Dragon’s Head Village: Crispin and Arsenic Reach Accord, part 3

Arsenic stared into Crispin’s blue eyes and waited for him to say something.  Crispin stared at Arsenic, not really seeing him but staring off into the distance at the waves crashing onto shore.  Finally Arsenic could tolerate the silence no longer and carried on with sharing his plan.

“If you haven’t noticed, there is something unique and special about the new girl child that showed up when Catha moved back.  She sees fairies for a start and she is incredibly smart from the conversations I’ve overheard her having with Flavia.  She is gentle and funny and I think she could be a great help to us.”

“Us?”  Crispin roared.  “Who says there is an us?  I haven’t even agreed to work with you and now you are talking about bringing in a human child?”

“Well, actually two human children.  The Alchemist’s son, Flinn, has that same affinity for the unseen world around him.  I’ve had several conversations with the lad when I go over there.  He is an incredibly funny and curious child.  I think he is a bit older than Hermonia but I think both children can help expand the work you do under the covers of darkness.”

Crispin sprang to his feet and his eyes were flashing in pure irritation and anger.  “Now it isn’t just one child, it’s two in addition to you.  How on earth do you think this is going to work?  You can’t lift anything more heavy than a flower stem and yet you think you can help me aid the village?  You want to bring in two children who haven’t yet made it through their first  ten years of life combined into helping?  How precisely do you think that is going to work?  What makes you think that Hermonia and Flinn would be capable of keeping a secret?”

Arsenic listened to the highly irritated rumbling issuing from Crispin and silently acknowledged that he made a couple of good points.  As soon as Crispin finished, Arsenic settled to the ground and his wings grew still.  Their crimson flash was still as he settled amongst the rocks and ground covering.

“I have the one thing you don’t have and that is unfettered access to anywhere in the village.  I am not seen by villagers and thus I don’t have a reputation amongst the villagers.  I know of problems and issues that need solving that aren’t necessarily easy to see by a dragon who is known as ‘The Terror of the Village’.”

Crispin stared down at Arsenic, the truth of his words rang true and to himself Crispin acknowledged that he did in fact need help.  But really, help from the worst flower fairy in the history of flower fairies?   There was far too much truth in his words to deny what Arsenic said but was he willing to admit that to Arsenic and agree to his plans?

Arsenic just waited patiently, for the first time since he emerged from his flower three years ago.  He was confident and sure of his plan.  He knew he was meant for something more significant and life affirming than tending flowers and gardens.  He knew there was something special in the children and that the three of them, along with Crispin, could improve the lives of those around village. 

“Alright, say I agree to this incredible plan of yours, and I’m not saying I agree.  I was just wondering what you thought the first step might be when we return to the village.”  Crispin’s voice held a hint of curiosity and intrigue.

“The first step is very simple, we fly back to the village and met Flinn.  Late afternoon’s he loves to roam the herb garden that grows near the spine of Buttercup’s tail.  He and I regularly talk and he is quite funny.  He is bored and looking for things to do.  His mum, Ciara, doesn’t think there is anything especially magical or special in Flinn in comparison to his older sister, Robyna.”  There was a tinge of excitement and anticipation in Arsenic’s voice.

Crispin settled on the ground in front of Arsenic and looked the fairy in the eyes, he could see no trace of deceit or treachery.  He was sincere and excited about the prospect of helping the villagers and the two incredibly special children that lived in the village.  The only question that remained for Crispin was whether or not to trust Arsenic.

The two former combatants stared at one another for what seemed an eternity.  Eventually, Crispin made his decision and nodded his head and Arsenic scrambled aboard and the two took flight headed home.

 

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Jane & Fred

Jane hurled clothes from their closet onto the bed in sheer frustration and Fred wisely said nothing as he dodged the outfits hurtling toward him.  He watched as random weekend wear piled on the bed, what was an unorganized random collection of clothes clearly had a purpose for Jane.  He could hear her muttering under her breath but wisely decided to keep his mouth shut.

“Who does he think he is?  I invite him over for advice and help and all that pompous windbag can tell me is that he will have to look into it!”

Fred grunted his agreement and smiled to himself as George scampered for cover under the bed.  Jane paused and finally took a breath, turning around to glare at her husband.

“Are you grunting in agreement with me or with Gordie for taking the safe, academic road?”  There was a hurt tone in Jane’s voice.

Fred stayed on the bed, comfortably leaning back into the excess of pillows and ignoring the bait tossed at him by Jane.  He smiled quite contentedly, admiring how incredibly attractive his wife was when she was flustered and in a tiff about something.  Her violet eyes lightening up, her black hair in wild disarray, and her chest heaving from exertion and frustration. 

Jane glanced up and caught the admiring gaze of her husband and she burst out laughing.  She flopped onto the bed next to Fred and snuggled into his chest.  The familiar warmth and breathing of his comfortable presence enough to wipe out the frustration she had been so haphazardly venting mere moments before.  “Oh I’ve created quite a mess haven’t I?”  There was laughter in her voice.

“You seem to have tossed enough clothes on the bed for at least a week.  Are you running away from home forever?”  Fred was laughing as he spoke.

Jane’s reply was lost in his chest as she fell asleep where she lay.  Fred let her sleep, unwilling to disturb her nap when he knew how little restful sleep she had gotten in the past couple of weeks.  The responsibility of the journals and the creative drive was keeping her up at night.  Usually, Jane would crawl into bed and fall sleep to an Old Time Radio program long before he was even thinking about heading to bed, but lately he would come to bed to find her wide awake staring at the ceiling.  She would eventually drift off to sleep once he came to bed but she was always up before the sun each morning.  He would often find her sitting amongst the journals lost in the lives of the people from long ago.

Eventually, Fred slipped from the bed without waking Jane.  Softly closing the door behind him he went in search of the workmen.  The office addition was taking longer than expected and Fred was determined that barring a major outbreak of rain the office would be finished within the coming week.  The foreman stepped forward and before he could speak Fred held out his hand to stop him.

“I’ve had a conversation with your boss and before we have yet another discussion about impending delays due to this or that, let me be perfectly clear.  The job will be completed and approved this week to my satisfaction or your company will be replaced and reported.  Your boss is aware of this and before I hear one more conversation on why something cannot be completed.”

The foreman stopped in his tracks and stared for a moment before nodding his head and turning around.  There was construction dust everywhere and tools scattered about like children’s toys.  The office was about half done and looked like a complete mess.  He shook his head and went to grab a beer. 

 

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Dragon’s Head Village: Crispin & Arsenic Reach Accord, part 2

Arsenic tried very hard to not shiver, it was humiliating enough he was huddling next to Crispin for warmth.  Arsenic was wise enough to know that a little humiliation was better than freezing to death by the seaside.  Crispin was warm but if Arsenic held very still he could feel the slight shiver as it trembled through his body. 

Crispin lied there and contemplated what Arsenic knew.  He had been very sure that he hadn’t been seen when he snuck out and was out and about under the cover of darkness.  Now, he was sitting here on the famous bluff where Norman and Buttercup first met and he couldn’t stop thinking.  Buttercup had taken a chance with Norman and now he was wondering if he needed to take a chance with Arsenic. 

Arsenic was notorious in the fairy world, Crispin knew that much.   Arsenic had the reputation for being an extremely lazy flower fairy, an incredibly poor gardener with an inherent talent for killing perfectly healthy and flourishing flowers.  There had to be a reason that a failed flower fairy has up and about in the dead of night and Crispin was determined to figure out why.

Arsenic was standing there, covered if silky white fur, wondering why he had taunted the dragon and what he expected out of the encounter.  He was a failure as a flower fairy and now he challenged a dragon in front of the other fairies.  He knew they would have a slew of questions when he returned and he would have to figure out something to tell the fairies to put them off the scent of Crispin’s nighttime adventures. 

Crispin turned his head and stared at Arsenic.  “I admit it, I sneak out of the house on a regular basis and that I thought it was secret.  I help out with little things and up until now, it has gone completely unnoticed.  So, I’m wondering what you were doing up at that time of night and what you intend to do with that knowledge.”  His voice held an unspoken challenge.

Arsenic shifted so that he could face Crispin and slid to sitting position.  He was immediately buried by the fluffy white tail of Crispin and fluttered up covered in stray white fur from Crispin’s tail.  He sputtered and replied, “Truth is I can’t sleep and so I wander the village at night.  I usually sit outside on an open window sill and watch families sleeping so peacefully.  I’m jealous of their ability to sleep if I’m honest.”  His voice was wistful and his longing for acceptance was clearly evident.

Crispin laughed, a deep belly rumbling laugh that enveloped his whole body.  His laughter was contagious and infectious.  Soon, Arsenic was laughing right along with Crispin his crimson wings flapping wildly as he laughed.  Their laughter was carried away on the wind and shared with the various creatures, great and small, along the way.

“So then, Crispin the Trickster, what do we do now?”  Arsenic could barely choke the words out he was laughing so hard.

Crispin tried to respond but each attempt was choked off in another round of laughter.  Soon their combined laughter began to diminish each was hiccupping from laughing so hard.  Eventually peace and quiet returned to the bluff and soon they realized the wind had subsided along with their laughter.

“What now Arsenic?  Where do a dragon and fairy go from here?”  Crispin was clearly thinking out loud and Arsenic flutter up and away from his warm body.

He fluttered over to the front of Crispin and looked the dragon in the eye.  “I think I have a plan.”

 

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Dragon’s Head Village: Arsenic and Crispin reach Accord, part 1

Crispin fluttered just off the edge of the cliff where Arsenic fluttered impatiently. The wind gusted, throwing the anxious dragon and defiant fairy off balance. Arsenic set himself down on the cliff and looked at Crispin. Crispin was struggling against the gusty breeze and finally he came to rest beside Arsenic on the cliff.

“Hard to look intimidating when being tossed around like a ragdoll by the wind isn’t it?” There was a tinge of humor in Arsenic’s voice. “I have the same problem with the slightest breeze.”

“It is highly frustrating,” Crispin’s voice was resigned to being forced from his position of strength in the air. “Right, let’s get down to it then shall we?”

Arsenic laughed, “Fire away. I have nothing to hide.”

‘What exactly is it that you think you know about me? About my supposed actions between the covers of dusk and dawn.”

Arsenic stared at Crispin, watched as the gusting wind caught his silky white coat and ruffled his fur. Crispin appeared not to notice, but Arsenic knew that the wind was seriously messing with Crispin’s plans to look intimidating and fearsome. He smiled slyly to himself but Crispin caught it and worried for the first time that Arsenic knew his secret.

“Alright, mighty dragon I will tell you what I know. In return, I want one thing.”

“What do you want? No wait, strike that. I refuse to make promises under duress or blackmail.” There was a growl in Crispin’s throat but Arsenic seemed undeterred.

“Fine, but I’m sure after I tell you what I know and what I want you will agree.” There was a hint of barely contained laughter in Arsenic’s voice.

Crispin rumbled something under his breath but failed to say anything in response. He sat there next to Arsenic, fluffy white tail wrapped in close. Arsenic was fluttering next to Crispin’s face so that he could look him in the face but Crispin noticed the slight but persistent shiver that consuming Arsenic.

“Look, I can hear you if you are on the ground and not fluttering about in the breeze like a flower petal being tossed about on the wind. Tuck in under the warmth of my tail and I’ll lower my head to listen.”

Arsenic considered the proposition for a moment before conceding that he was cold and it was a struggle to maintain his position in the wind. He conceded gracefully and landed. Crispin flicked his tail open and Arsenic slipped in. His crimson coloring a bright red stain against the snow white of Crispin’s fur.

Arsenic was immediately warmer, the shivering ceased and the feeling began to return to his fingers and toes. The wind was growing fiercer and the sun was slipping further and further behind the clouds. “Looks like a storm is brewing, are you sure you will be capable of getting us back to the village?” There was a hint of concern in his voice.

“It’s a wee storm, nothing I can’t fly through. Besides even if I can’t, I’m sure we can take cover in one of the nearby caves. Now stop stalling, what exactly is it that you think you know?”

Arsenic nodded his head in agreement and then spoke, his voice low and rumbling deep in his slight frame. “I know that under the cover of darkness, you slip out of Zovah’s house and you wander about the village doing good deeds that go unnoticed by the villagers. I’ve seen you take loaves of bread and excess fruit and vegetables and deliver them to families that have slightly less than they need to thrive. I’ve watched you weed flower beds for those that are aging. I’ve seen you fly through the window of a restless child who is having trouble sleeping. I’ve listened to you purring to settle a restless dreams. I’ve watched you curl up and warm the bed those that have recently lost a loved one.”

Crispin listened and while he listened, some of the starch and vigor slipped from his stiff and proper bearing. Arsenic was huddled between his body and tail spilling his secrets like wine from a bottle.