Thankfully, Mrs. Patmore didn't have a whole lot for them to get. Thomas met Jimmy outside by the gate. He had the stone wrapped up in a bag and was holding it tight to his chest.
"You ready," Thomas asked as he approached.
"I think so," Jimmy said, "I hope it won't be a waste of a trip."
"I'm sure someone will take it off your hands. Who knows, maybe we'll be lucky and run into the original owner and he'll give you something for returning it."
Jimmy chuckled.
"I doubt it," he said, "A man who owns something like this probably sees us as nothing but peasants and wouldn't dare waste a coin on charity."
Thomas chuckled and they left. The walk was slow to the village, due to Jimmy falling behind. Thomas could see Jimmy really didn't want to part with the stone, but they had no choice.
Once they entered the village, they immediately started on the list Mrs. Patmore gave them. A few spices, flour, and three jars of jam were all that were needed so they finished the list rather quick. Thomas decided to carry the items while Jimmy held the stone as they walked over to the jeweler.
If any one could tell us about the stone, it'd be him.
The bell rang as they entered the shop and the jeweler walked up behind the counter.
"Ah, hello lads," he said, "How can I be of service?"
"We found a strange stone," Thomas said, "We thought maybe you could tell us what it is and its value, if it has one."
The jeweler smiled then put on his spectacles.
"Alright, then," he said, "Lets have a look."
Thomas looked at Jimmy who still held the bag tight to his chest. Thomas nodded at him and Jimmy set the bag on the counter. The jeweler pulled the large blue stone out of the bag with fascination written all over his wrinkled face.
"My God," he said, "Where on earth did you boys find this?"
"Took a shortcut," Jimmy said, " back to Downton one night and it was just...there. On the ground."
"Well, I've never seen something so beautiful in all my years. What ever it is, it must be very rare. Perhaps we should take a look inside it."
Thomas nodded and Jimmy swallowed. He didn't want to break the stone. The jeweler brought out a sharp chisel and hammer.
"You boys could be in for some money with what we find," he said as he placed the chisel tip on the stone and prepared to hit it with the hammer. Jimmy looked away. The man raised the hammer then struck. A loud hollow ting sent all eyes on the stone. Their mouths went wide as the jeweler struck once more and the sound repeated.
"Its.," he began, "Its…hollow?"
"Hollow," Thomas repeated, "But it weighs good."
"Indeed it does," the jeweler said as he lifted it, "Quite heavy, but yet its hollow."
The man set it down and tapped it again with the chisel and hammer. He then looked closely at the surface, completely puzzled.
"Not even a scratch," he said, "Not a chip, scratch, or any mark of what I just did. My, you boys sure did find somethin alright, but nothing I could help determine it."
Thomas was disappointed. He truly hoped he could rid the thing before trouble found them.
"I would recomend London. They have better tools and books on strange things such as this. I only know the basics of it. Don't think I could buy it from you, but I'm sure someone in London would pay very well for something like this. You boys may still be up for a fortune."
The jeweler put the stone in the bag and handed it back to Jimmy who took it with glee.
"Thank you for your help," Jimmy replied.
"Yes," Thomas moaned, "Thanks."
"Let me know what becomes of it," the jeweler said as they walked out of the store.
"Can't believe it," Thomas snarled, "So close to rid that thing."
"Didn't you hear what he said," Jimmy replied, "This could be worth a fortune."
"In London," Thomas snapped, "There is no way we can go to London. I don't have the money and I highly doubt Mr. Carson would let a couple days off for London."
Jimmy shrugged but was still happy he got to keep his stone.
Their way back to Downton seemed to take forever, even though Jimmy was keeping speed with Thomas, who was sulking and mumbling under his breath.
"There's no point in a nasty attitude, Mr. Barrow," Jimmy said. Thomas glared at him shortly then continued to look forward and increased his speed. Suddenly he heard Jimmy scream, stopping Thomas right in his tracks as turned around to see Jimmy on the ground and the stone out of the bag on the road. Thomas quickly came over to where Jimmy lay on the ground.
"Are you alright," he asked. Jimmy nodded.
"Its...its moving, Thomas," Jimmy replied with wide eyes staring at the stone. Thomas looked over and gasped as the stone began to rock back and forth. Thomas was tempted to grab Jimmy and make a run for it, until a piece broke off of the stone and a blue clawed hand reached out.
Oh no! I knew something bad was wrong with the stone!
Another piece broke off and a long scaly tale slithered out. Piece by piece the stone broke away and soon it revealed a tiny blue creature with horns and wings.
A demon! Hell exists and we've just awoke a demon!
Thomas wanted to scream and run, but he was frozen in place. The creature looked over at them and tilted it's head like a curious puppy, making bubbling noises similar to a baby. The creature jumped then ran over to them. Thomas and Jimmy yelped then backed up a bit until their backs met a large tree. The creature followed and stared with big blue eyes. The three stared at eachother for a while until Jimmy summoned up his courage, and slowly approached the creature.
"Jimmy,"Thomas said, "What are you doing?"
"It's...a baby, Thomas," he replied, "A.. baby dragon?"
"Dragons don't exist," Thomas started, "Or they're not supposed to."
Jimmy began to reach his hand out to the creature to pet it. Thomas jumped.
"Don't do that! What if it bites your hand of?"
"I don't think it will," Jimmy said, calm as ever. He reached out his hand. The baby dragon sniffed it then allowed Jimmy to pet it. Just as Jimmy placed his palm upon the dragon's head, terrible scorching pain erupted from his hand, traveled through his arm and rested into his head. Jimmy yelled and fell backwards, sending his world dark.
"Jimmy," Thomas yelled as quickly crawled over to him. The dragon started approaching Jimmy but Thomas moved his arms about to shoo it.
"Get away from him," Thomas shouted at the dragon. The dragon hissed back at him in response but did not charge at him. Thomas gently patted Jimmy's cheek and shook his shoulder to try and wake him up. He placed two fingers at Jimmy's neck to check a pulse. Jimmy's pulse was unbelievably fast, which scared Thomas bad. He's never felt a pulse so quick.
Is he having a heart attack?
Thomas shook Jimmy once again then looked around.
There has to be … a river..o..or something!
He suddenly heard Jimmy groan and a huge wave of relief washed over him as he looked at Jimmy who was slowly opening his eyes.
Oh thank God!
"Are you alright, Jimmy," Thomas asked. Jimmy slowly nodded.
"Yeah," Jimmy replied, "I'm fine, but my hand," he hissed, "It burns!"
"Let me take a look," Thomas said. Jimmy raised his right hand and Thomas took it in his own. He felt Jimmy's hand, but it was cold. He looked at Jimmy's palm and gasped. There in the center was a strange marking, a brand. It was in the shape of a dragon, and it sent bad feeling all over Thomas's body. The baby dragon crawled on top of Jimmy's chest and cocked its head to the side. In the dragon's eyes were pleading for forgiveness, as if the dragon didn't wish to hurt Jimmy in the first place. Jimmy moved his hand out of Thomas's and showed it to the dragon.
"Look at what you did," Jimmy spoke as if he was talking to a child. The dragon sniffed it then licked Jimmy's palm before placing its head on the palm. Jimmy jumped a little, prepared for pain again, but felt nothing but the dragon's scaly head and small horns. Jimmy began to pet and stroke the dragon. The dragon began to purr like a cat as Jimmy scratched its wings.
"Great," Thomas said as he stood up, "Now what do we do?"
"Well," Jimmy said, "We can't just leave it here."
"Then we take it back to Downton," Thomas asked, "Jimmy, this is a dragon. A fire breathing dragon. Not a puppy, not a kitty, a real life dragon. You know what dragons do? They get big! How do you hide something so big?"
"Relax, Thomas," Jimmy said as he sat up, "I'm sure there is something we can do later, but right now, we have to get back to Downton and it's coming with us. I'll keep it in my room. Maybe hide it in the wardrobe or bureau. I'll find something while we're at work."
"Jimmy," Thomas began. Jimmy picked up the little creature and walked over to the sack. He set the creature next to the sack and opened up the bag. The dragon seemed to understand and crawled inside and Jimmy picked it up.
"We'd better get going," Jimmy said, "Or Mrs. Patmore is going to have our hides."
Thomas ,still pale in the face, nodded then walked along side Jimmy back to Downton.