Tragic Rescue: Part 5
The place looked barren to Nathaniel, like no one was there, which was really rare. Laela didn't leave home a lot, only to make her monthly trip into town or to go hunting, but at this time of day she was usually in her shop working. Nathaniel scouted ahead of the rest of the band, but the boys followed only a few feet behind.
Sophie looked on in horror as she felt a sharp pain. She cried out as she fell to her knees.
"Sophie, what's wrong?" Cree asked as she squatted down to see what was wrong with the girl.
"It's Scurvy," she whimpered. "They're hurting him."
"Who?" Millie asked.
"I don't know," Sophie said as the pain subsided, "but he's in trouble." She looked up at the two girls. "That crystal, does it have an active power?"
"Suncerayer said it did," Cree said, "but we never saw it. He said it had to be activated by the Guardian."
"Or an heir of the Guardian according to father," Sophie said. "I think someone activated it, and if Judge Oakley has his hands on it..."
"Oh, shit," Millie said as she and Cree helped Sophie to her feet.
They followed the boys down the sloping hill until they reached Laela's workshop. Nathaniel squatted down once he saw the tracks. "What is it?" Reese asked.
"Laela's horse," Nathaniel said. "And another."
"Who's?" Denny asked.
"I'm not sure, but it was Laela's work. It's just probably someone in town." Suddenly Nathaniel sniffed the air. There was a strange fragrance. He only knew of one woman who wore it, but she never came out here. "What would Claudette Polk be coming out here for?" he asked the question more to himself than anyone else.
"Who's that?" Reese asked.
"Possible lead," Nathaniel said. "Let's go, everyone."
"Where?" Jordon asked.
"The bakery," Nathaniel said leaving all three boys dumbfounded.
The girls finally caught up. "So what now?" Cree asked.
"We're going to the bakery," Reese said and took her hand. She was just as confused as he was but followed Nathaniel all the same. He hadn't led them astray yet, so their only hope was to trust that he knew what he was doing.
It took about an hour to reach town. Laela's place was pretty much on the outskirts. It was far enough away to afford her the privacy she needed, but still close enough for the townies to make the trek if they were in need of a blacksmith. They all walked down the streets of the town, the three girls together and the boys close by. They were close enough to keep tabs in each other, but far enough apart so people would think they were not together. The boys laid back while to girls investigated the bakery. When they entered they found the place empty.
There was a small bell on the counter. Sophie had been here enough times to know to ring it when she entered. The Polks pretty much ran the place by themselves and if they got a big order it would take both of them working together to fill it. If they hadn't been on a mission to save both Jenny and Scurvy, Sophie would have treated the girls to Claudette Polk's famous mint chocolate mini cakes. They were her favorites, and Mrs. Polk was nice enough on occasion to give her free samples when she had extra to spare.
She rang the bell several times but got no answer. "That's strange," Sophie said. "The Polks never close the shop during the daytime."
"Maybe they had an emergency," Cree said.
"Or maybe they're.... uh...."
"Millie, that's gross," Cree scolded knowing what her friend as thinking.
"Oh, come on, Cree," Millie said as she looked around. "Everybody does it, even old people."
At that moment Sophie saw Mister Polk come out of the back room. He had a bandage on his head, and she could see hints of blood on the wound it was covering.
"Mister Polk, what happened?" Sophie asked, running up to him. He was still standing and being a tall man, and she being such a short girl she couldn't reach his wound to see how bad it was.
"None of your concern, Sophie," he said. "The shop is closed today, seeing as Mrs. Polk is not here."
"Did she do this to you?" Mister Polk looked shocked, but not much got past Sophie. "She did do this didn't she?"
"Yes, after I tried to take that damn bracelet from her. Evil magic it has," he said. "Changes people. Now be off with you. We'll be open tomorrow."
"Alright, Mister Polk," Sophie said as she motioned for Cree and Millie to follow.
"Shit, what do we do now?" Millie asked. "That bitch has got Jenny's bracelet. She could look like anybody."
"Maybe, but she can't hide from a seer," Sophie said, "and she can't hide from Nathaniel's nose."
"So what do we do?" Cree asked. "The longer Jenny's in danger the harder it will be to get her out of it. I say we broke into the dungeon and get her out of there."
"We can't," Sophie said. "If we try we'll just get captured. Our best bet is to wait until they bring her out. It's risky, but our only shot. With all of us working together, Oakley won't stand a chance, even with the crystal."
"Okay, well let's tell the boys," Cree asked as they approached them. They were behind the bakery where few could if any could see.
"Tell the boys what?" Denny asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Claudette Polk has Jenny's bracelet," Cree said, "as well as being with Laela."
Suddenly a boy was running up and down the street. "Execution, tonight! Don't be late. Attendance is mandatory."
"Oh, shit, he's talking about Jenny," Denny said and tried to go after the boy.
"Wait! Denny," Nathaniel said. "That will do no good. We have to find Laela and Claudette, and I think I know where they are."
"Great, then why are we standing around for?" he asked. "Lead the way, tracker."
To be Continued...
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top