Quote:
For portion one, see previous entry.
As he neared the building a sick, nervous feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. Trent stopped and clutched his stomach, pain shot through it like a thousand red-hot daggers.
"What's wrong Trent?"
His head shot around to find Saphron Brighteyes, a childhood friend and beautiful young elf. She was only sixteen, but mature beyond her years.
"Nothing. Just feel a little ill." Trent smiled weakly.
Saphron looked at him with her big inquisitive violet eyes, trying to decide if he was hiding something or not.
"You came to see him too, didn't you?"
Trent was shocked at her question, but not suprised in the least. He smiled and nodded
She continued. "It's not everyday a dark and mysterous man comes to our town. What I wonder is how he got here. There aren't any new boats in the harbour, nor have any come to ferry people here."
Trent smiled. "Maybe he swam."
Saphron looked at Trent with skeptical eyes. "I highly doubt that."
Trent shook his head. "You take things way too literally, Saphron. I was making a joke."
But she didn't hear him. She was attempting to see within the council building through its stained glass windows.
Trent walked over and looked through but nothing could be seen.
"Ah give it up." Trent said. " You'll never see anything through those windows."
Saphron looked disheartened for a moment, but brightened up soon after. "We can't see now but with your magick..."
"No, Saphron. I won't change the wall or window to give you a peep hole. The light from the energy reaction would allert the whole town. Besides, I'm not confident in those abilities. I could end up bringing the entire building down."
"Aw come on, Trent!" Just this once?" She begged, a puppydog look in her eyes
Trent shook his head. "Do you remember the last time you meddled in the afffairs of the council?"
Saphron kicked up some dirt and looked disheartened again.
"How am I supposed to become a great journalist if I can't get the news?"
Trent sighed. " You'd have to get off this island too."
Trent stepped up to the wall and placed his hands on it, about a foot apart. "This is the last time I help you."
Saphron squeeled happily. "Thank you!"
Trent rolled his eyes and turned his attention toward the wall. He focused all his energy into chaning the structure of the wall to allow a small half inch by half inch glass window by heating the surrounding stone and cooling it quickly, changing its molecular structure a bit in the process. Light formed beneath his palms...
A heavy hand fell on their shoulders and Trent stopped in shock.
"What're ya doin' boy?" A heavy, deep voice said.
Trent and Saphron wheeled around to find Evrae Silverstar, Trent's father.
"Jeeze, dad. I thought you were one of the council members. I hate it when you disguise your voice with that fake accent!" Trent sighed heavily.
Evrae smiled. "I thought I'd give you a little scare as I see you were going to spy on the council's affairs. Who's in there anyway?"
Trent and Saphron hesitated.
"We... don't know." Trent said "We were attempting to find out, but you came."
"And a good thing I did, too. If I hadn't and you were found out you'd be in a load of trouble young man."
Trent nodded. "All we know is that he's tall and wears dark clothing. I guess I was nervous to find out, my stomach hurt as I drew closer to here. It still aches dully."
All colour drained from Evrae's face. Trent's eyebrow raised. "what is it? Something wrong?"
"No... No I'm fine." Evrae said, unconvincingly. "You two shouldn't stick around herein case someone finds out what you were doing."
"But we want to know..." Saphron began, but was cut off.
"Well too bad!" Trent's father said sternly. "Children shouldn't be meddling in the council's business. Now GO!"
Trent had never seen his father so angry, so he quickly led Saphron away.
"What was that about?" Saphron asked when they were a safe distance away from Evrae.
Trent shook his head. "I have no..."
"What the Hell?! Ten gold for this?!" Trent and Saphron heard a woman close by say.
"Oh shut up! Pay or leave." A shop keeper said in response.
"Fine! I'll pay!" The woman said "But I'll never shop here again!"
"That's funny, I"m the only shop that sells linnens on this island you imbicil!"
"Hey!" Trent Said rushing over. The woman had her arm raised ready to strike. "What are you two doing?!"
The woman's eyes grew wide and she dropped her ar,. "I'm.... I'm so sorry!"
"No, it's my fault." the shopkeeper said. "Here, I'll lower the price to five gold as an apology."
"No, no, I insist on paying the full ten gold!" The woman smiled, passed the ten gold to the shop keeper and left with her purchass"
Trent and Saphron walked away from the shop.
"Do you recall anyone ever having an argument here before?" Trent asked.
Saphron shook her head. "Debates, disagreements, yes. Bur Never an argument over something so silly."
Tret sat himself down on the grass and looked up to the sky.
"The dark figure, my father, those two people... What's going on here?" He asked.
"I don't know... But I need to find out."
The sun was now dipping low in the sky. Trent rose and bade Saphron farewell, agreeing to meet with her the following day.
I walked home pondering the events that day, not realizing the severity of the situation that was unfolding every passing moment.
My father didn't come home that night, and I didn't sleep. I couldn't get rid of that dull ache in the pit of my stomach,nor could I get the image of the stranger out of my mind.
I rose at sunrise, dressed and walked to the center of town, where I was supposed to meet Saphron. She arrived almost an hour later with news.
