A View Form Above
Chapter 14 (I Never Got This Distracted.) The Trees Are Calling.

Zekka was absentmindedly staring out a window when a concerned look came across her face. “Help Us. We are dying,” she said, speaking for the trees.

“Since when can you speak to trees?” Malgastiflorian said.

“Since May and I swapped powers.” Zekka responded.

“You still have the power, Zekka,” Frick said, putting her arm around her casually. “When I was in the hat, thinking just made everything clear. From what I understand, it’s like a lever. If you can move the lever, you can switch between them.

“You have received a blessing, Zekka; don’t waste it.” Malgastiflorian warned. “We must get back to my tower with haste,” he grunted, getting out of his seat. They followed him out of the tavern. Traveling on light, the three returned to Malgastiflorian’s tower.

The first thing Frick saw was a mess; books were all over, and a little light came off of different words on each book. “This is Oobook’s doing; that old trickster loved doing this to me. It’s how he chooses to share information.” she said through gritted teeth

“What is he saying?” Frick asked.

“The glowing words, we need to put them together,” she said, annoyed. The men were laughing quietly to themselves.

“Say what you will about Oobook. He certainly is good at keeping your mind fresh.” Malgastiflorian offered.

“You should thank him.” Frick said, picking up all the books with glowing words. Zekka and Malgastiflorian helped until they found them all. Seven books lay in front of them, the words highlighted were: trap, Doom, under, coast, evil, hide and secret.

“Well, those are words.” Malgastiflorian mused.

“Doom Coast is not far from here.” Frick added

“So he has set a trap at Doom Coast. That is a three-day journey. We better head out.” Zekka concluded.

Frick followed her to the door, and when they looked back, Malgastiflorian was gone. “Looks like he had another mission; let’s get moving.” Frick urged pulling on her arm gently. They walked out the door and found their Horses tied to a post at the base of the tower.

“We are going into a trap.” Zekka said, though she was not really sure what to do about it.

“We have three days to figure it out. Look to the trees; that’s what May would do.” Frick said, not realizing how right he was, maybe the dip in the pool as a hat gave him an understanding that even May would have appreciated. They got on the horses and took off into the never-ending forest.

“What happened back in the other world?” Zekka asked, sad that she missed out on all the fun.

“We walked into a heavily dressed room, full of gaudy trophies. The man behind the desk looked at me and asked what Mal was doing here. He was drunk, and I think that he was mad at Paul beforehand. The boss had the other two guards grab me. Malgastiflorian then threatened them, which, of course, pissed him off. With my favorite muscle, I held the Clothes of the guards and their leader and listened to the drunk Idiot blather on about how he was going to kill me, while Malgastiflorian went to get the plant.”

“You had it easy. I had a bunch of screaming ladies in my ears; I think I lost some hearing.” She saw the trees say something, then laughed.

“What was that?” Frick asked

“You hear fine. Listen better.” She repeating the trees, adding, “What can I say..., they are learning fast.”

“When I was in the hat with her, she took a dip in the river. I got to experience what life was like for a Disciple of Nature; you should too. The river is less than a day away.” Frick said, thinking like a Disciple of Nature. He pointed to the hat, adding, “She agrees. ”

“Then we should do what the cute hat suggested.” They turned the horses toward the river, the trees leading the way.