Chapter 10 Shadow of Friendship
Maxim was seen as a gentleman of quality by most of the villagers after his performance at the Inn that afternoon. As such, he was eagerly welcomed into all of the village shops and the craft locations as well.
The aristocratic gentleman made good his promise to Mavis in fine style. He saw to it that she left the best shops in Amakina with more frills and dresses than she could carry. So much so the the gruff Brown canine in Maxim's employ was forced to put down his spare whip, and become a beast of burden in his own right, working for Mavis as she shopped all around the village.
That same morning, Maxim announced a grand party, to be held at the Inn, with all of the villagers invited.
Later that same afternoon, Maxim chanced to stop and browse for a bit at the potion shoppe, which Felice ran in a small alcove room built on the side of her modest home.
The Enripsa was alone, and was concentrating on dinner for Cici and Shibu, when Maxim called her discreetly to one side.
"I am glad to have found a healer of such fine reputation here in this quaint village." Maxim said by way of introduction. "My name is Maxim, as you have no doubt heard. But more than the social graces bring me to you this fine day." The man in the high black boots explained.
"How might I help you, Your Excellency?" Felice inquired in a polite business-like tone.
Maxim dipped a hand into the edge of the fine cloak he wore as an afternoon garment. He drew a parchment scroll out of one of the hidden inside pockets.
"I am holding a commission from Bonta, Madame. "Our Palace guards require a goodly supply of the finest in healing potions, and charms of all types." Maxim explained.
Felice's round face lit up with far more than casual interest. A Royal warrant could make any merchant practically rich overnight, under the right conditions.
"I have here the formula for our required potion. I am permitted to share this information in connection for a bid to make twenty-four chests of the finest healing potions that Kamas can buy."
"Well, let's have a look, shall we?' Felice said amiably. She took the parchment and unrolled it, reading the recipe which she found to be more than familiar to her.
"These are quite simple." Felice replied. "All but one component is common. But you are in some luck. The uncommon ingredient grows in abundance quite near here, and can be had in quantity, and quickly."
Maxim nodded. "That is what our scouting reports indicated, Madame Felice."
"Under the Royal Warrant, I can commission sample lots of the potion to be tested on a trial basis." Maxim explained.
"I can have the first chest ready by this time tomorrow, would that be satisfactory?" Felice inquired.
"Indeed it would." Maxim responded. "My companion can return to Bonta with the samples, and then, upon approval, I shall grant the Royal Warrant for the remaining shipment."
"This is wonderful news!" Felice said with a smile that seemed to light up her round face. "But it's also one of the largest potion orders I've had in some time." Felice began slowly. "Your order can easily be met. But I shall need to augment my stock of ingredients, as I don't keep enough materials here to fulfill an order of this size." Felice explained to her new client.
"That's perfectly fine." Maxim replied affably. "We would naturally prefer the freshest and most potent potions possible. I'm sure you understand." Maxim continued with an oily smile.
"I can certainly gather the freshest of herbs from the wild." Felice explained. "It will slow down the creation of your sample lot somewhat. My entire family are kind enough to assist me when this sort of opportunity arises."
"I've come to admire the people of this village a great deal." Maxim replied. "If other places worked together in the same way, life in general would certainly be easier, even in a grand place like Bonta."
Felice smiled and nodded. "In my case, I have two of the very best helpers. I can assure you that they are without equal, even in the great cities of Bonta and Brakmar."
"Your work enjoys a great reputation in these parts, my dear Felice. I leave the matter entirely in your capable hands." Maxim replied.
"Have you had the pleasure of meeting my son yet, Your Excellency?"
"I cannot say so." Maxim answered. "I'm sure I would remember meeting such a fine quality lad as has been described to me by so many of the villagers."
Felice, rose from her seat and curtsied with a rapid flutter of wings.
"If you'll pardon me, Your Excellency, I'll arrange an introduction now." Felice said as she floated toward her library door.
"I'd be charmed, I'm sure." Maxim replied in a smooth voice which was part butter and part oil.
"Shibu!" Felice called out, speaking just a touch louder than usual so her voice would carry across the village green on the spring breeze.
On the other side of the common area, Shibu, Dylan and the others were in the usual process of practice to prepare themselves for the spring tournament. But the entire team paused where they stood when a familiar call and a familiar name came to them on the breeze.
"Hold on fellas!" Shibu said as he stopped in mid kick. "It isn't dinner time yet, but let me go find out what's going on. I'll be back in a while." Shibu told his teammates.
"Sure Shibu, go on." Dylan replied with an easy smile. "May be with you gone for a while, the rest of us will have a chance to score some goals for a change!" Dylan told them as the young Ecaflip reached over, and tousled the top of Shibu's unusual hat ever so gently.
"Hurry back, superstar." Dylan kidded. "When you get back, you can lead us in our footwork drills."
Dylan saw Shibu's face light up with a huge smile as the boy in the long tail hat sprinted toward his house, the fluffy tail of his hat streaming in the breeze behind him.
For just a moment, Dylan was tempted to follow. But one of the others tugged lightly at his elbow. "Come on Captain, let's kick!" Dylan smiled, and went back to practice with the rest of his teammates.
Shibu seemed reinvigorated by being out in the springtime air. Because he was slightly shorter than the other boys, not counting the length of his hat, when Shibu decided to run, he could outrace the deer around the village. As he cut across the green to answer the familiar call, Shibu not only ran, but he ran and jumped forward at the half step. The result was an arcing path across the wide open grass that let him move faster than even he thought he could. He had not put any thought into the unusual motion. It seemed to come to him as pure reflex.
It came to him the same way the blue light had done as he was falling from the tree. But this time there was no panic, no fear. Just a happy and natural exuberance that seem to lend Shibu an extra energy and spring in his step.
As Shibu thought about the blue light, it was suddenly before him, and then around him again. A moment later, halfway across the green, another blue circle appeared floating just above the door to his house. He seemed to fall, or more likely just to step into it while moving forward, and suddenly he was standing in his own doorway.
"I'm here, Mom. What can I-" Shibu's question was cut off, as he seemed to appear from the blue circle above his head, and drop onto his porch as lightly as ever.
Felice was standing with someone Shibu had never seen. But he had heard the other boys in the village, talking about how much he had bought from their fathers since coming to visit the village.
"Oh excuse me." Shibu began by rote. "I didn't mean to disturb you both."
Both Felice and her guest had seen Shibu's unusual entrance. Shibu had never seen an expression like that on his mother's round face in all the time he could remember.
Standing at her side, the tall aristocrat in the black boots looked at the young boy with eyes the size of eggs. But Shibu couldn't help but feel that there was something different in the taller man's expression. No trace of fear, but in its place honest surprise, fascination, and a glimmer of recognition.
"Hello Shibu!" Felice chirped, still a bit breathless with her own note of surprise. "Have you met the Count Maxim from Bonta, my darling?" Felice asked, suddenly sounding rather formal.
"Oh, you're the fellow that everyone in the village is talking about." Shibu replied easily, with no trace of excessive formality.
"I'm Shibu. Pleased to meet you, Count Maxim."
Shibu concluded his introduction, not so much with a formal bow, as an easy handshake.
Count Maxim shook off his outright shock, long enough to take Shibu's hand in a gentle but solid grasp.
"Pleased to meet you my boy. Your mother has said so many wonderful things about you." The aristocratic man replied. As he spoke, Shibu could not help but notice that the aristocrat saw something that Shibu did not, and was reflected openly in the aristocrat's eyes.
"If I may, Count Maxim, you should also know that you shake the hand of one of the best potion makers in the entire district." Felice explained with a note of quiet pride in her voice.
"Really?" Answered Count Maxim as he tried with little success to cover up the recognition that could be seen in his eyes as he looked at Shibu. "Do tell." Continued Maxim in an affable way.
"Shibu is not only my adopted son, but he's been my apprentice almost since his first day here with us." Felice explained, maintaining the gentle touch of pride in her voice, as Shibu blushed like a rose under praise from his mother.
"Shibu can even manage a potion or two of his own design." Felice added. "So I have great hopes and expectations for the new generation. Together, the samples you desire, and the rest of the order under the Royal warrant will be no challenge whatsoever once we have gathered the freshest of ingredients." Felice spoke up, explaining the situation to Shibu as she did so.
Shibu was as almost as happy as Felice was proud. A great huge smile spread openly across his young face. "You mean we have to go into the forest?" Shibu asked, looking rapidly had both adults in turn.
Felice nodded, now sharing her son smile at the anticipation he felt.
"Yes Shibu, into the forest, and across to the pastures
beyond." Felice answered.
By now, Shibu was practically vibrating with excitement. So much so that it took Felice resting both hands on his shoulders to steady him.
"You know what to do Shibu." Felice told him calmly. "Go and make the preparations, and gather the camping supplies." Felice instructed.
Shibu nodded, and was off at a fast and purposeful walk, because he already knew he wasn't allowed to run in the house.
"Permit me a guess." Count Maxim said with a touch of whimsy as Shibu practically bounced around the corner of the next room and out of sight. "First camping trip of the summer?" Inquired the Count.
"Yes Your Excellency. I hope you'll pardon his youthful exuberance. I promise you he is every bit the gifted potion maker whom I presented to you." Felice replied with all the formality she could bring to bear.
"Think nothing of it at all." Maxim replied with a gentle smile. "Boys in Bonta are exactly the same way this time of year."
"Thank you for understanding, Your Excellency." Felice answered.
"And upon that subject." Count Maxim replied. "Please accept this small emolument, for such supplies and other things you may need to prepare the sample potions we have agreed upon."
As he spoke, the aristocrat produced a leather pouch from the inside pocket of his cloak. It was the size of two large eggs, and sealed with wax which bore the seal of Bonta."
The weight of the pouch in her hand put so much stress on her wings that it almost forced her to stand on the floor, rather than hover above it. "Thank you for your kind generosity." Felice stammered as she struggled to fly, rather than stand.
"My distinct pleasure, my dear Felice. Count Maxim began. "My only regret is that you will miss the celebration which I had planned for tonight at the village Inn."
"Don't give it another thought, Your Excellency." Felice answered casually. "My son and I are happiest when we're together, and even more so together in making potions." Felice replied. "We expect to be gone overnight and return early tomorrow morning. Then, we shall begin to craft the samples which you have requested. Is that satisfactory, Your Excellency?" Felice asked, returning to the respectful tone that was due to the Count and his station.
"Felice, you have no idea at all how happy that turn of events will make me." Count Maxim replied. "For the moment, I must forsake your charming company to prepare for the celebrations tonight. Should you need anything before leaving, please do not hesitate to ask. And please give my regards to Shibu, he is indeed a most unique boy." So saying, Count Maxim rose from his seat, and with a dashing bow and doff of his hat toward Felice, the aristocratic noble seemed to disappear on a puff of the spring breeze.
"Mother, It's all here together, but we'll need the larger wagon for the longer poles, and our collections." Shibu called from the other room.
"Fine, Shibu, sweetie." Felice replied. "Count Maxim was quite impressed with you, Darling."
The reference made Shibu giggle from afar. But then, Shibu walked around the edge of the doorway to talk to Felice.
"Mother, did you notice how Count Maxim was looking at me when we met?" Shibu asked openly.
"You're a very handsome fellow, My Darling." Felice replied. "When people meet someone as handsome as you are, they remember it." Felice explained with a loving smile.
She smiled even wider when she noticed Shibu, blushing, and trying to hide his face in the folds of his hat's long tail.
"S'matter dear?" Felice asked playfully. "You must notice how all the girls in the village gather around when ever you start kicking that ball."
"Oh mom!" was all Shibu could manage to say. "I'd rather watch the ball."
"I'm surprised you don't have girls asking for you more than your teammates, Really."
Felice paused, because she could feel the heat coming off her son's ears, in spite of his hat.
She leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Thanks for your help, Dearest. Why don't you run along outside for now. I'm sure your team needs you, as much as the girls might like to have another look at their favorite before the Day of Hearts." Felice said with a coy smile at her boy.
"Thanks Mom. If you need me, just call." Shibu replied as he made a long-legged stride for the door and outside. Shibu didn't say anything as he ran across the green to his team again, but he was grateful for the evening air that cooled his ears so nicely.
As Shibu ran off to become his own happy self again, Felice paused. Shibu was more unique than he was ready to understand. Yet, he had been correct about the way Count Maxim had looked at him.
Felice set aside packing the rest of the empty potion bottles in her stock room, and floated swiftly into the communal room that was also Shibu's favorite, because it was lined from floor to roof with books.
Felice spent part of everyday in this room too, and every book on each shelf was just like an old friend to her. In a moment, she found the book that she was looking for.
"Nobles of Bonta" she whispered quietly as she slipped the book down from the shelf and over to her workbench.
Felice was never the suspicious kind, but this time, just this once, something made her curious about their noble visitor.
As she leafed slowly thru the familiar parchment pages and their illuminated illustrations, she felt her concern become something deeper still.
It was too late in the day to go to Bonta, but there were ways to send messages to all of the great cities. Felice closed her book, and took up quill and parchment paper, scribbling a note to another Enripsa Felice knew in the capitol city.
As soon as she signed it, she inscribed a few more unique symbols at the bottom of the page. The parchment glowed faintly, rose from the workbench, folded itself into a small flat triangle, and promptly vanished in a puff of smoke.
Normally, Enripsa healers used this transport magic to get potion formulas from one to another during emergencies.
The Healer's Guild frowned on it being used for personal messages, as did the Royal Postal Service in Bonta.
But there was something inside Felice now that whispered to her that if she only had to pay a small fine, it would be the least of her worries.
Count Maxim made his way across the green, and across the village toward the stables with a quick and deliberate stride.
He was right, he thought to himself. There was something more than unique about the boy with the strange hat. But for now, and for the evening to come, Count Maxim had other matters which demanded his attentions. He was slowed down as he passed through the village, as every person he seemed to meet also bowed or curtsied as a sign of respect.
It was a sign of respect that the Count himself was expected to return. Although it took more time than he supposed with evening twilight closing in, he kept his rendezvous at the back of the stable near the edge of the forest.
Hidden from sight by the dense trees of the local forest, Maxim found the familiar brown cloaked canine who was his servant. The canine knelt subserviently in the presence of his noble Master.
"Get up you fool, get up. There's no time for such horseplay now. Have you brought the wine, the beer, and the candy, as I have instructed?"
"Yes Master." Said the canine in a growled voice as he labored to stand up again. "It is all here, and prepared as you have instructed." The canine told his Master.
"You have done well, for once." The Count replied sarcastically. "But before tonight's festivities begin, there's one more thing to do. Keep a lookout, and warn me if you see anyone at all." Count Maxim told his servant. "I will finish preparing the special repast for the party tonight."
"As you say, Master."
Count Maxim ignored him, and instead, fixed his attentions on several barrels gathered into one tight group, waiting for spigots through small holes opened in the side of each barrel. Turned up right as they were, it was simple for the noble in the black boots to pass from barrel to barrel, pausing over each one to draw out from a pocket in his cloak, a small bottle which held an innocent looking emerald liquid.
The esteemed Count was careful to look around himself, before deftly pouring four to six drops of the emerald liquid into each of the waiting barrels.
Then, Count Maxim turned with venom of another kind, to look upon the sweets that had been gathered for the children that would be attending the celebration. This time, the Count took another small bottle from the inside of his cloak, and pulled out the stopper. The bottle sizzled slightly, and emitted a small cloud of pink fumes that seemed to settle over the gathered sweets, dried fruits, and molasses candies. In a moment, the pink mist was dissipated on the rising breeze of the twilight. But Count Maxim knew that his work had been done.
His trap was set.
Now time was on his side. All he had to do was wait, and let people be people.
But just then, another thought crossed the mind of the greedy noble. There was one more matter which required his attention.
"Tap those barrels, and see to it that everything else is taken to the Inn." Count Maxim instructed his henchmen. "I shall appear there later on." He continued. "For now, there's another small matter of scholarship that requires my attention."
"As you will Master." The brown cloaked canine responded as he moved toward the first of the barrels.
Such menial tasks were beneath a noble and his attention. While his servant worked, the Count seemed to vanish into the rear of the wagon that was still harnessed to the frightening Gobballs.
Once inside the wagon, the Count made certain to draw the rain flap, making sure he was alone inside, and could not be seen from the outside.
Once no one could see him, Count Maxim drew a golden key from the innermost hidden pocket of his cloak. He put the ornate key into the time rusted lock that sealed one of two huge chests kept hidden under the domed canvas top of the wagon.
From the ancient chest, the Count took out a binder of leather and cord, sealed with a familiar wax. As he drew back the ancient seal, the noble removed one of two ancient books from the folio.
He knew these books as well as Felice knew her own. Instantly the book older than most Legends of Bonta fell open to a page the Count had seen many times before. As soon as he saw the illuminated illustration, excitement he could not contain made him whisper one word out loud.
"Eliotrope!" The Count repeated breathlessly. "I knew it the moment I saw him!"
Maxim's spirit felt an uplifting rush. The legends were true! And where there were Eliotropes, there were bound to be dragons, too!
Maxim stared at the ancient and historic picture of the Eliotrope. As he looked down upon the surviving fragment of ancient history, another much darker scheme took shape in his larcenous mind.
Why steal mere possessions, when, with a little more work, you can steal people just as well? He asked himself rhetorically.
If young Shibu shared even a fraction of the capabilities of his native people, stealing anything and everything in the world would be child's play, as long as the Count stole Shibu first!
Almost at once, he had a scheme. But every scheme required someone to take the blame.
Maxim's eyes shifted from the illuminated page in the manuscript to the figure outside the wagon, who was moving the food and drink for tonight's party.
Nothing of value can be had without price, Maxim reminded himself.
The Count closed the book as if it were made of gold leaf, and tenderly placed it back in the leather folio. He was careful to re-tie it, and slip it back into the trunk before re-locking the trunk with the golden key. Then, Maxim hopped out of the wagon.
He knew now what had to be done.
The cost would be high, but someone else would pay the price.
And Count Maxim De Fer would become as famous as his station deserved.
The world's best known King, and most refined thief. The only one in History with his own Eliotrope!