Reality Skimming
Reality Skimming promotes optimistic SF -- stories that inspire us to fight the good fight for another day. Committment to larger projects, the writer's sense of mission, joy of reading, the creative campfire of the SF community and the love of deserving protagonists are celebrated. We believe in heroes and striving to be what we believe in. It is also a news hub for content related to the Okal Rel Saga written by Lynda Williams.
Diff the Dragon – Part Fortytwo
Angela Lott is the middle child of Lynda’s three daughters. She did two years of Business schooling at the College of New Caledonia and is now working as a receptionist at her local FYiDoctors. In her spare time she enjoys writing, video blogging, reading and watching very nerdy TV shows.
Part 42
“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Tatt asked.
“Yes,” Alivda said.
“Humph,” Tatt said. “It doesn’t look it to me.”
“Hush!”
They hurried together through passages only fit for small rebellious children.
“There!” Alivda said. “There’s the exit! I told you I knew where I was going! Ha!”
And the two of them ran triumphantly towards the exit.
***
“You really are a worried parent now, aren’t you?” Eva said smiling.
“I guess so,” Amel said. “I am going to go look for her. You coming?”
“No,” Eva said. “I don’t have the strength to chase done Vrellish children. I didn’t even when I was young.”
“Fair enough.” Amel smiled and kissed her before he left.
“We made it!” Tatt said. “There’s the fountain! Now to find Horth.”
“This way,” Alivda said and Tatt followed.
***
When Amel found the practice room children-free he thought of where they could have gone.
“Think, Amel,” he said. “If you were a six-year-old Vrellish sword-happy child on Gelion, where would you go?” And the answer came to him.
***
“Do you think Amel has found out we are missing yet?” Tatt asked.
“Na,” Alivda said. “He will be busy talking to Eva for ages! She’s his old friend.”
“If you say so,” Tatt said.
They were coming up to the entrance to Red Hearth now.
The guard looked down at them.
They had known they wouldn’t be allowed entrance. They didn’t stop running. They ran right underneath the guards legs.
“Oi!” the guard said. “Come back here!”
They were both giggling excitedly, but they kept going.
“What are you doing here?”
“Who let you in?”
“You aren’t supposed to be here!”
Voices followed them as they ran, but they ignored them. They knew where they were going. Tatt had been here before with his uncle.
They only stopped running when they reached the dining area.
And there was Horth seated staring at a bowl of strawberries as if they were his enemy.
“We found you!” Alivda yelled.
Horth looked up and inclined his head. They had indeed found him.
“Would you please spar with us?” Alivda asked. “I want to learn!”
Horth didn’t say anything. He was thinking. This was not a complicated decision, so he didn’t need to think for long or at least not long for Horth.
“Yes,” was all he said.
Alivda jumped up and down and punched the air!
Horth smiled and indicated they should follow him out of the room.
