B006T5JMRC EBOK (38 page)

The mood within the room shifted as the conversation grew serious.

“A plan?” Kale’s response came across as ignorant and a look of disappointment was immediately revealed upon Elanya’s face.

“Thou cannot approach ye kingdom of Mirion as thou art now. All four of thee shalt be captured and killed by Jedah or his men whom devote loyalty to he.”

“She’s right.” Illadar added. “We were all seen by Saldin, whom I’m sure will return before us and alert the general of what has happened; in his own words of course. Saldin will never admit defeat.” Illadar crossed his dark muscular arms as he leaned back. “The guards will be placed on watch for us to arrive. A clever plan is necessary to obtain entry into the kingdom.”

After a heavy bout of silence where each pondered their options, Elanya stood.

“Thy mind works mysteriously—one might say, quite ironically.” Elanya spoke softly, chuckling to herself. This was the first time they heard Elanya laugh which made the four slightly uneasy as to the reasoning behind it.

Elanya left the room without a word, returning shortly after with a brown leather satchel. “In ye days to come, when thee reaches ye kingdom of Mirion, drink this.” She handed the sack to Thomas. “Thou shalt find enough for each to retrieve a sip. I must warn thee—ye effects shalt only remain for two hours.”

“What exactly is it?” Kale grew concerned at the thought of ingesting an unknown substance.

“A concoction which shalt transform thy body.”

No way—not again
. Kale shook his head at the thought of having to go through another bodily alteration, unless it was to return him to his dragon form.

“Pardon my curiosity, however, I do believe I speak for all of us when I ask what exactly it is we will become?” Thomas wrinkled his forehead in concern.

“Of course thou may.” Elanya smiled. “Thine drink was giveth to women I have known in ye past. Thee used ye mixture to enter areas unnoticed—as mice.”

“We are going to become mice?” Neelan dove into the conversation, now appearing alert to what was happening around her. “Great.” She crossed her arms unhappily.

“Thou must remember, the effects last but a mere two hours. Then thee will return to normal.”

“Have
you
ever used the potion?” Kale was skeptical of the entire situation. He did not desire to spend the remainder of his life as a small vermin.

“Boy, thou mustn’t forget that thine body is but a shell. I am a dryad.” Elanya responded.

“I suppose that means no?” Kale wanted answers and grew frustrated by her odd manner of speaking.

“Correct.” She nodded. “Thou must rest now. Judith shalt be anxious to depart shortly after waking.” Elanya glanced down at Kale. “Judith hath become like a daughter to me. I shalt dearly miss her. Please ensure she returns to her father safely. Thee must take heed while travelling to ye kingdom. Ye one called Jedah is foul, yet intelligent; thou will send his warriors to ensure Judith hath not left thine forest. Take caution and do not travel along ye main roads.”

Kale opened his mouth to speak.

“Thine shalt be fine, Kale Firehart.” Elanya spoke as though she had once again read Kale’s thoughts. “Ye knights are unaware Judith hath been rescued by thine kind. Should ye warriors attempt to enter thine home, they shalt perish.”

A worried expression was painted upon Elanya’s face as she gazed out toward the open entrance.

“I must also warn thee—since thou hath been away, the forest hath behaved abnormally. I believe ye issue revolves around Rees’lok. Neither he, nor his red beasts hast been seen hunting. Something is happening within thine forest, yet I hast not yet drawn a conclusion. Be wary upon your departure.”

After Elanya left, they briefly engaged in a tactical conversation as they decided it would be most wise to ride upon horseback to one of the smaller farms outside of the kingdom. A small farm would have less likelihood of drawing suspicion. They also assumed that any farmers on the surrounding areas of the kingdom would be ignorant to the alert placed in effect for Kale and his companions. It was agreed upon they would pay the owner of the farm a satisfying sum of coins to keep their horses within his stable while they executed their mission into the kingdom as mice.

It took a great deal of coaxing to convince Kale it was their safest option to put an end to Jedah. He finally gave into the plan—though obviously apprehensive about the transformation.

Once they felt confident with their strategy, they each made way to the room full of hanging hammocks. All four easily drifted into a deep slumber. They soon would begin their journey to reshape the depravity of Ravondore.

Chapter 26: Into the Kingdom

O
ver the following days they cautiously travelled toward Mirion, stopping only to allow the horses to drink and to rest at night. It proved an enduring journey, but they were each determined to end Jedah’s reign of corruption and tyranny. The group eventually came upon a quaint farmhouse on the surrounding grounds outside the kingdom. They could see many delicious looking crops growing that made their stomachs rumble. As they drew closer, the sounds of pigs grunting and cows lowing could be heard.

Thomas was the first to dismount; moving swiftly despite his age. He draped the horse’s reins over the stake of a fence which surrounded the field of vegetation. He made way toward the small, wooden farmhouse.

“I shall remain behind. Anyone within this region would surely recognize me.” Judith pointed to a thick cluster of shrubs. “I will remain there until you’ve returned.” She pulled a hood over her head.

Kale nodded, hastily walking to catch up to the old sorcerer.

Thomas’ wrinkled fingers rapped gently upon the door and they could hear immediate movement. As the door cracked open, they could see the sliver of a middle-aged man’s face. He appeared intimidated and confused by the four strangers who stood at his doorstep. Thomas politely informed the farmer they meant no harm and explained they were in need of care for their horses. At first the man questioned their motives in concern, stating there was a perfectly fine stable within the kingdom.

Thomas responded to the farmer’s suspicions by creating a fictitious story. He explained that during a previous visit to Mirion, his horse grew ill after staying within the kingdom stables. Therefore, he did not trust to leave them there again. He told the farmer they were travelers who were interested in browsing the marketplace for rare goods.

The farmer wrinkled his face as he continued to inspect the four.

“I am not so sure about this.” The farmer rubbed his stubbly chin. “My apologies, but I cannot help you.”

As the farmer attempted to close his door, Thomas held a firm hand forward.

“Perhaps this will persuade you.” Thomas reached into his pouch tied to his waist and withdrew a handful of coins.

The farmer’s mouth dropped open as he swung the door wide open. “I shall show you to the stable.” He swiped the mound of coins from Thomas’ palm.

After securing the horses, they bid the farmer farewell and then met with Judith, concealed behind the shrubbery.

“I was beginning to wonder if you would ever return.” Judith flashed Kale a playful smile which caused Neelan to grunt. “Is everyone ready?” The Princess withdrew the satchel from inside of her cloak.

“I don’t think I will ever be ready for this. Let’s just get it over with. I can only hope that no one stomps on us along our journey. Mice...” Kale sighed. “From a dragon to a puny mouse.” He looked toward the kingdom of Mirion, easily identified behind a field of scattered trees.

“I sure hope Elanya is certain of these effects.” Judith puckered her lips as she took a large gulp of the liquid concoction.

No sooner had Judith swallowed, her body began to tremble as she buckled to the floor in a seizure-like state. As Kale and Illadar reached out to grab her, thousands of tiny coarse grey hairs began to sprout from her skin. Her limbs began to shrink and mutate; taking the form of a mouse, until she was no bigger than the size of Kale’s hand. Judith squirmed free from her clothing, which had fallen to a crumpled pile upon the ground. Her little pink nose twitched as she let out a squeak.

“It worked!” Judith’s voice was shrill and almost unrecognizable.

“What in Pan’s name are we supposed to do about clothing? In two hours we will be standing before the King unclothed.” Kale rubbed his forehead as he heavily exhaled. Though they had discussed their options before, the realization of the situation caught him off guard.

“As I have mentioned before, I am hopeful Judith will assist us. I recall the castle having an abundance of wardrobes,” Thomas replied.

“Yes, do not worry.” Judith twitched her long whiskers as she spoke. “When the time comes, I will take care of everything. But for now, please drink quickly! I have already consumed the potion and time is passing.”

Neelan was the next to drink and quickly met the same fate as Judith.

“I cannot believe I’m doing this.” Neelan’s chirpy voice was even more high-pitched than Judith’s.

Kale couldn’t help but laugh at her abnormally fluffy brown fur.

“I do believe it is our turn now.” Thomas allowed a stream of liquid to glide down his throat. He immediately passed the satchel over to Illadar before the transformation could take effect.

They all stared, waiting impatiently. Nothing happened.

“What’s goin’ on here? Let me give this stuff a try.” Illadar swallowed a large gulp before passing it on.

Kale wasted no time drinking the remainder of the potion. “Oddly refreshing.” He said as he licked his lips.

They stood in silence as the seconds passed.

“Great, it didn’t even wo—” Kale gripped his stomach in pain, glancing over to see that Illadar and Thomas were in the same predicament. His chest quickly began to burn in the most nauseating way.

“What’s happenin’?” Illadar groaned.

They hit the grassy ground and all three rolled around in discomfort. Their bodies began to tingle as they twisted and squirmed in distress. Finally, the pain ceased. Kale was the first to stand, rubbing his eyes which were oddly out of focus and blurred.

“Nothing, I kn—” Kale stopped speaking as he clapped his hands over his lips which now felt tender and plump.

As his eyes came to focus, he could not have been more astonished by what he saw. There, before him stood two other women who remained frozen in place with their jaws hung.

It can’t be...
Kale shook his head as his mind raced.

All three men had completely transformed into females.

“This is the most hilarious sight I have ever seen!” The tiny brown mouse which was Neelan squeaked in amusement. She could not take her small beady eyes off the former men who now stood in oversized clothing which draped from their feminine frames.

Kale heavily sighed. He knew that there was nothing he could do at this point about the situation. “Well, I suppose it could be worse—I could look like Thomas.” He chuckled, staring upon the old sorcerer’s physique.

Thomas had short brown spiraling curls that frizzed horribly at the ends. His lips were incredibly thin and his nose was beakish and crooked with two plump moles near the tip. A generous protrusion of nasal hair made it appear as though he was hiding some form of an animal within his nostrils.

“This is in no way amusing!” Thomas shouted in a high feminine voice which stunned even himself.

“I’m gonna’ have some words to share with Elanya when this is over,” Illadar finally spoke as he examined his new body. He was now a heavy-set woman with smooth ebony skin and curves in all the right places. His shoulder-length hair was straight and black, curling inward just below his jaw line.

“You know, Kale, I am actually quite jealous of you! You make a beautiful woman.” Neelan half-jokingly squeaked while staring at his head full of perfect silky black hair that cascaded down his back in wavy locks.

“Enough everyone!” Judith took command as she ignored the choked laughter of both Illadar and Kale as they continued to stare toward Thomas. “We haven’t much time left and I refuse to accept we have come this far only to be caught and imprisoned—or worse.” Judith stood upon her two hind legs. “You three,” she motioned a paw toward the former men, “go behind the bushes and put on whatever will fit from my and Neelan’s clothing. It may not be a perfect fit, but it shall have to do. We must convince the guards you are truly women and not draw suspicion.”

Kale quickly swiped Judith’s white blouse and pants, moving behind the foliage to change. As he did, he could hear the loud hissing from the brown fluffy mouse. Neelan was obviously jealous he hadn’t chosen her attire instead.

Thomas traded in his garments for Neelan’s clothing, leaving Illadar to use his own tunic as a dress while wrapping Judith’s cloak around for concealment.

As the three emerged from the bushes, the two mice scurried up Kale’s clothing to his shoulder. Both Neelan and Judith tucked themselves behind his neck to hide within his long thick hair.

“Kale, you must wear Neelan’s cloak to conceal your shoulders. The blouse you wear was tailored specifically for me and the guards will certainly take notice. No common peasant would wear such an elaborate style,” Judith warned.

Their brief walk past many small peasant homes was spent listening to Thomas stubbornly complain about his predicament, which Kale found to be rather amusing.

They soon approached a massive curtain wall which towered above their heads. Atop the bordering wall stood several armor-clad guards who immediately stood at attention upon spotting Kale and his comrades. Upon reaching the gate house, the five friends could see movement from within the arrow slits which increased the tension amongst them.

“State your business!” one of the guards called from the lowest opening within the watch tower.

Within seconds an older man wearing a steel helm peered out a small window hole. He silently inspected each of the women from head to toe, awaiting a response.

“Tell them you have come to purchase crop seed,” Judith whispered into Kale’s ear which caused him to twitch as her whiskers brushed against his ear lobe.

Kale did as instructed, still taken aback by the sound of his own feminine voice. He knew it was vital for them to convince the guards they were farm peasants who bore no threat.

“Our families sent us here to purchase seed from the market to grow crops to harvest before winter.” Kale batted his lashes at the guard while flashing a flirtatious smile.
I cannot believe I’m doing this
. His insides fueled with anger which he forced into submission.