Emerald (The Protector) - undergoing editing

Chapter 9

"Here we go – sausages and bread." Julian pulled a small metal grilling iron out and placed three of the fat sausages on it. He then placed the grilling iron over the flames. All at once the room was engulfed in the smell of cooking sausages. 

"Mmmm, they smell great." Sarah grinned at the others, feeling happier than she had since she had arrived in this land. She sat down beside Julian, as Em pulled a flask from the rucksack she had grabbed at the hut. Taking a swig of water, she passed the flask to Sarah who took it gratefully. She offered it to Julian who shook his head. "No thanks, there should be a fresh water spring at the back of the room where I can fill up my own flask." He looked at Emerald "You might want to do the same."

"Thanks I will."

"Well, the sausages are just about ready – are you hung......"

They all turned as they heard the sounds of the chains on the door start to whir. The door slid back revealing a rather feeble looking elderly man, dressed in dusty brown robes.

He started when he saw them – "My goodness, I didn't expect to meet anyone else down here." He chuckled when he saw their startled faces, "Don't worry I'm just a traveler like yourselves." He glanced at the sausages and licked his lips. "My, that looks quite a feast you're cooking – don't suppose you'd have anymore?"

Julian suddenly relaxed and his face broke into a smile "Certainly, here have mine. I'll cook another one, they don't take too long."

The traveler moved into the room and once again they heard the whirring of the chains as the door slid closed.

"Thank you, thank you so much. It's very kind of you."

He smiled at the girls "My name is Geoffrey, and who do I have the pleasure of dining with?"

Sarah found herself smiling, "I'm Sarah and this is Emerald, or Em as I like to call her and that is Julian."

"Very nice to meet you all. So what brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"Shelter" Julian interjected before the girls could say anything. "I decided to bring the girls down here because I knew it was going to be cold tonight."

"Very wise, yes very wise young man – I see you are looking after them.....excellent."

The elderly man sat down on one of the stone benches next to the fire. He stretched his arms over the flames, warming his hands.

"Oh, that does a body good to feel that warmth."

Julian handed him a sausage wrapped in bread. "Oh, thank you, it seems like ages since I've had any decent food."

"What have you been eating?" Em enquired

"Whatever I can forage in the woods or beg from the farmers." He took a bite of the sausage "Oh, that is good." He motioned to the girls "Aren't you hungry?"

Sarah suddenly realized that she was and took a bite. He was right, the sausage was good and all too soon it was gone.

"Still hungry?" Em asked. 

 Sarah nodded "I think I might have some biscuits in here." She dug into her rucksack and finally pulled out a small package. Unwrapping the biscuits she offered one to Sarah who took it eagerly before offering the pack to Geoffrey.

"Thank you my dear."

They munched away happily. "This is much better than berries" Geoffrey grinned "So where are you heading?"

"Peak Ridge" Em said quietly.

"Oh, oh dear I wouldn't go there if I were you."

"Why not?"

"Well, bad things have been happening over there."

"Julian mentioned a few things – what have you heard?"

"Well, for a start, people keep disappearing. He paused "and nobody knows why. First the Princess, then the King with his personal guard and now I hear a couple of the kings advisors have suddenly disappeared. Nobody knows why."

"The King with his personal guard." Em murmured to herself

"Well, we have to go there, my aunt is expecting us." Julian piped up "and I don't want to disappoint her."

"Just warning you, that's all. By the way, there was a cave in a few weeks ago, so you might have to travel up top. Not sure if the tunnel you want is clear."

"Oh – thanks for the heads up. Well girls, I think it might be time to turn in."

"Good idea – early start tomorrow." Em pointed to a bed "Why don't you take that one Sarah and I'll take the one next to you."

"Sounds good – good night Julian, Geoffrey."

"Goodnight girls – sleep well."

The girls headed to their beds. Sarah had forgotten how tired she was, but as soon her head hit the pillow she was sound asleep. Emerald was not so fortunate. Her mind was reeling – the King was missing, along with his personal guard and two of his advisors. Things had indeed become worse since she'd left – what had she returned to? She knew that at some point she was going to have to let Sarah know why they had returned and where they were going. Even if those men hadn't turned up at Sarah's house that day, she had a feeling she would have been sent a sign. What was she going to do? These questions and more ran through her brain until she finally fell into an exhausted sleep.