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 Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:17 pm
 The Hugbell Chronicles: The Magic Crystals
The Preface
In the Hugbell Chronicles you'll learn about folk lore and fairy tales. As well as go on epic adventures. In this first of possibly many adventures Hugbell's found bored with her teachings so she ventures out to the forbidden forest.
Along the way to learn her lessons she has to read Hugbellion folk lore about the Hugbellion Beast, the Four Brothers and a Forest Well. These stories take her on a journey to uncharted lands all on her own little homeworld! Not only will you learn about these stories but there's even folk lore on how Hugbell came to have Barnaby the bear.
So buckle up and enjoy the ride. You'll meet all kinds of new creatures and some new cast members too!
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:25 pm
Chapter One: The Beginning
The day was cast in a cloudy gloom and despite the joyous comforts and many children not minding the rain, the patter on the rooftops was enough to drive anyone in solitude to seek something more to do. Plans had all gone awry for the Senshi that watched over the realm and Hugbell found herself bored, and while yet still considered a chibi she had things she needed to do and should be doing. Though it was a waste of time when the rains fell to do much of it, since she wasn't allowed to frolic as the rest of the children were. The reason being, she had begun her lessons on becoming a fully-fledged guardian. Something, not often met with welcomed smiles when it meant that studies and duties over came the need or want to welcome children and do nothing but goof off all day.
The pre-teen however, had managed to eventually slip off from her studious teacher and her studies for the day in favor of something more interesting; adventure. There were tales of fantasy and horror around each bin, but nothing so scary that any child would go home crying and unhappy, her home world was whatever made the children happy and comfortable. Some loved adventure, some loved rainbows and unicorns others horror and for that no one faulted them. Sure there was almost mischief at every corner too, because the children we well allowed to do what they wanted provided no one got hurt. Mischief of course, is what led Hugbell outside pulling her hood over her lilac hair in order to preserve the curl and bounce without becoming a drowned rat.
It was when the laughter and cheers slowly faded far into the background that Hugbell came to wonder, if she'd strayed a little farther than meant. A canopy provided by the trees slowly rose above her head and grew thicker still as the pre-teen wondered exploring what seemed as a vastly untouched area. Most of Hugbell's home world was though, many too frightened to wonder too deep into the untouched wood. A few main ports were opened here and there alas though, only so many stayed as they ran back for fear of the nightmares. Looking around the child paused as she gaped at the wonders and how large the trees were here.
Suddenly, a rustle. Jumping, Hugbell paused and stood ready to throw an attack, granted it wouldn't do much. Slowly a mouse came into view, appearing as a largely stuffed animal. The preteen's eye's narrowed as she noticed a ribbon around its neck fixed with what appeared to be a jeweled clasp. "Odd." She murmured to herself as she stooped down to look at it.
"Odd? It's you that's odd." The mouse replied before scurrying off with a frightened whimper.
Hugbell fell back in shock eyes widened, "It talked!" Now, the child was aware that somehow some of the larger stuffed animals had somehow been brought to life to do work, most wore harnesses but nothing had ever caught her attention - perhaps she hadn't been paying enough attention? To indicate that they could talk. It was also a mystery as how they became to be as they were, considering no one ever understood. The few that ever answered the questions often talked about a peddler who sold them the harnesses. Nothing wrong in that, surely this peddler had come from another world right?
Sitting there Hugbell finally decided to venture and try to find this new creature as exciting as it was. "Oh do come back!" She called having followed it into the brush but soon losing track of the sounds and sight of the mouse all together. Glancing around the pre-teen couldn't help but fret a little, she'd gone far off the path and now it was starting to grow dark as well. At least the nights didn't get horribly cold but it was still a problem, surely they would be looking for her by now.
"What do you think you're doing here?" A gruff voice boomed from behind her. Hugbell whipped around to face a hooded figure; tall, dark and scary! Frightened the senshi stumbled back and tried to form words. Only to answer in babble and stumbles over words which were lost; nothing this frightening had been known to her people and well, she was use to this on other planets not her's. "Well? Speak up child." The voice continued.
"I was. . . exploring?" She managed to finally answer before standing up, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Hugbell was pretending as if she was readying for an attack in case the figure, attacked her. The Preteen's eyes were narrowed and looking determined if she had to prove herself.
"I live here." A very stout answer came, "You're some where you don't belong child." The voice was commanding and foreboding. "Now leave my forest. You and your brats do nothing but terrorize and interrupt my work with your blusterous festivities, Leave."
As the man roared leave, Hugbell stumbled back a few feet calling her attack, "Comfort Hugs!" Throwing the bear summoned towards the man she turned and ran as fast and as far as she could. Not stopping until she reached her study hall, it had slowly grown dark the last few slivers of the sun fading replaced by strange moons. As for how she'd found her way out of those woods was a blur of memories leaving the child unsure. She powered down and straightened her outfit before walking back into the hall.
"Where have you been? You've missed a full day of lecture." A voice traveled towards the child, as she looked she saw her mentor approach. A strict lady, perhaps one of the few hugbellions that appeared old and timely dressed just as no-nonsense as her personality. Her venomous glare had landed on Hugbell.
"I was needed elsewhere. Lecture can wait, my duties come first." Came the answer before she moved down the hall, "I'll be in my room if you need me."
"Young Lady it wasn't approved by the powers that be, you know you're governed and are expected to listen and guide the children here. Not show them bad examples, further more. . . " Once she reached the large colorful door the pre-teen closed it shutting out the older womans' drawling and nagging leaving her on the other side of the heavy door.
"I KNOW MY DUTIES" She yelled opening the door just a little as she heard the woman still lecturing her. Heaving a small sigh she looked out the window across the homeworld. She couldn't help but wonder who in the world would be living in such a secluded area when there was all this to enjoy. "I need to figure out who he is."
Elsewhere in the wood, the old man had been staring at the bear that had been thrown at him before it disappeared. Brows furrowed, as he studied the creature. "This, is an interesting turn of events." He murmured as the stuffed mouse ran up to his shoulder.
"M'Lord?" It squeaked. "What's interesting?"
There was a soft sigh, "It seems our senshi has found us. I suspect she'll be back again."
"Maybe it's a good sign then?" The mouse asked before being looked at.
"It's an omen of some sort, I fear the beginning nears and it may not be the way we wanted." The clocked figure moved deeper into the forest, "Only the stars will tell when it's time. Come, we must prepare, I don't know how long it'll be before her next visit."
"Yes M'lord." The mouse squeaked as his ride began to move quickly through the wood. "Prepare for what though?"
There was no answer to this question as the man scurried through the forest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:30 pm
Chapter Two: Questions
Hugbell's quill was twirled between her fingers as she sat listening to the drawling of the mistress which was teaching her the laws and rules of trading. Something, that the homeworld's senshi was expected to oversee when they reached their 'initiation' age. "Honestly Maggie, you've been at this for hours." She finally sighed finding herself drifting and her attention no longer on the lessons at hand.
"I told you, You cannot call me Maggie." The woman quipped with a firm glare.
"This is why you're growing old. You're no longer the child that you started off as when you came here. Honestly, relax a little and have some fun. What would it hurt to stray from the lessons every once in a while." The pre-teen looked towards her elder. "I realize you and the rest of the counsel are probably the oldest appearing here, but most of us that live here are all the same age -- well of course not me but still. I have my points and you know it, you need to relax you're growing wrinkles from being such a stick in the mud."
"Why I never!" Maggie exclaimed, looking both insulted and furious. "You're growing too big for your britches girly. I'm sure they can give your job to someone else. Would you like to be stripped of your duties?"
Hugbell's eyes narrowed. "Idle threats. Maggie you'd have to have everyone on board. I'm sorry, I mean Mrs Harvell." Hugbell's words curdled with disdain that someone would prefer to be called Mrs, the nerve of someone wanting to actually grow old when they didn't have to. "Honestly you'll be getting grey hairs soon. Lighten up and have a little fun."
Maggie finally sighed as she looked at the pre-teen, "What is up with you? You've been challenging me ever since we started this, you agreed to go through the ageing ceremony are you getting cold feet?"
Hugbell started laughing. "Cold feet? Ma'am I didn't know it'd be this stupid and boring. I already know all this and yet you and the counsel have set it up as if this is an unknown shrine. Just because I haven't done most of these duties I do understand I need to see our goods out, occasionally escort them, Visit other homeworlds, like those that came and come here. Do you think I haven't wanted to?" She asked as she tilted her head. "Heck I even have an outfit for our shipping already doodled up."
Maggie rubbed her temples as she sat down in the chair. "You don't get a special outfit for traveling."
"I do if I get someone to make it for me." She stuck her tongue out impishly."I won't always be a baby duckling and I won't always be powered up. It'd make more sense to have traveling outfits for when I don't need to be powered up. Would it not?"
"I suppose. . . "
Hugbell sighed as she tapped her quill pausing when she looked at something she'd scribbled. "Are you aware there's a Hugbellion that lives in the forest?" She asked, looking up towards Maggie, "I think. . . he seems older, about like you, perhaps he too has lost what it means to be a child."
Maggie paused looking at Hugbell, "The woods?" The teacher's gaze traveled over towards the darkest looking woods. "You didn't go in there the other day did you? When you wondered off?"
Hugbell paused, "I'm suppose to go wherever I'm needed, doesn't matter how dangerous it supposedly is." She answered, "After all, things that haven't been explored need to be explored and answers need to be found as to what's there and why it's so different from the towns."
She held the Quill in her teeth as she pulled out a few scrolls. "I have a theory but I wanted your input."
"NO." Maggie answered quickly, "You are never to set foot in there again without the counsels' permission do you understand?"
There was a momentary pause as Hugbell looked sideways at Maggie before continuing. "There's rumored magic in the woods, which is why it grows wild and untamed. No regular Hugbellion can travel into that forest and come out intact. In fact no one has ever been seen coming out of the forest. Once they go in their lost forever, so the legend says. So I've spoken in orientation to many, many children."
There was a pause as Maggie looked at her, "Hugbell I swear if you disobey."
Continuing. "Well, the man that lives there obviously knows what's in the woods. He knows his way around and what's going on. Maybe he can answer the questions of what causes the disappearances, he had a talking mouse. I've never seen the stuffed animals talk. I know a few are animated but that's because every three moons there's a peddler selling his wears but as far as I'm aware and with the information I've gathered, this peddler is not from another homeworld."
"HUGBELL." The shout was enough to garner the pre-teen's attention. "You are not to seek answers for this until the counsel says you're permitted. In which as a member of the counsel I don't see it happening. Ever. You are too valuable as a senshi and diplomat of our home to lose yourself in a fit of fantasy. This topic ends. Today. Now let's continue with your studies."
Maggie continued as if she'd never stopped picking up where she left off before this topic began. Hugbell thought she noted a tone of disdain in the woman's voice.
I hate trying to get answers when they're so bent on keeping secrets, the child sighed mentally. Unsure of what steps to take next other than to sneak out and seek answers herself. After all, that's what her job was right? To find answers to provide the unknown to the known, she closed her eyes and shook her head softly. It was going to take a lot of work to accomplish this feat when they wouldn't let her out of their sight.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:41 pm
Chapter Three: The Spectacle
Hugbell continued her studies by day though often distracted by gazing out the window. However, she did constantly manage to pass her tests with decent grades by studying long into the nights previous of the tests. Trading, Borrowing, Bartering, Receiving guests, all things she had honestly done before now and continued to do. Without a princess of her homeworld Hugbell was the diplomat and the leader of her home. It was not without its toll though the child often became restless and sometimes grew tired of her duties.
Knowing just small bits of their world though and the rest left unexplored was starting to gnaw at her curiosity. The small reprieves of royal duties that she received; were often the visitors - one of her favorite visitors being the ever energetic Arcadia. Though, even now he had slowed in his visits because of his own duties. It wasn't but three or four weeks after her Discussion with Maggie that Hugbell decided to venture out at night while everyone else was asleep.
Having changed from her robes she donned a new traveling outfit she had designed just for adventures such as this. "I have to be back before sunrise. I can't let anyone know I've snuck out." She whispered to herself as she watched the Hugbellion moon hang over head in a soft glow of pink. The trip between her quarters and the woods seemed much shorter now that she anticipated getting back to explore. When she reached the edge she paused before sucking in a breath of air and building her courage to slip through the brush and into the world darkened by a canopy of trees. Little did she expect the world she was about to wonder into.
At night the forest was almost alive. Bright as if she'd just walked into a moonlit clearing. Hugbell stood agape at the sight. This was nothing like she'd expected and nothing like anyone could've thought; there seemed to be some sort of ethereal glow to the whole forest as if the forest was enveloped in magic. "I thought. . . . only senshi had magic. . ." The child watched amazed as she moved to touch a small berry bush to see if it was what caused the glow, but when she pulled a ripe and juicy berry from the small bush the glowing had ceased.
This was quite a strange happenstance. What could cause it? The child wondered as she moved deeper into the forest slowly as she looked for the mouse or the man that she'd approached the other day. To afraid to call out to them for fear of waking something more fierce. The child soon paused at a small creek, noticing an animal that she herself did not recognize. It appeared to have cloven hooves, and seemed much like a fawn, only it was much larger and much more grandiose. Even as a stuffed animal it held scales and a horn, and the tail wasn't short and stubby or long luscious hair it appeared to be a mix.
"Fantastical." She whispered as she tried to move closer.
"It's a Kharina" The man from her last meeting stood there, "I advise not to get close for now; they're not use to hugbellions and are easy to fright." His arms were crossed and his mousey companion sat on his shoulders.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" The mouse asked tilting his head, "Past hours you know, aren't there more important things to be done?"
Hugbell had turned quickly, a branch snapping under the weight of her foot. Clearly the child had been startled and in turn startled the animal of which she had been newly informed of as a Kharina. "Y-your. . . that man!" She said.
"Ohhh, she's very clever M'lord!" The mouse chimed in a childish manner.
"Shh, Fiddle." The man tapped the mouse on its head. "Have you not learned my name yet dear child? Or are they all too afraid to let you know?"
Hugbell paused and looked sideways at the man. "No one knows who you are. It's why I've come to search for answers."
"Then you shall receive none here." The man began to move away.
"But I have questions."
"You are not ready for the answers."
Hugbell's cheeks puffed, "I AM NEVER READY FOR THE ANSWERS. DOES ANYONE EVEN REALIZE HOW MUCH I PUT UP WITH. YOU CAN’T DO THIS, YOUR NOT READY FOR THAT. YOU NEED TO STUDY THIS. DONT TELL ME WHAT I AM AND AM NOT READY FOR. I WANT ANSWERS."
The child had stomped her foot to the ground hard enough to cause a pulse in the glow. The man slowly turned back to face her eyes narrowed. "Foolish child do you think you can carry the weight of this world -- the full weight and understand everything that is in it; in a single night?"
Hugbell paused when he spoke his temper even while hers had blown up. There was a small sigh as she straightened her skirt and closed her eyes to take a step back. "I do not expect to understand everything to night. However, how do I understand what I do not know. I do not know who you are, they have forbidden me from seeking the answers I want. However, you seem to know who I am."
She paused, "Though who does not know who I am here, I haven't found a soul yet. At least, let me have a name; your name. I would like at least to have that answer, so I might can learn more. They are increasingly worried about my growth ceremony but everything they teach I've done, I know, it's old things. This is not what I want to do all the while I'm a senshi. How am I to protect what I do not know?"
The man closed his eyes as he listened before turning to fiddle, "I think she should know at least something M'lord." The mouse advised quietly, "How can she do what's needed if she doesn't know who and what we are."
"The time is not right. The stars speak. . ."
"I'm right here." Hugbell muttered, arms crossed, "I promise I will leave if I know who you are. For now, but when I come back; I would like to have tea in order to properly welcome you."
The man paused looking baffled as the child spoke. "Properly Welcome me?"
"Well yes, to Hugbell - the world of comfort."
The man paused as he looked again confused. "Fine."
"Ohh you'll tell her M'lord!" The mouse seemed excited.
"No." Came the answer, as the mouse's energy seemed to drop out of it staring at his 'lord'. "But I shall give you a hint, when you've studied this as much as you can. Then - maybe we can have tea."
Hugbell appeared curious as the man spoke. "Go on?"
"Look for the lore of the beast, followed by the lore of the four brothers, and finally if you can find it . . . the lore of the forest well." The man counted off the lores as he spoke them. "If you can find and understand the meaning. Then perhaps . . . just maybe we can talk."
The child looked a little bewildered the man wanted her to read fairy tales!? Was he serious, this had nothing to do with what she was searching for, just a wild goose chase. However, when she opened her mouth to protest she paused. Realizing that she had asked for something. . . and in return she'd received yet another test. "Okay. Fine. I'll find these lores and then I shall see you in a moon." The child answered as she left, with the realization that the sun would be up soon.
Rushing back to her dorm at the sanctuary the child climbed back into her window just in time to hear "Hugbell, you're going to be late. You have a very important meeting. Honestly, Child you knew they were coming HURRY." Hugbell gave a long and tired yawn wishing she hadn't stayed out all night searching for answers only to get more questions.
"Coming." She called as she powered down and put on a more formal outfit. One that made her nose wrinkle. "I hope the welcoming ball isn't tonight too. I'm going to be exhausted."
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:42 pm
Chapter Four: Secret Tomes?
After having managed to catch a nap while her visitors were off in their rooms preparing for afternoon tea Hugbell had made her way to the library where she began to search the stacks for something important. "Now then. . . the beast?"
The child couldn't help but wonder which story that was as she search each row looking for titles that obviously stood out as something that sounded like it would be a story about a beast. "Well it's not Ursa Major nor is it Scorpio. . ." The child was musing a loud as the tome keeper walked by tilting his head a little at the child.
"Good afternoon Mistress Hugbell, is there something I might can help you find? It's not often I'm graced by your presence here in our lovely library. I'm supposing it's nothing to do with your studies if that's the case." Edward knew the young senshi never came to the library when she was suppose to, instead leaving the others to pick up her books. So to see her here was such a thrill to him.
"Huh?" Hugbell turned to look at Edward, "Well. . . Um. . . I'm looking for a story about a beast?" She quarried, "Fairy tale, ya'know lore and all. I got a free write assignment and I remember vaguely once my mother reading me a story about such a creature that it was only ever known as beast." The child was lying through her teeth and hoping she was doing a better job than what it seemed like to her.
The Librarian paused and gave a slow questioning head tilt towards the young mistress. Though he was enthralled by her appearance he didn't second guess the nature of her calling. "I see. . . there's many lores about beasts my child." He spoke as he looked around the stacks as she just had with Hugbell in tow. "Honestly, there's so many that it'd be hard to choose which you're remembering. It could have been the time that a beast almost destroyed the city had your predecessor not successfully dispatched the creature. Then there's one about a well . . . and a cave . . . "
He slowly paused as he came across the forbidden section and looked towards the girl and back at the stacks. "However, I feel none of those are exactly what you're looking for, are they?"
Lalic curls bounced as Hugbell stopped abruptly and looked at the librarian, "What do you mean?"
There was a soft wistful smile as the librarian let onto what seemed to be a little secret, "You've been curious about the wood. It's been passed to all of us not to help you. . . " He stopped before looking at the section that had been roped off and protected by animal guards. "Honestly, they're not suppose to let anyone but me pass, everyone else is to be turned away. Though occasionally at night they're no longer active."
He shrugged softly, "I do apologize my girl, I don't think I can help you today. After all, it's nearing your tea time with the guests is it not?" With that he walked away from the child and hummed a little as he took his books back to his desk. Hugbell however, looked bewildered and glanced around for the time before hurrying off to her tea time.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:45 pm
Chapter Five: The Bellion Beast
Edward had suggested something that had Maggie known about it. Both he and Hugbell would have been in a great deal of trouble. So with stealth the child snuck once again out of her dorm room window and slunk through the night into the library. It was a grandiose place, the ceiling had been painted with murals and the stacks reached just high enough that they framed the ceiling paintings.
Hugbell had always wondered how many books were in the library and never really paid much attention to the things she didn't care about. One of which at the time was the secret room with the tomes that were never meant to be read by her eyes. She'd known the animals had been there to keep the library from being made a mess of when kids were unruly as occasionally happened on a world with little government and discipline. Hugbell never claimed to be a proper homeworld unlike some of the others; it was more lax for a reason after all!
Sanctuary for all those that seeked comfort.
"Man, it's a little creepy in here at night." Hugbell murrmurred as she crept through the hallways down towards the door she'd been showed two days earlier. Having gotten a message that 'to night, the watchmen sleep'. Though it never specified who the watchmen were Hugbell knew that it had something to do with the library.
Once safely past the guards the child began to search the shelves until she found a title particularly interesting. 'Nostus' Tales.' Hugbell paused and pulled the book from the shelf, "Odd, this is a fairy tell book? I wonder what it's doing back here?"
Flipping open the cover and thumbing past the first few pages to reach the index the child's eyes suddenly went wide. The book was heavy and leather bound, with writing on it that glowed - a glow that almost reminded her of the forest and how it appeared when she walked into it the first night.
"A lot of these just sound like silly old catana magic." She muttered as she scanned the list until she saw something that caught her eye, "The girl vs the beast? Why would that even be in here? It's not any sort of magic fable?" For as far as anyone knew the only person that possessed magic on Hugbell, was... well Hugbell herself.
She found that not too far from the stacks was a table with a chair and a small lantern. The child took the book and moved to begin reading what was written, with interest. However, she soon found that there was no oil in the lamp and no way to light it. Frowning the child looked around, how was she supposed to read the book without turning on a light?
"If I turn on a light they'll catch me. . . and I don't have a torch." She mused as she began to rummage around the desk finally finding something that caught her attention. It was tiny flint stones, and when clicked together they appeared to try and spark. "Well . . . I might have a way to light it, but nothing to fill it with. Oh bother it all, why me?" She muttered still rummaging when she looked up she noticed something even odder, it seemed something had illuminated the pages of the book, as if moonlight had filtered out of the sky, the child looked up towards what she assumed to be a skylight only to find that, there was none. She tilted her head and fussed with the pages before realizing that something they had been coated with gave off a faint glow.
"Could this. . . be the same stuff that makes the forest glow?"
The child looked at the pages and the faint glow, which was enough to read the words. She checked the page number before flipping to it. Settling her eyes on the title. "The Girl vs the Beast."
Something was unsettling about that title. . . . Never the less Hugbell began to read it.
There once was no comfort in this world, only sorrow and fear. It had not always been this way but something terrible had happened, a beast from unknown lands came to this world. Great and mighty, it was so large it could crush a castle in a single blow. When this beast arrived it seemed to be attracted to the magic that was on this world. Slowly the beast was eating it away, bit by bit with its rows, upon rows of sharp pointed yellow teeth. It's skin was a grayish tone, a tone which when eyes were laid upon it, many wondered would they see the sun shine bright again?
Years passed and this beast was allowed to roam the lands; eating the magic bit by bit, stone by stone. Brave soldiers attempted to stop the beast only to parish in battle, but then a small ray of light was bore. The prophecy foretold of a child, bearing the sigil of the once great and mighty sailor would soon be found. Many hunted high and low counting every woman who was with child. Before they finally found the woman who was supposed to be of the prophecies, all the prophets came to visit and foretell the future just as they had with every other woman with child they’d found. All of these futures held the same path - the child would live and fight the beast - but beyond that they could not nor would they say the outcome.
Efforts were placed to prepare for keeping the child safe in case the beast grew wise to the fortune of the future. Many years pass after the child had been born, and was being taught the finest ways. It was something new and different each day, never failing to bring a new adventure. Then suddenly the child grew ill and the people of the world began to worry. A fortune teller was brought to the child to see if the future held true. It did, however, if the child and the beast continued to live within the same world the child would die was the fortune foretold.
All the clansmen began to worry and bring together ideas of what to do - when finally they came upon the conclusion that they would fight the beast themselves. The clansmen informed the child and her mother of their intentions and started to set off, when the child stopped them. "Take me with you." She begged and pleaded, the clansmen refused. "You trained me, I must come." She insisted even when they told her she was ill and must stay home and rest.
Finally the troop set out to advance and attack the beast; little did they know that the ill child followed them. The battle was bloody and gruesome many perished before the child finally stepped up from her hiding spot. Picking up the nearest item she could find and throwing it at the beast. "Stop it. You're hurting them!" She cried as she began to fight back with all the might she had left, continuing before suddenly - out of nowhere her appearance changed. Instead of a scare little girl, her appearance was now different something new, more powerful than she’d been before. The battle between the girl and beast raged on for what felt like hours until finally -- they both fell. The child exhausted and the beast vanquished, it soon turned to dust and was swept away by the wind. The child however, was in grave danger. Those left rushed her home summoning the best doctor the world had.
Though even their finest doctor could not do more for the child, and the doctor bore grave news. Reporting she would be lucky to last through the night. In disbelief they dispatched for the fortune tellers again. Again, they all shook their heads, and foretold all the same, “Her future is unclear. The path she takes will be determined by her.”
The child that night made an amazing recovery one like many had never seen. By the next day she was sitting up in bed and was attempting to get up only to be stopped by those worried about her. The child held her hand up and shook her head slowly to stop them. Finally, when she stood up she smiled. “Hope is back.” She whispered before transforming in front of those few fellows that waited and offered prayer for her safety.
Standing there now in front of them, “Hugbell, Senshi of Comfort; I am here to Comfort you.” She smiled warmly and offered all her hand. “Let us bring the hope and magic back to the world.”
Hugbell stopped as the story continued on with its happy ending. Squinting at the pages and turning back to the title. The child seemed confused and looked at the story again. “So this must be one of the first Hugbell’s.” She paused and looked at the time.
“Oh teddysnuckles.” She muttered realizing that soon the library would open back up and the child fled so as not to be caught and trapped in the forbidden tomes. That was the last thing she needed was to be trapped there.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:48 pm
Chapter Six: The Four Brothers
It had been about a week since Hugbell had been to the library. Again she’d received a message speaking that ‘To Night the Mice Play’. The pre-teen looked curiously at the message. How did he know she still needed in the library too look for something? She couldn’t help but wonder if the mice play was to let on to the fact he really knew what she was doing.
However, not missing an invite Hugbell took off when everyone else was asleep to search again for a new book.
The four brothers.
Actually, Hugbell went back to the first book she’d found with the fables and lore on other forbidden fairy tales including the one about the Girl vs the Bellion Beast. As Hugbell realized she hadn’t quite finished looking through the index of the book, wondering if she’d find some clue as to where the next lores would be. The pre-teen didn’t expect them to be in the same book at all. However, when she turned towards the table, she noticed a book already lying out. There was a long pause as she looked this way and that. Well obviously someone just forgot to put it back up. She moved over to pick up the book when she realized what it was opened to.
It was enough to make Hugbell stop and stare for a second in disbelief. It had appeared before her, no one else had looked at these books in a long time. Even still this one didn’t look like it’d been handled much, just enough to find her spot. Who knew what she was looking for though? The Librarian? Surely he couldn’t’ve guessed by now could he have?
The Child sat down fingers delicately on the page as she looked over what was written. It seemed to be handwritten in cursive. Earlier than the first book but, then again Hugbell assumed the first book had been translated and republished with those particular stories since they had been printed on the page and not hand copied.
“The Four Brothers, I hope this isn’t as weird as the last one.”
She started reading. “Chapter one. . . the Mission”
It was early morn when the four brothers gathered, court was held in front of the governing senshiness and their father. Each brother was directed to explore a part of the homeworld and bring back to life that which had perished long ago. Each brother was given provisions, a mount imported from another home world, and cart.
“When you return and have been successful, we shall hold a grand feast for each brother!” The brothers had four dates they were to return on and report their successes. The location each brother was tasked with was expected to have proof that the locations were indeed flourishing. Those that failed would bring shame upon themselves.
As the four brothers left they were speaking amongst themselves.
“I will have my location flourished and ready by the first season meeting.” The First brother boasted in confidence.
The second brother laughed, “You couldn’t keep a simple flower alive. How do you expect to do this? I won’t rush but I’ll have my location finished by the second season meeting.” There was a sly smile on his face as if he was hiding a secret.
The Third brother sighed softly, “Both of you were always about competition. I’m not interested in finishing by the first or second season. As long as I’m done by the third season I’ll be happy.” There was a slow nod before they all looked at the fourth brother.
“What about you?” All three chimed.
“I’m just going to do the best that I can and hope that I can finish before the last season.” He said meekly before giving a small shrug.
Here the brothers parted and went their own way.
Each brother’s land was different and each required special attention. The Senshi and the Father both thought they could handle what they were tasked with.
Hugbell frowned as she looked at the story; it seemed to be some sort of ‘life lesson’.
“Chapter Two, the Eldest Brother . . .” The child continued in her reading hoping to find an answer. . .
The first brother’s land was a desert with scattered oasis throughout; one of the oases held a secret cave. Though, the oasis once prevalent were now bare of water, the palm trees parched of thirst and with the shade gone plants no longer thrived.
The first brother traveled the desert looking for a hint or clue as to where the secret cave maybe. With no shade or water his supplies quickly diminished and the brother was now traveling on what could only be described as a camel hoping to soon find the cave. It was when he thought he could go no longer still he saw a sight for sore eyes. There just in the distance sat a crystal blue lake, palm trees and greenery that provided food and shade. The first brother headed that way but soon paused, stopping his mount. “What if, it’s a mirage? I shall never hear the end of it from my brothers.” He spoke out loud, but even the camel wanted to go. So the first brother dismounted the camel and let the creature go. It soon reached the oasis and drank from the water.
The first brother was so impressed that he ran after the camel and looked enthralled by the fact they had found food and water. Taking his canteen he filled it to the brim and began to drink greedily. Soon, he found himself sleepy and wished a nap. His search had taken him fourth of the way to the first season’s meeting, so he took a small nap planning to wake before sun down.
The sun began to slowly set and the oasis was plunged into darkness, the eldest brother found himself shivering from the cold. Frowning deeply he hadn’t woken before the sun set and thus he found himself with no shelter nor heat to protect him from the cold. The mount that brought him here was sleeping off to one side and he with his rations fumbled in the dark shade of the palm tree. The eldest got up and decided to head into the cave. Perhaps there would be something of use there, as it was too late and too cold to climb the trees or to try and start a fire.
As he walked further into the cave he wished he had a light. Though, soon it struck him that something odd seemed to be happening. The Eldest brother found that the cave glowed and soon he could hear water running. He stopped to gain his bearing for it seemed he’d been walking for hours in the dark, surely this would be the way out? But what of his mount? The man paused and frowned looking back behind him. However, he made his mind up to continue forth. Soon he reached a river and the cave by now was fairly well lighted, though the brother didn’t understand what allowed such light to be inside the cave when clearly there was no sun or torches. The path split off following the small river both ways but he noticed, on the far side, there was a third area, what seemed like another path. It had been blocked off. The brother, not knowing how to swim frowned as he looked from side to side. He wanted to see what was beyond that blocked area. The river’s water was speeding by fast, and the eldest was unsure if he could even manage to use a boat to get to the other side.
Had one of his other brothers been with him they could’ve worked together to solve this mystery. Though he had just boasted he could do this on his own and be finished within the first season. As the man inspected the river he soon noticed there were rocks dappled along the water, surely that meant there would be enough to cross without having to swim!
The eldest brother devised a planned path and slowly began to cross. When he reached where the blockage was he noticed that there wasn’t a ledge or anything to stand on. Looking puzzled he began to try and figure out how to remove the blockage so he could go investigate. It took him just a little as he moved from rock to rock over to one of the shallower looking sides. “This.” He said to himself, “looks to be the safest.” As he considered his options he began to tug away the debris that had built up. It didn’t take long to dislodge a few pieces and he could see beyond was another opening and what appeared to be more glow that both fascinated him and boggled his mind.
All it took was one more great pull, the whole blockage caved and water went rushing into the cavern. As the water and debris flushed away it dragged the brother with it and under the water and with no one there to know to look for him or to help him, well. . . The first brother never returned for the first season’s meeting.
Hugbell stopped and stared at the story. Though it didn’t go into detail she had a feeling she knew what happened to the brother. She was bewilder that this would be in a fairytale and it took her some time to process what she’d just read and finally be able to move on . . .
“Chapter Three, The Second Brother.”
The Second brother was sent far up north into the mountains of Hugbell. The mountains had not been explored thoroughly and while a few Hugbellions had moved up into them most preferred closer to home because of the extremely cold weather. The second brother had been supplied with a wooly mount to help keep him warm and an extra Jacket that had been crafted elsewhere from their finest furs, as well as shoes from furs as well. All of these extra supplies were in hopes that the brother would stay warm, and avoid dying from frost bite.
The second brother had traveled a long while before he reached a small village; the villagers welcomed him and gave him a feast. When the celebration ended they explained they had no way of growing vegetables because of the extreme cold. They had found a cave that might have been warm enough to sustain life if only it had enough light for plants to grow. The Second brother listened to their explanations and began to think; obviously these people needed food other than meat as much as the rest of them.
He agreed to see if he could help them. If only in turn that they would assist him in his quest, and when all the agreements were made the second brother set out. His Mount was a small stout almost goat like creature great for scaling the mountains and fairing through even the harshest weather. With a guide to assist him, they found the cave in no time flat. “So this is what you’re looking at.”
It seemed to be prime property with a very large cavernous opening the man was intrigued and continued inside only to be stopped by the guide. They had forgotten to warn him about something, there was a beast living inside the cavern, and the townspeople needed it gone. The brother looked at the man before considering what was being spoken about, and soon he came to be concerned. He did not have the power himself to vanquish any beast that might have taken residence so he called inside the cave to see if he got a response. Perhaps, if it wasn’t too big he could just relocate it?
The response to his call came back a low chilled snarl and growling. The brother wondered why this was not mentioned before, and turned to his guide. Both ventured into the cave slowly one with a torch the other with a large limb from the tree outside. They planned to ambush the creature and maybe run it off. Surely both of them could do this task? They moved stealthily through the cavern until the two men came upon the monster. It wasn’t by any means a large beast but it was still bigger than the two men put together and it appeared as if it had been hoarding items. The second eldest brother frowned as looked towards his guide; both agreed silently they could not take down the beast armed as they were. So, both retreated quickly and returned to the village to devise a new plan. The second brother had a sword and shield made by the villages craftsmen with expectations that both would be done by the following week. When they both would return and attempt to take the monster down.
Following the week that the brother waited for the weapons to be done he busied himself planting plants in pottery that had been left for trash. Most of it because it had a chip or a crack and couldn’t be used for much else, he brought snow in and used it to keep the soil he’d dug up and thawed moist and kept the plants inside near windows. Readying them for the trip that would soon be a head of them, the brother also made sure that he had a cart worthy of carrying the plants and keeping them warm. For when he returned he expected to need to take the plants the next day.
When the week finally came and past, the craftsman had finished with the sword and shield, handing them both to the brother. The brother made his approvals and took the guide with him back to the cave. When they reached it the brother made sure that the guide had the shield and explained to him that he needed to distract the beast. Even if he had to use the second brother’s mount, but no matter what to not let the monster’s attention go to the brother.
The brother then ushered the guide inside and into the sight of the monster, the guide taking the mount with him. It took just a few brief moments before the monster was interested and charging after the man and the mount. The second brother waited for the monster to lumber near before charging out with sword in hand and aimed to cut off its head.
The guide by then had closed his eyes, knees trembling hoping that the scared mount who was trying to drag the guide out away from the monster would keep the beast distracted. Soon there was a thud and something rolled and knocked into the guide’s legs. Causing the man to jump and scream. The brother was covered in the monster’s dark oily like blood rushed over and stopped the mount from running and turned the guide to see that they were successful!
He smiled and clapped the man on the back. However, now his furs were ruined. The brother frowned and sighed, he would have to deal with them when they got back to the village. However, before they left they watched the monster suddenly burst into dust. Both stood flabbergasted at the sight they’d just witnessed. Back at the village the brother gave up his furs to the women who assured him they could clean anything. The village had another grand feast and by the next day the man was presented with furs and a medal. The village then set out to help the second brother move all the plants.
“There’s still one problem. How do we get light to the plants?” One of the villagers asked all of them looking at the brother with hope.
The Brother seemed to think about this problem and then noticed that as the guide walked using his shield to help keep the cold wind off the plants that it reflected light! With a huge grin the brother called to the craftsmen and explained his idea. The cave was certainly warmer and much easier to inhabit than the little huts the village people now stayed in. Many slept with not only layers of sheets but clothing to keep from freezing to death.
“Why not live in the cave?” The brother asked noticing that there were smaller caves and outlets from the larger cavern, many seemed easy to access. “These cave systems would surely allow you to build your homes here.” There were plenty of evergreen trees for wood and it didn’t seem to be too difficult of a task if they could build a larger shield to reflect the light into the cave.
The craftsman marveled at everything the monster had collected, many different types of metals and jewels. He seemed confident he could build something that would allow the light to filter into the cave itself as he doodled out concepts that him and the second brother spoke about.
It took all of the first season for the preparations to finish. However, the second brother returned with signs of life and a smile on his face explaining to his father and the senshiness the villagers he had met. Both agreed that the second brother was needed there and after a few nights rest he returned to the villagers. By this time the villagers had finished constructing most of the main rooms, the shield which allowed sun to come and a reflective ball that directed the light to flood the cave. The second brother was very impressed and excited; he soon started talking about an aqueduct that would help the villagers get water. The snow seemed clean and when it melted the water appeared safe enough to drink as he’d done it many times in order to refill his canteen.
Off to one of the sides of the cavern crops were being grown and they seemed to thrive. Even the cave felt warmer with the sun that was reflected into the cave. About halfway through the season the villagers started speaking about the need to go out and hunt, as their meat supplies were running low. They asked the second brother to join them in their hunts. The brother obliged despite never having hunted before and listened as the villagers explained what the brother needed to do.
The brother left with a small group to go hunting in hopes of bringing back lots of fresh meat. Well the hunt seemed to be going slow as not many animals lived in this sort of extreme cold, and the villagers grew impatient so they sent the brother a head to scout and started talking amongst themselves.
They had supplied the brother with a bow and arrow, along with a small hunting knife made just for him. So when the brother spotted a herd of winter Kharina, they were fluffier than the ones that lived in the temperate lands of Hugbell’s main kingdom. The brother motioned towards the villagers who were busy bickering amongst themselves and didn’t notice his calling them over. He looked back flustered and threw a cone at them to get their attention, as they grew louder still. The group stopped and looked up as the brother pointed towards the clearing and motioned for them to quiet down.
The group approached and soon saw too what the brother saw. The herd looked healthy and if they picked off a couple it would be okay. So all of the villagers spread out to surround the Kharina and soon they started shooting their arrows at the creatures. Three Kharina fell before the rest started to run, straight towards the second brother.
The second brother never realized what was happening. . . He was also missing from the second season meeting.
When Hugbell finished the chapter she looked almost mortified at the book. It was so, morbid, even without going into details the child shuddered to think what that would have been like. “Why is there so much death in this book?” She murmured and looked out the window. The sun was slowly rising. “Oh Crispy nuggets.” The child uttered as she left the book on the table and ran out of the library using what few shadows were left to cover her tracks.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:51 pm
Chapter Seven: The Third Brother’s Plight
Hugbell had trouble sleeping the next two nights. Her imagination was running wild with the stories she’d read and the two brothers that were left. Even though she hadn’t read their story yet she feared what she could be reading about them. How would their lives end? It was a sinking and almost sickening dread to worry about night after night.
Soon another note showed up, letting her know that she could once again get into the library.
There she found the book still opened to where she left it, “Chapter Four; The Third Brother.”
Hugbell stared at the title to the next chapter hoping that maybe it wouldn’t be as unfortunate as the other two.
The Third Brother was more cunning and daring than the other two. So when the third brother saw that he was sent to the plains area he was more than a little disappointed. Here he was hoping for a heroic adventure one that tested his skill and strength; only to find that his adventure was now just a piece of flat land. There was a small sigh as he walked through the grasses most of them seemed a little dry, and well Hugbell was never known for the best weather beyond where the city lay.
It may have done something with the Bellion Beast that roamed a few centuries ago. However, the third brother did not seem concerned meeting with such a fate. No ill hearted harpy lay waiting for as far as the eye could see and he along with his brothers made a bet; and the Third brother intended on winning said bet. His stead had been allocated and it was some sort of pachyderm like creature with hair though just large enough for him to ride on. The pair walked and continued to walk searching for the brother’s destination.
Soon, the brother squinted as he began to see on the horizon an object. It clearly stuck out from the few scatterings of trees and brush. The third brother now began to appear concerned for he’d never seen such a thing. It was bizarre as he continued upon it and the figure grew in size. It appeared pointed with many arms. “What a weird creature.” He murmured as the sun was setting casting a shadow long on the plain behind the so called creature.
Though when he finally got where he could actually tell what the ‘creature was’ the man just blinked, “Why it’s just a windmill!” He cried almost excited to find that he had now stumbled upon something much less frightening than his mind allowed him to believe. “But what’s it doing here?” He wondered as he continued towards it noticing small houses dotting the land in the distance as well. Surely the Bellion’s didn’t live this far out of their small city. There was no comfort or fun here; at least that’s how it looked to him. Upon closer inspection when he could start to see details in the windmill it appeared to be cobbled together. Completely opposite of the wood and apparent plastic and even fabric effect the city had.
The third brother traveled and finally when he reached the door of the windmill here he knocked, hoping to seek shelter from the air that was suddenly turning chilly. He stood waiting for an answer, though what he wasn’t expecting was an elderly man to peek out looking bewilder at the man and his stead before grabbing the man and pulling him inside. “Shhh. . . “ The elderly man hissed as he glanced out from a crack between the threshold and the door before slamming it shut.
“Um. . . sir. . . my mount is out there . . . I’d really hate to---“
“Shhh, Shhh I say. It’ll be fine. They don’t look for it. SHHH.” The old man hobbled off towards a nearby window.
He seemed paranoid and the brother took notice, being the third youngest he’d seen paranoid before. He strolled over and peeked out the window as well wondering what the man was afraid of. Surely it was just ramblings of an older man who never got visitors right? As The Third brother watched his eyes widened when he caught sight of little creatures that danced their way through the village. “What are those?” He asked quietly with wonder and curiosity, which often got the best of the brother but so far he had not been in a situation where such antics caused him a huge problem.
“Those?” The old man whispered with horror, “Those are the creatures that steal you blind. They hide in the shadows on sun lit days and cause you to nearly die of fright.” He answered his knees clearly knocking as he was frightened. “They only come out for an hour a night, witching hour mostly.”
It seemed the creatures were ransacking everything, turning over carts and making just general mischief. The third brother looked at the old man and back to the creatures, “Why has no one stopped them?” He asked in a hushed tone.
The man appeared offended, “They have tried sonny. Everyone that tried has failed and ended up devoured all but the bones or turning into one of dem. The bones lay in graves not far from here.”
The Third brother frowned as the pair watched soon the imps were gone. “I was sent here,” He said when the man was finally able enough to talk calmly and not watch frightened out the window of the cobblestone windmill. “Our senshiness and my father sent me out here to help you and the village to grow and prosper. I would like to talk to whoever is in charge of the village. Together maybe we can solve this problem.”
The Old man looked at the brother and frowned. He seemed a man of many words and the old man didn’t trust it. “We’ll take you to the village meeting place tomorrow. Tonight let me fix you some tea and we can sleep soundly knowing the imps are now gone for the night.”
The brother agreed and slept in the guest room that had been offered to him by the old man. Morning came and the third brother awoke refreshed and ready to set off towards the village. However, the older man had not finished his chores and was fumbling about. So the brother offered to help, surely there was something he could do to alleviate the old man’s frustration. Soon the brother found himself knee deep in chores and things that needed to be finished.
He bargained with the old man that if he finished some of the chores they would then go out to the village meeting spot and find who was in charge of the village. It didn’t take long for the younger man to finish a large amount of the chores given to him and the old man reluctantly took him to the village.
Here they found the leader and a small group of folks being entertained by what the second to youngest brother could only assume to be the village fool. He frowned as he watched the crowd laugh as the ‘fool’ attempted to do things. Finally the man sighed and went over to help the bumbling person. “Here, they’re just going to laugh.” He offered her his assistance, at the time not even aware that the fool was a she.
The whole crowd hissed and looked at him unhappily. The Third brother turned on them and replied, “How would you like it if you were the village fool and you were trying to get the water for your family to drink?” He glared at them all, for she’d been trying to lug water up from the well.
“It’s not water for my family. . .” She said softly and a little slowly unsure if it was wise of her to speak. The brother looked shocked as she spoke and then puzzled. “Then . . . what’s it for and why is there such a spectacle.” He still looked un-approving towards complete strangers. All of them were quite, waiting for her answer since she had now spoken up.
“It’s so I can show my worth to my future husband.” The woman answered almost sheepishly and the third brother looked side long at her and then back towards the crowd, most were men some were women.
“Who. . . is to be her husband?” He asked the crowd expecting the coward to show up. The nerve of these people watching a woman trying to impress her husband what sort of sick ritual was this?
“Well my boy, you were the one to step up and attempt rescue the poor damsel in distress.”
“It was supposed to be Abler wasn’t it?”
“Abler’s not here, this man is.”
The crowd now seemed confused, as they looked around. Where was Abler anyways? Concern grew as the woman stood there watching the crowd now break apart to look for her supposed fiancé. “You see our village may have weird rituals but. . . our betrothed is suppose to swoop in and rescue us. They’re never told when this happens or anything else. You’re summoned and you’re then expected to attempt to finish a task that you’ve never been able to do, in your life time. . .”
She paused, “Alber was supposed to swoop in. Alas, it seems he either over slept or was out drinking late again.”
The third brother watched as the woman explained what she was thinking and slowly shook his head, “Surely they don’t do this. It’s humiliating not to mention dangerous.”
Soon the old man and a small handful of villagers returned. “My dear,” Spoke one, more fancily dressed than the rest, the brother assumed this was the man in charge. “Abler didn’t come home last night from his outings. It appears no one has seen him since before witching hour.”
Many made sad noises as they lamented. “So you,” He turned to the third brother, “Are now her betrothed.” The gentleman smiled as he was about to ask the brother’s name he was interrupted.
“I do beg your pardon. I merely came to assist someone in need, not to become their betrothed. While she is a beautiful woman, I find your practices quiet undignified. No wonder you have an imp problem.” He spoke with a curt and blunt tongue waiting for backlash from those around him but all stood silent.
“I shall find her Abler, and return him safe. I was sent by our Senshiness and my father to come and help this town. I will see to it that the problems are solved.”
Well the third brother began to set up traps for the imps something that they surely couldn’t get out of. The first night he made traps of wood, hand set and waited inside the windmill with the old man to see if they caught any. Though, none were dumb enough to walk inside the trap the second youngest set. This went on for a week until the young man found some bait that the imps liked and managed to snag one.
However after a night’s sleep and the young man returned to where he’d captured the beast, he found the bars chewed right through. It was as if the creature knew how to get out. The young man frowned as he decided to try a new method of trap the following night. This time it was a mixture of metal and wood. Surely this would hold the creatures!
Several nights passed and no bites. So the man changed the type of bait he was using for the next night. A week had passed since he caught the last little imp and the next night he managed to catch not one but two imps! Again he and the old man went to bed after witching hour was over and the young man returned to the tap again. This time he found the bars bent and the wood chewed through, it was as if they’d thrown it to the ground a few times before finally letting the poor trap be.
The third week the brother had commissioned from the blacksmith their strongest metal cage that they could make. The brother once he received word the cage was done rigged the cage to become a trap. With new food out the young man moved into the windmill to avoid being seen. A couple of nights passed and soon another imp was caught this particular monster managed to slip through the bars on the cage.
The third brother was growing wary and soon he realized that the third trap was large enough to hold and protect a human. Provided the little ones didn’t try to steal in. So with some thinking the young man managed to fix the cage so that there were no opening small enough for the imps to pass through the bars.
He then asked the ‘village fool’ to join him on a stake out and explained that she would be safe in the cage. The third brother promised also to protect her and find her Abler. It took some convincing but soon the lady was assisting him in finding her Abler. The imps came and the brother was hidden from them on a nearby roof top the thatched roof was luckily strong enough to hold him and he watched as the imps surrounding the cage attempting to reach the woman to take her away with them. But they couldn’t get through the trap.
When the third brother found his chance he fired the first arrow from his bow striking an imp and causing it to bust into dust. With a mighty yell he continued standing up on the roof top attacking the imps. When he ran out of arrows he jumped from the roof top. They weren’t as terrifying as the townsfolk insisted; however, all the imps became scare and ran away, and with no sign from Abler. Both he and the Village fool seemed a little bit discouraged but all the townspeople had been woken up from the usual noise outside and then quietness fell they all looked stunned.
Suddenly a great cheer came from the village! The third brother had caused the imps to run off. For the first three nights after the villagers all watched and waited for witching hour and when none came the fourth night they all celebrated. Well two days later the brother had to return to brief his father. The villagers allowed him to take Antonia (the village fool) to use as proof that he’d helped. Antonia agreed and they were off to see his father and the Senshiness. When they explained what happened both nodded and agreed to let the bother continue his work as it seemed very noble. However, the requirement for the next meeting was that he brings back something only the village had to offer that the city did not. Be it wine, food, or something else.
They both nodded and soon returned back to the village and the third brother explained everything to Antonia about the bets with his brothers and the goal he needed to achieve. Though he was unsure why or what propose it served other than a test between the brothers to see who could come out the victor. It took them a little over a week to return to the city. Upon their arrival the city appeared to have been devastated and all the towns folk that were left came running towards the third brother and Antonia crying.
They should’ve never let the third brother leave, and as the brother listened to their cries the guiltier he felt. He looked at Antonia and then moved to the court yard’s center standing on the well’s edge. “Villagers of Hugbell, do not fear! For tonight, tonight we take up arms and reclaim what is ours!”
The villagers all rallied around the third brother, as if he was their leader. They trusted him since the town’s leader had vanished as well. The villagers armed themselves with rocks, pitch forks and other items while the brother wore his bow. And they met the imps half way the brother having seen which way they fled. Obviously their hive was that way.
The battle was great and while there were losses on both sides the villagers pushed back the imps. The brother continued to follow in order to try and find their hiding spot with Antonia close behind. The other villagers seemed hesitant when the imps retreated, was running into the hive really a smart idea?
“If you don’t stop them at the source, they’ll just keep coming back!” The brother shouted as he followed the imps shooting arrows along the way. Slowly more villagers followed until the rest of them joined as well. When they reached the hive the villagers saw what the third brother was talking about. There indeed was a queen!
All battle was focused on getting to the queen. “Find the weak spot. I need a clear shot!” He cried as he aimed his bow hoping to be able to hit the queen with one clear shot.
Suddenly Antonia pointed and shouted, “THERE!”
Without a moment’s hesitance the third brother shot the queen and watched her fall. With a large cloud of dust she dissipated and soon the imps were without a leader, many fought amongst themselves causing clouds of dust and others still were killed by the villagers. It took what felt like hours but finally, finally the battle was won.
Inside the hive the eldest brother and Antonia went to see if Abler was there calling his name. However, the eldest brother froze when he reached one room and moved quickly to keep Antonia from following. “I don’t think we’ll find him here.” The third brother said quickly before turning her out of the hive. Antonia however was quick footed and though she appeared clumsy she darted around the third brother to find that Abler was quite dead. It was as if the life had been drained from him and no heart beat left, there were others like that including the village leader.
The village folks cried, mourned and wept. The third brother had to drag Antonia away from Abler to keep her from suffering the same fate. For days the villagers mourned and the brother, found himself to be restless. He went back to the hive and investigated deeper and deeper still. There were scattered rooms of what he assumed to be missing Hubellions, rooms of treasure and looted goods, foods and even. He paused as he stared at one of the things that existed. Crystals. They didn’t glow or appear magical, but they were crystals still and they existed in this hive.
The brother looked at the crystals and began to observe them attempting to figure out if they grew here or just were brought here. They felt like normal crystals but their color seemed to change when he touched them. He worked in the hive as well to bury the dead and destroy the rest of the hive in hopes that another infestation would not happen. Weeks passed and the villagers asked him to be their new village leader since they now were without one.
The third brother hesitantly accepted the position. Now he had another duty to fulfill, and that was to keep the towns people safe. On his second trip back home he brought some of the crystal he’d managed to farm as proof as well as one of the other villagers who explained in great detail what had happened since they were last seen. Antonia had fallen ill and couldn’t make the travel.
The start of the third season was planting season for the small village and everyone pitched in even the third brother. He wanted to learn their ways and how things were done so he could help better the village and himself. The days were long and nights were short and he continued to work back and forth between planting and tending to the crops and making sure that the hive was properly destroyed. All expect for the crystals, something drew him to them and caused his imagination to soar.
Planting and growing season done, it was harvest time and soon time for the brother to head back to the city to give a status report. They were all speaking and Antonia had grown rather fond of the third brother, and he fond of her. The village people were speaking in hushed tones and soon the men of the village approached the third brother one night and spoke.
“Our harvest season is when typically young men wed to their betrothed; since you rescued Antonia, and our dearly beloved Abler is no longer with us. We think that you two should, be married to celebrate our harvest! It brings good luck and prosperity.” One of the Elders explained and the others stood behind him nodding.
“I’m not sure Antonia would want to marry me. Surely she sees me as just a brother figure.” The third brother spoke knowing how Antonia was, sure that she still loved Abler and was not over the problematic way that Abler died. “To marry me would send Antonia into a depression and something I’m not willing to do. She should be left a free woman.”
However, pressure from the elders to both Antonia and the third brother had them finally agreeing that they would wed in order to insure the harvest’s success. The third brother asked Antonia if she was sure that this was what she wanted and the answer was always yes. The wedding was beautiful it came and gone and the harvest too was soon done. The third brother had to make a trip back to the city and Antonia wasn’t interested in following him. So the brother left one of the villagers in charge as he left promising to be back within the week.
This time the villagers sent some of their harvest and one of prized birds, the brother also had another piece of crystal. He updated the senshiness and his father on the status of the village and the investigation into the crystal as well as his newlywed situation. He left the bird with them and soon returned to the village.
However, his return was not a happy one. The Villagers again greeted him crying, in sorrow they mourned. “What has happened!?” He cried realizing Antonia was not there.
“She died!” They cried.
“She’s Dead! Evil spirits be gone!” The village’s sad moans grew.
Soon they turned on the third brother, blaming him. “Had he not come. . .”
“Yes Had he not come we wouldn’t be here!”
“Antonia would still be here!”
The villagers slowly rose into a roar as they attacked him pulled him from his pachyderm mount and tugged at him, throwing stones. “It’s your fault!”
The Brother tried to get them to stop, to rationalize; but his words fell on death ears.
Soon the brother lay lifeless on the ground and the village folks stood in silence unsure of what to do next. They soon buried the two in the graveyard with the rest of the bodies. Cleaning up the mess and electing a new village leader. The village thrived while the third brother was never heard from again. . .
Hugbell frowned at the fate of the third brother, by this time she knew it was looking grim for the fourth.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:53 pm
Chapter Eight: The Fourth Brother
While the story of the third brother was long Hugbell managed to finish it and in time she found that the fourth brother’s story appeared a lot shorter. “I really hope this one ends better than the last three. However, I feel it might not.” She spoke to herself as she turned to the page.
“The Fourth Brother.”
When they had parted ways the fourth brother realized that he, perhaps had been the one given the shortest stick and the shortest possible amount required to succeed. His mount, was actually not large enough to be a mount at all but instead a large shoulder bird that rested on the man’s shoulder as they walked.
Of course, no one had entered the forbidden forest and came out to tell about it. This brother, the last brother was worried that he too would not come out to tell the tale of his travels. Though soon he found a small clearing leading to a river with a waterfall where the ground suddenly gave way to a tall cliff. Amazed he inspected the area and found that, there were small crystals and the forest seemed faintly illuminated even by the dark of night that was setting.
The man pitched camp and decided to sleep here for the night and in the morning he’d decide what to do. As while this appeared to be the place he surely could not be so lucky. He let his bird perch in a nearby tree to sleep. The night was fairly uneventful and by morning the pair was studying the world around them. It was completely different in the light and well interesting to say the least. When he pulled out his book he confirmed that this was indeed the place.
There was a large tree near the waterfall and he actually noticed that beyond the tree was another cliff leading up. The fourth brother couldn’t help but wonder why there were small crystals here. Though as he moved to inspect the tree he noticed that it appeared to be . . . well, habitable. There was an opening large enough for him to walk through and even here there appeared to be small crystals lighting the tree on the inside. Outside the grass was lush and green and the forest was far enough back it provided shelter and hid him from prying eyes but it also provided a place to hunt.
So here it was, that the fourth brother decided to make camp and prove to his father and the senshiness that he could indeed complete the quest they sent him out on. First he took the time to make a door to the tree. He had to have a way to keep the elements out; once he was finished he found that the tree indeed looked a little more like a home. Next he moved inside to start working on making windows but he noticed there was a ray of light way up above that he hadn’t noticed without the new door. So he had to build stairs out of wood. They spiraled up and up and up to the top of the tree where he realized that there was indeed an opening. A landing of sort and so he walked outside and observed what he could see. From the East he saw the city he’d came from, to the west he saw land no one had ever touched. To the south he saw a desert, and though he couldn’t see north because of the cliffs; he knew there were frigid mountains.
He continued his work to the tree and made windows so he could see out, a cover to keep the rain from coming into the landing and an elevator basket. He of course had to operate it by hand and pull himself or whatever up to the top of the tree but that was fine. It was better than walking stairs. Finally he began to furnish the inside with handmade wooden chairs, tables and bed. He planned to practice his hand craving later; right now he just needed a way to work properly and without any functioning equipment he couldn’t really work at all.
That’s when he realized, “I need water. . .”He looked at the river and glanced back at the tree. There were limbs scattered around and he slowly formed an idea and started building a platform which he could stand and look out over the water. Afterwards he built a pole that stuck out from the tree over the water; it was thick as a tree and strong. The fourth brother then built a waterwheel. When he had it functioning he built plumbing that went from the waterwheel to the living quarters’ he’d built inside the tree. He also continued to build around the water wheel so he could work and maintain it. While the brother did this he didn’t realize that the crystals were slowly growing in size.
By the first season what he had to show was plans and drawings of what he’d done along with a small sampling of crystal that he’d found. The senshiness and the father both inspected everything in front of them and appeared well not to be disappointed in the brother at the least. Which the brother had expected full heartedly, instead they told him to keep up the good work when he brought back the next report they wanted to see more of what was going on, they liked the visuals and to be briefed on what he found out about the crystals.
The fourth brother nodded and returned to the place he’d built, bringing along new supplies in a small hand cart. Out of the four brothers he was the only one given new some new things to work with. Of which included some plastic-like glass to fill the windows so that the elements wouldn’t come in. The brother found this worked much better than the curtain’s he’d fashioned from his sleeping tent. Though he kept the curtains he’d made in case he needed to block out any light.
He’d also been given feathers and materials to make bedding and other supplies. He’d been using his sleeping bag as bedding and the bindle’s fabric he used as a table cloth. He’d actually not had a pillow at all so now that the fourth brother could manage proper bedding he rolled his sleeping bed up and used it as the pillow . . . for now.
Days passed and the brother began observing the crystals how they grew, reacted and all that. The forest around him he began to study and every few weeks he’d update his sketches so that he could show progress and the reports he wrote were far more detailed than he probably should’ve ever made them.
When he returned for the second season he’d realized the first and eldest brother was missing and hadn’t showed up. The fourth brother grew concerned but no one had heard from the brother nor did they know where to look. The other two had had successes as well, one was dressed for the mountains and the second had a woman with him. When it was the fourth brother’s time to present he brought his stacks of parchment and sketches along with new samples and showed the senshiness and his father. Explaining what he had learned and reported what he’d used the supplies they gave him for.
The Senshiness and his father both looked at each other and nodded before giving the brother more supplies to work with while he was again out in the forest. Justifying their means by the fact the other brothers were living in civilized locations, and thus didn’t need any extra supplies expect for food so they could travel back.
Again the fourth brother looked at his supplies. There was a note from the senshiness, asking the brother while he was out there if he could make some stuffed animals for the children back home. Many of them missed him and his talents they also missed enjoying his stuffed animals. The note also read that he should make himself a proper pillow. For the brother had appeared stiff to her and she knew he hadn’t made a pillow from the last set of supplies.
The supplies also included a small jewelry crafting set, some other useful tools that the brother couldn’t make a bow and quiver with arrows. Not to mention seeds and plans for a small irrigated garden. All supplied by the senshi herself as stated in the note. The father had provided the fabric and stuffing’s unknown that the senshiness had supplied other things.
The fourth brother again set to work and crafted stuffed animals alongside his work studying the crystals and taking notes and making sketches recording what was happening. The glow in the forest was growing stronger and starting to spread beyond what little he’d noticed the first time while the crystals were now slowly growing up the side of the tree and the cliffs spreading out towards the forest as well. The brother was impressed with how fast these crystals were growing and soon he started to wonder what sort of elements they hid.
By the third meeting two brothers were left, the second to youngest (the third brother) and the youngest. The third brother had come alone this time unlike the other two times. Both presented and the younger of the two had a longer audience with the senshiness and their father. He began to speak on the idea that maybe there was something magical about these crystals and explained why he was starting to think so. The senshi and the father both nodded and seemed to agree to allow the brother to experiment and see what he could come up with. When the father left, the senshiness had stayed behind to talk to the brother privately. She smiled softly and inquired about the stuffed toys she’d asked him to make.
The brother explained to her where they were kept, not too far from here but still in the forest, he didn’t want his father knowing he still made stuffed animals especially with the fabric he’d been given that may have been for other uses. The senshiness agreed and realized that it was for the best. However, she once again sent the brother off with more goods. The father had again supplied the fabric and the senshi had left another note.
I’d like to see what happens if you make jewelry with the crystals you’ve found and placed a small piece on each stuffed animal. Try with something small first.
Hugbell.
The brother couldn’t believe what he was reading as he sat there holding the note. She wanted him to try and see what the crystals would do if he placed them on the stuffed animals? He was concerned for he still wasn’t sure all of the properties of the crystals and if they were stable. At the rate they grew the youngest brother wasn’t even sure they were stable!
However, his senshiness had asked this task of him and this task he would do.
The first thing he crafted was a small mouse, a little larger than his hand. It was cute and had large ears the whiskers were real and the tail was rope. He chose a nice green fabric for the mouse’s new jewelry, he planned something that would fit on its neck and began to craft the crystals to fit the collar taking small pieces when he’d managed to shape it into a nice round piece he melted a small amount of metal and made a setting for it that once cooled he set on the collar so that it held the crystal on.
“I really don’t think this’ll work. . .” The fourth brother said softly as he carefully placed the collar on the mouse. This hadn’t been the first attempt at this either, the brother had been working weeks on the crystals and the metal just to get them fitted right and not too large or so heavy that it tipped the mouse over. So far none of the crystals had proved anything magical to happen to the mouse. It never grew, twitched, shrank, or anything that was even a small sign of magical properties.
Once he’d placed the collar on the mouse, and this had been the fourth one. The craftsman sighed flustered when nothing once again happened. He muttered and walked off angrily. “I just don’t get it.”
“Get what?” Came, a voice he’d never heard before.
The craftsman jumped. Startled and grabbed the nearest pot looking around. Until he looked towards the table where the mouse had been, but was no longer. He was confused and began to look around the room and soon he located the mouse at his foot. “Your. . . Your alive!? But how?”
“I don’t know ask yourself.” The mouse replied.
The craftsman tilted his head and then looked at the collar; the stone on the collar was actually glowing. Unlike the other times the crystal had just faded out. So the craftsman stared in wonder as he picked up the mouse to inspect it. It appeared to be a living, breathing creature now.
“So what your name and what’s my name? You created me, you should name me.”
“My name is Raphael.” The brother paused and thought about his answer. “Fiddle. Your name is Fiddle.” He hadn’t named a stuffed animal since he had been very young and even then his brothers had made fun of him. “OH! Fiddle we have much work to do, we must prepare. I want to have a few more done before the season’s end!”
It didn’t take long for the season’s end to come and the final test. The fourth brother hurried to arrive to the city thinking he’d be late and disappoint his father and the senshiness however; when he arrived he saw he was the only one. The senshiness smiled at the last brother, “Welcome back Raphael. I’ve take it you’ve gotten good news.”
Raphael nodded as he stood there looking at her, “Well, I. . . have a present for you as well Madam.” He replied as he tugged around the bindle he was carrying and handed it to her. The senshiness tilted her head slowly.
“What do we have here?” She asked curiously as she opened the package and pulled out a stuffed bear. Yellow eyes lit up as she looked at the child’s toy brown and fuzzy, full of cuddles the bear seemed to be she even gave it a small hug. “Well, Raphael I didn’t know you were aware of my fondness for bears!”
She smiled, “Now come, we should get you cleaned up. The feast is waiting.” She ushered him towards his quarters for his stay.
“W-wait Hugbell, I have something else. . . W-well two somethings.” He was trying to get her to stop. She paused and looked at the brother as he handed her a blue ribbon with a small gem on it and then a small mouse ran up onto his shoulder. The Senshiness paused as she looked at both of them.
“Oh?” She inspected the mouse and no doubt it was a stuffed animal. However, how had he animated it? “What in Hugbell’s name Raphael, you’ve seem to have found something magical.”
“His name’s fiddle.” Raphael offered as he handed the little stuffed mouse out to her, who was now holding the ribbon.
“Fiddle?” The senshi looked at Raphael.
“YES! H-here Miss Senshiness, this r-ribbons for you.” Fiddle answered as he was handed off and Hugbell let him run to her shoulder before taking the ribbon.
“I see. What does this do?” She asked as she looked at the dainty little ribbon.
“I think . . . in theory if I was successful. You can place the ribbon on the bear and bring him to life. Much like Fiddle was. But I can’t. . . No I won’t accept my feast until I’ve succeeded in bringing others to life as well.”
Hugbell stopped as she seemed to think about Raphael had said and slowly she nodded taking a seat on the stone floor, “H-hugbell. Shouldn’t you use a chair?”
“Well, you’re not going to the feast unless I try this. So I’d rather get it out of the way now.” She answered as she tied the ribbon onto the stuffed bear and made a nice big bow on his neck. The senshi watched and waited to see what would happen and after a little while had passed the craftsman seemed to deflate.
Hugbell however smiled and stood up, “I’ll name him Barnaby.” She added as she looked at Raphael, despite the fact the bear had not come to life. “Raphael, you’ve done something amazing today. Fiddle’s actually alive and interactive. Barnaby might not be today but you’ll figure it out. I have faith, come accept your feast. Then if you wish I’ll allow you to go back to working in the forest under my protection.”
There was a smile as she waited for his answer, which came in the form of a nod. The senshi pulled Raphael’s chin up so she could look him in the eye, and to keep him from avoiding her. “We take our comforts in small victories Raph. Fiddle is a small but humbling victory, and you will become the second greatest comfort Hugbell has seen since my ancestor’s arrival. There’s always going to be steps back and setbacks. Do not let it discourage you, have hope and everything will work out. That’s what comfort is, it brings hope.”
She held the bear to chest, “Besides I think you just brought me the best present anyone ever could.” Placing a kiss on the bear she started leading Ralph to his quarters again. His father was there to welcome him and threw his arms around his only remaining son before he fell to his feet sobbing about the three oldest brothers and that they were never coming home.
The book ended and Hugbell stared at the ending. There was tragedy for all the brothers but the fourth brother seemed to come home alive. The child looked at the book again and squinted. It mentioned Fiddle? The child looked at the year on the book and shook her head, there was no way. These fables were so old; it had to be a happenstance.
The child realized the time and fled back to her room just before the sun started to peek up over the forest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:54 pm
Chapter Nine: The Mysterious Package
Nights came and went after Hugbell’s last venture to the library when suddenly a package arrived for her. It was otherwise unmarked and the child took great interest in it.
“What is that dear?” Maggie inquired as she handed the package to the senshi. It was wrapped in brightly colored paper with a large blue bow on it. The senshi’s symbol of a bear was also on the bow meant to indicate it belonged to her.
“I don’t know.” She said as she felt the package and the weight and moved to her room. “I didn’t say you could be excused.” Maggie called after the child hands on her hips.
“You’re not my mother; I don’t have to answer to you all the time. I’m not in lecture but my own free time. So I can do what I want Maggie and what I want, is to open my package in peace.” The child had a feeling it was a book, but she wasn’t going to tell Maggie that.
When she reached her room she slammed the door behind her to insure that Maggie wouldn’t come barging in after her. “Honestly.” She muttered as she sat on her bed feet tucked under her as she opened the package, “The way that woman treats me you’d think I’m a little kid. I’m almost a full fledge senshi.”
As she pulled off the wrapping the child realized that the package was indeed a book. Turning the pages she found the stories she’d been reading where in the book along with others and one titled.
“The Forests Well” Hugbell read as she looked at the book carefully.
However as the senshi turned from the simple title page . . . the story was blank. The pages as she flipped were missing and it appeared the story was supposed to be a good few pages. Looking puzzled the child set up “Where’s the story?” She asked quietly looking to the bear that was sitting beside her. From what she knew Barnaby had never left the side of a Hugbell. Though the bear could not answer her and she looked back at the book. Pausing she decided to grab a glass that had been given to her by a friend. Holding it to the book she looked for. . .
“Oh what’s this!?”
In super tiny font there was something under the title. The only words left for the whole story. “It takes an act of love to bring life.”
Hugbell looked even more confused at this and slowly packed up her things including the book and Barnaby and slipped out her window. It was dark so she could easily slip out without being noticed Maggie wouldn’t be the wiser.
The book as she took it out and studied the pages held a map in the back to show the locations of everything in it. The first brother’s oasis, the second brother’s mountain village, the third brother’s windmill and even the fourth brother’s tree house. Detailed enough to lead Hugbell where she needed to go. There were even smaller details on the map including the well, but nothing beyond these landmarks. Did the homeworld simply end or had no one gone out that far?
As the child walked she began to look at the book again, there were other stories and chapters in here. Some existed and others were like the tome of the Forest’s well, blank as could be. Perhaps there was fine print but Hugbell didn’t bring her glass so she couldn’t attempt to find it. As she entered the forest the glow welcomed her and gave her light to read by.
Hugbell was here in the forest with a mission to find Fiddle and his master so she could find out about the missing tome. In time Fiddle was the first one she seen and she dropped to a knee so she could talk with the mouse in a more proper manner. “Fiddle~.” She called out watching the mouse jump.
“Fiddle, I need to talk to your master.” She said brows knitting.
Fiddle looked around towards the young senshi, “Ohhh did you find all the stories! This is why you’ve come back right?”
Hugbell nodded softly, “Yes but there was a problem with one Fiddle. . . The Well’s page is blank all but for one small line which reads ‘It takes an act of love to bring life.’ Do you know anything about this?”
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:55 pm
Chapter Ten: Raphael’s Ancestor
Fiddle had provided unuseful in Hugbell’s search for what the line meant for the mouse didn’t know. However he’d brought her to the tree house while riding on the child’s shoulder. “M’lord will know.” The mouse replied in a chipper tone as he scampered from her shoulder to the top of her hood.
“We’re close! Master’ll be out soon . . .” The mouse paused and his ears perked up at a sound. At first it was a low humming but soon it grew louder. “Ohhh, the crystals know you’re here too. This is good, it’s a good sign. M’lord will be pleased.”
It wasn’t long before the old man appeared at the door, “Fiddle!” He cried as he seen the mouse riding on her shoulder, “You should’t’ve brought her here!”
Fiddle looked puzzled and was about to speak before Hugbell cut him off. “I came here. Fiddle merely accompanied me the rest of the way.” The child held up the book, “I read all the tomes but the Forests Well, it was missing. I thought maybe you could shed some light onto the problem.”
Fiddle’s ‘lord’ appeared confused as he took the book, recognizing it. “It should have the story. . It did have the story at one point. I know it did.”
Hugbell seemed unimpressed, “It doesn’t know - - Uh. . .” There was a pause as the child waited for the man’s name.
“Leonardo.” Replied a woman as she stepped outside, “You didn’t tell me we had company darling. Don’t be rude invite her in.”
“FATHER!” Came a cry as a child ran from the field of crystal. “Father the crystals are doing something. . . Ohhhhh!” He lit up even more at the site of Hugbell. “Father the crystals; I think they know she’s here. They’re excited!”
Hugbell paused as she looked at the youngest while Leo started to scold the younger child. “Donatello, you’re not supposed to talk about the crystals in front of strangers.”
Donatello’s face dead panned as he looked back at his father. “She’s the senshiness of this homeworld correct? Then, by all technicalities she is not a stranger and deserves to know the Crystals are happy to see her.” The child looked over to his mother, “Isn’t that right Mama?”
The woman giggled, “I think he has a point.”
“Marion! You can’t tell me you’re taking his side. We’re supposed to protect the senshiness!”
“I think you have it backwards Sir. I am here to protect you. It’s my duty and as residents of Hugbell it’s your duty to accept my offer of help. However, I do need your help so I will happy accept your invitation into your humble home.” The child moved to Marion as the woman smiled and placed a hand on the child’s back and nodded.
“Come on Leo, I think you owe her a story.”
“Ohhh story time, I want to listen too father!” Donatello followed his mother and the senshi into the house.
“Fine. Fine, she was supposed to read it on her own.”
“I did Leonardo. It said ‘It takes an act of love to bring life.’” Hugbell called over her shoulder before disappearing into the house and finding herself a place to settle comfortably. She’d taken residence at the table while watching Leo’s wife make tea and Leonardo eventually walked inside the tree house and sat down reluctantly.
“I still don’t think you’ve read them all.” He was challenging her it seemed.
“You’re ancestor Raphael built your now home with his bare hands and took the crystals from small blossoms into the towering giants they are today. Perhaps maybe not as large as they are today but they were growing as he worked. He also gave the senshi of his time a bear that was made by hand and with his love. She named the bear Barnaby.” Hugbell pulled out the bear as she spoke about him and placed him on the table in a matter-of-factly manner. “He also crafted Barnaby a ribbon with a crystal in it assuming it would have brought the bear to life much like it had Fiddle. Only Raphael could not bring Barnaby to life.”
Leonardo watched as she spoke impressed, “What happened to the brothers?” He asked curiously.
“Three of them died, Raphael the youngest lived. Though I’m not sure he enjoyed his feast since he was worried about the fact the crystal he crafted didn’t bring Barnaby to life.”
Leo nodded softly elbows were on the table and his hands folded neatly with his lips pressed against his thumbs as he listened. “And the beast?”
Hugbell paused, “I’m assuming the lore of the Beast vs the Girl was the story of the first Hugbell and how she saved the world from devastation.” There were a few moments of silence. “However, I would like to know what the story of the Well was about.”
Marion paused as Hugbell questioned it. “Maybe that’s not the best subject for tea. Do you like biscuits with your tea dear?” She asked as she was hoping to drag the conversation towards something more pleasant.
Hugbell stopped and looked over towards the woman. “Yes please.”
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:56 pm
Chapter Ten: The Real Story
Leonardo was sitting there as Hugbell sipped her tea daintily still in contemplation. Donatello was itching with energy as he waited for his father to tell her the story that both so desperately wanted to hear.
“Fine.” Leonardo said finally with a sigh as he broke the pregnant silence. “I’ll tell you.”
Donatello bounced up and down and moved closer to sit beside of Hugbell who looked a little startled but didn’t say a word to the younger child. “I’m listening.”
“The story of the well, as I know it; begins with a relative of mine. Michelangelo, like the rest of us he was a crafter. Grand at his skills mind you, he and the senshi of the time were close and thick as thieves. One day they both set out to search for the legendary Forest Well. There was a rumor that this well contained great power almost equal of that of the Senshiness herself. Mind you now this is only a fairy tale.”
He paused to remind both of them as he held up a finger looking sternly. “What they weren’t aware of however, was that danger had set in around the well. The pair searched for a full day before they found it by nightfall. The glow of the well was brighter than that of the forest or the crystals Michelangelo used to craft his creations. He was sure if anything would bring Barnaby to life. . . It would be this well. For you see, up until now the senshi and my ancestors had fought years to try and bring the bear to life. Nothing seemed to work.
Well, when they reached the well something struck at them. The pair fought back and ultimately won the battle. However, it took a tragic turn when Michael realized that the senshiness had been hurt in the battle, he was almost certain it was a fatal wound if he couldn’t get help quickly. So he sent Fiddle to fetch the nearest horseman and bring them back to the forest and Michael acting on instinct quickly drew some of the water from the well and gave it to the senshi to drink.”
Leonardo paused in telling the story to look at the two children. “When Hugbell drank the water her wounds appeared to heal. The bleeding stopped and her breathing slowed from ragged and in pain to shallow breaths. Well unbeknownst to Michelangelo some of the water had spilled onto the bear and his crystal. Fiddle had watched the water spill but said nothing to Michael for he had ran off at that moment to get help. It wasn’t long before the mouse returned back to the well spot with help in the form of a horseman.”
Fiddle paused as he listened scampering up to Leonardo. “T-that’s right. He was alive!”
Hugbell’s brows knitted and she looked curiously at Fiddle who was dismissed by a wave of Leo’s hand. Fiddle went back to look at Barnaby whom was still sitting on the table. “Fiddle claimed that he could see the bear living. That it was just sleeping now because the senshiness was sleeping. The bear was there to provide comfort and none of them dared to take him away until they reached the infirmary. This is where Michael took the bear’s ribbon and replaced it with a plain one giving the bear back to the senshiness before she even began to stir. Afterwards he spoke to the counsel and they all agreed that in the best interest of the Senshi, the forest would be forever more off limits and guards would be placed around the perimeter to keep anyone from wondering in.”
Marion sighed as she listened to the story, “But in time, the guards were removed because after a while the story of the horror that lived in the woods was enough to keep anyone from entering even our visitors. No one dared to venture past the woods and anything that went into them was considered lost.”
Leonardo sighed, “So you see. This is why you shouldn’t be here. It’s why the counsel doesn’t want you here.”
Donatello at some point had gotten up and moved away from the story time. Hugbell’s eyes traveled and followed him over to the bookshelves he was at. “So . . . what about Barnaby? Is he never to come alive?” Hugbell asked curiously.
“He. . . may not have been meant to in the grand scheme of things. We can’t prove what Fiddle saw.”
“Father.” Donatello called after Hugbell had glanced away for a second. “Father, what about her box? It’s been here an awful long time.”
“Donatello.” Leo sounded shocked, “What did I tell-“ Of course the child brought it over anyways and handed it to the senshi.
“I think it’s okay she has it now Leonardo darling. It’s not like she’s going to get hurt trying to find a way to bring him to life.”
Hugbell took the box in her hands opening it. Inside was a ribbon with a crystal, she looked over towards Marion and Leonardo who both nodded and Donatello bounced beside of her. “See what it does!” He chirped.
Hugbell slowly pulled the ribbon out as Fiddle pushed Barnaby near to her and she placed the Ribbon onto the bear’s neck giving a soft sigh as she looked at him. “Really, I’m not even sure it’s going to – “ She cut herself off and squinted.
The bear had blinked? “B-barnaby?” She asked curiously as the bear blinked again and suddenly stretched with a yawn. “Is it morning yet?”
“He’s alive!?” Leonardo seemed shocked as he gaped at the bear. How in the world . . . it hadn’t worked for soo many years and now suddenly the crystal did.
“It worked, it worked!” Cheered Donatello and suddenly he was zooming back outside to the crystals and the small rock forest it made. Hugbell looked curiously off towards where Donatello had run off to.
“Where is he going?” She asked curiously before Leonardo and Marion both got to follow.
“Come on Hugbell, Barnaby. I think you’re needed for this.” Fiddle said as he leapt off the table and hurried to catch up. Hugbell picked up Barnaby and followed suit to another hopefully great adventure the crystals were all a glow and humming as they moved.
As she walked Hugbell began to feel strange. “What is this anyways?” Were the last words she remembered asking before she passed out in the middle of the crystal field. . .
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