The Elemental Song

Chapter 10 Sabotage

"I'm back!" "Ryker! What happened?!" Ryker had returned badly beaten. "Well I found the source of the blockage. Part of the Fire Tribe was there and had made a dam to stop the flow of the water. When I confronted them, they beat me up. The heir of the Fire Tribe, Ravi, was in charge." "Just as I thought, sabotage." "Gramps, when was the last time merchants came through?" "Now that you mention it, they haven't been around for a while." "If the Fire Tribe is doing something to stop them from coming we aren't going to be able to get supplies or medicine," Eryk's voice was laced with concern. Ryker spoke up, "What about the princess? You know where she is right? She could help us with her powers and refill the river can't she?" Eryk sent him a deadly glare and Ryker laughed nervously. "I guess not. We wouldn't want to put the princess in danger."

Suddenly a new voice spoke up making all four guys turn around, "Would the princess truly be in danger just by filling up the river?" "Kindra! How did you get here?" "I followed you Eryk. I did lose you for a second since you and Dyllan had a race but I made it." "How much did you hear?" General Gideon cast a suspicious look over at 'Kindra' and she lowered her head in respect and apology towards him. "I apologize for eavesdropping General Gideon but I heard all of it." "It's okay child. I was just surprised that's all. But to answer your question, it would be dangerous for the princess to fill up the river because then the Fire Tribe will know where she is." "Where is the princess anyway?" Skyrah asked just to throw off any thoughts of her being the princess. "Eryk has not yet revealed the location to us." General Gideon cast a knowing glance toward Eryk. "Ahh, but since we are all close to General Eryk and he is close to the princess we know as much information about her as a regular noble would," Ryker added. Skyrah looked at him. "Is that so? Someone as close to the princess would reveal such private information to others. How loyal." Eryk started choking on the fruit he had been eating. When he recovered he stammered out, "it wasn't anything that could harm the princess, and it wasn't any private information." Dyllan spoke up ready to defend Eryk. "That's right. My brother wouldn't do such a treasonous act. He merely told us of her personality and what she looked like. He said, 'you guys are very high ranked and will see the princess someday. You will need to recognize her, especially if she is in danger.'" At the former comment Skyrah made an expression of curiosity. "You two are brothers?" "Yup. And Ryker is my best friend." "I see. That would explain some things." "I guess. You know, you remind me of how Eryk described the princess." "Really?" "Yeah but, I don't know, correct me if I'm wrong but are you princess Skyrah?"

Skyrah surveyed Dyllan and Ryker. They seem trustworthy and are very close to Eryk. I'm sure I can trust them. Skyrah finished her thought and made up her mind. "Yes, I am." At her answer the two boys immediately fell on their knees. "Please stand. You do not need to bow to me." The boys spoke at once. "Princess, I am sorry for what happened," and, "If there is anything you need I'm at your service." "Thank you both. If the river is dried up I can refill it. I will just make another dam so that the water won't reach the other end where the Fire Tribe is, that way they won't have a clue about it." All men bowed deeply and thanked her. Immediately Skyrah went to work on the river and it was once again full in less than five minutes.

"On behalf of the whole Air Tribe, we give you our thanks." The four members bowed and Skyrah curtsied back in response. General Gideon was the first to speak, "now that the water crisis is diverted, we just need to figure out how to get the Fire Tribe off our backs and give access to the merchants." The group thought this over. Dyllan brought his suggestion forward first. "We can gather our troops and drive the Fire Tribe out of our territory." "But then they would just get more troops and come back," Eryk countered. "The princess can destroy them all!" Eryk glared at Ryker again and said, "we will not put the princess in danger and reveal her location to everyone. Ryker, take the princess back to the city and get yourself bandaged up. I have things I need to discuss with General Gideon and Dyllan." Ryker nodded and led the princess back to the city.

When the two left Eryk sighed. "Now that we know the source of all the disturbances, we need to discuss what we will do about it all. Ravi must be in charge but what is his father up to I wonder." General Gideon rolled his eyes and stated, "probably making illegal transactions and contracts." Dyllan nodded his head in agreement. "I have an idea how to save the tribe but I'm going to need your participation." Eryks eyes were filled with determination and certainty.