Frodo sighed, looking out the shuttle window for any sign that things would be better. So far, there wasn't any. Just grasslands as far as the eye could see. He looked away, keen on making this trip feel less bumpy. Then again, this shuttle didn't have any wheels and was a very smooth ride.
He looked at Parker and Eliza, who sat across from him. At least, Parker and Eliza were together.
Frodo looked up at the bears, seeing their smug looks and how they were doing their part to ignore him. Seriously, what was up with these bears? And who was this Seraphina? Her family must have been important. Otherwise, she wouldn't behave in this manner. He looked up, listening to Seraphina's conversation with a few soldiers.
"How is Cooper?" one of the black bear soldiers asked Seraphina.
"Well, after the incident at the Chesapeake Manor—haunted as it was—Cooper's been keeping to himself," Seraphina reminded her soldier. "He prefers working on the latest speeder than to be reminded of that dreadful day."
"I remember," Parker said, calmly.
"What?" Seraphina asked, concerned.
"That day when we went to the Chesapeake Manor," Parker said. "I remember it, and those who came with us."
"Generations have passed. I still remain, as does Cooper," Seraphina said. "This is not your world. Too many years have passed since you lived here. Cooper and I were lucky to have followed the shapeshifter migration, journeying to find new homes. Not many of us are left, as it were."
"So, you're one of the last generations from the First World?" Frodo asked, curiously.
Seraphina eyed him suspiciously. "No. Only Parker has been to the First World. Cooper and I were born during this Age. The First World was ages ago, back when the Universe was new. At least, that's what I read."
"It's true, you know, about the First World," Parker admitted. "I may not have lived there when it was still new, but I know it existed. My egg came from there."
"You know, this still doesn't save you three," Seraphina said. "You've all committed heinous crimes. And for that, you must be punished." She pointed to the window again, revealing a base with grey steel walls and an opening for people and animals to come and go in. Seraphina waited until the shuttle stopped before heading outside. She looked back as her three prisoners were brought out of the shuttle. "Come. We'd better hurry. NOW!"
Seraphina's soldiers did as they were requested to do, dragging Frodo and his friends inside the base, where all seemed quiet.
.
The base's interior had many rooms, hallways, and corridors. The ground was metallic and tiled, complete with its own set of rugs depicting the history of the Ages. From the First World to the time when the Chesapeake Manor was haunted, each rug had its own story.
Frodo looked around the base in confusion. Why was he sent here? He, Parker, and Eliza. He followed Seraphina and her soldiers helplessly, unsure what was going on or what they should do. At last, they came to an office decked out in so much red and purple. Before them was a fluffy white house cat sitting on an armchair, observing an origami of a swan. The cat looked up, stunned by the group.
"Rachal," Seraphina spoke to the white house cat.
"What is this? Why have you brought prisoners here? We don't do this anymore unless they've committed a terrible crime," Rachal said, concerned.
"Rachal, Helen the Shapeshifter is on the loose. She's dangerous and these three have unleashed her," Seraphina said, curtly. "Please, I ask they be put to trial. It's crucial we do this."
"To what? To get your reputation back?" Rachal said, sharply.
"I didn't mean it like that," Seraphina said, concerned. "I just…"
"Seraphina, you know it wasn't them responsible for this." Rachal continued, "Yes, Turen escaped for ages and Helen the Shapeshifter came back from the dead, due to Turen. Do you really think this is their fault?"
"Um… no," Seraphina said, guiltily.
"Oh, let them go," Rachal said, watching the soldiers free Parker, Eliza, and Frodo. She turned to Seraphina, saying, "Seraphina, I didn't send you these soldiers purely for a mistake. You know better, given the haunted manor accident. Or did you forget that Parker was with you during that time? Or the fact that we had help resolving the issue?"
"Well, no," Seraphina answered.
"Exactly," Rachal told her. "So, why are you imprisoning this dragonoid that helped us out?"
Seraphina passed to Rachal the warrants. "I had every good reason to arrest them. If that's not clear enough, then I don't know what is."
"These are forged warrants, not real ones," Rachal said.
"What? No. Patton swore we'd get Parker back," Seraphina said.
"Well, he lied to you," Rachal said. She added, "My guess is whatever mischief Patton wanted to cause, it was clear he wasn't acting alone."
"His wife," Seraphina said, concerned. "But what if she doesn't talk."
"She will," Rachal said. She changed the subject, ending the conversation, "Look, whatever Patton has against Parker, just keep an eye out on him. Patton and his wife have been happy these days." She paused. "You are dismissed." She returned to her paperwork, not looking up anymore.
Seraphina glared at Parker, nodded and gave a faint smile, before departing the office. Her soldiers followed her, keen on staying by her side through thick and thin.
Frodo looked at the scene before him, wondering who these people are, why he was sent to this realm. He watched Parker and Eliza try to reason with Rachal. They wanted to go home. That much was clear. Rachal agreed under the condition that Parker, his wife, and his hobbit friend stay and help out the animals and shapeshifters living in the Land of Talking Animals. It was a condition Frodo wasn't sure he could live up to, but he must if he wanted to leave the Land of Talking Animals alive.