KRIKKIT’S SHOES : D’ARRAGON PROPHECY
Chapter 9

“Jara! Jara!” Wake up.”

Slowly Jara sat up, finally realizing someone was pounding loudly on her door. She had been awake for a while, deep in thought about the connection between Krikkit’s shoes and D’Arragon.

As soon as she realized it was Keeper Fie at her door, she sprang out of bed and ran to it. “Keeper! What’s wrong? Is it the twins? Or Krikkit?”

“I discovered on my castle rounds that they are not in their beds and neither is Krikkit! They are all missing!”

“Is the Red Velvet Regiment searching for them?”

“They started out a few minutes ago,” Keeper replied.

“I have no doubt they will be found shortly. Whatever possessed the twins to leave in the middle of the night subjecting Krikkit to danger as well as themselves?”

“I’m guessing they hope to rescue the king and queen. Why they dragged Krikkit along, I wouldn’t know.”

Jara was out the door without bothering to change her clothes. “Meet me downstairs! We will start a search of our own,” she called over her shoulder.

Jara in her ram form, with Keeper on her back, sped off toward the forest.

“We will search the forest for any recent signs of the twins. I agree that Ivan and Quinn are searching for their parents. They know the forest and many of its secrets well. Most likely the children will be safe together, but we cannot risk any harm coming to them. We will check their fort first. However they might have avoided it, knowing it would be the first place we would look for them.”

Keeper Fie approved her plans, saying, “Most of the Red Velvet Regiment received instructions to head toward Sareltin first. The rest are guarding the palace. I thought you would want to go to the boys’ fort yourself. We will replace them.”

Neither spoke another word as Jara raced along the forest paths, darting through brush and around trees. In no time at all, they reached the fort, looking carefully to see if there was anyone around.

Keeper Fie dropped to the ground and headed to the fort. Jara sped rapidly through a mist that arose and covered her, emerging from it seconds later in the form of the young woman. She lost no time in climbing the ladder right behind Keeper. Finding it empty, they returned to the ground below.

“They were here, alright, but now they’re gone.”

He bent down to inspect the grass around his feet. “It has not been any more than a half hour since they were here. Look at the trampled blades of grass.”

Taking the form of the ram again, with Keeper on her back, Jara moved ahead. Rocks, worn smooth by time, made the path slippery and difficult to follow. Jara, as sure-footed as ever, easily made her way around them. Soon they were overlooking a familiar field with large black rocks.

“I’ll bet the children are at the little house. We always stop there when hiking,” said Jara. She lost no time in making her way to it. Rapidly she changed her form once more to a young woman, moving with stealth to the door.

“Nothing to see out here. Let us go inside.”

The two gently pushed open the door and entered. After a quick search, Keeper told her, “No one is here, but look at this.” He picked up a gold comb from the floor. “This belongs to Queen MaryAnne. I am sure of it.”

“Yes it is hers. That means the king and queen were here too. I hope they have not all been captured!” Jara exclaimed, her face showing her concern.

“That is a huge worry! Hennesy would have everything he needs to gain control of the throne!” agreed Keeper.

“We will continue searching my friend, following the trail they have left. I know we will replace them,” Jara said, her confidence returning.

On the ram’s back once more, Keeper insisted they stop at a group of large black rocks. “As you know, the boys have camped in this location many times. Perhaps we will replace some clues here.”

Examining the ground a few moments later, they heard the pounding of hooves in the distance.

“Riders!” exclaimed Jara, stopping abruptly. The ram was listening intensely, the dark brown head slightly cocked. “One rider, it seems. On my back, my friend. We will hide and see who is passing this way. It could be someone from Hennesy’s army.” Jara rushed to a large grove of trees across the field. Out of sight of the road, they waited. A huge cloud of dust suddenly appeared.

“Can’t see who it is because of all the dust,” complained Keeper Fie.

They kept behind the trees and the rider appeared. He was traveling fast, totally shielded by the cloud of dust. When he had passed them and continued on his way, Jara emerged from the trees.

“Now we can examine the black rocks for clues. I will help this time as well. My eyesight is much more acute than yours,” she said.

They searched intensely for any new clues, but only found more trampled grass leading back to the little house.

“Well, at least that rider did not see us, Jara. I’m thankful for that,” said Keeper, preparing to return to the house and search again.

“Oh, I would not say that.”

Whirling around at the sound of a voice, they saw that the rider had indeed seen them. He was on foot, an amused smile on his face. His horse was nowhere to be seen. They faced a total stranger neither had ever seen before. Jara and Keeper Fie just stood still, staring at the older man in sheer amazement.