The Enchantments: Book 2 - The Key of Gandar

Chapter 26: Captain Grogan

As the wind whipped swiftly through the empty streets blowing old newspaper and debris across the mist soaked pavement, Fin peaked his head out through the old fabric drapes trying to catch a glimpse of any movement in the shadows.

"You're not going to see any of them out there, they're elsewhere." The old woman said from the small chair by the fireplace.

Fin stepped from the drapes and sauntered over to another chair across from her. "Excuse me Miss Mabley, but how do you know they're not outside right now?"

"My dear boy, there are things in this world that do not always have an answer. Let's just say I can sense them when they're close. Right now, they're not around; let's just leave it at that."

Fin smiled slightly and followed the woman's features with his eyes. The brittle graying hair, her wrinkled skin, but his attention kept returning to those sightless eyes. They seemed to stare right through him. He had to move his eyes away once and a while as he felt her milky white eyes probing him in some unforeseen way.

"I may be a blind young man, but I can sense when someone is staring at me!" She said softly.

"Sorry but I've seen your face before." He said, his face now turning crimson.

"I couldn't imagine where I've lived in this part of the country my entire life. Unless you've visited Picton before, I can't think of where."

Fin was shocked, here was this woman that he knew had helped them quite a few times in finding the relics, was now telling them she had never left the confines of the town. "We're trying to find the whereabouts of a relic known as the Key of Gandar, can you help us?"

The old woman sighed then slowly got up with the help of a cane that she kept beside the chair. "Would anyone like some tea, I think I'm going to need one for this. "Young man, I'll need your help." She motioned to Fin.

"Yes ma'am" He shot to his feet and followed her into the kitchen.

She began to rustle around some of the cupboards taking out sugar, tea leaves and a strainer for holding them. Finishing that she placed the kettle full of water onto the stove lit it and leaned back against the small cupboard. "So tell me, young man, what do you know about the Key of Gandar?"

Fin shuffled his feet staring blankly at the kettle as steam gently began to waft to the ceiling.

"So you're going to play it that way. I see. Let me enlighten you a little bit my friend. I know why you're here and you won't get it."

Fin looked like he had been slapped in the face. "What do you mean?"

She dragged her feet over to the kettle that was now steaming vapor into the air and removed it from the burner. "The relic is protected and is impossible to retrieve."

"Excuse me ma'am but I don't want to be rude but... you're out of your mind." He turned swiftly and went back into the living room. He dropped to the chair and crossed his arms as if in an act of defiance.

"What happened?" Rachel asked.

"Nothing!" Fin snapped back.

The room went silent, Fin sat steaming in the chair while the other two looked uncomfortable on the couch on the far side of the room. After a couple of minutes, the old lady returned to the confines of the living room with four steaming cups of tea. She prepared her own and sat down again in her easy chair.

Sean broke the silence, "This is ridiculous. Would you two please talk to each other, we're running out of time!"

Fin dropped his head in guilt then peered over at the old woman, "I'm sorry I raised my voice."