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your boy got 1555 words down today, Iām aiming for my penpal wip to be about 10k words long so hopefully I actually finish this time! I think Iām going to call itĀ āTo Tell You Everything.ā hereās an excerpt for my lovely followers~
(Jesseās letter)
Dear Charlotte,
I took an afternoon nap today. It sounds silly, but I havenāt taken an afternoon napā¦ ever. Well, maybe I did when I was a kid but I donāt remember that far back. Thereās a large bay window that overlooks the garden, with all of itās vegetables and the trees with flowers blooming, now coming out of their buds with the spring time sunshine. I sat on the ledge at lunch with a cup of chamomile tea - my teacup has this wonderful painterly design with 5 red cherries and leaves on it, I think my grandmother owned it, the design looks like a vintage botanical painting - and I was looking outside. The grass was so lush and green (thanks to my hard work at fertilizing it!), the warmth of the sun mustāve made me feel so peaceful that I closed my eyes and basked in its heat like a lizard. I drifted off for an hour and dreamt of tunnels.Ā Ā
I hear there are a lot of tunnels in America (just miles and miles of them beneath your feet... How do you sleep at night not knowing what could be down there?!) I went through those cold, dark tunnels, touching the rocky and dusty walls. Sometimes there would be new passageways, new turns to make, but it all looked the same. I didnāt find anything special. I kept walking and walking, and woke up before they led anywhere. Maybe there was no exit, I wonder if I had slept longer I would have smply spent the entire time in those tunnels, wandering aimlessly.
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(Artwork by @pe-ersona ~ Feel free to let me know if you enjoy the story!)
The forest grew more dense the further they walked in. Moss grew on rocks, branches swayed above them, and leaves and flowers littered the ground. A dirt path worn into the ground by previous travellers was nowhere to be seen, as if they were the first people to enter this forest. Pepi looked at Renato. The rope still bound them at the wrist, unable be cut it apart without magic.
Renato looked like he'd seen better days. His middle parted, dark brown hair had grass stuck in it, mud covered his favourite navy blue cloak, and he had a bruised eye that seemed to throb with every step they took. Renato tightened his lips, rubbing his wrist where the rope hung.
Pepi overheard some of the conversation between Renato and Helaine that morning. From what he understood: Renato felt like Pepi wasn't telling the whole truth. Which - if you remember a certain cousin Rupert from Chapter 3 - was true. Though Renato wasn't honest either. He hadn't said a word about his injuries, as usual.
Pepi patted him on the back. "How're you feeling? It's not even afternoon and we've already had quite a day, huh?"
Renato perked his head up, a glisten of interest within his tired eyes. "I'm alright, how are you?" Pepi rolled his eyes at the automatic response.
"We've lost our wagon. You won't be able to rest if you become weak. Might I remind you you're ill? Do you want me to carry your bag?"
"Oh, uh," Renato stammered, fumbling with the bag straps on his shoulders. "No need, I can carry it." His eyes wandered to Pepi's with a question in them, but he blinked it away. "I'm tired," Renato admitted.
"We went to bed late last night."
Renato furrowed his brow. "It's notā¦ It's a different type of tired. I don't think you'd understand."
Glancing down at his own black boots as they trode on wildflowers and grass, Pepi combed his fingers through his hair. "The kind of tired where you feel as though you're dragging the entire world on your shoulders, and it's heavier with every step you take. Something like that?"
"ā¦ Something like that, yes." Renato fiddled with the clasp of his cloak.
The trees had become so dense that they had to walk in a single file line. Birds sang no songs. No deer or rabbits or foxes strolled around. Even the breeze had silenced and the trees now showed no movement. Their footsteps seemed to make no sound either. Pepi bit his bottom lip, heart beginning to race, and his breathing hitched. He scrambled into his backpack with shaking fingers, pulling out two small loaves of bread.
"Let's eat! We- we skipped breakfast and boooy am I hungry after all that running!" He stuffed some into his mouth and passed the other to Renato.
Renato took the bread from Pepi with his free hand and tutted. "Pepi, I know you love the sound of your own voice. However, it's possible to have a period of silent tranquillity." He nibbled into the crust.
Looking around for any sound, movement, any life at all in the forest, Pepi's heart beat a little harder. "D-dont you find it s-strange that it's this quiet?" He wiped the sweat off his brow. "To be honest, Iā¦ I can't stand being in a place with no noise. It really scares me."
"Oh. I like the quiet. I don't understand what's frightening you. We can talk though. I might space out but I'll do me best to distract you."
"Finally, Renato the Entertainer. That's all I've ever wanted."
"If you want entertainment, I can tell you stories. Me mam says I get me storytelling skills from me dad. I like reading about folklore and history," Renato spoke softly. "You know, I enjoyed getting to know Kater and Helaine. Hearing about their lives was like listening to tales from history books. Less extravagant, but still interesting."
"I guess so, yeah. Save your stories for when we're at a campfire and there're others who can listen. Most people never learn to read and I bet they'd love to hear them."
"True. Helaine was also telling me about Spirit's Eve. It sounded fascinating. People hung up decorations, they were playing games, dressing upā¦ She also told me about holidays. Where you celebrate. Have a feast Take a day off. I'd like to bring that to Llantry."
"Ah I noticed, though I thought it wasn't the right time of year. Don't you get time off to be with your friends?"
"No. We work then go home. It's difficult to have friends in Llantry. You know what everyone in town's doing, because it's the same thing they've always done. There's never any need to make small talk. We're all like an old married couple, where they sit side by side all day without saying a word."
Pepi still knew of their eerie surroundings, however, Renato's voice calmed him. "This journey's quite the break of routine, then isn't it?"
"I've never left Llantry before, so yes."
The more Renato spoke, the more guilty Pepi felt. Renato was tired yet he saw to Pepi's needs without question. As expected of a healer and leader. The guilt doubled. Why should Renato comfort him when he got nothing in return? Renato earned Pepi's respect and gratitude but even then it wasn't a fair exchange. There were certain things Pepi felt too afraid to share about himself. But if Renato wanted the truth from him, for him to open up: it was the least he could do. If only a little.
"Did I ever tell you I come from a massive family?" Pepi asked.
Renato looked upwards in thought. "Don't think you have."
"I have way too many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We're close to our extended family. Plus there's my nieces, nephews, brother, and sistersā¦"
"I'm surprised you have enough air in your lungs to list all those relatives!" Renato gave a small smile. "What's their names? How old are they? Are your siblings candy merchants too?"
Pepi chuckled, feeling a small weight lift off his chest at Renato's brightening expression. Then it fell right back where it left as it dawned on Pepi how much he'd been shutting Renato out. He answered Renato's questions, gushing over his youngest niece's first words, his brother's banter, and his uncle's farm.
"If it isn't obvious already, Uncle Wylas is my favourite uncle. I liked to run over to his place when I wanted to skip out on cleaning duty and get away from the house. He made a chicken coop that looked like a ship and we gave the chickens pirate names. One time we got an artist to draw Blackbeard, a chicken who just had to get the most corn in the mornings, wearing an eye-patch." He showed it to Renato.
They came across a clearing, with a river in the middle that had small waterfalls streaming into it. Pepi revelled in the sound. The area seemed to sparkle, with glowing yellow bugs sitting on long strands of grass, and luminescent butterflies flitting from flower to flower. Pepi and Renato sat on the riverbank, finishing the last of their bread. Pepi noticed Renato gazing at a flower beside him that looked like a wild daisy with red petals. Renato picked it with his free hand, bringing it to his nose to smell. The petals closed, reopening with a burst as smoky gas covered Renato's face. Pepi laughed as Renato coughed.
"That's what you get for picking a flower!" Pepi commented, taking the flower to put into his pocket.
Pepi took his boots off to dip his feet into the river, watching as colourful reeds drifted around his ankles. Renato lay down with a sigh.
"Do trees know where their next arm's going to come from?" Renato asked. "A tree starts growing a branch. It doesn't mind this new arm. It says, 'Hell yeah man, I got another arm so I can get more sunlight and live life!'"
"I don't know," Pepi replied. "You've got me thinking now. Do you have any other thoughts about trees?"
Renato dragged Pepi over to a low hanging tree branch, giggling as the leaves brushed over his head and fell to the ground. "It's petting me," he laughed. "Pet sounds like Pep. Pep-pep-pepepepep."
"By Lidion," Renato gasped. "What if people's hair was like tree roots? And people absorbed food and water through their hair? A moment ago y-you could've been sipping water from that river with your hairy legs!"
"You're being more amusing than usual." Pepi picked the leaves out of Renato's hair. "It worries me."
"Believe it or not I've a wealth of humour, I'm just very cheap." Renato pulled Pepi down as he lay face down and groaned. "Me head feels like it's buzzing." Renato clutched his head and smiled as though he couldn't force his muscles to frown. "Am I flying? Why is the grass so sharp?"
A rustling nearby made Pepi sit up in full alert. He peered around them. Finlay flew out his pocket pulsing yellow, but he was still concerned. Pepi put his boots back on.
"Who's there?"
Renato yawned. "Probably just an animal."
Standing in front of Renato, Pepi shook his head. "I haven't seen a single animal."
From a bush appeared small humanoid creatures.
"Fairies!" Renato gasped.
The fairies ran as fast as their little legs could carry them, shouting in high-pitched voices. "It's the human, he came back! Quick, get his instrument!" A few fairies darted back to the bush and returned with a string instrument that Pepi recognised.
"My lyre! I thought I lost itā¦ But how did you- why do you-"
"Do you just know everyone everywhere, Pep?" Renato pulled at Pepi's trouser leg.
"Uh, no, it's more like they all know me and I haven't the foggiest idea why they do." Pepi picked up the lyre and inspected it. It really was the one he'd lost, with the exact same wonky engraving of his name, the same scratches. He put it into his bag.
"Cast us a spell, human!" The fairies climbed onto Renato, poking Pepi in the leg. "We want to see you do the pretty lights again!"
"What are you talking about? I can't do magic," Pepi told them.
"The human doesn't know! Doesn't remember! Niklam erased his memory!" The fairies tittered. "What a trickster!"
Pepi brushed the fairies off his leg, who fell onto Renato's chest. "Wait, who's Niklam?"
The fairies ignored him, choosing to fly over to the flowers instead. The flowers were about the same size as them, and the fairies pulled at the petals, shoving their faces into the flower head, laughing when the petals closed over their heads and gas covered their faces.
Pepi rummaged in his bag with one hand then took out the job hiring poster from two months ago, showing it to the fairies. "Is Niklam the one who gave me this? Who are they?"
However, like Renato, the fairies were too busy being silly to notice him. Some attempted to fly but stumbled in their takeoff and fell down, laughing hysterically. Pepi put the poster away and groaned.
"They're so cuuute!" Renato laughed with them as some fairies made tiny braids in his hair.
Other fairies noticed the rope tying the two humans together and snapped it apart using a flame spell that singed Pepi's wrist.
"Ow! A simple magic knife would've cut it just fine."
A fairy wearing shorts and a garland of Autumn leaves flew clumsily up to Pepi's face. "Shay tanks to us! We helped yuh. Yuh should looshen up a liddle." The fairy raised their palms, shooting a spell in Pepi's face.
Pepi jumped up and began playing the lyre, then danced to his own music against his will.
"Oh no," Renato sat up, leaning on his elbows. "They used a charm spell on you!" His head fell back down and he laughed, causing the fairies dancing on his stomach to stumble.
Normally, Pepi loved playing music; in fact, he wanted to be a travelling minstrel one day. But something was wrong with Renato and Pepi had a spell cast on him that neither of them could reverse without magic. He'd been correct to be on edge the moment they stepped into this forest! Pepi tore the lyre from his own hands and stuffed it into his bag. A fairy shot another spell at him, forcing Pepi to sing as he continued dancing.
"Shoo little flies and get off my knight or you'll be in for a nasty surprise!" Pepi swatted the fairies off of Renato, who fired spells at Pepi that missed by a long shot. "Renato, we need to be on our way since we've got places to go and shouldn't stay!" Pepi sang and pulled a dizzy Renato up to his feet, jerking Renato because of his jig.
The fairies suddenly screamed and flew away into the forest upon seeing something. There was a crack of thunder. Pepi looked at the fairiesā line of sight and cried out in joy upon seeing a large black horse jumping down the waterfall and into the river. Finlay flew out of Pepi's pocket and hit him in the face, but Pepi ignored it and shoved Finlay back into his pocket.
"We're saved, we are! By a horse of the night, which can take us far until these fairies are out of sight!"
The horse stopped in the river, staring at Pepi with glowing white eyes, as water dripped down its massive mane that looked like a bundle of riverweed. For a second, Pepi thought back to his encounter with the dragon in Llantry, how it locked eyes with Pepi like this horse did. Rearing its head back, the horse let out a harsh neigh of chilling laughter. Then, galloping out of the river, it stood high above Pepi and Renato.
"That's a bad horseyā¦" Renato mumbled, holding onto Pepi's shoulder for support in standing while his mind spun.
"We need to break the spell or I'll dance forever and you'll never be well!" Pepi found a big rock to climb on, to make jumping onto the horse's back easier, and guided Renato up. Renato swung his legs over its back, slumping forward onto the mane as he complained about the smell.
"Let's go to the nearest town, hold on tight or you'll fall down!" Pepi warbled, grabbing their bags, and sat behind Renato on the horse while his legs bounced up and down like they had a mind of their own.
They rode out of the forest and time started again. Birds tweeted in bushes, the rain hammered down, and thunder rolled in the distance. The horse wailed. That's such a Mood, Pepi thought.
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When Renato woke up the next morning, Pepi wasn't sitting by the door. Renato drew the curtains open and looked out the window. People pitched coloured tents in the town center, they hung triangles on strings between buildings, and children (or small people?) dressed in costumes of creatures he recognized from his folklore books. Someone knocked at the door.
"Come in," Renato said, rubbing his eyes.
Helaine walked in holding a hot drink that steamed. "Brought you a hangover cure. How are you feeling?"
"Fine, surprisingly. I don't even have a headache."
Helaine rolled her eyes and tutted. "To be young... Okay, in that case, this is a thank you for finding Rizze."
"Thank you. Or you're welcome? I would've brought him back even if you didn't serve me beverages." He took the drink from her and blew over the top, the liquid rippled. "You're ten years older than me, aren't you? Thirty-three is still young."
"A lot can change in ten years," she mused and sat on the bed. "For example, I travelled here from BhÄrat as a merchant, selling my family's spices. Fell in love with a beautiful girl. Found myself at home in this town. Had an argument with my family that spanned hundreds of letters when I told them I wouldn't return. Opened a spice shop. Closed it. Re-opened and began selling flowers. Met a duo with outrageous ideas who pulled them off without a hitch. Earned a headache after a night of celebration..." Helaine grimaced and took a sip from her cup.
"What a wonderful way to spend ten years. Though last night was hardly without a hitch, we nearly got caught. Rizze kept scratching me on the way back too," Renato trailed off. "I think there's something going on with Pepi. He was cheerful last night, but it felt forced. Normally he waits until I wake up to wander off, but..." He gestured to the empty chair. "I'm not sure if I should ask him about it. Pepi's good at talking without saying much of anything at all."
"Kater is similar, I know how you feel."
"Don't you find it frustrating? How can you get along with someone who's like that? I feel like he's lying to me by not telling me the whole truth."
Taking another sip, Helaine was quiet as she thought. "It can be tiresome, having a relationship with someone who avoids issues when you'd rather confront them, get it over with. Kater gets so concerned about hurting my feelings."
Helaine pushed up her glasses. "Sometimes she avoids problems because she's indecisive, and would rather figure it out herself before giving me an answer. It's about trust. Sharing secrets means there's a chance the other person will learn the truth and never speak to them again. Or they'll think differently of that person for the rest of time. It's a vulnerable place to be. And it's not an unfounded fear, as no-one can predict the future."
"Try telling that to Pepi. He visited a diviner the other day."
"Kater tries to read her palms. She's convinced she'll die young because her'health line is shorter than average,'" Helaine chuckled. "You're a nice boy, I reckon Pepi trusts you but isn't ready to take down his emotional barriers. It's like a shield for him. He respects you too much and doesn't want to bother you."
Renato frowned. "Too much?"
"He's your squire, right?" Renato nodded. "That's not quite equal to a knight, is it? Especially not one chosen by a god." She scrunched her nose. "What does that mean exactly? How are you different from regular magic users?"
"Me spells are more powerful, and I'm able to use more magic than the average person. I can speak to Lidion if I stare long enough at some water. It's not all that special. Gives me a lot more work to do though."
"You're doing a great job. No-one would think you're ill," she remarked.
Renato blinked in surprise. "Apart from you, somehow."
"I like to pick up on the little things. They matter the most." Helaine smiled.
Nodding, Renato turned to look out the window again. "What's happening outside?"
Helaine peered out the window. "It's Spirt's Eve already? Oh, Kater will be in a hurry to set up decorations today. She's always leaving these things to the last minute."
"What's Spirit's Eve?"
Searching Renato's eyes, Helaine scrunched her nose. "It's a holiday, where we celebrate the lives of people who lived, and walk amongst beings and creatures from folklore."
"It looks exciting. We don't have holidays in Llantry."
"You celebrate nothing? You don't even have one day to share a feast? Or a day of rest?"
As Renato shrugged and shook his head, Kater's voice resounded through the Inn while she yelled.
"I'm telling you, I've met no one of the sort! Get out of my establishment!"
Pepi appeared at the door, poking his head through the crack. "I may have, uh, tipped off the folk at the manor about our location last night by accident. We should go."
Kater screamed downstairs. A glass smashed.
"Preferably now," Pepi added
Helaine rushed out the room. Renato threw his blanket to the side of the bed. He got dressed, brushing Pepi off when he tried to help, and told him to find a way out instead. Pepi left with Finlay trailing behind him, pulsing black and red light.
Renato stuffed his night clothes into his bag, taking out his pocket mirror for a moment to fix his hair. Pepi opened the door again.
"There's a patch of straw outside the hallway window," Pepi told Renato. "We have to jump, there's no other way out."
Wanting to protest, Renato opened his mouth, but closed it again when he realized he didn't have time to argue. The sound of shouting spurred him on. He clutched his bag to his chest and followed Pepi to the window. When it was his turn to jump, he sent a short prayer to Lidion, hoped he wouldn't break anything a healer couldn't fix, and leapt onto the straw. He landed with a roll and limped to the wagon, peeking at the front entrance of the Inn where Kater kept the Wakefield knights occupied. A man wearing an apron turned at the sound of their horse neighing, which Pepi tried to calm down, and he pointed in their direction.
"That's them! Hurry, before they get away!"
Renato tumbled into the back of the wagon, Pepi climbed into the jockey box and tugged at the reins.
"Bye Kater, Helaine! Nice meeting you for the first time, again!" Pepi yelled. "We'll come back someday. Save me some ale!"
Renato also called out a goodbye, waving from the rear of the wagon, then ducked down when the Wakefield knights started bombing them with spells. The wagon swerved, Pepi tried to dodge the spells and the tents on the street.
Renato watched as the knights found a wagon of their own. "Pepi, they'll catch up soon, what do we do?"
"I don't know! You're the hero, figure something out, I'm driving!"
Searching for any tools, Renato noticed children hitting colourful horses with wooden sticks, which exploded with treats after being beaten. He grabbed the next one he found, snatching it off the string as children wailed. Ripping the horse apart, it revealed rock-solid cinnamon buns. Renato threw them at the knights chasing them.
"Are these supposed to be edible?" he cried.
They turned a sharp corner, and Renato lost his grip on the shredded treat filled horse, while Pepi struggled to steady the real horse. Renato watched the corner they'd passed, and a smile formed on his lips. They'd lost their chasers!
That smile vanished when the knights also turned the corner, using magic to propel their wagon to go faster.
"Stopcheating!" Renato made a face at the other wagon.
"Wha- are you a child?!" A knight he recognized from the previous night, who'd invited him to play Bone Crowns, shouted at him. "Stop your vehicle this instant!"
"I thought we were buddies!" Renato narrowly avoided being struck by another spell. "You said I was more fun than regular Larry, and I am! But I won't be if you try to kill me!"
"This isn't a game, you dunce!"
"It is so, now let me win!" Renato grabbed a flower basket, apologized to Helaine in his head, and threw it at the wagon. It hit a knight in the face. "Fifty points to me."
For a second they faltered, but they grew faster, eventually overtaking them. The knights banged the wagon into the side of theirs, tearing at the cover with daggers. Renato yelped and tried to stay on the safe side. Then Pepi cried out, and Renato saw they caught him in a magic rope that tied itself around his wrist. Their cart veered out of control. Renato raced over to the jockey box, yanking at the rope, which flew from the apron man's grasp. Unfortunately, that end of the rope tied itself around Renato's wrist, tying the two of them together. He scrambled for the reins with one hand and screamed with every ounce of energy in his body.
"LIDION, I NEED YOU! PLEASE!"
With a great gust of wind, Lidion answered his prayer; the wind slowed the other wagon down to a halt; the wheels snapped in half, rendering the knights immobile. For the first time in months, Renato laughed. It became hysterical, and he clutched his stomach when he saw the knights still trying to shoot spells at them as they rode away.
Then a ticking grenade landed inside the wagon and it wasn't funny anymore.
"Jump, Pepi!"
"I have to unharness the horse!"
"No time!" Renato pushed Pepi to the road.
The horse screeched in fear, racing on ahead with no-one to guide it. Lying on the road, Pepi and Renato shielded their eyes as the wagon exploded. A sharp, loud buzzing filled their ears. Pepi looked like he was shouting, but Renato couldn't hear his words. Looking back, he noticed the knights followed them on foot. He pulled Pepi up with the hand tied to him and ran past the wagon.
Pepi tried to go back for the horse but Renato had a firm grip on his hand and heaved the other man away from the scene. Glancing back at the knights, he saw they'd stopped running, standing at the outskirts of town where a sign stood, thanking them for visiting. He blew a raspberry at Wakefield and continued dragging Pepi as fast and far as they could go.
As Renato's hearing returned to normal, he noticed both their panting and slowed to a halt, shoving off his bag, collapsing alongside Pepi onto the grass. How far had they ran from Wakefield? He didn't know. It didn't matter as long as they were safe. He couldn't gather the strength to see where they lay. All he knew was: it was raining, the surrounding trees stood taller than any he'd ever seen, and Pepi's hand was warm in his.
"Pepi," he gasped. "Why didn't we take a boat?"
"... Shit. Wait, no, I can justify this! Uh... Do you know anyone who has a boat?" Finlay darted around Pepi, flashing a purple light.
"Well, no," Renato replied.
"Neither do I."
"We could have asked someone who has a boat though," Renato noted. "I don't think your reasoning covers up this plot hole or my wounded pride enough."
"In that case," Pepi breathed. "They enchanted the water around Adhur. See, Adhur's a low floating island. One too many ships bumped into it. So they cast a spell that meant no-one can sail near Adhur," Pepi explained. "Sailors get confused and go around it. The island has griffins that pick up people from the mainland."
Renato sighed. "Could've got a boat somewhere close to Adhur though."
"I get seasick?" Finlay began to turn orange. "Finlay stop giving me away, you're supposed to catch other people's lies not mine," Pepi whispered.
"Okay, and I'm afraid of large bodies of water. So that's why we couldn't sail. That makes a logical argument. I can sleep soundly knowing the plot makes sense."
"We could be sailors in another universe, another story." Pepi squeezed his hand.
Renato laced their fingers. "In another universe I'd be Rizze, sleeping all day in a sunny spot of The Ugly Snail."
Renato and Pepi wheezed with weak laughter, resting where they lay.
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That night, Renato had a dream. In the fields surrounding the town of Llantry he saw a rocky hill. On that hill stood a crumbling tower that wasn't attached to any castle. The sky was dark and overcast, with rumbles of thunder banging on the clouds. A brisk wind pushed Renato in the direction of the tower.Ā
He noticed someone sitting at the top, on the edge of the battlement merlons, swinging their legs with no fear of the great height. Renato walked to the tower. Rocks stabbed him through his leather shoes and grazed his hands with its sharp edges when he pulled himself up the hill.
The tower's entrance was a large wooden door with ornate decorations. It was wide open and Renato walked through. There was no room, only a stone staircase; it spiralled within the tower and he couldn't see where it led. Slime from the walls covered his hands when he touched it.
"Aw gross!" Renato wiped his hands on his shirt and continued walking. Eventually he saw the malevolent light of sky, then he was at the top of the tower. The figure turned out to be Pepi. Pepi turned round to face him.
"Why are you wearing a crown?"
"I- I am?" Renato felt atop his head and there sat a golden crown which he took off and examined. Carved onto it was an image of a knight fighting a dragon, and next to it, a healer touching the forehead of a person who knelt before them. "I think it has pictures of me. That's odd, it's showing me face without the glamour spells."
The crown became heavier and Renato buckled under its weight, nearly dropping it. Pepi jumped down from the ledge and rushed over.
"Are you alright? Let me help-"
At the same moment Pepi touched the crown, lightning struck the tower. The building blew up in flames and the floor shook beneath them. They lost their footing and tumbled off the edge. Renato braced himself for the face-first drop onto the rocky hill. But he landed back on the top of the tower.
"What?! Why am I- I was just falling, howā¦" Renato looked around to see the tower was no longer worn and crumbling. It was as if it had somehow restored to a brand new building.
Above them the sky turned blue, which continued without end. Renato saw Pepi again - who now wore a red cloak - he didn't seem to remember falling seconds before. With one hand he held a globe, in the other hand, two long branches. Pepi and Renato gazed upon the scenery. It was no longer Llantry's fields, but a lush meadow next to a massive lake and mountains with snowy peaks. A smile reached Pepi's lips. He glanced at Renato, bekoning him to come over, then handed one of the branches to him.
"Look down there." Pepi pointed at the bank of the lake below.
An angel with large crimson wings wore a long white robe that reached their feet, one foot was in the water, the other on the grassy bank. They poured water from a goblet into another goblet. Raising their hands, they held up the goblets as if making a toast. The goblets disappeared and the angel flew up, somehow still floating even when their wings vanished. Renato quickly averted his eyes when their robe morphed into a scarf of liliac fabric. The angel flew towards them, taking the branches out their hands.
"Watch this, I'm going to do something amazing." The angel hit them on the head with the branches.
"Ow!" Renato rubbed his head. "What was that for?!"
"Are you wanting to fight, huh? Square go!" Pepi threw the globe at the angel.
Dodging the globe, the angel apologized. "Sorry, oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I forgot to change them."
The branches shrunk and transformed into two white drumsticks. "It's my first time delivering a dream, please don't tell my boss." The angel tapped them on the head with the sticks.
Renato woke up. He sat up in bed, peering into the darkness. Across the room, Pepi slept in his chair, guarding the bedchamber door as usual.
Renato lay down again. "What was I dreaming about? I can't remember. That's so annoying." He drifted off to sleep.
At dawn, Pepi woke Renato as he tidied something up. Then Pepi left the bedchamber for an hour, saying that he had something to do. Renato didn't really care. His bed was warm. He didn't want to move. Pepi's stupid face irritated him. He didn't know why, and not knowing why made him even more irritable.
When Pepi returned, he helped Renato get dressed (despite the knight complaining like a child not wanting to take a bath). Later in the morning, Pepi gathered the knights in the manor's courtyard and informed them of Renato's magic loss. A few knights began fidgeting and adjusting their armour, failing to mask their panic.
"I know of a man who can help him. In fact, this person can help everyone in Llantry. His name is Danov and he lives on the Isle of Adhar, where I'm from. It's off the North-West coast of Costia. But it's a long journey. Two or three weeks, even if you go by horse. Though I'd suggest taking a wagon, since you don't know if Renato could start feeling worse and become unable to ride."
Ladwef, a knight with a nasal voice and who constantly looked like he was sneering, cleared his throat. "Ahem, you know of him? Have you actually met this healer? He's not a myth is he?"
"Uh no, my relatives know him." Pepi combed fingers through his hair. "They've met him personally. It'll be fine. But I can't go. Someone else will have to take Renato to Adhar-"
"What?" Ladwef squawked. "That doesn't make sense. You're the only one who knows of this healer so you should be the one to track him down."
Pepi spoke through gritted teeth. "I would be a liability. I might not seem like it, but I'm not doing too well either. And before you ask, I'm not sharing those issues. Now. Does anyone know how to read a map?"
Another knight called out. "Don't be daft! You travelled down here so you know the way back. And if your family are the ones who know him, I don't reckon they'd be friendly to one of us."
"Hey, my family is full of nice, friendly people! Although Tammy's a different story, she'd make you pay a large sum. But the rest of them would always help someone in need," Pepi insisted, and surveyed the knights. His shoulders slumped. He crossed his arms, looking down at his feet with a grimace. "I'm the only one who can travel with Renato, huh..? I barely even remember how I got here."
Renato raised his hand. "I don't want to go."
"Hush, oh brave knight." Pepi pulled Renato's hand down. "We need you to get your magic back as quick as possible. And to represent the people. Show the healer how serious this is. He can examine you or whatever."
"You shut up." Reanto huffed. "This healerā¦ he's not going to slice me up to do that examining is he?"
"Only when you die on the way there, I promise." Pepi patted Renato's shoulder. "Thatās why Iām bringing the wagon. I suppose we best start packing."
In Renato's bedchamber, Pepi organised items and put them into bags like he was arranging puzzle pieces. Renato had opted to gaze at his reflection in his pocket mirror, poking at his acne. There was some sort of burning itch of irritation he couldn't shake off. If he opened his mouth he'd start a fight with Pepi.
But when Pepi held a white sphere the size of a child's fist that lifted off his hand, and started to fly around his shoulders, Renato blurted "What's that?"
"Oh, this?" Pepi rubbed the sphere with his index finger. It leaned (or flew?) into his touch. "It's a floating dragon egg. Just joking, it's a crystal ball made of Calcite. I got this from the diviner who lives right outside South Gate. She says it can detect animosity and danger."
The ball flew towards Renato then began pulsing with red light. It quickly flew back behind Pepi, looking over his shoulder. "Well. Since you're the danger, I suppose I'll have to defeat you." Pepi held a dagger like a sword and aimed it at Renato.
Renato crossed his arms. "Stop it. if you go anywhere near me with that daggar I'll stab you with it.ā
āWhatās wrong with you today? Yesterday you couldnāt care less about being killed by a dragon and now youāre being mean to me,ā Pepi pouted.
āI don't know why I'm mad. Itās the illness,ā Renato sighed. āIām sorry. Anyway, why did you see the diviner? She doesn't use real magic, she's a con. She told me Iād āmeet the spirits of waterā then I fell in a puddle the next day."
Pausing, Pepi glanced at the white ball. "I had a weird dream last night. One of the knights is her nephew, he told me about her a while back. She was helpful, I think. A bit vague though. I would've been much more stubborn about going on this journey if I hadn't seen her."
"Why? What did she say?"
"Stuff about symbolism. She told me the things I dreamt of represented new beginnings, a partnership, travelling, maintaining balance, broadening my horizons, and finding peace."
"Yeah, crap like that means nothing," Renato scoffed. "She asks questions so she can pretend-"
"She didn't ask me anything. Apart from how the dream made me feel. It made me feel peaceful, it did. You were there, y'know. And it was a vivid dream. Maybe seeing you was a representation of God in my head, since you talk about Lidion a lot. Or it could've been a message from him. Did you have any dreams last night?"
"No. I don't remember anything." A spark of envy tickled Renato's stomach.
Surely Lidion hadn'tā¦ really unchosen him. There was no way he'd replace Renato with Pepi, right? Lidion had chosen Renato to be his father's successor as head knight, and it couldn't be revoked just like that. Right?
"That's too bad," Pepi replied. "If you're not going to help me pack, go outside and get the wagon ready."
"Ugh, fine! Anything to get away from your stupid face!" Renato stormed out the bedchamber.
Renato made his way to his mother's house to say goodbye, kicking the ground with his foot the entire way. He didn't get to see her often since he'd moved into the manor. Renato defended the town during the day and have healing sessions in the evening. If there was nothing to fight, he'd spend more time healing. If there was no-one to heal or fight, he'd be improving the town's defences or giving speeches at the temple. But now he couldn't do either of those. And because of that he wouldn't get to see her for yet another month.
His mother never had anymore children. She earned a living from making and mending clothes, even though she lived amoungst the gentry, and refused to have servants. His father had been head knight, but heād died last year. Ā Renato worried about his mother, given she had known his father better than he did and lost the man she loved, but she never lost that spark of hope in her eyes.
"Mam? I'm ho- Uh, I came to see you." Renato opened her door, scanning the room. An empty laundry basket sat in the corner. He nearly left to check outside, but then he saw her on the bed. "Are you sleeping?"
She stared at the ceiling. Her eyes, full of despair, slowly drifted over Renato's face. "It's been a whole season since I saw your face. Or anyone's face. No-one talks these days, not even to themselves."
Her voice trembled and tears fell down her cheeks. "No-one wants me to make their clothes. There's no-one to buy food from. I really wish your dad was here. He'd bring their souls back to these people just by saying a few words."
Renato's previous irritation faded. "I'm sorry mam, everyone's justā¦ not feeling themselves lately. That's why I'm here, I wanted to tell you I'm leaving Llantry to find a cure," He told her, leaving out the fact that he was as ill as everyone else.
"Pepi knows someone who can help. You remember him, the man who sang at the top of his lungs to promote his sweets when he came into town, and gave all the kids a sugar rush." He held her hand. "And while we're gone I need you to stay strong. You'd make dad proud."
Her eyes remained misty but she smiled. "Thank you, darling. Come home soon. I'll be waiting for you with that apple pie you love so much, even if I have to loot ingredients from the Lord's pantry."
Renato kissed her cheek and said goodbye. He marched back to the wagon waiting by the North gate, seething with fury. How dare this illness make his mother feel so lonely. How dare she and all these people be forced to suffer. Renato passed by Dempster, the knight from Lord Paule's gatehouse.
"In my bedchamber, inside the desk drawers, you'll find three defense spells held in bottles," Renato told him. "Smash them on the ground, but only use them when things get dire. They'll last an hour each. For the rest of the time," He placed his hands on Dempster's shoulders, staring into his eyes.
"I'm counting on you and the other knights to prevent anything getting inside these walls, magic or no magic." Without waiting for a reply, Renato climbed into the back of the wagon and shoved the bags aside.
A man, held back by knights, shouted at Renato from the crowd, "Why weren't you making your healing rounds last night? Iāve got a sore stomach, I had diarrhea all night!" A few others joined in, complaining about their illnesses and the lack of healers.
"We'll be back before you know it," Pepi called out from the jockey box. "Complain to the noblemen in the meantime, though. Renato can't help you yet, I'm sorry."
Renato stared at the crowd through the wagonās rear. Lidion, why didnāt you protect us from this illness? He thought. Nobody answered his prayer.
The gates opened and they rode out of Llantry. Renato had never left Llantry; this would be the furthest he'd ever travelled. He watched as the town's walls grew smaller the further they travelled, until it was replaced by grasslands.
At this point, Pepi started a conversation with the crystal ball that flew around him. The ball pulsed a faint yellow light.
"Can I give you a name?" In front of Pepi's face, the ball dipped up and down, which seemed to mean "yes".
"Can I call you Kezia?" The ball flew left to right, "no". "Russell?" Another no.
"Ok, I'm not the best at giving names. Try again. Uhā¦ how about Finlay? It means "white warrior"."
The ball slowly floated in a figure eight, then motioned "yes".
"Great! Hello Finlay, welcome to the team. So far we have me; a candy delivery boy, turned over-worked squire. And Renato; a helpless wee baby inside the body of a twenty-three year old man. We're off to a great start."
"Why are you talking to that ball? It doesn't have ears." Renato grumbled. "I'm not a baby."
"Oh, hello Grumpy! You were so quiet back there I thought I'd left you back in Llantry." Pepi chuckled. "Finlay moves when I speak. It moves up and down for yes, and side to side for no. Plus it changes colours depending on how I feel, so I reckon Finlay can hear me just fine. Isn't that right?" Finlay motioned yes.
Pepi continued to chat with Finlay. "I wasn't born with magic. I couldn't make my own candy like the rest of my family, so I got stuck being a delivery boy. Walking through all kinds of weather, having people yell that my prices were too high, or that it made their kid too energetic. It really sucked, I tell you!" Finlay rubbed against Pepi's cheek as it pulsated a faint red light.
Renato groaned and slumped against the wagon bed. This was going to be a long journey.
"I do like the song my dad wrote to advertise the candy, that's always my favourite part. I usually put my name in the song. It makes more sense that way. Do you want to hear it?" Pepi cleared his throat then began singing.
"Ally, bally, ally bally bee ! Sitting on yer mammyās knee, greeting for a wee bawbee, to buy some Pepiās candy. Renato, sing with me!" Pepi called over his shoulder. "There was a wee lassie awfy thin, a bundle of bones wrapped up in skin, now sheās getting a wee double chin, with eating Pepiās candyā¦"
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It was early evening; approximately 8 hours after they'd left Llantry. By the afternoon Pepi persuaded an irritable Renato to converse (by talking until the other man grew annoyed enough to reply). While the knight hadn't been enthusiastic at first, he did eventually talk. One could only stare at grass, trees, and dull skies for so long, after all.
"Renato, we're heading towards our first town!" Pepi pointed ahead of them. "We should stay at an inn there tonight."
At each side of the wagon, fences surrounding fields sprung up, people walked from the fields to town, houses appeared with children playing outside them.
"Where are we?"
"Wakefield, according to the map," Pepi said, putting the map back into his pocket and Finlay went in there as well, no longer flashing colours. "This is one of the places that I went through on the way to Llantry. I don't remember being here. Feels familiar though."
Renato peered over Pepi's shoulder. "They don't have defense walls."
"Is it that mind boggling to you? If so, you're going to be in for a hell of a journey."
They passed by a town hall which had the building's name in gold lettering. The path grew narrower the further into town the drew and had more people. Flies buzzed around and the stench of cattle manure was overwhelming. An inn had a sign above the door saying "The Ugly Snail". Some drunk people, a mixture of Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes, gathered outside the doorway as they were kicked out by a Halfling woman with lucious purple hair that complimented her tawny skin.
"C'mon you lot, your families are waiting for you at home. Come back after you've puked your guts out and slept off your hangover." She huffed, then glanced at the wagon.
"Pepi!" She called out, her face brightening. "Where've you been? You said you'd be back within a few days!"
Pulling on the reins, Pepi stopped the horse. "Have we met?" Finlay flew out Pepi's pocket, hovering towards the woman and began pulsing yellow light as he flew back to Pepi.
"Why are these people so small? They can't be taller than waist height." Renato whispered as he scanned the group. "Is everyone here short?" Pepi shushed him.
"When you arrived you did seem a little out of it . You must've been really drunk," she laughed. "I'm Kater, you stayed at me inn a couple of months ago. I never forgot that lovely face of yours, even if it's hidden under a bush now. Leave your wagon outside, come in!" She went inside.
A drunk dwarf stumbled up to the wagon, jumping back in surprise when they saw the horse. "That's not a horse! That's two people in a costume!"
Pepi leaped down from the jockey box, moving to stand beside the horse. "Be nice to our steed, she's very tired." Pepi fed the horse some leftover candy.
"Someone just stuck their hand out the mouth to grab that!"
Pepi rolled his eyes. "You're drunk. Go home."
The dwarf's equally drunk party dragged them away. Soon they returned to laughing with them, and stumbled home. Pepi explained the different races to Renato as he tied the horse to a nearby wooden post.
"Don't go about calling people short. To them, you're weirdly tall."
"I only ever read about different races," Renato said as he got out the wagon, holding their bags. "Never seen them in real life. There's only humans in Llantry. Give me a nudge when I say something wrong, I don't want to offend anyone."
Finlay flew close to Pepi's shoulder, returning to a neutral white. "Aye, we can't afford the time to make enemies. When in doubt, smile and say yes. Let's go talk to this Kater lady."
Renato handed Pepi his bag, threw his own over his shoulders, and they walked inside. Multiple tables littered with beer mugs were placed around the inn, people of all shapes and sizes sat on chairs that were in the shape of snails; with a round shell forming the seating area and a snail's face facing the back, and a staircase led upstairs to the inn's rooms. The lighting was dim, creating a warm atmosphere. Pepi had to lift his feet to move as his shoes stuck to the floor.
Kater made drinks behind the order counter. "Last time you really enjoyed me ale, said it was really sweet. You haven't lost your sweet tooth along with your memory, have you?" She chuckled, handing the two men drinks as they sat by the counter. Finlay landed on the counter and rolled itself around, inspecting the drinks then turned yellow. "Who's your friend?"
"Renato, a knight from Llantry," he introduced himself, hesitantly reaching out his hand.
Kater shook it with vigor. "Never heard of the place! Pleased to meet you, Sir Renato. Are you the one who's been keeping Pepi occupied these past few months?" She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Yes, he's been helping me keep Llantry safe. The people there are sick," Renato sighed, taking a sip of ale. "We're on our way to the Isle of Adhur to find someone who can help."
"That's terrible," Kater gasped. "What are they sick with?"
Pepi shrugged. "We don't know. But if anyone can help, I'm sure it's Danov. Heard of him?"
Kater shook her head. "Not that I know of. We're far from Adhur. You told me it took you two weeks to get here."
"That's right." Pepi took a sip of ale and hummed in pleasant surprise. "Though I honestly don't remember you. My mind draws a blank when I think of what happened after leaving Basinmount. It's like I sleepwalked from there to Llantry. You were right about this ale, it's excellant." Pepi licked his lips and chugged back the drink.
"Glad you like it. Still selling candy?"
"Nah, only got two bags left. Sold the rest, so we'll be able to afford a night's stay here, if you'll have us." Pepi paid for their drinks with copper coins.
"There's Tieflings here, Pepi!" Renato shook his shoulder. "I read there wasn't many of them left after the war."
"Keep your voice down. You're being rude," Pepi scolded. He gave an apologetic wave to the small table of Tieflings frowning in their direction. "Kater, will you make sure Renato doesn't cause any trouble while I freshen up?"
"Of course. Bathroom's upstairs, first door to the right."
Pepi thanked her, walking a few steps with Finlay following him, then looked back and mouthed to Renato "Stay. Put." He found the bathroom with ease, washing his hands and face of built up grime. Then he shaved off his unruly beard using the straight edge razor he'd packed. A while later, Pepi tidied up, and went back downstairs with Finlay floating by his side.
Pepi overheard Renato talking to Kater. A human woman with glasses, ochre skin, and brown hair now stood behind the order counter beside her.
"It's possible he's inside the manor, but I can't go in there. The Elders weren't too happy when I tried to buy their beer mugs," Kater said. "They were shaped like boots, a fascinating design. Can't believe I got banned just for asking if they'd sell them! The Elders' dinner parties were great. But now Sabenn gives me dirty looks at the market."
"You need to stop collecting those mugs, you have enough as it as," the woman with glasses said. "Or you could make them instead, and stop giving me so many bowls."
"Sweetheart, you said you loved my pottery!"
Pepi interuppted the conversation. "Who's inside the manor?"
The trio turned to face him as he sat down by the counter.
"We're talking about me cat, Rizze. He's gone missing. Helaine tried to find him but that rascal is hiding too well," Kater explained.
"Sorry to hear that. In my experience, cats go wherever they want to. Nice to meet you Helaine, I'm Pepi." He waved. "Do you work here?"
Helaine laughed. "I help around here often enough, I may as well get paid!" She nudged Kater. "But no. I'm Kater's girlfriend. Haven't we already met?"
Kater explained his memory loss to Helaine. Meanwhile, Pepi turned to face Renato, who stared holes into him. When he met Pepi's eyes, Renato took a sip of his ale and diverted his gaze.
"This is your first time seeing me without my beard, isn't it?" Pepi asked, rubbing his clean shaven chin.
"Yes," Renato realized. "You look ten years younger. I forgot that you're younger than me."
"Only by two years."
"Still," Renato muttered into his drink.
"Kater," Pepi spoke to her. "Renato and I will find your cat."
Renato spat out ale. "What?!"
"Hey, come on!" Pepi patted his shoulder. "You're a knight, you could pretend to be one of theirs. We're familiar with the manor's layout. Ooh, can I pretend to be a thief you've captured?"
"I don't think all manors have the same layout."
"They're bound to be similar!"
Kater agreed. "If you found Rizze that would be great!"
"Rizze hasn't been home for a week, I bet he's being fed there. He'll never leave on his own," Helaine said.
Renato bit his lip, fingers tightening on his mug. "What if we get caught?"
"Then we run like mad!" Pepi laughed. "I've escaped so many sticky situations before. Trust me."
Renato sighed, "Fine, I will."
An hour later, Pepi and Renato arrived in front of the manor. Renato wore his armour with a helmet hiding his face and pushed Pepi forward. Pepi's hands were tied together with rope and Finlay hid in his waistcoat pocket. When the gatehouse was in view Pepi pretended to struggle.
"Let me go you fiend, you'll never take me alive!"
"I have already taken you alive." Renato said with a flat voice. "You were a bad man. You stole bread from the baker. They are very sad about what you did."
Pepi whispered to him, "Have you never been to a theatre in your life? Be more convincing!"
"You will be thrown into the dungeon, which is where bad men like you go!" Renato spoke louder.
The Dwarf knight guarding the gatehouse noticed them. "Who's that with you? Don't walk any further." He pointed a crossbow at them. The arrow sparkled with magic.
"Fellow knight," Renato called up to him and stopped walking. "I caught this scoundrel stealing bread. He is quick on his feet. Let me take him to the dungeon, before he escapes!" He held both of Pepi's shoulders, who continued to yell at Renato.
"Release me! If you don't untie me I'll- I'll headbutt you!"
"Which baker did he steal from?" The guard asked.
Renato paused, nearly looking to Pepi for help before catching himself, and cleared his throat. "Theā¦ uh, the cheerful one. Next to the town hall."
There was a pause. "That bastardā¦ Who does he think he is, stealing from a little old lady!" The knight shouted. "Mrs Haltot's dog just died, and you're stealing from her?! Lock him up before his heart makes close friends with me arrows!"
"Right away, sir!" Renato stood up straight and saluted. His armour rattled.
"Shut up Larry." The guard opened the gate. "You're such a kiss-ass. Finn's not giving you that bloody promotion!"
Renato and Pepi walked into the courtyard. They began scanning the grass for signs of Rizze. Kater said Rizze was ginger, he'd be easy to spot in the dark. They noticed the guard staring at them, and hurried into the manor.
"Time to split up," Pepi said as Renato untied his hands. From his pocket he took out two Speaking Stones, which they'd brought from Llantry so they could speak while a short distance away, and handed one to Renato.
"Remember, our code word is 'Rakefire' if we get caught."
"I liked 'Fopdoodle' though."
"Too late to change it now. You just want an excuse to insult me."
"I do."
"After my plan works, I'll be the one calling you Fopdoodle- Wait," Finlay rolled around in Pepi's pocket, alerting him of danger. "Someone's coming!"
Footsteps approached from around the corner. Pepi hid in a closet, leaving Renato out in the open. From inside he heard someone speak to Renato.
"Oh, Larryā¦ We're going to play Bone Crowns in the recreation room. You wouldn't be interested in that, right?"
"ā¦Yes! Bone Crowns sounds fun! Lead the way."
There was a pause, a sigh, then a shuffle of footsteps as they moved away. Pepi heard a voice from his Speaking Stone. "-for Rizze in the recreation room. Go look in the pantry."
Creaking the door open, Pepi peered out, then left the closet when he didn't see anyone. He knocked over a broomstick with a loud clatter. Darting down the hallway, Pepi called for Rizze and made tutting noises. He reached the pantry after four wrong turns, nearly bumping into servants, though they didn't pay him any mind.
Pepi looked under shelves and inside cupboards. The cat had clearly been here, judging by the half eaten fish on the ground. Finlay rolled around, more vigorously this time, nearly brusing Pepi's side. There was a flood of light and he jumped, knocking utentials off a nearby counter.
"Pepi? What the fuck are you doing here?"
The voice belonged to his cousin, Rupert, who had moved out Adhur three years ago and never spoken to Pepi since. He held a light spell in his palm and wore an apron, seemingly a servant in the kitchen for this manor. His light taupe hair was similar to Pepi's, though more flat compared to Pepi's loose curls. Rupert was a head taller than Pepi and had a slight hunch to his posture, which Pepi knew was due to him leaning down when talking to those shorter than him.
"Rupert! Glad to find a familiar face. How've you been? I'm looking for a ginger cat, you seen it?"
Rupert glanced sideways then stared at him with intense hazel eyes. "How have I been? I- I can't believe you!" he hissed. "After all the shit you and your sister put me through, you act like we're friends?! I moved hundreds of miles from my hometown, left my family behind, just to get away from you two. Now you're haunting me." His fingers reached towards a butcher's knife on the countertop.
The colour drained from Pepi's face and he held up his hands. "I'm not here to cause problems. I really am looking for a cat, it belongs to the innkeeper of The Ugly Snail. I barely speak to Tammy these days. Sheā¦ wasn't nice to me either."
"You were always a coward around her. Both of you would bully me. You'd run back to me with your tail between your legs, when that wench turned her back, begging forgiveness. Then she'd start bullying you."
Rupert put his hands on his hips, eyes wide, as though Pepi would try something the moment he blinked. "Understand that I am this close to punching you." He held up his index finger and thumb which nearly touched. Well, being punched was better than the sharp alternative. Finlay rolled about in his pocket again and Pepi patted the crystal ball.
"You're right." Tears welled up in Pepi's eyes. "I was a coward. I'm so sorry." He bit his bottom lip.
"I don't believe you. And even if I did, saying 'sorry' doesn't erase everything you've done from my memory," his cousin sneered. Rupert inhaled sharply. "Hey chef, we've got an intruder!"
"No!" Pepi gaped at Rupert then ran out of the pantry. Shouts followed him. He held the Speaking Stone to his mouth. "Rakefire, Rakefire!"
"I was about to call you, I found Rizze when I went to the bathroom. Head towards the back door."
"I don't know where that is!"
"-probably behind the kitchen."
"That's where I got caught!"
"-can't go out the front, the guard's there. From the bathroom window, I saw a section in the back garden with a low wall. -leads up a hill where we can escape. Take your own bloody advice and run like mad."
Pepi whined in protest, but did as Renato said. Upon seeing Rupert talk to an elderly woman in the kitchen to his left, he hurried. They rushed out the kitchen and reached out to grab him, yelling when he slipped away from their grasp.
"Oi! Get back here!" The chef cried, shaking a rolling pin in the air like a weapon.
Finding a door, Pepi flung it open and sprinted through. Thankfully it led outside. Rupert and the chef were a few steps behind, with Rupert's spell of light casting a spotlight on him. He reached for his Speaking Stone, cursing when he dropped it. Pepi hit a different stone with his knees: it was the wall Renato told him about.
Pepi heaved himself up. His leg was pulled down by his ankle, making him scrap his chest against the wall. He yelped and kicked, until finally he tumbled over the other side and continued running. The hill had no light. The inky sky hid Pepi yet also blinded him as he ran.
"Renato!" He whispered loudly and hid behind what felt like a tree. "Where are-"
His hand touched metal and he would've screamed if his mouth hadn't been covered. Pepi felt fur brush against his arm and sighed as he heard Renato shushing him. Rupert and the chef were still on the other side of the wall.
"He went onto the hill, we can catch him if we go out there!" Rupert insisted.
A voice called from further away, asking them to begin prepping for the Elder's supper. Rupert's furious voice and light grew more and more distant. The door slammed shut.
"By Lidion, we made it out alive," Renato wheezed. "You were an idiot for suggesting this. I'm never listening to you again, you absolute Fopdoodle."
Pepi giggled into Renato's palm, pressing it against his mouth when he laughed harder. They trudged back to the Inn and celebrated Rizze's return with plenty of Kater's sweet ale. Renato taught them all how to play Bone Crowns. That night, Pepi slept in a chair by Renato's bedchamber door, and dreamt of Tammy.
(A/N: Pepi is not what he seems, huh? >:D )
*Fopdoodle: an insignificant or foolish man.
*Rakefire: a visitor who outstays his or her welcome. Originally, someone who stays so late the dying coals in the fireplace would need to be raked over just to keep it burning.
