Part 18 (2/2)
”That was our sentiment,” the short one said. ”We had no paddle and did not dare enter the, uh, water. It just kept going until it came here, where Diamond was stranded.”
”Diamond?”
”The dog,” the tall woman said. ”She's a black Labrador from Mundania. We tried to pick her up, but instead the float tipped us off and kicked on, and we were stranded too.”
”Diamond must have run afoul of the scapegoat here,” Cube said. ”Maybe it was on the island, and she tried to help. So it took the float.”
”And then caught us,” the short woman said. ”Can you help us?”
”We can,” Cube said. ”But you may not like the method. You will have to enter this pouch.” She held it up.
”We couldn't possibly fit in there!” the tall woman protested.
”It's magic. I'll bring you out as soon as we reach the sh.o.r.e. But first I need to know your names.”
”Cory,” the tall one said. ”And this is my dear friend Tessa. And Diamond, of course.” She patted the dog. Now Cube saw the white diamond on her chest, accounting for her name.
”I am Cube, and this is--is my centaur friend.” That was a close call; if Karia had heard her name and drifted, they could have been dunked in boot rear. ”Put your foot in this.” She held forth the pouch.
”That looks like a dirty old sock,” Tessa said as she got a closer look.
”Yes,” Cube agreed. ”But it's magic.”
Hesitantly, tall Cory reached out with a foot and touched the pouch as Karia hovered close. ”Oh!” she cried as she slid inside.
Then Tessa lifted her leg, but she was shorter and couldn't quite get there. Karia dropped lower, tilting, and then the woman's toe touched it and she slid in.
But the motion overbalanced them. Karia pumped her wings, jerking up, and Cube grabbed her mane with both hands, dropping the pouch.
”Oh, no!” she cried, seeing it fall into the lake. Already it was floating away from the island. How could she get it back?
Then the dog jumped into the water. The boot rear caught her, making her rise, and caught her again, propelling her forward. But she caught the pouch in her mouth, then turned and struggled valiantly back to the island. She dragged herself out, somewhat battered. But she had the pouch.
”Thank you, Diamond,” Cube cried, relieved.
”Now I believe I can land, briefly,” Karia said. ”You take care of the rest.”
”I will.”
The centaur set her four hoofs carefully down on four sides of the dog. Then Cube reached down and took the pouch from the dog's mouth. ”Now put your foot in, Diamond,” she said.
The dog obeyed, and disappeared into the pouch. Karia took off, and winged rapidly back across the lake. She landed on the sh.o.r.e, and Cube slid off. She remained light from the flight, but could cope.
She held the pouch and put in her hand. ”Cory.” A hand caught hers, and she drew out the tall woman.
”Tessa.” The short woman joined them.
”Diamond.” The dog returned.
”We can't thank you enough,” Cory said. ”Normally we stay clear of the lake, but--”
”But we're soft hearted,” Tessa said.
”I understand. I came to see you because I am recruiting for a special mission, a Quest. I can't tell you more unless you agree to join it, because it's supposed to be secret. But the Good Magician said that those who join will be rewarded.”
The two exchanged a glance. ”Why did you think we would be suitable?” Cory asked.
”We had a magic indication. It pointed to your cave-house, and then to here. One of you must have some talent or ability that we need.”
”What we do, we do together,” Tessa said.
”Perhaps it is both of them,” Karia said. ”Completing the roster.”
”That might be,” Cube agreed, surprised. ”I can't really tell you more, unless you join, but maybe you could tell me whether you have any abilities that could help in a Quest.”
”Does this by any chance involve travel to a strange region?” Cory asked.
”Yes!”
”Then we do have a talent that is relevant,” Tessa said.
”Which of you has that talent?”
”Both of us,” Cory said. ”We share it, doing it together.”
”Such a thing is known,” Karia said. ”Goblins and harpies share talents. What is the talent?”
”Sidestepping,” Tessa said.
”What is that?”
”It's hard to explain,” Cory said.
”Easier to demonstrate,” Tessa said.
Cube pondered briefly. ”Can you show me?”
Both women nodded. They linked hands. ”Take my hand,” Cory said, extending her free hand.
Cube took it. Then the two women stepped backward--into the wall of the cavern. Cube followed, drawn by Cory's hand.
Cube looked around, astonished and rather nervous. ”What is this?”
”This is the other realm,” Tessa explained. ”You can let go now; once we are in, physical contact is not necessary. Only for getting in and out.”
”But we're in the rock!”
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