Chapter 26: Jack on the Quest to the market.
Market… Market… I kept repeating to myself. These rocks are getting heavy and I am hungry and waterless. I ran out of water yesterday. But I have a feeling I am getting close the market.
Hours and miles later I reached a small odd looking market. A crazy looking old mad was the only one there. He hadn’t seen me yet so I opened the leather pouch.
“Gold Goblet.” Was the only thing on the page. What? I went up the man looking all around. No gold goblet, mostly cheap junk.
But I asked him anyway.
“Do you have a gold goblet?” I asked. He laughed hard, so hard I thought he would cough up something. I glared at him.
“How do you know about that…” He said leaning really close to my face in a low quite voice. His breathe smelled like rotten meat.
“I just do. What do you want for it?” I ask.
“Not for sale booboo.” He said. Booboo? I dropped both gold rocks on the table.
“WOAH!” He gasped “You must be a alchemist of something!” He yelled.
“No sir. Will this buy me the cup?” I said. He didn’t say anything he just threw the goblet at me and took the rocks. Ok then… I continued on.
The pouch glowed again. I opened it “Fill the cup with the water of diamond forest”. Another unknown place that’s grand. And now there isn’t a track to follow! This Quest gets harder and harder.
The next day I wake up and look around. I spot a small farm way up on a hill. Maybe the locals know what diamond forest is. So I hike my way to their farm. Once I arrive I feel odd knocking on their door but… it’s for Nola.
“Yes…” A little boy about the age of 7 answers the door.
“Hello… umm are you parents home?” I ask.
“Poppa!” The boy yells. He father appears.
“Hello son… what do you need.” He had a full beard and a comforting voice.
“I am on a quest from the kingdom and I need to find the diamond forest.” I said. The man pulled me in side and shut the door behind me.
“Shhh. Boy, that’s a secret only we know about. But, if you say you are soon to be royalty… I will happily help. We helped the current king too.” He said. I smiled.
“Thank you so much.” I look over at the little boy and he is eyeing my sword. I smile. He reminds me of myself.
“You want to see this?” I asked him and he nods with pure excitement.
“Here… be EXTRA careful.” I warn him he places it on the floor and examines it. His father gives me the directions to get there.
“But… be careful… many people have tried to pass through the valley of fallen kings and died trying.” He said.
“Valley of fallen kings?” I repeat.
“Yes… its said to be cursed.” He said.
“Best to go in the day time…” He suggested.
“Thank you.” I said.
“You can spend the night here if you want?” he offers.
“Thank you again!” I said excited to be indoors again.
After a full night of sleep I prepare to take on the Valley. I say my goodbyes to the family and leave. I begin the cross the valley. The valley was deeply pitted and impossible to walk down the sides. The only way across was a rope bridge that looks 100 years old and weathered. I close my eyes and take my last breath.
“For Nola.” I whisper and step on the first board. Slowly I take another step and another. Then an arrow is shot from nowhere! It misses me by about 3 inches. I shake more now. I take another step and another arrow is shot… I am far less lucky. It hits my arm. I cringe but there isn’t I place to rest. I just have to keep going. Blood runs down my arm and soaks my shirt. I have to keep moving before I bleed out. Once I reach the half way mark a strong wind blows. The whole bridge turtles (flips over) and hanging my arms (one being injured) I can’t help but think “This is it” but I can’t give up. I find the last once of strength and pull myself up and back onto the bridge. But of course it starts to rain. More like pour. It was hard to see and the rain pelted me hard. The bridge became quite slippery. I tried to keep a steady pace and move but 3/4 into the bridge I fall off completely. But, this isn’t over I land on the side of the valley, and even though it is too steep to walk up I can use the tree roots to pull myself to the top.
Once at the other side of the valley I look up at the raining sky and yell “I MADE IT!!!” I rip off a part of my sleeve to patch my wound. But, I press on.
I reach a small water fall in the middle of a forest. This must by the water I fill the cup with. Once I pull out the goblet the waterfall glows white, a beautiful sight to see. I fill the cup and turn to go back to the kingdom. But then… I remember I have to cross the bridge again. My heart sinks. But, I did this once before, I can do it again. I dodge both arrows this time. But the wind did me in. The goblet got blown out of my hands and was falling down to earth.
“NO!” I yell. I double over and kneel on the bridge. That’s it… I’m done.
“It’s over…” I cried.
“No… it’s never over.” I heard a familiar voice say. I look up.
“ELLA!” I scream. Ella is holding the goblet in her hand full of the water.
“HOW!” I yell running to her.
“Magic.” She says.
“What?” I ask.
“I see you got my gift…” She says looking at the leather pouch.
“You have magic?” I ask.
“So did Eve.” She smiles. Ella is an young adult now… she is so grown up.
“Wow… how did I not know?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about it… you know now. Don’t you DARE tell anyone because I have friends in higher places.” She says.
“I won’t… thank you Ella… Thank you.” I say grabbing the goblet.
“I better get home now…” She says hugging me.
“Me too.” I say thinking of Nola.
“I will be watching you.” Ella Laughs and then begins walking away. I did it… I DID IT!
AUTHORS NOTE: Sorry about the double post on the story but some days the creative juicer is making lots of juice. I hope you like the quest! Oh and sorry about no pictures...
