< back to Part 8: The Ice Fields Adventure
Part 9: Return of the Snek
400 Pennonia Orgona (Lilac)
“What’s wrong, Little Buddy? Weeks since we left the Ice Fields and you’ve hardly said a thing.” Essri glanced at the portal stones. Professor Eenness would arrive any moment. “I’m afraid to go home,” Essri said. I’m sure your mother will be happy to see you, Vika said. “They’ll be impressed by your adventures,” Quin added. “How many of them have learned to read and write?” Makhabesh asked. “That’th not a valuable thkill for thneks. Thtorytelling and thinging—” Just then, the Professor appeared at the center of the portal stones. “I have a confethion,” Essri said before fear could stop him.
401 Pennonia Balaton-kék (Lake Balaton)
Professor Eenness glanced at Essri, then the others. “Sorry, preparing for classes took longer than expected. Good to see you all again.” She moved closer to Essri, who held tightly to Vika. “I never talked to the elderth. I jutht repeated a rumor.” Professor Eenness laughed. “Is that your confession?” Essri nodded. “That’s nothing to worry about. If all sneks have magic, like you said, then there’s a good chance your rumor is true. And the pursuit of knowledge is always worthy.” Essri let out his breath. “I thought you’d be mad I wathted your time.”
402 Thornton's Green
For a week, they trekked through the forest until they came to a spot not far from the Muirdoor. “How much farther, Essri?” Quin asked. “Tomorrow, but we have to croth Mad Mara’th territory.” Essri shivered. “I’ll fireball her once and for all,” Makhabesh said. “Oh, don’t worry about Mad Mara,” Professor Eenness said. “She and I have a sort of understanding.” Before anyone could ask more, she said, “You haven’t told us the name of your village, Essri.” “Drekvin.” The Professor focused all her attention on Essri. “Really? Do you know what that means?”
403 Colorverse Alpha UMa
The Professor’s stare was intense. Essri tried not to squirm. “It’th jutht a name.” The Professor suddenly grinned. “In the old language, Drekvin is short for dragon friend!” Everyone turned to stare at Essri. “Oh,” he said. “No one ever told me.” As they gathered around the camp fire, the Professor said, “What other dragon legends does your village have?” Essri racked his brain, trying to remember if he’d heard anything else. Truth was, few people ever talked to him except to make fun of him. Then he remembered. “There’th an inthcription in a cave.”
404 Robert Oster Chicago
“What does the inscription say?” the Professor asked. “I don’t know,” Essri admitted. “I only heard a dragon wrote it, and the elderth don’t let anyone in the cave.” Professor Eenness took out a notebook and wrote rapidly. “Wonderful,” she whispered to herself. Essri hoped he didn’t disappoint her. His village hadn’t seemed special to him. He and Vika took first watch. What if it’th jutht tall taleth? he asked through their link. Then your family will know you’re safe, and we’ll head home. No one will be mad, Essri. Essri tried not to think about seeing all the people who’d made fun of him.
405 Noodler's Polar Green
The next morning, they struck camp and headed up the trail. Soon, they heard a familiar cry, "Ma-a-a-a-a!" Before anyone else could react, the Professor yelled, “Is that you, Mara? It’s me, Professor Eenness.” A high-pitched scream came from the trees, followed by the sound of running. The Professor laughed. “Really, she just looks scary.” Near midday, the trees thinned and they could see a stony outcrop. “We have to be careful,” Essri said. “The protector-thnekth have venom magic.” When they cleared the trees, Essri called out, “Hello, Drekvin. It’th Ethri come home.”
406 Colorverse Dark Energy
“Ethri?” a snek called. “You mean Essri? He’s dead! Who are you?” The heads of several sneks popped up from behind a low wall. Essri shouted back, “I’m not dead. I made thome friendth.” Before the protector-sneks could respond, Quin said, “I’m Wizard Quin. We’ve come with Professor Eenness of Inkabar University to talk with the Elders.” Makhabesh whispered, “And I’m gonna fireball the lot of you if you don’t let us pass.” After lots of whispering behind the wall, someone shouted, “Wait where you are!” Several minutes later, two sneks slithered atop the wall. “I’m dead,” Essri said.
...to be continued, every Tuesday.