Tales of HumferGoo
Chapter 2
Once arriving at Humfer's castle, I was greeted by two guards who were standing at the entrance. "Good day to you Leafa," said one of them. I visit often enough that they knew who I was. Most of the people that are here know me. I replied back with a good day to you too, as they opened the front gate. As I walked in, I was greeted by a few more if the guards who were the ones that stayed in the long hallway to where it spilt apart to the different places in the castle. Most of the time I'd find HumferGoo in the training room watching all the new recruits or just roaming around doing royal duties. I went ahead and went straight to the training room and only saw the new recruits training. Since I might actually not find HumferGoo around, I looked for the general who would probaby know where he went. I asked one of the nearest guards and he directed me to the dining area. There was a tiny group of soldiers along with the general all sitting at the table talking. "Well hello Leafa! Good to see you!" said the general. All the guards turned to look at me. I felt my face warm up. "Hello...I was just wondering is HumferGoo was here," I said quietly. "He said you'd probably visit. That's why he told me to tell you that he took a small group of soldiers on a lookout," said the general. "He probably won't be back till later though," said one of the guards. "Oh ok, thanks for telling me," I said. "What is he keeping a lookout for?" I said curiously. "He got a report from the village down by the river of two suspicious men wondering around. The towns people said that they looked like they came from the North side," said the general. "I say you best be careful on your way back," he said. By now there where little whispers and murmurs about the news. I then thought that that was probably what they were just talking about. "I will. I did a little scout out before I left my house. You know, just to make sure it was clear," I said. "That's some good practicing to do," said the general with a little laugh. "If you want Leafa you can stay as long as you like until HumferGoo comes back. You can always go in the library. If I see HumferGoo I'll tell him you'll be there. That is if you stay," said one of the guards. "Yeah, okay. I'll be in the library I guess," I said. They all said bye before turning back around and continued on with their conversation. Before I left I heard one of them say that they got a whole new stock of books. I smiled at the sound of that since it would probably be awhile until Humfer got back. I walked bit until I came to the entrance of the library. The guards standing there smiled at seeing me, as most of the time it was a nice visit from me to come here. I walked in and sat my stuff down on a table. I looked around a bit, when I saw the new isle of books. I was curious as to what the category was. As I got closer I saw a little sign that said: History of Quei and HumferGoo's castle. I did a little jump of excitement because I had a feeling that they had a book on the swamp that is near my forest. All I knew was that it was called Thorn swamp. I walked through the isle slowly looking at each letter until I saw the T's and S's. I saw one book called: Swamps and Forests. I grabbed that one and headed back to the table I sat my stuff down on. I looked the table of contents and then at all the chapters. I saw one with the title Thorn Swamp and turned to the page. It showed a picture of the swamp from the front and then somewhere in the middle of it. I noticed a small blue spot in the picture. At first I thought it was a misprint until I saw it in the first picture too. It didn't look like much except for it being a faint glow. I started reading the intro. "This swamp, located near two forests one being called Leaf's Hollow and the other being Clover Fields." I thought that was a little suspicious even though I knew it was mine and Clover's forests. Especially since I knew that my forest didn't have an official name. The next thing it said shocked me. "These names were given to these forests by The Queen, Treesta. They were named for each of her daughters, Clover and Leafa, who were the next line in royalty. She knew that these would be the perfect places for her daughters to live and grow up. Shortly after she disappeared. No one knows where too, but some say she had an urgent duty that needed attention. Till this day, the two daughters live peacefully in their forests made by their mother." I had no idea that she had given so much thought into these. Or that she had urgent buisness to attend. Clover never really mentioned her, probably because she never really knew who mom was. But I don't even think Clover knew that her forest was named that. I felt sadness fall over me. I read a little further since the swamp was still a mysterious place.
"The swamp located inbetween these to forests was somewhere as to no one liked visiting. As it being a swamp, it was always muddy and damp, with the rain coming back and leaving. This particular swamp was named Thorn Swamp for it's growth of thorns. Theses thorns are different in sizes, but many of them are dangerous, as some can be poisonous. The most common one is the Green Thorn. It isn't poisonous, but some can be as sharp as a knife. If not careful these can lead to very bad injuries. The mud that also makes up most of the swamp is very mushy and can get you stuck. There are also some spot that have warnings of spots that are so marshy that you can be swallowed by the mud." I thought for a bit. Even though Clover doesn't want me over there, how does she know what it's like? And if my mom knew about this place, why would she put our forests near it. I then thought that Clover probably knew more about it then me because the towns people she sees probably talk about it. I then wondered if Clover knew anything about mom since Clover knew her a bit before she disappeared. I read a little more and to my surprise it said that someone actually lived in the swamp. It didn't mention to much about her, except that she new who the Queen, Treesta was. And that she knew the swamp very well. It mentioned her having a "pet". I paused at that. A "pet"? Maybe it wasn't exactly owned by her. I then turned the page to see if it mentioned any details about our forests. It listed Clover's first. "Clover Fields was named this by the Queen, Treesta. The Queen chose this name so it would best fit Clover's name. This forest, made by the Queen, was considered one of the most prettiest places made by her. With it's tall, viny, trees to it's light green soft grass. It also has a few ponds which are surrounded by Weeping Willows and where you can find the small animals. All though this place was filled with mostly trees, bushes and grass, there was one spot that was left open. It was a small opening in the trees, big enough to see from the sky, and was just simply covered in soft green grass. It was said by the Queen that it was there for Clover to use as her own practicing place. To where Clover could practice her special talent." I thought that that was really cool. I never even knew it was there. I knew that when Clover came back she'd be exhausted from work, so I would have to wait a bit to ask her about it. I was about to read further on when I heard a familiar voice over by the door. I looked up to see HumferGoo walking to me. "Hey! How's it going?" He said excitedly like he hasn't seen me in years. "It's been fine," I said smiling. "I see you've been reading one of the new books. How is it so far?" He asked. "It's pretty awesome. I found out a little history on the swamp by our forests, and our forests themselves. You wouldn't mind if I brought this book home would you?" I asked. "Well, I wouldn't mind, but I'm not sure the librarian would be to happy about that," he said with a laugh. I completely forgot that there was a librarian, since I didn't see him at all. "Where is he?" I asked looking around. "I didn't see him when I walked in earlier." "He called in sick today, so he's resting back at home," said HumferGoo sitting down next to me. "I'm not sure if the guards have spoiled anything to you yet, but you may know that I was on a lookout," he said. "Oh yeah! I was going to ask that. How was it?" I said. "Well we didn't find the two men, but we got a little bit more information from the townspeople," said HumferGoo. "Really? Like what?" I said. "We got a little description of what they looked like. Oh and one of the townspeople said that they come from the Northside. A couple others said that they were looking for certain people, but that's all. If anything we need to keep anyone down here protected. Especially since their from the Northside," he said. People from the Northside weren't really favored by people who lived down here since they were ruled by a bad king. And the history with them and Quei isn't so great. "Off that topic. What did you find out about your forest?" HumferGoo said. "For one thing it mentioned my mom, and how she named each of our forests. Mine being Leaf's Hollow and Clover's being Clover Fields," I said. "Cool. Maybe you could read a book about the people of Quei. Pretty sure you'll find a book on it," he said cheering me up a little. "I'll find it tomorrow, but for now I'll stick to this book. It might mention my mom's forest. That's if she ever had one. Or maybe even a castle!" I said raising my voice a little. "Maybe I could tag along and help find it?" He said looking over at me. "Wouldn't you be busy?" I said frowning a little. "Oh that's right. Well tomorrow if I have any spare time, I'll promise to come visit you," he said. "Ok," I said,"hey do you know what time it is? I kind of lost track." "It should be near 11:30, if not 11:20 at the most," said HumferGoo. "Does that mean I could stay for lunch?" I said with a smile. "That's if Clover's fine with it. And are you sure? It might get a little crazy since most of the men are going to be in the dining hall at the time," he said. "I can go check with Clover is she's done for the day. Maybe she'd like to join us," I said. "Since I have a little spare time, you wouldn't mind me asking if I could come with you," said HumferGoo. "Not at all," I said getting up. "Don't forget to put the book back," said HumferGoo. He got up as I walked back over to the shelf to put the book back. "Ready?" I said turning toward HumferGoo. "Yep."
I picked up my bag and we both left the library. HumferGoo told a few of the guards as to where he was going, and then we were off to go see Clover.