{"id":2011,"date":"2015-02-24T00:01:19","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T05:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=2011"},"modified":"2015-03-10T13:17:21","modified_gmt":"2015-03-10T17:17:21","slug":"the-littlest-kobold-part-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-littlest-kobold-part-four\/","title":{"rendered":"The Littlest Kobold – Part Four"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don’t know why, but last week feels like it was years ago. \u00a0This winter must just be going on too long. \u00a0In any case, we have a new portion of\u00a0The Littlest Kobold\u00a0<\/em>to help you thaw out. \u00a0This next portion of the story takes you to the town of Aspica, which has their own opinions on the Cirque de Malorum. \u00a0But what would they think of the poor little performer who desperately wants to escape their grasp? \u00a0Read on to find out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Littlest Kobold<\/strong>
\n-Part Four-<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you remember what to do, right?\u201d Virgil asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can handle running through the woods, Dad,\u201d Jerrick was quick to reply.\u00a0 Rion just nodded with an eager grin upon his face.<\/p>\n

Standing once more, Virgil tousled his youngest son\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t forget: \u00a0Those can\u2019t leave your feet,\u201d he said, pointing at Leah\u2019s torn up outfits tied around his son\u2019s ankles.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re counting on them to distract the dog from her scent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerrick sighed but finally nodded.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Squirt.\u00a0 This\u2019ll be just like hide and seek, but let\u2019s try and win this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

As his sons took their leave, Virgil turned back to the kobold\u2019s room, where Camille and Abraham carefully shorn through Leah\u2019s blanket.\u00a0 The Hare paced on the far side of the room, chewing on her pointed nails.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get this reverse kidnapping started,\u201d Virgil said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Abraham\u2019s eyes lit up, and he rose to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean you don\u2019t have a plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the plan,\u201d Camille insisted.\u00a0 \u201cLike always.\u00a0 Papa, we can\u2019t let Leah walk on the ground or else the dog can track her.\u00a0 So we\u2019re going to make her a sling like Kira has.\u201d<\/p>\n

The kobold snarled in protest, cocking her head to the side.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t seriously expect me to lie in that thing like a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the only way to get you out of here in secrecy,\u201d the young lady insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t very well go around with you upon my father\u2019s shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Virgil took a step forward.\u00a0 \u201cAs tempted as I am to let this conversation continue, I really do think we should move along with this escape.\u00a0 Let\u2019s make the sling and get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camille nodded and enlisted her brother to help fashion the looping blanket.\u00a0 In only a short while, they had crafted the thing and were ready to try it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Papa.\u00a0 Here.\u201d\u00a0 Together, the siblings placed the sling over Virgil\u2019s head, strapping it across his chest.\u00a0 They tugged on it, assuring it was secure.\u00a0 At that, Camille turned to Leah.\u00a0 \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh that shook her whiskers, the kobold nodded.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get this over with,\u201d she said, raising her arms.<\/p>\n

Camille picked her up and placed her in the sling, allowing the kobold to wriggle until she found an agreeable position.\u00a0 Both children looked at her when she furled her brow, staring off at some indiscriminate part of the room. \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d the young lady asked.<\/p>\n

Leah hesitated; she brought her gaze to Camille\u2019s again only when she was sure of herself.\u00a0 \u201cThis is actually very comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a snicker, the young lady helped her brother drape their father\u2019s cloak over his shoulder, covering the tiny kobold.\u00a0 When she was well hidden, Virgil blew out a sigh and nodded to his son and daughter.<\/p>\n

They stepped from Leah\u2019s room, the kobold huddled close to her rescuer\u2019s chest.\u00a0 As they took to the dirt-floored halls, Camille often found herself looking back.\u00a0 She saw there the same look she always saw upon her father\u2019s face: fearlessness.\u00a0 If Virgil carried any sort of anxiety, it certainly didn\u2019t show.<\/p>\n

As they made their way out into the light of day, a new sense of purpose washed over them.\u00a0 They turned abruptly from the path, heading away from their camp.\u00a0 Their aim was Aspica, the city of the bay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together, the trio scrambled up the hill.\u00a0 Though Leah did not weigh much, Virgil worked at steadying her, and without his hands providing balance, the ascent was treacherous.\u00a0 Camille led the way while Abraham brought up the rear, offering a hand on his father\u2019s back.\u00a0 When they finally rose over the final slope, they were captured by the sight of the city below on the other side.<\/p>\n

Aspica was one of the better hidden jewels among Daltain\u2019s cities.\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t succumbed much to industry, only a small harbor on its south side, far from where shops and homes pointed toward the water.\u00a0 Likewise, only one road entered the city along the northeast.\u00a0 A farm there was perhaps the most urban looking plot, for all along the western side of the road, a simple fence stretched on for what seemed like a mile.\u00a0 The sun shed its midday light upon the city.<\/p>\n

A voice resonated about the area, carrying so loudly across the wind that Camille was sure sailors could hear it out at sea.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind her!\u201d the voice boomed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t care how far you have to travel or how long it takes.\u00a0 Bring me the Hare.\u201d<\/p>\n

They knew it was Faroon who spoke, but it was as if he was right beside them.\u00a0 A glance back down the hill was all they needed to witness the folks pouring out of the circus tent.\u00a0 That canvas seemed darker, as though the clouds had taken root in the sky above it.<\/p>\n

Virgil lifted the sling over his shoulder, much to the dismay of the kobold inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, hey!\u00a0 What are you doing?\u201d Leah snarled, almost falling out of the carrier.<\/p>\n

The Destrite patriarch situated the sling over his daughter\u2019s shoulder instead.\u00a0 \u201cI thought we\u2019d have more time before they noticed you were missing,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to think Jerrick and Rion found a way to escape to safety, but I can\u2019t take that risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do we do, Papa?\u201d Camille asked.<\/p>\n

Once the carrier was safely secured across Camille\u2019s chest, Virgil tugged a pouch away from his belt.\u00a0 The contents clinked together, and he handed it to Abraham.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to go back to camp and find your brothers.\u00a0 Once they\u2019re safe, we\u2019ll take the carriage into town and pick you up.\u00a0 Use some gold to stay hidden.\u00a0 Rent a room at an inn, charter a ship for a few hours.\u00a0 Whatever it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t Mama be mad if we spend all the money?\u201d Abraham asked.<\/p>\n

Virgil blew out an exasperated sigh.\u00a0 \u201cTry not <\/em>to spend all of it, please.\u00a0 I\u2019ll explain the situation to your mother.\u00a0 She\u2019ll understand.\u201d\u00a0 Both of his children nodded, remaining silent.\u00a0 \u201cWell?\u00a0 Go on,\u201d he bade.<\/p>\n

Turning on her heel, Camille began the descent, hugging Leah against her chest.\u00a0 There was no cloak disguising the kobold then.\u00a0 Their only hope in keeping her hidden was a quick escape.\u00a0 Abraham held his sister\u2019s arm and led her down the hill.<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Camille shivered away the autumn air, the planks beneath her creaking and bobbing.\u00a0 The bay was still, save for the gentle ebb and flow of the water against the wooden pier.\u00a0 Leah was still, too, only her shallow breaths reminding the young lady she was still within the sling.<\/p>\n

Beneath her boots, she felt the subtle thrum.\u00a0 As Abraham drew nearer with hasty steps, the entire pier shook.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill nothing?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Camille shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t seen a single boat out there.\u00a0 Where would they all be?\u201d\u00a0 She let her words trail off into nothingness, shaking it from her head.\u00a0 \u201cAny luck on your end?\u201d she asked, turning to face her brother.<\/p>\n

He gave a slight bow.\u00a0 \u201cAfraid not.\u00a0 Nobody is home.\u00a0 Or nobody is answering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like we\u2019ve come to a ghost town.\u00a0 Where is everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should just leave me here,\u201d a quiet voice spoke out.\u00a0 Leah rolled in the sling until she could peer out to the water.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a good swimmer\u2026 I think.\u00a0 I\u2019ll paddle over to the other shore.\u00a0 They might not be able to pick up my scent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camille was already shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 We told you we\u2019d get you to safety, and we will.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to throw you into the bay just because it\u2019s our most convenient option.\u00a0 Come on, Abraham.\u00a0 We\u2019ll figure something out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The siblings made their way from the pier, landing upon the uneven stone street.\u00a0 One by one, they knocked on doors and windows, but just as Abraham had said, nobody answered.\u00a0 A quiet sigh shook the young lady as she rejoined her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like you said.\u00a0 Nobody is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do we do?\u201d Abraham asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can\u2019t find anything\u2026\u201d Camille started to say.\u00a0 \u201cNobody is here.\u00a0 Nobody to take issue with us borrowing their house for a few hours.\u00a0 Don\u2019t bother knocking anymore.\u00a0 Try all the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abraham swallowed hard but nodded his consent.\u00a0 As they rounded the bend, though, he stopped.\u00a0 Camille followed her brother\u2019s gaze and noticed the lantern light that swung about one of the northern buildings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t on earlier, I\u2019m sure of it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u00a0 Maybe we can hide out in there,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

When they arrived at that building, they could see the picture window had been illuminated as well.\u00a0 A trio of children\u2019s dolls had taken up residence there, varying in their presentation.\u00a0 The outer ones were stuffed, knit things, but the center was a porcelain doll that could easily have been mistaken for a small child if it wasn\u2019t so still.\u00a0 Camille knocked, and when she didn\u2019t hear an answer, she pushed her way inside.<\/p>\n

As the door swung open, a line of brass bells cascaded up and over, reporting a joyous little melody.\u00a0 Both children and the kobold could hear the footsteps leading their way.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlexander?\u201d they heard.\u00a0 A woman came into view and cast a glance at her visitors.\u00a0 She adjusted her glasses then and swept her dark hair out of her face.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not Alexander.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cApologies, ma\u2019am,\u201d Abraham said, drawing forth a furled brow from the woman.\u00a0 \u201cMiss,\u201d he corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw the light on, and we thought you might be open,\u201d his sister added.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone else is gone, though.\u00a0 What\u2019s going on in this town?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman chortled and looked away.\u00a0 \u201cCome in and take a seat.\u00a0 No sense telling you about it in the doorway.\u201d\u00a0 She led them inside.\u00a0 Her shop would have been spacious, but rows of shelves made it quite cramped, except for the counter she had among the rear wall.\u00a0 It was almost situated like the bar of a tavern, with a trio of stools at its front.\u00a0 The owner made her way around while she offered seats to her guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should tell you, stories don\u2019t come for free,\u201d she said, drawing incredulous gazes from the children.\u00a0 With a smile stretching her lips, she continued, \u201cI\u2019ll settle for your names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Camille,\u201d the young lady said as she took her spot upon the stool.\u00a0 She extended her arm, but as she sat upon the cushion, Leah rolled forward.\u00a0 Camille drew her hand back and grasped the sling.<\/p>\n

\u201cA-and I\u2019m Abraham,\u201d her brother interjected.<\/p>\n

The woman arched an eyebrow but shook the boy\u2019s hand.\u00a0 As she fell back upon her heels, she placed her hands on the counter.\u00a0 \u201cMy name\u2019s Gwendolyn, but you can call me Gwenna if it suits you.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed and leaned back.\u00a0 \u201cSo no doubt you two just came from the circus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camille froze for a moment but blinked away the tension.\u00a0 \u201cWhat makes you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a shrug, Gwendolyn gazed past the children, peering down the aisles of the shop to the picture window.\u00a0 The sun was beginning to set, leaving a shadow stretching from the glass.\u00a0 \u201cFor starters, there\u2019s nothing to do here besides see the town if the circus isn\u2019t here.\u00a0 And you wouldn\u2019t be in town alone if it wasn\u2019t the circus you\u2019d come here for.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway, with that particular circus, you\u2019ll rarely get both of us.\u00a0 The town doesn\u2019t think too highly of the Cirque de Malorum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that?\u201d Camille asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Aspica is a friend of many people, from the dwarves in the mountains to the werewolves of the Grey Isle.\u00a0 But the Cirque de Malorum, they\u2019re not kind to anyone who doesn\u2019t have coin to spare \u2013 or to earn for them.\u00a0 And don\u2019t even get me started on the way they treat their animals.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I hear,\u201d she continued, \u201cthings haven\u2019t improved much.\u00a0 So rather than show our support, when they show up in the forest up there, we disappear until they leave.\u00a0 Once, we thought maybe they\u2019d stop coming, but it seems it\u2019s too queer a sight to pass up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I doubt anyone there today will ever return,\u201d Abraham said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why\u2019s that?\u201d the owner wondered.<\/p>\n

Camille pressed out a nervous sigh and reached down.\u00a0 \u201cGwenna, please tell me you can keep a secret.\u201d\u00a0 She didn\u2019t wait to hear an answer before she presented the tiny kobold upon her lap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I don’t know why, but last week feels like it was years ago. \u00a0This winter must just be going on too long. \u00a0In any case, we have a new portion of\u00a0The Littlest Kobold\u00a0to help you thaw out. \u00a0This next portion of the story takes you to the town of Aspica, which has their own opinions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[145,146],"tags":[770,782,783,784,149,61,767],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Camille_Leah-e1422788179475.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-wr","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2011"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2011"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2012,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2011\/revisions\/2012"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}