Fallen One (Book three of Alfireán age)

- Farewell Gypsies -

"We're here!" a voice called from the other side of the tent flap as the takoorah lurched and started to slow down.

Alf reached out and steadied himself against the tent's frame. Regaining his balance, he handed Drake back the object he had been channeling energy into, and the prince quickly stowed it away. Alf rose to his feet, pushed aside the canvas, and strolled out onto the foredeck of the traveling device.

Night had fallen over an hour ago, and a dim yellow light from the waning moon lit the curious landscape. A four-way crossroad stretched out before them, built over top of what seemed to be a dried-out lake or river bed. In the distance, beyond the desolate plain, Alf could make out a sparse tree here and there, and if he really squinted, a few twinkling lights from the port city of Cliphkirk.

"Why are we stopping here?" Olivia asked, joining Alf and staring out at the mud cracked land.

The caravan slowly glided to a stop at the crossroad, and Zindelo's heavy, booted footsteps sounded as he strolled out onto the back of the lead traveling device. "There are several people in Cliphkirk that make it their life's goal to cause trouble for us, " he explained, nodding towards the far off lights. "Seeing as most of my crew is exhausted from traveling all day, my wife thinks it'll be much safer for us to continue on our way to Africa."

"Or you just don't want us to realize that you took off with our stuff and have us come after you," Drake muttered from inside the tent as the call of crickets echoed in the distance.

"Oh, I see," Alf answered halfheartedly, the squeaking sound of the takoorah's ladder folding out marking their arrival.

"More than likely it's the people of Cliphkirk and us they're afraid of," Alf heard Zaphaniea whisper back to the prince.

"The city is only several miles down the eastern road," Zindelo said, indicating the highway in front of them. "For folks as strong as you all, you should have no problems reaching it."

Alf produced a small, magical light and glanced out over the long, barren bridge. "You're right," he replied as the others stood to their feet and joined him on the front of the takoorah. "We should easily be able to make it from here. Thank you," Alf said, motioning the others towards the ladder. "We had a wonderful trip."

As the stars twinkled overhead, the gypsy leader smiled at them, the corner of his brown eyes crinkling. "No, thank you," he said, a note of smug satisfaction tingeing his voice. "We enjoyed having you aboard," he added, stroking his silver beard.

"Ya, I bet," Drake said sarcastically as he scrambled down the ladder and onto the dust encrusted road.

Alf hid a smile, strolled to the edge, and jumped down, then turned around and held up his hands, hoping that Olivia would jump into his arms.

Livy however hesitated, and Pony quickly stepped in front of her and jumped down.

"Thank you, kind sir," the brown-haired maid said with a laugh as he caught her and gently set her down on the path beside him.

He turned back around, hoping Olivia would jump next, but she had already started climbing down the ladder, and Silver grinned at him knowingly as she slipped off the side of the takoora and into his arms.

Mimicking Alf's motions, Rex hopped off the takoorah. Landing beside him, he turned around to look back up at Zaphaniea with a mischievous grin. Then he held out his arms as the moon reflected off his emerald green armor and said theatrically, "Come, jump into my arms. You know you want to," he said winking flirtatiously.

The grand champion rolled her eyes, turned her back on him, and instead opted to stroll down a stairway made of her spheres while Scarlett took advantage of the vice champion's generosity.