Tolbi: A New Adventure
Sheba had just turned 14 about a month ago.
She and Faran, as well as Millie, had a quite celebration, with cake, and a few presents.
Sheba was happy, for Faran and Millie had taken very good care of her.
But one night, while she was out looking at the stars, something happened that was not good.
A group of soldiers from Tolbi had come and trapped her.
They had tied her up, but not in a mean way, just uncomfortable, and had put her in the back of a wagon and rode off.
She had fallen asleep despite trying to stay awake, and when she woke, she found that she was in a very large city.
There she was brought to a palace, and before a man with a light grey beard, and long light grey hair.
"You must be Sheba." The man asked, nodding to Sheba as she moved forth.
"Yes. And who are you?" She asked, a slight edge in her voice.
"DO NOT SPEAK TO THE LORD OF TOLBI IN SUCH A MANNER YOU INSULENT CHILD!" Shouted a black haired man, who was standing behind the thrown.
"It's okay Iodem. She has every right to be angry... We did after all, take her from her home." The man on the thrown said, casting his eyes back onto Sheba, as she stood defiantly in front of him.
She raised her hand up, so that it was level with her shoulder, and she sent forth tendrils of Psynergy into the grey haired man's mind.
"Huh! You are Babi? Lord of Tolbi?" Her eyes widened as she learned of this.
She sent more tendrils, and discovered something else.
"You intend to keep me prisoner until the people of Lalivero agree to help you build a light house on top of the old ruins...? Why?" Sheba asked Babi, her mind racing.
"Enough of that. You should know that it is impolite to read people's minds!" Babi said, glaring at Sheba in a reprehensive manner.
"You... You know I can read minds...? Does that mean that... You have Psynergy as well?"
"No child... I just know of your awesome ability to read minds. You where called the "Child of God" after all. I should hope I know something about such an amazing person." Babi said, giving Sheba a slight smile, as he studied her.
"You don't seem like an evil person... Why would you take me prisoner to get what you want?" Sheba said.
"I don't intend to treat you like a prisoner by any means. I intend to treat you as an honored guest, but with a guard to insure that you do not run... I would hate to lose my bargaining chip." Babi replied.
"BARGAINING CHIP!" Sheba said, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Yes Sheba... I need more men to help build Babi Lighthouse. And the closest people are in Lalivero... So I asked them twice, and they refused to help me... So I am using you to blackmail them into helping me." Babi spread his arms out, as if to including the reinforcements that he'd get from Lalivero, and pulling them to him.
"I did not want to turn to such drastic measures, but when they refused for the second time, I had to do something. You wouldn't understand what is going on, you're to young." Babi answered.
"But...?" She started.
"I am sorry Sheba, I'd like to answer all of your questions but I have a meeting to go to... Could we talk later?" Babi asked.
"Yes..." Sheba replied, a sad look in her eye.
(3 months later)
"Dear Sheba, would you come and join us in the front boxes at Colosso? You would enjoy it..." Iodem asked her, as she sat on the floor of her room, creating small whirlwinds that spun across the floor.
"So? Do you want to come?"
"I guess." She said, not looking up from the miniature vortex she had created.
It spiraled across the floor, where it caught the curtain in its wind, and twisted it.
"I heard that there is going to be some stupendous competition this year. There are three strong competitors whom everyone is voting and betting on winning. The favored is Navampa, a strong young man who won the local competitions in his hometown. It should be quite a show."
"Okay... I'll come." She went with Iodem to watch the preliminaries.
When they got there, they found that Babi was not there.
"Where could Lord Babi be?" Iodem asked out loud, and he began to worry.
After the first six trials had been run, he ordered a small contingent to go search for Babi.
They watched match after match, and still no Babi insight.
Iodem was just beginning to think he should go look for Babi himself, when Babi came in, just in time for the finals.
"I have returned!" Babi said, looking a lot better than he had a while ago.
"Lord Babi!" Iodem said with relief etched into his face.
"I have news for you. We have another competitor in the finals, and his name is Isaac. I have hopes that he will win this year." Babi said.
"But Lord! Isn't that against the rules?" Iodem asked.
"Not if I am the one who decrees it to be so." Babi replied.
"It is their reward for saving my life."
"WHAT?" Iodem cried, not sure what Babi had meant.
"Isaac and his group saved my life in Altmiller Cave."
"You are generous to let them join." Iodem said.
"I have great faith in them." Babi said.
(After the finals)
"I am so happy that Isaac won. He is such a strong fighter." Babi said, looking at Sheba, who was not really eating the food that was put in front of her.
"Is there something wrong Sheba?" Babi asked, looking at Sheba with concern.
"I miss Faran... I want to go home..." Sheba said, tears forming in her eyes.
Babi felt bad for holding her captive like this, and besides, he didn't really need her anymore, because the people of Lalivero where now helping willingly, and hoping that Sheba would return to them.
"You know what Sheba... I think I'll grant you that wish... I shall send you back to Faran, and Lalivero, for I have gotten what I needed, and now I shall let you go free. I shall send a contingent of my guard to escort you back to Lalivero... You can leave as early as tomorrow..." Babi's eyes glowed as he saw the dramatic change that overcame Sheba.
She ate her food quickly, and ran to her room, to pack for tomorrow.
"Thank you Lord Babi." She said as she left to pack.
The END!