Flinn stood calmly and looked curiously at Crispin and Arsenic. Crispin couldn’t believe the façade of calm and pounced on Flinn. Claws out, he landed on Flinn’s bare leg and hung on as if Buttercup had come back to life before his eyes.
Flinn flinched but made no move to remove Crispin from his leg. Rather, he said “That really smarts Crispin, if you wanted my attention you could have just asked me a question.”
Arsenic merely laughed and made his way up to Flinn’s left shoulder. “Don’t mind him, he’s grumpy and he doesn’t really know who he can trust.”
Flinn nodded and merely reached down and stroked the bristled fur on Crispin’s spine. “I promise Crispin, you can trust me.”
Crispin growled and released his hold on the boy’s leg. “We shall see about that. After all, I’ve have heard the whispers about your mother.”
Flinn slumped down against the base of the tree, his whole demeanor instantly changed. “What are they saying now? I’ve seen the looks when I walk in the village. I have no friends and it is lonely.”
Arsenic settled on Flinn’s shoulder and spoke up. “We, Crispin and I, have been talking. I have come up with a plan and I think I’ve convinced our friendly dragon here to help us all. But it means we all have to trust one another and be willing to take a risk.”
“I still think it is a horrible idea,” muttered Crispin. “I mean after all, a dragon, a fairy, a boy, and a wee girl unite to save a village? It’s daft.”
“What wee girl are you talking about? I want to help.” There was an air of excitement and curiosity in Flinn’s voice that was undeniable.
Arsenic spoke before there was a chance to for Crispin to start to complain. “Flinn, first anything we talk about this afternoon is between the three of us. Promise?”
Flinn vigorously nodded his head, his long brown hair slipping over his eyes as he nodded his head.
“Alright then, here’s the situation. I’m a horrible flower fairy. Everything I touch withers and dies and yet I love the village and the people. The other fairies are afraid I have something catching and they ignore me most of the time. Crispin here has a night time problem, he can’t sleep and so he roams the village at night. I followed him several nights and you will never guess what our “oh so scary” dragon here does on these nights.”
“What? Does he plug chimneys or dig up rose gardens?”
Crispin scowled, the displeasure evident on his face. “I do not dig up rose gardens. I told you this was a bad idea Arsenic. Can we kindly go now before this goes any further?”
Arsenic just laughed and ignored the plea. “Flinn he actually helps people at night. He sneaks into houses and shops and gardens and does things that need to be done. I’ve seen him stoke a fire that has almost gone out and tuck a smile child back into bed after the covers have ended up on the floor. One night I watched with amazement as Crispin straightened the butcher’s shop after a particularly bad day for the butcher.”
Flinn looked down at Crispin and smiled. “I never thought the stories about him were true. They seemed like too much bluster and not enough sustenance to be honest. Who is the wee girl and how do I fit into the plan you have?”
“The wee girl is Hermonia, she just moved back into town with her parents. She is three, maybe four, and she, like you, can see fairies. She is also not fearful of Crispin. She is very curious and intelligent and is fearless. I quite like her but Crispin is completely nervous about trusting one so young.”
“I’ve met her once when she came to my mother’s with her parents. She was quite talkative and funny. I liked her. But how do I fit into your plan? I am just a boy and according to my mother not a particularly bright or funny one.”
Crispin spoke up, “Your mother is wrong. I’ve watched from a distance since you were very small. Your mother is a bully who favors your sister because she wants her to someday take over the herbal business from her. Your mother has convinced everyone she’s a ‘witch’ and thus the village fears her. I think you are smarter than your mother and sister combined.”
Flinn just stared at Crispin, a bewildered look on his face. “You’ve been watching me? I never even knew.”
Crispin nodded, “Yes but I think you and Hermonia are too young to be involved in Arsenic’s crazy plan. It’s one thing if I get caught sneaking around, everyone already doesn’t trust me but you and Hermonia are innocent and if we get caught there is nothing we can do to help you. The village doesn’t even know about the flower fairies and they will never believe that I can talk.”
Flinn nodded, his face pensive. “That is true but although I’m only eight I know that a life without risk is boring. I’m already bored and lonely enough. I want to help. I understand the risks but I would rather run the risk of getting caught then doing nothing.”
Arsenic fluttered down to the ground standing between Crispin and Flinn. “Then it is a deal. The three of us are in. That just leaves having a conversation with Hermonia. She is always with an adult unless she slips out of the house to talk to the fairies. I guess I will try and catch her on one of those occasions.”
“I heard she’s coming her in the morning with her mother. I’m not sure why they are coming or how long they will be here.” Flinn spoke up, excited and nervous.
“Then tomorrow morning it is. I will be here with the first light since I’ve noticed the Hermonia likes to wake up with the sun. Crispin I will brief you at tea time if you can manage to sneak away from the afternoon walk.”
Crispin nodded his head slowly, “It seems like the best plan. Although I still think it has too many risks for the children to take.”
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