The Tiny Ringmaster (14 page)

Tryfod sat on the bed. “Ruth, do you remember the day you bought the stars with your dad?”

Ruth nodded.

“Remember how your dad had to ask about them? And the old man had to go in the back and get them?”

Ruth’s eyes got wide as she nodded slowly. She looked up at Tryfod, and he winked his right eye. “It was you! You were there! You sold my dad the stars!”

“Yes, I did.”

“How did you find me?!”

“Well I can’t give away all my secrets, can I? Let’s just say we’ve been watching your family for a while now. We just had to figure out how to get you here.” Ruth wasn’t impressed with the answer. She scrunched up her nose.

“Why didn’t you wait until I was older?”

Tryfod bellowed an appreciative laugh. “Because I knew you were ready now.”

 “So how do the stars work?”

“Well, in simple terms, the switch creates a portal.”

“Tryfod, this is all very confusing. I’m here, I’m not here. You guys are transporting me through a glow-in-the-dark portal. The crazy guy in the town wants to kill me. What is going on?”

Tryfod closed his eyes as he sculpted his response. “I told you that Aluxdrov’s descendants attacked our city because they were traveling vagrants, but that wasn’t entirely true. We – our people – are keepers of the portals. These portals make for fast travel all over the universe, even to Earth. We were assigned to be watchman of these portals many moons ago, since they can be so easily used for evil.

Our watch involves a special, complicated, and elegant magic, so our ancestors created a library in our little town that is full of books. Thousands of our ancestors have learned our magic, the art of Gianzrouka, through these books…

And I know what you must be thinking, sweet Ruth… It’s not safe having all your magic tricks spelled out in a vast library! What a silly mistake! But the ancients were ahead of the game! The books in the library make up an intertwining system with codes and riddles! Many lessons only make sense if you can unlock the code to find the corresponding lesson book!”

Ruth sat smugly. She knew Tryfod had been hiding something. “But the prophecy… you made it sound like your ancestors didn’t know magic.” Tryfod shook his head excitedly. “They didn’t!” Ruth stared in disgust, but Tryfod continued unraveled.

“You see, dear Ruth, after so many years of travel – away from our library – much of our magic had been lost. A few tricks had survived, but the Elders didn’t know the depth of our powers. They had to carefully relearn much of our magic with the visioner’s help. We still haven’t filled in all the holes – as you know from waking up in the dirt the first night.”

 “But if you know your magic, why do you need the library back?”

Tryfod continued excitedly. “My child, the library also contains one very special book. It’s written in an ancient language that only our people can read – or so we thought… The book houses the locations of the portals all across the universe. From your account of tonight’s events, I worry that my greatest fear is coming true. I am afraid, after so many generations of access to the library, that Druskov has not only trained himself in our magic, but he is also getting strong enough to crack the ancient language and make a journey through a portal… You mentioned a little girl. Did you ever talk to her? Find out her name?”

Ruth shook her head. “No. She always ran up ahead of me. I never heard her speak. I just heard her laugh… Although, I think she said my name once.”

Tryfod sighed. “Ruth, I don’t want to frighten you anymore, but the little girl is not real. I think it was a trick Druskov was playing on you.” Ruth shivered. She hadn’t realized the danger she had been in. Tryfod was caught up in his thoughts. “He’s shown us his strength. He could not kidnap you without knowing how to perform the magic required for a journey.”

“But why me Tryfod? If I can’t do magic and I’m not calling myself here… I don’t understand…”

“Your mother is a descendant of our people.”

Ruth forgot everything for a moment. “My mom?! So I can learn magic now?!”

“Even with your extra abilities, our magic takes years to develop.”

The excitement drained from Ruth’s face, but her curiosity quickly overcame her disappointment. “But what does Druskov want to do with a portal?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I’m afraid that he’d like to turn Earth into his personal pig pen.”

Ruth didn’t like the sound of that. She thought about her parents, and she hoped they were safe. Tryfod attempted some reassurance. “Ruth, my dear, you are safe in this tent. Druskov’s magic cannot work here… but I do have some bad news.” Ruth looked into Tryfod’s eyes. She was frightened. She had no idea things were so serious when all of this began. Tryfod struggled to break the news to the battered child. “You cannot return home until after the performance. It just isn’t safe.”

Ruth hung her head. “But what about my mom and my dad? What about school? Won’t they know I’m missing?”

“We’ll take care of that.”

“I guess I don’t really have a choice now… as long as you say everything is ok, I will believe you. Do I get to go home after the performance?” Tryfod nodded slowly as Ruth put the puzzle pieces together. “Will I ever get to come back here?”

“Let’s not worry about that just yet. Why don’t you get some rest? You’ve had a long day.” Tryfod patted her tiny head and walked out of the room. As the lights went off, Ruth felt more homesick than she thought was possible.

The coming days were tough on everyone. They practiced from early in the morning until very late at night. At times, Eritol felt like the show might never come together, but everyone, even little Ruth, worked through their sweat and tears. A few nights, Ruth even fell asleep on the tiny podium standing straight up.

Eventually, and very late in the game, the show came together. Ruth followed Eritol’s movements as if she was his shadow, the dancing ladies got the last rhinestones sewn on their costumes, and the trapeze artists ran across the tight rope without worry. It was time.

The last dress rehearsal went flawlessly – just as expected. Every cue was hit, every joke snapped, and every sequin twinkled. After the final bow, the room felt somber. Everyone knew it was now or never.

Tryfod stood on Eritol’s podium. He struggled to find the right words to motivate the crowd. “A few weeks ago, this small child came into our lives. It’s been a rollercoaster ever since.”

Ruth nodded her tiny head in agreement as the crowd chuckled softly.

“We haven’t always been the most welcoming, and little Ruth could have left at any time. But she stuck it out. Her bravery, curiosity, and wonder have all made us better performers and people.” Everyone broke out into thunderous applause. Ruth couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. They were all cheering for her. Tryfod motioned to settle everyone down again. “It is with great honor that we present Ruth with a token of our gratitude.”

Eritol brought Tryfod a small box that Tryfod opened carefully. Inside was a small, sparkling baton. It looked just like the one Eritol used, but it was Ruth’s size. Eritol lifted the child to the stage, and Tryfod continued the ceremony. “Dear Ruth, it is with great pleasure that I present you with your Ringmaster baton. There has never been more than one Ringmaster at a time in the history of our people.”

He placed the tiny baton in her hands as she stared in wonder.

“Three cheers for our newest, and tiniest, Ringmaster!”

The crowd cheered louder than before.

As the crowd thinned and everyone returned to their rooms, Tryfod pulled Ruth aside. Ruth was very eager to thank him. “Thank you so much for my baton. I love it.”

“My dear Ruth, I’m afraid I have more bad news.”

“What is it Tryfod?”

“After the performance tomorrow, I’m going to have to turn on the stars and the portal. I cannot hold off time any longer in your world. You have to go home.”

The pit crew packed up the performance tent very early the next morning. The entire circus crew was uncharacteristically quiet. Everyone ate in silence, practiced in silence, and dressed in silence.

They all set out on the small road to the top of the hill two hours before nightfall. Tryfod warned everyone to avoid the forest. The walked was long and not very long, all at the same time. They reached the top of the hill and the dirty little town and scurried right off into the performance tent.

Most of the tent was already set up just like back at the bottom of the hill. For a moment, everyone forgot where they were and went about straightening and fixing, priming and perfecting every banner, every wire, and every light. Tryfod kept an eye on the time and on his performers. Finally, he made the call. “Alright everyone! Time to go backstage for final touch-ups. Pepé will be around if anyone needs assistance.”

Ruth followed everyone to the back, even though she didn’t have much to do. She was holding her baton and guarding it with her life. Ginger had helped her pick out a dress that would work well under the lights. Eritol saw the child and waved for her to come to his mirror. Ruth climbed and ducked under people until she made her way to the corner. Eritol was straightening his red tie. “Ruth, I have something for you.” He reached behind him to pull a small garment bag from a hanger on the wall. “I think you might feel more comfortable in this.”