The Iron Grip

Chapter 9

Thie next morning, the blizzard had cleared. Abe wished them good luck as they rode away on the back of a Gogoat.

After four hours of riding, Mallow spoke up. "You see that black flag? That's our next stop."

"The outlaw camp? It is more like a fort!", Lillie exclaimed.

The Gogoat slowed down as it reached the portcullis that opened up into the camp. Well, camp-fort hybrid. It had high, stone walls like a defensive castle, but it had no defining turrets. The buildings on the inside included pens to keep pokemon, a blacksmiths and a large banquet hall which doubled up as the cheiftain's house.

"Mallow", called an archer from on top of the wall. "The chief wants to see you."

"They know you?", Lillie asked, extremely confused.

"I used to come here with dad sometimes", Mallow explained. "Hurry up now or we will be late."

The two girls stepped into the large banquet hall where they were greeted by a very odd person. He was odd because he looked rather old, yet had the speed and agility of a five-year-old. If that was not enough he wore an iron helmet that bore a red gem in the center.

"Mallow!", said the man. "And you must be our little darling who brought the tent city to its knees."

"Y-yes...", Lillie stammered. "That was me. May I ask where you got that red stone from?"

"Oh this?" The chief pointed to the jewel encrusted in his helmet. "Well, the story starts long ago..."

Hundreds years ago a meteor shower scattered small fragments of a weird rock across the country. Although these rocks seemed ugly and useless, but when cut and polished they were more valuable than diamonds. Yet their power surpassed even that, for they could turn pokemon into giants.

Realising this, the monarch at the time ordered that all stones must be confiscated or destroyed. As the Royal Guard went about their duty, the outlaw's stone was kept safe and sound.

"Just like the stone in your ceremonial dagger Lillie", the chief explained.

Lillie stammered. She had tried keeping this a secret, but she had kept the dagger. It was her only heirloom after all.

"Is it okay if we pry the jewel out of your knife and place it in the hilt of your new sword?", the chief requested.

"Okay... Am I getting a sword?", Lillie said.

"If course you are. It is part of the outlaw ceremony", said the chief. "I must be off now. You may sleep in one of the free rooms in the sleeping quarters. See you tonight for the ceremony." The chief stood up, took Lillie's dagger and walked out of the hall.

"Well that was... Interesting", Lillie said sarcastically.

"He is a good man though. He has guided many onto the path of light", Mallow concurred.

Lillie sighed. Life never stops moving does it? Well at least this time Lillie had a friend that she could laugh with, but also have serious conversations with.