Call of Ring(Compleled)

16 Superstitions Confirmed

         The hours of reading went by quickly as in the days before. The three of them emerged from the cave of the book greeting the darkness of night. It seemed to Blake that there were updates that could be discussed, but he decided against speaking first choosing to follow their lead. No tea tonight. Instead, they went to their separate rooms committing to a night’s sleep.

         Blake awoke the next morning, noticing it was already light. He was thankful that he had woken up before dawn on the previous day. The traps needed to be set before sunrise as a precaution for everyone’s safety. Today in the light of day, they would inspect the traps. Blake hoped that his suspicions would be confirmed. The number twelve: Twelve wild beasts from Stella Woods.

“Is it possible that there were only twelve beasts in total? Will I be able to confirm this today, removing the threat and saving the children of the Midori Empire?” Blake asked these questions of himself.

         Thankful to see Gaius and Dorkus in the main room, he sat with them for morning tea.

         “We heard that you captured twelve wild beasts yesterday, one in each trap,” Gaius declared.

         Blake wondered how they always knew things, even before he spoke about them.

         “Indeed we did. This morning we will investigate further. I’m hoping to discover the traps have been left undisturbed, and thus confirm that there are no more beasts roaming about in Stella Woods.”

         Gaius raised an eyebrow in response to Blake’s statement, but he did not say anything in return.

         “We hope today that you will be able to begin your study of the elements,” said Dorkus.

         “I have been eager to begin this process for days now. I also hope this will be the day,” replied Blake.

         Gaius rose first and went to the table in the corner. Retrieving two coins, he once again handed them to Blake.

         Blake thanked them and exited the house.

         The market was open. Blake arrived at his favorite booth within a few minutes. To his surprise, Apollos stood in front of the booth chatting with Sharina. He was already halfway through a fritter.

         Seeing Blake arrive, Sharina smiled and asked, “Another fritter today for you?”

         “Yes please,” replied Blake smiling back at her.

         “Good morning Blake,” came the greeting from Apollos.

         “Good morning to you as well,” said Blake.

         “Today will be an interesting scouting trip. I’m excited to confirm your suspicions from yesterday.”

         Sharina looked confused but didn’t inquire as to their conversation.

         “Yes, I am excited too”, replied Blake.

         “Either way, it will be an eventful day. You and I have much to discuss,” responded Apollos.

         “I am looking forward to whatever learning can be accomplished today.”

         Blake thanked Sharina as he handed her a coin, and the two of them began walking toward Shamos’ yard. Shamos and his three friends were there waiting for Blake’s arrival. Shamos looked slightly anxious but also excited to finish what they had started.

         “I have to thank you, Blake,” declared Shamos.

         “Whatever for?” asked Blake.

         “Last night was the first night I’ve slept without nightmares since my son’s tragic death.”

         This news brought a great feeling of satisfaction to Blake. It served to strengthen his resolve to finish the investigation of their trap project, but it also affirmed his commitment to begin studying the magical elements of this world.

         “I am happy to hear this news, Shamos,” replied Blake.

         “Now let’s head out to the fields.

         They approached the first trap with caution. The group was keenly aware if other wild beasts were still alive, they would most certainly be lurking around. They moved carefully as a group, but no one saw any movement, not from the fields, nor from the woods beyond.

         “What a relief!” Blake said quietly aloud.

         It was evident from seeing the first trap, that the oversized rodent’s dead body remained untouched. A few cautious smiles were exchanged between the party’s members. But they moved on quickly.

         One by one, they stopped by each trap until all twelve had been examined. To everyone’s great relief, not one body had been disturbed. The group’s confidence began to grow with each visit. Shamos began to wonder what type of power Blake possessed to be able to devise such a plan through the claim of mere superstition for the arbitrary number of twelve. Apollos had some similar thoughts, but he was less confused and more excited about taking Blake on as his student.

         The group decided to leave the traps along with the bodies up to nature’s discretion. They would serve as makeshift memorials of conquest, but more importantly as tributes to all the children whose lives had been lost prematurely to the indiscretion and cruelty of these wild beasts.

         The group made their way back to Shamos’ yard once again. A round of shots was poured, and Blake partook deeming this now to be a cultural norm. He was hoping they wouldn’t go beyond three shots but decided that today he would linger as long as was appropriate. It was a day of celebration, but he also hoped it would be a day of transition for him.

         “It’s time to learn more about this world. It’s time to formally accept the tutelage of Apollos, and learn specifically about how to sense the elements,” Blake determined silently. 

Thoughts of Sadie returned to his mind. He wondered if the thoughts of Sadie were inappropriately induced by the fourth shot of alcohol (They had agreed to do four shots, one for each of their children lost). Blake’s mind returned to the scene of the bath where she had suddenly grabbed his hand beneath the water, placing the ring on his finger. His mind then wandered back to the “Ring of Cora”, and the information he had further gleaned from his reading the day before…

All of these thoughts were quickly interrupted by words from Apollos.

“Shall we get to work?” he asked.

“A reversal of roles?” Blake mused silently to himself. His thoughts continued:

“The market drunk was now wanting to leave the scene of a party in order to get to the business of teaching art he himself had spent a lifetime trying to perfect.”

“Absolutely, it is time to leave. Where will we go?” Blake asked.

“Just follow me,” replied Apollos.

And with these words, they said good-bye to the grateful party. Blake followed Apollos back toward the market, wondering where and how his training would begin.