A Fool's Tale

Chapter 15 - A Geography Lesson

After changing back into my regular clothes, my worn shirt and pants seemed grubbier than ever compared to the newly made jester costume. Gilles had said I would be paid ten pennies a week. Hopefully, it would be enough to afford some new clothes. I'd never bought anything in my life and was unsure what ten pennies would get me. I could ask Talia, but she'd probably try to have something made for me, or worse yet, give me some of her money. Just the thought made me flush with shame. Talia had already done so much for me.

I sat in front of the mirror and began scrubbing the makeup away.

"The costume's yours, and Sabrina has two more with different colors that should be ready soon," Talia declared as she watched me clean my face.

"Thanks." I wished there was something I could do for Talia to show my gratitude. One day I'd make it up to her I swore to myself. Reaching into my pocket, I touched my mother's necklace, as if to affirm the promise.

"Gael, can I ask you something?" Talia placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Of course."

"I don't mean to pry, but I've noticed you have a habit of touching something in your pocket. I was curious if you'd show it to me."

I hesitated. I'd kept my mother's necklace hidden from my uncle for so long that it seemed like second nature to keep it secret...but those days were over. I proudly pulled the necklace free. "I think it was my mother's. Sometimes I remember her face when I touch it." The silver chain glittered as I held it toward Talia. The oblong shaped locket dangled heavily from the middle links, swinging slowly back and forth.

"That's sweet."

"Do you want it?" I thrust the necklace toward Talia. "You've done so much for me, and asked for nothing in return."

She whipped her hands behind her back in horror, "Gael, No! I could never accept that. Thank you, but I don't want anything in return, especially not something so important to you."

The impulse to give the necklace to Talia was sudden, and I admit to feeling a moment of relief when she refused to accept it.

Talia peered at the piece of jewelry curiously. "Is there anything inside the locket?"

"What do you mean?"

"The locket. It has a hinge." Talia pointed to the edges of the ornament. "Sometimes people keep small keepsakes inside."

"Oh, I didn't even know it opened." I picked at the edges and managed to pry open the lid. A thin gem fell into my hand. It was deep purple and seemed to glow with an internal light.

"Wow." Talia gasped, her eyes bulging.

"What is it?" I turned the gem around, but couldn't figure out where the light was coming from.

"It looks magical."

Magic. I'd only half believed Talia when she told me magic was real.

"Is this normal? What should I do with it?" I began to panic. There were cursed magical items in some of the stories we'd read.

"If you like, I can bring it to Master Isidor, the court mage. He might be able to identify it."

"Yes, I think that would be best." I laughed nervously. "I've been carrying it around in my pocket for years. I'm lucky it didn't explode or something."

Talia smiled indulgingly. "I doubt it's dangerous or your mother wouldn't have kept it in a piece of jewelry worn around her neck." She took the gem and pocketed it. "I'll let you know what Master Isidor says."