The Kingdom of Elias

The Owl & The Old Man

There was a knock at the door. Max groggily rolled over. He tried to open his eyes. It was hard. There was a second knock.

"One moment!" he called from his bed.

Gwen was still asleep. It was light out, but he had no idea what time it was. He rolled out of bed slowly and could feel aches and pains all over. He slowly walked to the door and opened it. A small female pheasant waited patiently.

"I am so sorry to rouse you this morning. There is someone in the lobby who wishes to speak to you regarding the events of last evening. He says he has information you need."

Max rubbed his eyes, then the back of his neck. He let out a painful moan as he found a large knot in his muscles. "Okay. Tell them I'll be down shortly."

Max got ready for the day quickly but left his things in the room. He didn't want to risk waking Gwen. As he walked out of his room he saw Cyril also exiting his room.

"Morning Cyril. You're up early," Max said with a half-smile still rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'd say the same to you Max. An orderly told me someone in the lobby had important information for me."

"I received the same message," Max responded. They looked at each other suspiciously as they continued to the lobby.

When they entered, the pheasant directed them to an old owl sitting at a table near the window. He was sipping tea and looking at the wreckage of the docks. As they walked up he turned his head almost completely around to see them. He was small and very old. He had grey feathers around his eyes and beak. The rest of him was a mottled brown color. He had large yellow eyes.

"Good morning gentlemen. My name is Archimedes." He motioned to the other chairs at the table. "Sit. I have information to pass along to you."

They both sat down, and Archimedes motioned for the pheasant to bring food and drinks.

"Not to frown on any aid that comes our way, but may I ask who sent you?" Max asked as politely as possible considering his fatigue.

"Woohoo! Careful boy!" Archimedes said in a huff ruffling his feathers. "I didn't want to come but my partner insisted I do this for him. Said it was of paramount importance. I would be just as happy back in the woods away from all this mess," he continued, motioning to the docks.

The pheasant brought the food and drinks. Archimedes asked some over the top questions about its freshness and she just rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Hard to get good help now," Archimedes said in a huff. Max and Cyril still were unsure where this was going. After a moment of imposed food and tea Max tried again.

"So what information do you have Archimedes? Anything you can tell us about last night would be much appreciated."

Archimedes seemed to think for a moment as if remembering something before speaking. "Write down these instructions. Quickly now! I don't have all morning. C'mon boy."

Max grabbed a piece of scrap paper from the front desk before sitting again waiting to transcribe.

"These are directions to see my partner. He will tell you all that you need to know. He can help you with that ridiculous, foolish dragon. He has defeated one before you know! She was an evil, merciless old hag!"

Max and Cyril listened intently as Max scribbled down notes. When he was done he read over everything to be sure he had it.

"And this place is here in Chickapin?" Max asked.