Chapter 5:
"No way!" Jasmine and Lief exclaimed at the same time later that night. Anna and Doom looked at each other. So their plan failed to act civil and talk calmly about Anna traveling West to help the people.
"I do not see the problem in letting Anna travel to the West," Doom said stubbornly. "I think she would be safe if guarded by the Pirran Pipe."
"You never think!" Jasmine replied angrily. "She is only 16! There is no way she is going to travel to unknown lands!" Anna looked at Lief to see what he was going to add in, but her hopes flared again when she saw her father thinking. Jasmine obviously saw this too. "Do you not agree, Lief?" she asked sharply.
"There is no way we could supply enough food to the people of Deltora without the Western people's help," Lief began, still thinking. "It would take at least 50 years to repair what the Shadowlord destroyed here when he was ruler…maybe the Pirran Pipe would help if we were to go to the West."
"But if you go, Lief, people would begin to notice and this could draw attention to the Shadowlord." Doom added, obviously trying to keep Lief on his side. "If Anna were to go, we could tell Zeann to keep it secret and we could tell the people of Del that Anna was studying in Tora."
"Anna is not going to unknown lands!" Jasmine exclaimed angrily. "How can you not understand that?" Anna remained silent hoping that her mother would finally give in.
"The Pirran Pipe has helped us keep the Shadowlord at bay before…I am sure that it would do the same this time." Lief told Jasmine, who stamped her foot on the floor impatiently.
"Anna-is-not-going!" Jasmine said infuriated. "We can get soldiers to travel West with the Pirran Pipe…if the cave-dwellers will give us the Pipe…which they may not do.
"Guess again!" someone said from behind them all. Anna jumped with a start and spun around. A small, hooded person was standing in the doorway. Anna could tell from under the strange person's hood that he or she was grinning.
"Emlis?" Lief stood up, not believing his eyes. The hooded figure grinned wider. Anna saw Jasmine quickly get up and close all of the windows and doors. When the room was almost dimmed, Emlis lowered his hood. Anna gasped out of surprise for she thought the strange person was a child. Emlis resembled a human but with dog-like facial features and thin, spiky hair. By the mature look on his face, Anna assumed that this short person was an adult in actuality. Emlis walked up to where Anna was sitting and looked at her, smiling.
"So, this is the adventurous Anna that I've been sent letters about." He said looking at a very uncomfortable Anna.
"That's her," Jasmine rather unenthused. Emlis laughed.
"I remember when I wanted to explore the distant lands." He said reminiscing." That was long ago…now I am the Piper for the Kerrons."
"That is wonderful!" Lief exclaimed happily. Anna had enough of not knowing what was going on.
"Can someone please fill me in on what we are speaking about?" she said, rather impatiently.
"This is Emlis, one of the Pirrans who helped us free the prisoners from the Shadowlord." Lief explained, turning to Emlis. "What he wants now, I don't know."
"We Pirrans have heard of what has happened to the Western people." Emlis explained gravely. "We know that the Belt cannot be taken from Deltora's lands, but we are willing to give you the Pirran Pipe if needed."
"This is great!" Lief exclaimed happily. Jasmine snorted.
"Then we will bring soldiers to sail West with the Pipe." She said firmly. "There is no way Anna is traveling to the West alone."
"She will not be alone!" Doom exclaimed. "I am willing to go…sure I may be old but I still have some strength left."
"I am willing to travel as well." Emlis added. "I can put Karris in my place if I am needed. She will be good to take my place as Piper. And since I know how to play the Pipe, I would be the best to take along…if trouble does happen." Lief looked at Jasmine, his face showing his obvious excitement.
"Well, now we have defense if we need it." He said excitedly. "And we have a good back-up story for Anna so no one expects anything." Jasmine seemed unchanged in her position on the matter.
"Come on, Jasmine." Doom said impatiently. "Anna is tough, and I know she's been going mad staying in Del day in and day out." Anna nodded vigorously. "And she will be protected by soldiers."
"This is for the good of our land." Anna added. "Just think of how the Western people have been there for us when we needed food." Finally, Anna saw her mother smile.
"Very well," she said, making everyone else in the room happy. "But only because it's for the good of our land. You better not make adventures part of you regular routine, Anna."
"I certainly will not!" Anna said happily.
"Then it is settled." Lief said. "Anna will go to the West."
a/n: Oooooooooh it's gonna get good after this thanks for the positive feedback! Also, I know Barda hasn't been in this a lot…it's not that I don't like him. He's actually really cool…it's just that neither Lief nor Jasmine will be important in this anymore, and it would be hard to fit him in.