Molly spungle : The Secret of Red Stone

Molly spied the green of her cloak several feet away. Running as fast as she could to the spot where the wounded man lay, she sank to her knees and uncovered him. She gently squeezed the wet dress so that water ran over his face. The man did not stir. His breathing was shallow and ragged, as if he was struggling for every breath.

Hoddi bent over him, running his hands down the man’s arms and legs. “No bones broken,” he mused. When he opened the man’s shirt, Molly could hear the sharp intake of Hoddi’s breath. “This is not so good,” he said. “I’m surprised he survived this ugly blow.”

A small trickle of blood began to seep from the large and jagged gash that ran across the man’s chest, appearing quite deep. Promptly, Hoddi stuffed the leaves over the wound, pulling the shirt over it and fastening it as tightly as he could.

“It will take more than a few leaves to heal him,” Hoddi told her. “But these will help the pain. We must get him to shelter.”

Molly told him of the cave she had discovered a short time ago. “We can take him there,” the fairy said, feeling worried as she looked at the paleness of the young man’s face.

“We must be very careful if he is to survive even this short journey. He must have lost a lot of blood,” he said. “He is terribly pale.” Hoddi picked him up carefully, holding the injured chest tightly against his own.

Molly led the way to the river, stopping at the waterfall to wet her dress again which was almost dry. “Through the waterfall,” she called to Hoddi who had moved on ahead. “That’s where the cave begins.”

When Molly caught up to Hoddi, he had already found the cave. Molly looked around, stunned at its beauty. The walls, floor, and ceiling of the cave were made from the red stone that surrounded the river. Hoddi had already placed the young man upon a wide ledge jutting out from the wall.

“I think the bleeding has stopped,” Hoddi informed her. “At least for the moment.”

“His breathing sounds a bit easier, as well,” said Molly, bending over the man. A slight moan escaped his lips and his eyes fluttered open. The dark blue eyes fringed with brown lashes, stared directly at Molly.

She spoke to him, crouching nearer so he could hear. “We are going to help you and look after those wounds.”

Hoddi was beside her. “We will do our best to heal you and make you healthy again, my friend. I would ask your name but you are too weak to talk. You must save your strength.”

The eyes of the wounded young male fluttered once more before closing. Molly saw his lips move and bent her ear to his mouth. She heard his frail voice say only one word. “Simon.” He lay still again, appearing to lose consciousness once more.

“That must be his name. Simon,” said Hoddi.

Molly, however, was shocked by what he had told them. “Simon!” she exclaimed. “This man, hovering near death, must be King Simon!”

Molly decided then and there to tell Hoddi the whole story. He was just as shocked as Molly to find out he was helping King Simon of the World Outside. “He must have been forced through the chasm in the sky at the same time I was,” declared the fairy.

“I have found my master and I will serve him steadfastly,” Hoddi vowed, as he stood in awe of the man on the ledge. “I will be forever loyal.” The little man bowed solemnly before the king. “We will need more leaves and whatever we can find to help heal Master, Molly. We must search,” he said, filled with urgency.

Upon entering the cave, Molly and Hoddi had noticed a light through the dimness, suggesting another possible entrance. The cave itself was damp with droplets of water trickling down its walls. It was bare, prompting Hoddi to remark, “There’s nothing we can use in here to help that wounded soul. We must search outside the cave.”

“There it is!” exclaimed Molly, seeing the opening as Hoddi spoke. It was much smaller than the entrance near the waterfall, forcing each of them to crawl through the opening. The red stone formed a path leading to a group of trees and bushes so dense they could not see through them.

“Let’s see what’s on the other side,” suggested Hoddi, immediately heading toward it. He had not the slightest trouble pushing the bushes aside and forcing his way through it.

“You are very strong, Hoddi,” said Molly, impressed.

“I will hold them for you, Molly.” He did so and the fairy pushed her way through as he had done. The stone path continued and further ahead they saw it turned sharply. “We must hurry, my little friend. The king’s wounds will need attention before much longer.”

Increasing their pace, the pair followed the sharp turn. Hoddi, a little ahead, suddenly stopped. He seemed to be speechless and his eyes were wide and staring at something in front of him. “Bejingles! Bejingles! It’s moving!”

“What is it, Hoddi? What are you staring at?” Upon reaching the strange little man, she saw he had collapsed to the ground as if unable to hold himself upright. Molly, staring in stunned disbelief, discovered the reason for his shocked state.

A slab of red stone, glistening in the sun, was beginning to grow larger. As the pair watched in sheer amazement, it turned and twisted itself into a strange formation. Growing larger each second, it left the two spectators wondering if they dared to believe their eyes.