It took several trips with their orbs for Jacob and Uncle Clair to evacuate the injured, and Dallanbach Hospital soon became a popular attraction. Many of the giant Leshy were still unconscious and too big to fit inside the building, so they were laid out in orderly rows overrunning half a city block. Spectators soon gathered around to view the unusual giants, and children poked and prodded them testing each other’s bravery. When the Leshy finally awoke, they shape shifted back to their normal size allowing the doctors to move them into the hospital for further treatment. The tale of their battle spread in the following days throughout Dallanbach, and of course many versions of the story arose, differing from person to person. Unfortunately though, the Lynex’s version had spread from the Frosty Mug Tavern and soon became the most popular. Although Uncle Clair had requested that Jacob be left out of all recitals for his own protection, speculation and wild rumors about the prince of the realm’s return had spread throughout all of Dallenbach. Mr. Oubladew, in the spirit of keeping Jacob’s privacy, planned a small confidential party at Galgithia Falls to celebrate Jacob’s safe return and their victory over Lacsar. Only the rescuers themselves had been invited and Buckburne was asked to be in charge of the barbeque.
“You haven’t had a true sentinel barbeque until you’ve had a Buckburne barbeque,” said Mr. Pitts rubbing his hands together, as they hiked toward Galgithia Falls. “His barbeques are famous throughout the entire sentinel regiment.”
“That sounds wonderful,” said Emalynn, “I’m so hungry.”
“My barbeque is also famous,” added the Lynex. “If you’re looking for a taste with real zesty zing, then I am the right guy!”
As they approached the falls Jacob could see tables and chairs already set up next to a huge grill that was sizzling delicious smelling barbeque. Buckburne was standing behind the grill wearing a white apron and holding shiny silver tongs in his hand. To his side were two serving tables attended by Mrs. Oubladew and Mr. Oubladew. Mrs. Oubladew’s table was crowded with delicious dwarf vitals; pastries, corn on the cob, buttery salads, soups, dwarf meat pies, gigantic beans in red cream sauce, smooth rich jellies, and a variety of fancy deserts. Mr. Oubladew’s table was stocked only with mugs and brown bottles of Celser Whiff packed in buckets of ice. Uncle Clair and Hobble were sitting at a table, each holding a frosty bottle of Celser Whiff. Hungrily Jacob stared at the food, and even though the delicious aroma had made his mouth start to water, he wanted to immediately leave and go back to his room at the boarding house. After putting everyone’s life in danger, what right did he have to enjoy a party? But despite all his selfish actions, he still couldn’t bring himself to confess to everyone that it was his addiction to a dark energy that had caused the skirmish. His only consolation was that no one had pressed him for the reason why he had run off to the Dark Realm in the first place.
“Looks like we’re late,” said Emalynn, as she waved at Leshy guardsmen, who were standing atop a row of chairs.
“I’m always late,” sighed Jacob.
“We’re not late,” said Mr. Pitt. “Their all just early.”
As they joined up with the group Hobble stood up with his bottle of Celser Whiff in hand, and shouted, “Let us toast ta Jacob en’ Emalynn, heroes of our village!”
Mr. Oubladew scurried out from behind the table balancing a wide tray atop his head loaded with brown bottles of Celser Whiff and frosty mugs, and as he passed by those without grabbed for a mug and a beverage. The Leshy raised their hands, holding up teeny-tiny full mugs, thoughtfully provided by Mr. Oubladew.
“Ta Jacob Frost en’ Emalynn Yung thee pride of Dallanbach!” cried Hobble, raising his mug again.
They all joined in the toast and Jacob closed his eyes expecting the worst. However to his surprise he only exploded with two toots, as PINGS, BANGS, and BOOMS sounded around him in an array of different discharges and flavors. Everyone seemed to have participated in the harmonic flurry and immediately they all began walking about sniffing one another while laughing and commenting on each other’s sweet fragrances.
“That smells of eh fresh mint,” said Hobble, complimenting Mr. Pitts on his scent.
“Turn around Hobble and let me sniff yours,” replied Mr. Pitts. Mr. Pitts bent over and took a long whiff. “Smells just like the sweet fragrance of roses.”
“Aye that it does,” added Hobble with a grin. “Me favorite smell!”
The cheerful sharing broke the quiet mood and soon the story telling began.
“I thought we were goners,” said Mr. Pitts, to Mrs. Oubladew. “Three hundred and fifty Dark Warriors surrounded our little group. I was injured by hundreds of Dark Energy blasts and knew that I had only moments left to live. Buckburne was so scared that he began to sob uncontrollably. We were hanging on by only a thread of life, and courageously I said to him, ‘There’s always hope Buckburne. Chin up! Don’t give up so easily!’ Of course my words gave him great comfort and he immediately stopped his sniveling. Suddenly, the doors burst open and Emalynn appeared leading in the giant Leshy warrior-eaters. She cried out to me, ‘Good Job Mr. Pitts, now you can relax. It’s my turn now!’ The giant Leshy then charged forward taking on the dark warriors, and within moments they had turned the tide of the battle to our favor. Yes indeedeedo without Emalynn’s daring rescue squad and my courage we wouldn’t have made it through the ordeal!’
“My that tis some tale,” said Mrs. Oubladew. “And yer quite the brave sentinel!”
“Awww, it wasn’t much,” replied Mr. Pitts, turning slightly red.
Buckburne shook his head and gave Mr. Pitts a wallop on his back, adding, “Oh but Mr. Pitts left out the best part ! You see Mr. Pitts feebly couldn’t take anymore dark energy strikes. So I jumped in front of him and like a protective wall I began absorbing all the powerful strikes. But alas, one got by me and struck him on his little finger and it proved too much for him to handle, so he slithered over falling unconscious. I knew I had to get him to safety so I picked him up and draped him over my shoulder as I fought off two thousands more of the evil warriors advancing on me. Emalynn joined in and together we fought our way through the throngs of fierce warriors gradually making our way to safety. Yes I have to agree, Mr. Pitts would not be here today if it wasn’t for Emalynn and me!”
“My oh my! Ye both deserb a medal fur eh sabing Mr. Pitts! What eh honor it tis to eh dine twith such brave heroes!” exclaimed Mrs. Oubladew nodding her head.
Within minutes the roasts were coming off the grill, and Mrs. Oubladew took up an axe. With the flat side of the axe head she scooped up a large roast and began to bounce it up and down. The entire group, including Jacob and the Leshy guardsmen, crowded around her table holding out their empty plates. She then began taking several quick strokes with her axe, slicing the roasts in mid air and sending thin portions of flying meat to the waiting diners.
“Me wife tis quite handy twith the axe,” proudly boasted Mr. Oubladew, as he caught a slice of meat on his plate.
“She’s so amazing!” complimented Emalynn, with two slices of meat already stacked on her plate.
The happy diners added many other wonderful victuals to their plates and then made for the tables. The evening seemed to pass quickly with merry conversations and loads of laughs as everyone joyously consumed their meals. Without notice however, Jacob had quietly broken away from the celebrations climbing up the crest of a nearby hill where he stood alone, looking out over the scenic view of the falls. A cool evening breeze blew against his face and he was surprised to suddenly feel a hand rest on his shoulder. Promptly he turned and saw Uncle Clair looking at him with his soft blue eyes.
“You all right Jacob,” asked Uncle Clair.
“Yeah fine,” replied Jacob, trying to cover up his feelings of guilt. “I was just wondering, when will my bad luck pass? I constantly worry that something bad might happen to my friends because of me.”
“Just give it time Jacob and have some faith in your friends. I know that Mr. Pitts understands and he doesn’t blame you for any mishaps.”
“It’s just hard that’s all.”
“I know, and I also know why you went to the Dark Realm.”
“You do,” responded Jacob surprised and embarrassed. He felt ashamed to have let Uncle Clair down by his thoughtless actions.
“You went there to save your father didn’t you?”
“My father? What about my father?” questioned Jacob, now totally confused. Instantaneously one of Lacsar’s remarks flashed through his mind, ‘everyone keeps secrets from you don’t they.’
Uncle Clair looked at Jacob with a baffled expression. “You don’t know? We all thought that was the reason why you suddenly went to the palace. Well then, maybe we should talk about this some other time,” he said, quickly closing off the subject.
Jacob felt seriously annoyed and ashamed at the same moment. He wondered about the possible secrets they were keeping from him, but didn’t dare ask for fear of revealing the real reason why he had gone to the dark realm in the first place.
“Jacob, life is an adventure,” continued Uncle Clair, changing his serious mood. “And when you think you’ve had your fill tomorrow brings even more exciting things. For you, there are many greater adventures yet to come, all out there on that Horizon. You have your whole life ahead of yourself, and some pretty awesome things are still waiting. You just have to learn to be patient, and in time as things improve you’ll come to understand just how you fit into all of this.”
Not finding comfort in Uncle Clair’s words Jacob looked up at his uncle, thinking about Lacsar’s last words, and what he had told him about his destiny. More than ever he wished that Uncle Clair would open up and tell him the whole truth. But he knew Uncle Clair’s protective nature, and he knew that it would be pointless to ask.
“Come on,” said Uncle Clair, “let’s go back down and join in with the others, I still have room for some of those delicious deserts.”
Jacob nodded, and together they turned and walked side by side back down the embankment to join back in with their friends.
The End – FOR NOW!