“How can you be so calm, Maverick!?” I asked. I am only fourteen, but even I know that Arabella being in Count Kort’s castle isn’t anything to be thankful for. We had been sent by our father to escort Arabella on her journey home to her father. She and her father had just come back from the village of Areto, where there had been a large-scale attack, together they had been working to heal as many people as they could, but they soon ran out of resources. Mr. Gorsham, Arabella’s father, appealed to our father for medicine, which our father was able to provide. Also, the rumor spread of Count Kort’s son being ill and him searching for the owner of the Cordial of Healing. Mr. Gorsham returned to my father and asked for him to send an escort for his daughter. He’d a letter from Count Kort saying he would hold Arabella until Mr. Gorsham gave up the cordial. There are times that I can be thankful that I am only four feet nine inches tall, I can be thankful that I love to cook, I can even be thankful for my young age, but I can’t imagine being thankful for Arabella being taken to Count Kort’s castle.

“Vergandy’s right, how can you be so calm?” Echoed Alicia. “Because now we know where father wants us to go.”

“What?” Alicia and I asked. “Father said, ‘bring Arabella back,’ not hunt down Count Kort.” Added Alicia.

“He said, ‘bring Arabella back, no matter the obstacles.’” Maverick paused, to let the words he spoke resonate in our minds. Then he continued, “he also gave us instructions to tell Count Kort of the Cordial of Healing. We can kill two birds with one stone this way. We go to Count Kort’s castle, tell him of the Cordial and retrieve Arabella from him. Simple.” He grinned. He actually grinned.

“But it’s so far away!” Moaned Alicia.

“Not so far once you begin.” Encouraged Maverick, who had stooped to fasten the leather straps on the back of his calves. As he did so, the wind picked up and the smell of pine needles and fir trees brushed past our noses.

“Since we know what father wants, we ought not complain.” I added, slightly encouraged by the scent of adventure the trees produced.

“You’re right.” The iridescent blue scale, which hung from Alicia’s neck, glittered like fire in the sunlight as she rubbed it.

“Now come along! Daylight is fading!” Always lightning surging through his veins, Maverick, beckoned us to follow.

Maverick was being a dramatic when he said that daylight was fading, it was really only a little afternoon when we left the small, comfy, inn and began our arduous adventure. It didn’t take long before we met people along the road…

“Don’t go that way,” people would say. “For the road is hard and steep. You’ll never make it up there. I know I wouldn’t.”

“Your too young to be reckless,” others would say. “Don’t waste your youth on such a rough road.”

Maverick would thank them for their advice and continue with a spring in his step. He continually reminded us that it was our journey that would please our father.

As the three of us had suspected, the road up the mountain was of a vile nature. It was harder for me since I had been tasked by my father with caring for a small seedling, which now sat in a terra-cotta pot. With all of the rocks and outcroppings, the flat paths seemed diseased and rotten. Many times, I would stumble, catching my poor plant before it shattered against the rocks. Once we crawled our way out of the valley, we faced the mountain itself. We climbed near vertical ascents, getting bucket loads of dirt in our mouths and eyes.

Alicia spat dirt from her mouth, as she teased, “Maverick, I blame you for everything.”

Maverick laughed. “Don’t you always?” His broad smile lightened the burden of the road.

Finally, we arrived at the peak of Mt. DoKenstith (Doe-Kin-stith). Now the peak, connected, by bridge, Mt. DoKenstith to Mt. Kortenshil (Court-en-shill), which at its summit, loomed Count Kort’s fortress. However, the bridge was drawn and the chasm, a whale’s mouth. On the far side, there was a man who seemed to be kneeling and fixing the bridge.

“Excuse me, sir!” Shouted Maverick over the whistling wind. He always seemed to find more energy in the sugary mountain air.

“Yes, my fine fellow?” Hollered the man.

“May we cross?”

“Indeed, you may, if I can get this bridge working again.”

“When might that happen?” Asked Alicia.

“I shan’t be able to fix it till the morrow.”

“Dash it to bits.” I muttered aloud.

“Are we gonna have to find another crossing?” Alicia whimpered.

“I don’t think so.” Maverick turned back to the man. “If we could cross on our own, would you permit us?”

“Yes, of course.”

Maverick turned to his sister, “Alicia, hop onto my back and hold on tight.”

“You can’t jump that far!” Alicia panicked.

Maverick laughed. What was he thinking? Maybe all that sweet mountain air had made him light headed. What did he think? that he could fly?

“I’m not going to jump, I’m going to fly!”

Yep, he lost it.

Oh, but of course, I had forgotten.

“You’re going to use the gift father gave you!” my eyes widened.

“Oh. this’ll be fantastic! I’ve always wanted to fly!” Alicia’s school girl side of her came out, as she jumped up and down.

Maverick tucked a fiery red feather into the chest of his rustic brown coat. Alicia hopped onto his back and he spread out his arms. No sooner had the wind picked up, then Mavericks arms sprouted feathers. Hundreds and thousands of feathers, Maverick stood, a man-sized eagle, on the cliffs edge. Okay, well he only had feathers on his arms, but he was the biggest bird I’d ever seen.

Maverick launched himself and Alicia into the air, he flapped his arms over the ground for a moment or two, in order that he might accustom himself to the extra weight, then swiftly he darted to the other side of the cliff. Alicia giggled as they alighted.

“That was amazing!”

“Indeed, it was, young lady. You, my good sir, have a gift.” Said the bridge watchman.

“It’s from my father, sir. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go get my brother.” With that Maverick leaped into the air and dived back to where I stood.

“Hold on tight to your seedling, Verg. You don’t want to lose it.”

“Believe me, I had thought of that.” I remembered how, when I had planted the seed, I had crushed it deep within the soil. I felt confident that nothing would happen to the plant itself, as long as I held onto the pot.

Before I could finish my thought, however, Maverick jetted into the air and we were well on our way to Alicia. Just after I regained my composure, I looked into the pot. There was no seedling!

“Oh no!” I cried.

“What is it?”

“The seedling fell out of the dirt!” I looked about us, knowing that the plant could not have gotten far. “There it is, it’s falling down the chasm!” I pointed with my stumpy finger.

“Then we shall get it!” Believing himself a falcon, Maverick dove. “Got it yet?” He strained his neck to look over his shoulder.

“GOT IT!” I gently plopped the seedling into the dirt and began re-covering it as Maverick flapped back to the cliff.

I heard Maverick breathing heavily. “Are you alright?”

“I have to… flap more… to get… altitude.” Was Maverick’s reply.

“Oh, thank you!” Immediately, I lunged at the rope like a fierce tiger and held it out to Maverick. “Grab the rope!”

The cords burned as we were pulled to the surface, but I didn’t care, my brother was safe. Once at the top, Maverick was a young child, gasping for breath.

“Why did you do that? You could have gotten yourselves killed!” Alicia was as shrill as a whistle in her tone of voice.

“I lost my seedling, Maverick dived after it.”

“Well, you should have been more careful. He shouldn’t have risked your lives just to get a silly plant either.” Alicia’s heart jumped from her chest. She put her hand over her heart, that was all she could do to keep it inside of her

“No… Alicia… we got it… because… it was… father’s gift… to Verg.” Maverick spoke strained and slow, like an old man who could only breath by medical aid. Maverick slowly stood up, gaining his breath and strength. “Unfortunately, Verg wasn’t looking after his gift enough, but, how else do we learn than by making mistakes?”

“You could have been killed!”

“We have you and we have father’s gifts, that’s all we need.” Maverick breathed heavily. “Do not be so hard on Verg, Ali. I’m sure he’s been beating himself up enough. We can all do with a little support every now and again.” Maverick put his arm on my slumped shoulder. “Look after that seedling.”

“I will.” He was right. I had felt entirely responsible. My hands gripped the terra-cotta pot tightly, as Maverick looked deep into my eyes. His warmth of spirit, adventure, and character filled me to the brim with courage.

“It all makes sense now.” The bridge man, who had been observing us quietly till now, took a step closer. “You must be some of the King’s children.”

“Yes sir, we are.”

“But you do not look like his eldest son, therefore you must be some of his adopted children.”

“You are very astute, sir.” Alicia smiled.

“I commend you for coming all this way. Now, then, let me give you some guidance.” The man turned and pointed. “Down that way there is a river. However, if you follow the path till there is a turn off and travel down further still you will come to a calmer part of the river, where there is a bridge.”

“Thank you, sir!” I bowed slightly. Feeling livelier now.

“We are indeed, indebted to your kindness sir.” Maverick thanked.

We hiked on down the path the man had pointed to. It was not nearly as rough and miserable as the initial climb had been. All the while we could hear the crowd of people murmuring beyond the tree line that made up the river.

“I’m sorry about earlier, Vergy. How’s the seedling doing?” Alicia asked.

“I think it’s doing well. It seems… larger?” I studied it for a moment or two. “That doesn’t seem right.”

Maverick turned to look at the little plant. “Oh golly! Yes, it is bigger.” Maverick chuckled. “How do you do it, Verg? Here you are, growing a small tree from an ancient seed with ease, whereas I have difficulty growing a dandelion.”

“I love to tend to it. I think that’s the difference. You love adventure and have a hard time finding peace in the tending of nature.” I rubbed the leaf of the little plant. It’s always important to give plants some loving attention.

“We all have our different gifts and ambitions.” Maverick grinned.

“Yes, father says I can’t fly in the rain, or any wet for that matter.”

“I could swim across and carry Vergandy on my back.” Alicia offered. “That way you can fly over without weight.”

“Oh yes! Let’s do that.” But as soon as Maverick said that, the clouds began drizzling.

“Hurry get Vergandy across! I’ll see how far I can fly in this weather.” Maverick hoisted me on to Alicia’s back.

Alicia darted through the water, her swimming skills enhanced by the sea serpent scale our father had given her. I had to hold the seedling over my head to make sure it didn’t drown in the water. The current was fierce, but she was a stronger swimmer. I crawled onto shore and saw Maverick flying over the water. Alicia turned to see the sky drop on Maverick. Apple sized raindrops pelted him.

Within seconds the feathers on Maverick arms were soaked and falling off. Feathers layered the surface of the water as Maverick fell with a SPLASH!

“Maverick!” Alicia screamed.

She leaped from the shoreline and crashed through the surface of the water. In a flash, she was at Maverick’s side, as he was drifting down river by the current.

“Grab onto my neck!” Alicia called out.

Maverick’s grip was strong, but his weight kept Alicia from making progress fighting the current.

“Ugh! Uh! Vergandy!” Alicia panicked.

“Hold on!” I ran down the shoreline to a tree over hanging the river. SNAP! The tree branch made a great extension arm. I grabbed the tree for support. “Take hold of the branch!”

Alicia fought the current for a few feet and stretched out her hand to the branch. I pulled the two toward the shore. Everyone was safe, but soaking wet.

“Quick thinking you too.” Maverick complimented. “I don’t know what I’d do without each of you.” The rain became a mist as he hugged us.

Alicia opened her eyes, “Hey! Look!” We turned to see what she was pointing at. “Isn’t that Count Kort’s castle?”

“Indeed, it is. Good job, Ali.” Maverick shook his hands to dry them off a smidge. “Let’s go, our goal is in sight!”

“Wait! I have to get my plant.” I ran back to where I had set the pot down on the shore.

“Whoa!”

“What is it?” Asked Maverick.

“It’s grown more!” I turned around to show off the, now, small tree within the pot.

“WOW!” Alicia exclaimed. “How are you doing that?”

“I’m not, it’s growing all on its own.” I chuckled.

“Yes, but you are tending it. Obviously, you are tending to your gift well, for it is growing exponentially.” Maverick deliberated.

“How do you do that?” Alicia asked, admiring her elder brother.

“Do what?”

“Just say the most profound things, like, literally all the time.” Alicia giggled.

Maverick grinned, “I’m not sure. Maybe, that’s my gift!” With that he started walking on the trail once again. “Come along! We may get to Kort’s Castle by night fall.”

And indeed, we did. In fact, the sky was a brilliant purple-y, orange-ish, blue when we knocked on Count Kort’s large wooden doors. But compared to the radiance of the sunset, the solemn guard who opened the door, seemed dark and grey.

“Y es?”

“We are three of the King’s children, we have come to see Count Kort.” Maverick, still wet and cold from the water and wind, shivered as he spoke.

“It is late. But, I do believe the Count is still up this evening.” The guard contemplated. “Do you have proof that you are the King’s children?”

After Maverick showed the guard the medallions that we had been instructed to carry by our father, he let us in. He took us to a study where we waited for several minutes as the guard spoke to a servant who could announce our presence. I sat mesmerized by his brilliant décor, which could only be rivaled by our father’s. Tapestries hung from the high ceilings, designs embroidered upon them of ancient heroes slaying large and monstrous creatures. They all seemed to be telling history of Kort’s family. Maverick sat on a Bordeaux cushioned couch, snoring, deep in sweet slumber. Within the study, the sweet smell of port filled the nostrils causing drowsiness. Alicia scrutinized the many books lining the bookshelves, which surrounded the windows overlooking the bridge from which we had come earlier. I saw her hands reach to pull a book from the shelf, desiring the fairytales of forgotten legends, but remembering that she had not been invited to do so, she jerked her hand back. Gently, they folded behind her back as she bit her lip. Maverick’s head bobbed and he woke himself. Just then, the doors to the study opened. Count Kort stood, kindly studying the three scraggly and dirty kids in his study.

Maverick jumped to his feet. “Count Kort, thank you for seeing us this late.”

“It is no trouble, I have not found sleep within the last few days. Company is a treat to such depravity.”

“Are you unwell, sir.” Alicia asked.

“Me, no. Not physically. My son is ill. He requires medicine that is only found in the Cordial of Healing, but I have still to find that device.”

“You know of the Cordial? Then do you know where it is?” I asked. I wanted to know what he had heard of it. It seemed a good tactic, maybe even one Maverick would approve of.

“Yes, at least I know the man who has it. Alas, I have not been able to find him. By chance have you met a Fredrick Gorsham on you journey?”

“Mr. Gorsham! Yes!” Alicia exclaimed. “In fact, we have come to retrieve his daughter for him.”

“Is that so?” Count Kort straightened up, his brow furrowed and his demeanor became significantly more hostile.

“Sir, we do not intend to take her by force.” Maverick assured.

“I should say not.” Kort seemed to grind his teeth.

“Sir, our father has sent us to take her back to Mr. Gorsham. But, there is something more, you should know that the Cordial of Healing has been spent. There is nothing more within.” With these words Maverick pulled a vial out of his tunic and held it out to Count Kort.

“I don’t believe it!” Kort swipped it from Maverick’s hand. He shook it in his hands, then listened at the side of it, shaking it still. He pulled the cap off and shook it upside-down. Nothing. Not even a drop was released from the vessel. “No.” Kort whispered, sorrowfully.

“It was used to save many of the Areto villagers who were attacked by the dark armies. You would not wish it to be used up in any other way, would you?” Maverick asked.

Kort quivered, then he let out a blood curdling, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” He threw the vial across the room. It shattered into a million shards. Kort dropped to his knees, sobbing. “My son… my son.”

“Is there no other way to save your son, sir?” I asked scooting forward in my seat, so that I could hop down. When you are short as I am, it is a process to get in and out of a seat, with a lot of shuffling and jumping, or dropping. As I stood, my legs shook. Kort’s outburst had scared me, but I still wanted to help the poor man.

“There is nothing…I have studied every manuscript in existence listing the different remedies to my son’s illness.” Still weeping, Kort slowly stood and keeping his face from us. “The only other remedy, is fruit from the Tree of Vivacity.” With these words, he turned to the three of us.

“Please forgive my outburst, I am now a broken man with…” Kort’s his face changed from woe and despair to shock and awe, as he looked to the potted plant held within my tiny mitts. “Excuse me, what is that you are holding, my good man?”

“It is a plant my father gave me. He told me it was the seed of an ancient and long dead tree. I was told to tend and to keep it, and it has grown exceedingly well over the last few hours, especially.”

“But couldn’t father have sent someone else?”

“No, he couldn’t have.” Maverick chuckled. “Father sent Vergandy. He was the one who could take care of the plant, he tended to it and it grew. If Verg hadn’t been in charge of its care it wouldn’t have grown as fast. And the mission we were told to go on would not have been completed.”

“So why did we have to come?”

“Because, Verg needed our gifts to get here. Without our gifts he would have been too late to save Kort’s son, or he would have had to use our gifts and focus on the plant, which is impossible.” Maverick stopped. This whole time he’d been looking out of the study door after Count Kort, now he turned to look at Alicia. “We were sent as companions. Vergandy was sent to be the true hero.”

My two siblings looked to me. I looked between my fiery haired brother and my outspoken and silly sister with a broad smile, knowing now what my father had planned for a little son like me. And in that moment, I was thankful that Arabella was at Count Kort’s castle. Maverick was right in more ways than one. We did kill more than one bird with one stone. We reunited a father with his son, a father with his daughter, and my father taught me that even though I’m short, weak, and different, that I share the same kind of hardships as my siblings. But, in the end, those hardships are a blessing.

© 2017 The Whimsical Sort® This document may not be distributed in part or in whole for purchase or any material gain.