Rules of Justice (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 8)

by Sarah Noffke

“Quite right,” Jeremy Bearimy said, reading over the instructions. “Hiker Wallace knows many things, but fashion isn’t one of them.” He laughed deeply. “Low neckline and spaghetti straps. A delegate for the Elfin Council wearing something like that. No, I think we will opt for long sleeves and something much more practical, especially since it is secretly an armored gown.”

  “As a delegate,” Sophia began carefully, feeling strange about the question she was about to ask, especially since she just met this character. “Is Ainsley really in danger, working for the Elfin Council?”

  “I don’t know of a time she hasn’t been,” he answered. “I mean, I’m out of touch presently, not having heard anything about the Dragon Elite in some time, but back in the day, yes.”

  Sophia nodded. “Yes, we’ve…well, they’ve been in hiding for a long time. Things are getting back to how they used to be, or rather to a new normal.”

  Jeremy Bearimy nodded. “Yes, the world is a different place. That’s for certain.”

  The assistant returned, sprinting as though running from a monster, and nearly ran into one of the tarantula’s legs. Casually, Jeremy Bearimy picked up his hairy leg just before Juergen could collide with it. He tripped again and dove, sliding on his front with another box in front of him. It was like he’d made the last move to complete a touchdown. He came to a halt at Sophia’s feet and looked up at her with a startled expression.

  “I-I have samples for you to review,” Juergen stuttered.

  Sophia knelt to help with the box and assist the man up, but he seemed adamant he could do it on his own, brushing himself off.

  “Please excuse my assistant’s klutzy nature,” Jeremy Bearimy said, sounding amused. “He gets a bit excited.”

  Sophia smiled at the man. “I think excitement is the key to living a good life.”

  “I work for Jeremy Bearimy,” Juergen said. “How could I not be excited?”

  “It’s been a few dozen years, and his enthusiasm hasn’t waned,” Jeremy Bearimy stated.

  Sophia nodded to the assistant. “Good for you. Never let it.”

  “Just hoping that at some point, nimbleness follows,” Jeremy Bearimy admitted.

  “The samples,” Juergen said, offering the box to Sophia, but fumbling in the process of handing them over and dropping the contents on the ground.

  Jeremy Bearimy rolled his beady eyes, but Sophia shrugged it off.

  “That one was my fault,” she said, trying again to help pick up things, but Juergen’s hands moved fast to recover everything first. He did have impressive speed. It just seemed he had to learn to control it.

  “I like this one for Ainsley.” Sophia took a piece of beautiful pale blue silk fabric and held it up to the light. “I think it would look nice with her hair and eyes.”

  Jeremy Bearimy eyed it and nodded. “Her complexion, I agree. Also, it will look nice done in a professional yet fancy gown.”

  “So, this is also armor?” Sophia asked, testing the material and finding it very strong.

  “Oh, yes,” the spider affirmed. “I spin all of the silk here in the shop. It’s how I learned what my calling was.”

  “He’s amazing,” Juergen said, standing once more and holding the box out for Sophia.

  She shook her head, holding up the blue fabric. “I had a chance to review the samples while you were retrieving them. I pick this one.”

  “Very good,” Jeremy Bearimy declared. “I’ll get to work on the gown using the specs Hiker sent and notify you when I’ll need to do a fitting.”

  “But it’s a surprise for Ainsley,” she argued.

  He nodded. “Which means you’ll have to do the fittings, and we’ll adapt based on the differences in your sizes.”

  “Okay, that sounds good.” Sophia handed the fabric to the assistant and backed away. She never thought she’d do a fitting with a giant tarantula seamstress, but that was on the long list of things she never expected in this lifetime.

  Chapter Seventy-Three

  “Go away,” Bep ordered when Sophia entered the Rose Apothecary shop, her back to the entrance and her arms really working to stir the huge cauldron in front of her. “I can’t take any more of your bad jokes.”

  Sophia nearly laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not Lee.”

  Bep glanced over her shoulder and nodded with relief. “Good. That woman nearly made me crazy with her puns. When are people going to realize they aren’t funny?”

  “Some people and dragons may never.” Sophia covered her nose from the astringent smell wafting off the cauldron of maroon liquid.

  Bep pulled the large stick from the pot and found it charred and split in places.

  “Is that a good thing?” Sophia asked, noticing parts of the stick floating in the cauldron.

  “It’s a great thing,” Bep affirmed.

  “So, this is the cure for distortion?” Sophia asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “The healing elixir is in the back resting. It will need some time.”

  “That seems to be the story of my life.” Sophia thought of how many balls she had in the air, all of them waiting to come down. “Lee mentioned you seemed upset about something. Is everything okay?”

  “It’s a complex potion.” Bep indicated the cure she was replicating from Rumi. “I’ll get it right, but the size of the batch and the intricate nature will require my diligence and at least a few more days.”

  “I understand,” Sophia replied. “If there is something I can do to help, then just let me know.”

  “I’m glad you said that.” Bep chucked the charred stick in the corner and got a fresh one from a stack before going back to stirring. “Although I’m happy to close my shop and lose business to help with such an important task, it would be nice to be compensated for my efforts.”

  “Of course,” Sophia stated at once. “We were always planning on paying you for the healing elixir or offering you a cut, whichever you preferred. As far as the cure for distortion, I’ll offer you whatever you think is fair. I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with you. I never dreamed you were working for free.”

  Bep nodded. “I’m glad to hear we’re on the same page because while I work on this, there’s something specific I was hoping you could retrieve for me for payment.”

  “Oh.” Sophia prepared herself for what the potions expert wanted. “Do you need me to find something from an ancient temple where I have to fight a giant scorpion or something?”

  Bep furrowed her brow at her, which was covered in sweat from being perched over the cauldron. “Heavens no. I want money.”

  Sophia sighed with relief. “Great news. I can do money. How much do you want?”

  The woman shook her head. “It’s not really about the amount. It’s about the type.”

  Suddenly the hope that had been blossoming in Sophia’s chest dissipated. “Type? What do you mean?”

  “Well, the currency is more important to me than an amount, and there’s a specific type that I’ve been after for a long time.”

  Sophia arched a curious eyebrow at her. “Please do tell.”

  “Leprechaun gold,” Bep said with a wicked grin. “I want you to get me leprechaun gold.”

  Chapter Seventy-Four

  Lunis’s laughter was loud and seemingly unending.

  “Are you done yet?” Sophia asked, tightening the saddle manually, and checking its tightness.

  He nodded but continued to snicker. Leprechaun gold, he said, sounding like he was about to choke on tears from his laughter.

  “When you get control of yourself, are you going to tell me why you won’t stop laughing about this mission for Bep?” she asked, looking out at the Expanse toward the direction they’d need to set off for to reach Ireland, home of the Leprechauns.

  Because Leprechaun gold doesn’t exist, he stated, still trying to hold back his laughter but doing a horrible job.

  “Well, it must exist because Bep wants it and it’s legendary.”

  It�
�s a myth, he corrected, giving her a suddenly serious expression.

  She fisted her hands on her hips. “I read the section in Bermuda Laurens’s Magical Creatures book last night, and she says that just because no one has reportedly recovered Leprechaun gold, there’s no reason to believe it doesn’t exist. She went on to theorize that someone who had found the gold wouldn’t advertise how to obtain it since it's incredibly valuable, so the secrets have been covered up.”

  If it is so valuable, then how is it traded, and why is there none in circulation? he argued.

  Sophia pursed her lips. “I don’t have the answers to everything. I just know that we have to give this our best effort. Maybe it is a myth. Maybe we won’t find any gold at the end of a rainbow. I promised a very nice woman who has been working nonstop for me that I’d try, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  Fine, Lunis said as Sophia climbed onto his back. I’m willing to humor you on this mission.

  “You’re glad to get away from the dragonettes,” she countered.

  He nodded as they set off. That too. Those little tykes tell the worst jokes.

  Sophia laughed abruptly. “Now you know how it feels.”

  Lunis scoffed. I know you’re not indirectly referring to me. I tell the very best jokes.

  “Is it opposite day? Because if so, then yes.”

  Oh! he exclaimed. I wrote a book on reverse psychology. Whatever you do, don’t go and buy it.

  Sophia tried not to laugh as they soared into the air, cutting through the blue skies that rose over the green lands of the Expanse. Within minutes they were through the Barrier and on their way to Ireland, where Leprechauns were thought to still have many nests buried in the emerald green hills, according to Magical Creatures.

  The book had gone on to postulate that although the lore stated a Leprechaun’s gold was found at the end of a rainbow, there had to be a trick to the myth because it would have been found by someone if that was the case.

  According to Bermuda Laurens, the little creatures with red hair who wore green suits were very mischievous and misleading, so the “one who ventures to find their gold, must learn how to not fall for their tricks.”

  “You know what, Lunis,” Sophia said, her hair flying back from her face as they picked up speed.

  Chicken butt? he answered, sounding quite serious.

  “Are you twelve years old?”

  Like one, he corrected. In dragon years, that makes me like one hundred, so I’ve got you beat still.

  “Your bad jokes got me thinking.” She mulled the idea over as she spoke.

  Got you thinking about how awesome a comedian I am? he asked.

  Sophia decided to switch to telepathic communication as they broke out over the waters of the Irish Sea.

  What if the Leprechauns intentionally misled those searching for their gold? Sophia mused.

  Like they rumored it was kept at the end of the rainbow, making searchers spend all their efforts hunting for the end of a rainbow, Lunis thought in her head. I mean, that’s not a bad idea because finding the end of the rainbow is nearly impossible to begin with since they are so short-lived in the first place. If the treasure isn’t there, then where is it?

  Well, Sophia began, I bet that rainbows are still a part of the equation because myths usually have remnants of facts.

  Right, Lunis chirped. It’s in constructing them that’s key. So maybe the gold is marked by the rainbow, as in its directly below or directly above it.

  At its apex, maybe, Sophia offered.

  Maybe, Lunis replied.

  Now I get it rains a lot in Ireland, Sophia continued, but how are we going to ensure we can find a rainbow? Time is an important aspect, and we can’t hunt around all day for a random rainbow.

  Looks like we’re going to have to manufacture one, Lunis suggested.

  Then that begs the question, does the gold show up at every rainbow, and if so, why? Sophia pondered.

  I think you’re overthinking things, Soph. I think rainbows are a result of certain conditions, yes. They only show up in certain places, and where they show up is like an X on a treasure map. When the conditions are right, they present themselves, and if you know where to look, you’ll find the gold of the Leprechaun.

  So, Sophia said, sounding triumphant, it seems you’re starting to warm to the idea that Leprechaun gold could exist.

  I think if anyone finds it, it will be us, Lunis answered. Currently, I’m holding out until I learn more. We could find gold under or above the rainbow. We could also find a pot of fire and damnation. There may be a very good reason that those who find this supposed Leprechaun gold are never around to tell their tales.

  Sophia gripped the reins but found herself smiling despite Lunis’s words. Ready to find out what’s behind the myth?

  His wings flapped like flags in the wind. I can’t wait.

  Chapter Seventy-Five

  When Sophia and her dragon crossed over the border of Ireland, they halted hovering in place.

  Below, the hills were somehow brighter in color than where they’d come from in Scotland. They shimmered with a neon green color and sparkled like they’d been dusted with pixie dust.

  “What is it about this place?” Sophia asked, finding her voice again now they weren’t flying.

  It’s protected by different energy than Scotland, Lunis explained, slipping easily into his wise tone. Different clans and groups spread their magic over the lands to guard it, giving it a different appearance. Ireland is unique in its own right.

  Sophia nodded, feeling a fondness for the island not far from her home at the Gullington that was so similar and yet so different.

  Below them, the grassy hills met fields of barley and wheat that swayed in the wind. To complete the idyllic experience, in the closest field, attached to a stick was a scarecrow that was keeping the birds at bay.

  Do you know why the scarecrow won an award? Lunis asked, changing his tone to a sneaky one.

  “Oh my,” Sophia said. “Please tell me why?”

  Because he was outstanding in his field. Lunis’s laughter echoed across the open space.

  “Did you just come up with that on the fly?” Sophia asked.

  It’s a gift, he replied.

  “Okay, well, before you tax yourself with any more joke telling, let me work to create a rainbow.” Sophia thought for a moment about the right spell for such a thing. She’d created wind and rain and fire but nothing like a rainbow. For a moment, she considered creating a storm and then adding the other elements involved in a rainbow’s construction, but she decided it was better to cut corners.

  This is going to be a costly use of magic, Lunis told her as she held out her hand before she started the incantation.

  She pulled in a breath. “Yes, but I think it’s necessary since there are no storms on the horizon, and we don’t have all day.”

  I agree, Lunis stated. Hopefully, once we have the rainbow then the next parts will be easy and not require too much magic from you.

  Sophia nodded, focusing on creating a rainbow for the first time in her life. The energy pulled out of her hand and projected into the sky before them. Like Lunis had thought, a rainbow didn’t just show up in a random place, constructed by different elements. It showed up where it was supposed to, like an X being illuminated on a map.

  Sophia knew this to be true because she’d had her hand and energy focused in front of them, but no rainbow appeared there even when she felt her magical reserves plummet, meaning she’d created the spell. At first, she thought she’d failed and depleted her strength in the process.

  Then she heard the sounds of tinkling bells behind them and looked over her shoulder to find a glistening and perfect rainbow, vibrant in color and seeming to make music as it arched over the green hills.

  Chapter Seventy-Six

  “It’s so beautiful,” Sophia observed, taking in the prism of colors. She hadn’t seen many rainbows in her life, having not left the House of Fourteen m
uch as a child. Even if she had, the one in front of her would be breathtaking.

  To see a rainbow of her own creation made her feel like a goddess. Mother Nature was the one who created rainbows and storms and everything in between. As Mama Jamba often reminded Sophia, her power was in all her children.

  Not only did it steal Sophia’s breath to see the rainbow she’d created, but from their vantage point, high up in the air, it was even more inspiring.

  The rainbow stretched as far as Sophia could see in both directions, the ends disappearing behind rolling hills. Getting to one of those ends would take some time, and the rainbow would no doubt disappear before then.

  Sophia imagined treasure hunters speeding for the end of the rainbows, hungry for gold. There was no way anyone could make it on foot or by dragon. On the off chance that a rainbow’s end materialized beside someone, would they really see it? That was like standing in the middle of a storm. One doesn’t realize where they are because they are in it. It’s only once they get some distance do they realize what’s all around them.

  “See any gold?” Sophia dared to ask Lunis, sensing his skepticism growing.

  I see lots of sparkly things that could be mistaken as gold, he observed.

  She knew exactly what he meant. From their vantage point, there appeared to be golden dust radiating from the rainbow, sprinkling down on the green grass below. Sophia urged Lunis to move in closer to the rainbow, so they were right underneath it.

  The tinkling sound of the bells grew louder as they got closer. When she was directly under the translucent structure, which was like a bridge that reached across the sky, Sophia stuck out her hand, letting the golden dust fall onto her fingertips. She expected it would disappear on her skin like mist. To Sophia’s surprise, the specks of golden dust actually gathered in her palm for a moment.

  Just when she was about to rejoice that she’d figured it out, the dust spiraled in the air and disappeared.

  “Well, that was disappointing,” Sophia said with a sigh.