The morning was a welcome sight to Declan, the birds chirped overhead and the sunlight broke through the forest ceiling. Mist rose from the damp earth lending an ethereal quality to the environment he found himself in. Declan had never seen quite a sight in all of his life. The others walking around him gave him hope and a warmth that he could not express in words. Even Fin’s constant complaining could not dampen Declan’s spirit this morning.
“A half day’s walk and we will arrive at the Gorge.” Marwynn called out.
“Rats bottoms! I cannot continue, we have been walking all night!” Fin whined.
“Here eat this.” Muriel tossed some wild mushrooms she had found into Fin’s hand.
“That is likely poison coming from your hand!” Fin protested.
“Suit yourself.” Muriel grabbed the mushrooms back and popped one into her mouth.
Over the next few hours, the terrain became slightly more difficult, uphill travel and rocks were becoming more unsteady and perilous. The trees were thinning out and the faint sound of water could be heard.
“Are we there yet?” Fin complained for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“I can hear the water!” Muriel exclaimed.
Marwynn turned to Declan and asked “Whereabouts on the gorge were you supposed to meet your friend?”
“I am unsure, he did not say.” Declan said apologetically.
“Morganse and I will scout the area, would you stay here with Muriel and set up camp?”
Fin jumped in “Finally! I’m starving!”
“Thank you for volunteering Fin,” Morganse responded to her brother. “Go catch us some fish”
Annoyed Fin trudged towards the sound of the water, “Fine.”
“Morganse, I will scout the southern side, will you go North?”
“Of course, and just who are we looking for Declan?” she turned to face him.
“Duster, the brownie.” Declan answered.
“A Brownie, that is unexpected” said Morganse curiously.
“He is a loyal friend, I trust him.” Declan defended.
Morganse followed up “it is more unexpected that he trusts you.”
Declan wondered at what Morganse said and watched her disappear over the rocks. Once she was out of view, he began to gather firewood from the surrounding area. It turns out that Muriel was quite adept at starting a fire. In no time at all, a cheery fire happily crackled. Muriel sat nervously turning every few minutes to look southward for signs of Marwynn.
“They should have been back by now, do you think something happened?” Muriel quivers.
Declan could see she was worried and tried to comfort her “I am sure they will be back soon.” Just then a branch cracked behind them.
“I am sorry I found no trace of Duster, did Marwynn find him?” Morganse asked. “and where is Fin?”
Muriel answered, “he is still down by the water. He brought some fish up and then headed back.”
Marwynn strode up behind Muriel “there is no sign of Duster.”
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Declan’s shoulders slumped and he asked “what do we do now?”
Morganse ventured “I suppose we could stay here and wait. Maybe he was delayed on coming.”
“The shadows will be tracking us by now, it would be unwise to stay put.” Marwynn reasoned.
Sauntering up the path, Fin suggested “We could always go to North Moon Castle.”
“Why on earth would we go there?” Muriel exclaimed.
Fin puffed out his chest, “Well. If you are looking for Duster, would it not be wise to go where he is?”
“How do you know that is where he is” Declan inquired.
“She told me.” Fin pointed down the path from where he came.
Exasperated Muriel asked “And who is “she?””
Fin stared at his fingers looking quite bored and responded “the spirit of the waters.”
Morganse excitedly squeaked “Truly!? She spoke to you?”
Fin proud as a peacock offered “It took some of my finest dance moves, but yes, she spoke to me.”
Declan ventured, “do you think she would speak with me? Would you take me to her?”
Fin gestured for Declan to follow him, and he led the party down to the edge of the water. Declan scanned the glistening pool that inlet from the raging of the river beyond. Gathering around the rocky shore. They watched Fin wave his arms in the most outlandish motions. Declan tried to stifle a laugh as he heard what could only be described as wailing, escape Fin’s mouth.
After a few moments of thrashing, the pool began to stir. The water formed into a young woman’s head peeking out over the surface. Though she was translucent as the glassy water around her, her features were playful and joyous. Her giggle sounded like the echo of a babbling brook. Upon seeing that she had emerged, Fin called out “Oh water spirit! Please reveal yourself to me. My friend Declan has some questions for you.”
The water spirit glides towards the group, the water rippling around her as she drew closer. Marwynn looked up and marveled, ”Honey?”
As soon as Honey’s fearful eyes met Marwynn’s, she dove back into the depths of the water. Everyone turned to Marwynn and Fin questioned “You know her?
“I did” Marwynn turned his face down and walked back to the campsite.
Declan turned to Fin “do you think you could try and coax her out again?”
“If it is just you and I, maybe. The others would have to leave” he warned.
Honey peeks over the water again, nervously watching the path that Marwynn left on. Fin spoke gently, “Honey, it is just us now, would you please speak with us?”
As she rippled closer, Declan softly called out “Hello Honey, I’m Declan.”
“I know, I have a message for you” she informed him.
“Please, what is it” Declan spoke in the same calming tone he had used before.
“Duster spoke to me of what he witnessed in the royal family. He told me that your brother is imprisoned in Whitehaven for the murder of your father.”
Declan slowly reached out for the rock below him and sat on the cool surface. Speechless he could only stare at the ground as he tried to compose himself.
Fin interrupted Declan’s thoughts, “who is to take the throne?”
“Declan” Honey’s voice echoed across the water and rang in Declan’s ears.
Fin glanced at Declan who was still in a trance-like state. He earnestly knelt before him and bowed his head down. Hidden in the trees, the others, save Marwynn, stepped out and surrounded Declan bowing their heads as well. Morganse pronounced “the king is dead, long live the king.” The others voices repeated “long live the king.”
After standing there for what seemed like an hour, Morganse broke the silence “How was Duster taken?”
Honey’s liquid voice flowed out “The shadows came for him, Lady Revna is stepping in as the regent until Declan is found. She will not hand over her position easily.”
Muriel added “I imagine she is looking for Declan only to keep up appearances.”
Turning to Declan Honey declared “Yes, since your grace is now counted as missing, the lands will be chaotic.”
Fin who had been unusually quiet looked to Declan “Well we will show up and take over, right Declan, I mean your highness?”
Shaken, Declan declared “I know nothing of how to be a king.”
Morganse interjected “Fin we cannot just walk up and take over. We will need allies, an army of sorts. Honey said the Lady will not hand it over easily and I believe her.”
“Duster has always been a friend of the water. I will stand behind you, I trust his judgement.”
“Th..thank you but I cannot be king, It is better if my aunt takes over. I am incapable of ruling” Declan stammered. He would not look any of them in the eye and stood up. Ambling away from the group he uttered “I.. I am sorry” before disappearing behind the cover of the trees.
Morganse called after him “Declan!” When he did not answer or return, Morganse pursued him.
Muriel observed Honey noting just how familiar her face was before saying “thank you Honey.” Honey flushed through the water and closed in on Muriel. She grasped her arm whispered in her ear “One more thing.”
Muriel turned to face Honey feeling the cooling sensation of her liquid form. Honey’s eyes locked with Muriel as she offered up her advice, “Don’t trust Marwynn.”
