Wisp - A Scarecrow's Tale

Chapter 6 - The Keeper and the Fountain

Wander didn't know much about investigating but it seemed reasonable to start at the scene of the crime: Jardinfae's fountain. Theodore agreed, adding that it would be good for the city if Merry spent some time there as well. Wander didn't understand what the teddy meant by that but nevertheless allowed Theodore to lead him and his friends through the city.

Wander walked with Niki sitting on his shoulders, his hat on her head. He offered to carry Theodore as well, but the teddy just snorted and walked ahead of the group. His walk soon became a run, his tiny legs rushing to keep up with the lanky Wander's wide strides. Niki rested her chin on Wander's head, his hat occasionally falling over her eyes while Merry hovered over her shoulder.

The townsfolk gave them no trouble, though that perhaps isn't a completely accurate description of the situation. Any person no matter their size or species turned tail (sometimes literally) and fled at the approach of Wander, Theodore, and Niki. While it certainly cut down on traffic, Wander was eventually bothered enough to ask, "Okay, they can't possibly be that worried about Niki."

Theo let out a snort of laughter. "They ain't worried 'bout Niki. They're worried 'bout you,"

"Me?" Wander said, surprised. "Why would they be scared of me?"

"Well, most of 'em ain't seen a scarecrow before ... and they definitely ain't seen one who could manifest a defiance. That's Justicar stuff and we ain't seen one of them around here in ages."

"But I'm just a scarecrow," Wander protested.

"'Just a scarecrow', he says." Theodore shook his head. "You got a lot to learn about the Realm. Look, let's just say I doubt anyone will mess with Niki as long as you're with her."

Wander looked down at his gloves, wondering if he should tell Theo that he had no idea how he'd summoned the scythe in the first place or if he could do so again.

They continued walking until they were once again at the plaza at the center of town. They passed the mayor's estate and headed directly to the center of the plaza where a massive fountain lay within a pillared enclosure.

The fountain stood in the center of the enclosure, beautifully carved from bluish-white stone and filled to the brim with water ... at least, Wander assumed it was water. To his knowledge, water didn't usually glow.

Merry flew away from Niki and plunged into the fountain only to shoot out a moment later. This seemed to reinvigorate the little wisp, and it quickly dove back into the fountain.

"Merry!" Niki said, shooting a worried look at Theo.

"Relax, Miss," said Theo. "They can't hurt anything. We had hundreds of the little light balls around here before they all disappeared. They could be a little mischievous at times, but the Keepers usually keep them in line."

"The Keepers?" Wander repeated.

Niki let out a yelp and jumped back behind Wander as a column of water rose from the basin of the fountain, gradually forming itself into the shape of a woman. Another stream of water swirled around her, forming an opaque robe around the water woman's body. She opened two solid blue eyes that glittered like gems in the light reflected from the fountain.

"Has today found you at peace, Sheriff?" she asked, her voice gentle and soothing.

"Ah, Keeper Saharla," Theodore said, taking off his hat. "Sorry to bother you again but Wander here's agreed to investigate the missing wisps."

"A scarecrow comes to our aid? Unexpected, but quite welcome." Keeper Saharla smiled at Wander for a moment before turning her gaze to Niki. There was definite sympathy in her eyes as she said, "The fate of your people fills me with sorrow, child of the skies. I wish things could've been different."