Boron felt the coins in his pocket as he walked through the city streets, careful not to jingle them too much. The urchins and pickpockets would target him in an instant if they heard the music of the coin and they could probably take them directly from his fingers if he was distracted well enough.
Three left. Just enough to purchase a snack for the walk home and have one left over for his savings jar. He paused in front of his favorite shop and eyed the wares through the gemstone window. The ruby glinted in the light and gave everything inside a red tint. Directly in the middle, perched on a pedestal, stood a book. Boron had eyed the book for years and had his heart set on purchasing it soon. It was made from real paper. He had only ever seen one other like it, as a child, visiting the Mayors house. The trees that grew in the caverns Below were extremely rare and were usually harvested for their fruit rather than made into paper. It had a genuine leather cover, made from the skin of a goat. He wasn't even sure what sort of story or history was printed inside, but he didn't care. One day, he would own it and spend hours going over its text.
Boron sighed and turned away from the shop. He meandered down the street slowly, trying to take his time. It was a cool evening, as most were. The glow worms were still active for a couple more hours and lit the city well, casting their light down from the series of stalactites where they lived. He paused in his step and looked around gently before moving on again,even more slowly than before. He had grown up in these streets, knew them and their workings like the back of his hand. Something was off. There were more Sniffers out than normal. Usually the special Delvers roamed one at a time, making rounds like the police of old. But today they moved in pairs, alert, sniffing along the way. They were looking for someone.
He stopped at a sweet shop and perused the shelves carefully, before finally giving in to his habits and grabbing two pieces of wormwood and paying for them. He entered the street again and turned toward home as he opened the first one. The chocolate melted in his mouth and the bits of glowworm inside turned the candy into a crunchy goodness that gave off a soft minty taste. He chewed slowly to savor it but his attention was once more drawn to the Sniffers that roamed. They were frantic, warey. Their bright eyes shone in the waning light and their noses were never still. Every now and again one would perk up and close their eyes, sniffing furiously in the still air before grunting in frustration and moving off.
Boron finally reached his little home, carved into the stone wall inbetween two taller buildings. He reached for the door and paused. His welcome mat sat just askew. He was always very careful to keep it just so. There was a chance someone walking past had disturbed it but this part of the street saw very few passersby and he doubted that was the case. He bent down and adjusted the mat, before taking a deep breath and walking inside.
“Boron”.
He yelped in response, the soft voice from behind the door startling him. He spun and the door slammed shut. His candy went flying as he made fists, ready to defend himself. It took a moment to finally recognise his friend and sigh in relief.
“Craksia, are you mad, scaring me like that? What if I had hit you?”
“You would never.”
Boron straightened to his full 4'3” hight.
“I've hit people before.”
“Jumping on Hilde in school doesn't count.”
“She made fun of my shoes.”
“She should have, they were hideous.”
Boron grunted in anger at her and spun on his heels, bending to pick up his food and walk back toward the kitchen.
“What are you doing in my house, hiding behind the door? You can always come by work, walk home with me.”
He reached to grab a glass and fill it with water and turned to ask if she wanted some as well. He finally loked her over completely.
“What happened to you?”
Craksia was covered from head to toe in a sickly green grime, which smelt horrid. Her shoes were missing and she stood oddly in the middle of the room, not resting but standing at attention, as if she was about to run at any moment. He forgot his question and simply poured them both some water. She took it greedily and asked for another. As she gulped down the second glass, it dawned on him.
“They're looking for you.”
She paused, slowly lowering the glass.
“The Sniffers. You're who they're looking for.”
She set the glass down and nodded, gesturing to her dirty clothes.
“The glowworms are the only thing they can't smell through.”
“What did you do?”
She seemed hesitant to tell him.
“Something bad.”
He rolled his eyes.
“I gathered that. What was it?”
“Boron I came to you for help, there's no need to be sarcastic.”
“I'm not trying to be. You broke into my home, pursued by Sniffers. I am entitled to know what specifically it is you've done and what you want from me. Now talk.”
Craksia sighed.
“I stole the Queen's Necklace.”
Boron stared at her, trying to decide whether or not he was imagining this entire thing. That was...impossible.
“The Queen's Necklace.”
Craksia nodded.
“The one she wears around her neck at all times.”
Another nod.
“The magical amulet she claims can give her the ability to teleport anywhere she wishes and treasures above anything else?”
“I know it sounds crazy.”
“It sounds insane.”
“It works.”
That stopped Boron cold. The fact that the Queen had a necklace that she wore at all times was common knowledge. She was constantly bragging about it and talking about how she was able to travel anywhere Below simply by thinking about being there. But no one had ever seen her do it. Most of the people believed it was simple drivel that she had decided to believe herself, but of course it couldn't work, that's crazy. But Craksia was no liar.
“What does that mean? Is that how you got in my house, you teleported?”
“No, I used your extra key.”
“I don't have an extra key.”
“It's under the second flower pot out front.”
Boron had nothing to say to that.
“You're talking crazy Craksia! What is this, some big joke? Where did you get that, it looks fake. Those stones on the side aren't real. Fine, it's funny. Is that what you wanted me to say?”
“Fralson is dead.”
Boron stared at her.
“That's not funny.”
Craksia's voice cracked.
“I'm not trying to be funny Boron!”
She burst into tears, collapsing. She didn't even aim for a chair, simply sat in the middle of the floor, tucked her head inbetween her legs and sobbed. Boron had no idea what to do now. Craksia would never joke about something like this and those were real tears. He crouched down next to her, unsure how to proceed. He put a hand on her shoulder.
“I'm so sorry.”
She looked up at him, a small smile on her face.
“He looked after me and my brother after Father died. Mother obviously couldn't take care of us, the way she was. I loved him very much.”
She tried to catch her breath, the tears still flowing. Boron patted her shoulder gently.
“Craksia, I understand you must be devestated. But there's something still you're not telling me. And I'm scared of what it might be.”
She sighed heavily, dabbing at her cheeks.
“It's probably best if I just show you. I don't think you'll believe me if I don't.”
Boron nodded.
“O.K. Show me.”
She stood, wiping the last tears from her face. She put out her hand. Boron hesitated, then took hold of it.
“Don't be scared.”
He gasped as the room dissappeared like smoke. Then nothing but black.
Boron instantly found himself standing in a dark cave. The disorientation of the travel made him heave and he vomited in the dirt. He felt a hand on his back.
“You'll be fine. Sorry I couldn't warn you.”
He wiped his mouth and turned to Craksia, eyes wide.
“The necklace. It works?!”
She nodded.
“How?”
She pointed to the small gems set in the sides.
“My father had one and Fralson had another. Without them the nekclace is useless, another piece of pretty jewelry. The Keys are what cause the teleportation.”
Boron shook his head in disbelief.
“I'm not sure I believe it.”
“We're well outside the city now and it only took us a moment to get here. If you don't believe that, then you'll never understand what I'm about to show you.”
“There's more?”
Craksia nodded and motioned for him to follow her farther into the cave. It grew almost pitch black before they turned a corner and a small fire sat in an alcove, warming and lighting the area.
“You built a fire, very impressive.”
Craksia ignored him and merely pointed to the side.
There, lying up against the rock wall, was a small boy, curled up asleep. Boron stepped closer for a better look.
It was a human.
Three left. Just enough to purchase a snack for the walk home and have one left over for his savings jar. He paused in front of his favorite shop and eyed the wares through the gemstone window. The ruby glinted in the light and gave everything inside a red tint. Directly in the middle, perched on a pedestal, stood a book. Boron had eyed the book for years and had his heart set on purchasing it soon. It was made from real paper. He had only ever seen one other like it, as a child, visiting the Mayors house. The trees that grew in the caverns Below were extremely rare and were usually harvested for their fruit rather than made into paper. It had a genuine leather cover, made from the skin of a goat. He wasn't even sure what sort of story or history was printed inside, but he didn't care. One day, he would own it and spend hours going over its text.
Boron sighed and turned away from the shop. He meandered down the street slowly, trying to take his time. It was a cool evening, as most were. The glow worms were still active for a couple more hours and lit the city well, casting their light down from the series of stalactites where they lived. He paused in his step and looked around gently before moving on again,even more slowly than before. He had grown up in these streets, knew them and their workings like the back of his hand. Something was off. There were more Sniffers out than normal. Usually the special Delvers roamed one at a time, making rounds like the police of old. But today they moved in pairs, alert, sniffing along the way. They were looking for someone.
He stopped at a sweet shop and perused the shelves carefully, before finally giving in to his habits and grabbing two pieces of wormwood and paying for them. He entered the street again and turned toward home as he opened the first one. The chocolate melted in his mouth and the bits of glowworm inside turned the candy into a crunchy goodness that gave off a soft minty taste. He chewed slowly to savor it but his attention was once more drawn to the Sniffers that roamed. They were frantic, warey. Their bright eyes shone in the waning light and their noses were never still. Every now and again one would perk up and close their eyes, sniffing furiously in the still air before grunting in frustration and moving off.
Boron finally reached his little home, carved into the stone wall inbetween two taller buildings. He reached for the door and paused. His welcome mat sat just askew. He was always very careful to keep it just so. There was a chance someone walking past had disturbed it but this part of the street saw very few passersby and he doubted that was the case. He bent down and adjusted the mat, before taking a deep breath and walking inside.
“Boron”.
He yelped in response, the soft voice from behind the door startling him. He spun and the door slammed shut. His candy went flying as he made fists, ready to defend himself. It took a moment to finally recognise his friend and sigh in relief.
“Craksia, are you mad, scaring me like that? What if I had hit you?”
“You would never.”
Boron straightened to his full 4'3” hight.
“I've hit people before.”
“Jumping on Hilde in school doesn't count.”
“She made fun of my shoes.”
“She should have, they were hideous.”
Boron grunted in anger at her and spun on his heels, bending to pick up his food and walk back toward the kitchen.
“What are you doing in my house, hiding behind the door? You can always come by work, walk home with me.”
He reached to grab a glass and fill it with water and turned to ask if she wanted some as well. He finally loked her over completely.
“What happened to you?”
Craksia was covered from head to toe in a sickly green grime, which smelt horrid. Her shoes were missing and she stood oddly in the middle of the room, not resting but standing at attention, as if she was about to run at any moment. He forgot his question and simply poured them both some water. She took it greedily and asked for another. As she gulped down the second glass, it dawned on him.
“They're looking for you.”
She paused, slowly lowering the glass.
“The Sniffers. You're who they're looking for.”
She set the glass down and nodded, gesturing to her dirty clothes.
“The glowworms are the only thing they can't smell through.”
“What did you do?”
She seemed hesitant to tell him.
“Something bad.”
He rolled his eyes.
“I gathered that. What was it?”
“Boron I came to you for help, there's no need to be sarcastic.”
“I'm not trying to be. You broke into my home, pursued by Sniffers. I am entitled to know what specifically it is you've done and what you want from me. Now talk.”
Craksia sighed.
“I stole the Queen's Necklace.”
Boron stared at her, trying to decide whether or not he was imagining this entire thing. That was...impossible.
“The Queen's Necklace.”
Craksia nodded.
“The one she wears around her neck at all times.”
Another nod.
“The magical amulet she claims can give her the ability to teleport anywhere she wishes and treasures above anything else?”
“I know it sounds crazy.”
“It sounds insane.”
“It works.”
That stopped Boron cold. The fact that the Queen had a necklace that she wore at all times was common knowledge. She was constantly bragging about it and talking about how she was able to travel anywhere Below simply by thinking about being there. But no one had ever seen her do it. Most of the people believed it was simple drivel that she had decided to believe herself, but of course it couldn't work, that's crazy. But Craksia was no liar.
“What does that mean? Is that how you got in my house, you teleported?”
“No, I used your extra key.”
“I don't have an extra key.”
“It's under the second flower pot out front.”
Boron had nothing to say to that.
“You're talking crazy Craksia! What is this, some big joke? Where did you get that, it looks fake. Those stones on the side aren't real. Fine, it's funny. Is that what you wanted me to say?”
“Fralson is dead.”
Boron stared at her.
“That's not funny.”
Craksia's voice cracked.
“I'm not trying to be funny Boron!”
She burst into tears, collapsing. She didn't even aim for a chair, simply sat in the middle of the floor, tucked her head inbetween her legs and sobbed. Boron had no idea what to do now. Craksia would never joke about something like this and those were real tears. He crouched down next to her, unsure how to proceed. He put a hand on her shoulder.
“I'm so sorry.”
She looked up at him, a small smile on her face.
“He looked after me and my brother after Father died. Mother obviously couldn't take care of us, the way she was. I loved him very much.”
She tried to catch her breath, the tears still flowing. Boron patted her shoulder gently.
“Craksia, I understand you must be devestated. But there's something still you're not telling me. And I'm scared of what it might be.”
She sighed heavily, dabbing at her cheeks.
“It's probably best if I just show you. I don't think you'll believe me if I don't.”
Boron nodded.
“O.K. Show me.”
She stood, wiping the last tears from her face. She put out her hand. Boron hesitated, then took hold of it.
“Don't be scared.”
He gasped as the room dissappeared like smoke. Then nothing but black.
Boron instantly found himself standing in a dark cave. The disorientation of the travel made him heave and he vomited in the dirt. He felt a hand on his back.
“You'll be fine. Sorry I couldn't warn you.”
He wiped his mouth and turned to Craksia, eyes wide.
“The necklace. It works?!”
She nodded.
“How?”
She pointed to the small gems set in the sides.
“My father had one and Fralson had another. Without them the nekclace is useless, another piece of pretty jewelry. The Keys are what cause the teleportation.”
Boron shook his head in disbelief.
“I'm not sure I believe it.”
“We're well outside the city now and it only took us a moment to get here. If you don't believe that, then you'll never understand what I'm about to show you.”
“There's more?”
Craksia nodded and motioned for him to follow her farther into the cave. It grew almost pitch black before they turned a corner and a small fire sat in an alcove, warming and lighting the area.
“You built a fire, very impressive.”
Craksia ignored him and merely pointed to the side.
There, lying up against the rock wall, was a small boy, curled up asleep. Boron stepped closer for a better look.
It was a human.
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