Page 27 of Bewitched

“Hrmph,” said Medea, reaching up and squeezing the water out of her hair.

“You’re an interesting one,” said Alaina, her eyes boring into Medea again.

“Shall we proceed to the caves and see if we can find the dragon before the men arrive?” asked Rapunzel, thankfully changing the conversation before Medea did something nasty to Alaina.

“Nay.” Alaina shook her head. “I wouldn’t suggest going into the caves without the men.”

“Why not?” asked Medea defiantly. “I’m not afraid of the dragon. Are you?”

Alaina didn’t react. Instead, she slowly turned her head and looked out over the sea. “There are magical creatures here that you’ve yet to encounter. Those caves are filled with gnomes who don’t like to be around people like us.”

“Gnomes?” asked Medea, laughing. “Do you mean those little people with the tall pointy hats?”

“You know of them?” asked Alaina. “Do you have them where you come from?”

“We’ve heard of them, sure,” said Rapunzel. “I don’t believe we’ve ever encountered them, though.” She looked over at Medea when she said it. “Perhaps it would be best to wait for the men after all.”

Medea thought it was ridiculous, but didn’t want to object. She knew it would only bring about trouble. “What other kinds of creatures live on Mura?” asked Medea.

“Most of the magical beings are only on this side of the Picajord Mountains, not down south near the humans,” explained Alaina.

“So, where are they all now? I don’t see any.” Medea looked around but saw no one other than themselves.

“The Whispering Dale is where the fae folk live,” Alaina explained. “Next to it is Glint, the home of the elves.”

“Elves? Like that sage, you mean?” asked Medea. “Where is he, anyway? I thought he was coming along on the journey.”

“Elric lives in his own home atop a rock,” she explained. “He’ll be here, don’t worry. He travels so fast, that I’m sure he’s been waiting for us for quite some time now.”

“I am intrigued by these magical beings and can’t wait to meet some,” said Rapunzel with a smile.

“Don’t be too anxious. They’re not all friendly,” Alaina warned them, looking back at the caves.

“You can’t possibly be talking about those little gnomes,” said Medea.

“Them, and the giants who live on the Isle of Denwop.” Alaina pointed to an island just beyond the caves, isolated from anything else.

“Giants, huh?” Medea squinted her eyes to see the island better. “I hope they won’t eat us.”

“Anything is possible,” Alaina told them. “However, the giants’ favorite food is elves. Then again, they are huge and eat a lot. They have been known to eat anything when they’re hungry.”

“I don’t want to go there,” said Rapunzel, looking very nervous now. “We’ll just find the dragon, get the crystal key, and use it to open the portal to get back home.”

“Where are those pyramids that were mentioned?” asked Medea, looking around. “Mayhap we can collect the key while we’re waiting for the men to arrive.”

“Those are the Pyramids of the Gods,” said Alaina. “We’ll have to make some sort of offering when we go there, so we don’t anger them. They don’t allow many inside, even if someone has come to worship them.”

“Seriously?” Medea laughed. “You would think they’d want a large following. What kind of offering are you talking about? Are they going to want a snip of hair like that crazy elf, or mayhap they are even more addled and want something like... shoes?” She held up her foot and water dripped from the shoe.

“I wouldn’t speak that way about the gods if I were you.” Alaina’s eyes scanned the sky. “If you anger them, it can be very dangerous indeed.”

“This is silly.” Medea sighed and plopped down atop the rock. “I’m not afraid of any magical being or any of your so-called gods either.”

“Really?” The woman raised her chin and stared at Medea, causing a shiver to go up her spine. “Well, my dear, mayhap you should be.”

Eight

“Zann, mayhap you’d better shift and run ahead of us to make sure the women are all right. Tell them we’ll be there soon.” Rhys started regretting telling the women to go ahead of them.