The Defenders

Chapter 2: The Rescue

ASHLEY'S POV

It was the next morning. Despite being a little scared of the events from yesterday evening, Ashley was still a little curious about it as well. Who was the fire salamander? What was he holding? Why was he hiding in a box? These questions stayed with Ashley for the rest of the morning.

Today, she walked through the marketplace when someone yelled her name. Ashley turned around and saw Slade galloping up to her. He had a droopy smile painted on his face.

"Ashley!" he called, "You won't believe what happened last night!"

"What?" Ashley asked, "What is it?"

"So," Slade explained, "I went out last night in order to beat the other archeologists in the area and I came across something really good. I gave it to Titan and he gave me 60 gold!"

Ashley was not expecting that. 

"60 gold!" she almost shrieked, "How?! What was the thing?"

Slade shrugged, "I don't know. It was some golden box."

Ashley stopped. A flashback came to her mind from yesterday. The fire salamander, the strange thing he was holding... and the golden box he was hiding in. A chill went through Ashley's spine.

"Did you open the box?" Ashley asked.

Slade shook his head, "No. I couldn't get the lock open. But look at this!"

Slade whipped out a giant, shiny bag. Ashley looked at all of the 60 golden nuggets inside.

"Not only will this get me out of here," Slade said boastfully, "But it will also get me a house on the other land I decide to go to!"

"That's... great," Ashley said in a meek voice. Slade didn't seem to notice, as he slung the bag onto his back.

"Welp," he bellowed, "See you never!" Ashley watched as Slade trotted through the marketplace. The smile spread across his cheeks until it was behind his head. Ashley had never seen Slade this happy.

Ashley waved as Slade disappeared inside a transport that was parked on the port. Then, Ashley dashed away to retrieve the box.

"Titan!" Ashley yelled when she reached Titan's house. She slammed her entire body into the house, hoping to get the big snake's attention, "Titan! We need to talk!"

Nothing. Ashley was growing impatient. Just as she was about to bang again, a snake eye poked through one of the small holes.

"WHO GOESSSSSS THERE?" Titan hissed.

"Me," Ashley replied, "The hooman girl with the camel."

"AHHHH, YESSSSSS," Titan greeted, "HELLO, DEAR ASSSSSHLEY. YOUR FRIEND CAME BY LASSSST NIGHT AND GAVE ME QUITE THE PRIZZZZZE."

"I'm aware," Ashley said. Then, she held out her hand towards the eye and made a beckoning gesture, "And it doesn't belong in your hands."

Titan's eyes flashed a surprised look, "WHAT?"

"Whatever is in that box has an important mission," Ashley tried to explain.

"OH," Titan said, "YOU MEAN THE SSSSSSALAMANDER?"

Uh-oh. He found out what was inside. Ashley slowly nodded, "Yes, that guy."

"I'M NOT LETTING THAT PIECE OF CODE GO OUT OF MY HANDSSSSSS," Titan retaliated, "IT'SSSSSSS RARE. IT'SSSSSSS PRICELESSSSSS."

So that was the strange thing the fire salamander was holding. It was a string of code. No wonder she didn't recognize it. Codes are very well disguised.