. The girls turned around, and Alima screamed, hurriedly backing away and trying to take Vir with her.
"Milady, we must hurry back! It's not safe here! We've no weapons to defend ourselves!" she cried. The creature was not startled by Alima's outburst, but rather stared curiously at Vir. It growled again, softer this time, and tilted its head. Vir seemed to be just as curious.
"Alima, wait."
"Whatever for?!"
"I don't think it means any real harm. I wonder if it's hungry." Vir procured a piece of roll from her apron pocket and handed it out to the creature. Sniffing, it gently took the bread with its two little hands and ate it. Satisfied, it made a happy sound, or at least to Vir's ears. "It's adorable! I want to keep it." Vir declared.
"Your Highness, we don't even know what that thing is, and your parents would be livid if you brought that back. I'd be fired, for heaven's sake! I thought we were on friendly terms." Alima said.
"Of course we are, Alima. You're the best friend I've ever had. I'd never willingly do anything that I thought would get you in trouble. So I'll keep him in the attic room above mine." Vir said. At this statement, the creature growled, an annoyed sound. "What? Was it something I said?" Vir asked. In response, the creature picked a flower and placed it between two of its horns. "Oh! My sincerest apologies! Of course you're a girl, just like us. I think I'll call you Jade." Vir looked back towards the town. "Well, we can't very well go back through town with Jade. Good thing I know a back way!" Vir said. She began walking around the hill where the workers wouldn't spot them, and Jade and Alima followed.
Little did Vir know, she just happened upon a live fossil pokemon by the name of Rampardos.