Fonos: An Esmp au

Act One Ch1: There was to be Tea

Autumn had taken its hold over Kratoria. Fall leaves and sycamore seeds danced through the air. Pumpkin patches flew below my feet and I seemed to smell cinnamon everywhere. Soon, the flower fields of Chromia came into view. The summer asters and snapdragons were now replaced dahlias and celosias. Of course, the poppy fields stood firm as always.

I slowly descended towards Scott's mansion. With a little stumble, I landed in front of the huge doors. I timidly knocked on the door. After a few minutes the huge doors creaked open, revealing a kind faced brunette.

"Good morning Witch Shelby" she greeted kindly. "Good morning" I greeted back with a smile. "Count Major is in his study" she said letting me in. The corridors were decorated with plants and portraits of Scott.

"We are nearing the study and don't be alarmed at the... noises" she warned. Noises? What kind of noises did she mean? A few steps later, I knew what she meant. Disturbing moans echoed far too loudly for comfort.

She stopped in front of a door to which I assumed was the study. She knocked very loudly. "COUNT MAJOR!!! YOU HAVE A VISITOR!!" she yelled. There was a pause and a scuffle followed. "Come in" Scott called.

She opened the door for me and I thanked her. Sausage sat in the chair behind the oak desk while Scott sat on the arm. "Hiya Shelby" Scott greeted. "Hey Scott, hey Sausage" I greeted. Sausage simply waved back with a smile.

"He's a bit tired, aren't you baby?" Scott drawled. "Yeah" Sausage croaked. "Please take a seat" Scott offered. I sat in the chair opposite the desk. "So as you probably already know..." I started. "Eh no... j-just sign the thing" Scott interrupted.

He passed me the trade agreement and a pen. I skim read it and signed on the line. "Wonderful, the cornflowers will be in the Evermoore in a week or less" he said practically pushing me out of the study. "Bye". The door slammed in my face.

Well, it went better than it could have.

Instead of trying to find my way out, I just flew out a window. I checked my pocket clock. 11:30. Gem had invited Katherine and I to tea by 12. She wouldn't mind if I was a bit early, right?

I flew northeast towards the mountains of Dawn. I was a couple of miles outside of Exter, Dawn's capital city when something caught my eye. Something... shiny.

Welp, if it means I won't look like a weirdo for being early. I flew down towards the light. It went down a small opening in the mountain. Hopping off my broom, I went down the opening. The walls and floor were damp and moss hung off the small bits of dripstone on the floor and ceiling.

Still following the light, I traversed further into the cave. I came to a huge drop-off to a much bigger cave. "Nope I'm not going down there" I said to myself. Pivoting on my heel to go back, I slip and fall backwards down into the cave. My fall was cushioned by something wet... skulk. Yuck.

I looked around for any shriekers. None. With my now skulk covered clothes and hair I got up slowly. The light came from a glistening gold ring a few feet away from me. "Oh for fudge sake" I groaned. I picked up the ring. It had quite a large diamond and what looked like pearls. Engraved on the band was 'To my darling Elizabeth'.

I don't know any Elizabeths... except Lizzie but I doubt this was for her. It might be ancient if it was lying at the bottom of this skulk pit. I put it in my pocket and pulled out my wand to cast a light spell.

Something else glistened from the darkness. As if shiny things hadn't already gotten me in enough trouble. Still I followed it to find a pearl necklace. Out of the corner, I saw something glisten. Stuffing the pearl necklace in my pocket, I followed this new light. Lodged in a stone as if to assert its dominance, sat an axe coated in purple, green and orange glazes.

Some of the glaze had chipped away to reveal that it was a netherite axe. Along the handle was written 'Dedicated to my wife Elizabeth, my brother-in-law Jimmy and myself'. I chuckled at the 'myself' bit. Sounded like something Joel would say. Whoever this person was probably wouldn't want to have Jimmy as a brother-in-law. At least, the Jimmy I know.

There was no way I could carry this with me now. I'd come back to it... with Pix maybe. And I should probably show Pix the other stuff too. I kept walking through the darkness. I came across a terracotta hand, dried and chipping. In the direction of where it was pointing was a way out, hidden well by glow berries.

"Thank you" I thanked the hand. I left it there, so I'd know where to go out next time. Hopping on my broom, I flew out the hole which happened to be burrowed into the mountains right behind Exter.

A few of the villagers waved at me and bees buzzed as I passed their hives. I came to a stop in front of the wooden lighthouse. Gem said she'd rather have tea here than in her fort or cottage. I knocked on the door but there was no answer.

Silly me. Gem probably wasn't even here yet.

I let myself in. I climbed up the never-ending stairs to the lantern room. "Hey Gem? You in here?" I called opening the door. I stopped in my tracks. Gem lay on the floor, surrounded by a puddle of blood. Her wings were shred to pieces and slightly burned.

On the glass written in blood said 'She died at 11:40 am'. I looked at my pocket clock. 11:42 am.

.....

"DAMMIT!!" 

<...>

Did I forget to tell you Fonos means 'murder' in Greek?

Oopsie my bad :3