Reaching for his helmet, he yanked it from his head, letting everyone see his childish human face and shouted with all his might to get their attention! “I’m Princess Nataleigh’s brother from Amiera! Can’t you see that?”
Everyone stopped; shocked by what they saw. Before them was not the face of any dwarf on Darrowold, but the thin, fair features of a child out of Darrowold legends.
Friar Tub choked on his chicken. “He looks just like her!”
Nathan could see he had gotten their attention with his desperate action and took advantage of it. “Please. I just want to find my sister and take her home. We’re not supposed to be down here and I’m worried about her. Can you please help me? Just tell me where she went so I can help her!” he pleaded.
“It’s not my fault that I got captured by that nasty dragon and I never agreed to go on his stupid mission! In fact, once he found out who I was, he wouldn’t let me go. If it wasn’t for Flindee and Vonkar here, I would nave never escaped!”
One by one, the dwarves all began to lower their weapons in astonishment until finally, Brumble Wood broke the silence.
“Forgive us, young lad, for our suspicion,” he said, putting his hand on the Prince’s shoulder. “The portents thy sister brought to us were fell indeed and have rather unnerved us.”
“Portents?” Nathan asked. “He means news; information.” Friar Tub clarified. “The warning your sister brought us concerning the Serpent’s Eye has us all a bit jumpy.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand all of this about a Serpent’s Eye or whatever it is. I just want to know if my sister is safe.”
“I’m afraid not, young Prince,” continued the Friar. “At least no one knows if she is, but I’m afraid it is unlikely where she has gone.”
Nathan’s heart sank into his iron boot as the memory of his dark dream returned to him and the image of Nataleigh’s face captured in the eerie green ball burned into his heart. “Please tell me she hasn’t gone after this thing that everyone is talking about!”
The friar nodded ‘yes’. “Why?” Nathan questioned. “Doesn’t she know how dangerous it is? Why did you all let a little girl go on such a dangerous journey?”
“She was the only one who had the ability to get to it in time with that flying horse of hers,” Billy Crimson said matter-of-factly.
Brumble Wood hung his head. “Twas to our shame that we allowed such fey counsel to sway sound thinking and chafed to hinder the fair maidens departure.”
“What Brumble means,” explained Friar Tub. “is that we tried to talk her out of it, but it seemed like the only choice we had at the time.”
“She’s not alone, at least,” said Tiny Bud. “Maid Madelyn went with her and she ain’t no weak little girly. I’ll tell you that!”
“Is she strong enough to take on the fire breathing sea monster with two heads? Cause that’s what lives in that sea cave that she’s going to! Did you all know that? It’s suicide! That’s why I refused to go for Snagglefang! How could you send my sister to face that?”
There was silence for a moment, which was finally broken by King Balderdash. “I’m afraid the situation is more dangerous than you understand, young Prince. Come. Let us show you to a place where you and your friends can rest for the night. Then all will be made known to you and you will understand and appreciate the courage of your sister and why she has gone and why we are preparing for war here at Castle Bouldergold. For your sister may very well hold the fate of all of Darrowold in her hands.”
Putting his arm around the Prince, King Balderdash began to lead him further into the castle, beckoning for the others, including Vonkar, to follow.
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