Within the hour the streets of Sentinel Village began to awaken with merchants opening their doors and early morning shoppers emerging onto the boardwalks. Included in the scattered patrons were Emalynn, Hobble, and the Lynex, purposefully marching towards the castle. Draped over their shoulders, and dangling off the backs of their shirts were twenty-five Leshy. Each Leshy measured about six-inches tall and wore multicolored clothing. Most of the blue skinned creatures had green hanging beards, and the longer the beards, the more wrinkled their faces appeared. As they made their way through the crowds, the unusual sight caused shoppers to turn their heads and stare.
“So did ye lose all yer barbary lamb boones ta eh hire these ‘ere mercenaries,” asked Hobble.
“Yes, all of them,” replied Emalynn. “I gave some to Wendub to make the arrangements, and the rest all went to the Leshy.”
“Tis eh shame, twith the precious boones of thee Barbary Lamb ye could hab found twealth beyond yer dreams,” sighed Hobble.
“We’ll some things are more important than wealth. Like saving Jacob and giving him a piece of my mind when I find him!”
Their trip to the castle was well watched by the passing shoppers, and upon reaching the castle’s steps Emalynn courageously led her rescue squad up the steps, into the castle, past the grand entryway, through a main hallway, and into the long hallway leading to the training room. A single sentinel guard stood by the training room door, guarding the Book of Galeeky.
“Mr. Pitts asked us to follow him in,” she said, in a confident voice. “He and Buckburne Scurvey are setting up a special test for us now.”
“Ah yes, yes, they’re already inside. Good luck and have fun guys,” responded the guard with a smile, as he stepped to the side to let them pass.
Emalynn walked ahead, leading the others into the room towards a table that held the Book of Galeeky. She stopped just short of the table and then reached into her pack.
“We sentinels eat protection wafers before heading into possible danger,” she said, passing the mint wafers out and keeping one for herself. “They’ll protect us from dark warriors’ energy rays.”
Both Hobble and the Lynex followed Emalynn’s lead and ate a wafer, while the Leshy passed a single wafer between themselves, each taking a tiny bite until it was all consumed.
“Everyone ready?” asked Emalynn.
Collectively the Leshy shouted, “PLUBBER SNIKET!”
“Bring it on!” translated the Lynex.
Hobble grunted his affirmation and Emalynn reached out opening the Book of Galeeky to the first page. A blinding light shot upward from the pages illuminating the entire ceiling. Next a brief flash followed bursting brightly through the entire room, and instantly they vanished, reappearing on a marble floor that stretched out in all directions without end. Directly in front of them was a frazzled haired stranger with a scorched and shredded white suit, sitting battered on the floor with a broken staff laying next to him.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“I am Dr. Galeeky,” said the man. “And I’ve been trodden on by a couple of rouges!”
“Oh, so you saw Mr. Pitts and Mr. Scurvey?” Dr. Galeeky nodded in reply, moving his head in an incoherent circular motion. “And did you send them into the Dark Realm?”
The Doctor moaned, “Yes, I’m not supposed to do that, but they forced me to.”
“Good then send us there as well, or my associates here will make you regret you ever met us!”
Hobble raised his axe and stepped forward.
“Noo! Please no more! I’ll send you, I’ll send you,” he cried, trembling.
Dr. Galeeky lifted his hand and instantly they vanished from the hall.