“So, Quinn is missing?” Master Ruben asked, while running an his hand absently through his tangled beard. The worry lines on his forehead had deepened.1
Kyle and I once again found ourselves at the cluttered counters of Master Ruben’s study.2
“Yes, sir. We think someone hired miners from a village,” Kyle stated.3
Master Ruben’s bushy eyebrows came up in surprise, deepening the wrinkles of his forehead even more. “Miners? How did you come to the conclusion?”4
Kyle treaded his way to Master Ruben’s desk and handed him the cloth he had found. Master Ruben studied the cloth for a moment before shuffling over to the counter under the picture window. Kyle and I were right behind him.5
The countertop wasn’t a mess like the others in the room. It was organized; tools were laid straight, from smallest to largest, neatly on the right. Vials and assortment of bottles lined the top closest to the window. On the left were other tools ranging from small jewelers tweezers to large hammers.6
“The pick-ax would, suggest miners, but it doesn’t say that they come from the village. Did you say you thought they weren’t wearing any shoes?”7
Kyle nodded.8
“I would think miners would wear shoes, don’t you?” Master Ruben laid the swatch on a square wooden board, smoothing it out. He pulled on Masterinventor Nile’s magnifying lens and peered down. He mumbled things under his breath too low for us to hear.9
“Well, don’t you?”10
“Maybe they don’t wear their shoes when not in the mines. Like when we change shoes to go dancing or riding,” I suggested.11
“Or maybe they don’t wear them so they don't wear out.” Kyle piped in.12
Master Ruben nodded his head as he searched his tools. His fingers tumbled across brushes of all sizes coming to rest on one the length of my hand. The handle was wooden and smooth with the head full of stiff bristles.13
With quick flicks of his wrist, Mastercreator Ruben brushed the cloth. Black flecks began appearing on an undersized, white piece of paper lying behind the square board. Carefully, he then poured the black flecks into a small molded bowl.14
“So, either these are very conscientious miners or someone is trying to throw you off or not.” Master Ruben said, as he walked quickly over to a dark wood cabinet.15
The double doors creaked as he opened them and out tumbled a mixture of scents; lavender and thyme mixed with more woodsy smells of pine and musk. It sounded like chimes blowing in the wind, as Master Ruben searched the small vials. He returned to the counter with two palm-sized containers.16
From what I saw, one vial was clear. I could see Master Ruben's pale skin, magnified. The other bottle was the color of dried blood. He gently set them down beside the bowl.17
He uncorked the red-colored one and a sweet cinnamon scent rose from the container. After a few seconds the smell of lemons filled the air. "Interesting," I thought.18
From a cup of mismatched tools the Mastercreator pulled out an eyedropper. When he had transferred a few drops into the bowl he moved to the clear vial.19
"Ugh, that stinks!" I exclaimed, covering my nose quickly. It smelled of ammonia mixed with the sweet smell of dried urine.20
“Well, it looks like you were right. They are miners. Our thieves aren’t as bright as I had originally thought.”21
“Why do you say that?” I waved a hand in front of my face, trying in vain to clear the air.22
He put the corks back in before replying, “If it was me, I would have tried trickery. I would have left something behind.” He held up the cloth. “Something that really didn't have anything to do with who I hired. This was left behind on accident. It gives us an advantage.”23
"I'm just glad it isn't you then." I laughed lightly. No one else laughed, so I stopped suddenly. "So, what do we know?"24
Kyle straightened up from leaning on the counter. "For one, only a Master or someone with a Master's permission can jump."25
"Right." Master Ruben chimed in. "Also, it must be a Master with enough currency to hire men to do something they normally wouldn't do."26
"So, we are looking for a Master. But not only a Master, but one with money," I said, quickly.27
Master Ruben was quiet. Both Kyle and I stood waiting for him to say something or do something. He just stood there, arms crossed, brows knitted together and mouth pinched.28
I reached out and touched his shoulder. It felt bony under my warm fingers. The scent of ammonia and urine had dissipated.29
"Master?" When he didn't respond, I shook him a little. "Master Ruben?"30
He looked up and in his eyes I saw sadness, but it was mixed with disgust and rage. How could a gentle, absentminded soul harbor such strong feelings.31
He took my hand from his shoulder. "You must find Quinn." His hand squeezed around my fingers, pain lanced up my arm. I winced and he let up. "I have spies, really only a select few. Students who report to me, as you probably know, that will find out what we need."32
"Master, we are sorry it has come to this." I soothed.33
"Thank you, my dear, but I knew loyalties were divided long ago." He turned to Kyle, eyes bright and full of intelligence. "Kyle, you will spread the word of Quinn. Make sure that Sabrina's discovery is known by all. I want Quinn's disappearance out. Keep your ears open and report the rumors to me. I will have loyal students here to check those rumors out. We need Quinn's location." 34
Kyle nodded and stepped back waiting for me.35
"Sabrina." Master Ruben had not let go of my hand. He now squeezed it reassuringly. "Sabrina, you need to stay hidden."36
He held up a hand as I tried to argue. "I know it feels like I'm punishing you. Pushing you to the sidelines, but hear me out. You are our link to Quinn. You alone can hear him. He has not chosen to talk to anyone else. And for that point only, we need you here, guarded."37
I rubbed my forehead, eyes closed. I hated this. I hated to be sidelined. Inactivity did not set well with me.38
Before deciding I pushed my bangs up over my head. "I understand, but I want it on record that I do not like it!"39
Ruben nodded and Kyle studied the ground. Yep, they knew.
In a list
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Great!
I'll try to keep up this time. I'm really enjoying this story.
Trish
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If you do that would be great, but I understand you are reading lots of novels right now
So when you do, thank you, but I'm not the presuring type 
Thanks again.
Brooke
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Hi Brooke,
Sorry I don’t always comment on every chapter of this delightful fantasy. I do try to read them because I certainly enjoy following the unusual characters and interesting plot you have created
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I did come a few things that you might look at;
“So, Quinn is missing?” Master Ruben asked, while running an absent hand? A missing hand? Don’t get it
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He pulled on Masterinventor Nile’s magnifying lense (lens) and peered down.
“Maybe they don’t wear their shoes when not in the mine (mines). Like when we change shoes to go dancing or riding. (,)” I suggested.11
Black flecks began appearing on a (an) undersized, white piece of paper lying behind the square board.
. "I have spies, really only a select few (.) of (students) students that (who) report to me, as you probably know, that will find out what we need."32. "I have spies, really only a select few (.) Students, who report to me, as you probably know, that will find out what we need."32
"Sabrina, you need to stay hidden. (“
36
Pushing you to the side lines, (sidelines) but hear me out. You are our link to Quinn. You alone can hear him. He has not chosen to talk to anyone else. And for that point only (,) we need you here, guarded."37
I rubbed my forehead, eyes closed. I hated this. I hated to be sidelined. Inactivity did not settle (set?) well with me.38
Geri
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I'm just glad you comment on some of them. My thanks when you do
I've fixed those. Thanks again for the read.
Brooke
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Hey Brooke,
The plot thickens. This little tale is moving along nicely. Dialogue sounds fairly natural and the exchanges are good. I did notice a couple of things you might want to look at. (Another man picking on you
Para6-line4 I think you could strike 'and' here. From small jewelers tweezers to large hammers.
Para19-line1 From a cup of mismatched tools (the) Mastercreator...
Para34 There are an awful lot of 'alls' here.
That's it
Waiting for the next installment.
Steve
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What is it with you men picking on me? Just joking. I'm glad you found more. I'm a terrible typist
and so I know there are usually lots to find.
Am off to fix those. Thanks for reading.
Brooke
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Hmmm. So Ruben already suspected deception among the masters. Not surprising, really. He always seems to know more than he lets on. I wonder if he has anyone particular in mind.
Interesting to actually see how he works, and that he actually has an organized work table for when he is.
I like his plan to let all know about Quinn. Someone may slip up. Under the circumstances it also makes sense that Sabrina should lay low until they find something.
Small stuff:
p18. After a few seconds lemons filled the air. - Really? Were they just floating around randomly in the room?
p23. That really doesn’t have anything related to why I really hired. - '..why I 'was' really hired.' Plus technically, the fact that they're miners doesn't really relate to 'why' they were hired. It just identifies what they were before being hired. *I know. That's nit-picking, ..but you're fun to nit-pick.* *laughs*
It looks like Ruben's plan should make for an interesting next chapter. I'm curious to see who will respond to it.
Greg
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I should smack you on the back of the head for that - lemons floating in the air and picking on me - but I won't I'm a lady, you know just joking. I'll hit you anyways
Ok, I'll fix those *grumble, grumble 'men!'*
Ah! can you really see Sabrina laying low? Nope not me...
Thanks for reading and I'm working on the next one right now!! I know, unbelievable and no rum to help
Brooke
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Following this story in postings is quite frustrating. My imagination goes off one way and when the next posting comes out I find I have misread the signals. A very interesting story indeed.
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Glad I can keep you on your toes
Thanks for reading.
Brooke
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Sorry, I couldn't wait till youpost in SAR to read... I love this story.
Excellent as always. I really like Master Rugen. Bein gsidelined would drive me crazy too... Bet she doesn't stay put for long. lol
Only a few thing I saw.
P(12) So they DON'd wear it out. (is that what you meant?)
P(26) did you mean' For one, only a MAster or someone with a Master's permision (can) jump.
P(33) only
P(34) come
P(38)can
Wonderful story.. You really have a talent for telling a tale.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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I am so glad that you don't wait and I have made those changes. I am venturing into unknown territory for me. Lots of twists and turns. I just hope I don't get lost
Thanks
Brooke
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