The Secret of the Stone
Chapter 12

“Census!” I frowned without turning around, I could feel his eyes like hot coals on my back.

“Violet, where have you been?” I turned around waiting for him to start in on me.

“I had something I had to do,” I replied defiantly. He waited for the rest of the explanation which for some reason aggravated me even more. I was tired and frustrated. I was confused about my powers. I was angry at myself for not asking Celestia the questions that I really wanted to ask her. Now here was Census and I couldn’t even go to sleep. I stood there glaring at him and he stood there glaring at me. We were at a standstill.

“You’re not going to tell me what is going on?” He asked.

“I would really like to talk about this in the morning if you don’t mind.” I tried to reason with him.

“I think we should talk about this now, Violet.” He insisted.

“I don’t want to talk about it now, Census!” I added sarcasm to defiance. Cloud overheard the conversation and walked over to us.

“You two are going to wake up everyone,” he warned but, everyone was already awake just pretending to be asleep.

“Census, Violet heard from Celestia, that’s why we had to leave.” Cloud started. I gave Cloud an annoyed look. I wanted to tell him, when I was ready to.

“You heard from Celestia?” He asked anxiously. “Well,what did she say?”

“She really was just talking to me about stuff!” I smirked and I started to walk away when I felt him grabbed me by the elbow.

“What did she say?!” He asked pointedly. I pulled my arm out of his grasp.

“How dare you!” I glared at him. “If she had something to say to you, I suppose she would’ve found a way to say it. Your just mad Celestia chooses to talk to me instead of you! And who could blame her, if you had been there for her when she needed you she would not have been captured by the Yar, and you can’t stand the fact that you need me to get her back!”

“Violet!” said Cloud. “Stop it!” The captain looked as if his head was going to explode.

“Now leave me alone!” I said finally. “I stomped off with my mat and crash down on it near the edge of the camp, throwing the blanket over my entire body hiding my head. I expected for the captain to start in on how undisciplined and irresponsible I was. And when he did I was going to turn him into a giant slug worm, if I had known how to do that but the lecture never came.

When I woke up the next morning, I thought about how I was going to smooth things over with the captain and convince him to let us stay on the mission. After last night I just knew he would order Cloud and I to report to Nevele ASAP! I peered over at the others but I didn’t see anyone else in the camp except for Cloud all curled up in a big fluffy ball fast asleep. Maybe they decided to leave without us was my second thought, but all of the supplies and equipment where still unpacked. Even the mats where laid out which was very unusual. Census always folded his mat as soon as he woke up.

“Oh, no!” I thought maybe something happened to them. Then I heard voices coming from the woods, shouting. It sounded like Josili! Cloud and I both jumped to our feet at the sound. We didn’t have to say a word as we instinctively headed through the woods towards the sound of the noise. When we finally caught up with them, we saw Tem and Josili had the clamps around them and Cordum was holding them in one spot. They struggled to get free from the clamps but to no avail.

“Let us go!” Josili screamed. “We didn’t do anything!”

“What is going on!” I said running towards them.

“You were right,” said Census. “They planned to betray us all along. Take them back to the camp until I decide what to do with them.” Cordum and Nayr led them back towards the camp.

“Captain, what did they do?”

“They were trying to run off with the crystal casing.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I walked slowly back to the camp I was so confused. Cloud ran up behind me.

“I guess it was only a matter of time before they betrayed us. You can’t change the spots of a Juroogu.”

“Cloud, do you actually think they did it?”

“Well,” said Cloud sadly, “the evidence is pretty clear.”

“I can’t believe it.” I slumped down on a log on the edge of camp. Josili and Tem were sitting on the other side no doubt plotting their escape. I walked over to where Cordum was guarding them.

“Tem! Josili!” I was almost in tears. I needed to hear the words out of their own mouths.

“Violet, I don’t know how the casing got in my bag. We weren’t planning to steal it, honest.” He explained.

“What are you trying to say Tem that someone here framed you.” said Cordum.

“Yeah” said Tem, “maybe it was YOU.”

“Why I ought to,” Cordum headed towards him. I stopped him.

“Cordum wait.”

“Violet, you have got to believe us we didn’t do it,” said Josili. “We know that Julian must be stopped. We don’t want harm to come to Xis and we wouldn’t try to hinder you from getting home.”

“Oh, I suppose you weren’t planning on getting a hefty reward for the jewel from Julian.” Cordum remarked. “You don’t expect us to believe you wouldn’t sale us out!”

“Violet,” said Tem seeing that he was getting nowhere with Cordum tried to convince me of his innocence. “There are some lines that....”

“I know there are some lines that you just don’t cross. I believe you Tem!” I said. Cordum looked at me surprised.

“Violet, don’t be naive. These were crooks and skilled liars when we found them in Ruof. Don’t think that you can change them.”

“Something is not right here Cordum. Don’t you see that?” I marched over to where the Captain and Nayr where standing.

“Captain, can I speak to you?” He didn’t say anything he just gave Nayr the cue to leave.“Captain, what are you going to do with Tem and Josili?”

“We’ll hold them for now, hopefully we’ll replace a city that is still controlled by one of our allies. Then we’ll lock them up until we resolve the situation with Julian.”

“And then what?” I asked.

“Then I will personally make sure they pay for betraying us.” He said. I shook my head in disbelief. “Violet, I know that you like them but that doesn’t excuse what they did.”

“I just can’t believe they would do that to us!” I said. Census took a deep breath before telling me the whole story.

“This morning Nayr went to do some more tests on the crystal and he discovered that it was gone and so were the two fairies. When we caught up with them in the woods we discovered the casing in Tem’s bag.”

“Captain they saved our lives.”

“It was a plot Violet to get to the casing. If they would have succeeded, do know what could have happened?”

“I know.” I said sadly.” Julian would have the ring and the casing.” The captain had an airtight case against them. There was nothing more I could say. I started to walk away to begin packing up my things when I thought about what I had said to the captain last night.

“Um, I,”I started. I could feel the contempt of his glare on my shoulders, but I knew that the air needed to be cleared especially since Tem and Josili had betrayed us. We didn’t need to be at odds with each other right now. “Captain,” I turned around to face him. I thought he would be angrier but his face looked vulnerable. I knew I had hurt him when I blamed him for Celestia’s disappearance.

“I said some pretty mean things to you last night.” I started then there was brief pause.

“I guess after everything I said to you, I deserved that,” he said.

“No you didn’t! I was just frustrated about my powers and getting back home… and some other stuff.” I sighed.” I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I don’t really feel that way. In fact I know that Celestia really cares about you and she really misses you. I’m sure she would have reached out to you too if she could.” I started to walk away again.

“Violet you never told me what happened out there.” He asked.

“Oh, I assumed big mouth Cloud told you everything.”

“Well, if it’s something that can help us you should tell me. Otherwise it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“Celestia told me that I should go meditate on this rock nearby. She said it might help me with my powers.” I paused as my mind took me back to the rock. “Census it was the most amazing experience, but afterward I couldn’t see much difference in my abilities.”

“I can see how that could frustrating.” He could tell that my attention was now far away. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“Nothing, ”I replied as I returned to the present. Then I remembered what Celestia had said about her whereabouts. “Well, I asked Celestia if she could tell me anything about where she was.” I began. “She said that the place Julian is keeping her is very rocky. She said she is trapped in a room with no door and Julian uses the ring to come in and out. She said that he is building up a massive army! And we should warn the King!” Census stared at me in disbelief.

“And you were going to leave, all of that out?!”

“I forgot.” I stuttered. He sighed and shook his head. “Nayr!” he called and ran back into the camp. I watched him as he met up with Nayr to discuss with him where Celestia might be.

“So,” said Cloud as he approached me. “Did the Captain say what he is going to do with those conniving thieves?”

“Cloud!” I exclaimed annoyed that he had called them thieves.

“Well, it’s true. When I think about what could have happened if they had gotten away I could just, I could just clip their wings.” He raged.

“Calm down Cloud. The captain is still mulling over what he is going to do with them.”

“Then what were you talking about?”He asked. I looked over toward where the captain and Nayr were talking.

“Celestia sure is lucky in some ways.” I said.

“What do you mean?” asked Cloud curiously.

“I mean I wish…” I babbled. “I mean, it’s so old fashionably romantic that a handsome prince would come and rescue the captured princess.”

“A handsome prince, like the captain?” Cloud gave me a curious look.

“The Captain!” I suddenly realized what Cloud was insinuating and I laughed it off. “I said ‘handsome’ prince, Cloud!” I joked. He laughed.

“I think there are few women on this planet who wouldn’t consider Census a handsome guy.” He replied matter -of- fact. He then paused and looked at me suspiciously. “But things could get complicated if a certain Celestia- look -a- like was interested in a certain captain,” He warned.

I was offended by Clouds accusatory tone.

“Cloud, are you suggesting that I,” I could barely say the words, “like Him?” He gave me a shrewd look. “Gross, just because you see us over here talking you think…,” Cloud just glared at me. “Let me ask you this? Would you prefer we were at each other’s throats…? Me and Census!” I laughed as I thought about the notion. “You know I can’t stand him!”

“What was the old earth saying you told me the other day, a thin line between love and hate,” remarked Cloud. I gave him a scowling look as I begin to pack my knapsack.

“Please don’t mention that again, Cloud because that is Celestia’s boyfriend. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. Do you think she would help me get home if she thought I liked her man.”

“Okay.” Cloud said still grinning.

“I will be happy when this whole thing is over and the Captain and Celestia will be back together again where they belong and I will finally be able to go home where I belong.” I said but I didn’t know who I was trying to convince more Cloud or myself.

“Violet, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to make sure you keep things in perspective, that’s all.”

“Well, I certainly appreciate that Cloud.” I replied sarcastically I then tried to change the subject. “Now to more important matters like how we are going to get Tem and Josili loose without getting caught?” I dangled the cramp bracelet in the air that I had swiped from Cordum when he wasn’t looking.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Cloud sighed he then pretended to faint and fell to the ground.

Later on that day Census and Cordum had gone into the forest to hunt for food. Nayr who was suppose to be guarding the fairies took a nap. I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to put my plan into motion and I crept over to where Tem and Josili were being held. Josili was awake but Tem had fallen asleep.

“Tem,” I whispered. “Wake up!” I shook him.

“Violet!” He mumbled half asleep.

“It’s me! I’m setting you free!”

“You are? Thanks Violet.” We really didn’t do it!” He added.

“Why are you helping us?” Josili asked me.

“Look, there is a lot of evidence against you. I don’t know if what I am doing is right or wrong but you guys saved my life and now I am returning the favor.” I used the clamp bracelet I had taken from Cordum to remove the clamps. They were free. “It’s just too bad that you are not coming with us to Neves.” I said sadly.

“Well blood thirsty mermaids are not exactly my idea of fun,” remarked Tem.

“Mermaids? That should be interesting.” I shrugged. “Well, we don’t have much time. You two had better hurry before Census returns.”

“Thanks again Violet and take care of yourself,” said Josili. “I hope one day we meet again.”

“Me too.” I smiled.

And if you ever need anything, we are here for you.” Tem added. I nodded in agreement.

“Good-bye Tem, Josili.” They gave me a hug and the two fairies flew off into the woods. I was really going to miss them. I tried to hold back tears as I crept back to my mat. About an hour later I heard Nayr calling me.

“Violet, Violet wake up the fairies are gone,” he said.

“The fairies?” I pretended to act surprised. “And what about the casing?” It was then when I realized I had forgotten to secure it before I let them go. “Oops!”

“It’s still here,” said Nayr giving me an odd look. I gave a sigh of relief. We walked over to where Cloud, Census and Cordum where standing. Cloud was looking at me suspiciously.

“Wow, how did that happen?” I said trying to keep a straight face. Cloud was still glaring at me but I avoided eye contact with him.

“How could you let the fairies escape?” said Census to Nayr.

“It’s my fault. I fell asleep.” He said disappointed in himself. “I thought there was no way they could get loose without the key.”

“The clamps haven’t been broken,” said Cordum examining them. “Looks like they just came loose.”

“Or they somehow got a hold of one of the clamp bracelets,” added Census as he and Cordum examined the scene.