Molly spungle : The Secret of Red Stone
Chapter 8: Red Stone Castle

Astounded, Molly held her breath. The dark red stone was creating what looked like a house. It formed walls, attaching them together. Molly and Hoddi, unable to say a word, watched in fascination. Finally, all motion ended and before their eyes stood a real honest to goodness castle.

“A castle for our king!” breathed Molly when she could finally speak. She sat on the ground beside her friend, her knees too weak to stand. Hoddi reached for her hand and they sat together on the grass, amazed at the mystical power of the red stone.

The castle, standing tall, magnificent and beautifully built from smooth, dark red stone, gave off a rich lustre. Four square turrets, connected by stone bridges, encircled the castle. Four tall spires were built on top of each turret. Thick, glossy, green vines almost hid the tiny windows they contained. Larger windows were randomly scattered over the red stone castle, their panes of multi-colored glass glinting in a cascade of different hues.

In the center of the courtyard where the four bridges met, the pair could see a magnificent reclining dragon carved out of the same red stone. Wings unfurled, the creature sat, his bright emerald green eyes glinting in the dimming sunlight.

Molly caught her breath, her eyes running over the many razor sharp teeth in the open jaw of the dragon. Long curved horns ran down the length of the arched neck, past the wings to the end of the tail.

In spite of his fierce appearance, Molly felt compelled to move closer. Pulling Hoddi to his feet, she went right up to the stone dragon. A silver plaque embedded in the ground beside him bore the words in a spidery scrawl.

Encased in red stone I lie,

Unable to come to life

Until she hears my heart moan

And loves away red stone.

Molly’s tender heart suddenly felt pity and sorrow at the fate of the awesome, yet fearsome looking dragon. Reaching out her hand she touched the stone face. “Poor thing,” she whispered. Again she wondered who the words were describing. Looking deep into the emerald green of the dragon’s eyes, a strange feeling came over the fairy. Molly felt her heart begin to race as she felt a mysterious and hypnotic force course through her. The fairy could not drag her eyes from his no matter how she tried. Molly thought she heard a faint hum from somewhere farther away, but could not make out what it was. In a short time, it ended.

“A scary monster if he ever did come to life!” observed Hoddi, glad the creature was only stone.

Molly, using a mighty effort of will, finally forced herself to look away from the dragon’s eyes. Shaken, she calmed herself and walked with Hoddi to the impressive wooden gate which guarded the entrance of the castle. The sky was now quickly darkening.

“It’s stunning!” exclaimed the fairy, replaceing it difficult to think of words that would describe her wonder. “Glorious!”

A delighted smile lit up Hoddi’s face as he watched Molly’s astonishment and wonder at the beauty of the Red Stone Castle. “Bejingles, bejingles! It’s all of that and more!” he agreed, his smile breaking into a huge grin. His usual composure restored, the little man led the way and the small procession of two entered the gate and stood before the huge wooden door. Molly’s eyes went beyond the castle and she gasped in delight upon seeing the same river. It flowed behind the castle, its banks lined with the same dark red stone from which the castle had been created.

“This is part of the same river!” exclaimed Hoddi.

Molly heard the crashing of waves against the stone. How odd it was to see such a large river in the heart of a forest.

“Unbelievable, isn’t it,” offered Hoddi, as if he knew exactly what Molly was thinking. “Shall we go inside?” He held out his hand to the young fairy. Molly grasped it, wondering what they would replace inside.

Even the doors were beautiful and a bit frightening, thought Molly, as her gaze took in the large animal shaped heads that were carved into the thick doors. They were not like any animals she had ever seen before. Their grimacing faces, narrowed eyes and long teeth were enough to frighten anyone away, the young fairy thought. “How scary,” she said aloud, shivering slightly, yet unable to tear her gaze away.

“Meant to make intruders think twice before entering, no doubt,” Hoddi observed.

“Are we intruders?” asked Molly, suddenly unsure.

“I don’t know,” replied her friend.

Nervous, Molly nevertheless stood her ground when Hoddi knocked on the door. After several tries, however, nothing happened. After some discussion, Molly and Hoddi decided to enter. The two made their way down a dimly lit hallway using the walls as their guide. They listened for sounds of inhabitants, peeking into every corner. They saw no one and entered a large room. The last rays of daylight that still shone through the windows gave off a little more light.

“We will take a fast look around, gather what supplies there may be and then we must return to Master in the cave,” proposed Hoddi.

“We should bring him here,” responded Molly. “After all, Simon is a king and this is a king’s castle. I am afraid the cave is much too damp for him to heal.”

After poking around in cupboards and drawers, they discovered clean linens which could be used as bandages. They took as many as they could carry, tarrying in the castle no longer.

As they made their way back to the cave, Hoddi agreed that Molly’s idea of bringing King Simon to the castle was a good one. “Seems almost as if it were created for our king,” replied Hoddi, thoughtfully. “Why else would it suddenly appear right when we need it the most?”

Having no answer to give him, Molly headed back to the cave, Hoddi loping alongside her. She fervently hoped King Simon had survived while they were away.