Creation Mischief: Part 18

I hardly noticed the trees shading me or the quiet babble of the stream, as I ran through the thick undergrowth. I had veered off the animal path as I neared where the water ran by the meadow. I needed to find a way across.1

I was searching the bank, looking for a natural forge when Kyle caught up with me. His breath was labored and he rested with his hands on his knees, staring at the ground.2

I didn’t wait for him to catch his breath as I started down the bank. In places where the grass grew thick I headed inland more, only to come back to the river when I could. Behind me Kyle crashed loudly. I was sure whoever had Quinn would hear him.3

At the edge of the water I looked to my right at a patch of grass I had avoided. There in the middle of the scrap, the water looked shallow enough to cross.4

I threaded my way slowly, careful to avoid any sinkholes. I shut my mouth firmly to avoid swallowing any of the small insects flying in my face. Again Kyle had caught up to me. The water here looked like it could be crossed.5

The stream splashed up, drenching the back of my shift as I did my best to run. The water was pleasantly cool and I wished I could have stayed a bit to soak, but I had to get to Quinn. I could hear him calling out now. I think that closer I got, the better he could communicate. He wasn’t calling out to me, just to someone to help him. He was still so young and inexperienced, despite his size. 6

Kyle called to me but I ignored him and climbed the bank, grabbing handfuls of new grass as I did. The pleasing scent of moist soil preceded the action.7

The other side was lush with tall wheat grass. The pale lilac wildflowers were clustered together with yellow and white daisies. Together their sweet fragrance over powered the smell of algae and soil. 8

I had expected to find Quinn and the tiny people in the middle of the meadow, but what I found was nothing. I stood there panting and twisting around. I thought maybe I had missed them and they were in a different location. Kyle was playing catch up again and was at my side, hands on hips, breathing heavily. 9

Quinn’s frantic voice was quiet. It must have happened as I was clawing my way up the bank. The quietness inside my head was eerie. I hadn’t noticed before how much noise Quinn made, but with his absence it became quite evident. 10

"Where's Quinn?" he asked breathlessly. 11

"Well, obliviously he not here." I scanned the area.12

“But you saw them too, right? I mean, he was here in this field with tiny people."13

I looked at him, stunned at his stupidity. "Kyle, really! Did you actually think those were small people?"14

He nodded his head, blond locks falling in his eyes. "Well, you saw them. Weren't they small compared to Quinn?"15

"Yes," I snapped. "But, I believe Quinn has grown since we last visited him."16

Kyle raised his eyebrows as he came to understand my meaning. "Oh, so they were life-sized people."17

"Yes, Kyle they were." I sighed slowly. "But, who were they and where have they taken Quinn?" I asked no one in particular.18

Kyle kept quiet, but walked to where the meadow grass had been trampled. I watched as he crouched near a small mound of dirt. He let the loose soil filter through his calloused fingers. He searched the grass around him. His eyebrow scrunched together in concentration. 19

“Looks like one of them dug his feet in here. His feet were bare.” He looked up at me.20

“What does that mean?” I asked, a little impatiently.21

“It means Quinn put up quite a fight and that at least one of the captors was a villager.”22

I had forgotten Kyle was from a small village of hunters. The Masters had often asked him to help the trackers find game trails.23

“I counted at least six people holding Quinn. Two for each foot in sight and two at his head. So let’s assume there’s the same amount on the other side, twelve in total. I didn’t notice a leader, did you?”24

“No.” Kyle was still searching the ground, but he moved towards another mound of dirt. “Looks the same here. Assuming Quinn has grown and those were full-grown adults, and not pigmies or halflings, I’d say the villagers had to have some strength behind them. Quinn at that size would be very strong.”25

“So the people had to be muscular, as in blacksmiths?” I continued with his line of thinking.26

“No, I don’t think blacksmiths.” Kyle brought up a swag of cloth, black as the ink we used for scribing.27

“Whom then?”28

He came over to stand in front of me. On the cloth was the head of a pick-ax.29

“Miners?” I asked stunned.30

Kyle nodded, before replying, “Remember that town, the one a days ride from the Academy?”31

“The one with the cute trinket store?” I smiled. Kyle knew I wanted the jeweled box in the window. I briefly wondered if he would get it for me.32

“Yes, that one. Last time we were there I heard a rumor that the mine was closing.”33

“If it did, these could be desperate miners.”34

“Desperate enough to Jump and dragonknap Quinn.” Kyle finished my thought.35

“Ok, so say it’s the miners?” Kyle started walking towards the stream. “Who would have hired them? And why?”36

“I don’t know, but one name keeps popping in my head, Master Brock.”37

I stopped and grabbed his forearm, stopping him with me. “You don’t really think it’s a Master?”38

Kyle shrugged his shoulders, the cloth stretching tightly over their width. “Who else knows about Quinn?”39

“Some of the Masters and whoever came to check on my progress.” I listed.40

“Exactly! And only a Master can do the illusions you had. We need to tell Master Ruben.”41

“I agree, and Kyle, thanks for helping me.” I stood on tippy-toes to kiss his cheek in gratitude. Kyle turned and our lips touched.42

It was a quick kiss, but it still made my toes curl. His lips were soft and warm, and tasted of the strawberries I had seen him sneaking on our walk to see Quinn.43

Kyle pulled away first. I kept my eyes shut just a little longer then I needed to. I waited for the butterflies in my stomach to migrate south for the winter before quietly sighing.44

“We should go,” I whispered.45

Kyle didn’t say anything, but took my hand.46