Half Heart Hero: Rise of Sifa [Book 2]

Dragon Pendant

Raya and her friends stood on the bank of the canal. Together, they looked out across the water toward Fang. Against the blue twilight sky, Fang's palace looked like some sort of enormous bird of prey, it's winged roads seemed as if they were about to take flight. As soon as it was dark, they would put their plan into action. Bring the gift to Namaari and hope she will cooperate. But as the light drained from the sky, Raya's mind churned with doubt. Tong has been in a foul mood ever since Sisu and Raya returned from Heart. Raya knew it was because he didn't like Sisu's plan. He thought they were being foolish.

"If she refuses to help, we've just flushed our tactical advantage into the dung pot," Tong said, frustrated.

"I know," Raya said, her stomach twisting.

Trust, she reminded herself. She had promised Sisu that she would try. But what if Sisu was wrong about Namaari? If so, they weren't just risking losing the gem, they were putting their lives in danger.

"Yeah. She really has no reason to help us," Boun agreed.

"This jerky's terrible," Sisu said, gnawing at a piece.

"Are you sure those four miniature menaces will be successful?" Tong asked Raya.

"I don't know."

The sky was dark now. An almost full moon shone down brightly on the canal, lighting a path toward Fang.

Raya turned to the Ongis and Noi and nodded. It was time.

Noi and her furry friends slipped into the canal. They began to swim toward Fang, Raya and watched uneasily as the four small heads moved away.

The plan was for Noi and the Ongis to sneak into the palace grounds and deliver the Dragon Pendant to Namaari, along with a note proposing their deal. One Dragon Gem pieces in exchange for saving the world. Raya knew Namaari and the Fang army would be expecting her. But they wouldn't be on the lookout for a baby.

Noi and her furry friends had the best chance of slipping past the guards unnoticed. Having seen them in action of Talon, Raya felt sure they could handle it. But as the time passed and the moon rose, Raya's confidence faltered. She imagined all the things that could go wrong. What if the baby was kidnapped? What if the Ongis were distracted by food and forgot the mission? What if they never even made it to Fang Palace? What if a current had already swept them away?
Raya paced on the bank, her mind spinning with worry, she had sent a toddler and three puny animals into enemy territory. What had she been thinking?

It had been hours since Noi and her friends had left. Raya had just decided to mount a rescue mission when she spied four small shapes swimming toward them. Noi and the Ongis climbed on dripping onto the bank. Raya could tell from the look on Noi's face that they'd done it.

They didn't know how long it would take Namaari to come to them. And Sisu argued there was no point in waiting on an empty stomach. So the gang returned to the boat for a last meal before whatever came next.

*****

From her bedroom, Ko heard a swift sound coming from outside. She got up and saw something move. When she entered Namaari's room she saw a piece of cloth. She went over to Namaari who was sleeping.

"Namaari. Namaari, wake up." she whispered.

Namaari woke up and rubbed her eyes.

"Come look at this."

Ko headed over and bent down at the cloth near the window. Namaari followed her alongside. She reads the note on it, looks around then unfolds the cloth, revealing the dragon pendant she gave Raya when they were kids. Namaari recognized this. It seemed to be the same necklace since they met.

"Big sister? What did it come from?" The little Fang princess asked, looking up.

"I'm not sure."

Ko wondered who gave it to them and wondered why.

*****

While Raya stood as a look out, Tong and Boun argued over the best way to make soup in the boat's makeshift chicken.

"There's too much spice," Tong said, tasting the broth.

"Uh, no. There's too much bamboo," Boun countered.

Tong scowled. "What do you know? You have the taste buds of a tall baby."

"Well, you dress like a tall baby." Boun shot back.

"Give me the spoon! I'm taking over!"

Boun spun and dodged holding the spoon of Tong's reach. "Back off, tidal wave. I'm the professional here."

Laughing, Raya stepped in to break up the fight. "May I?" She pulled a punch of palm sugar from her pouch and sprinkled it into the simmering pot. Boun and Tong both tasted the broth and smiled.

"Whoa! That's good," Boun said.

"It's just a little something my ba showed me."

"Aw. Did he also show you how to make that delicious jerky?" Sisu asked,  resting on the boat's edge.

"No, that was all me. It'll be nice to share a meal with him again."

In addition to the hot soup, Boun and Tong had made rice, spring rolls, and a spicy salad of green fruit. Laid out on the table, it was a feast Raya hadn't seen since she left Heart. Boun ladled the soup into bowls and handed them out.

Raya had eaten several bites before it dawned on her. She was eating food someone else had made. What's more, she was happy about it. She gazed around the table, surprised by the affection she felt toward her new friends. Their presence seemed to fill her with warmth as much as the hot soup did.

"I know what you mean," Boun said, interrupting her thoughts. "I have this really obnoxious sister who always tousles my hair. Hehehe....I can't wait to see her the most."

"After we win the day, I look forward to filling my eyeball with the joytastic image of my village full again," Tong said.

Noi, who was sitting on his shoulder, started babbling. "And you will be reunited with your family, Noi," Tong told her.

Raya looked at him in surprise. "Uh, what did you just call her?"

"Noi. It's her name. It's written on her collar. Have none of you ever checked?" Raya, Sisu and Boun all duck their heads guiltily. Tong gave a grunt of disgust. "And they think of me as the ruffian."

A firework exploded in the distance above Fang. They all looked up to see the burst of red light.

"What's that mean?" Sisu wondered.

Raya stood up from the table. "It means we're on."

The others pushed back their bowls and began to collect their weapons.

"Sisu, until we get that gem and confirm Namaari's actually on our side, promise me you'll stay hidden," Raya said.

To Raya's relief, Sisu nodded. The dragon ducked into the forest. She watched through the trees as Raya hurried down the water's edge.