Crystal Valley Part IV

“Someone catch that horse!” Max shouted at the top her voice. “He’s heading for the beach!” She pretended to run out of breath and stopped, stifling a laugh as she watched people scramble for the galloping horse.

The stallion cleared the low stone wall and escaped down the beach, lead rope flying underneath him. He turned, whinnied and disappeared into the forest.

Max had to smile. Her plan had worked perfectly. At least Fate was on her side. Thidon ran over to her.

“What happened? How did he get away?” he roared.

Max pretended to look guilty and sad. “I’m sorry Lord Thidon. I was just leading him out of the stable, ‘cause I have to clean his stall, and he got spooked by a sound coming from the docks there. I tried to hold him back but he was to strong. Fortunately I was wearing gloves or else I could have gotten rope burn. I’d offer to go after him but I’m afraid he’ll be long gone by then,” she explained, having already made up the lie.

Thidon’s face was a beet red. Max hid a smile. She enjoyed making the man mad. “You’ve always said we should let that horse free. You didn’t do it on purpose did you?”

Max shook her head. “No sir. It was an accident. Honestly.”

Thidon narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Is your mother at home?”

Max’s eyebrows rose. What does her mother have to do with any of this? “Uh…yes sir. She is,” she responded. “Why?”

“I need to speak with her about a certain matter.” He turned on his heel and strolled purposely to Max’s house.

Cackle soared up and landed on her shoulder, wrapping his tail around her neck. Max watched Thidon’s retreating back. “Do you think you can spy on them for me little one?”

Cackle leaped off her neck and followed behind Thidon. He flew to her open bedroom window and crawled inside. Max frowned but went back into the stable to finish her work.

Just as Max finished cleaning the last of the stalls, Jo came bounding in. Cackle came flying up behind him and landed on Max’s shoulder.

“Well?” she asked.

Jo sat down. “There’s been a change of plans,” he said. “Thidon thinks you’re out of hand. He thinks you should be married tomorrow night.”

Max choked. “What?” she cried. “Tomorrow?!”

Cackle bobbed his head and nuzzled her cheek. Max leaned against the barn wall. Jo flicked his tail and looked over his shoulder.

“Can’t you run away now?”

“Are you nuts? In front of everyone? But what about my things?”

Jo rolled his eyes. “Come on Max. Everything’s packed. Cackle and I took the time to do so. With the help of Malto of course. So saddle up Epona. Come on, we don’t have all day!”

Max grinned. She took Epona from her stall and quickly saddled her up. The mare tossed her head in excitement. Max led the mare from the barn and out into the sunshine. Malto came trotting up, a bundle in his mouth.

“Malto! Good boy. Are these my things?” she asked.

The dog dropped the bundle and began to bounce around. Max laughed and gave the dog a good pet. She picked the bundle up and tied it to the back of Epona’s saddle. She stuffed Jo in a saddle bag and mounted her horse.

“Is everything in here?”

“Of course. Cackle found everything that was dear to you as he put it,” Jo answered. “Okay, are you following Outlaw’s way out?”

“Juri won’t open the gate for me so I’ll have to take that way,” Max responded. “Uh-oh. Here comes trouble.”

“Max! Stop!” Shouted Guy as he ran up. Thidon, Havi and Galada followed after.

“Maxenne! What are you doing?” demanded Havi.

“I’m going for a ride. Is that a problem?” Max inquired. “I’ve finished cleaning the stalls and I thought I’d take a nice ride.”

“Don’t trust her! She must have eavesdropped on our conversation. I heard a bunch of rustling in her room,” Guy yelled. He started marching over to Epona and was getting close when the mare sidestepped away from him without Max telling her too. Jo poked his head out of the saddlebag.

“Look, you want to marry me but my animals don’t even like you,” Max laughed mockingly.

“Well, I could always fix that!” Guy snapped, heading towards Malto, who always went to people for attention. But this time the dog bared his teeth and snarled at the fisherman, startling the people.

“That dog is possessed by some evil spirit!” shrieked Galada, pointing at Malto in horror.

“Don’t be daft,” scoffed Karak, trotting up to see what was going on. “He just hates Guy and your ugly face.”

Max snorted. “Oh Karak, don’t be so mean,” she giggled. He gave her a confused look. “Please don’t insult the word ugly.”

Karak and Jo laughed. Cackle clicked in his throat. The four other people froze when Jo laughed. “Did that cat just laugh?” Karak asked.

“So he can talk!” exclaimed Havi. “I knew it!”

Max grinned. “He’s a Dwight who happens to be stuck at the moment,” she responded. Not that she believed the story, but the villagers would believe in anything.

“Please good people, we wish to go for a ride…Max will be back at noon for lunch and to continue her chores,” Jo said. “Do not fret. Let’s go.”

“Farewell all!” Max waved to the people as Epona trotted to the beach. The mare broke into a lope and cleared the wall. Max stopped the mare and turned to make sure Malto was coming. The four were still standing there, open-mouthed. She waved and disappeared from the villagers view.

Max laughed to herself as she turned Epona into the forest. Jo popped out and looked at his surroundings. He gave out a funny little meow and clambered on behind Max.

“Head northeast and you’ll reach the road to Avalon,” Jo recommend. “Then all you have to do is trot down the path like we did yesterday and go to town. Find that inn and hopefully you can get a job since our plan has been ruined.”

“Wow. You have all that planned out don’t you?” Max inquired, guiding Epona through the dense forest.

“Indeed. I always good at planning ahead. Melody said that was what women did but I beat her at that,” Jo responded. He laughed at the memory. Max made a questioning sound and he laughed some more. “Melody is my wife.”

“Oh! I didn’t know you was married!” Max exclaimed. Maybe his story was true. Malto suddenly howled and took off into the trees. “Malto! Oh what a stupid dog. Cackle, can you go get him please?” The dragon nodded and flew off after the dog.

“Aren’t all dogs? And yes I’m married. She’s waiting back in Ankiny for me to return with our little boy Bliz,”

“Oh wow. You’re a husband and a father. Congratulations.” Max smiled. She believed his story now. It took her a few weeks but she knew it was true now. “I miss my father. How old is your son?”

Jo put his ears back. “Hmm, I think he’s two,” he answered. “Yes, he is two. Look there is the road.”

Epona stumbled out onto the path and her ears went forwards as she recognized the road. She tossed her head and broke into a smooth trot. Max nudged her gently in the ribs and the mare broke into a slow controlled lope.

Jo ducked back into the saddlebag and when an hour had passed, he poked his back up. He looked around an sighed.

“What?” she asked.

“Oh nothing. I was just thinking,” Jo responded.

“About what?”

“The past month. Ever since I came to Avalon things have been…different. I’ve been a cat for a month of my life and I’m afraid I won’t be able to become a human again. I had plans for my life you know. Shape shifters. I was still in training. My teacher sent me to Avalon to see his friend, who was also a shape shifter. His friend then told me to test my skills as a shifter, so I did. He wasn’t impressed. So then he told me turn into a cat and balance on a wall,” Jo explained.

“And?”

“I did it. He was a bit impressed and told me turn back into a human. But he knew something I didn’t. Beginners can’t turn into cats and back again. Cats seem to be difficult to change into for some reason. So when I couldn’t turn back he said I failed. I asked him to help me turn back into a human but he declined my plea for help. He kicked me out and said he had no use for cats,” Jo explained.

Max said nothing. She felt guilty for not believing his story right away. Jo sneezed and sighed.

“I miss my wife and son. Melody was a person who was always there for me and encouraged me to continue my training. She was always proud of me and didn’t cry when I left ,” Jo said. He sighed again and went back into the bag.

Max shook her head. She felt sorry for Jo. He had a family to take care of and was stuck as an orange cat. She didn’t know what to do or say.

“I’m sorry Jo,” was all she managed to get out. She got no reply and heard the faint sound of the cats’ snore. She shrugged and continued the rest of the journey in silence. Soon the white towers appeared ahead.

Max pulled Epona to a stop beside the guard. “Excuse me sir, but if anybody comes asking for me, please tell them I’ve passed into the fields of Murcia.”

“What did you do?” the guard asked, amused. His face was covered by the visor of his helmet and she couldn’t see his face.

“I ran away. Can you please?” Max inquired.

The guard nodded. “You will find refugee in the town of Avalon,” he responded, slightly raising his pike.

“Thank-you.” Max nudged Epona into a walk and the mare went across the stone arch, hooves clopping on the hard surface. She trotted into the town and headed straight to the water trough. Max didn’t try to stop her. She was sure to be thirsty.

Epona drank deeply, making sucking noises as she drank her fill. Max patted and rubbed the mares’ neck affectionately. Jo leaped from the saddle bag and onto the saddle. He yawned and stretched before leaping onto the stone edge of the trough. He drank a bit and stretched again.

“Well?”

“I guess we’ll try that tavern you mentioned. Since I have no money,” Max replied. “Where is that dragon and dog?”

“Cackle will make sure nothing happens. Let’s go to that tavern and see if they have a job for you there.”

Max nodded and grabbed Epona’s reins. She led her over to the Cat and Cheese. She handed Epona off to a stable boy and gave him one of her last Adus. Jo sat on her shoulder and waited patiently. Max smiled and bravely opened the tavern door.

It was dim inside and smelt of cheese. A mouse was on the floor munching on a piece of cheese. A fat black cat lay sleeping, sunning itself on the windowsill. A middle-aged woman with greying hair was drying a plate at the counter. A man of the same age sat eating bread and cheese. Pounds of cheese were on the floor, sitting on a blanket. There were tables covering the floor. A spiral table let upstairs to the rooms.

“There is no shortage of cheese here,” Max murmured to Jo. The cat snickered and eyed the mouse. “Don’t eat it Jo. It could be a pet.”

Max stepped past the mouse and crossed the room over to the woman. The woman set the plate on the counter and looked at Max.

“May I help you?”

“Um…I was told that I could find work here. Is that true?” Max inquired.

The woman smiled. “About time someone young and smart came here. But I should ask you a few questions.”

Max’s eyes widened. “Like what?”

“Now don’t get all worried on me. You a hard worker?”

Max nodded. “Yes.”

“Good people skills?”

“Yes.”

“Can you serve people? Make beds? Sweep floors? Cook? Arrange rooms?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes.”

The woman laughed. “You’re hired. You can have a bed here in the back and your cat can sleep with you,” she said. “That is, if you don’t have a home.”

“Yes and thank-you. But I also have a horse, a little dragon and a dog. Could I keep them here too?” Max asked.

“Hmm. That is a lot of animals. But why not. The more the merrier. Right?” the woman laughed. “I’m Leratta Ison. And you are…?”

“Maxenne Rulon. But I prefer to be called Max,” responded Max.

“It’s a pleasure to have you working here. That’s my husband, Edwurd, over there. He’s deaf but he can read your lips,” Leratta said. She waved her hands and her husband looked up. “We have a new girl working for us.” She said this slowly.

“Welcome to the Cat and Cheese. It’s a pleasure to have you here,” he said, a little loudly.

“It’s a pleasure to work here. With both of you,” Max said, politely and curtseying. She said this for them both.

“Well, since it’s your first day, I’ll give it to yea easy. You can go and settle yourself in. Then you can go upstairs and make all the beds, come back down here and sweep,” Leratta said.

“Okay. Wait, how much would I get paid?” Max inquired. She was liking this woman and the place more and more.

“How does two Adus a week sound to you?” the owner questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Honourable.”

“Good! Oh and then once you get used to being here, you can start serving people. I’ll prepare the food, but you get them the ale and whatever else they need. There will be some rowdy folk, but they mean no harm. Once in awhile people will get into a fight. I don’t allow that so you throws’ em’ out. And every once in awhile you’ll get an occasional dragonrider, or a wandering Sidfa, Turnim or Tarit. And some knights,” Leratta explained. “But just your usual people.”

“Okay. I’ll learn to get along with them,” Max said. She turned and walked into the back where Leratta mentioned her room would be.

*******

“Where is that pesky dragon on mine?” Max asked Jo as she stared up at the night sky. “And that dog?”

As if he heard her question, Cackle came flying in and landed beside Joe with a chirp. He nudged the cat and then nuzzled her arm. He saw a wooden cup sitting on the bedside table and began to drink. Max waited patiently for the dragon to drink his fill before she would question him.

She tapped her left foot impatiently as he took his tenth sip. Even Epona didn’t drink that much. Cackle glanced up at her. He saw the impatient look on her face and continued drinking.

“Cackle! Where is Malto?” Max demanded.

Cackle tilted his head to the right and started making babbling sounds. It sounded like a bunch of rubbish to Max. Something about Malto finding the ruins of Phene and then continuing till he stumbled upon Crystal Valley. A brown dragon ordered him to tell his Choosen one that the dog was there and to come and get him when she wanted.

“Cackle, are you lying?” Max growled.

The little dragon seemed taken aback by her question. His eyes turned a dark brown and he screeched. It hurt Max’s ears and she quickly covered them up. The bronze dragon hissed at her and turned away, jumping onto the bed. Max had a feeling he woke Leratta up. Edwurd couldn’t hear it.

“Cackle I’m sorry! Please come back over here. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I just wasn’t sure if you were fooling me,” Max pleaded.

Cackle looked back at her. His eyes were still the dark brown, but they slowly began to fade back to a light brown. He flew over to her and landed on her shoulder. He rubbed his head on her neck and cheek, his way of feeling her all was okay. She scratched his eye ridge and he crooned.

“Nobody can find Crystal Valley. Well that’s a lie. People do find it. But they usually don’t come back. It’s nice there? How nice?” Max asked. “Really nice? Beautiful beyond compare? It possibly can’t be that beautiful you little rat.”

Cackle nodded his head and began swinging it back and forth. He cackled and chirped and made such a racket, Max was sure Leratta was up now.

“Cackle! I don’t care if the brown dragon was very beautiful and nothing like you had seen before. Yes. I don’t care if her eyes were a dark green and her rider was a Piyer,” Max snapped. “What about Malto?”

Cackle said something about him being safe and irritating the four dragonriders that were there. But all she had to do was go there and get her dog back. As long as she didn’t believe that rubbish of people never returning, she should find it. He plopped onto the windowsill and stared up at her.

Max glared at the dragon. He had added that, she knew. He had a smug look on his scaly face and then he chirped.

“Fine. Tomorrow or he can stay there for a bit,” Max said, rolling her eyes.

There was a soft knock on her door. “Max? Is everything alright in there?” asked Leratta’s voice.

“Oh! Yes. You can open the door if you wish,” Max answered. The door opened and Leratta stopped as she saw Cackle on the windowsill.

“Is th-that a dragon?” she gasped.

“Yes. Leratta, this is Cackle. Cackle this is my boss, Leratta,” Max introduced.

Cackle glided over to Leratta and landed down on her shoulder. He rubbed her cheek, chirping. “Nice to meet you too little one. He’s a sweetie.”

Max smiled. “I’m glad you like him. He’s a good dragon and eats mice and smells like Citronella,” she said.

“Okay. Good night Max. Have a good sleep.” Leratta turned and shut the door behind her. Cackle flew back to Max and nuzzled her cheek.