The Last Fairy Tale (17 page)

 “What? How? I-Is this some sort of magic you learned?” Locke asked, surprised.

 “No,” Olivia said, smiling softly. “I suppose if there is anything good about being genetically enhanced, it’s this.”

 “Wow…” Locke said in a daze. He slowly grabbed her arms and helped her stand. “Do you mean this isn’t normal for a human?”

 “No, it should’ve taken a lot longer for it to heal,” Olivia said. “Researchers in my world discovered a way to alter our genes, which is the stuff that determines all our characteristics. It made things like faster healing possible, but it ended up causing terrible effects, too.”

 “Yeah, I remember you telling me a little bit about it. This science stuff really is dangerous, just like the old stories say.” He scratched his head in deep thought. “Well, we better keep moving. Can you walk?”

 “Yes, my shoe got a little scuffed up, but I’ll be fine.”

 They continued along the base of the mountains until they reached its edge. They then continued north, up a large hill. The ground around them was covered in bright green grass. When they topped the hill, Olivia could see an expanse of rolling grassland that stretched for miles in all directions. A dirt road wound through the hills, lined by willow trees. Far to the north, Olivia saw the road lead into a town.

 “Wow, it’s beautiful here!” Olivia said as she peered out at the hills. “Is that Handel’s Sanctuary?” She pointed at the town to the north.

 “Sure is,” Locke replied. “It’ll probably take us about an hour to get there. Are you thirsty?” He held up a wooden container of water that he had taken from the sack.

 “Yes, actually,” Olivia said, suddenly realizing just how thirsty she was. He handed her the container and she drank from it, feeling refreshed. “Thank you,” she said, handing the container back to Locke.

 “You’re welcome,” he said, tucking the container back into his sack.

 They started down the hill and soon reached the road. It came from the east, but they followed it north toward the town. The beauty of the willow trees lining the side of the road entranced Olivia. They provided shade from the bright sun that had now reached its highest point, their branches arching over the road and drooping to brush against Olivia. Soon, many different creatures were walking by them, all coming to or from the town. Olivia wanted to look at them, because they were of all different sizes and shapes, but she kept her head down and her hood up.

 By mid-afternoon Olivia’s stomach began to rumble. A sudden waft of something delicious coming from the town ahead filled her nose. It smelled incredible and made her mouth water. Not long after, Locke nudged her side and she looked up.

 Before them was an elaborate town filled with hundreds of creatures she had never seen before. Many stalls lined the main road that stretched through the town, selling everything from groceries to toys to clothing to jewelry. The creatures, however, were the most interesting sight of all. Some were sorting crates of vegetables, whereas others were crafting toys for children. Olivia saw one creature with lots of tentacle-like arms tossing food and spices around in the air as he cooked over an open flame. Although the entire town buzzed with excitement, Olivia still felt nervous. She wasn’t quite sure whether she was frightened and didn’t want to proceed, or if she was just overwhelmed and couldn’t wait to be a part of it all. Looking at Locke and remembering her time with the Great Fairy helped her to realize that she was definitely leaning more toward the latter.

Chapter Ten

Handel’s Sanctuary

 Olivia and Locke weaved their way through the masses of busy creatures, which gave Olivia a closer glimpse of the many different creatures as they passed. Some were very tall and lumbered over her, while others only came up to her knees. Some were covered in fur and walked on hooves, while others had skin that looked just like Olivia’s and walked barefooted on the cobblestone road. She saw so many different kinds of creatures that she was unable to keep up with them all.

 “We have just received a new delivery of spindelum web and have new linen stocked,” came a loud, high-pitched voice. Olivia spun around to see a creature resembling an insect standing on a stack of large wooden crates. Its face and a multitude of tiny legs were set inside a black segmented shell like a small crustacean Olivia had once seen in an encyclopedia. It wore a sweater with tiny holes for each arm and a pair of miniscule spectacles perched in front of its beady eyes. “Feel free to come in and have a look! Web will be spun into string, yarn, or whatever you need on the spot!”

“What is that?” Olivia asked Locke as they passed the creature. It stood in front of a small, quaint shop that looked as though it had been wedged between two other shops. It was oddly shaped and had crooked windows and doors. The sign above the doors read
Fabulous Fabrics
.

 “That’s Miss Isabelle,” said Locke. “She’s one of the finest tailors in Aeldyn. She’s a rolipol.”

Olivia’s head once again was brimming with questions. Her eyes darted in all directions, taking in everything. She eyed another small shop. Next to its doors was a plaque reading
Remedologist
. A small sign hanging from the door read:

Medicines, poultices, and salves.

~~~

For potion ingredients, herbs, and recipes,

try next door!

 She looked at the shop next to the remedologist and saw a sign above its door that read
Apothecary
.  

 Olivia was becoming more overwhelmed as she and Locke weaved through the crowd. Soon they came to a plaza with a large stone fountain in the middle of the town. A statue of a man with a long bushy beard and muscular arms and legs towered in the center of the fountain. A large hammer rested over his shoulder and one of his legs was propped on an anvil. A plaque at the base of the statue read

Handel

- Founder of the Sanctuary -

May his kindness never be forgotten.

 “So, this is Handel?” Olivia asked, staring up at the statue.

 “Yep! My dad says he founded this town.” Locke sat on the edge of the fountain and dipped one finger into the water. “But that was so long ago, nobody really remembers.”

 “Is he…a man?” asked Olivia. In all of the time she had spent in Aeldyn thus far, she had never seen anything else that resembled a human. The statue piqued her curiosity.

 “No,” Locke said, looking over at her and laughing. “He’s a dwarf! Can’t you tell? Big beard, huge muscles…”

 “Oh, I see,” said Olivia. “I’ve heard of dwarves before.”

 “Have y’now?” bellowed a loud, gruff voice behind Olivia. She jumped and spun around. Before her stood a dwarf. His red beard and muscular arms uncannily resembled the statue of Handel. He was a bit taller than Olivia and wore a bandana on his bald head and an apron to cover the front of his soot-stained clothes. Both the apron and the bandana appeared to be made of a material similar to leather. He smiled at Olivia, his small eyes becoming lost in wrinkles. “Well, I’ve heard of you humans meself. Might you be the one I’m here to meet?” He laughed a deep, cheerful laugh. “Of course you are!”

 “Uh…who…?” stammered Olivia as the dwarf patted her heartily on the back, knocking the breath out of her. “Who are you?”

 “The name’s Bren,” he said. “And you must be Olivia, eh?”

 “Y-yes, I am,” replied Olivia, nodding.

 “A-ha! Wonderful!” shouted Bren. “That odd Ink fellow explained the situation to me. Had a hard time believin’ it meself, but he said, ‘The truth is the truth, either face it or fear it.’ So here I am! At your service!”

 “Oh…thank you,” said Olivia. “You didn’t have to come.  I–”

 “Didn’t have to? Ha! I wanted to!” Bren laughed, clutching his long beard in his hands.

 “Well, thank you, then,” Olivia said quietly.

 “You’re very welcome, Olivia,” said Bren. He looked over at Locke. “And who might this fellow be?”

 “I’m Locke. I’m Olivia’s friend, and I’ve been helping her get to know Aeldyn. We just left from the Great Fairy’s hollow earlier this morning.”

“Ah, I see,” Bren said, putting his hands on his hips. “Well, how about we go into the tavern and grab a bite to eat and somethin’ cold to wash it down with.” He pointed to the right toward a tall stone building that looked like a thatched-roof cottage, towering over the other smaller shops. Over the door hung a sign that read
The Hearth
. “We can wait there for any others, if you’d like.”

 “Sure,” Olivia said, although she actually felt quite unsure. She knew what a tavern was. She had read about them in one of the encyclopedias. They didn’t sound to her like a place she particularly wanted to go. She looked over at Locke, but he didn’t appear to have any objections to the offer, so they followed Bren into the tavern.

 Inside the tavern was loud and busy, but it was nothing compared to the hustle and bustle outside. Yellow orbs around the ceiling and trickles of sunlight pouring in through the shuttered windows lit the tavern with a warm glow. Many creatures sat about round tables here and there and played games or told stories as they laughed loudly and enjoyed their food and drinks.

 Olivia kept her hood up as they made their way through the tavern while Bren stopped a few times to greet some friends. They eventually reached a large wooden booth near the back where Olivia laid her journal and staff on the seat and sat next to Locke with her head bowed. Bren sat on the opposite side.

 “Hello, friends,” said a voice behind Bren. “What’ll ya have?”

 Olivia looked up and saw a large furry animal standing on its hind legs. It reminded her of a raccoon, except that it wore a vest and carried a tray of dirty mugs. Its beady eyes examined each of them as it waited for their orders. When the eyes came to Olivia, the creature paused and gasped, nearly tipping over the tray of mugs.

 “Is that…the human?” it quietly asked, nudging Bren’s arm without taking its eyes off Olivia.

“Aye,
she
 is,” Bren said. “Her name’s Olivia, and she deserves your respect, George. So, how about not attractin’ too much attention to this table, eh?”

 “Right…I’ll just…” George stammered, still staring at Olivia. He shook his head and then smiled at her. “Sorry, miss. The name’s George. It’s an honor, truly. Can I get ya anything?”

 “Uh…I don’t really know what there is,” Olivia said, glancing at Locke.

 “We’ll take two root beers,” Locke said to George. “And I’ll take a toasted tomato sandwich. Is that okay with you, too, Olivia?”

 “Sure, that sounds good,” she said. She had no idea what a root beer was and didn’t know what to think of a toasted tomato sandwich, but she was starving and trusted that Locke was ordering something she’d like.

 “Alrighty. What about you, Bren?” George asked.

 “I’ll take the same,” Bren said. “It sounds delicious to me. An’ root beer is my favorite!” He laughed and looked at Locke. “You’ve got good taste, my friend!”

 “Thanks,” Locke said, grinning.

 “Okay, I’ll be back with those shortly.” George turned back toward the counter.

 “Oh…George, if you don’t mind, can you send anyone else who’s lookin’ for the girl back here?” asked Bren quietly.

 “Sure, no problem.” He continued behind the counter and out of sight.

 Bren turned back to Olivia and Locke. “Well, I suppose I’ll start with my story. Then I’ll want to hear yours.”

 “Sounds good,” Olivia said, glad to finally get to know the person they had been talking to all this time.

“As you know, I’m Bren,” he started. He rested his massive arms on the table. “I’m from the Camicara Mountains just north of here. The Ink fellow came and told us that there was someone here to help us get rid of that good-fer-nothin’ evil creature that turned up in the northeast. We asked him who and he just said ‘a girl…a human girl.’ He’s one of those dramatic sorts, I guess. At first everyone laughed, but then Ink told us that it was indeed the truth and that anyone who wished to aid the girl should meet at Handel’s Sanctuary. An’ then he vanished.” He paused and stared into the distance. Olivia and Locke waited for him to continue. “Ye know… I thought for a good long while before I made up my mind to come here. I said to meself, ‘That Great Fairy must know somethin’ we don’t. He wouldn’t be meddlin’ in the affairs of the humans if he thought that we could take down the Lich King ourselves.’ So, I decided it must be important that
you
 get to the creature, because no one else in Aeldyn can do the job. I wanted to help you in any way I could. You see, me and me wife just had a little one not too long ago, and I want him and all the other little ones to be able to grow up and live without fear.”

 “Here you are, my friends!” George arrived with a hefty tray of mugs and plates of food stacked up his arm. With much skill, he swiftly distributed the mugs and plates to Olivia, Locke, and Bren.

 “Ahh, it smells amazin’ as always, George,” Bren said.

 “It’s my pleasure, my friends. Please let me know if you require anything else. I’ll be right up at the counter.” He bowed slightly and then spun around and left them to their meals.