Midsyr let out an aggravated moan. “He’s a cat! A cat I say! Fur of gold. Eyes of emerald. Silk voice and robes like shrouds. That is all that I know!”
Theophilus almost lost his composure then. “The patron from the market,” he whispered. The gravity of the deception hit him fully in that moment as he realized how much time he had lost chasing down the imps for such information.
“Now be gone from me, you cursed weed,” spat Midsyr from his agony.
Theophilus brought himself back to his feet, backing slowly away from Midsyr. The words of the imp were still striking him on his chest, making it hard to breathe. At last he held a blade in the imp’s direction. “For your sake I hope your words are true, imp. And for your entire clan’s sake, you best pray Calla still lives. For if she is gone, my life shall become a curse upon yours,” he said before putting his blades away and whistling for Renard. Thus mounted, Theophilus sped hastily from the Dark Claw encampment.
Midsyr cackled then. “Yes, run weed! For you are likely far too late! If you only knew how deep the treachery truly ran!” Midsyr spat these words, hoping they burrowed deep under his tormentor’s skin.
As Theophilus sped off upon his mount, he could hear Midsyr calling for aid. The rest of the Dark Claw imps were alerted to the little weed’s presence as they gave up their search for Elor and now pursued him. This was part of the plan, of course, for none of them could catch Renard. And in the distraction, Marin and Elor would escape to the spot the had decided for their rendezvous. Yet even as he sped away from the imps, a heaviness grew more deeply inside Theophilus.
He had Calla’s captor in his sights and had let him slip away.
Theophilus cursed himself for not pressing further. He had been so intent on chasing down Calla that it didn’t even occur to him that the pantheryn who had pointed him in the direction of the imps might have been lying. Because of this he had not only wasted time, but likely Erlwand’s plans were hastened now. Coaxing more speed from Renard, Theophilus made all possible haste to rejoin his friends and return to the market. And as he did, Midsyr’s well placed words stung him to his very core.
Within moments, Theophilus and Renard were a safe distance from Midsyr and his Dark Claw imps. The little weed slowed their pace, allowing the fox to rest while they ventured to regroup with Elor and Marin. Their plan had been a success, yet Theophilus had great trouble in celebrating under the new light of information he received. Midsyr’s laughter still haunted his thoughts as his worry for Calla grew. How much time had he lost in the misdirection? How much time did he have left to set it right?
“How could I have been so foolish, Renard?” asked Theophilus. “We had the villain in our grasps and I didn’t even think to consider him an enemy. I wish you would have been there with me. I am sure you would have smelled him out in a heartbeat.” The fox grunted to his words as he panted and kept pace. Theophilus thought it was Renard’s way of pointing out the obvious.
The two friends traveled about half a league in silence as Theophilus buried himself in his own thoughts. He focused on his mistakes, hoping to not dwell, but rather learn from them in the future. The little weed knew that if he wanted to save Calla, he had to be smarter. It was a big world, much bigger than he was accustomed to. Theophilus understood very well that he had to adjust accordingly.
“Theophilus Thistle, we meet again!”
Theophilus pulled back on the reins at the sound of his name, shuddering at the recognition. Renard came to a quick halt as he fixed his eyes ahead and growled. There seated on a winged floral mount of gardenia was Lennix. The snapdragon flower looked quite sure of himself as he grinned wickedly at Theophilus. The little weed did not favor that look, for it was clear that Lennix held valuable knowledge that he did not.
Looking about at the terrain warily, Theophilus then addressed his rival. “You are a long way from home, Lennix,” he said.
Lennix nodded at his. “I could say the same for you, weed. But then again, you no longer have a home,” he replied.
Theophilus shrugged at this. “Believe it or not, you would somehow fit right in at Bunda-Bas, another reason why being homeless does not bother me so much,” he said before resting his right hand upon one of the blades on his belt. “Now what is it that you want? Are we already due for another bout?”
Lennix nodded at this. “Yes. And we shall continue until you are brought to face justice at last.”
Theophilus shook his head. “Justice? I don’t think you know the meaning of such a word,” he said.
Lennix laughed bitterly. “In Alethia, when it is my word against yours, justice is what I say it is,” he said before drawing his sword. “I gave you a choice last time, weed. You will get no such mercy in this encounter.”
Theophilus offered the flower a mournful grin. “Mercy. Another word that is lost on you. Let me by, Lennix, for I will not rest until Calla is returned home.”
Lennix pointed his blade angrily at Theophilus. “Do not cloud me with your lies! And do not hide your treachery behind the good name of such a flower! I will not stand for it. Now prepare yourself for judgement, Theophilus Thistle!”
Theophilus drew a dagger from his belt. “You only stand for yourself. So bring your fury, Lennix, for I will not surrender to you on this day or any other,” he said.
“I was hoping you would say such things,” said Lennix as he motioned with his sword. “Take him, now!”
From all around Theophilus, the air immediately buzzed with life. Quickly the little weed saw flying flora, tiger lily, and honeysuckle soldiers rising into the air to descend upon him. He saw in their hands bows, spears, and acorns, and the looks upon their faces showed the depths of the threat they believed Theophilus to be. With no time to reason with these flowers or contest Lennix’s orders, Theophilus urged Renard forward.
Still growling, the fox obeyed his friend’s request. Darting quickly and through the swarming flowers, Renard made his way toward Lennix and his new mount. The snapdragon flower grinned as his mount’s wings buzzed vigorously. Soon Lennix took to the air and charged at Theophilus. Still holding the reins with his left hand, Theophilus stood up on Renard’s back as he prepared for Lennix and the flower’s incoming assault.
Soaring with all haste, Lennix looked intent on ending his enemy then and there. Sword raised, he had his flying mount hold steady as he readied his weapon to strike. Theophilus remained steadfast in his poise, ready to face Lennix head on. Below him, Renard did as he was asked, still rushing forward at full speed. The two sides were upon one another in the blink of an eye.
As Lennix was about to rush past Theophilus sword swinging, the little weed leaped into the air. As he did, Theophilus flipped, sending his feet upward. Mid flip, he tossed several of his thorns into Lennix’s mount. The mount squawked before losing its altitude and falling to the ground. Lennix was thrown clear of his mount as he rolled upon the dusty road. Theophilus completed his flip, landing again upon Renard and reclaiming the reins.
Recovering, Lennix shook an angry fist at the fleeing weed. “Theophilus, I will get you yet!” he exclaimed.
“Maybe, but that day will not be today,” replied the little weed as she sat back down on Renard.
With Renard running at top speed, Theophilus and his friend tried their best to evade Lennix’s group of flowers. The flying tiger lily and honeysuckle soldiers proved quite fast and nimble, soon catching up and keeping pace. Theophilus clenched his jaw as he felt the flowers hot on their heels. He thought of ways to escape as the Alethian soldiers drew closer and closer.
Soon, the honeysuckles were above him and Renard. Flying steady, they began to drop the acorns they carried. Looking up just in time, Theophilus urged Renard left and right, narrowly avoiding the acorns as they exploded upon contact with the road. Renard yipped as one hit dangerously close, but the fox’s fur prevented him from being injured. But such a favor could not be prolonged as the acorns grew more deadly with growing accuracy.
Theophilu
s deflected the attack of a tiger lily flower that got too close before kicking the soldier away. “We can’t last much longer on the open road, Renard!” exclaimed the little weed before steering the fox off the path. “We must take to the forest!”
Renard barked once before swiftly changing direction. Theophilus guided his four-legged friend as they veered toward a particularly dense stretch of forest. Seeing their intentions, the flowers in pursuit increased their assault as acorns and spears flew with great intensity. Theophilus kept Renard moving about sporadically to lessen the pressure upon them. Soon the two friends were within the density of the forest, evening the odds more into their favor.
The branches offered by trees and bushes immediately slowed the pursuing flowers, allowing Renard to use agility to get ahead of them. More than one flower hit or snagged on these branches as others veered off, thinning out the numbers giving chase. Some of the more skilled flyers moved deftly as they kept pace. Theophilus took note of these flowers as he put his blade away once more and prepared his thorns.
“I know you fellows are just following orders, so know that there is nothing personal in this,” said Theophilus as he marked targets with the corners of his eyes.
The little weed then tossed thorns with great accuracy. Keeping his attacks hidden till the last moment, he was able to take many of the flowers by surprise. Striking at a leg or a wing, Theophilus was able to slow or fell the flowers enough that many more had to give up their pursuit. Soon, only two flowers remained as Theophilus exhausted his thorns and was forced to wait until more grew back.
Theophilus looked about again for a way to stop the remaining two flowers. Two tiger lily soldiers, the best of the flyers that were sent upon Theophilus, showed no sign of slowing or giving up the chase. The little weed admired them for their skills and courage, but needed to halt their pursuit. Finally, up ahead, Theophilus saw vines dangling from an ancient looking tree branch. A plan formed then and he urged Renard faster as he stood again upon the fox’s back.
“If this is doomed to fail, you be sure to come back for me, or at least what is left of me,” muttered Theophilus as he prepared himself. Renard barked at him once between pants.
As the flowers prepared for another attack, Theophilus leaped from Renard. Rising, the little weed grabbed hold of one of the vines, propelling himself forward. The little weed sailed up and then over the tree branch as Renard and the two flowers sailed by. Coming around full arc and using the momentum of the swing, Theophilus let go and was carried toward the flowers.
As the flowers turned back in surprise, they watched as their target soared swiftly at them. Theophilus collided with one before springing off of the flower’s body to land on the other. Using his weight to bring the flower to the ground, Theophilus propelled himself off of that flower as it hit the ground to land on Renard again. Grabbing ahold of the fox’s fur, the little weed managed to keep himself from falling off before emitting a cheer of joy and relief. Renard barked happily to this as the two raced away from the felled flowers.
Righting himself on Renard’s back and reclaiming the reins, Theophilus patted the fox’s side. “Nicely done, my friend! Now let’s get out of here before Lennix regroups. I’ve a feeling he is going to be none too pleased when the other flowers return to him,” he said. Renard barked again as the two friends sped on.
Theophilus guided Renard on a unorthodox path back to the Great Road. Using the forest and terrain to maintain their cover, Theophilus was at last satisfied they were no longer being followed. Returning to the road, Theophilus slowed Renard’s pace, allowing the fox to reclaim his breath in great gulps. Still, the little weed remained vigilant in case Lennix had another ploy up his leafy sleeve.
As the two friends continued back toward the market, the elation of evading Lennix faded as the gravity of the situation hit Theophilus once more. The imp Midsyr’s words still stung at him heavily, as did Theophilus’s regret over not questioning a stranger further. There was no way of telling where the pantheryn had gotten off to or how much time Theophilus had to make things right. Shaking the dark clouds from his thoughts, the little weed instead focused on the tasks at hand and the next step in his journey.
“There you are!”
Theophilus quickly turned to the speaking voice and was relieved to see welcome company. “Elor! Marin! You are safe. Thank the stars,” he said.
Venturing out of their hiding spots, the imp and stone troll rejoined Theophilus and Renard. The little weed wasn’t the only one happy to see them. Renard’s tale wagged enthusiastically before he gave Elor a few loving licks. The imp petted the fox before he regarded Theophilus. “We were starting to grow worried. Did something keep you?” he asked.
Theophilus shrugged at this. “What can I say? Sometimes you stop to smell the flowers. Other times you have to make sure they don’t send you to the Dream,” he said.
Elor looked at him quizzically. “I don’t really want to know, do I?”
Theophilus offered a brave smile. “Perhaps it is a story best left for another day,” he said as he pointed in the direction of the market. “Right now we have to get back to the market. We’ve been deceived. The real culprit sent us to face the Dark Claws and bought himself some valuable time. And we have to do whatever we can to take it back,” he said.
Marin’s eyes revealed her surprise at the turn of events. “The pantheryn?” she asked.
Theophilus nodded. “Aye. He had us all fooled. Now let’s get back, find out where he is and make sure he never fools or hurts another soul ever again,” he said.
Elor nodded. “Yes, lets,” he said.
Theophilus then urged Renard in the direction of the Grand Market. Quickly Elor and Marin followed.
Chapter Five
The Villain Revealed
Thus reunited, Theophilus and his friends made all haste back to the Grand Market. Upon arrival, the urgency on their faces and the haste of their steps cleared many from their paths. Theophilus lead them right back to the mystic aisle, his intensity like fire on his little face. Wordlessly, Elor and Marin followed, both feeling the intensity pouring from the little friend.
With his quickened pace, Theophilus was swiftly back to the caravan where his troubles at the market had started. The unkempt gnome called Harlim was peddling his wares to a fellow gnome, oblivious to the little weed and his friends. Leaping upon the table, Theophilus hurled three thorns that stuck into the table separating the gnomes. Harlim jumped and his squeal startled his customer. Elor and Marin came to stand at the table behind their little weed friend.
With the gnome’s attention gained, Theophilus walked angrily between them. “I am afraid you will have to return for your business at a later time, gnome, for this peddler here owes me much,” said Theophilus as he drew his blades and set his focus upon Harlim.
As the customer departed hastily, Harlim centered his agitation upon the little weed. “You owe me coin for what you just cost me,” he yelled, yet all could hear the underlying fear hiding in his voice.
The little weed pointed one of his daggers at Harlim. The fury in his eyes unsettled the gnome further. “You will not like it if I give you what I believe you are owed,” said Theophilus as he inched closer. “But I will lessen the charge should you be forthright in your information,” he said.
“And I believe a discount is in order,” added Elor.
Theophilus nodded. “My imp friend speaks true. But first, let us hear you spill your guts,” he added.
Harlim went to raise his hand against the little weed, but Theophilus skipped even closer, placing the tip of his blade onto the gnome’s nose. Instantly, what defiance Harlim held dissolved. He soon fidgeted under the gaze of Theophilus, knowing now that the weed would make good on his threat. Passing customers took one look at the situation and continued walking.
At last, the gnome sighed in defeat. “W-what is it that you want?” Harlim stammered.
Theophilus kept his blade pressed on the gnome’s nose.
“I need you to tell me all that you know of a patron that frequents here. Goes by the name of Erlwand,” he said.
Harlim shook his head carefully. “I don’t know anyone by that name,” he said. Theophilus pressed his blade into his nose more firmly. “I swear it! There is no regular in the mystic aisle that goes by that!”
“Surely you do,” countered Theophilus. “A pantheryn of golden fur and green eyes. A voice like silk and adorned in robes.”
Harlim’s gasped as if fear and understanding both had claimed him at once. Suddenly, his features relaxed and he looked upon Theophilus like the little weed was already sentenced to death. “That is not his name, just merely one of many fronts he wears when strolling the market,” whispered the gnome. “The one you are searching for is Norrex the Deathshade, a dark sorcerer and worshipper of Moreg and all things cruel and foul. To follow his trail is to wish for the Dream.”
Theophilus exchanged a glance with his companions for any recognition. Marin nodded gently. “I’ve heard the name whispered before, always with an ill-wind to it,” she said. At this Elor shivered.
The gnome nodded. “You would be wise to heed that fear, little weed, for you are no match for a sorcerer of his caliber. Those stronger and wiser than you have tried, I assure you,” he said.
Theophilus pressed on Harlim’s nose again. “Your concern, however devoid of any warmth, is noted, but I must know where he is just the same. Tell me now so that we may be done with this anger aimed upon you,” offered the weed as he put his blade away.
Relaxing more, the gnome nodded grimly. “Very well. No one knows where he dwells, but what I do know is where he enacts his dark rituals for power,” said the gnome. “Take the Great Road north, about six leagues. You will come to dense wilderness on your left. Look for a stump that is marked with claw scratches. Beyond it is a hidden trail. It will lead you to a little clearing. It is there you will find Norrex. I’d wager he will be active tonight if he was in the market today. That is all I know, weed.”
The Adventures of Theophilus Thistle Page 5