--------- Rina's POW -------
We had a fresh start that morning. The day dawned bright and sunny and everyone was in good spirits. I guess it was the fact that we could very well reach Console today.
The morning was extremely nice. Elmer was walking beside me as he usual does until something caused him bolt. He had never showed any signs of rebellion or apprehensiveness before so I was naturally too surprised to gasp the rope that slipped out of my hand. Pondering the question, I turned to Phil, but he paid no attention to Elmer's escape. Instead, he was riveted by a pair of hypnotic yellow eyes. A weracore. It was smaller than the one in the Magical Forest, but just as deadly. No wonder Elmer had run off. He must have been haunted by the dreams of an enlarged weracore killing his mother.
Naturally, both Phil and I were rooted to the spot. I saw the weracore start to launch itself at us. My brain was frantic and the last thought that I had was that my heart was going to burst. Suddenly, a brown blur flew pass us and buried itself into the side to the weracore. The creature dropped to the ground, dumbstruck. Another blur flew by and pierced the creature's shaggy coat beside the first one. The creature howled in pain and ran off. I turned around to see a tall and handsome youth splinter towards us. He held a bow in his hand and a quiver was hung over his back. A shaft was ready and loaded. I recognized him to be the brown-haired youth in the vision the Pool of Truth gave us.
"Are you alright?" he asked when he reached us.
Seeing as Phil was still stiff with fear I said, "We're fine. I'm Rina and this is Phil." I held out my hand.
"Tristan." He shook my hand. "So what are you doing undefended in the forest?"
"We were headed towards Console."
"Console, huh. And might I ask why you're headed there."
"And might I ask why it's your business."
Tristan grinned. "You're a spunky one. Well Console's just about an hour's walk from here, in case you're interested. Do you want me show you the way?"
"That's okay. We'll find the way." Phil piped up. He seemed to have gotten over his shock.
"Alright then. Bye." Tristan waved and left.
An hour later, Phil and I spotted Console through the trees. Excited, we headed quickly towards it. I was stopped, however, by a whinny I heard in the distance. Hoping with all my heart, I scanned the horizon. To my delight, I saw Elmer galloping towards me. He was sweat-streaked and a bit frantic, but safe and well. I greeted him happily. I had been hoping he would find his way back to me. He is a smart herrk!
When he calmed, Phil and I walked into Console. Despite its small size, it harbored a large market and trading post. People littered the streets and crowded around the booths. I glanced at the busy bazaar uneasily. I reached over and secured the packs on Elmer's back. I tucked Keith's ring into my pocket and check to see if the medallion was still inconspicuous under my shift.
Feeling secure, I grabbed Elmer's rope and, with Phil beside me, plunged into the crowd. We questioned the shopkeepers and civilians about a man named Jerrold but the search was in vain. It was getting dark and I was getting nervous about staying on the streets. Phil and I were searching for a suitable place to stay for the night when a crashed into a rock hard body. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground beside a black-haired child. The boy straightened, brushed dirt off of his clothes, and offered me a hand. He pulled me off the ground and apologized repeatedly.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't see you." He said. "How are you?"
"I'm okay." I said.
"Glad to hear it. I'm Terrance."
"Rina."
"Pleasure to meet you Rina. I wish I could stay and chat, but I've got to go. Maybe I'll see you later." Terrance rushed off.
I stood watching him disappear into the crowd. Something about his facial features caught my eye, yet I couldn't place it. A bit suspicious about his desire to leave and a tad bit troubled, I checked my pocket. To my horror and dismay, Keith's ring was missing. Growling with frustration, I ran after the lad.
"Stop! Thief!" I yelled and sprinted into the crowd. Phil seemed to have caught on to what happened and followed, leading Elmer whom I had forgotten. I spotted a tuff of thick black hair beside a stall and dashed recklessly towards it. "Thief!" I screamed again and tackled him before he could think. We crashed into the nearest stall. The boy lashed out with his foot, catching me in my stomach. Doubling over with pain, I stumbled backwards. The boy shoved me onto the ground. As I felt my feet swept from under me, I groped around. My hand brushed against a lock of thick hair and I seized it. The boy crashed face first onto the ground. Soon, we both were rolling on the ground in a fist fight. I was wild with anger. I didn't know how to fight, nor did I have the muscles to land an effective punch. I ended up thrashing my fist in hope of striking a target. The boy had been in many more brawls. He recovered quickly from the fall pushed me to the ground. He aimed a punch at eye but due to the fact that I had turned my face, hit my cheek. Next thing I knew, I was blinded by extreme pain in my left cheek. Crazed, I swung my fist. I felt it come in contact with flesh.
"Ouch!" I heard the boy yell. I started to get up, but the boy, obviously angered, wrestled me. He twisted my arms painfully. Suddenly, the pain dissipated and my arms were released. I felt someone seize my flailing arms and force me off the ground. Phil pinned my arms to my side and dragged me out of kicking range. A brown-haired youth held the black-haired boy up by his shirt collar. I felt pride when I saw his developing bruises and black eye.
"What is going on here?" The brown haired youth demanded.
"That boy is a thief." I growled maliciously, struggling in Phil's grip. Phil tightened his death grip.
"Terrance," The youth said with an air of impatience. "Must you be so stubborn? Give back whatever it is that you stole." The black haired lad hesitated. His capturer shook him mercifulness and the boy produced the ring from inside a hidden pocket. The brown-haired relaxed his hold on Terrance, frowning thoughtfully at the sight of the ring. I wretched myself out of Phil's grasp and snatched the ring. The brown-haired youth released Terrance.
"Hi, I'm Tristan. You must be Rina. I met you in the forest." He said. I thought he looked familiar. He continued, "I apologize for my brother's behavior. Stealing is an old habit of his."
"That's alright." I said, giving Terrance a look that suggested the opposite. "No harm done."
"No harm done?" Tristan laughed, eyeing by bruised cheek. "I hate to see what you call wounds. Why don't you stay at my house for the night? It would make up for Terrance's misbehavior. You would like that, wouldn't you Terrance."
Terrance scowled. Tristan gave him a shake and he nodded.
"Thanks for your invitation. We accept. Lead the way." I said. Terrance scampered off. Tristan fell in step with me as we walked. Phil walked beside me leading the unruffled Elmer.
"So Rina," Tristan said. "What brings you to the little town Console?"
"We're looking for Jerrold. I was told he live here." I answered truthfully.
"Jerrold, huh? He's not hard to find. You'll see him soon."
"You know him?"
"Of course. Why do you need to see him?"
"I was to give him something."
"And might that be the ring?"
I was silent. How had Tristan had known? Was that lucky guess or did he really know about my mission? Could he be trusted?
"Don't worry. I can be trusted." Tristan said as if he had read my thoughts. "You have good reason to be suspicious, though."
I opened my mouth to ask what he meant but he stopped me. "Here we are." He had led us to a small well-kempt house at the edge of town. It had a thatched roof, whitewashed walls and painted fences. A guard dog and a few cats roamed around the house. Behind the house, I could see the outskirts of a forest. Terrance, who had arrived earlier, peeked through a window. When he saw me, he scowled and disappeared. A tall man with graying hair stood in the doorway. Although he dressed in the everyday rags of the poor, I could tell he was different from a common peasant. He had an air of rank and strictness. He commanded respect and authority, but I liked him instantly.
"Father! I brought some guest. This is Rina and Phil. This is my father, Jerrold." I was stunned. I had suspected that Tristan was hiding something, but I hadn't thought that he was related to Jerrold. No wonder he recognized the ring. I started to fumble for the ring but Tristan stopped me. "Come in first." He whispered in my ear.
Together, we all entered the cottage. It was small, but comfortable. Oil lamps provided light and homespun rugs adorned the walls. Tristan led Phil and I into a hall. He stopped in front of a pair of rooms.
"Rina, you can sleep here and Phil can sleep there." He said. "The bathroom is further down the hallway. You can change and bathe if you want. I'll settle the herrk in the stable and see you later for dinner?"
I nodded. Tristan left. Upon entering my room, I threw my sack that I had untied from Elmer onto the bed. Heading towards the window, I threw open the shutters. The sky was beginning to darken, but I could make out the shadows of Tristan leading Elmer towards a dark square at the back of the house.
When Elmer caught sight of me, he tried to pull away from Tristan. Tristan grasped the rope with both hands and jerked. Dejected, the herrk walked submissively beside Tristan. He waved, than disappeared into the stable.
Grinning foolishly, I turned back into the room. Walking over to my bed, I pulled out fresh clothes and left for the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, Phil, Jerrold, Tristan, Terrance and I were seated at the dinner table. My cuts had been washed and my bruises examined. Terrence's black eye had been treated. He sat slumped between Tristan and Jerrold.
Phil and I had retold the story beginning from Phil's arrival at the manor, to the Pool and to the . . .unexpected. . . encounter with Terrance. "Rina, would you mind showing me the ring Tristan told me about." Jerrold asked as he dished out stew.
"Sure" Rina reached into her pocket and withdrew the signet ring. She handed it to Jerrold. He held it up so it glimmered in the light. Turing it slowly in his hand, he scrutinized it. Finally, he handed the ring back to Rina.
"That is the one and only signet ring of Keith." He concluded. "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't trust you, I just wanted to be sure it was the real you and not a spy."
"I understand. Keith just told us to find you." I said.
"I know what he meant. You would get lost if you tried to reach the base without a guide. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I cant' lead you there." Jerrold announced.
"Than why'd Keith tell us to come here?" demanded Phil.
After a nod from his father, Tristan spoke up, "Father can't go, but I can."
"If there's to be a big battle or something, won't you be needed . . .um . . .sir?" I asked, unsure of his title.
"Your Grace is the correct title. I was Duke Jerrold, cousin and head of the council of King Danis of Keron." Jerrold corrected, somewhat amused. "I'll come of course, but I need to finish some business first. I'll take Terrance with me. He'll only hinder you." He laughed at the fiercely scowling Terrance. "Why don't you go to bed? It's getting late." The command intended for Terrance alone, caused us all to rise from the table. Phil, while yawning hugely, excused himself. I followed his example.
I dragged myself to my room. Abruptly, all the exhaustion from today's excitement with the weracore, the market place, and Jerrold dawned on me. Tired, I sank into a deep slumber.