Abby and the Mad Prince's Son. The Outpost: Episode One

Chapter Thirteen

Sporting a black eye, Baron Ren stood in the center of the Alchemist Quarter as everyone from potions looked on, satchels and ingredient gathering equipment in hand.

'We are looking for ogre slime,' he said. 'It's a crucial ingredient for Fury Fog, a potion that vaporizes on impact and disperses a gas that will stun, knocking a creature out for a lot longer and more effectively than Star Flash.'

Standing next to Baron Ren, Princess Edina asked, looking surprised, 'It's not actually slime from an ogre, correct?'

'That's correct, Your Majesty. It's called that because of how pungent it is, the reason why it's an ingredient.'

'That's a relief. And do we have a rough idea where we can find it?'

'It's mostly found in caves,' replied Abby as she held a long pole with a tiny scoop at the end.

'We're in luck,' said Princess Edina. 'I found one the other day east of the outpost while fishing. We'll go there.'

Abby saw disappointment creep over Baron Ren. That was too far to sneak off and check the snare for the chimera.

'Now everyone. With me.' Princess Edina turned around and headed out, everyone tailing behind.

They were passing the enormous cage, Abby, Esme and Baron Ren lagging at the back of the pack, when Abby noticed Baron Ren dabbing his bruise, wincing ever so slightly.

'Does it hurt, Your Highness?' she asked.

'It's a bit sore,' Baron Ren replied.

'Again, I'm so sorry.'

'Really, there's no need to keep on apologizing. Being that I stunned you, let's call it even.'

'Have you been asked about it?'

'The princess asked but I told her I hit myself on a ballista while training the soldiers. I think she believed me.'

'Your Highness,' Esme piped up. 'Do you know what this cage is for?'

Glancing up at the monstrous trussed structure, Baron Ren answered, 'I read somewhere they had phoenixes here in the War of the Ages, to pull the winged carriages. Maybe this is where they kept them.'

'Why would they cage phoenixes?' asked Abby, perplexed. 'They are the most wonderful and loyal of creatures. I just can't see that.'

'Come to think of it, you're absolutely right,' said Baron Ren. 'Of all the books I've read about the outpost, I've come across no mention of a cage.'

'Maybe they kept something dangerous,' said Esme. 'And it's still in there.'

'Possibly but it's not there now if they did. Princess Edina and I did a thorough check inside,' Baron Ren said.

Further on, and after trudging under the lookout, Abby noticed a stone grave on the forest floor below them. Not elaborate of any kind, it was speckled with moss.

'Hmmm,' she said, 'I wonder who rests there?'

'There's no inscription,' said Baron Ren, 'but I read that it could be the resting place of the Enchanted Girl.'

'What?' snapped Abby and Esme together. 'Really?'

One of Abby's favorite legends told to her many times when she was much younger, the Enchanted Girl was a magical child who wandered throughout the land, helping whomever she could. The most famous tale of which had her saving all the magical creatures from a ruthless king determined to enslave them. And all it took was a shed of a tear. A tear that born a sanctuary where they could hide.