The World's Start

Heath

Heath was trying to remember everything the Elvors had said about the Stone. If he added that to the only other information he knew about it --- that Leo had seen it before, in his lifetime --- then, he reasoned, he should be able to wager a good guess about where to find it.

He missed Ken and Norma. They would have known what to do. They made a great team, the two of them, and they were so in sync that they made Heath feel part of the group, too. And even individually, Norma was one of the sharpest students and Ken the best and most fearless spy.

However, Jack was one of the smartest students, the very best in acumen other than Norma...

Would it really be so bad, to team up with Jack and look for the Stone together, Heath wondered?

"That's too bad about the Deal," Heath murmured. He and Jack were, in the meantime, resting in a place very similar to a cell.

"Look, I think the way Leo killed his great-aunt was awful too," Jack replied. "But at least I don't have to wear the bow tie."

Heath frowned. "I can't understand a single word you're saying. Is that normal?"

"For you? Maybe."

Heath didn't have it in him to fight, not really. "I was talking about the Deal we must strike to get out of here. We'll never come up with something. Ever. Which is why they so kindly escorted us to their dungeons to 'clear our minds'."

He mimicked the Elvors' words with a whiny, high-pitched tone that he was well aware the Elvors didn't use.

"I know what they said, I was there," Jack replied, rolling his eyes. Apparently, old habits were hard to get rid of.

Heath had to admit to himself that at least the dungeons weren't looking bad. They still were in the middle of the forest, just in little rooms that looked like giant green pods that hung from the branches of a tree. They were made of a green-ish material that felt like leaf but was sturdy like rope, and entwined, with plenty of room to breathe, see and talk to each other.

"Well, I do not mind staying here, it looks like a place where one can take a nap or relieve themselves, too," Heath finally commented, partly to be annoying and partly to lift his own spirits.

"I do, instead," Jack huffed. "I am not one for waiting around. Patience is not one of my strong suits. Let's think about it... what could we possibly exchange for our freedom?"

"It's tricky, because while sometimes people can give something in exchange, it's up to the Elvors to decide whether they accept such gifts," Heath reasoned out loud. "If the price we pay doesn't have the same value, it would be too easy. Idiots like Leo probably wouldn't be able to strike good ones either way, but for others it would be a piece of cake..."

"Fine! Since you think you're so clever, have you had any ideas yet?"

Heath pretended to think about it, but in truth, his heart was already set. "To be honest," he scratched his chin. "I did come up with something, yes."

"I don't know if I trust your instincts, but at least you don't like Elvors," Jack sighed. "Which is why I'm going to trust you on this. Let's call our captors and tell them we finally came up with the Deal we want to make."

Heath bit his lip. He had the urge to tell Jack not to trust him, but he really wanted to go home and it seemed like Jack's anxiety wasn't letting him see clear all the paths in front of them.

Besides, Heath had already fooled the Elvors once, and it worked. He could only hope it would work again.

"Fret not," the blond Elvor said. Heath thought it was very creepy not to know their names, but then he reasoned Elvors weren't like humans. They thought names had power, and they never gave theirs away.