Chapter 12- No matter the cost

"Look at all those guards now what do we do. He'll get caught." Guards were posted outside the capital for a pretty far distance. There was no way they wouldn't get him caught without getting punished.

"We need to take him in with us." Stan replied. Shorty stared and Stan stood there just picturing him saying 'Are you an idiot we'll get caught' It turned out to be what Shorty was actually saying.

"We'll give him a disguise that no one can figure it out."

"How is anyone not going to see through it though?" Shorty growled.

"We'll make it a good one." Stan declared. He dug in Tilly's saddlebag and found what he was looking for. He placed it on Cortez's head. The creeper said nothing as Shorty snickered.

"A sun hat is only going to fool seventy-five percent of the capital what about that twenty-five?" Shorty asked.

"We'll make an excuse. Come on let's go it's almost time for it to start." Stan untied the lead rope from Cortez's neck. "If you get scared try not to explode or they'll know you're a creeper."

"Or an ex-creeper." Shorty replied sardiconally. Stan glared at Shorty to tell him to knock it off.

"It's okay I've been practicing not exploding in fear. I replaced it with something else." Stan blinked wondering if he would regret that.

They decided standing around wouldn't have any use so they walked them and their horses down to the gates where the guards were. This would be the first challenge especially if they were caught. The guards stared at Cortez for a really long time and both boys were nervous.

"This won't work." Shorty harshly whispered.

"You may pass." One of the guards said and both boys felt relief. The first challenge was over with.

They trudged through the lower capital with many of the people staring the death glare at them. They would also see the parade as it marched through the lower kingdom forcing them choke on the fact that they were not as fortunate as the nobles in the parade.

Some of them whispered to each other. Stan remembered that the last time they were here they were running from the guards or in Shorty's case running up to the mountain in an attempt to save Hugh.

"What happened to Riker?" Shorty asked walking down the street totally ignoring the fact that they were being gossiped about.

"He was dragged down here by mistake." Stan replied.

"Stan!" A voice replied almost angry.

"Speaking of Riker here he is." Shorty rolled his eyes.

"Where's Hugh?" Riker asked.

Stan sighed but said nothing on the topic and Riker became panicked. "Where is he?" He yelled causing half the lower kingdom to stare.

"Hugh is dead." Riker stared shocked that his friend wasn't with them anymore. "He sacrificed himself so that I could escape."

"H-how did he die?" Riker stammered angrily.

"The enderman caught up to him." Stan shivered.

"You failed Stan you failed. What kind of friend are you?" That was it how was Riker ungrateful. Sure Stan wasn't able to save Hugh but that was Hugh's choice.

"I did not fail Riker. I risked my neck to go and save my friend, your friend! Yet you stand here and accuse me of basically killing him. He willingly sacrificed himself so that not two people would die. He wanted you to still have a friend. But still you are at square one. I can't be friends with you if you don't want it." Riker said nothing shocked that Stan would stand up like this. "If you change your mind you'll know where to find me."

They walked off leaving Riker to weep in the streets truly alone. Tilly seemed to be sad about the conflict just as much as Stan was. Cortez followed looking back at Riker. Shorty looked somber.

"Stan I'm sorry about what happened that must have been hard losing two friends in a week."

"It's okay. It's not like I don't have any friends." He looked at Tilly then Shorty then at Cortez who looked dumbfounded.

"Y-you would like to be my friend?" Cortez stammered.

"Of course." Stan smiled.

"The gate is up ahead let's hope that no one wants to fight." Shorty was hoping that no one remembered the skirmish that happened the last two days.

The guards reacted the same as the others and they were through as easy as the last one. The streets were booming with activity with a lot of eager people ready to see the parade. Kids giggled excitedly as it got closer and closer to them. Their mounts were allowed to stay with them during the parade.

"Look at the floats!" Kids exclaimed as ginormous floats passed them. Horses marched behind the floats as people exclaimed the name of that person that was on the steed. Thousands of nobles passed them and seemed to soak up the praises.

"I don't know half of these guys." Cortez snorted.

"Excuse me." A girl shoved Stan and he caught himself just in time before falling face first into the street. "Is this spot taken?" She camped herself right next to the boys.

"No not at all." Stan recovered his poise.

"Thank you. You're so kind. My name's Silvia." Stan raised his eyebrow. She noticed that and became startled. "W-what's wrong?"

"Nothing it's just that I feel like I've seen you before."

"Probably not I haven't been out much ever since my mother got sick and I had to take care of her." Silvia stammered but Stan did not let up.

"It's just that I feel like I know you. It's your voice. It sounds like the whispering lass." The girl's worried look turned into a menacing death glare.

"How did you know that?"

"Easy I just recognized your voice and you just confirmed it."

"Listen here. I don't need anyone getting in my way."

"In your way of what?"

"Not your business." Cortez looked at Silvia then went back to Shorty.

"She's got the temper of my mother." He whispered to Shorty who snickered.

"I'm not going to interfere but I do want to know why you show up whenever I'm in danger."

"Coincidence."

"Well I want to thank you then and don't worry no one else will know."

"You promise?"

"Of course or my name isn't Stan."

"Cause if you don't follow through I'll tell the whole kingdom about you bringing a creeper in here. Your not the only detective around here."

"Okay Silvia you seem like a smart girl. Why are you so keen on keeping your identity a secret?" Before she answered or tried to threaten him. Someone else shouted.

"Look it's the kings highest noble!" Another one shouted. "And the king's coming too."

The crowd cheered as the two rode in. Stan had heard so many stories about Steve the one who lead the attack on the enderdragon alongside the king. Cortez wasn't as pleased and excited and hid behind Tilly. He mumbled "Killer of many creepers."

"Don't worry I won't let him get to you." Stan winked. Steve was older now from when he had last gone on a mission. He retired as a war hero and best friend to the king. He never had children or at least never talked about it. "Silvia isn't this great! Silvia?" The girl was gone.

"Oh well she can miss all of this." Shorty hooted as the finale passed through. The parade was short but no one complained about it.

Later that night Stan and his friends had found another inn to stay at that was much more calm and relaxed. Shorty and Cortez had each gotten their own rooms. Stan had just gotten ready for bed when he realized that Hugh had read his journal last. He panicked just a little as he searched for it. He sighed with relief as he found it and it hadn't gone with Hugh to the grave.

He sat down and wrote in what had happened in the last few days. He then stumbled on a note just before the empty page. Stan read it knowing it was from Hugh. It read:

Friend:

You will not get this before I go to the grave. Knowing you Stan you will

Stay there until you know you can't do anything

no more. That's what I appreciate about you

But we both know that your something more than anyone has yet told you.

I've always sensed it, call it a six sense or something

But being friends with you has given me things to think about

And even after you warned me I wondered about you

I read your journal of your past encounters and think it's more

Than a coincidence. I agree with the skeleton

Minecraft is changing for

Better or for worse.

Stan I hope to give you the best wishes in your journey

That they be more successful than mine.

I know the price I must pay for my foolishness and lack of good judgment

But I know with the world in danger that you won't just let that happen

That enderman was only the beginning.

I think he's coming. Yes the one we heard about in stories

Told to make us behave. Oh no it's real

And your about to get involved

Take care Stan and know that I always cared for you like a brother

And I hope you did the same and Riker. Tell him that it wasn't your

Fault and that I made my own choices.

I wish to make my final goodbye here

You might even see me

Soon, very soon

-Hugh-

Stan closed the journal after reading the shocking note and wiped tears from his eyes and rested his head in his arms. He started to cry for the loss not only of Hugh but of this world as he knew. If Hugh was talking about Tokan they were all in trouble. Stan still knew he had to go to Sijinora if a cave based it's legend on it, it was only his duty to follow through no matter the cost or what would be sacrificed. Stan got up and went to bed not another word and fell into a deep dreamless slumber.

Chapter 12 is done and 13 is on it's way. By now I hoped you realized the identity of the whispering lass. Why did she disappear? Did you actually think when Hugh read Stan's diary that he would write something in there? Leave a review of what you think.

I will be writing two more chapters before August and before I get really busy so stay tuned and enjoy. Sijinora is coming up sooner than you think.