KRIKKIT’S SHOES : D’ARRAGON PROPHECY

“We must get to the Royal Council straight away and let them know exactly what Hennesy is planning,” Syntaba again responded with urgency.

“How will we get back to the palace?” asked

Krikkit.

“My magical shoes will transport us, and I will show you how to use them the right way, Krikkit,” Syntaba told her, kindly.

In no time at all they were ready. The five of them held each other’s hands preparing themselves for the mystical journey. Syntaba called out in a loud, clear voice, “D’Arragon Palace!”

Purple mists swirled around, instantly covering them all as they were carried upward. This time Jara and Keeper Fie were repeatedly startled by frequent bursts of crackling light, shooting through the bewitching cloud.

With Syntaba’s presence, Krikkit felt in total control of their brief transit in the electrically charged mist. They all landed gently on the ground directly in front of the palace.

Relieved, they all entered the palace and, losing no time, King Roger immediately sent messengers to the Chief of the Royal Council. Minutes later, council members assembled together in the Ressanie Room.

Stunned, Krikkit admired the splendor of the council’s robes and the colorful uniforms of the remaining Red Velvet Regiment guarding the palace. All stood ready to do the king’s bidding.

Each council member was offended and dismayed at King Roger’s woeful tale, agreeing they would not allow him to hand the throne over to Hennesy nor his son. Both will be jailed before much longer,” said the chief. “This will not be permitted.”

Later, when the crowd had left the Ressanie Room, and they were alone in the palace again, Syntaba turned his attention to Jara. “Now to see what we can do to resolve this situation of your missing powers, my friend!”

“You are able to mend my magical dilemma?” asked Jara, surprised. “Please do not do so if it interferes with the safe return of the princes!”

“I never let a mere prophecy prevent me from using what is rightfully mine and yours as well, Jara. Each one of my spells is mightier than any prophecy, whether it comes true or not.” Syntaba took Jara by her hands, promptly turning her around three times. Raising both of his hands, he created a stream of gold dust, settling it gently upon her.

“Check, your powers now, Jara, and you will see they are intact, halting and destroying that part of the prophecy!”

Without a word Jara stretched her arms upward, hands reaching high above her head. Then bringing them down speedily, the Ressanie Room disappeared in a glorious explosion of multi-colored lights. Krikkit glanced about her in amazement. Only she remained with Jara in her ram form.

“Stupendous!” breathed Krikkit. Her Jara was back!

The ram kneeled before her. “Up on my back, Krikkit!”

“But the others? They disappeared?” the girl asked, unsure.

“They are fine, Krikkit. Syntaba is taking care of everything, but you and I are taking a little time together. You earned it more than anyone! We are going for a ride!”

Krikkit climbed eagerly onto the broad back of the ram. Jara raced toward the forest, the very place where Krikkit first found herself in D’Arragon.

Whipping through her hair, the wind helped her spirits soar. She knew now, for certain, that everything would be all right.

“You will see that everything will work out just fine! Syntaba is a master wizard and he is making it happen, Krikkit!” Jara cried out joyfully.

They sped down forest paths, around and through bushes and trees. Racing for a while along the stream, Jara’s hooves splashed water all over Krikkit. The girl did not mind a bit. Grateful for the time spent with her friend, she loved every second of the pleasant excursion.

Returning to the palace, they found everyone in deep discussion about plans to rescue Queen MaryAnne, Ivan and Quinn. Jara changed her form swiftly into the young woman, joining in the discussion, while Krikkit sipped hot chocolate and ate the snacks prepared for her by Keeper Fie.

“I do have a plan, Jara. Your help is needed, along with Krikkit’s, but only after she naps,” Syntaba addressed them with certainty. “The king returns to Sareltin with signed documents for the D’Arquilles. Believing these documents are official, they will rejoice, thinking they are getting just what they desire.” Syntaba’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he continued, “Now Krikkit, I need you to tell me everything exactly the way it happened in the cave where you discovered my trunk. Share every little detail, whether it seems important or not.”

Krikkit cleared her throat, then described in detail everything that happened to her and the twins in the cave.

When she had finished, Syntaba exclaimed, “Ah! I thought as much. That small piece of shimmering cloth is just as important as every other item in my trunk. It belongs to the shoes! They were wrapped in it! I am sure that Quinn has it in his possession, still, so we can carry on!”

“But first your nap Krikkit!” insisted Jara, leading her out of the room. Climbing the staircase, the young woman and child entered the bedroom where Krikkit spent her first hours at the palace. “We will awaken you Krikkit, when you are well rested.” Jara gave her young friend a hug, then left the room.

Krikkit snuggled into the huge bed. Closing her eyes, she soon fell asleep and found herself back in her last dream. The wizard in her previous dream had been about to tell her his name, but she recalled waking up before he could do so.

“Hello, Krikkit. It is so nice to see you again. This time I hope I get to tell you my name.”

Looking into his face, she knew he did not have to tell her his name. Syntaba studied her with his kind eyes, his face crinkling into an enormous smile.

“Syntaba!” But how did you get into my dream?” she asked, totally mystified.

“I have visited you many times, in your dreams, Krikkit.”

“But why?” she asked again, still puzzled.

“Because you are one of those children who continue to believe so deeply in magic and fairy tales. Visiting children like you in dreams is one of my important tasks. It is vital for all of you to know that not all sorcerers and wizards are evil as described in fairy tales and fables.” He paused a moment to allow all this information to sink into the girl’s sleep consciousness. “That is why my shoes found you. They knew I visited you in your slumber. Without the aid of the trunk’s magic, the shoes sought another way to reach me. I am the one who created them, after all.”

“Stupendous!” breathed Krikkit,

“Stupendous!” agreed Syntaba. “Very magic!” he said with a laugh, remembering how she had described the shoes when they first met.

“And now Krikkit, I have a very crucial task for you and Jara.”

In that moment, Jara, the ram, appeared.

Krikkit clapped her hands in delight, exclaiming, “I hope I never wake up from this dream!”

“You will not awaken until our task is completed. Since the shoes are able to perform their magic on your feet due to our dream connection, we will achieve everything from the Land of Dreams and Fables. Here are your shoes.” With a pinch of her toes, Syntaba’s shoes replaced themselves upon her feet. Jara then kneeled in front of her.

“Up on my back, Krikkit. “We have an urgent mission to accomplish through this mystical and magical place.”