Kit, Kisha, Korthon and Laron have been traveling together, fighting monsters, and learning new skills. They arrive at Kisha's home, Lorinth, where she is the princess.
The library is well lit and maintained. The four sit at a table with a map and several large books.
"Zilor has conquered everything around us. The city is surrounded by his troops, but we still have the advantage," says Kisha.
"How so?" asks Kit.
Kisha pulls over an old tome. "According to the prophecies of Tagorin, one light would shine in the darkness. Lorinth is that light. This city will not be taken."
"I hope you are right."
"But, only if the right conditions are met."
"Like?"
"The hero must return, and free the people from the darkness," says Kisha.
"Let me guess, Korthon is the hero," says Kit.
"Yes."
"Had to be. Well, Korthon, it looks like you've got your work cut out for you."
"It will be a challenge, but, so it was before," says Korthon.
"You've done this before?" asks Kit.
"Yes."
"Well, that boosts my confidence."
"What do we need to collect?"
Kisha holds up a metal triangle. At each point is an empty circle. At the center is a dull brown orb. "The elemental orbs."
"Is that chocolate?" asks Kit.
"Unfortunately, yes. The earth orb was stolen."
"So, why leave the chocolate there?"
"Do you want to eat it?"
"Eww. No."
Korthon pulls out a cloth and wraps up the triangle with the chocolate in it. He places it in his bag. "Never waste chocolate. It has restorative powers."
"Are you serious? Who knows where that's been," says Kit.
"When was the earth orb last seen?" asks Korthon.
"Just after Zilor's troops attacked," says Kisha.
"An inside job, then."
"We believe so."
"So, what about Kit and me? Where do we come in?" asks Laron.
"The hero always has companions," says Kisha.
"Has what?"
"I never fight alone. I just didn't expect you to be innkeepers with a grudge," says Korthon. Kit and Laron ran an inn that was burnt down by some thugs looking for Korthon. Kit holds him responsible for the damages, as well as for all the others inns that were burnt down.
"So, we just help you save the world?" asks Kit.
"Basically, yes."
"We may have gotten in over heads, Laron."
"I'm game for saving the world," says Laron.
"You would. Ok, so we have to find this Earth Orb. Where do we look?"
"We start with who had access. Which has already been done by the steward. Pernin has also narrowed it down to two people," says Kisha. She hands a paper to Korthon.
"What if it's neither, and it's just some street urchin or something?" asks Kit.
"I suppose..."
"That would explain the chocolate," says Laron.
"You're right. Nine times out of ten, it's a kid from the streets," says Korthon.
"Right, let's go then," says Kit.
The streets are crowded, as people go about their business. The group talks to various people. An old lady points up to the wall. Korthon nods his thanks and they climb the stairs up to the outer wall, overlooking the countryside and Zilor's army.
The citizens lob their garbage at the enemy. A group of children unload a bucket of waste into a catapult and release it. They laugh and load it again for another round.
"Cleaning the city in more ways than one. Nice," says Kit.
"Excuse me, we're looking for Jorin," says Korthon.
Jorin, age 12, releases the catapult. "Who wants to know?"
"Do you have the Earth Orb?" asks Kisha.
"Wow, you're as subtle as a brick," says Kit.
Jorin drops his bucket and runs. Laron chases him. The others follow. Jorin runs down to the street and dodges between vendors and down side streets. Kit, Kisha and Korthon lose track of him, but Laron stays right behind him.
Jorin scrambles over a fence and through a hole in the wall. Laron follows over the fence, and is just small enough to fit through the hole.
Jorin sees Laron come through the hole, panics and runs for the door. Laron gets there first.
"What are you going to do to me?" asks Jorin.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Give me the Earth Orb and I'll go."
"You're not going to lock me up?"
"Do you want to be?"
Jorin shakes his head and crawls under his bed. He comes out again with the Orb. He gives it to Laron. "I took it for the hero."
"Thanks, kid." Laron leaves.
Jorin follows Laron back to the city wall. "Have you ever been a hero before?"
"I am no hero."
"You must be, otherwise you never would have caught me."
"You're sure of your abilities."
"No one's faster than me. Your friends couldn't keep up."
Laron shrugs.
"And you were with the princess. She's been looking for the hero. So, you must be him."
"Think as you like, kid."
Laron is joined by Korthon, Kit and Kisha. He gives the Orb to Kisha, who gives it to Korthon, who places it in the triangle. "What's next?"
"The Fire Orb," says Kisha.
Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010
